As emotional as it is suspenseful, Safe tells a story that grabs hold of the heart as well as the brain. Moments of unspeakably dark material are handled expertly by Barnett as the story weaves the past into the present and questions whether someone can feel safe outside, or inside, of a family.
Safe is likely not for everybody as it includes descriptions of all the many forms of child abuse in multiple parts of the book. While never done in a gratuitous way, the descriptions are sometimes quite graphic. Sensitive readers may struggle with some of the content, as this is a rollercoaster ride of a story. Just as you are ready to relax into the story and the unique characters, suddenly you are hit with twists, turns, and moments of tremendous intensity! For example, if the television show Criminal Minds, in particular their descriptions of crimes and criminal behaviour, is too intense or uncomfortable for you, then tread carefully. The intensity level is similar in some parts of the story.
Jenny has been missing since she was six years old. One day in her happy, quiet neighbourhood, she simply disappeared while walking to a friend’s house less than a block away. Now it is twelve years later, and Jenny has returned home out of the blue. Her parents (as ANY parents would) welcome her back with open arms. But her story of escaping her captors after all these years just doesn’t seem to ring true with her brother. In truth, her story hasn’t quite satisfied police detectives either. But the joy of having Jenny back home, and for Jenny herself being home safe and sound, is too great to let any doubts in.
Questions and concerns do start to mount, however, and there seems to be somebody watching Jenny after her return. Where has he been? After all these years, why was she able to escape and return now?
With Safe, Barnett is able to take what could have been old, very familiar territory and give it so many new and unexpected twists that it spins off into truly unpredictable directions. This binge-worthy tale genuinely brings new ideas, twists, and plots to the table, just when you least expect it.
This wild ride of a story, that manages to still be heart-tugging and deep, crescendos to a climax you will not see coming. DreamWorks has purchased the film right to this book, and in the right hands it may be an outstanding film!
Safe is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of June 9th 2020.
Will you be picking up Safe? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
A kidnapped girl survived twelve nightmarish years. Now she’s safely back home…or is she?
Jenny Kristal was six years old when she was snatched off the sidewalk from her quiet suburban neighborhood. Twelve years later, she’s miraculously returned home after escaping her kidnappers – but as her parents and younger brother welcome her back, the questions begin to mount. Where has she been all these years? Why is she back now? And is hoe really the safest place for her…or for any of them?
I just finished this book tonight. What a ride. I was not expecting there to be so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat.
Do you know if this another pseudonym for Dan Mallory, AKA A.J. Finn?
Hi Laura,
S.K. Barnett is a pseudonym for author James Barnett Siegel. In regards to Barnett’s bio ‘a New York Times bestselling author whose previous book was turned into a major motion picture’, this is about his 2003 novel ‘Derailed’ that was adapted into a film starring Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen in 2005.