Safe: A boy’s survival against the odds

by Jack Chandler

It took a fractured wrist and two broken ribs for Fin to run away, but now he’s free, unprepared, alone, and thirteen.

Fin doesn’t remember his mother leaving. He doesn’t know if she said goodbye. For sure, his brother didn’t. After that, it was just Fin and his father. Fin hides when he can and takes the beatings when he can’t. As long as he has his best friend, he tells himself it’s OK.

But then everything goes horribly wrong.

Now he’s sleeping behind dumpsters and hasn’t eaten in days. His wrist is throbbing, his ribs are painful, and by the time George finds him, he’s barely conscious. When Fin wakes, he’s weak, disorientated, and in George’s home. George seems to want to help, but the only people Fin’s ever trusted have abandoned him or turned him away, and he doesn’t understand what this man wants from him, how much danger he’s in, or if he can leave.

A powerful British thriller about survival, trust, and finding hope in the darkest places, don’t miss the unforgettable prequel to the bestselling Stuart Finlay series.

"This book will pull your heartstrings."
"I felt like I was actually there."
"I didn't want it to end."
"My emotions were all over the place."
"Captures your attention from the first page."
"I got completely wrapped up."
"The characters come to life."
"I immediately purchased Book One."
"Jack Chandler has a true gift."
"You HAVE to read this awesome series!"

Available for free from author's website

Genres: Thriller, Adventure, Mystery Thriller, British Literature, Action

81 pages, ebook

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Jack Chandler is a sleep-deprived parent, wife, author, and willing participant in an unbalanced cohabitation contract with a cat. She spends her time writing, playing strategic board games, doing puzzles, and turning the house and garden into a jungle.
Her first thriller, Ripped Into, became a Hot New Release within five days of publication, and a Bestseller on Amazon within two weeks.
Check out her website for a free story in the series.

Reviews

[JUDITH SMITH]

thoroughly enjoyed, feels like the start of something good,

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love the back story. It gave you a better understanding of what Fin went through growing up.

[Arlene Everingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh - I felt so afraid for Fin, but then when George found him and helped him it made me feel a lot better. This story really touched me with Jack's sensitive handling of the subject matter.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving and gripping read.
Fin has no one except his cruel father, that he hides from most of the time to avoid beatings. His mother and his half brother Chris have left him.
Fin finally runs away from home, after suffering broken ribs, and a fractured wrist. He has been sleeping rough on the streets, starving, cold, wet through and in severe pain.
He wakes up in George's house, not knowing where he is or how he got there. It is hard for Fin to trust anyone after everything he has been through in his short life, including George a stranger to him.
George seems to want to help Fin and is being kind to him. But what does George want in return ? Why did he take Fin into his home? Will Fin ever be safe from his father's abuse ?
With every page, you are willing Fin on and hoping for his physical and emotional distress to end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Constance M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

challenging emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Received this short story from the author.
I got completely wrapped up in the characters and emotionally invested.
How many people strive to be invisible for one reason or another?!
Not all get eventually noticed, but thankfully this one did.

[MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Prequel introduces the reader to 9-yr-old Fin and his life before he escapes from a physically and emotionally abusive father. He meets the kind-hearted George and finds some peace. I'm eager to read more about Fin.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Harriet Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book proves that that there’s still good people in this world!! This book grabbed me from the start!! How can someone abuse a child?? Especially one that’s already broken down by neglect and just life in general?? Know that when you read this book your emotions will be all over the place!! Anger, fear, insecurity, tears and maybe just maybe there might be some cheering too!! This story was very well written!! I don’t care what your favorite genre is, you will enjoy this book!!

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

SAFE is the prequel novella in Jack Chandler’s contemporary, adult STUART FINLAY suspense thriller focusing on PI Stuart Finlay.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from omniscient third person perspective (Stuart) SAFE focuses on the earlier life of of our hero Stuart Finlay. At thirteen years of age, Stuart had lived under the abusive rule of his alcoholic father for close to nine years but when his best friend pushed him out of his life, and his father’s abuse had taken its’ toll, Stuart ran without looking back only to find himself the ward of a gentle man name George who will become guardian and protector of our story line hero.


SAFE is a story of abuse and neglect, power and control, survival and friendship, The premise is dark and gritty; the characters are desperate and broken.


•••••••••

The ebook SAFE is only available from the author's website

[Dee-Marie Tansey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures your attention from the first page and doesn't let go of you until the final page. The characters are so vivid and come to life in front of your eyes. Fin, a 13 year old boy, is put through so much in such a short time that you are rooting for him to find a place, find a home he can belong in, that it just has your emotions all over the place. The man that takes him in is wise beyond words. You will want to race through this story to the end - and then be upset that the book is over. This book is awesome beyond words!

[Sue Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe is the free prequel novella to Jack Chandler’s excellent Stuart Finlay series of thrillers. We meet Fin, aged thirteen, learn of his traumatic and heart-wrenching childhood, and how he meets George, another main character in the series. It is an emotional, page-turner of a read, and the difficult subject matter is tastefully handled. It gives the reader a glimpse into Fin’s early life, and it left me wanting to know what happened between the end of Safe and the start of Ripped into. I highly recommend it, but I would also recommend reading Ripped Into first.

[Barbara Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is SO gripping, I could not put it down. Fin is to be admired for his endurance of the abuse from his father.
When he meets the man who takes him in and offers Fin a chance to start over, the child is very cautious and doesn’t trust the man’s motives.
I was totally awash with admiration for the giant man, and kept remembering the awesome tales of Gentle Ben.
His ‘language’ kept me on my toes, as I tried to decipher the unfamiliar spellings.
You HAVE to read this awesome book/series! Looking forward to reading Ripped Into by Jack Chandler.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe by Jack Chandler is the back story of the main character in the author's thriller series. It is a short, quick read but it will keep you turning pages. You will feel many emotions and empathy toward Fin. He's had a tough time during his 13 years. This book will also give you insight about this character.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I always review every book that I read. I recommend this book and this series. Enjoy.

[Juli Macario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was outstanding! I didn’t want it to end! I read this in two sittings. The fastest book I’ve ever read. The details and wording were so explicit I felt like I was actually there. I am now a true fan and have downloaded the second book of Fin and enjoying immensely. Thank You !!!! Jack for being such a creative, detailed and exciting writer. U have a true gift and am so happy I found you !

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped by this author's words and how she uses them. This is the prequel to the Stuart Finley Series and is so good, I immediately purchased book 1 in the series.
It is about the abusive background if Fin and him meeting George who becomes his saviour.
I received a copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Mike Calabrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is n introduction to Stuart Finlay Jr and the very sad life that he led up to and around the age of 13. It was short but a good read. Stuart or "Fin" as he is called, ends up OK at the end. This book also introduces the reader to other books about his later role in life and how he turned a negative into a positive. I recommend this book.

[Nancy Atwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in early with Fin and his troubles beginning with his friend and then his father, who gets into The Rage. Fin leaves home and is found starving by a kind man who takes him in. This book will pull your heartstring's. A good read.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many feelings when reading this novella. Fast paced with one gripping the reader as one would a theater seat.
Only regret is the story ended. I'm thinking that Jack Chandler won't leave us wanting for too long

[John Bitsko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a very fast read. Had me hooked from the opening pages.