She Thought She Was Safe

by Terri Parlato

A young woman is reunited with the famous father she never knew at a secluded lakeside community hiding nightmarish secrets in this immersive modern-day gothic for readers of psychological suspense by Mary Kubica, Sheri Lapena and Megan Miranda.

After the double blow of divorce and her mother’s death, Emma Shrader receives an invitation to meet her estranged father for the first time. Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who had a brief fling with Emma’s mom, then disappeared. Now he’d like Emma to come stay at his beautiful home on Cheshire Lake in Maine.

The Spencer house is a towering Victorian steeped in history and lore, from its ornate turret to the little cemetery nestled in adjoining woods. It should be an inspiring place for Emma to finish working on her own novel, especially with Alex’s guidance. But when a neighbor is found dead under strange circumstances, the surroundings begin to feel less idyllic and welcoming. Not everyone is happy about Emma’s arrival, either—especially not Alex’s other daughter, Sunny.

There are things Emma keeps to herself about her chaotic childhood and ex-husband, but Cheshire Lake harbors secrets too—some recent, some decades old. What exactly has been going on in this quiet, close-knit community? And how much of it has to do with Emma’s arrival?

As Emma learns of other disappearances and mysterious deaths, what seemed like a fresh start begins to fill her with unease. Emma thought Cheshire Lake held the home and family she’s long been looking for. Now she wonders if she’ll ever be allowed to leave alive . . .

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Gothic, Audiobook

272 pages, Hardcover

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Terri Parlato was born and raised in upstate New York. She currently lives in a small north Georgia town with her husband and their dog Lucy.

Reviews

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an onion-like plot, multiple mysteries, and an atmospheric setting, She Thought She Was Safe was yet another stunner of a novel by Ms. Terri Parlato. Already one of my favorite suspense authors, I was thrilled to get pulled into the initially slow-boiling storyline from the very first word. You see, not only were there more and more dark secrets to uncover with every page, but the complex group dynamics made the exhumation of the long-hidden lies addictive in the extreme. Potentially calculated and cunning in a spine-tingling way, the small cast of suspicious characters earned their fair share of side-eye glances from me. But when the big, giant twist was finally revealed, it earned a huge gasp as well as a “NO F***ING WAY!!” After all, while I picked up on a few of the revelations before they were completely revealed, this one caught me 100% unawares.

The only teeny, tiny issue that I had other than the slow pace at the start of the novel was how I had to suspend all disbelief. Just a step too far beyond coincidental at times, I was still happy to lay aside my issues and enjoy the ride as a flurry of secrets blew up one by one. In addition to the shocks and surprises, however, were the gothic vibes that underscored the claustrophobic feel of the locked-room setting. Twisting and turning as the sinister history grew more complex, I was instantly immersed in this captivating murder mystery story. I mean, how could I not want to know all of the whos, whats, and whys? So if you’re a fan of the great Megan Miranda or just love messy families with oodles of secrets, grab this book now. Even though there were a few minor flaws, it was an immersive one-sitting read that I couldn’t put down for even a minute. Rating of 4 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

After the double blow of divorce and her mother’s death, Emma Shrader receives an invitation to meet her estranged father for the first time. Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who had a brief fling with Emma’s mom, then disappeared. Now he’d like Emma to come stay at his beautiful home on Cheshire Lake in Maine.

The Spencer house is a towering Victorian steeped in history and lore, from its ornate turret to the little cemetery nestled in adjoining woods. It should be an inspiring place for Emma to finish working on her own novel, especially with Alex’s guidance. But when a neighbor is found dead under strange circumstances, the surroundings begin to feel less idyllic and welcoming. Not everyone is happy about Emma’s arrival, either—especially not Alex’s other daughter, Sunny.

There are things Emma keeps to herself about her chaotic childhood and ex-husband, but Cheshire Lake harbors secrets too—some recent, some decades old. What exactly has been going on in this quiet, close-knit community? And how much of it has to do with Emma’s arrival?

Thank you Terri Parlato and Kensington Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: February 24, 2026

Content warning: dementia, murder, forced confinement, mention of: death of a parent, suicide

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This atmospheric mystery pulled me in and kept me guessing. I have enjoyed all of the other books I’ve read by Terri Paralto and this was no exception. I liked how a constant sense of dread and foreboding was cleverly woven throughout this suspenseful story of discovery. Emma hopes she has found a family that will comfort her as she begins her hopeful new life. She quickly discovers that she has gotten more than she bargained for. A dead body, a missing woman, and countless unanswered questions overwhelm her as she navigates her new family. The story is intriguing and gripping, keeping me engaged throughout. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for my copy.

[mariya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgallery & the publisher for allowing me to read this!

This was so good, I read it all in a day!

Our fmc, Emma, finds out who her dad is, after rummaging through her recently passed mother’s belongings. Her father is a famous writer, what a coincidence Emma loves to write too! She reaches out, and simultaneously she’s dealing with a divorce from her ex in a large debt. The debtors are now harassing her too for money so when her father offers her a place to stay in a little cottage, she can’t decline.

Emma goes to the cottage, surrounded by peace and nature and new neighbours! There’s 4 houses in total, 3 (including her dad’s family) are interconnected & have known each other for generations, whilst a newly built house is occupied by a newer family. Emma likes everyone, they’re all accepting and are glad to have another person in their area. Her meeting with her dad gave her hope for new beginnings, a new curated life. She left behind her sad life and wants to write, and just get over her divorce & her mother’s death.

However, the night after a neighbour dinner, one of the neighbours, an elderly man, goes missing. The wife & the nephew knocks on Emma’s door to see if she knows where the man is. She doesn’t, but she offers to try search for him alongside the other neighbours. Into the early morning, Emma, and a neighbour similar to her age, Noah, finds the elderly man dead. Outside the newer neighbours house.

This neighbourhood is isolated from the main cities, on the outskirts of it, and it’s hard to access due to it being gated. So who could’ve killed the old man? Did someone on the outside break in, or was it one of the neighbours? Emma and the neighbours are placed on suspicion by the police. The neighbours are viewing Emma as the odd one out, as shes the newest member in this community. This is not what she needs right now.

So, what really happened?


The plot was easy to understand and flowed well. I was hooked and the neighbourhood community painted the characters well, it felt like I was involved in this little town too. I wanted to know more and find out the secrets they all had!

However, the main plot twist was pretty predicable imo but the ‘side’ plot twist was unexpected. This is a three star due to the simplicity of the story but I still liked it overall, and the characters are written well. I would recommend for a quick read :)

————————————

not too bad! rtc soon!

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for my advanced gifted copy of She Thought She Was Safe. All opinions are my own.

I am a fan of this authors previous work but unfortunately this one was a miss for me. I didn’t connect with the plot or the characters like I had anticipated I would. I found the main character to be whiny and problematic.

I think a lot of readers will enjoy this one especially if they’re newer to the thriller genre. Unfortunately it just didn’t click for me.

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Shereadbookblog]

Reunited with her father, a successful author whom she never knew, and invited to stay at his secluded lakeside home, Emma’s visit turns into a nightmare as someone is murdered, long held mysteries unfold, and she finds her life in danger.

With an atmospheric setting, the tension and suspense build as the story progresses. There are unexpected twists and turns that will have readers holding their breath until the final resolution.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @KensingtonBooks for the DRC.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: She Thought She Was Safe
Author: Terri Parlato
Publishers: Kensington + Recorded Books, Inc.
Pub Date: February 24, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: February 27, 2026 – March 1, 2026

🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: She Thought She Was Safe is a wild one and I am kicking myself for this being my first time reading Parlato. I was on the edge of my seat while Emma was in the Spencer house and I had no idea where this nail-biter was going to take me, but the author definitely had some tricks up her sleeve! In some respects, it felt a little like something I had read before, but there were also fresh elements that kept the reader guessing and I never grew tired of the story. So much tension, so much unease, and just the perfect amount of drama/no one you can trust seasoning to make this a terrific book that I highly recommend.

🎧 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘕𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: I do believe this was my first time listening to Kelli Tager narrate but I sure hope it won’t be my last! Girl has skills and somehow made me even more frustrated with Emma than I had a right to be. 🙈🤣 That is a talented narrator in my book, and she did an excellent job bringing both the characters and tension to life.

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: ✍🏼😱🥧😶🪓

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma’s life is turned upside down after she catches her husband cheating and finds out he owes tens of thousands of dollars on gambling debts, her mother passes away, and she finally learns who her father is, a very famous author.

I wanted to love this book but unfortunately it just missed the mark for me. The pacing was too slow and I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters. I wanted to feel the gothic lore from the lake and Victorian home but it just didn’t get there for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

•My Rating: 3.5/5•

Try this if you like:
• psychological suspense thriller
• atmospheric lake setting
• meeting the Dad you never knew
• family/community secrets —both recent and decades old
• slow burn with building unease
• single POV

Notes: I didn’t like it as much as the Rita Myers series. The pacing was off, and the MC's actions felt implausible. The dots weren’t fully connecting with the lines on this one.
Narration: Kelli Tager’s narration was decently performed.

[Brittany]

I was really looking forward to this book based on the storyline, but unfortunately I was not able to fully get into it and ultimately had to DNF. That said, I do think this book could be a better fit for a different audience. I personally tend to gravitate toward extremely fast paced thrillers, and this one just was not quite the right match for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to provide honest feedback.

[Vonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one but it just didn’t grab me. The setup had so much potential with the gothic lakeside house, family secrets, and eerie small-town vibe. The story dragged and never built the tension I was hoping for. I didn’t feel connected to the main character and the mystery felt predictable. There were a few interesting moments but overall this one just wasn’t for me.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

📌New Review

Thank you #partner @kensingtonbooks for my gifted copy.

📖: She Thought She Was Safe
✍️: Terri Parlato
🖨️: Kensington
📈: 4.5⭐️ rounded up
🩸: Domestic Thriller

📝: “But it all worked out in the end didn’t it? We got you here now.”

Emma Shrader not only grew up with her mom in a single parent household, but with a warning that she needn’t EVER know who her father was. But when her mom passes away & she finds her husband cheating on her she’s left with no one.

Longing to escape a brutal divorce as well as debt collectors, Emma happily accepts an invitation from her dad to come stay. Remarkably she also discovers that he’s a famous thriller author; working on his 20th novel.

“My mother & I did everything we could to be invisible. To keep to ourselves. We had friends & I had a husband, but we never liked to be the center of attention…Now I have a father who draws attention at every turn.”

What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll be staying more or less alone at a secluded lakeside community. When Emma came from Albany to Boston her intention was never to stay permanently. She even booked an interview at a library in Portland. But something is holding her there, at least for a little while.

“I wanted to see how far entwined into this new family I wanted to become & that answer is still an unknown.”

All she wished to do was to meet her father’s side of the family & have peace to finish writing her own book. But, after discovering a cemetery in the backyard, bearing witness to an unexpected murder & getting questioned regarding two missing women, this getaway is NOT at all what she bargained for.

“Sometimes it still feels like a sanctuary, other times a sinister, suffocating prison making my emotions yo-yo seemingly on a whim.”

What seems like a fresh start might just end up as devastating closure.

“They lied to me & I don’t know what to do with what I now know.”

“…There’s too much in this one little spot on the map for me to digest.”

I thought I knew how this book was going to end, but I was wrong about EVERYTHING!

💭What’s a book you thought you had figured out but you were SO wrong?

🏷️
#thrillfluencer #creator #bookstagram #bookreview

[Raymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to stay up past my bedtime to finish this book because I kept reading there was twist after twist towards the end I had to know how it ended.

This is my second Terri Parlato book and I think this one so far is my favorite.

This is a thriller under 300 pages. It is fast paced and everyone feels like a suspect.

I did guess one of the twist but I think it’s because I read so many thrillers. But even guessing that twist correctly didn’t stop the enjoyment of the read.

Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 271
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

[Nicole Wuthering Vines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slow burn gothic thriller steadily builds tension, anticipation, and suspense. The secluded Victorian lake house plays a pivotal role, so vividly drawn it feels like a character in its own right. The small town setting is richly atmospheric, layered with an eerie isolation that continually heightens the unease.

At its core is messy family drama packed with secrets, red herrings, and the intriguing thread of an estranged father who happens to be a famous author.

While the story lacked some relatability, making it harder to fully connect, the concept itself was compelling enough to keep me invested through to the end. At under 300 pages, it’s also a quick, easy read you can fly through.

3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads

[Sharon Leff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I found this book slow in places and too convoluted as it neared its conclusion, the premise and circumstances were compelling enough to hold interest. Far more plot driven than character focused, the main character becomes a plot toy in her estranged father’s world, a world in which his fame as a murder mystery author has provided wealth, success, and speculation. Among the most recent speculation surrounding her father is the plot similarities between one of his books with the circumstances of a woman who had disappeared.

The book proves tension-taut and break neck speeds as it neared its conclusion. Some jump the shark sort of relationships and circumstances test credibility, but otherwise solid read.

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe has all the gothic thriller elements I love in a book. The story is set in a sprawling 1800s Victorian on a secluded lake in a small town, an atmosphere that feels both detached and claustrophobic. With only four homes on Cheshire Lake, the setting plays a huge role in building tension. Not long after Emma arrives, one of the residents turns up dead, making it unclear whether it was an accident or a case of murder.

This is a medium-paced thriller, with apprehension steadily creeping in as the mystery unfolds and secrets come to light. The dread builds gradually, and by the second half of the book I was on the edge of my seat, feeling like I couldn’t trust ANYONE. While I did manage to figure out a couple of details, the twists still caught me off guard and went in directions I absolutely did NOT expect. My head was SPINNING!

[Melanie Stroud · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kept me listening. It was interesting and kept me guessing. I wish I could find a book with no bad language. I asked for a recommendation on a clean thriller, and this one was except for some F’s. Less than 10 but still. Just preference. But I did like it.

[Sharon Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this eerie thriller, after the death of her mother and nasty divorce, Emma Shrader accepts an invitation to meet her biological father, a successful novelist. While staying at the 1800's Victorian home in a lake community, a local is killed, a submerged car is recovered, and lies begin to unravel.

An ominous atmospheric thriller that you don't want to miss!

[Cynth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Really enjoyed this one, it’s a slow burn to start (in the best way) with a fast-paced anxiety filled last 20%. I loved the characters and the setting. Set in a small community around a lake it was atmospheric. Dark secrets come back when new relationships are formed. I would absolutely recommend! I loved Terri’s writing!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe by Terry Parlato, Emma‘s life is spiraling she just lost her mother and also learned her husband gambled all her money away and told the people he owed that she had money due to the sale of her mother‘s home. Her mom never told her who her father was but after her death Emma finds out that he is famous author Alex Spencer and after a DNA test he invites her down to his little enclave by the lake. Her sister Sunny doesn’t like her her dad is ingratiating but also very self-absorbed he wants nothing more than to have her in his life. All Emma‘s life she had nightmares of a woman screaming something she tries to put at bay while she settles in at Spencer house but unfortunately being there will create nightmares on its own. Soon after she arrives her neighbor Ruth husband Simon is found murdered on the street by the lake but this is just the first of many strange things that happen in before it’s over memories are drugged up that causes her to be the one thing between prison and freedom for a new family member and it may spell life or death for her. all this on top of her investigation into her aunts mystery and the truth she didn’t know she knew. I really enjoyed most of this booook. At no time did I want to set it aside due to boredom and although I would love to say what I didn’t like in the book I just don’t want to give anything away I did like her relationship with Lance I found Jeffrey at first quite creepy but all in all it is a solid read in one I definitely recommend. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @tlcbooktours @kensingtonbooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

I just finished She Thought She Was Safe by Terri Parlato and this was such a solid suspense filled ride 👀🔥

Quick overview: our main character is reeling from some absolutely earth shattering life changes and decides a fresh start living with her father might be the reset she needs. Except…this “safe haven” quickly turns into anything but. Strange events keep happening in a house that does NOT feel right. And a growing sense that someone doesn’t want her there.

The unfortunate events just kept stacking up and I was fully on edge the entire time. Even though I guessed pretty early on who was behind it all, it honestly didn’t take away from the thrill. For me, this became less about the who and more about the why. I felt like understanding those motives was SO satisfying. Plus, there were some juicy little nuggets at the end I absolutely did not see coming 👏

I loved how our main character was constantly sleuthing. She was exploring the house, piecing together details, questioning everyone around her. That whole investigative energy is what kept the momentum going for me!

I do think you definitely have to suspend disbelief a bit because realistically…there’s no way all of this would happen to one person 😅 BUT that’s what made it entertaining for me. All that drama and dark family secrets...whewwwie! It kept me flipping pages.

Terri did a great job making multiple characters feel suspicious which is exactly what I want in a thriller. If you love messy family dynamics and that “something is very wrong here” atmosphere, this one is worth picking up.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe by Terri Parlato. Thanks to @kensingtonbooks for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emma is staying at her estranged authors father’s lake house after meeting him for the first time. She plans to finish her own novel while in the peace and quiet of the Maine lake. When a neighborhood is found murdered, the atmosphere begins to feel less peaceful and welcoming.

A little on the slower side but it does a great job of building anticipation and suspense. I didn’t really get the main character because she seemed a bit too trusting and willing to stick around, but if you can suspend disbelief for a slow burn, dramatic family based suspense, definitely give this one a try.

“But then there are others. Charming, smart, accomplished men. Men, who when they were finally exposed as cold-blooded killers, left astonished and devastated families in their wake.”

Read if you like:
-Messy family dramas and history
-Neighborhood suspenses
-Thrillers about authors and writing
-Gothic feel mysteries

She Thought She Was Safe comes out 2/24.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say that I missed Detective Rita Myers in this story. Told from one POV, we follow Emma as she leaves behind her old life and heads straight into a new family with a father she never knew about.

Her new found father Alex offers her refuge at the family home at a private enclave on a lake. Emma really needs to learn to follow her mother's advice of 'you can't trust anyone'. And she really finds this out, as no one in this story is trustworthy.

Murder, missing women, and old secrets start to unravel this community and everything they've kept hidden.

SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS SAFE is a departure from the author's usual multiple POVs and Detective Rita Myers. It's a slow build to the first secret but then gains speed from there.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Shrader is newly divorced, and her mother has just recently passed away. There is nothing keeping her in Albany, NY, so when she receives an invitation from her estranged father, she jumps at the chance to meet him. Her mother only ever told her he was a bad man, but it turns out that her father is bestselling author Alex Spencer. He's invited her to come and stay at his house on Cheshire Lake in ME. It's the perfect secluded place for them to get to know each other. It's also the perfect place for Emma to finish writing her novel. Shortly after she arrives a neighbor is found dead under strange circumstances and the perfect place seems to not be so perfect anymore. The place she thought she would find peace and family becomes sinister. There's definitely someone who doesn't want her there, digging around. How far will they go to to stop her?

This book was a slow burn with lots of tension, feelings of unease, and messy family drama. There were dark secrets and shocking reveals. No one could be trusted. The setting really made the book. It was atmospheric, and the Victorian house in a secluded lake community gave it gothic vibes and a sense of confinement. The book was suspenseful, twisty, and I was definitely entertained. This was my first read by this author, but I will certainly be reading more. I enjoyed this one and would recommend it.🩷

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good thriller. I was immediately drawn in by the premise and I loved how the story developed. The story was so layered and kept getting better and better as the story went on. There were quite a few twists towards the end that made it impossible to put down. This one had me engrossed until the very end. I can’t wait to try more by this author.

Read this if you like:
→ Suspense
→ Cat & Mouse
→ Atmospheric Setting
→ Twists & Turns

Thank you @kensingtonbooks for the gifted copy of the book.

[Ali Renes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally had a hard time believing that the main character was a grown woman in her thirties. She made such poor decisions and was so indecisive that she seemed much younger. The premise of the book was promising and the house was so interesting, but the ending was so convoluted and seemed rushed. Also, what ever happened to the father’s first wife and son? Are they actually alive? If so, why bother including them at all??

[Sydney Victorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

She Thought She Was Safe is a pretty solid thriller. While I didn’t find it groundbreaking, I did really enjoy myself while reading it.

Where I think this book really shines is the setting. An isolated lake house in a strangely tight knit community is the perfect place for a mystery/thriller. The setting was quite eerie at times, and the neighbors were definitely spooky and unsettling. The way they interacted with Emma often raised the hair on the back of my neck. I don’t even know how to describe the unsettled feeling they instilled in me whenever they were on page.

I did find the overall mystery to be relatively predictable, but that’s not necessarily something that would make or break a story for me. I felt like this book was much more about the journey than the conclusion. It was an interesting enough story that it kept my attention pretty easily.

Thank you Kensington Books for the early review copy and finished copy of She Thought She Was Safe! All opinions are my own.

[Jessi - TheRoughCutEdge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this one had a slow build up and a air of never quite being sure who to trust. However, I wasn’t a fan of the choices the main character makes for most of the books. It is undeniably creepy and well-written in parts, but the pacing felt off. The suspense dragged in the middle and then rushed to a conclusion. It’s a quick weekend read if you like domestic thrillers and you’ll be not it if you prepare yourself to suspend belief.

Thank you Kensington Books for the #gifted copy!

[Shannon Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Mez · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5