What do you think?
Rate this book
The Safe Room: A Short Story
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jul 26Private 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
Expected publication July 1, 2026
About the author
Lisa Unger
52 books11.4k 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
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 4, 2026
I liked this more than I expected. Maybe it was the father -daughter dynamic. It was written well. Kept me guessing. Interested in reading more by this author.
June 6, 2026
This just wasn’t for me. I went into it completely blind, and maybe that was part of the problem. Based on the cover I was expecting something creepy, and this wasn’t that. I found it hard to connect to the characters, especially the main one, and I lost interest more times than I could count.
This is the second story I’ve read by Lisa Unger and if all of her writing is like this, then I think I’ll pass.
This is the second story I’ve read by Lisa Unger and if all of her writing is like this, then I think I’ll pass.
June 1, 2026
A very mediocre quick little read.
Want to Read
May 10, 2026This book is now one of my most anticipated book releases in 2026! I like lisa's books so much!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Razor's Edge
A review of the Prime First Reads Kindle eBook edition (June 1, 2026), released in advance of the official publication by Amazon Original Stories (AOS) in eBook format & by Audible Originals in audio format (July 1, 2026).
This is maybe a 3-star "Like", but I have no hesitation in bumping it up to a 4-star "Enjoyed," due to its asides (such as the above quote) which were passed down to private investigator Rae Donovan by her boss/mentor Lenny. Rae's flashbacks to her early detective days were the little gems in this short story which has her trying to discover what her estranged father had been doing prior to his suspicious death.
I've had a great track record with Lisa Unger's short stories from the AOS series, so I was pleased to see that hers was the short on offer this month. Once again, Unger did not let me down.
Trivia and Links
Prior to reading this story, I had never even heard of other 'Razors' aside from that of William of Ockham (1287-1347). There are actually quite a few of them, some of which you can see at 9 Philosophical Razors You Need to Know and others at 25 Philosophical Razors to shave off bad thinking. NOTE The supposed "Jung's Razor" does not seem to be listed anywhere, and I can find no such statement attributed to C.G. Jung (1875-1961) (assuming that is whom is being referred to).
Author Lisa Unger is a thriller and suspense novelist and short story writer whose most popular work (based on current GR ratings and reviews) is Confessions on the 7:45 (2019). I have previously enjoyed her AOS short stories The Sleep Tight Motel (2018) and the series House of Crows (2021). Her most recent novel is Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 (2025).
Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
A review of the Prime First Reads Kindle eBook edition (June 1, 2026), released in advance of the official publication by Amazon Original Stories (AOS) in eBook format & by Audible Originals in audio format (July 1, 2026).
Occam’s razor: The simplest explanation is the most likely. Jung’s razor: If you cannot understand why someone did something, look at the consequences, and then infer the motivation. Hanlon’s razor is a special favorite: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
This is maybe a 3-star "Like", but I have no hesitation in bumping it up to a 4-star "Enjoyed," due to its asides (such as the above quote) which were passed down to private investigator Rae Donovan by her boss/mentor Lenny. Rae's flashbacks to her early detective days were the little gems in this short story which has her trying to discover what her estranged father had been doing prior to his suspicious death.
I've had a great track record with Lisa Unger's short stories from the AOS series, so I was pleased to see that hers was the short on offer this month. Once again, Unger did not let me down.
Trivia and Links
Prior to reading this story, I had never even heard of other 'Razors' aside from that of William of Ockham (1287-1347). There are actually quite a few of them, some of which you can see at 9 Philosophical Razors You Need to Know and others at 25 Philosophical Razors to shave off bad thinking. NOTE The supposed "Jung's Razor" does not seem to be listed anywhere, and I can find no such statement attributed to C.G. Jung (1875-1961) (assuming that is whom is being referred to).
Author Lisa Unger is a thriller and suspense novelist and short story writer whose most popular work (based on current GR ratings and reviews) is Confessions on the 7:45 (2019). I have previously enjoyed her AOS short stories The Sleep Tight Motel (2018) and the series House of Crows (2021). Her most recent novel is Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 (2025).
Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Altho’ her father had reached out a few months ago, Rae ignored him. They have been estranged for years; ever since he walked out on the family. Even when physically present, he was emotionally absent; choosing money over actual affection.
An unexpected, mysterious phone call advises Rae that her father is near death and won’t survive. A private investigator by trade, she wants to know what happened. The answer spurs her to immediate action.
Rae arrives just before her father passes; no answers from the hospice staff, only assurance of an imminent demise. She parks herself in a chair along side his bed, spending the night unburdening herself of years unspoken about. When the doctor comes in to pronounce his quiet passing, unsettling possibilities come to bear - it might be poisoning. That’s definitely not what the already filled out death certificate says.
Author, Lisa Unger, sets the stage for this 63 page with great care. Readers are introduced to FMC, Rae, who is the narrator for the not quite novella length mystery. She heads to her father’s secluded home in the Adirondacks and begins doing what she does best - investigate. Most of what we learn about her comes by way of self talk.
Readers are introduced to “Lenny”, a retired cop turned PI; Rae’s mentor. He’s a colorful character who’s entertaining and full of “sage” advice. Undoubtedly, Lenny is my favorite character. We also meet a NYC cop that moved to the Adirondacks for a reason that’s left unanswered. I could easily see this triumvirate reuniting in future books, preferably full length.
Unger deftly moves the story along at a modest pace. I was unaware of the progress; the wrap up catching me by surprise.
I’m still trying to decide if this is a good thing.
Because this is short form fiction, much less than a typical 100 pages, the secondary characters are spare. They would make good material for another volume. Sex and violence are minimal but the casual dropping of unnecessary F-bombs was annoying, doing nothing to enhance the story.
3.5 stars rounded up out of respect for the author’s body of work and facility with short form fiction📚
An unexpected, mysterious phone call advises Rae that her father is near death and won’t survive. A private investigator by trade, she wants to know what happened. The answer spurs her to immediate action.
Rae arrives just before her father passes; no answers from the hospice staff, only assurance of an imminent demise. She parks herself in a chair along side his bed, spending the night unburdening herself of years unspoken about. When the doctor comes in to pronounce his quiet passing, unsettling possibilities come to bear - it might be poisoning. That’s definitely not what the already filled out death certificate says.
Author, Lisa Unger, sets the stage for this 63 page with great care. Readers are introduced to FMC, Rae, who is the narrator for the not quite novella length mystery. She heads to her father’s secluded home in the Adirondacks and begins doing what she does best - investigate. Most of what we learn about her comes by way of self talk.
Readers are introduced to “Lenny”, a retired cop turned PI; Rae’s mentor. He’s a colorful character who’s entertaining and full of “sage” advice. Undoubtedly, Lenny is my favorite character. We also meet a NYC cop that moved to the Adirondacks for a reason that’s left unanswered. I could easily see this triumvirate reuniting in future books, preferably full length.
Unger deftly moves the story along at a modest pace. I was unaware of the progress; the wrap up catching me by surprise.
I’m still trying to decide if this is a good thing.
Because this is short form fiction, much less than a typical 100 pages, the secondary characters are spare. They would make good material for another volume. Sex and violence are minimal but the casual dropping of unnecessary F-bombs was annoying, doing nothing to enhance the story.
3.5 stars rounded up out of respect for the author’s body of work and facility with short form fiction📚
Review of advance copy
I chose this story as an Amazon 1st Reads choice. I am a long-time fan of Lisa Unger's work. Short stories can either be really great or bad because of the shorter length, not every novelist is skilled at short story writing. The pace of the story and details almost made me wish this was a full-length novel.
Rae Donovan is a private investigator who just found out her father was on his deathbed. She is somewhat estranged from her father but spends his last hours with him. After he dies, the cause of death appears to be congestive heart failure, but he had no history of heart problems. Then, a suspected poisoning but who would try to murder a retired photographer for the FBI?
Rae hears a phone ringing, but can't see where the call is coming from, not the landline. She finds a secret room in the basement of the house she grew up in and then guesses the combination. The secret room leads to more questions, and there's also the woman who answered her dad's phone.
I read most of the short story in 1 sitting. I was absolutely riveted. The only thing I wondered was how she remembered the mysterious woman once she saw her. I won't give anything away. It's worth a read for free, or $2.
Rae Donovan is a private investigator who just found out her father was on his deathbed. She is somewhat estranged from her father but spends his last hours with him. After he dies, the cause of death appears to be congestive heart failure, but he had no history of heart problems. Then, a suspected poisoning but who would try to murder a retired photographer for the FBI?
Rae hears a phone ringing, but can't see where the call is coming from, not the landline. She finds a secret room in the basement of the house she grew up in and then guesses the combination. The secret room leads to more questions, and there's also the woman who answered her dad's phone.
I read most of the short story in 1 sitting. I was absolutely riveted. The only thing I wondered was how she remembered the mysterious woman once she saw her. I won't give anything away. It's worth a read for free, or $2.
Review of advance copy
She knows nothing of her father’s life. They were estranged after the divorce. This might be the closest she’ll ever get to knowing her father, now, after he’s gone.
…
As an investigator it’s her calling to collect information. She starts with his house which leads to a hidden room.
…
Lisa Unger won me over with her work in Confessions on the 7:45. I’ve read many more of her books after enjoying that book. Somewhere along the way the writing style no longer fit with my reading style and I found my interest petering.
…
The concept and storyline drew me in. I wish I could say I was immersed in the story. The story focused on reminiscing about a father that she barely knew while trying to solve his death.
…
As an investigator it’s her calling to collect information. She starts with his house which leads to a hidden room.
…
Lisa Unger won me over with her work in Confessions on the 7:45. I’ve read many more of her books after enjoying that book. Somewhere along the way the writing style no longer fit with my reading style and I found my interest petering.
…
The concept and storyline drew me in. I wish I could say I was immersed in the story. The story focused on reminiscing about a father that she barely knew while trying to solve his death.
June 7, 2026
The Safe Room by Lisa Unger
The Safe Room by Lisa Unger is a short story but is packed with attitude and action. It is an old fashioned story based on a father who worked for the Agency and was never close to his daughter.
When she is notified he is dying and goes to his hospital room, he is unaware of her presence. His death was caused by a dose of deadly mushroom and his two other acquaintances also suffered the same fate.
One of them didn’t eat quite as much as the other two and turns up at her father’s house wanting his share of the money in the safe.
However he is killed by the redhead who poisoned the three men for revenge and Rae is left with the money.
Recommended
The Safe Room by Lisa Unger is a short story but is packed with attitude and action. It is an old fashioned story based on a father who worked for the Agency and was never close to his daughter.
When she is notified he is dying and goes to his hospital room, he is unaware of her presence. His death was caused by a dose of deadly mushroom and his two other acquaintances also suffered the same fate.
One of them didn’t eat quite as much as the other two and turns up at her father’s house wanting his share of the money in the safe.
However he is killed by the redhead who poisoned the three men for revenge and Rae is left with the money.
Recommended
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 3.5/5
I admire any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is great skill in being able to pen a properly rounded tale within a hundred or so pages, complete with fleshed-out, credible characters. Lisa Unger does a solid job with this story about Rae Donovan, a private investigator who learns that her estranged father has just died. This is well-written, suitably paced and packs in plenty of content, complete with light and shade. An entertaining read that should only take about 75 minutes of your time.
I admire any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is great skill in being able to pen a properly rounded tale within a hundred or so pages, complete with fleshed-out, credible characters. Lisa Unger does a solid job with this story about Rae Donovan, a private investigator who learns that her estranged father has just died. This is well-written, suitably paced and packs in plenty of content, complete with light and shade. An entertaining read that should only take about 75 minutes of your time.
June 5, 2026
Quick read
This was a free book from Amazon's June first reads selection, only a short story at 63 pages but it was quite good. Enough suspense to keep you guessing and enough plot to make you wonder what's gonna happen next. Would love to have delved into the life of the father a bit more but with it being a short story I can understand why it didn't. I like the writing style of this author and what little character building there was, was done well. A quick easy pallete cleanser read. 3 🌟
This was a free book from Amazon's June first reads selection, only a short story at 63 pages but it was quite good. Enough suspense to keep you guessing and enough plot to make you wonder what's gonna happen next. Would love to have delved into the life of the father a bit more but with it being a short story I can understand why it didn't. I like the writing style of this author and what little character building there was, was done well. A quick easy pallete cleanser read. 3 🌟
Review of advance copy
This story is part of Amazon's First Reads for June 2026.
My rating would be 3.5, rounded up to 4. Lisa Unger is a decent writer of suspense fiction. Her characters in this story are likeable and well-rounded. I used to read her novels years ago when she first started publishing. I think I'll look up some of her more recent works. This story is a good introduction if you haven't read anything by her before.
My rating would be 3.5, rounded up to 4. Lisa Unger is a decent writer of suspense fiction. Her characters in this story are likeable and well-rounded. I used to read her novels years ago when she first started publishing. I think I'll look up some of her more recent works. This story is a good introduction if you haven't read anything by her before.
June 5, 2026
Unputdownable short story
This was a very good short story about a woman, who is a private detective, getting a call about her estranged father's imminent death. She goes back to the home she grew up in and discovers he was not in the profession he said he was in. Going through some of us belongings secrets are revealed.
This was a very good story. I will definitely be reading more from Ms Unger!
This was a very good short story about a woman, who is a private detective, getting a call about her estranged father's imminent death. She goes back to the home she grew up in and discovers he was not in the profession he said he was in. Going through some of us belongings secrets are revealed.
This was a very good story. I will definitely be reading more from Ms Unger!
June 2, 2026
Captivating Quick Read
Rae and her father were estranged. And yet, when he unexpectedly passes away, the circumstances are a bit sketchy. Rae is left to either pack up and go, or use her PI skills to find out what happens.
This was a great, quick read to start the summer months. I am very quickly becoming a fan of Unger's writing.
Rae and her father were estranged. And yet, when he unexpectedly passes away, the circumstances are a bit sketchy. Rae is left to either pack up and go, or use her PI skills to find out what happens.
This was a great, quick read to start the summer months. I am very quickly becoming a fan of Unger's writing.
June 3, 2026
After her father’s passing, Rae visits her childhood home, uncovering shocking secrets her father had kept locked up.
This was a fun little quick read, it did keep me on my toes, but at the same time I do wish it was a little more suspenseful. But if you’re looking for a quick mystery/thriller to read, check this one out!
This was a fun little quick read, it did keep me on my toes, but at the same time I do wish it was a little more suspenseful. But if you’re looking for a quick mystery/thriller to read, check this one out!
June 3, 2026
4.5 Stars
I’ve only read another of Lisa Unger’s short stories, but loved it. Her writing style is intelligent, clear, and even introduced me to new words. The Safe Room was easy to get into. I deduct half a star because I found the plot resolution to be a little dull, although there were a couple good cliffhangers.
I’m glad I read this one and am reminded to read more by Lisa Unger!
I’ve only read another of Lisa Unger’s short stories, but loved it. Her writing style is intelligent, clear, and even introduced me to new words. The Safe Room was easy to get into. I deduct half a star because I found the plot resolution to be a little dull, although there were a couple good cliffhangers.
I’m glad I read this one and am reminded to read more by Lisa Unger!
June 3, 2026
3.5 rounded up - This author tends to be hit or miss for me. I have loved some of her books and almost DNF others. I got this one for free via Kindle First Reads and since it was a short story finished it, but it didn’t do a lot for me. It seemed to have potential, but it managed to bog down and ended up basically meh.
June 5, 2026
Not the greatest.
Love of the family saves this one. Rae is estranged from her dad but she rushes to his bedside in hospice. She finds out he was mixed up in some bad biz and that he was poisoned by mushrooms. It wraps up pretty well but no big surprises waiting at the end and the reader is hoping for more resolution
Love of the family saves this one. Rae is estranged from her dad but she rushes to his bedside in hospice. She finds out he was mixed up in some bad biz and that he was poisoned by mushrooms. It wraps up pretty well but no big surprises waiting at the end and the reader is hoping for more resolution
June 5, 2026
A tight, taut mystery tale
::There’s an experienced PI, going to the remote home of her recently deceased father, with whom she was estranged. Working to settle his affairs, she makes a major discovery that raises many questions. Author Unger crafted a cleverly structured story that wraps up very well.
::There’s an experienced PI, going to the remote home of her recently deceased father, with whom she was estranged. Working to settle his affairs, she makes a major discovery that raises many questions. Author Unger crafted a cleverly structured story that wraps up very well.
June 6, 2026
Quick Short Thriller
Easy read that kept me interested. Not a shocking end but still good. Considering it is a short read I think Lisa did great keeping attention, telling a full story (some shorts really miss character development and plot), and sneaking in deeper themes beyond the suspense.
Easy read that kept me interested. Not a shocking end but still good. Considering it is a short read I think Lisa did great keeping attention, telling a full story (some shorts really miss character development and plot), and sneaking in deeper themes beyond the suspense.
June 7, 2026
JUST OK
I don’t like stories that I don’t really understand or get a full answer to. I’m very good at making up my own endings and so that is what I will do with this book and make up my own ending that I think really happened. It was a good story. It just didn’t show any fulfillment in the end and I don’t like that, I should’ve given it only three stars.
I don’t like stories that I don’t really understand or get a full answer to. I’m very good at making up my own endings and so that is what I will do with this book and make up my own ending that I think really happened. It was a good story. It just didn’t show any fulfillment in the end and I don’t like that, I should’ve given it only three stars.
June 2, 2026
Very interesting
Interesting story about what a daughter finds when she returns to her childhood home after her estranged father dies. The characters were well written with Lenny being my favorite. I look forward .to reading more from this talented author!
Interesting story about what a daughter finds when she returns to her childhood home after her estranged father dies. The characters were well written with Lenny being my favorite. I look forward .to reading more from this talented author!
June 2, 2026
You know I think this is the first Amazon short reads that I actually enjoyed. It was short, sweet, kept you on your toes here and there. Every plot twist had answers that came later in the book. Overall it was a pretty good book.
June 2, 2026
Good
I really enjoy when an author can tackle the short story format in such a way that really wraps up all the loose ends. I really enjoyed how quick this read was and how it kept my attention throughout the entire book.
I really enjoy when an author can tackle the short story format in such a way that really wraps up all the loose ends. I really enjoyed how quick this read was and how it kept my attention throughout the entire book.
June 3, 2026
When I can feel like a got a whole story in under 100 pages and be satisfied with it, I know it was a great short story! Loved it and the suspense to it! The writing was superb! Felt like I knew the characters, that the story could be real, and I’m content with how it wrapped up!
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars
It was a good short story but I wish there had been more to the story. There's all these different characters that I wish we could have gotten to know.
Thank you Amazon First Reads for the opportunity to read this short story before it is released!
It was a good short story but I wish there had been more to the story. There's all these different characters that I wish we could have gotten to know.
Thank you Amazon First Reads for the opportunity to read this short story before it is released!
June 3, 2026
Interesting story concept
I mean.. not great. It’s an ok story. A little convoluted but at the same time not enough details. And a lot of the sentences really do run on. The format was hard to read for me. There were no chapters and nothing except an extra line to transition.
I mean.. not great. It’s an ok story. A little convoluted but at the same time not enough details. And a lot of the sentences really do run on. The format was hard to read for me. There were no chapters and nothing except an extra line to transition.
Review of advance copy
This was in June's Amazon First Reads. It started off strong but then slowly I got more and more bored as it went on. By the end, I didn't really care about the climax, just glad it was over.
Not a great short story.
Not a great short story.
Read
June 4, 2026A well written captivating story that held me to the end. The intriguing short story drew me into the life of a father and daughter who had so such unfinished business. Business that the daughter discovered following her father's death . A story I recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews