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The Safe Room
Private investigator Rae Donovan’s relationship with her father is distant to the point of estrangement. But when she learns he’s dying in hospice, she drops everything to be at his side. By the time she arrives, he’s already too far gone to speak, and a doctor says his death is consistent with poisoning.
As she scours his isolated Adirondack home for clues, she discovers a hidden room filled with surveillance equipment, weapons, and a safe full of cash—maybe her father wasn’t the unassuming retiree she’d imagined. Rae must decide whether knowing the full truth about her family is worth the danger of tracking it down.
As she scours his isolated Adirondack home for clues, she discovers a hidden room filled with surveillance equipment, weapons, and a safe full of cash—maybe her father wasn’t the unassuming retiree she’d imagined. Rae must decide whether knowing the full truth about her family is worth the danger of tracking it down.
63 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2026
About the author
Lisa Unger
53 books11.7k followersLisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including her latest release SERVED HIM RIGHT. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 761 reviews
August 26, 2026
Rae Donavon's father has died under suspicious circumstances, and as next of kin she is tasked with going through his house and belongings. Rae has had a fraught relationship with her father, and they have been estranged for most of her life. Her mother left him many years before, so how he lived is a complete mystery to her. However, even though Rae is an investigator, she didn't realise just how much of a mysterious life he actually led when she stumbles across a secret room in the basement.
A quick read and a fairly average thrilleresque-type story which follows Rae as she tries to find out the circumstances of what happened to her father and the reasons why. There is also an enigmatic 'redhead' whose whereabouts she needs to track down. I did think it started to fall a little flat as it drifted off into Rae's past, which, to be honest, felt like filler, and there was no super exciting explosive finale – so it all ended up pretty tepid stuff.
It's a short story that lacks a nuanced and riveting plot, but to be fair, that happens in most novellas, as there isn't much room to build a narrative or characters with much depth. I always tend to read these shorter stories between full-length books when I'm deciding what to dive into next, so if you want something to fill an hour or so, then this quickie will probably fit the bill.
Rating it 2.5/5 but will round up.
A quick read and a fairly average thrilleresque-type story which follows Rae as she tries to find out the circumstances of what happened to her father and the reasons why. There is also an enigmatic 'redhead' whose whereabouts she needs to track down. I did think it started to fall a little flat as it drifted off into Rae's past, which, to be honest, felt like filler, and there was no super exciting explosive finale – so it all ended up pretty tepid stuff.
It's a short story that lacks a nuanced and riveting plot, but to be fair, that happens in most novellas, as there isn't much room to build a narrative or characters with much depth. I always tend to read these shorter stories between full-length books when I'm deciding what to dive into next, so if you want something to fill an hour or so, then this quickie will probably fit the bill.
Rating it 2.5/5 but will round up.
July 20, 2026
3.5⭐
Genre ~ mystery
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ July 1, 2026
Publisher ~ Brilliance Audio
Est Page Count ~ 63
Audio length ~ 2 hours 10 minutes
Narrator ~ Vivienne Leheny
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ death of an estranged parent, secrets
Rae gets a phone call from an unknown woman that her estranged father is on his death bed. She rushes there to be by his side while he passes. While she goes through his house she hears a phone ringing, eventually finding where it's located. You guessed it, it's in a safe room. And thus sets forth Rae's investigation into what on earth her father is doing with the things she finds in there.
I think the blurb gives too much away for such a short book. I would have liked more of a mystery as to what's in the room instead of being told right off the bat. With that said she did do a fine job investigating of why the need for the room to begin with. Perhaps this would be a good series starter.
Narration notes:
I believe I've listened to her before. She sounded perfectly fine, I have no complaints about her performance.
*Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Genre ~ mystery
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ July 1, 2026
Publisher ~ Brilliance Audio
Est Page Count ~ 63
Audio length ~ 2 hours 10 minutes
Narrator ~ Vivienne Leheny
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ death of an estranged parent, secrets
Rae gets a phone call from an unknown woman that her estranged father is on his death bed. She rushes there to be by his side while he passes. While she goes through his house she hears a phone ringing, eventually finding where it's located. You guessed it, it's in a safe room. And thus sets forth Rae's investigation into what on earth her father is doing with the things she finds in there.
I think the blurb gives too much away for such a short book. I would have liked more of a mystery as to what's in the room instead of being told right off the bat. With that said she did do a fine job investigating of why the need for the room to begin with. Perhaps this would be a good series starter.
Narration notes:
I believe I've listened to her before. She sounded perfectly fine, I have no complaints about her performance.
*Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Read
July 1, 2026The Safe Room was fine for what it was.
It’s a super short listen, and I mostly had it on while doing chores. The audio was great and easy to follow, but the story itself wasn’t anything that had me fully invested or sitting there needing more.
It did its job as a quick little thriller/palate cleanser, but it’s not one that’s going to stick with me.
I’d recommend it to listeners who want a short, easy thriller to throw on between heavier reads.
It’s a super short listen, and I mostly had it on while doing chores. The audio was great and easy to follow, but the story itself wasn’t anything that had me fully invested or sitting there needing more.
It did its job as a quick little thriller/palate cleanser, but it’s not one that’s going to stick with me.
I’d recommend it to listeners who want a short, easy thriller to throw on between heavier reads.
July 2, 2026
I didn’t have a huge amount of thoughts about The Safe Room in the end, which probably has a lot to do with the length. It feels like it’s over before you even have time to fully settle into it.
Having said that, I was impressed by how much Unger was able to pack into just 63 pages, both in character and plot. The story is essentially about Rae dealing with the grief of losing her father, while also trying to reconcile the person she knew with the secrets she uncovers about the life he kept hidden.
I wouldn’t say this was particularly thrilling for me, but there was enough suspense to keep me engaged through to the end. I thought the idea of Rae discovering that, even after his passing, her father was still someone she couldn’t fully understand — “elusive in death as he was in life” really captures that feeling.
This was my first introduction to Lisa Unger’s writing, and while I thought this was a solid short story, I think I’ll get more out of her novels where there’s more room for the characters and story to unfold.
Having said that, I was impressed by how much Unger was able to pack into just 63 pages, both in character and plot. The story is essentially about Rae dealing with the grief of losing her father, while also trying to reconcile the person she knew with the secrets she uncovers about the life he kept hidden.
I wouldn’t say this was particularly thrilling for me, but there was enough suspense to keep me engaged through to the end. I thought the idea of Rae discovering that, even after his passing, her father was still someone she couldn’t fully understand — “elusive in death as he was in life” really captures that feeling.
This was my first introduction to Lisa Unger’s writing, and while I thought this was a solid short story, I think I’ll get more out of her novels where there’s more room for the characters and story to unfold.
July 9, 2026
This is an Amazon Prime First Reads Pick.
Lisa Unger’s writing is always great.
This is a short story that is well written and interesting, too.
It’s a quick read thriller.
I enjoyed it!
Lisa Unger’s writing is always great.
This is a short story that is well written and interesting, too.
It’s a quick read thriller.
I enjoyed it!
July 9, 2026
the setup…
Rae Donovan is a private investigator in New York City. She’s married with a daughter in college and is sort of estranged from her father, a retired former FBI photographer who lives in Adirondack. But when she gets a call that he may be dying, she rushes to see him, arriving just a short time before he dies. Apparently he was poisoned and Rae can’t help looking into his life to investigate the who and why. She finds a treasure trove of clues in his house, including a secret room with a safe.
the heart of the story…
As Rae didn’t know a lot about her father’s life, her search through his home was as revealing to her as it was to me. I liked the tension of going into the unknown and not having a clue about potential threats. The step back into her past to explain how she became a private investigator was helpful in understanding the risks she took.
the narration..
I always enjoy Vivienne Leheny and she completely sold me on Rae. As usual, her storytelling was excellent.
the bottom line…
While I liked the story, as a whole it didn’t quite live up to the early tension. The ending fell a little flat and left some dangling threads. However, it was entertaining and Rae is a character I’d definitely want to see more of in a longer story or series. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Rae Donovan is a private investigator in New York City. She’s married with a daughter in college and is sort of estranged from her father, a retired former FBI photographer who lives in Adirondack. But when she gets a call that he may be dying, she rushes to see him, arriving just a short time before he dies. Apparently he was poisoned and Rae can’t help looking into his life to investigate the who and why. She finds a treasure trove of clues in his house, including a secret room with a safe.
the heart of the story…
As Rae didn’t know a lot about her father’s life, her search through his home was as revealing to her as it was to me. I liked the tension of going into the unknown and not having a clue about potential threats. The step back into her past to explain how she became a private investigator was helpful in understanding the risks she took.
the narration..
I always enjoy Vivienne Leheny and she completely sold me on Rae. As usual, her storytelling was excellent.
the bottom line…
While I liked the story, as a whole it didn’t quite live up to the early tension. The ending fell a little flat and left some dangling threads. However, it was entertaining and Rae is a character I’d definitely want to see more of in a longer story or series. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
August 4, 2026
I received an advance audio book copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Safe Room is a fast paced short story about family secrets and how well you know someone.
We follow Rae who is a private investigator and received a call from the hospital that her estranged father is dying. She then returns to her childhood home and hears a phone ringing that she cannot locate. When she stumbles across a secret room and a locked safe she cannot get into, questions begin exploding in her mind and ever the investigator, she is determined to root them out. Just who was her father really and who is the mysterious woman that was seen at the hospital visiting him?
This was a really captivating short story and the narrator did a great job of hooking you and reeling you into it on audio too.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Safe Room is a fast paced short story about family secrets and how well you know someone.
We follow Rae who is a private investigator and received a call from the hospital that her estranged father is dying. She then returns to her childhood home and hears a phone ringing that she cannot locate. When she stumbles across a secret room and a locked safe she cannot get into, questions begin exploding in her mind and ever the investigator, she is determined to root them out. Just who was her father really and who is the mysterious woman that was seen at the hospital visiting him?
This was a really captivating short story and the narrator did a great job of hooking you and reeling you into it on audio too.
July 27, 2026
This is only the third book of Lisa Unger that I have read. Based on the previous two, I can't say that I'm a big fan of her, but apparently I enjoyed her previous work enough to at least finish the books. Feelings are pretty much the same here. I've said this before, but it bears mentioning again, my biggest qualm with short stories is there just isn't enough meat to them to really appreciate the story. Like so many short stories, this one seemed more like a chapter to another story. Based on the storyline and characters of the story, it could go in a couple of different directions: a story about the end of Rae's father's FBI career or a story about Rae's PI career. Either way, those could have made for some good stories.
June 8, 2026
Intriguing
Lisa Unger is a writer with her own style.
I really enjoy her books and short reads. A women who grew up wanting her father's love, his death and mystery evolves all wrapped up in a good short story.
This is a first reads pick.
Lisa Unger is a writer with her own style.
I really enjoy her books and short reads. A women who grew up wanting her father's love, his death and mystery evolves all wrapped up in a good short story.
This is a first reads pick.
July 11, 2026
eh, it's just fine.
July 11, 2026
4.5/5 stars
This is a review of the audiobook narrated by Vivienne Leheny.
This is an Amazon Original short story.
I enjoyed this short story so much. It was a compelling thriller that I could not put down.
Rae is a private investigator who doesn’t have a great relationship with her father. When she gets a call from the hospital she races to his bedside.
I loved seeing Rae search for clues, determined to find out what happened. So many thrilling revelations and fun family secrets.
Vivienne Leheny was so good as Rae. She made this audiobook so captivating to listen to.
The story was so good. It is a quick captivating read. I really enjoy Amazon Original Stories and definitely recommend this one on audio.
Thanks netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for allowing me to listen to this audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook narrated by Vivienne Leheny.
This is an Amazon Original short story.
I enjoyed this short story so much. It was a compelling thriller that I could not put down.
Rae is a private investigator who doesn’t have a great relationship with her father. When she gets a call from the hospital she races to his bedside.
I loved seeing Rae search for clues, determined to find out what happened. So many thrilling revelations and fun family secrets.
Vivienne Leheny was so good as Rae. She made this audiobook so captivating to listen to.
The story was so good. It is a quick captivating read. I really enjoy Amazon Original Stories and definitely recommend this one on audio.
Thanks netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for allowing me to listen to this audiobook.
July 5, 2026
A fun short listen.
June 30, 2026
Picked this up as an Amazon First Reads selection before its official release because the premise completely sold me. A estranged daughter, a suspicious death, and a hidden safe room full of secrets. Unfortunately, the execution never lived up to the setup. I kept waiting for the mystery to really take off or for a twist that would make everything click, but instead it felt rushed and underdeveloped. I know it’s a short story, but it still needed a stronger payoff. This had all the ingredients for an incredible full length thriller, yet it ended up feeling more like the opening of a novel than a complete story.
July 2, 2026
THE SAFE ROOM by Lisa Unger was a June 2026 Amazon First Reads. Had it not been free, I probably wouldn't have read it, and I still am not certain how to rate this novella.
I find Unger's writing style to be irritating, although I can see its merits. In all stories I have thus far read by this author, I have found it impossible to empathize with her main protagonists, even when they are basically interesting characters, like Rae Donovan, the main protagonist in THE SAFE ROOM. Rae is a wife, a mother, and a private investigator. Her estranged father has just died and she is searching for answers about why it took place as suddenly as it did.
The plot of this novella kept my interest throughout the story. It had nice twists and turns, many of which I wasn't expecting. However, I didn't like the irritating main protagonist. She over-intellectualized everything. Plus, everything was centred around her—her memories, her feelings. I think that had the story not been written in the first person, had a third person POV been used, I might have enjoyed it better. Then my dislike of Rae would have been tempered by her circumstances, and I could have enjoyed the plot. (The only character in this story that I liked was Lenny, Rae's former boss. This may have been because we get to know him only through Rae's reminiscences.)
So, for me, the plot was 3.5 to 4.0 stars, but nearly all of the characters were unlikable and/or irritating. Consequently, a 3-star overall reading experience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for some other books by Lisa Unger:
The Kill Clause
Let Her Be
All My Darkest Impulses
Last Girl Ghosted
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I find Unger's writing style to be irritating, although I can see its merits. In all stories I have thus far read by this author, I have found it impossible to empathize with her main protagonists, even when they are basically interesting characters, like Rae Donovan, the main protagonist in THE SAFE ROOM. Rae is a wife, a mother, and a private investigator. Her estranged father has just died and she is searching for answers about why it took place as suddenly as it did.
The plot of this novella kept my interest throughout the story. It had nice twists and turns, many of which I wasn't expecting. However, I didn't like the irritating main protagonist. She over-intellectualized everything. Plus, everything was centred around her—her memories, her feelings. I think that had the story not been written in the first person, had a third person POV been used, I might have enjoyed it better. Then my dislike of Rae would have been tempered by her circumstances, and I could have enjoyed the plot. (The only character in this story that I liked was Lenny, Rae's former boss. This may have been because we get to know him only through Rae's reminiscences.)
So, for me, the plot was 3.5 to 4.0 stars, but nearly all of the characters were unlikable and/or irritating. Consequently, a 3-star overall reading experience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for some other books by Lisa Unger:
The Kill Clause
Let Her Be
All My Darkest Impulses
Last Girl Ghosted
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 3, 2026
It’s a challenge to write a great short story, probably why this was just a good one. The story was interesting and had decent character development, but the puzzling one word notes were never addressed and that made it fall flat for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2026
A title from Amazon first reads this month, Lisa Unger has some great short stories and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Rae is tasked with dealing with her father’s affairs and his estate after his death, they had a troubled relationship whilst he was alive and she uncovers some secrets that shock her to the core.
Rae is tasked with dealing with her father’s affairs and his estate after his death, they had a troubled relationship whilst he was alive and she uncovers some secrets that shock her to the core.
July 25, 2026
Boring, unengaging and pointless. 🤦🏻♀️ probably Lisa Unger's worst work yet. The idea was there but the execution fell incredibly short. ☹️ It just left me wondering why this was written or published at all.
June 25, 2026
Really boring and for a short story, took me ages to get into.
July 7, 2026
This one was just plain fun!
Okay, so I may have a dark sense of humor, and it wasn't really "funny" in any sense. But it really is a fast and mostly fun read! Sure, the first bit is kinda heavy, but it gets lighter. I just plain enjoyed it!
Short stories weren't my thing, but Lisa Unger has been, shall we say, corrupting me. And I'm enjoying it!
Okay, so I may have a dark sense of humor, and it wasn't really "funny" in any sense. But it really is a fast and mostly fun read! Sure, the first bit is kinda heavy, but it gets lighter. I just plain enjoyed it!
Short stories weren't my thing, but Lisa Unger has been, shall we say, corrupting me. And I'm enjoying it!
July 1, 2026
This novella is a brief yet engaging read that can help keep you on track with your reading goals or serve as a great introduction if you're exploring a new genre.
Rae Donovan, a private investigator, reconnects with her dying father and discovers a hidden room with surveillance gear and weapons, forcing her to confront dangerous family secrets...
It's impressive how, in just 63 pages, the author introduces us to Rae, her complicated past, her estranged parents, and her new life. Character development in novellas can be quite rare, but Rae is fleshed out enough for readers to form their own opinions about her.
The pacing is fast, gripping, and intense, sure to satisfy many readers with its mix of action, puzzles to unravel, and emotional depth. It feels as if Rae truly finds her place in the world, embracing a new family with her husband, child, and her retired boss. Their relationship extends beyond that of a typical employer and employee, as they share holidays, further enriching the story. Rae also learns more about her father, gaining insight into his emotional distance and ultimately finding some closure. This heartwarming and pulse-pounding tale has something for everyone, so dive in and let me know your thoughts! This short read really has it all!
Rae Donovan, a private investigator, reconnects with her dying father and discovers a hidden room with surveillance gear and weapons, forcing her to confront dangerous family secrets...
It's impressive how, in just 63 pages, the author introduces us to Rae, her complicated past, her estranged parents, and her new life. Character development in novellas can be quite rare, but Rae is fleshed out enough for readers to form their own opinions about her.
The pacing is fast, gripping, and intense, sure to satisfy many readers with its mix of action, puzzles to unravel, and emotional depth. It feels as if Rae truly finds her place in the world, embracing a new family with her husband, child, and her retired boss. Their relationship extends beyond that of a typical employer and employee, as they share holidays, further enriching the story. Rae also learns more about her father, gaining insight into his emotional distance and ultimately finding some closure. This heartwarming and pulse-pounding tale has something for everyone, so dive in and let me know your thoughts! This short read really has it all!
July 22, 2026
Rae Deserved A Bigger Plot Twist! 💥
Packing a full-length novel's worth of suspense into fewer than 100 pages is a rare talent, but Lisa Unger nails it! As my second short story by her, this mystery thriller pulled me in immediately; growing up as a fatherless child made it easy to relate to the main character on a much deeper level right out of the gate. Rae's search for the truth about her father's death was a great ride! I thoroughly enjoyed the side characters and had a blast trying to piece together what was actually happening. 🕵🏾♀️
That being said, I was really hoping for a different ending, or maybe not different but more shocking, which put a slight damper on the overall experience. 😔 However, despite the takeaway from the climax, it was a pretty decent read nonetheless.
The Aftermath 🌷:
This was a fun, four-star read for me! The author definitely knows how to deliver a fast, catchy shorty that hooks you from the beginning. I loved the personal connection to the MC, and I’ll definitely be diving into more of her work soon! 🫶🏾
P.S. This was an Amazon First Reads!!
Packing a full-length novel's worth of suspense into fewer than 100 pages is a rare talent, but Lisa Unger nails it! As my second short story by her, this mystery thriller pulled me in immediately; growing up as a fatherless child made it easy to relate to the main character on a much deeper level right out of the gate. Rae's search for the truth about her father's death was a great ride! I thoroughly enjoyed the side characters and had a blast trying to piece together what was actually happening. 🕵🏾♀️
That being said, I was really hoping for a different ending, or maybe not different but more shocking, which put a slight damper on the overall experience. 😔 However, despite the takeaway from the climax, it was a pretty decent read nonetheless.
The Aftermath 🌷:
This was a fun, four-star read for me! The author definitely knows how to deliver a fast, catchy shorty that hooks you from the beginning. I loved the personal connection to the MC, and I’ll definitely be diving into more of her work soon! 🫶🏾
P.S. This was an Amazon First Reads!!
July 5, 2026
This was another "new to me" author and I went into this book completely blind.
The story starts off introducing private investigator Rae Donovan who is at her father's home after being notified of his death. We learn that the two were estranged and hadn't talked to one another in a fairly long while. Rae begins to realize that she didn't know anything about her father's life and as she tries to begin the process of sorting through his things, she discovers a secret room. The existence and contents of the room shows that there was more to her father than she ever knew.
As Rae begins to unravel her father's life, the hospital informs her that his death was not natural and his body shows signs of poisoning. This starts the ball rolling as she cannot stop her curiosity, both to learn more about her father's life and mostly to try to solve the mystery of WHY he was killed.
This book is a novella or short story length that is very fast paced and goes by quickly. It takes us quickly through the case and for the most part wraps everything up.
The story was narrated by Vivienne Leheny whose performance did a wonderful job with the execution of the storyline.
The story starts off introducing private investigator Rae Donovan who is at her father's home after being notified of his death. We learn that the two were estranged and hadn't talked to one another in a fairly long while. Rae begins to realize that she didn't know anything about her father's life and as she tries to begin the process of sorting through his things, she discovers a secret room. The existence and contents of the room shows that there was more to her father than she ever knew.
As Rae begins to unravel her father's life, the hospital informs her that his death was not natural and his body shows signs of poisoning. This starts the ball rolling as she cannot stop her curiosity, both to learn more about her father's life and mostly to try to solve the mystery of WHY he was killed.
This book is a novella or short story length that is very fast paced and goes by quickly. It takes us quickly through the case and for the most part wraps everything up.
The story was narrated by Vivienne Leheny whose performance did a wonderful job with the execution of the storyline.
July 10, 2026
Finished reading: July 9th 2026
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
July 15, 2026
Quick and Easy
Rae rushes to her ailing father's bedside only to find it is too late. His death is consistent with poisoning. Rae must now uncover clues as to her father's manner of death, but also to his manner of life.
This is a short, fast-paced story. It is well written and maintained my interest.
Rae rushes to her ailing father's bedside only to find it is too late. His death is consistent with poisoning. Rae must now uncover clues as to her father's manner of death, but also to his manner of life.
This is a short, fast-paced story. It is well written and maintained my interest.
July 19, 2026
Thank you so much to Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this Amazon Original!
Okay... I somehow completely missed that this was a short story. 😂 I went in expecting a full-length thriller and was so invested that I actually checked the time left, only to realize I had barely any audiobook remaining.
Ironically, there are so many thrillers that probably should be under 100 pages but somehow stretch to 400 and overstay their welcome. The Safe Room is the exact opposite. At just 63 pages, it left me wanting so much more.
I loved the premise, I really liked Rae as a main character, and the mystery surrounding her father immediately hooked me. The hidden room, the surveillance equipment, the questions about who he really was... it all had the makings of an incredible full-length novel.
My 3-star rating really comes down to one thing: it felt rushed. I completely understand that's the nature of a short story, but I couldn't help wishing this had been expanded into a full novel. I wanted more time with the characters, more answers, and more room for the mystery to breathe.
If you're looking for a quick thriller you can finish in one sitting, this is definitely worth checking out. I just wish there had been another 100+ pages.
Okay... I somehow completely missed that this was a short story. 😂 I went in expecting a full-length thriller and was so invested that I actually checked the time left, only to realize I had barely any audiobook remaining.
Ironically, there are so many thrillers that probably should be under 100 pages but somehow stretch to 400 and overstay their welcome. The Safe Room is the exact opposite. At just 63 pages, it left me wanting so much more.
I loved the premise, I really liked Rae as a main character, and the mystery surrounding her father immediately hooked me. The hidden room, the surveillance equipment, the questions about who he really was... it all had the makings of an incredible full-length novel.
My 3-star rating really comes down to one thing: it felt rushed. I completely understand that's the nature of a short story, but I couldn't help wishing this had been expanded into a full novel. I wanted more time with the characters, more answers, and more room for the mystery to breathe.
If you're looking for a quick thriller you can finish in one sitting, this is definitely worth checking out. I just wish there had been another 100+ pages.
June 16, 2026
A fast paced short story
An estranged dad. A mysterious woman. Hidden secrets. A small town with lots of secrets and memories. An enjoyable quick read.
An estranged dad. A mysterious woman. Hidden secrets. A small town with lots of secrets and memories. An enjoyable quick read.
July 1, 2026
A beautiful short story, amazingly written, emotionally expressed and even though it is a thriller, it touched me so deeply, maybe because i too lost my dad, i miss him and there was so much unsaid things by the time he left. I loved it!
July 4, 2026
I gave this four stars only because it isn’t long enough to be fully developed. Rae is a great character (also the name of my favorite granddaughter), tough, relentless and talented. I hope Unger does a full novel on her. The story is simple - no spoilers because I see Kayla Wants to Read it - Rae is handling the details after the death of her estranged father, but as she learns more about him a mystery unfolds- not complicated and it mostly revolves itself. Strippers, Drug Dealers, Spies and Family.
September 4, 2026
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ engaging fun short story
I love a Lisa Unger short story she manages to pack a punch into them every time. I am always surprised by the direction these little thrillers take and this was no exception.
I love a Lisa Unger short story she manages to pack a punch into them every time. I am always surprised by the direction these little thrillers take and this was no exception.
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