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No Safe Ground
Reynolds Packard's life is the way he seems to like it—dreary and uneventful. He's a down-at-heels limo driver who lives in a run-down house in the back woods of upstate New York, with no family or ties other than his ex-cop cousin, Millie.
And then, into his life barrels a girl he had never expected to see again—the daughter he'd given up fifteen years before.
Vida, now a twenty-year-old Iraqi war veteran, is AWOL, and running for her life. She has no where else to go, and has come to Pack for help. She believes a fellow American soldier in Iraq killed her best friend, and is now coming after her.
And then, into his life barrels a girl he had never expected to see again—the daughter he'd given up fifteen years before.
Vida, now a twenty-year-old Iraqi war veteran, is AWOL, and running for her life. She has no where else to go, and has come to Pack for help. She believes a fellow American soldier in Iraq killed her best friend, and is now coming after her.
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First published March 18, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 11, 2013
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Julia Pomeroy’s first two books, Dark End of Town, and Cold Moon Home back when they came out in 2006 and 2007, I was excited to see she had a new book coming out on February 15th, 2013! I was delighted to receive an ARC of No Safe Ground, and the wait was definitely worth it.
Her stories have an underlying darkness that reveals in her characters the real life problems that many of us face, and this book is no exception. When I began this story, I had no idea that there would be a tie-in with her past two books, but it worked perfectly. I started out not really thinking I would like Packard, but he has a story to tell just like all of us. While suspenseful, there are unexpected moments of subtle humor that had me laughing, and I caught myself wanting to help Pack, Vida, and Millie! This book was perfect for a dark and rainy weekend read, so grab a quilt and a cup of tea, and enjoy the ride!
Her stories have an underlying darkness that reveals in her characters the real life problems that many of us face, and this book is no exception. When I began this story, I had no idea that there would be a tie-in with her past two books, but it worked perfectly. I started out not really thinking I would like Packard, but he has a story to tell just like all of us. While suspenseful, there are unexpected moments of subtle humor that had me laughing, and I caught myself wanting to help Pack, Vida, and Millie! This book was perfect for a dark and rainy weekend read, so grab a quilt and a cup of tea, and enjoy the ride!
August 4, 2013
PROTAGONIST: Reynolds "Pack" Packard, limo driver
SETTING: Upstate New York
RATING: 4.0
Reynolds “Pack” Packard has a very low-key kind of life. He lives in a run-down house in the woods of a small town in New York State. He supports himself by driving a limo, but that is by no means any kind of full-time endeavor. He only has one friend, his cousin Mitch/Millie, who is an ex-state trooper who is now living as a woman. Little does Pack know how much his world is about to change when his 20-year-old daughter, Vida, shows up on his doorstep. He left his family when Vida was about six and doesn’t give her much sympathy when she explains her reasons for the visit.
Vida was a driver in Iraq who was involved in an IED explosion that injured her best friend. Haley Flynn actually survived the accident but was then killed by a fellow soldier. Vida was hurt but witnessed the murder, although she did not see who killed Haley. Now she’s gone AWOL, believing that the murderer is coming after her. After Pack turns her away, he starts to feel bad about his decision and decides to try to help her out. Assisted by Millie, Pack finds Vida and the three work together to nail down the murderer, who has killed yet again in order to evade the authorities. The situation is such that it appears that Vida was the murderer, which makes her situation even more precarious.
Pack and Millie are a formidable team. Millie is a sympathetic character, although there is some humor in picturing a macho state trooper donning a wig and living as a female. Pack grew on me as the book progressed. Vida was strong and complicated. The killer was rather over the top; but overall, the characters were believable and sympathetic. The murderer is identified early on, so the story becomes more about trying to thwart this monster before he is able to silence Vida rather than identifying him.
NO SAFE GROUND was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I found it an entertaining read.
SETTING: Upstate New York
RATING: 4.0
Reynolds “Pack” Packard has a very low-key kind of life. He lives in a run-down house in the woods of a small town in New York State. He supports himself by driving a limo, but that is by no means any kind of full-time endeavor. He only has one friend, his cousin Mitch/Millie, who is an ex-state trooper who is now living as a woman. Little does Pack know how much his world is about to change when his 20-year-old daughter, Vida, shows up on his doorstep. He left his family when Vida was about six and doesn’t give her much sympathy when she explains her reasons for the visit.
Vida was a driver in Iraq who was involved in an IED explosion that injured her best friend. Haley Flynn actually survived the accident but was then killed by a fellow soldier. Vida was hurt but witnessed the murder, although she did not see who killed Haley. Now she’s gone AWOL, believing that the murderer is coming after her. After Pack turns her away, he starts to feel bad about his decision and decides to try to help her out. Assisted by Millie, Pack finds Vida and the three work together to nail down the murderer, who has killed yet again in order to evade the authorities. The situation is such that it appears that Vida was the murderer, which makes her situation even more precarious.
Pack and Millie are a formidable team. Millie is a sympathetic character, although there is some humor in picturing a macho state trooper donning a wig and living as a female. Pack grew on me as the book progressed. Vida was strong and complicated. The killer was rather over the top; but overall, the characters were believable and sympathetic. The murderer is identified early on, so the story becomes more about trying to thwart this monster before he is able to silence Vida rather than identifying him.
NO SAFE GROUND was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I found it an entertaining read.
May 9, 2013
I've just re-read "No Safe Ground" by Julia Pomeroy so that I might write about the novel while it is still fresh in my mind.
In a few words - I loved it.
Vida, a soldier recovering from wounds received overseas, seeks to fill in the gaps of her memory while looking for the person who killed her roommate. The plot is well constructed. The characters are complicated. The dialogue flows well and the background is real. There are twists in the action that keeps your interest and the climax is a real page turner. I have said before that one of my criteria for a good book is that the "real world" disappears as I become immersed in the story. This book fulfills that criterion with flying colors. It was a good read both times and I look forward to the author's future works.
In a few words - I loved it.
Vida, a soldier recovering from wounds received overseas, seeks to fill in the gaps of her memory while looking for the person who killed her roommate. The plot is well constructed. The characters are complicated. The dialogue flows well and the background is real. There are twists in the action that keeps your interest and the climax is a real page turner. I have said before that one of my criteria for a good book is that the "real world" disappears as I become immersed in the story. This book fulfills that criterion with flying colors. It was a good read both times and I look forward to the author's future works.
February 20, 2013
I really enjoyed No Safe Ground. After being wounded in Irag along with her best friend, Vida, a twenty year old woman, goes AWOL. She believes she saw her friend being murdered by an American soldier. She runs to her father's home to ask for help. When none is forthcoming and the woman with whom she is staying is murdered, Vida is running again. This is a fast paced thriller with some memorable characters. Highly recommend!
August 6, 2019
I didn't mind this book but had higher expectations for it for some reason. I thought the main character might be a little more heroic but was more of a victim. I also thought that there would have been a bit more mystery but the bad guy is revealed very quickly. The story had a satisfying end but overall, it felt a bit too simplistic as far as some of the actions taken by the characters. Not a bad read but maybe my preconceived expectations made it not quite as thrilling for me.
February 26, 2013
A very well written suspenseful read! Vida is a brash and independent character with good reason to be distrustful and suspicious! This is a very fast paced read with some quarrelsome and contentious characters who make you see life through a different lens! I really enjoyed this book and Ms. Pomeroy's diligent use of "real" characters and dialogue make this a believable and entertaining read! The killer is fearsome and menacing so you stay on the edge of your seat wondering if Vida, Pack and Millie are daring enough to overcome the obstacles to survive! Good work Ms. Pomeroy!!
August 14, 2013
This is one of those books that I couldn't put down. There was such a constant stream of action, tongue-in-cheek humor, and fascinating characters that I breezed through this just because I couldn't stop reading. The plot moves at a perfect pace, the characters are well-written and beautifully complicated, and I enjoyed every second of it. Very, very entertaining novel.
September 1, 2013
This book kept my interest from the very beginning but...the "who dun it" came out too early for my liking. I am glad that every character seemed to have a sense of closure, even if for some that meant a chance at a new beginning, but I would have liked to have been kept in the dark a little longer for the killer.
July 14, 2013
good enough to want to read the previous books, not a series!
July 24, 2013
Patron Review:
This was an interesting book, however, I felt some detail was excessive and I thought the ending was not as detailed as it could have been.
This was an interesting book, however, I felt some detail was excessive and I thought the ending was not as detailed as it could have been.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews