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Unsafe Haven
For fans of Karin Slaughter and Michael Connelly comes a gripping thriller where Christmas lights hide deadly secrets.Officer Eden Mercer has something to prove. A rookie cop in a small Oregon town, she's still fighting to outrun the fundamentalist cult that shaped her—and nearly destroyed her. Her K-9 partner, Shadow, is the only backup she trusts completely.
A routine welfare check on a bitter December morning changes everything. Behind the decorated door, a domestic-violence counselor lies murdered in her ransacked office, her confidential files ripped apart. Someone wanted those names. Someone desperate enough to kill for them.
While the Christmas market glitters on Main Street, Eden and Shadow hunt a predator moving through the shadows of this tight-knit community—silencing the survivors the counselor died protecting.
The killer is methodical. Patient. And he's not finished.
Eden understands what it means to flee people who claim to love you. She knows what happens when they catch you.
Now she's racing to reach the women on that stolen list before he does—because the last name scrawled at the bottom might be hers.
A routine welfare check on a bitter December morning changes everything. Behind the decorated door, a domestic-violence counselor lies murdered in her ransacked office, her confidential files ripped apart. Someone wanted those names. Someone desperate enough to kill for them.
While the Christmas market glitters on Main Street, Eden and Shadow hunt a predator moving through the shadows of this tight-knit community—silencing the survivors the counselor died protecting.
The killer is methodical. Patient. And he's not finished.
Eden understands what it means to flee people who claim to love you. She knows what happens when they catch you.
Now she's racing to reach the women on that stolen list before he does—because the last name scrawled at the bottom might be hers.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
781 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 23, 2025
This was another gripping instalment to this police procedural series. Despite being kept on the edge of my seat and not sitting back to relaxing while reading, I enjoyed every moment. I am so glad I discovered this series and not just because of the dog. I had worked out who was responsible but with everything going on I was still hooked, mainly because I wanted to find out how it all played out. The characters are real and written in such away that you get invested in what happens to them. Each book has a case that gets solved and then there's a long running saga with Eden trying to rescue her family from an abusive cult situation, so there is a lot going on and it is why I would recommend reading the books in order but I would say if you like tense drama, emotional and dangerous situations all cleverly crafted to keep you up late into the night then this is the series and book for you.
A welfare check turns into a murder investigation for Eden, her partner Hanks and her K9 shadow. It seems like an open and shut case when they learn about the victims husband. But things get complicated when they learn her files and laptop are missing and woman are getting attacked. Unable to come up with a client list and fearing the news of more victims, it's a race to find who is responsible for releasing the names and addresses of abuse victims. At the same time Eden is contacted by her estranged brother and sister asking for help to escape there abusive father. Can she help the vulnerable woman and her own family or will she have to choose who to help?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
A welfare check turns into a murder investigation for Eden, her partner Hanks and her K9 shadow. It seems like an open and shut case when they learn about the victims husband. But things get complicated when they learn her files and laptop are missing and woman are getting attacked. Unable to come up with a client list and fearing the news of more victims, it's a race to find who is responsible for releasing the names and addresses of abuse victims. At the same time Eden is contacted by her estranged brother and sister asking for help to escape there abusive father. Can she help the vulnerable woman and her own family or will she have to choose who to help?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
July 28, 2025
Unsafe Haven is the latest in the Eden Mercer series. No spoilers,but it deals with the extremely important subject of women trying to get away from abusive situations where men think they own or can totally control these women. From the very beginning the story captivates you with excitement, mystery and murder. Of course, Eden can identify and sympathize with the women in these situations due to her upbringing and escape from the very restrictive cult ruled by her father. The team of Eden, Detective Hanks and of course, Shadow work together to solve the murder There are many twists and turns which lead you down various paths trying to figure out the mysteries, which make this one of those stories hard to stop reading.
It is the Christmas holiday season, which in Northwest Oregon is very wet and cold. Paige Black does a such a great job describing the nasty weather that you can imagine the bone chilling cold and uncomfortable wetness Eden and Hanks are experiencing. Brrr! It seems like each of the Eden stories keeps getting better. Can’t wait for the next in the series. Be sure to read this one. You won’t be disappointed.
It is the Christmas holiday season, which in Northwest Oregon is very wet and cold. Paige Black does a such a great job describing the nasty weather that you can imagine the bone chilling cold and uncomfortable wetness Eden and Hanks are experiencing. Brrr! It seems like each of the Eden stories keeps getting better. Can’t wait for the next in the series. Be sure to read this one. You won’t be disappointed.
August 2, 2025
What a page turner this new instalment is! Beware, your sleep may end up being forgotten if you start this expecting to read a chapter or two then put it down.
I don’t think I would be lying to say I think this is the best yet. It can be read as a standalone (but why would you want to?)
Eden Mercer and her K9, Shadow, along with Hanks are called to the scene of at first what appears to be a missing therapist only to find her at home and the victim of a brutal homicide. Her office has been ransacked and laptop and files are missing. As they dig deeper, they unearth secrets and deceptions that are keeping woman and children safe that Eden realises is very similar to her own family and the fate of her brother and sister.
With a race against time for both a scared family and her own siblings, Eden with help from Hanks and Wilder need to solve this case before the unthinkable happens.
Once again Ms Black has us on the edge of our seats to the very last page.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don’t think I would be lying to say I think this is the best yet. It can be read as a standalone (but why would you want to?)
Eden Mercer and her K9, Shadow, along with Hanks are called to the scene of at first what appears to be a missing therapist only to find her at home and the victim of a brutal homicide. Her office has been ransacked and laptop and files are missing. As they dig deeper, they unearth secrets and deceptions that are keeping woman and children safe that Eden realises is very similar to her own family and the fate of her brother and sister.
With a race against time for both a scared family and her own siblings, Eden with help from Hanks and Wilder need to solve this case before the unthinkable happens.
Once again Ms Black has us on the edge of our seats to the very last page.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
I'm afraid I didn't care for this one. So far, it seems like I like a couple of books, then I don't like one, etc. I have a huge pet peeve when the characters become stupid and quit thinking like normal people, let alone cops. Some of the clues they ignored or "couldn't figure out" were ridiculous. I almost didn't finish it. It's a shame really because the mystery and/or the main focus of the book is good, however, the author needs to learn how not to ignore blatant clues and come up with a better way to draw out the story. I was glad that Eden and Wilder seemed to be moving forward finally because that is moving too slow (I don't expect a lot there, but...) I was also glad the story of her family moved forward as well. lt's definitely one of the best parts of the book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2025
Wow - Two stories in one!
Kudos to author Paige Black for writing another breathtaking, action-packed thriller. These books just keep getting better. Eden Mercer is the same sassy, driven investigator as in proceeding novels, yet there seems to be more maturity. The main storyline is heartbreaking: abused women seeking escape from abusive husbands, and the saints who provide safe havens for the women and their children; however, despite the safety protocols put into place, those safe havens can be compromised. The secondary arc revisits Eden's quest to free her siblings from a fundamentalist cult. Eden has a good support system between her co-workers (who are willing to put themselves on the line) and her grandmother (who provides unconditional love). Other than 1 or 2 F-bombs, this is a well-written, clean, and captivating book.
Kudos to author Paige Black for writing another breathtaking, action-packed thriller. These books just keep getting better. Eden Mercer is the same sassy, driven investigator as in proceeding novels, yet there seems to be more maturity. The main storyline is heartbreaking: abused women seeking escape from abusive husbands, and the saints who provide safe havens for the women and their children; however, despite the safety protocols put into place, those safe havens can be compromised. The secondary arc revisits Eden's quest to free her siblings from a fundamentalist cult. Eden has a good support system between her co-workers (who are willing to put themselves on the line) and her grandmother (who provides unconditional love). Other than 1 or 2 F-bombs, this is a well-written, clean, and captivating book.
July 21, 2025
Unfortunately, I didn’t find this installment in the series nearly as compelling as the rest. I suspected the killer early on, and was frustrated that Eden and Hanks were seemingly ignoring important information.
The anti-Christian overtones were off-putting as well. I absolutely understand why Eden feels the way she does about organized religion, but this was heavy handed. For a more nuanced look at a young woman escaping a cult, I *highly* recommend Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu.
The sections involving Eden’s search for her family were the strongest of the book, by far. The last several chapters brought tears to my eyes.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The anti-Christian overtones were off-putting as well. I absolutely understand why Eden feels the way she does about organized religion, but this was heavy handed. For a more nuanced look at a young woman escaping a cult, I *highly* recommend Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu.
The sections involving Eden’s search for her family were the strongest of the book, by far. The last several chapters brought tears to my eyes.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 27, 2025
This latest instalment of the Eden Mercer mysteries is fast paced and a page turner but the reading may be hard for some as Eden and Hanks investigate a murder associated with domestic abuse victims. The crimes resonate with Eden due to her past and also to the time constraints it puts on her to help her family members. I like how the relationship with Wilder and Eden is becoming stronger and as ever I loved Hanks strong support of Eden. I enjoyed how Shadow actively participated in this story. The storyline twists keeps you reading from start to finish. I really enjoy this series and each story can be read as a standalone.
November 26, 2025
Couldn't put it down!
Abused women finding help & safe haven until one of the abused and her children leave their abuser. Her husband, A pastor of a very popular church sets a chain of events in motion to find his young wife & their children, all of whom are terrified of him.
The counselor that's been instrumental in helping these women is found shot to death and all her patients' files stolen, including the safe houses locations. Will Eden, Hanks & Wilder figure out who murdered the psychologist, and is getting the info to the abusive husbands so they can find their runaway wives before it's too late to protect them?
Abused women finding help & safe haven until one of the abused and her children leave their abuser. Her husband, A pastor of a very popular church sets a chain of events in motion to find his young wife & their children, all of whom are terrified of him.
The counselor that's been instrumental in helping these women is found shot to death and all her patients' files stolen, including the safe houses locations. Will Eden, Hanks & Wilder figure out who murdered the psychologist, and is getting the info to the abusive husbands so they can find their runaway wives before it's too late to protect them?
August 21, 2025
Officer Eden Mercer and her K-( partner Shadow are back for another great mystery. They are called out for a welfare check in Nightfall, Oregon and unfortunately found a counselor dead in her home and it looks like murder. The counselor was a licensed therapist but Eden learned that she was helping domestic violence abuse victims escape their tormentors. Eden now has to consider that one of the tormentors found out about it and has killed the counselor. Much to Eden's horror, the list of the safehouses is missing and all of the victims are now in danger.
September 19, 2025
Safe haven by Paige Black
Another outstanding mystery my page black she brings all of the characters to life in such a way that is unbound singly awesome. I have read every single one of her books I can’t wait for the next one to come in but I believe that this book should be put into a TV series they are so good and the action is outstanding it’s just phenomenal how she writes to keep the OPTi readers interested and keep them wanting more.Thank you so much Paige for another great book
Another outstanding mystery my page black she brings all of the characters to life in such a way that is unbound singly awesome. I have read every single one of her books I can’t wait for the next one to come in but I believe that this book should be put into a TV series they are so good and the action is outstanding it’s just phenomenal how she writes to keep the OPTi readers interested and keep them wanting more.Thank you so much Paige for another great book
October 13, 2025
Women's safety against abuse
Author Paige Black is an exceptional police procedural crime author. She creates a great storyline that merges fiction with realistic crime that makes a great murder mystery come to life in all her novels.
The pace of the book is just right, and the protagonist and characters are right on with telling the story in creating exciting and enjoyable reading.
Unsafe Haven is another great book in Black's series of her Eden Mercer mystery series book seven.
I will continue to reach out to this author for more exciting and enjoyable reads in the future.
Author Paige Black is an exceptional police procedural crime author. She creates a great storyline that merges fiction with realistic crime that makes a great murder mystery come to life in all her novels.
The pace of the book is just right, and the protagonist and characters are right on with telling the story in creating exciting and enjoyable reading.
Unsafe Haven is another great book in Black's series of her Eden Mercer mystery series book seven.
I will continue to reach out to this author for more exciting and enjoyable reads in the future.
December 27, 2025
Boy, I really needed some murder this Christmas!! Shadow is still underutilized as a K-9 officer; he did some excellent chases and takedowns here but why don't we get to see his tracking skills? Also, I love these books for the heart in them but hafta say that the writing needs more polish, fewer overworked images.
August 4, 2025
Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, and gritty K-9 thrillers with heart. This is book seven in the Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller series and it's just as good as all the previous ones. When a counselor who helps domestic abuse victims turns up dead and all her records missing it's a race against time for Eden and Shadow to save these women. Can’t wait for the next in the series.
August 4, 2025
Eden is facing another dangerous case. Women trying to scape their abusives husband are threatened and in a real danger to the murder of their counselor and her files been stolen. Can Eden, Hank and Shadow find the truth and prevent more deaths? Meanwhile Eden needs to go Arizona to help her siblings scape their father’s cult. Danger, actions and so much more. Paige Black at her best.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 16, 2025
Husband, father, abuser
When the person who's supposed to love and protect you hurts you, what do you do?. Every day someone has to ask themselves that question. Eden Mercer understands that better than most people because she has been there. Her past gives her the determination to find the killer of a woman whose life centered on helping others find a way out of abusive relationships. She also has to protect those who the victim had helped.
When the person who's supposed to love and protect you hurts you, what do you do?. Every day someone has to ask themselves that question. Eden Mercer understands that better than most people because she has been there. Her past gives her the determination to find the killer of a woman whose life centered on helping others find a way out of abusive relationships. She also has to protect those who the victim had helped.
July 28, 2025
A gripping mystery that has a gorgeous dog. It's everything my heart desired. Although I had figured out the mystery early on I was still waiting to know how it would play out. I became involved in the characters who are highly enjoyable. The plot is a crime mystery with suspense and intrigue that kept me reading.
August 14, 2025
Unsafe Haven Book 7 of Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller series by Paige Black is an exquisite balance of suspense and mystery. Ms. Black is such a talented author that literally sucks you into her story, twists your reality and wrings you out and makes you need to read the next book. I need more!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
I love this author. She has so many stories. What an imagination. The next one better than the last one. I can’t hardly wait for the next one. Love all the characters and how she continues to let them grow. Paige Black is an awesome story teller for sure. All about the same character but stories all so different. Love the way Eden Mercer and Shadow are growing as officers. Gatorgirl
January 26, 2026
This i a good mystery thriller and the characters have a depth that add to the plot. The book is written in a style that keeps you turning the pages. The plot has enough twists that you don't want to put the book down. I am partial to series with a dog as a main character and this series in one of the really good ones.
February 6, 2026
The story was very interesting, and the characters are likeable and believable. It kept you right in the thick of the investigation and you felt like you were right there with them trying to solve the case.
The only thing it was long, and I wanted to know what was going to happen sooner she was torn between her work and family but it all worked out in the end.
The only thing it was long, and I wanted to know what was going to happen sooner she was torn between her work and family but it all worked out in the end.
August 1, 2025
This book is a complete page turner, another great instalment of the Eden Mercer series. I loved the progression of Eden’s story in the book. I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Eden.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2025
Highly Recommend
This has quickly become my favorite series. I love the storylines and the characters. Very well written, hard to put down. I look forward to the next book to see what happens next.
This has quickly become my favorite series. I love the storylines and the characters. Very well written, hard to put down. I look forward to the next book to see what happens next.
November 10, 2025
Great series
The death of a counselor who helps women in domestic violence situations leads to a sinister plot by someone posing as a victim. Eden also works to get her younger brother and sister out of the cult. Looking forward to book 8 in the series.
The death of a counselor who helps women in domestic violence situations leads to a sinister plot by someone posing as a victim. Eden also works to get her younger brother and sister out of the cult. Looking forward to book 8 in the series.
December 20, 2025
Enjoying this series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that she never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that she never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
January 2, 2026
Exciting.
A very creative plotline allows this tense thriller to shift into a complex murder mystery!
Paige Black has breathlessly written a compulsive page-turner!
I can't wait to read other books in the series!
A very creative plotline allows this tense thriller to shift into a complex murder mystery!
Paige Black has breathlessly written a compulsive page-turner!
I can't wait to read other books in the series!
August 6, 2025
family reunion
This was another excellent story. 2 more family members freed. Maybe even Eden and Dean are growing closer. A friendship started. And of course Hanks and Shadow.
This was another excellent story. 2 more family members freed. Maybe even Eden and Dean are growing closer. A friendship started. And of course Hanks and Shadow.
August 9, 2025
Great installment
Absolutely loved this book.
Great series.
Would highly recommend if you enjoy a good whodunit and an undercurrent story through the series.
Absolutely loved this book.
Great series.
Would highly recommend if you enjoy a good whodunit and an undercurrent story through the series.
August 16, 2025
characters to love
Love this series, hope to see many more, this was the best so far.
Eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
Love this series, hope to see many more, this was the best so far.
Eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
September 10, 2025
great series!!
Good read!! I love the series. I will continue to follow the story. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks
Good read!! I love the series. I will continue to follow the story. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks
October 29, 2025
rescued
I love how two different stories are being told. Great ending. Paige is a wonderful writer. I highly recommend her books.
I love how two different stories are being told. Great ending. Paige is a wonderful writer. I highly recommend her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews