What do you think?
Rate this book
The Safe
The East Ward of Harbrook Hill is a home for the criminally insane, but only the most deranged dwell on the fifth floor. Take Walter Hosler, this morning's new arrival. He hasn't spoken in a year. Not since the cops found him hiding in the basement of his house, his wife lying dead upstairs. The part of her that was left, at least.
Now he's alone in a dark cell five stories off the ground, behind locked doors and stone walls, staring down through the bars of his window. Watching the woods. Waiting.
Something is coming for Walter. Something hungry. And no one is safe.
Now he's alone in a dark cell five stories off the ground, behind locked doors and stone walls, staring down through the bars of his window. Watching the woods. Waiting.
Something is coming for Walter. Something hungry. And no one is safe.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2014
17 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Barnett
15 books257 followersDaniel Barnett lives in Portland, Oregon and is a lover of stories--especially ones where things go bump in the night. His work has appeared in Crowded Magazine, and his short story The Sadie Hawkins placed in the top 6 for the 2015 Aeon Award. When he isn't writing or reading, he's discussing fiction with others. Whether they want to or not.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 1, 2017
loved the book
I read 3 or 4 books a week. It was so nice to read something that wasn't the recycled story line that I've been running into lately. Thank you for the great story line!!!
I read 3 or 4 books a week. It was so nice to read something that wasn't the recycled story line that I've been running into lately. Thank you for the great story line!!!
February 1, 2022
Many people are discovering Barnett's work through his incredible Nightmareland Chronicles series, and I can't recommend that series enough. But! Don't sleep on his early work either. The Safe is a haunting, eerie novel that pulls you and never relents.
November 1, 2014
This book was way too fucking long. The story just didn't merit the length. This should be a short story, at best. The author just filled this book full of filler. So much goddamn bullshit filler. So much small talk. How 'bout them Lakers? What'd you have for dinner last night? Who the fuck cares?
The story begins in an asylum for the criminally insane. Off to a good start, right? Not so much. I've visited these types of places, and I can say from experience that there is never a dull moment in a fucking insane asylum. But with this book, there are always dull moments. The whole fucking book is one long dull moment.
So, this book is total bullshit. There weren't even any cool gang rape scenes. I mean, come on. That's a staple of prison life for fuck's sake. Okay, there were a few times when someone was about to whip out their dick and make some guy suck on it, but then they were like oh, nevermind.
So, this book was frustrating as hell to get through. There were really no plot devices or characters that really made me care enough to make me want to finish this book. But I did finish it, and I can say that in the end, it definitely was not worth the time and drudgery.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
The story begins in an asylum for the criminally insane. Off to a good start, right? Not so much. I've visited these types of places, and I can say from experience that there is never a dull moment in a fucking insane asylum. But with this book, there are always dull moments. The whole fucking book is one long dull moment.
So, this book is total bullshit. There weren't even any cool gang rape scenes. I mean, come on. That's a staple of prison life for fuck's sake. Okay, there were a few times when someone was about to whip out their dick and make some guy suck on it, but then they were like oh, nevermind.
So, this book was frustrating as hell to get through. There were really no plot devices or characters that really made me care enough to make me want to finish this book. But I did finish it, and I can say that in the end, it definitely was not worth the time and drudgery.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
November 26, 2014
Uhh... I don't really know. I mean, I liked this book. Of course I've read dozens of better books in the genre but even if it's not the best horror book ever, I definitely don't feel like I wasted time on it.
The book was really hard to read though. It went on and on, the flow was soooooo slow and I barely could go through more than two chapters in one shot. So, somehow it was painful but then again, maybe it's just me.
Since it's a horror book, I suppose one of the most important things here is the climate. And I think it lacked a little. There are some really great scenes, I have to admit, but then again, I sort of missed some kind of tension for a really long time.
I enjoyed the book, can't say that I didn't, but at the same time I couldn't wait for it to end. It didn't appeal to me THAT much but nevertheless, it wasn't really bad. I had some fun but I'll probably forget this position soon enough.
The book was really hard to read though. It went on and on, the flow was soooooo slow and I barely could go through more than two chapters in one shot. So, somehow it was painful but then again, maybe it's just me.
Since it's a horror book, I suppose one of the most important things here is the climate. And I think it lacked a little. There are some really great scenes, I have to admit, but then again, I sort of missed some kind of tension for a really long time.
I enjoyed the book, can't say that I didn't, but at the same time I couldn't wait for it to end. It didn't appeal to me THAT much but nevertheless, it wasn't really bad. I had some fun but I'll probably forget this position soon enough.
April 12, 2016
Review: THE SAFE by Daniel Barnett
I read this extraordinary and unstoppable novel for a Goodreads Group. Interweaving abnormal psychology and evil paranormal, THE SAFE opens the walls of a bizarrely-run asylum to the reader's view. From an inmate convicted of uxoricide who simply will not speak, to a inmate who rules the roost, to a grounds caretaker happy only with his dogs and alcohol, to a motley assortment of guards and administrators, author Daniel Barnett demonstrates a vast imagination and his perfect grasp of intellectual literary fiction. His characterizations and plotting are outstanding.
I read this extraordinary and unstoppable novel for a Goodreads Group. Interweaving abnormal psychology and evil paranormal, THE SAFE opens the walls of a bizarrely-run asylum to the reader's view. From an inmate convicted of uxoricide who simply will not speak, to a inmate who rules the roost, to a grounds caretaker happy only with his dogs and alcohol, to a motley assortment of guards and administrators, author Daniel Barnett demonstrates a vast imagination and his perfect grasp of intellectual literary fiction. His characterizations and plotting are outstanding.
January 26, 2022
A well written story I'm glad I read!
Daniel is a very good writer, and has a way of developing a mood. I'm looking forward to reading more of his books!
Daniel is a very good writer, and has a way of developing a mood. I'm looking forward to reading more of his books!
November 17, 2014
** I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. **
This was an ok book.
I also felt it was a little too long and wished it was more twisted in a lot of ways. So much more could have happened.
I found myself hoping for something to shock me, but nothing. Now, this was an interesting story line, it just didn't keep my attention like I had hoped. I liked the cover of the book though.
This was an ok book.
I also felt it was a little too long and wished it was more twisted in a lot of ways. So much more could have happened.
I found myself hoping for something to shock me, but nothing. Now, this was an interesting story line, it just didn't keep my attention like I had hoped. I liked the cover of the book though.
June 24, 2016
Couldn't put it down
The characters had me from the very first page. Richer than most horror stories I've read and it will also take a me a longtime before I will leave a window open at night.
The characters had me from the very first page. Richer than most horror stories I've read and it will also take a me a longtime before I will leave a window open at night.
December 16, 2015
Hard to follow. .
Hard to follow. There is a lot of jumping around, both in time and point of view. Much of it made no sense and the ending left much unresolved.
Hard to follow. There is a lot of jumping around, both in time and point of view. Much of it made no sense and the ending left much unresolved.
February 23, 2016
I forced myself to finish this book.... the storyline just moved wayyyyy to slowwwwwwwwwww.
~~~R
~~~R
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews