No One Is Safe

by Ellie Marney

Dexter meets The Bourne Identity in a gritty thriller about the unkillable past, the first in a pulse-pounding new series from New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney.

Simon Noone is a serial killer…but he doesn’t know it. Pulled from a river in Guatemala in 1982 with nothing—not even his memories—he returns to America five years later, looking for answers. He finds work at an NYC meatpacking plant and meets rebel ex-cop turned private investigator Nomi Pace. But she has problems all her own.

Nomi agrees to help Simon, if he lends his mysterious talents to solving a child kidnapping case. The two team up and make headway on both investigations, growing closer with every step. But when Nomi discovers the dark truth about Simon’s murderous past, he quickly turns from asset to liability.

Nomi contemplates her next move. Meanwhile, the weight of Simon’s deeds hangs like a dripping carcass on a meat hook. Were his homicidal urges erased along with his memory, or is there a sinister reason why his deft hand itches for the butcher’s cleaver?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 1, 2026

About the author

Ellie Marney is a multi-award-winning, bestselling author of thrillers for teens and adults. Her titles include the New York Times bestseller None Shall Sleep, the Kirkus-starred sequel, Some Shall Break, and the electrifying finale All Shall Mourn. Ellie's other titles include ARA Historical Novel Prize-nominated The Killing Code and Australian library favorite Every Breath. Her debut adult thriller No One Is Safe is arriving 1 March 2026.

Ellie has spent a lifetime researching in mortuaries, talking to autopsy specialists, and asking former spies how to make explosives from household items - now she lives quite sedately in south-eastern Australia with her family. Find sign-ups for her newsletter, The Black Hand, at her website, and catch her @elliemarney or @elliemarneyauthor on socials.

Reviews

[hailee · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to the author for the ARC!! review to come :)

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one had such an interesting premise, so I really wanted to love this. Unfortunately, I found it super slow and not thrilling like a thriller should be.

The premise which is a killer who has gotten amnesia and is trying to figure out who he is sounded so exciting. Even the first chapter made it seem like this was gonna be a wild book. However, the writing to me then became so bland and never really got better.

I want to write this in a way that doesn’t reveal spoilers, so I will say that even when certain thrilling parts were happening involving violent moments, I just still could not connect with this book or the characters. I think a big part of that was that Simon interested me, but Nomi did not at all. Since Nomi was such a big part of the book, I ended up losing interest.

I personally feel that this is a case where I think this could have been so good, but the idea was not executed properly.

Thank you to Amazon First Reads for this advance copy.

[Rikke [norwegian_bookshelf] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie can do no wrong

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 / 5 (please GR give me .5 and .75 stars I'm begging)
ESP (English Below)
No One Is Safe es un thriller ambientado en los 80s de la ciudad de Nueva York. Seguimos a Simon, un asesino serial con amnesia, no recuerda quién es ni los delitos que cometió. Junto con Nomi Pace, una investigadora privada con un pasado oscuro, no solo irá reconstruyendo su identidad, sino que descubrirá un lado muy oscuro de sí mismo que lo hará replantearse su naturaleza.

Este libro fue un cachetazo emocional en el mejor de los sentidos. Simon es un personaje que ya conocía gracias a la trilogía de None Shall Sleep, y en este libro podemos ver otro lado, otra interpretación del personaje, que me dejó completamente enamorada.

Lo que me gustó de este libro, y no me esperé, es que no solo nos presenta un caso por resolver, sino que también nos trae un interrogante: ¿Qué pasaría si un asesino pierde todos sus recuerdos sobre sus crímenes? ¿Un sociópata puede cambiar si no recuerda quién es? ¿La empatía es algo con lo que nacemos o algo que aprendemos?
El foco central de la historia no solo es la investigación, sino también lo es la relación entre Simon y Nomi, un nuevo personaje me pareció una muy buena adición a este mundo. Al igual que otros personajes femeninos de Marney, me pareció compleja e interesante. Es fuerte, pero no invencible, inteligente pero no sabelotodo. Comete errores y falla una y otra vez; sin embargo, sigue para adelante y siempre hace lo mejor que puede en su situación. Aunque mencioné una "relación" entre Simon y Nomi (y sin duda, las chispas saltaron de vez en cuando), el romance no se encuentra presente en primera plana. Estos personajes recién se están conociendo y en circunstancias muy particulares, que no dan para frenar y decir "¿tenemos una cita?". Puedo ver algo de romance, pero es más bien la semilla que puede llevar a algo más.
Por momentos la investigación se me hizo algo larga, pero todo tiene sentido y cobra relevancia al final de la trama. Otra cosa que destaco es el nivel de detalle, se nota que la autora investigó de cómo era la situación en NYC y me alegra también ver que la diversidad de esta ciudad y el papel que jugó la comunidad LGBTQ+ en esta época no es ignorada.

¿Es necesario leer None Shall Sleep para entender este libro? La verdad que no. Es de esos casos en los que si leíste la trilogía (cosa que recomiendo un montón) vas a percatarte de ciertas cosas y vas a entender ciertas referencias. Sin embargo, si no los libros, este se mantiene por sí solo. Aún así, recomiendo leer None Shall Sleep para tener una idea más profunda de nuestro prota y conocer a fondo las habilidades que maneja y de lo que es capaz.
Sin duda me quedé con ganas de saber más y de ver a dónde nos llevará Ellie con estos nuevos personajes y esta nueva ambientación.

Nuevamente gracias a Ellie y Thomas & Marcer por otorgarme una copia del libro a cambio de una opinión honesta.

ENG
No One Is Safe is a thriller set in 1980s NYC. We follow Simon, a serial killer with amnesia; he doesn't remember who he is or the crimes he committed. Together with Nomi Pace, a private investigator with a dark past, not only will he reconstruct his identity, but also discover a very dark side of himself that makes him rethink what he is capable of.

This book was an emotional slap in the face, in the best possible way. I already knew Simon from the None Shall Sleep trilogy, and in this book, we see another side, another interpretation of the character, which completely captivated me.

What I loved about this book, and didn't expect, is that it not only presents us with a case to solve but also raises some questions: What would happen if a killer lost all memories of their crimes? Can a sociopath change if they don't remember who they are? Is empathy something we are born with or something we learn? The central focus of the story isn't just the investigation, but the relationship between Simon and Nomi. I found this new character a welcome addition to the world and a complex and wonderful character, as is typical of Marney's female characters. She's strong, but not invincible, intelligent, but not a know-it-all. She makes mistakes and fails time and time again, yet she perseveres and always does the best she can in her situation. Although I mentioned a "relationship" between Simon and Nomi (and there were definitely some sparks flying from time to time), romance isn't the main focus. These characters are just getting to know each other under very particular circumstances, which don't allow for a sudden, abrupt "Shall we go on a date?" I can see a hint of romance, but it's more of a seed for something else to bloom.
At times, the investigation felt a bit long, but everything makes sense and becomes relevant by the end of the plot. Another thing I want to highlight is the level of detail. It's clear the author researched the situation in NYC, and I'm also glad to see that the city's diversity and the role the LGBTQ+ community played during that time aren't ignored.

Is it necessary to read None Shall Sleep to understand this book? Honestly, no. It's one of those cases where if you've read the trilogy (which I highly recommend), you'll notice certain things and understand certain references. However, if you haven't read the trilogy, this book stands on its own. What I do recommend is reading None Shall Sleep to get a deeper understanding of our protagonist and fully grasp the skills he possesses and what he's capable of.
I was definitely left wanting to know more and to see where Ellie will take us with these new characters.

Thanks again to Ellie and Thomas & Marcer for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Sophie Darting · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah. Review to come

[Ella Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ellie Marney for letting me read this early! That was crazy and insane, but I loved it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new thriller for adults is a rollicking read from Ellie Marney . Due to be released in March 2026, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC in exchange for a fair review. Happily I can affirm this moody, gritty novel is everyting we have come to expect from Marney (and she had already set the bar pretty high with All Shall Mourn in 2025) - and more.
Nomi Pace is a PI and ex-police detective working a child kidnapping case. Young Brittany Solange has been taken to silence her mother and Nomi is determined to find her. As Nomi begins her investigation she meets her new neighbour, Simon Noone. Simon, recently arrived from Guatemala and suffering amnesia about his past, works at a local meat-packing plant and can't recall anything about his past life in the USA. He asks Nomi to investigate him to try to piece his life together.
As Nomi gets to know Simon his mysterious past; especially things like innate knife skills, being able to speak multiple languages, and a capacity for violence; begins to worry Nomi. They work together with an undercurrent of sexual tension and malevolence to trace Brittany's whereabouts while trying to dodge members of a crime syndicate who want to them to back off - with malice.
While it appears Simon has demons impacting his life, Nomi has a few of her own, including a propensity for self-harm and a drug addiction. No one is safe is absolutely the perfect title for this book.
Marney's scene-setting and character development is unsurprisingly on point and as usual her research and immersion in the 1987 New York she recreates here is impeccable. It's the kind of story streaming services should be falling over themselves to option and get to production quickly.
There are plot points I won't reveal here because I have a strict no-spolier policy, but avid readers of Marney's other work probably already have their own suspicions about Simon's identity. ;-) and they won't be disappointed.
An absolute ripper of a thriller and I hope we see more of Nomi and Simon really soon.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Vibe check: Gritty, Downtown NYC Crime

full review ⬇️

I’m a long time fan of Ellie Marney’s writing and absolutely adored the None Shall Sleep series, so jumping back into Simon the serial killer’s world in a more adult, darker setting was something I was very excited about.

Set in 1980s New York City, the atmosphere is spot on. From the gritty streets to the gangland edge of the Meatpacking District, Ellie brings the era to life so vividly. I could practically hear the city humming in the background.

While it was great to have Simon back, the introduction of Nomi, a new private investigator is a standout. Her dynamic with Simon is compelling, layered and charged with similar secretive history.

The dual points of view work brilliantly and I love how many of the chapters often ended on mini cliffhangers that made it genuinely hard to put the book down as I bounced eagerly between perspectives.

Being marketed for an adult audience, this novel is darker and grittier than the None Shall Sleep series with more mature language and confronting themes including self harm, so it’s worth keeping that in mind before diving in.

This can absolutely be read as a standalone however if you haven’t experienced the joy (surely that word still applies to a serial killer series?!) of the None Shall Sleep series, I would recommend reading the trifecta first and getting to know Simon, his interesting ‘skills’ and quirks and understanding the throwbacks to the series made in this great book.

I’m very hopeful this is just the beginning of another series following Simon. Huge thanks to Ellie Marney for the early copy of this one, releasing February 2026.

[Kristine Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the None Shall Sleep series also by Ellie Marney, then you will for sure love this book. I got very into this book, that it took me about 130 pages to figure out who Simon really was. It was nice to see a different side to Simon and who he could have been.

This book can be read as a standalone, without being lost on what is going on, but if you want to get more out of it, then start with the None Shall Sleep trilogy. No One is Safe is aimed more towards adults due to language and violent descriptions of certain scenes, but it is a great transition from one series to this book. I wanted more when I finished reading All Shall Mourn because it left me with more questions, especially after that ending. The addition of Nomi, was exactly what was needed because her strong persona was perfect for dealing with someone like Simon. There were times towards the end of the book where I was questioning whether Simon was really telling the truth about having lost his memory because being a psychopath gives him the ability to really blend in.

I hope there is more to the story and it becomes a series because I would love to see what happens if or when Simon fully gets his memories back, and how Nomi deals with Simon's true self. Although Simon's past is not so great, his character has always been so interesting and I feel like there's more to learn about him. I love Ellie Marney's style of writing, it is fast paced but at the same time reels you in so fast to the point that you don't realize you have finished the book. She has officially been added to my automatic author buy. Now I just need to get her other books.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

No One Is Safe is another hit from Ellie Marney!! This book is a fast-paced adult thriller that absolutely delivered. No One Is Safe is extremely immersive, and absolutely captivating!! A page-turner that was hard to put down and left me sad when it ended.

No One Is Safe is a physiological thriller set in 1987 that follows Simon Noone, a man with Amnesia, and Nomi, a private investigator, who live in the same building together. Simons aids Nomi on a complex case, while Nomi agrees to help Simon find out his real identity, but something isn’t quite right with him and his many “skills”.

While it is not essential, but for more background information and an even more fulfilling experience I highly recommend reading the None Shall Sleep series by the same author before this book. It is part of the same universe and acts as a prequel for this book. It is also just a great series!

If you liked the None Shall Sleep series, one of my favorite series of all time, you will love this one. I loved seeing references to the None Shall Sleep series and hope we continue to see more from this universe. Though they are in the same universe, No One Is Safe is an adult book with more explicit language and content in comparison, which I personally enjoyed and felt added greatly to this book.

I can’t wait to see what’s next from Ellie Marney!!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ellie Marney’s writing, I love the historical NYC setting, and I loved the idea of this book ever since I first heard about it. And it did not disappoint. The question of “what will happen when Simon and Nomi find out Simon’s true identity” lends an added tension (complimentary) to the tension of the ever-increasing tangled web of finding the kidnapped child that brought the two together in the first place. I’ve found Simon such an interesting case study since the None Shall Sleep trilogy (this stands alone from that trilogy, but I do recommend reading it because it’s great). I need there to be a sequel so that we get more of Nomi, too. It’s also fascinating to think just how much the Meatpacking District has changed since the 1980s. PS: thanks to Ellie Marney for the ARC, my book thoughts are not based on that, etc.

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Marney’s None Shall Sleep Sequence, so I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of her adult thriller, No One Is Safe. Taking place in NYC during the 80s we follow Simon Noone. Simon is a serial killer; he just doesn’t know it. Think Bourne series mixed with Dexter.

If there is one thing Marney does really well, its serial killers. She gets you in their brain and lets you sit there. I loved that we got to dive back into the None Shall Sleep series with this. The relationship between Simon and Nomi was well done and each character is fleshed out giving you a good feeling as to who they are. This is the beginning of a series and Marney sets it up perfectly. Gritty dark and fast paced, I cannot wait for the next! Thank you @elliemarney for my copy!

[Helen Farch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has read Ellie Marney's YA thrillers know just how amazing they are.

Now Ellie has turned her hand to adult thrillers and they are just as gripping, heart-pounding as you would expect.

Simon is such a charismatic character, but he hides deadly secrets.

The relationship between Simon and Nomi is full of chemistry and potential.

The plot is twisty and gasp worthy.

The writing, as with any Ellie Marney book, grips you from the very first page and holds on to you far longer than when you close the last page.

I devoured this and truly hope this is the start of a new series.

[Tatiana Vila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

I LOVE A SERIAL KILLER 🤭
Simon has been intriguing me ever since reading the “None Shall Sleep” trilogy and Ellie’s writing is so good it actually makes the reader feel empathy for a psychopath.
I really liked the new characters even though Nomi’s naivety at the beginning was getting to my nerves.
Something else I really enjoyed were the glimpses from the past and the writing was really captivating.
Last but not least, an honorable mention to the last chapters of the book. SO GOOD. we’re so back and I can only hope this is not the end for these characters!

[Kendal Unofficial Book Club Pod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read anything, Ellie Marnie writes! I loved her trilogy for none shall sleep, and continuing the story with some unlikely characters is a really interesting way of making the world of this story bigger!

Following Simon through his new chapter was entertaining and suspenseful!

The Easter eggs that were dropped along the way were really for those of us who loved the first three books so thank you Ellie!

[ari]

12/28/2025 - Making this an adult novel was the right choice. There were some very heavy themes addressed in All Shall Mourn - handled great, but in adult books there is more space to really deal with these kinds of issues.

[Hannah Bristow · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such an exciting read ! being able to be in simons brain and hear his thoughts and feelings associated with trying to remember who he is after the “accident”. following nomi and having her debate whether simon should tag along and help with the current case shes working on really brings a different element that i enjoy as she struggles with the idea he could be a bad person as she starts noticing all his mannerisms and actions from his “past” self start peeking through.

[Alanya J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal

If you know me in person, I’ve probably tried to push another one of Ellie Marney’s books on you: None Shall Sleep

Since I finished the trilogy last year I’ve been in shock of the ending, and this is everything I needed and have been hungry for. It’s dark, gritty, and so well written.

I can’t wait to see where Ellie is going to take this, and I can’t wait to annoy the crap out of my friends about it

[Pia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Ellie Marney for an early read
Actual rating: 4,5 stars

I admit that I was never a big fan of Simon in the None Shall Sleep series, so I was a bit skeptical at first, but this book showed the complexity and motivations of his character in a way that made me realize, me and Simon think very similarly (minus the killing).
The book felt like just the beginning of Simon's and Nomi's story and I hope to see more action and glimpses of Simon's old self in the future.

[Mami · Rating 4 out of 5]

My feelings for Simon are complicated. My feelings for Ellie Marney are not. She always manages to transport me into her books with her writing. The final chapters of this book are so much fun just like her other books. I will say my one critique about this book is sometimes it was overly detailed. I found myself rereading sentences a lot, but that could just be my short attention span. Overall, this book like a lot of the author’s work was great!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thrillers from Amazon Prime First Reads have been spotty, to say the least, but this one was a hit for me. Maybe a little more gore than usual, and I don't think a great thriller really needs that element. I would categorize this as a bit of Dexter, a bit of Bourne Identity, and a dollop of Reacher, and the mid-80s NYC setting was great. The two main characters were engaging and kind of mysterious with their secrets. Would definitely read more if this is a series.

[K.M. Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent novel from author Ellie Marney. Technically a continuation of her “None Shall Sleep” series, “No One Is Safe” reintroduces serial killer Simon Gutmunsson. After being fished out of a Guatemalan river with a head wound and no memories, he’s going by the name Simon Noone and has relocated to America, where he enlists the services of private investigator Nomi Pace, who lives in his new building.

While waiting for Nomi to find out who he is, Simon helps her with the case of a kidnapped child, and soon realizes his skills at tailing people might not be the work of something cool like him being an ex-spy, but something darker. Then, when Nomi discovers the truth about Simon’s past, she has to decide if it will sit well with the new man he's become, or unlock the killer in him.

Nomi is a fantastic character, sassy and headstrong, and the perfect counterbalance to the new Simon. In the “Sleep” series, he’s a monster, but the memory loss has mellowed him, and the changes to his character really round out a duo I’d love to read more case-cracking stories of. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers with crimes to solve and characters that are worth getting to know.

[Emmaly]

ARC supplied. Review to come closer to release date

[Lou Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping read from the first few pages. The characters and plot was excellent. A must reads.

[Kia Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. SO GOOD. Ellie has done it again.

[Emmy Stewart]

preread: never in my life have I been so excited for February!