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The Safe House
SEVEN STRANGERS SEEKING REFUGE.
BUT DANGER IS EVERYWHERE THEY TURN...
When Jess accepts an offer to caretake a luxury property in the Australian outback, the isolated, all-inclusive solo trip is just what she needs.
But Jess isn't as alone as she thinks.
As bushfires rage in the distance, strangers start showing up to seek refuge. And as the fires start closing in, tensions in the group begin to rise.
Then, the phones stop working. All exits are cut off. There's no way out.
Quickly, Jess's guests begin to panic. And when the first person goes missing, she realises that someone in the house isn't who they say they are.
The danger is already inside . . .
BUT DANGER IS EVERYWHERE THEY TURN...
When Jess accepts an offer to caretake a luxury property in the Australian outback, the isolated, all-inclusive solo trip is just what she needs.
But Jess isn't as alone as she thinks.
As bushfires rage in the distance, strangers start showing up to seek refuge. And as the fires start closing in, tensions in the group begin to rise.
Then, the phones stop working. All exits are cut off. There's no way out.
Quickly, Jess's guests begin to panic. And when the first person goes missing, she realises that someone in the house isn't who they say they are.
The danger is already inside . . .
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2023
22 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 12, 2023
Jess is back in her native Australia, taking a career break from her analyst job at the Metropolitan police. She’s accepted a two month stint as a caretaker of an isolated property near Apollo Bay owned by multimillionaire Bill Drummond-Willoughby, who has disappeared owing millions in taxes. She hopes the isolation will give her the solace she needs, but will the real world catch up? It seems so as over the next day or so a disparate bunch of unwelcome visitors turn up at the gates. Jess is forced to offer sanctuary as the threat of encroaching bush fires intensifies.
First of all, the location is absolutely fantastic and the descriptions of it are so well done, especially of the wildlife though I could’ve done without the huntsman spiders, thank you very much! The tinder dry land and the bushfires are used to great effect in the ensuing drama, adding an extra dose of extreme danger.
The “visitors“ are a very weird group, the dynamics are off from the get go and make little sense and it gets weirder by the minute as Jess grapples to try to make sense of it all. You certainly get a building sense of unease which ripples through the incredible house, the outside fires intensifying and mirroring the atmosphere in the house as tension, anxiety and danger levels rise exponentially. The pace is fast and there are several layers to the storytelling including characters back stories which further adds to the growing intrigue.There are shocks and good plot twists as carnage ensues, Armageddon like.
The characterisation is very good, especially of Jess, whose instincts prove right as she bravely tackles the situation, she finds itself in. Other characters give you the creeps and sends shivers down the spine.
Does it get a bit far-fetched? Yes probably, but it’s always very entertaining and there is never a dull moment as it reaches a Hollywood thriller dramatic ending. What a cracking read from beginning to end!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
First of all, the location is absolutely fantastic and the descriptions of it are so well done, especially of the wildlife though I could’ve done without the huntsman spiders, thank you very much! The tinder dry land and the bushfires are used to great effect in the ensuing drama, adding an extra dose of extreme danger.
The “visitors“ are a very weird group, the dynamics are off from the get go and make little sense and it gets weirder by the minute as Jess grapples to try to make sense of it all. You certainly get a building sense of unease which ripples through the incredible house, the outside fires intensifying and mirroring the atmosphere in the house as tension, anxiety and danger levels rise exponentially. The pace is fast and there are several layers to the storytelling including characters back stories which further adds to the growing intrigue.There are shocks and good plot twists as carnage ensues, Armageddon like.
The characterisation is very good, especially of Jess, whose instincts prove right as she bravely tackles the situation, she finds itself in. Other characters give you the creeps and sends shivers down the spine.
Does it get a bit far-fetched? Yes probably, but it’s always very entertaining and there is never a dull moment as it reaches a Hollywood thriller dramatic ending. What a cracking read from beginning to end!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 9, 2023
When Jess accepts an offer to caretake a luxury property in the Australian outback, the isolated, all-inclusive solo trip is just what she needs. But Jess isn't as alone as she thinks. As bushfires rage in the distance, strangers start showing up to seek refuge. And as the fires start closing in, tension in the group begins to rise. Then, the phones stop working. All exits are cut off. There's no way out. Quickly Jess's guests, begin to panic. And when the first person goes missing, she realises that someone in the house isn't who they say they are.
Set in an isolated house in the Australian outback. The story covers, bushfires, murder, drugs and heartbreak. Jess is a police analyst. She leaves London after a traumatic period in her life, and heads home to Australia to be the caretaker of a luxury property in the outback. Soon Jess is joined by some strangers seeking shelter from the bushfires. Then strange things occur. This is a descriptively written, easy to read book. The characters are well developed, some likable, other not so much. Everyone is a suspect. This is a well plotted novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #MichaelJoseph #PenguinRandomHouse. and the author #CameronWard for my ARC of #TheSafeHouse in exchange for an honest review.
Set in an isolated house in the Australian outback. The story covers, bushfires, murder, drugs and heartbreak. Jess is a police analyst. She leaves London after a traumatic period in her life, and heads home to Australia to be the caretaker of a luxury property in the outback. Soon Jess is joined by some strangers seeking shelter from the bushfires. Then strange things occur. This is a descriptively written, easy to read book. The characters are well developed, some likable, other not so much. Everyone is a suspect. This is a well plotted novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #MichaelJoseph #PenguinRandomHouse. and the author #CameronWard for my ARC of #TheSafeHouse in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2023
Jess is a Met Police analyst and after a traumatic event in her life she decides to resign. Her friend has informed her that there is a job going as a Caretaker for a property owned by missing Billionaire and tax dodger and for insurance purposes someone needs to look after the property in her home country in the remote Australian outback.
But Jess thinking that she can relax and recuperate from her troubles, gets a surprise when she starts getting several visitors to the property asking to shelter from the bush fires that lands around her.
Thank you, Penguin Micheal Joseph for a copy of ‘The Safe House’ by Cameron Ward. He is a new author to me and read the blurb and it intrigued me. But Wow this was better than I thought it would be, it was different to what I was expecting. At first this was a slow burn but as you got into it, it turned into a tense and suspenseful locked room mystery. Who are these visitors and who can she trust to help escape the bushfires that coming towards her? This is a great read. 5 stars from me.
But Jess thinking that she can relax and recuperate from her troubles, gets a surprise when she starts getting several visitors to the property asking to shelter from the bush fires that lands around her.
Thank you, Penguin Micheal Joseph for a copy of ‘The Safe House’ by Cameron Ward. He is a new author to me and read the blurb and it intrigued me. But Wow this was better than I thought it would be, it was different to what I was expecting. At first this was a slow burn but as you got into it, it turned into a tense and suspenseful locked room mystery. Who are these visitors and who can she trust to help escape the bushfires that coming towards her? This is a great read. 5 stars from me.
September 5, 2023
This had me in a dilemma. On the one hand I had to keep reading to the end. On the other the plot and outcomes are so ridiculously unbelievable and unrealistic that it was rather cringe. A fair bit of eye rolling and “really?” Was going on.
So, you set off to your home country of Australia from London where you work as a Police Analyst for the London Met. A trauma has driven you to seek solitude by caretaking a missing Billionaires mansion, isolated in the Aussie bush, miles from anyone. At the same time you are aware severe ravaging bushfires are in the region. First clue that great decisions are not being made.
Unbelievably a set of motley people all show up to this isolated house really quickly from a lost Bushwalker to two hippie drug addicts. Really? Hmm….what a coincidence. What baffled me is she lets them all in, let’s them all stay rather than send them off into the bushfire danger. I mean, you just wouldn’t right? Let them burn I say, these are really dodgy people. Seven of them all in this remote house and she isn’t suspicious enough to send each one on her way? You just wouldn’t have these people in this strange house in the middle of nowhere. Of course all communication options from internet to phones vanish, predictable.
So much is over the top and as you read on you realise the plot gets increasingly complex and what is supposed to be reveals sort of come across as laughable, far too unrealistic. Yet, I kept reading. See my confusion?
As the danger of the bushfires get closer these people are stuck together, each with their own agenda, but what? I have to say some of the characters are posed as very different from the start as compared with the end. So that part was interesting. But, you know those action movies where you are watching so much over the top stuff? This is that on pages. Cue the eye rolls. Wait until you hear what’s in her walk in wardrobe!
As the pace picks up towards the end and identities and purposes are revealed it’s fast stuff. I found the main character to be somewhat stupid, considering she is a very analytical person and super cautious in life the choices she makes are not in line with her character. The total opposite. Yet, I kept reading, so struggling to rate this one. If you are happy with a book that’s not really in line with reality or the way it would be possibly you’ll enjoy this. Some discoveries she has early in the book makes things so obvious, yet this clever, intelligent analytical woman can’t put two and two together. She would, in reality. Bizarrely a minimal amount of food left for her solely in the house for her feeds the five thousand. It’s things like that I got frustrated with.
I lived in Australia myself for 30 years and the descriptions of the danger and ravenous advances of Aussie bushfires is really well done. Lots of information on various animals, some cute and some lethal. This Aussie theme is key to the books locale and the characters too (many are totally stereotyped however).
BUT when it’s revealed the connections some folks have it was waaaay too ridiculous, Really? Come on.
It does have its racy moments and some good character interactions. My biggest issue with it are a couple of things in the plot, both in it and not included that simply would never happen. Nope. But I can’t say as it would spoil things for you. A mixed bag this one so I’ve settled on 3 stars. I really was mixed up on this one as far as how I finally viewed it. If you like books to be factual and realistic this will drive you nuts.
Many thanks to Penguin for my advance readers copy.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
So, you set off to your home country of Australia from London where you work as a Police Analyst for the London Met. A trauma has driven you to seek solitude by caretaking a missing Billionaires mansion, isolated in the Aussie bush, miles from anyone. At the same time you are aware severe ravaging bushfires are in the region. First clue that great decisions are not being made.
Unbelievably a set of motley people all show up to this isolated house really quickly from a lost Bushwalker to two hippie drug addicts. Really? Hmm….what a coincidence. What baffled me is she lets them all in, let’s them all stay rather than send them off into the bushfire danger. I mean, you just wouldn’t right? Let them burn I say, these are really dodgy people. Seven of them all in this remote house and she isn’t suspicious enough to send each one on her way? You just wouldn’t have these people in this strange house in the middle of nowhere. Of course all communication options from internet to phones vanish, predictable.
So much is over the top and as you read on you realise the plot gets increasingly complex and what is supposed to be reveals sort of come across as laughable, far too unrealistic. Yet, I kept reading. See my confusion?
As the danger of the bushfires get closer these people are stuck together, each with their own agenda, but what? I have to say some of the characters are posed as very different from the start as compared with the end. So that part was interesting. But, you know those action movies where you are watching so much over the top stuff? This is that on pages. Cue the eye rolls. Wait until you hear what’s in her walk in wardrobe!
As the pace picks up towards the end and identities and purposes are revealed it’s fast stuff. I found the main character to be somewhat stupid, considering she is a very analytical person and super cautious in life the choices she makes are not in line with her character. The total opposite. Yet, I kept reading, so struggling to rate this one. If you are happy with a book that’s not really in line with reality or the way it would be possibly you’ll enjoy this. Some discoveries she has early in the book makes things so obvious, yet this clever, intelligent analytical woman can’t put two and two together. She would, in reality. Bizarrely a minimal amount of food left for her solely in the house for her feeds the five thousand. It’s things like that I got frustrated with.
I lived in Australia myself for 30 years and the descriptions of the danger and ravenous advances of Aussie bushfires is really well done. Lots of information on various animals, some cute and some lethal. This Aussie theme is key to the books locale and the characters too (many are totally stereotyped however).
BUT when it’s revealed the connections some folks have it was waaaay too ridiculous, Really? Come on.
It does have its racy moments and some good character interactions. My biggest issue with it are a couple of things in the plot, both in it and not included that simply would never happen. Nope. But I can’t say as it would spoil things for you. A mixed bag this one so I’ve settled on 3 stars. I really was mixed up on this one as far as how I finally viewed it. If you like books to be factual and realistic this will drive you nuts.
Many thanks to Penguin for my advance readers copy.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
September 15, 2023
This is a gripping thriller that is a great read.
Jess takes a job as caretaker for a huge house in the outback of Australia as she wants to get away from the UK for a while. She comes from Australia but wants the isolation that this job will give her.
However, she’s not on her own for long with people turning up out of the blue. Jess finds it hard to trust them but with the bush fires coming closer and closer, they all end up staying with her.
With a life threatening situation you’d think they’d all pull together but you couldn’t be further from the truth.
Thanks to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Jess takes a job as caretaker for a huge house in the outback of Australia as she wants to get away from the UK for a while. She comes from Australia but wants the isolation that this job will give her.
However, she’s not on her own for long with people turning up out of the blue. Jess finds it hard to trust them but with the bush fires coming closer and closer, they all end up staying with her.
With a life threatening situation you’d think they’d all pull together but you couldn’t be further from the truth.
Thanks to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
September 20, 2024
1.75 Stars? The concept was perfect for me but sadly it was too blockbuster dude-action-thriller for my taste. I liked the backdrop of the bush fire danger but everything else wasn't to my liking. The characters were uninteresting and stereotypical and it felt like the writer took the easy route by picking organized crime/mafia as the bad guys. And then the explosions, the vault, drug addict woman character, a retired/disgraced cop character, a role reversal etc. So predictable. :(
tw/cw: death, violence, murder, drugs, blood money/diamonds, money laundering, organized crime, mafia, manipulation, arson, night terrors
tw/cw: death, violence, murder, drugs, blood money/diamonds, money laundering, organized crime, mafia, manipulation, arson, night terrors
September 19, 2023
"The Safe House" by Cameron Ward is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. While it's not without its flaws, the overall experience is undeniably enjoyable.
First and foremost, Ward's storytelling prowess shines in this novel. The plot is riddled with suspense, clever twists, and unexpected turns that make it nearly impossible to put the book down. The central concept of a safe house harbouring dangerous secrets is executed brilliantly, and the tension escalates with each chapter.
The characters, though not exceptionally deep, are well-crafted enough to elicit empathy and interest. The protagonist's journey from vulnerability to strength is a compelling arc, and the supporting cast adds layers to the narrative.
However, "The Safe House" does have a few shortcomings. Some plot points feel a tad predictable, and a few character decisions may leave readers scratching their heads. Additionally, the pacing can be uneven at times, with moments of intense action followed by slower, more contemplative sections.
In conclusion, "The Safe House" is a commendable thriller that delivers an exhilarating escape from the mundane. While it may not be a literary masterpiece, it excels at what it sets out to do: keep you entertained. If you're a fan of fast-paced, suspenseful novels with a dash of mystery, this book is well worth your time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
First and foremost, Ward's storytelling prowess shines in this novel. The plot is riddled with suspense, clever twists, and unexpected turns that make it nearly impossible to put the book down. The central concept of a safe house harbouring dangerous secrets is executed brilliantly, and the tension escalates with each chapter.
The characters, though not exceptionally deep, are well-crafted enough to elicit empathy and interest. The protagonist's journey from vulnerability to strength is a compelling arc, and the supporting cast adds layers to the narrative.
However, "The Safe House" does have a few shortcomings. Some plot points feel a tad predictable, and a few character decisions may leave readers scratching their heads. Additionally, the pacing can be uneven at times, with moments of intense action followed by slower, more contemplative sections.
In conclusion, "The Safe House" is a commendable thriller that delivers an exhilarating escape from the mundane. While it may not be a literary masterpiece, it excels at what it sets out to do: keep you entertained. If you're a fan of fast-paced, suspenseful novels with a dash of mystery, this book is well worth your time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
August 15, 2023
I loved a stranger on board by Cameron Ward so I was excited to be given the opportunity to read this one - and it didn't disappoint!
A tense and atmospheric read that will make you question everyone. It's well written and highly descriptive of the terrifying bush fires.
Huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.
A tense and atmospheric read that will make you question everyone. It's well written and highly descriptive of the terrifying bush fires.
Huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.
September 17, 2023
Spooky, creepy and tense. I loved this story and had to read it at daytime. Well plotted, gripping, it kept me hooked and guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 29, 2023
This book was amazing. This author is amazing. The book had everything in it and i couldn’t help myself I
Just couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait until I read his next book.
Just couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait until I read his next book.
September 11, 2023
3.5 stars
This started really well but the pace really slowed down after the first thirst and didn’t pick up until the latter stages. Jess is the main character and she has something that happened in her past that still gives her nightmares. She also has OCD and this affects how she acts. There are quite a strange collection of people who gather together in the house and Jess is unsure who she can trust. In addition to this, is the danger of the wildfire sweeping towards the house. Tension does build towards the end and some of the reasons were quite complex. It does have a satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This started really well but the pace really slowed down after the first thirst and didn’t pick up until the latter stages. Jess is the main character and she has something that happened in her past that still gives her nightmares. She also has OCD and this affects how she acts. There are quite a strange collection of people who gather together in the house and Jess is unsure who she can trust. In addition to this, is the danger of the wildfire sweeping towards the house. Tension does build towards the end and some of the reasons were quite complex. It does have a satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 26, 2023
Jess is an analyst with the metropolitan police but, after a tough situation, she needs a break. Her friend Rupert recommends a caretaker job in her native Australia, looking after a modern mansion in the middle of nowhere for a couple of months, with nothing to do but enjoy the sun and the pool. (Sign me up!)
It seems perfect, the house is well stocked with books, food and drink are included, and Jess starts to look forward to unwinding and sorting her head out. She'll keep an eye on the news, the threat of bush fires isn't anything to worry about....yet.
The only thing that might be a worry though is the house is owned by a millionaire who has disappeared owing A LOT of tax, and the police are currently waiting for a warrant to search the property. It's probably fine though right? It's an advertised caretaker job and the house has a tonne of security and fire protection features.
But then the waifs and strays start to turn up, the hiker with a twisted ankle, the couple whose camper has broken down, the ranger wanting to check the fire protection, the surfers who were trapped on a beach...and Jess can't really turn them away when this may be the only safe space for them away from the fires can she?....but should she?
I was very excited to read this as I'd loved his previous book "A stranger on board". Honestly, if you're only going to read one, read that one. That's not to say I didn't enjoy this though, I did, it just wasn't as good. The premise of the lone female having a situation that requires her to take a cushty job away from all civilisation where she can only rely on herself...I mean I do enjoy it but it was very similar to the previous book. Quite a lot of suspension of belief required, but that's ok with me I love an over-the-top would be a great action film story. The major drawback for me was I found it rather slow and there was a lot of reiterating of the same points over and over ie/ that someone is drug-fuelled, that there are bush fires that are unpredictable and dangerous...yes thank you I remembered that from a couple of pages ago, my memory isn't that bad yet.
So, all in all, I really liked it, Jess and some of the other characters were well considered and I enjoyed piecing together her back story and working out what was going on. As I said, just a bit slow, but still well work a read.
#netgalley #thesafehouse #cameronward
It seems perfect, the house is well stocked with books, food and drink are included, and Jess starts to look forward to unwinding and sorting her head out. She'll keep an eye on the news, the threat of bush fires isn't anything to worry about....yet.
The only thing that might be a worry though is the house is owned by a millionaire who has disappeared owing A LOT of tax, and the police are currently waiting for a warrant to search the property. It's probably fine though right? It's an advertised caretaker job and the house has a tonne of security and fire protection features.
But then the waifs and strays start to turn up, the hiker with a twisted ankle, the couple whose camper has broken down, the ranger wanting to check the fire protection, the surfers who were trapped on a beach...and Jess can't really turn them away when this may be the only safe space for them away from the fires can she?....but should she?
I was very excited to read this as I'd loved his previous book "A stranger on board". Honestly, if you're only going to read one, read that one. That's not to say I didn't enjoy this though, I did, it just wasn't as good. The premise of the lone female having a situation that requires her to take a cushty job away from all civilisation where she can only rely on herself...I mean I do enjoy it but it was very similar to the previous book. Quite a lot of suspension of belief required, but that's ok with me I love an over-the-top would be a great action film story. The major drawback for me was I found it rather slow and there was a lot of reiterating of the same points over and over ie/ that someone is drug-fuelled, that there are bush fires that are unpredictable and dangerous...yes thank you I remembered that from a couple of pages ago, my memory isn't that bad yet.
So, all in all, I really liked it, Jess and some of the other characters were well considered and I enjoyed piecing together her back story and working out what was going on. As I said, just a bit slow, but still well work a read.
#netgalley #thesafehouse #cameronward
June 20, 2023
Australian Jess is a police analyst with the Met Police. After a case goes terribly wrong with her ex-partner involved, so she has resigned and taken a few months to get her head cleared. An opportunity arises to caretake a huge luxury property in the Australian outback. The offer of an isolated, all-inclusive trip by herself is just what Jess feels that she needs, so she jumps at the chance.
Upon arrival, it all seems perfect. Until the bushfire warnings seem to be coming close to her location. Then an injured stranger appears looking for help. Jess lets him in to get some water, and make a call, planning to then send him on his way. Her plans are scuppered by the arrival of more people seeking refuge. Jess and her motley group are soon not only looking for safety from the fire, but when one of them goes missing, and is later found dead, Jess realises that the group of individuals are not as random as they seem, and didn’t appear on her doorstep by accident.
This story was a great, fast and fun read. It started off a little slow when setting the pace. It was also a little slapstick comedy when all of Jess’s uninvited guests kept arriving. It didn’t seem like it was going to end! But once all of our characters were in place the story ramped up. Jess has taken on her role of caretaker to the house seriously and is anxious about all of the unexpected guests. When one of them is found dead, her police training kicks in and she tries to figure out who she can trust. She quickly starts to feel like it is nobody. Her paranoia rubs off on the reader, and we are trying to figure out who we can trust, and why everyone has turned up unannounced. The ending will surprise you. The encroaching bushfire adds an extra element of tension to the story. Will Jess find out who the killer is, and will she manage to avoid both them and the fire? A great quick and entertaining read.
*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.
Upon arrival, it all seems perfect. Until the bushfire warnings seem to be coming close to her location. Then an injured stranger appears looking for help. Jess lets him in to get some water, and make a call, planning to then send him on his way. Her plans are scuppered by the arrival of more people seeking refuge. Jess and her motley group are soon not only looking for safety from the fire, but when one of them goes missing, and is later found dead, Jess realises that the group of individuals are not as random as they seem, and didn’t appear on her doorstep by accident.
This story was a great, fast and fun read. It started off a little slow when setting the pace. It was also a little slapstick comedy when all of Jess’s uninvited guests kept arriving. It didn’t seem like it was going to end! But once all of our characters were in place the story ramped up. Jess has taken on her role of caretaker to the house seriously and is anxious about all of the unexpected guests. When one of them is found dead, her police training kicks in and she tries to figure out who she can trust. She quickly starts to feel like it is nobody. Her paranoia rubs off on the reader, and we are trying to figure out who we can trust, and why everyone has turned up unannounced. The ending will surprise you. The encroaching bushfire adds an extra element of tension to the story. Will Jess find out who the killer is, and will she manage to avoid both them and the fire? A great quick and entertaining read.
*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.
August 28, 2023
I enjoyed Cameron Ward's first book, 'A Stranger on Board' so was delighted to receive an early copy of 'The Safe House' for review. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy - opinions are, as always, entirely my own.
This book follows Jess, a Metropolitan Police employee who - for her own reasons - wants to get away. The ideal solution presents itself (*alarm bells*) when Jess' friend discovers a remote luxury house in the Australian Outback is in need of a house-sitter. It seems to offer the peace and respite that Jess needs - but she hasn't considered the wild fires ravaging the local area or the mysterious visitors that appear. As the fire gets closer, Jess finds herself in danger - but is the real peril inside or outside the house?
As with Ward's previous book, this is a real page-turner. I found myself - along with Jess - trying to work out who to trust and who is not who they say they are. They're a pretty unusual bunch thrown together by the fires, so it was quite tricky!
Ward manages the tension and pace well. The group in the house are in so much danger from the wild fires sweeping through the outback - and that's even before anything happening within the house. As the fire gets closer, Jess' situation becomes even more dire as communication is cut off and escape routes are blocked. I did find myself reading so quickly as things just got worse and worse on the build-up to a pretty spectacular finale.
As a Brit reading this, I found the location interesting - I've not been to Australia but Ward makes it sound both beautiful and also slightly terrifying (spiders, snakes, fire...). I loved that the local wildlife is also featured, although it's so sad that the animals are in the path of the fire too.
I'd recommend this to lovers of pacey and lively thrillers - there's plenty here to keep you reading as you root for Jess in her hostile and ever-changing environment. Pick up a copy, clear the diary and enjoy!
This book follows Jess, a Metropolitan Police employee who - for her own reasons - wants to get away. The ideal solution presents itself (*alarm bells*) when Jess' friend discovers a remote luxury house in the Australian Outback is in need of a house-sitter. It seems to offer the peace and respite that Jess needs - but she hasn't considered the wild fires ravaging the local area or the mysterious visitors that appear. As the fire gets closer, Jess finds herself in danger - but is the real peril inside or outside the house?
As with Ward's previous book, this is a real page-turner. I found myself - along with Jess - trying to work out who to trust and who is not who they say they are. They're a pretty unusual bunch thrown together by the fires, so it was quite tricky!
Ward manages the tension and pace well. The group in the house are in so much danger from the wild fires sweeping through the outback - and that's even before anything happening within the house. As the fire gets closer, Jess' situation becomes even more dire as communication is cut off and escape routes are blocked. I did find myself reading so quickly as things just got worse and worse on the build-up to a pretty spectacular finale.
As a Brit reading this, I found the location interesting - I've not been to Australia but Ward makes it sound both beautiful and also slightly terrifying (spiders, snakes, fire...). I loved that the local wildlife is also featured, although it's so sad that the animals are in the path of the fire too.
I'd recommend this to lovers of pacey and lively thrillers - there's plenty here to keep you reading as you root for Jess in her hostile and ever-changing environment. Pick up a copy, clear the diary and enjoy!
September 4, 2023
The synopsis intrigued and despite not being familiar with the author I couldn't wait to get started on this one. A gripping read that was easy to get into and kept my attention from beginning to end.
When Jess's friend Rupert tells her about a two month caretaking job looking after a luxury isolated property on the Australian coast, Jess doesn't take much convincing that she should apply. On a break from her job as an analyst with the Metropolitan Police the remoteness and solitude is just what she needs and it couldn't have come at a better time.
The opening chapter is wonderfully descriptive making it easy to visualise the vast wilderness, its landscape, isolation and wildlife brought to life as Jess drives her hire car from Melbourne and arrives at the the wealthy diamond magnates impressive ocean facing property, its electronic gates and fencing closing it off from the surroundings.
The perfect escape, except it wasn't. Less than 24 hours after her arrival her solitude is interrupted when stranger Marty limps into view, his hiking trip abandoned due to an injury and with no cell signal he's in need of a phone and water. He's closely followed by a ranger with two passengers he's picked up from a local beach and later a couple who've broken down nearby. With news bulletins warning of bushfires in the area and roads closed Jess feels obliged to offer them shelter.
A fast moving, entertaining read that gripped from start to finish. If you're willing to put aside one too many coincidences and you like dramatic and fast paced thrillers there's a lot to like about this one. The scene setting was good, as was the sense of unease and the increasing tension. A riveting read with a gripping conclusion.
Publication date: 14 Sep 23. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
When Jess's friend Rupert tells her about a two month caretaking job looking after a luxury isolated property on the Australian coast, Jess doesn't take much convincing that she should apply. On a break from her job as an analyst with the Metropolitan Police the remoteness and solitude is just what she needs and it couldn't have come at a better time.
The opening chapter is wonderfully descriptive making it easy to visualise the vast wilderness, its landscape, isolation and wildlife brought to life as Jess drives her hire car from Melbourne and arrives at the the wealthy diamond magnates impressive ocean facing property, its electronic gates and fencing closing it off from the surroundings.
The perfect escape, except it wasn't. Less than 24 hours after her arrival her solitude is interrupted when stranger Marty limps into view, his hiking trip abandoned due to an injury and with no cell signal he's in need of a phone and water. He's closely followed by a ranger with two passengers he's picked up from a local beach and later a couple who've broken down nearby. With news bulletins warning of bushfires in the area and roads closed Jess feels obliged to offer them shelter.
A fast moving, entertaining read that gripped from start to finish. If you're willing to put aside one too many coincidences and you like dramatic and fast paced thrillers there's a lot to like about this one. The scene setting was good, as was the sense of unease and the increasing tension. A riveting read with a gripping conclusion.
Publication date: 14 Sep 23. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
May 19, 2023
An amazing tense packed read.
We meet Jess who is travelling to Australia to watch a mansion for the owner who has disappeared after avoiding some taxes. Jess has a troubled past that we get snippets off, we know she worked for the police as an analyst and she is an Australian native originally who took the job opportunity to have her own safe space for a few months to heal and relax but all that comes crumbling down when she finds a stranger on the outside skirts of the mansion.
She can’t just leave him whilst he is injured so she decides to let him in but soon more strangers appear which she hadn’t planned happened. Can anything else go wrong.. well there is an ongoing fire spreading. If we thought this was the worst that could happen to her but no a body is found and it starts going up.
Is there a murderer amongst them and who is it?
Jess is a great character, I really liked her and how she managed herself as well as situations she was put in and despite everything she tried to help everyone and looked at the positive side even though we witnessed their bad sides. Some of the other characters I wasn’t as keen on. The overall portrayal was very well written.
The safe house is jam packed with tense aspects of who done it and how did they do it. You will question everyone. A good few twists and turns and when I thought I knew who it was I was proven wrong again. A wonderfully written suspense and thrill written novel that I really enjoyed reading and would recommend to other book readers who enjoy a good who did it read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Penguin Random House UK for the copy of this arc in exchange of an honest review.
5*
We meet Jess who is travelling to Australia to watch a mansion for the owner who has disappeared after avoiding some taxes. Jess has a troubled past that we get snippets off, we know she worked for the police as an analyst and she is an Australian native originally who took the job opportunity to have her own safe space for a few months to heal and relax but all that comes crumbling down when she finds a stranger on the outside skirts of the mansion.
She can’t just leave him whilst he is injured so she decides to let him in but soon more strangers appear which she hadn’t planned happened. Can anything else go wrong.. well there is an ongoing fire spreading. If we thought this was the worst that could happen to her but no a body is found and it starts going up.
Is there a murderer amongst them and who is it?
Jess is a great character, I really liked her and how she managed herself as well as situations she was put in and despite everything she tried to help everyone and looked at the positive side even though we witnessed their bad sides. Some of the other characters I wasn’t as keen on. The overall portrayal was very well written.
The safe house is jam packed with tense aspects of who done it and how did they do it. You will question everyone. A good few twists and turns and when I thought I knew who it was I was proven wrong again. A wonderfully written suspense and thrill written novel that I really enjoyed reading and would recommend to other book readers who enjoy a good who did it read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Penguin Random House UK for the copy of this arc in exchange of an honest review.
5*
July 26, 2023
Wow! What a brilliant book! I loved every page.
Jess has been entrusted to house sit (for insurance purposes) in a magnificent home in the Australian wilds, which is owned by a missing multi-millionaire. She is looking forward to the solitude, and in taking time out to get her head straight after walking out on her job as a police analyst in the UK.
However, all is not as it seems and this safe house is not as safe as she hoped.
There are news bulletins warning of raging wildfires around the state, and people are being evacuated. Still, this house is protected by a wide firebreak, and sprinklers so Jess feels secure in these safety measures.
One by one, several strangers arrive at her door, seeking refuge as the roads have become unpassable, and they need somewhere to ride out the firestorms. Reluctantly, Jess allows them to stay, but ensures they are kept downstairs and away from her bedroom which she locks up at night to ensure her safety.
Who are these people, are they the strangers they first appear to be, or is something else going on?
Things take a sinister turn when a body is discovered, and Jess has no idea who she can trust.
The wind direction has changed and there is now no time to evacuate so she finds herself trapped with these people , one of which she suspects is a murderer.......
This book was a real page turner, and I love the differing characters, from drug addicts to park rangers, and ex cops to a couple trying to save their marriage. You are left wondering who is a friend and who is a foe right until the end.
I have already read Cameron Ward's first book , 'A stranger on board' and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Jess has been entrusted to house sit (for insurance purposes) in a magnificent home in the Australian wilds, which is owned by a missing multi-millionaire. She is looking forward to the solitude, and in taking time out to get her head straight after walking out on her job as a police analyst in the UK.
However, all is not as it seems and this safe house is not as safe as she hoped.
There are news bulletins warning of raging wildfires around the state, and people are being evacuated. Still, this house is protected by a wide firebreak, and sprinklers so Jess feels secure in these safety measures.
One by one, several strangers arrive at her door, seeking refuge as the roads have become unpassable, and they need somewhere to ride out the firestorms. Reluctantly, Jess allows them to stay, but ensures they are kept downstairs and away from her bedroom which she locks up at night to ensure her safety.
Who are these people, are they the strangers they first appear to be, or is something else going on?
Things take a sinister turn when a body is discovered, and Jess has no idea who she can trust.
The wind direction has changed and there is now no time to evacuate so she finds herself trapped with these people , one of which she suspects is a murderer.......
This book was a real page turner, and I love the differing characters, from drug addicts to park rangers, and ex cops to a couple trying to save their marriage. You are left wondering who is a friend and who is a foe right until the end.
I have already read Cameron Ward's first book , 'A stranger on board' and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 31, 2023
After something traumatic happens, Metropolitan Police analyst Jess decides to take a break from work and recuperate in Australia, where she's from. When a friend informs her of the opportunity to work as caretaker at the lavish home of an absent billionaire, the isolation and luxury of the location sound perfect to Jess. But things don't workout quite as planned...
Within a few days, she finds herself forced to offer shelter to a small group of people who are seeking refuge from the nearby bushfires. Although Jess's gut instincts are immediately activated, making her feel that something is off about the situation, it is not until a couple of days later that the full extent of the problem becomes clear.
As more people show up on her doorstep, and the bushfires move alarmingly close, faultlines begin to emerge within the group. And when one person is found dead, the ugly tensions come to a boil. With no way of escaping from the area, the result is a gripping locked room mystery.
Ward does an excellent job of using the location and the characteristics of the Outback not simply as a backdrop, but to add an atmospheric element that becomes like another character in the story. Jess is a well written MC, and her predicament feels all too relatable.
The story does require a suspension of disbelief on multiple fronts, because it is somewhat far-fetched. But having said that, the storytelling never fails to hold the reader's attention, and the suspense is maintained very effectively. All in all, it's a compelling and enjoyable read. I give it 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Within a few days, she finds herself forced to offer shelter to a small group of people who are seeking refuge from the nearby bushfires. Although Jess's gut instincts are immediately activated, making her feel that something is off about the situation, it is not until a couple of days later that the full extent of the problem becomes clear.
As more people show up on her doorstep, and the bushfires move alarmingly close, faultlines begin to emerge within the group. And when one person is found dead, the ugly tensions come to a boil. With no way of escaping from the area, the result is a gripping locked room mystery.
Ward does an excellent job of using the location and the characteristics of the Outback not simply as a backdrop, but to add an atmospheric element that becomes like another character in the story. Jess is a well written MC, and her predicament feels all too relatable.
The story does require a suspension of disbelief on multiple fronts, because it is somewhat far-fetched. But having said that, the storytelling never fails to hold the reader's attention, and the suspense is maintained very effectively. All in all, it's a compelling and enjoyable read. I give it 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 22, 2023
"The Safe House" is a fast-paced thriller set in the Australian wilderness. Ex-cop Jess, recently resigned from the Metropolitan (London) police after a traumatic turn of events. has taken a job house-sitting a remote, high-tech, luxury property, hoping for peace and quiet. The Australian courts are confiscating the property from a missing tax-dodging billionaire owner, and the insurance requires the property to be occupied until the legal transfer is complete.
The backdrop to the story is the terrifying bush fires which rage out of control and are getting closer to the house, supposedly a place of safety due to the massive fire-break and wall around the boundary. Six strangers arrive over two days and Jess is forced to give them refuge because the peninsular is cut off by fire and smoke. It turns out that the strangers have things to hide and some may not be there by accident. But who to trust? Jess's allegiances shuffle by the hour, as do the reader's.
Jess is a great protagonist, very headstrong and determined, and more than a little impulsive. The other characters range from seedy to downright secretive and menacing. The location is beautifully described and is the local wildlife (including the snakes and spiders!)
The ending is dramatic and action-packed, and I'm pleased to say some of the characters survive to make it out. This book would make an excellent film.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an unbiased review.
The backdrop to the story is the terrifying bush fires which rage out of control and are getting closer to the house, supposedly a place of safety due to the massive fire-break and wall around the boundary. Six strangers arrive over two days and Jess is forced to give them refuge because the peninsular is cut off by fire and smoke. It turns out that the strangers have things to hide and some may not be there by accident. But who to trust? Jess's allegiances shuffle by the hour, as do the reader's.
Jess is a great protagonist, very headstrong and determined, and more than a little impulsive. The other characters range from seedy to downright secretive and menacing. The location is beautifully described and is the local wildlife (including the snakes and spiders!)
The ending is dramatic and action-packed, and I'm pleased to say some of the characters survive to make it out. This book would make an excellent film.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an unbiased review.
January 20, 2024
Cameron Ward's "The Safe House" is a thrilling foray into luxury, mystery, and high-stakes action. This riveting read, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars, strikes a harmonious balance between a well-crafted plot and the pulsating rhythm of suspense.
Jess, the central character, emerges as a standout in this tale. Her realistic and grounded responses to unforeseen events anchor the story, providing a relatable touchstone in a whirlwind of luxury and intrigue. Ward has skillfully crafted a protagonist who embodies realism in an extraordinary context, making Jess a character and a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of escalating tension.
The narrative's pacing is commendable. Ward's ability to maintain a fast pace without overwhelming the reader with excess characters makes "The Safe House" the ideal holiday read. It's an effortless journey through the pages, where keeping track of the unfolding mystery becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
While the book's opening chapters set the scene with exceptional skill, captivating the reader with anticipation and intrigue, the ending, though good, still needs to reach the zenith of excellence. Nevertheless, it moves commendably, tying up the plot lines in a satisfying, if not spectacular, conclusion.
"The Safe House" is a recommendation for anyone looking for a holiday read that combines mystery with ease of engagement. The book's unpretentious charm and Ward's knack for creating immersive settings make it a delightful read for mystery lovers and casual readers alike. The prospect of seeing Jess in a sequel is an enticing thought, adding to the book's appeal.
Cameron Ward's "The Safe House" is more than just a mystery novel; it's a journey through suspense, luxury, and the human psyche. It's a book that promises and delivers an escape, making it a worthy addition to any reader's collection. For those seeking excitement and relaxation, "The Safe House" is a door worth opening.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Random House for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jess, the central character, emerges as a standout in this tale. Her realistic and grounded responses to unforeseen events anchor the story, providing a relatable touchstone in a whirlwind of luxury and intrigue. Ward has skillfully crafted a protagonist who embodies realism in an extraordinary context, making Jess a character and a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of escalating tension.
The narrative's pacing is commendable. Ward's ability to maintain a fast pace without overwhelming the reader with excess characters makes "The Safe House" the ideal holiday read. It's an effortless journey through the pages, where keeping track of the unfolding mystery becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
While the book's opening chapters set the scene with exceptional skill, captivating the reader with anticipation and intrigue, the ending, though good, still needs to reach the zenith of excellence. Nevertheless, it moves commendably, tying up the plot lines in a satisfying, if not spectacular, conclusion.
"The Safe House" is a recommendation for anyone looking for a holiday read that combines mystery with ease of engagement. The book's unpretentious charm and Ward's knack for creating immersive settings make it a delightful read for mystery lovers and casual readers alike. The prospect of seeing Jess in a sequel is an enticing thought, adding to the book's appeal.
Cameron Ward's "The Safe House" is more than just a mystery novel; it's a journey through suspense, luxury, and the human psyche. It's a book that promises and delivers an escape, making it a worthy addition to any reader's collection. For those seeking excitement and relaxation, "The Safe House" is a door worth opening.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Random House for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2023
An officer with the Met in London, Jess is traumatised by recent events; her job is data collection but unwittingly she found herself in the centre.of the action - and the outcome wasn't favourable. An original native of Australia, and not sure if she still has a career, she decides to take a contract as a caretaker of a luxurious house in the South of Australia; remote, isolated - just what she needs to come to terms with her recent experiences. No distractions and being paid to live in luxurious surroundings, perfect!
But native Australia has an agenda and the bush fires that can rage in hot weather, do. The house is on a peninsula and Jess is not concerned at first. But then a stranger arrives and the internet fails; Jess finds a huge safe in the basement with a timed electronic lock, obviously for a very precious trove. She has heard from her contact that the house has been seized by the authorities and the owner is missing so when more people appear, the tension in the house rises as the fires threaten to cut the peninsula off and the new strangers seem to have an agenda that concerns the house Jess isn't sure who she can trust. Marty, the first arrival is an Austrian policeman and seems nice. But Jess knows better than most the things are not always what they seem and could be far worse than might be imagined.
But native Australia has an agenda and the bush fires that can rage in hot weather, do. The house is on a peninsula and Jess is not concerned at first. But then a stranger arrives and the internet fails; Jess finds a huge safe in the basement with a timed electronic lock, obviously for a very precious trove. She has heard from her contact that the house has been seized by the authorities and the owner is missing so when more people appear, the tension in the house rises as the fires threaten to cut the peninsula off and the new strangers seem to have an agenda that concerns the house Jess isn't sure who she can trust. Marty, the first arrival is an Austrian policeman and seems nice. But Jess knows better than most the things are not always what they seem and could be far worse than might be imagined.
June 7, 2023
Thank to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of The Safe House by Cameron Ward in exchange for my honest review.
If you liked A Stranger on Board, you'll like The Safe House too. It follows the same recipe: a determined woman find herself in an isolated environment when all hell breaks loose. And she deals with it pretty well.
The story is entertaining and I found myself interested in what was happening. However, just like with A Stranger on Board, you need to be patient. The story slowly builds up for the first 40% of the book. Each character is slowly introduced and clues are dropped quite seldom. I note that my review of A Stranger on Board, written in 2022 said: "the real action doesn't really start up to mid-way through the book (and I really mean 50%)." This supports my idea that the author is using the success of that book as an imprint for The Safe House. Nothing against that. It works pretty fine.
There are a few things I did not like. The characters are pretty shallow. There is a lot of effort to provide a mental health dimension to the protagonist, but it is all a tell rather than show. And the style, with its repetitions of the same concept two or three times, sometimes drove me mad.
For these reasons, and the fact that A Stranger on Board gave me all the clues to know what was going to happen, I gave it 3 stars.
If you liked A Stranger on Board, you'll like The Safe House too. It follows the same recipe: a determined woman find herself in an isolated environment when all hell breaks loose. And she deals with it pretty well.
The story is entertaining and I found myself interested in what was happening. However, just like with A Stranger on Board, you need to be patient. The story slowly builds up for the first 40% of the book. Each character is slowly introduced and clues are dropped quite seldom. I note that my review of A Stranger on Board, written in 2022 said: "the real action doesn't really start up to mid-way through the book (and I really mean 50%)." This supports my idea that the author is using the success of that book as an imprint for The Safe House. Nothing against that. It works pretty fine.
There are a few things I did not like. The characters are pretty shallow. There is a lot of effort to provide a mental health dimension to the protagonist, but it is all a tell rather than show. And the style, with its repetitions of the same concept two or three times, sometimes drove me mad.
For these reasons, and the fact that A Stranger on Board gave me all the clues to know what was going to happen, I gave it 3 stars.
August 7, 2023
If you have read Stranger on Board you will be able to guess from the start that everything wasn't going to go right, but the premise of the story was that an Australian woman (Jess) who was working as a police analyst for the Met in London, had come through a traumatic event in which the person she thought that she loved had just died, and she still blames herself a little.
A contact of her obtained for her a cosy little job of house sitting a plush mansion in South Victoria, in the 'middle of nowhere'. Solitude for two months to recharge her batteries.
When wildfires break out all around her, you could tell that things weren't going to go as smoothly as she hoped.
It turns out that Jess was not alone, and more people started turning up. As Australians don't turn fellow Aussie's down she offered them all shelter in the Safe House.
A lot of the action was predictable, but there were enough twists and turns to allow the novel to be called nail-biting.
There were some incidents that would have been comic if they weren't tragic.
I think that this style of writing enhances the thriller, and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author for another good read and to the publisher for an advance reader's copy for honest review.
A contact of her obtained for her a cosy little job of house sitting a plush mansion in South Victoria, in the 'middle of nowhere'. Solitude for two months to recharge her batteries.
When wildfires break out all around her, you could tell that things weren't going to go as smoothly as she hoped.
It turns out that Jess was not alone, and more people started turning up. As Australians don't turn fellow Aussie's down she offered them all shelter in the Safe House.
A lot of the action was predictable, but there were enough twists and turns to allow the novel to be called nail-biting.
There were some incidents that would have been comic if they weren't tragic.
I think that this style of writing enhances the thriller, and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author for another good read and to the publisher for an advance reader's copy for honest review.
August 31, 2023
Jess, a Met police analyst had suffered a dreadful personal and professional incident that needed time to heal. The offer of being a caretaker in a remote Australian luxury home for two months appealed to her. He plan was to take stock of her life and see how she felt afterwards. Whether that meant returning to London or staying in Australia, her original home, she had no idea. Of course, this book wouldn’t have much of a story if Jess sat by a pool for two months. However, the escalation of fear and tension began almost immediately. Encountering mysterious strangers and the threat of wildfire very real her desire for peace was reducing with every passing day. Without giving any spoilers Jess soon had much more to be concerned about than her past and with very real threats coming at her from all sides she didn’t know who to trust in this fast paced thriller. Were all the strangers who they said they were? Would help arrive to save them before the fires got them? Would it be irrelevant if more sinister forces got to them first? What a great book, I absolutely loved it. The wild and desolate area so eloquently described, perfectly illustrating both its beauty and danger. I would like to think a sequel is on the cards.
September 20, 2023
I had high hopes for this book but although the premise was good it wasn’t a wow for me. It took a while for me to read and I had to force myself to pick it up- even skim reading bits.
I’m not sure why I found it so difficult to get into- maybe I just didn’t engage with the characters- there were a lot of them and I found some very two dimensional.
When Jess, a police analyst has a traumatic experience she decides to return to Australia to house sit and take some personal time. However the house is a rich criminal’s mansion in the middle of nowhere and in the path of terrible bush fires. Gradually some uninvited guests arrive and Jess is forced to make a decision about whether to give them shelter. When a couple of them start to disappear she realises that there is a murderer around but she has no idea who to trust. Even Marty who claims to be an off duty cop is suspect.
I just found the plot very slow moving and far fetched with too many characters to get my head around. Jess told the story from her point of view and there was a lot mentioned about her life in London and what happened to her there is gradually revealed- again this didn’t fascinate me.
All in all an average read- I did finish it but only just.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
I’m not sure why I found it so difficult to get into- maybe I just didn’t engage with the characters- there were a lot of them and I found some very two dimensional.
When Jess, a police analyst has a traumatic experience she decides to return to Australia to house sit and take some personal time. However the house is a rich criminal’s mansion in the middle of nowhere and in the path of terrible bush fires. Gradually some uninvited guests arrive and Jess is forced to make a decision about whether to give them shelter. When a couple of them start to disappear she realises that there is a murderer around but she has no idea who to trust. Even Marty who claims to be an off duty cop is suspect.
I just found the plot very slow moving and far fetched with too many characters to get my head around. Jess told the story from her point of view and there was a lot mentioned about her life in London and what happened to her there is gradually revealed- again this didn’t fascinate me.
All in all an average read- I did finish it but only just.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
July 1, 2023
Wow, a thriller which starts off fairly quietly and builds up the action as it progresses. Jess is a police analyzer, currently taking a sabbatical after an unexplained event (this comes later) . She answers an advertisment to house-sit a remote luxury house in Australia, where she originally comes from. forest fires are destroying much of the countryside and when people starts turning up at the house, she lets them into the house, albeit with misgivings, because it is a place of safety.
Little by little more about Jess's life and her problems is revealed (the story is told from her point of view) and her reasoning about the others in the house also adds to the feelings of insecurity, more so when first one and then another man is found dead. 'Towards the end, the action escalates and a lot of information about different members of the house is revealed as the fires get closer and closer. I could not put the book down by this stage.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read in exchange for an honest review
Little by little more about Jess's life and her problems is revealed (the story is told from her point of view) and her reasoning about the others in the house also adds to the feelings of insecurity, more so when first one and then another man is found dead. 'Towards the end, the action escalates and a lot of information about different members of the house is revealed as the fires get closer and closer. I could not put the book down by this stage.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read in exchange for an honest review
September 4, 2023
Jess, wanting to be alone for a while, travels to Australia to caretake a luxury house in the outback. Soon she realised she isn’t alone at all when strangers start to turn up to seek shelter from the bush fires taking over the country. Strange things start to happen and Jess realises that some people aren’t who they claim to be.
This was a very well written, atmospheric thriller. I enjoyed the premise of this novel and like locked room mysteries, however I did find it slightly slow going at first and I never fully connected with the story. I did enjoy finding out the secrets of the characters and trying to work out who was hiding something. Overall I am in two minds about this book, as although it was interesting and well written, I did find it quite far fetched and not easy to connect with at this moment in time. I would definitely still look out for this author’s new books and look forward to seeing what they come out with next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
September 19, 2023
When a friend tells Jess about a two month caretaking job looking after a isolated property in Australia, Jess cannot believe her luck how luxurious the place is. She is on a break from her job at the moment so this seems the perfect escapism, how hard can it be to look after and tend to the house. You can almost taste the wealth as Jess takes us around the beautiful sounding house, but if Jess expects peace and quiet she would soon interrupted by someone knocking on the door but who is this man and what does he want? Jess cannot believe what is happening around her, maybe next time don't jump at an opportunity if it seems too good to be true. An interesting bunch of characters really intrigued me, it was a good pace for a thriller and held my attention through out. I was tense when I started a new chapter wondering what was going to happen next. You can feel everything Jess feels when she meets the strangers, it made my skin prickle thinking what has she done. I really enjoyed this read and the ending was fantastic. An author I will definitely be keeping on my radar.
October 21, 2023
Im not sure I really enjoyed this book as thrillers go, yes there was our main character Jess who was house sitting a secluded house in the Australian outback and a bunch of very random people showed up. Tie that in with them being cut of with a raging bush fire and people are being murdered.
At times it felt like one of those movies where you're screaming at the main character to run outside, when she's running up the stairs situation. Each character was stereotypically over the top and unlikeable so it was easy to suspect each and every one of them of being the murderer.
One aspect that was well written was the overwhelming claustrophobia and shear terror of what it must be like to be stuck being and knowing a bush fire is heading your way, truly heartbreaking reading about the animals, absolutely gutted wrenching and it's good to open the eyes of those of us that don't live in parts of the world that experience those type of catastrophes.
The story was not for me but a true eye opener for the world of bush fires. Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of #TheSafeHouse
At times it felt like one of those movies where you're screaming at the main character to run outside, when she's running up the stairs situation. Each character was stereotypically over the top and unlikeable so it was easy to suspect each and every one of them of being the murderer.
One aspect that was well written was the overwhelming claustrophobia and shear terror of what it must be like to be stuck being and knowing a bush fire is heading your way, truly heartbreaking reading about the animals, absolutely gutted wrenching and it's good to open the eyes of those of us that don't live in parts of the world that experience those type of catastrophes.
The story was not for me but a true eye opener for the world of bush fires. Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of #TheSafeHouse
November 15, 2023
A standalone psychological thriller, The Safe House by Cameron Ward (2023) is set in the Australian outback with a looming, raging bushfire. Jess is a police analyst with the British Met who returns home to Australia to recover from a traumatic incident. She has accepted a caretaker role minding the opulent holiday house of a wealthy diamond merchant in the Otway Ranges. It's high summer and there is a ravaging bushfire to the north as Jess begins to relax in the luxurious home. A change of wind places Jess in its direct line, as six strangers seek shelter. Tension between the strangers escalates and then one of them is found dead. As they struggle to prepare to survive the approaching firestorm, it's not the only life-threatening danger. A tension-building thriller with a climatic finale that is somewhat far-fetched. Overall, an entertaining crime thriller with a three and a half stars read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.
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