Superbly tense and oozing with atmosphere, Anna Downes’s debut, The Safe Place, is the perfect summer suspense, with the modern gothic feel of Ruth Ware and the morally complex family dynamics of Lisa Jewell.Welcome to paradise…will you ever be able to leave?Emily is a mess.Emily Proudman just lost her acting agent, her job, and her apartment in one miserable day.Emily is desperate.Scott Denny, … apartment in one miserable day.
Emily is desperate.
Scott Denny, a successful and charismatic CEO, has a problem that neither his business acumen nor vast wealth can fix. Until he meets Emily.
Emily is perfect.
Scott offers Emily a summer job as a housekeeper on his remote, beautiful French estate. Enchanted by his lovely wife Nina, and his eccentric young daughter, Aurelia, Emily falls headlong into this oasis of wine-soaked days by the pool. But soon Emily realizes that Scott and Nina are hiding dangerous secrets, and if she doesn’t play along, the consequences could be deadly.
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The Safe Place isn’t so safe! Oh my, how I loved this complex roller coaster of a ride! I went into this totally blind and so happy I did! The characters are revealed peeling layer by layer to really find out who they are. Shocked, thrilled and mesmerized I was with each chapter. Once I started, the more further the mystery the harder it was to put down! I thought many times I knew what was going on and I actually had no idea what was to unfold! I highly recommend this story to readers who love thrillers, who love the mystery of a unique story like this!
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!
Intriguing mystery that drops clues like a gumball machine with many rolling right past only to be retrieved and gathered together in the end.
Emily is flighty and klutz. She cannot keep a job and appears to be an empty-headed blonde. In reality, she is quite smart once she applies herself. Scott is a control freak who appears to only want Emily for assistance to his wife and daughter, but something is definitely off about him. However, something is clearly wrong at the utopia home. Nina gives off the impression that she is acting and trying to appear like a normal wife and mother, just before she goes bat-shit crazy.
Emily spends much of the book wondering what she has gotten herself into. Aurelia is simply strange. (As a side note, I found her name to be distracting because I never knew how to pronounce it).
The writing is good and the story flows. I found myself wanting to slap Emil upside the head for being so accepting. I wanted to slap Nina in general. Even so, I found this novel to be exciting and suspenseful.
A definitely recommended read.
I received an ARC from St. Martin Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!
Intriguing mystery that drops clues like a gumball machine with many rolling right past only to be retrieved and gathered together in the end.
Emily is flighty and klutz. She cannot keep a job and appears to be an empty-headed blonde. In reality, she is quite smart once she applies herself. Scott is a control freak who appears to only want Emily for assistance to his wife and daughter, but something is definitely off about him. However, something is clearly wrong at the utopia home. Nina gives off the impression that she is acting and trying to appear like a normal wife and mother, just before she goes bat-shit crazy.
Emily spends much of the book wondering what she has gotten herself into. Aurelia is simply strange. (As a side note, I found her name to be distracting because I never knew how to pronounce it).
The writing is good and the story flows. I found myself wanting to slap Emil upside the head for being so accepting. I wanted to slap Nina in general. Even so, I found this novel to be exciting and suspenseful.
A definitely recommended read.
I received an ARC from St. Martin Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.
The Safe Place is such a rare thing ― a claustrophobic, addictive thriller that lets you actually feel for all of the characters involved. Anna Downes has such skill in combining the heart-in-mouth feeling that everything is building to a disaster with genuine emotion. I was right behind her as she chose this big change in her life, and in a strange way, right behind Scott and Nina, too, whose stories were heartbreaking.
Anna Downes debut novel The Safe Place will surely place her safely amongst the rising stars of mystery-thriller authors.
This very suspense mystery is set in the U.K. and in France, and it is narrated by both Emily Proudman and Scott Denny. Emily is an interesting character. She is a white-hot mess. Even as an adult, she behaves like a petulant child having a tantrum when she bothers to contact her adoptive parents. There is something in Emily’s past, and neither Emily nor the reader ever gets a full view to the dark, repressed childhood trauma. It is clear that she is desperately seeking approval and acceptance.
Her employer Scott Denny and his wife, Nina, are creepy. There is something off or “not quite right” with each of them, and together they are the “power couple” of crazy. These characters add greatly to the story’s foreboding. The entire book, I questioned Scott’s complicity and motivation. Like Emily, I questioned the rumors surrounding Nina and Scott’s relationship. At first, Nina seemed lovely if not lonely and forgotten by her too-busy husband. But looks can be deceiving! Nina remains a little more mysterious since the reader never gets her POV, but Scott’s unreliability as a narrator makes him easily as difficult to know.
Ms. Downes is a good storyteller. Overall the plot is well paced. The story is believable. There are clues to the mystery sprinkled throughout the story (that I caught in hindsight). The characters are interesting and compelling in an odd way. The mystery wasn’t what I initially anticipated, and the ending was quite different that I had expected. There is just enough justice and closure to be satisfying even though I didn’t feel that Emily or I got her full story.
I loved The Safe Place… it was tense and atmospheric with the seemingly idyllic yet eerie setting. A truly gripping read.
The tension ratchets up and up in this beautifully paced thriller ― an outstanding debut, populated by complex and sympathetic characters. You’ll be thinking about them long after you’ve finished reading. Destined to be a book club favorite.
The Safe Place is a dark and wonderful debut that lulls you in with beautiful prose and complex, believable characters, then beats you over the head with a killer plot and a thrilling climax. It’s the kind of book you race through as quickly as you can so you can start it again. Everyone will be talking about this book!
The Safe Place is a brilliantly atmospheric novel that keeps you equally gripped and unsettled from page one. Starkly original and with an alarmingly plausible premise, this is destined to be a bestseller.
Emily gets the offer of a lifetime from her boss. He wants her to help his wife and daughter while he’s away at work, will she accept? You will be on edge of your seat until the very end.
This was an interesting book to read during this time in the world.
The book starts with a character being picked up at the airport and taken to a property where she is to work. It is in the middle of nowhere and she has no idea what she has signed on to do. It leaves the reader with an eery feeling. A feeling of unrest and not quite sure what is going to happen. We then are taken back a bit to see what brought us to the present.
Emily is a down on her luck sort of character. She is working as a secretary while she pursues her dream of being an actress. She has no sort of ties to anyone and she doesn’t have a real close relationship with her parents. In fact, the only time she seems to call them is if she needs something. And the last time she calls them asking for money, she has forgotten that it’s her mother’s birthday. It appears that her parents have had it with her. With nowhere to turn, a seemingly great opportunity just happens to drop in her lap.
“The smallest thing can change your life. Just one decision can open so many doors. You can walk through any one of them-or all of them at once-and become a completely different person. And just like that, nothing is ever the same again.”
Scott’s company employs Emily but really has no contact with her. After much investigation into her life, he sets in motion to have her fired and have her set up so he can offer her a position that she simply cannot refuse. Only thing is, she has to leave her home in England for France to basically be a caretaker for his wife and daughter and do really anything and everything around their land.
When Emily arrives to France and the property they call Querencia, she sees nothing but beauty and possibility. Scott’s wife, Nina and their daughter Aurelia are a bit odd, but the property is beautiful and secluded and has so much potential. The three of them seem to get along ok, but there are little quirks in Nina and Aurelia that Emily brushes aside. She gets to live in a beautiful place and that almost makes up for everything she questions.
As I was reading this story, I enjoyed the way it was told. Alternating chapters between Emily and Scott. Although Scott for the majority of the book was back in England and not even with Emily, Nina and Aurelia, he obviously held a huge part together for where this story was going to go. But that was part of the issue I had. Why wasn’t he there with his family? Why wasn’t there parts of him anywhere at the home? What type of connection did he have with his family and now Emily? I had so many questions and wasn’t quite sure how Ms Downes was going to connect all the dots. Don’t worry. She definitely answered my questions.
For the majority of the story, we are basically held in “quarantine” in Querencia. No outside visitors (except Yves, who kept his distance). No leaving the house, for the most part. No contact with the outside world. It held the reader on edge waiting for something to drop. Not unlike what’s happening in the world here in spring 2020. Odd characters that obviously had more to them than what we were being given and a boss that was holding something back. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters too much, but I felt for Emily. She was just trying to survive and maybe make some money finally. When the “other shoe did finally drop” I knew it had to be something with those characters. You got the feeling that money can buy anything.
While this story did hold my attention, it felt a bit slow moving. I wanted something more major to happen. Maybe more evil lurking as opposed to mental issues. I won’t give much away, but I think this story is definitely for someone that wants to slowly progress and gather all the clues to see what is really going down in Querencia. It’s not fast paced, but it’s all about the characters and what you can get away with if you have the means to.
I had high hopes for The Safe Place. The storyline sounded so promising despite the possibilities for predictability. In the end, it was predictable, but that isn’t what bothered me. My problem was that this whole thing relied heavily on Emily being completely gullible or not very bright. Maybe both? Had she at least known Scott, I could’ve maybe seen her accepting the job, but it just doesn’t ring true. Plus, I struggled with Emily anyway. I tried, but I couldn’t find it in myself to like her. I won’t go into any other details so I don’t give any spoilers, but it’s safe to say that this one didn’t work for me. This is a debut, which surprised me based on the writing style. The story does have good flow, it’s a bit slower paced than I care for, but I didn’t find any serious lags, so that’s a plus. What it comes down to is yes, I would read something else by Anna Downes. She does show talent, and I’ll be interested to see how her writing takes shape. This one just didn’t happen to be the one for me.
2.5 stars
I was really excited to get my hands on an ARC (thank you, Minotaur Books) of THE SAFE PLACE, and early reviews gave me high hopes. I expected a taught thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed.
It tells the tale of aspiring actress Emily, her temporary boss Scott, Scott’s wife Nina, and daughter Aurelia. The story is full of secrets, the toll of isolation, and the lengths people will go to acquire the perfect life. My problem is that I did not like any of the characters, and the story is quite predictable. I wanted there to be a fabulous, jaw dropping twist, but it never happened. The story felt unfinished; I was left with questions about Emily’s past and Aurelia’s future.
I am sure many readers will really enjoy THE SAFE PLACE, and I encourage everyone to take my thoughts on it with a grain of salt.
I was generously provided a copy of this title from Minotaur Books and voluntarily shared my opinions here.
Emily never could keep a job.
The day she was fired from the last job she had was definitely the start of something different.
Her old boss tracked her down and told her she was not fired and he had another position.
Emily couldn’t imagine what position Scott had for her, but it turned out to be unique and unbelievable.
Emily finds herself in a remote paradise with Scott’s wife and odd daughter. There is no phone service or wi-fi, but her day’s work and the beauty of the estate make up for the lack of both.
Something is very odd, though, and Emily still hasn’t figured out what it is. For one…why does Scott never visit or cancel his flights when it is time to visit?
Meanwhile, she decides to just enjoy until something happens. And….things definitely happen.
THE SAFE PLACE keeps you turning the pages because you have no clue what’s going on with the bizarre behavior of Nina and her daughter, Aurelia.
Just what did Emily get herself into? Was this really a dream job?
THE SAFE PLACE has a slow buildup to a very riveting ending.
A great summer thriller you won’t want to miss. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.
Are you ready to get your mind blown? Your heart pumping out of your chest? Then your ready to pick up a copy of The Safe Place by Anna Downes! I couldn’t put this book down. My husband ate cereal for dinner because I wasn’t taking time out to cook.
This was one of the best debut novels I have read in a long time. If Anna Downes comes out this strong, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Her characters are fabulous and you don’t really see their cracks until about two thirds into the story. She gives you such a false sense of security and then BANG! You’re racing for the finish. Oh boy! It’s quite a ride.
The Safe Place is so well crafted. I didn’t find any flaws. There were a few clues along the way but, to tell you the truth, I was so lulled by the story I didn’t pay much attention to them.
The setting was idyllic. A private and secluded property on the coast of France with anything your heart desires except for internet, phone service and a connection to the outside world. Sounds like heaven. Doesn’t it?
If you like Psychological Suspense like I do, don’t put this on your “To Be Read” list. Get it now! Read it NOW! You’ll love it. I promise.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
After Emily loses her job and her apartment, her former boss, Scott, offers her employment as a housekeeper and au pair for his reclusive wife and daughter, who both live on a beautiful estate in France. Emily falls into the job and friendship with Scott’s wife, Nina, and affection for their daughter, Aurelia, easy. For the first time in her life, she feels like she belongs. But as she spends more time with Scott’s family, she starts to realize that the Frech paradise and her employers are not what they seem.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut thriller by Anna Downes. With short chapters and engrossing prose, I found it hard to put down. I was captivated by the story and characters even at the parts where not a lot was happening. The twist was unexpected; I didn’t see it coming! I would highly recommend The Safe Place to all domestic suspense fans.
Emily dreams of being an actress. She lives in London, working temp jobs and going for auditions that never seem to pan out. After being late to work one time too many, she finds herself fired. Being a nice person, she decides to finish out the day. When Scott, the head of the firm, sees her enthusiasm helping to entertain a small child, he has a plan for her.
Scott has an estate in France called Querencia. His wife, Nina, and young daughter, Aurelia, live there. Scott offers Emily the job of housekeeper at the estate which consists of two homes. The only other person there is Yves, the handyman. Emily readily accepts and is whisked to France on a private jet.
Nina welcomes her and Emily is taken with Aurelia. She is very fair and must avoid the sun so she wears a large hat and clothes that cover her body. She is a pretty child but she doesn’t speak and doesn’t like to be touched.
Emily pitches in to help renovate one of the buildings as it is full of mold and rot. She becomes quite skilled at taking care of a number of things, including caring for the animals. She loves the beauty of the place and the lovely sunshine. She and Nina enjoys lovely dinners, wine, and the gorgeous French summer sunshine. But soon, Emily realizes that this may not be the perfect family that it first appears to be. Something is not right and when she starts investigating, she is sure her hunch is right. Now, can she get safely home to share her findings?
I loved the descriptions of the area. Having lived in France for a number of years, I can attest that the summer sunshine can be deliciously warm, the flowers glorious, and the food outstanding. I think the author captured the setting perfectly and her descriptions of the characters was like seeing it in real motion. Well done.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
3 stars
Having just finished Anna Downe’s debut novel, The Safe Place, I am asking myself, “Is this all there is?” I had high hopes at the beginning. The main character, Emily, is an aspiring actress, who seems to clutch at her auditions, She is a temp receptionist for a firm and is constantly late. She has bills to pay and has problems with her adoptive parents. After she is fired by the Human Resources Director, the owner of the company Scott “accidentally” runs into her. Scott Offeṛṣ her an exciting job as a personal assistant for his wife Nina in a secluded estate in France,
The author offers beautiful descriptions of the estate and Emily and Nina get along brilliantly. However all is not “paradise.” Nina and Scott’s little girl Aurelia has many health problems and Nina is a very over-protective mom. The reader slowly learns why as Emily starts figuring out what is really going on in paradise.
For me, I found parts of this debut novel exciting but other parts dragged. The story is told from Emily’s point of view and occasionally Scott’s. I found the climax Nd the epilogue wanting. I do think the author has promise and would give her another chance. Thank you BookishFirst, NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Recently fired and desperate for income, Emily jumps at the chance to help her former boss’ wife, Nina, care for their 6 year old daughter, Aurelia, at a gorgeous home on the coast of France. Once there, however, Emily soon realizes it’s not as idyllic as she’d first thought. Is the family keeping secrets from her, or is her imagination running wild?
I was sucked into this story from the start and the short chapters made it way too easy to keep reading and reading and reading until I’d devoured the whole thing in a little over 24 hours. If you love suspenseful stories, then be sure to try this promising debut!
Lastly, the remote setting totally reminded me of another thriller, The Au Pair (4 stars) by Emma Rous!
Location: London, England and France
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Been reading for the most part alot of suspense novels. When not reading arcs then I can be found reading thrillers, suspense and ghost stories. This is this author’s first book with it being a thriller is what caught my eye. Emily is the character whom is in a terrible life mess. Caught up in the woes she then is offered a summer job that is a housekeeper on a remote estate which is gorgeous to say the least. In the back of my mind was that saying too good to be true that comes in every once in awhile as I follow Emily. The couple she works for is Scott and Nina whom she discovers there are secrets. Dangerous secrets and the it screamed at me that saying again. This also is like a gothic type but with modern day place. We are so by then just as much a hostage as she is wondering though what will she do. The wife and daughter are a intrigue all on their own too capturing more and more of attention too. So faster you read to get deeper into this suspense that you have to have the answers soon or go antsy.
There is a saying that when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Well, that certainly seems to be the case for Emily. Emily has spent a lifetime messing things up, never finishing, distancing herself from her parents, and generally making bad choices. Her dream is to be an actress, but she’s not too good at that, and she’s just lost her agent. She doesn’t have a real job and does temp jobs, but she’s not too good at that either, and she’s just lost her latest job. Her apartment is a dump, her flatmate is a slob, and they’re being kicked out anyway.
So when Scott offers Emily a summer job as a housekeeper on his remote, beautiful French estate Emily feels like she’s hit the jackpot. Scott is rich and handsome and she has some urges, but she won’t really think about that now. Scott’s wife Nina is charming – mostly – and his 6-year old daughter has a lot of health and development issues but seems to be warming up to Emily. So life on this estate is pretty idyllic, if you don’t ask too many questions or look too closely.
The Safe Place has a great premise and some interesting characters. Lots of hints about dodgy pasts, lost memories, strange behavior, a sense of unease and discomfort bordering on revulsion. But with all that potential it didn’t quite do it for me and I’m not really sure why.
Too many books these days are completely populated with unlikeable characters; the author mistakes weird for interesting and compelling. You can understand a little what motivates these people, and even feel sorry for them but it’s hard to work up any genuine emotion or care for them. You might be intrigued enough by the mystery to want to see how things work out, but once the story is over you instantly forget it, not having been invested in any of these lives. First it was the unreliable narrator, now the trend seems to be to make everyone so full of flaws you don’t want to get close.
The longer the book went on the more certain I was that I would learn something truly horrible, some big twist, some secret that I hadn’t even thought of. But, unfortunately, the longer the book went on the less I cared. Emily, Scott, Nina and even Aurelia are all obviously not to be taken at face value and have hidden secrets and issues, but the teasers about their pasts and their dark sides weren’t enough to draw me in. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Not all people in a book have to be likeable, there doesn’t need to be a lot of action, but something is missing. What could have been a tension-filled, page-turning time at a remote estate with people who you might not know as well as you think you do is instead more of a plod. Perhaps this is one of the dangers in today’s book world: always trying to top the WOW factor of the latest best seller rather than writing characters with depth and a well-developed plot.
The emotions I felt most while reading The Safe Place were that discomfort and revulsion, and impatience because there were too many words with the author trying too hard to capture everything with multiple variations, and no simple explanation of events or emotions or feelings. All of the characters were unsavory; I didn’t like anything at all about Emily until the very last page.
Perhaps it just wasn’t for me and other readers will love it. It is full of danger and surprises. Thanks to Minotaur Books for providing an advance copy of The Safe Place in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.