The Safe Room

by Sarah A. Denzil

When I was fifteen years old, I made a mistake. I trusted the warm smile of a stranger called Peter Harlow, and accepted a ride home in his car.

It would be the last moment of my life I’d ever feel safe again.

The trauma of what happened that night will never leave me—and it was only the beginning. For the last nineteen years, I’ve been trapped in a nightmare of blocked numbers, violated restraining orders, and the compulsion to scan every face in every crowd, waiting for the day when his will be among them.

But I've also spent the time preparing. My home has become a fortress, with reinforced doors, perimeter cameras, and a safe room in the cellar. I've even taught my seven-year-old daughter how to call for help. When I finally have to face Peter Harlow again, I’ll be ready.

Or so I thought.

Because on the night of a furious snowstorm, a terrified stranger arrives at my gate. Emily is barefoot, bruised, and desperate for help—claiming her husband just tried to kill her.

To let her in from the storm would mean breaking every rule I've made to protect myself and my daughter—but could I live with myself if I didn’t?

But what follows is everything I've lived in fear of for all these years. First, the lights go out. Then, the internet dies. Next, the phone line goes dead—and finally, I find myself trapped inside my own safe room, watching through a camera feed as the man who stole my life for two decades walks the halls of my home, playing happy families with my little girl.

I built this fortress to keep him out. Now, it’s the only thing keeping me from protecting my child.

The Safe Room is a heart-stopping psychological thriller by bestselling author Sarah A. Denzil, the "mistress of twists." Essential reading for fans of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden, and Caroline Kepnes.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Fiction, Crime

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2026

About the author

Sarah A. Denzil is a Wall Street Journal bestselling suspense writer. She is also known as young adult author Sarah Dalton.

Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.

She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.

You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3

Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/

Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil

Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/

Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com

Reviews

[Sarah Denzil]

The idea for The Safe Room came to me after reading several stories about celebrities and the frightening stalkers they’ve had to deal with. It made me wonder how terrifying it would be to find yourself in that situation without the money, security teams or resources that a famous person might have. How would you keep yourself and your family safe when someone was determined to get close to you?

One of my favourite parts of writing this book was the relationship between Amber and her sister, Honey. Their bond is complicated, painful and full of history, but there is also so much love between them. I really enjoyed exploring everything that had pulled them apart and the things that might bring them back together.

The Safe Room will be available on 10th September 2026, and I’m so excited for you to meet Amber and Honey. I can’t wait to share their story with you!

You can preorder it here: https://geni.us/saferoom

All the best!

Sarah

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I give this one 3.5 ⭐️’s. It was quite the tell of the dangers and life altering affects from long term stalking, but it was no Baby Reindeer. Funny they titled the story Safe Room, it played such a small part in the story and there was nothing safe about it. I don’t know, I just wanted more and the ending was like “Oh, that’s it?” Even the climax fell a little flat for me.

Not my favorite, but decent storytelling. If you are into stalker thrillers, this could be a good read for you. It is wonderfully written and had good flow and for that I say….thank you!

[Tierney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 for this excellent tension-filled domestic noir. You'll enjoy the dual timeline, used very effectively here. Each timeline is as engaging and engrossing as the other, until the historical story dovetails into the present day.

I genuinely felt the distress and paranoia, and narrator Gemma Whelan does really well conveying it in the audio version.

[Lisa Guiry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will give this book a 3.5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟 if it wasn't so predictable I'd give it more be a lot more because this book was very well written. With that being said I still enjoyed it.

[ThrillersDoodles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was tension filled and creepy A F.
My insides were churning.
1.7x

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Safe Room was an unputdownable and tense psychological thriller that hooked me in from the very first chapter. The premise is eerie, the stakes are high, and the sense of danger never lets down. I loved how the story balanced trauma, survival, and maternal instinct without ever feeling overdone. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you up with your eyes glued to the page.

The claustrophobic setup is perfect with a fortified home, snowstorm, and stranger at the gate. Watching the protagonist’s past collide with her present made every chapter feel urgent. The arcs were clear, the tension was sharp, and the emotional beats landed well. A strong and engaging 4‑star read.

What I Liked:
• High‑stakes tension
• Strong emotional core
• Claustrophobic, immersive setting

What Didn’t Work Out:
• Some repetitive fear beats
• A few predictable moments
• Ending wrapped up a bit quickly

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐
• Characters: 3⭐
• Writing: 4⭐
• Message: 3⭐
• Overall: 4⭐

Final Verdict:
A tense and emotional psychological thriller with a closed room vibe and strong pacing. It’s gripping, immersive, and packed with suspense.

Huge thanks to Netgalley,the publisher, and author Sarah A. Denzil for my copy.

~JaNnA~

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author. It was an okay thriller for me. I definitely did not like the stalker in this book, He was super creepy and his texts messages were insane. I didnt get no wow factor though out of this one and just kinda followed your normal thriller with a stalker type read.

[Angela Pearse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title instantly brought to mind Panic Room with Jodie Foster so I was intrigued. Although this book is nothing like the movie, there's a good amount of suspense and it was an enjoyable weekend read.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rage finished this one because I couldn't believe there's a person dumb enough to react in a dire situation like this woman.

Oh, I think someone is in my super fancy extra safe house? Should I hide in the safe room with my child? No. I'll rig up some pans so I can hear if someone sneaks out of the attic and just sit in the living room in plain sight. GTFO of here 😩

[Betsy Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

The protagonist was too stupid. Why, if you had a safe room and you were afraid your nemesis was in the house with you, WOULD YOU NOT GO INTO SAID SAFE ROOM??!! Ughhh

[Beth · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Very readable and fast paced. Lots triggers for anyone who is undergoing or has survived domestic violence or stalking. Since I've never been in either of those situations, it's hard for me to say how much of the plot is unrealistic except for the heroine finding and marrying a wealthy only child who is the perfect boyfriend and later husband; I will say that I assume there is some level of artistic license for dramatic effect. All that aside, the story itself, as I said, was fast paced and kept my interest. The back-and-forth timeline kept me engaged because I wanted to understand what had happened in the past to create the present-day situation. I think a linear telling would have been less effective... too overpowering with the frustration of the level of stalking and lack of support the family received.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a tense and suspenseful psychological thriller that anyone could suffer if noticed by the wrong person.

I liked how the story switched between then and now, which provided both background and tension. It also showed how stalking can affect all those surrounding the victim in addition to the intended.

The writing style had a great flow and all the characters suited the plot. I was surprised by Amber's mother and her actions.

There was a great sense of place and yet the safe room didn't seem habitable considering its importance.

Engaging throughout.

Recommended.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This kept me interested, I thought the ending and the way the protagonists sister behaved a bit strange, but still a decent audiobook

[Kyra · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Very effective double timeline psychological thriller that left me holding my breath, checking over my shoulder and staying up so I could finish in one day. Listened to the audiobook which made me even more paranoid. TW Stalkers

[Alexandra Bordeleau · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

If a story about a deeply paranoid woman being stalked by an obsessive, seemingly unhinged man over the course of 19 years sounds interesting to you, then this is definitely for you.

[Lucy Rab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good free audiobook on audible x

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 A good listen on Amazon audible. It really highlighted the impact stalking has not only on the victim but their family and friends. It shows how the entire course of a victims life can change as a result. Worth a read/listen.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The silent child” is one of my all time favorite books so I was thrilled to read Sarah Denzil’s new book. The premise was right up my alley and I was not disappointed! Peter has aggressively stalked Amber since she was 15 and we get a dual timeline between then and now.

I flew through this book in about a day as I couldn’t put it down. So much tension and anxiety as I waited to see how this escalated and what would ultimately happen. Great story!

[buzy_reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter ruined Amber’s life and the life of her family. His obsession with Amber became exhausting and scary for Amber since police could do very little to protect her.
…
The Safe Room is about a stalker who ruined Amber’s life and her relationship with her parents and sister. Amber has known Peter since they were kids. When she was fifteen she was flattered he noticed her until he made his intentions clear he wanted to date her but she rejected him. For nineteen years Peter has followed and stalked her. Amber is tired of living in fear. She has a daughter to protect.
…
Sarah Denzil builds a mysterious story around Amber’s fears of Peter returning to finish what he started. With each new chapter Denzil slowly feeds pieces of the puzzle to readers about Peter’s character. Peter tests boundaries showing subtle invasions upon Amber’s life. Amber’s in emotional distress. Peter has created an isolated life for Amber where she limits her daughters activities for fear Peter will do something creepy.
…
Denzil has all the elements for a stalker storyline. This story leans on the slower side. I prefer faster paced stories with darker elements. I started to lose interest since the situation with Peter became redundant. Amber is crippled by paranoia of the unknown. Even the reader is experiencing the unknown about Peter because Denzil has not provided us with his point of view. I think the story could’ve benefited having the stalkers personal thoughts in the chapters. Showing him as unhinged would add an element of danger that I’m not getting from Amber’s point of view. She’s carried this with her since she was fifteen. It’s stunted her growth which is carrying into her adult life.
…
What I don’t understand is how Peter got away with stalking when it is defined as a repeated pattern of unwanted behavior making a person feel afraid, threatened, or unsafe. The story was okay. It could’ve been better had the emotional turmoil been turned up a notch.

[Court 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy received from Netgalley

Overall I’d give this 4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this book, I’ve never read a stalker thriller before and I was so pleasantly surprised!

This book follows a family and follows Amber who from the age of 15 is being stalked, threatened and completely ruins her families lives which is told in ‘before’ chapters and her current life with her daughter constantly looking over her shoulder.

I loved the earlier chapters in this book when Amber was 15 and being stalked by Peter, some of these chapters were absolutely terrifying. The author does an absolute amazing job of bringing reality to how scary being stalked can be, Peter completely ruined a full families lives. The earlier chapters with Peter were honestly more frightening to me than the later chapters when everything happens in the safe room. This was a real page turner and really does show how stalking is so real and can be so scary and how sometimes, there’s nothing than can be done to protect victims.

I really enjoyed the current timeline that this story shows, it was gripping, so entertaining and I found myself on the edge of my seat near the end! This really was a great thriller and a definite author I will be reading more from!

My only criticism-
•the ending felt a little too fast paced for me, I was shocked when it was the epilogue I would’ve loved some more ‘after’ chapters and to have seen some kind of after for Amber and Honey too.

[Clarabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
I absolutely loved this book! It hooked me from beginning to end, and I honestly didn’t want to put it down. The tension, the twists, and the feeling that something could go wrong at any moment had me completely invested in the story. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next, and I loved how the suspense kept building as everything started to unravel. The whole situation with the safe room, the storm, and the danger getting closer made everything feel so intense. I also loved how the story made me feel the main character’s fear and desperation, especially when her daughter was involved. This was such a gripping read, and I was completely drawn into it the whole time. Definitely a 5-star read for me!

[Hannah Chandler-Whiting · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A thriller that is tense and doesn’t have tons of twists and turns but still keeps you absolutely hooked wanting to know the outcome, a safe room switch idea too.
I loved how this shone a light on how broken the system is for victims of stalking, demonstrating all the points of failure, it will leave you eye rolling that this is how things are!
Will look to read more by this author!

[Samantha Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, I feel like it built a lot and then quickly wrapped up. A lot of wait, okay something’s coming, a simple outcome.

[Lynne Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great psychological thriller with a dual timeline. Very well written with twists as always.

[Leensey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a heavy story with incredible narration. Good riddance to that creep and the best wishes to the next chapter for Amber, Honey, and Sophie. 💖

[Gwen Cox · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This one had my heart racing!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent audiobook !

[Kristen · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

10/20/2026 - Good story. Just got monotonous after a bit. Excellent narration on the audiobook.

[Marcelo Bustillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story interesting, even though it was fairly predictable. What I enjoyed most was the way the suspense gradually built toward the final reveal. It kept me engaged and made for an easy, entertaining listen.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

God, I hate men