You might’ve heard of The Safe Place – this gripping thriller by debut author Anna Downes was hugely popular with our readers in 2020. Now its being re-released with a gorgeous new cover for you to enjoy. To celebrate, let’s revisit our review here…
For struggling actress Emily Proudman, life in London is not working out as planned – in fact, it’s falling apart. So when she is offered a live-in job working for a wealthy family on their luxurious coastal property in France, she jumps at the opportunity to start over.
The estate is picture-perfect, and its owners exude charisma and sophistication. But as Emily gets to know the family, their masks begin to slip, and what at first appears to be a dream come true turns out to be a prison from which none of them will ever escape – unless Emily can find a way to set them all free.
Superbly tense and oozing with atmosphere, Anna Downs’s debut is the perfect summer suspense, with the modern gothic feel of Ruth Ware and the morally complex family dynamics of Lisa Jewell.
The Safe Place is a richly atmospheric and suspenseful drama about a woman and her enigmatic boss. Taking place mostly in France, Downes does a tremendous job bringing to life the gorgeous scenery and creating some intriguing characters, such as Emily’s boss Scott and his wife, Nina. I was captivated by the scandal and intrigue throughout, and the novel was packed with twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Last year Downes joined us for a Live Book Event on our Facebook Page, in which she talked about her experience living as a housekeeper on a remote French estate. This experience is cleverly translated onto the page, and the result is immersive. You really do feel like you’re in France. Combining exceptional storytelling and polished prose, The Safe Place is the perfect book for anyone looking for a gripping new thriller.
The Safe Place is a cracking debut and I’m looking forward to reading whatever Anna Downes writes next. The gorgeous new cover also screams vacation read, which is something I’m sure we’re all craving right now.
“The Safe Place” really does sound like one of those thrillers that keeps you hooked until the very end. I enjoy stories that slowly build tension and then suddenly flip everything upside down. While browsing for related reads and general references, I came across some useful details on https://dekalbcountypropertyappraiser.org that might be helpful for quick lookup needs as well. Books like this make me appreciate how engaging a well-crafted mystery can be when the pacing is done right. Looking forward to discovering more recommendations like this one that keep the suspense going strong.
I really enjoyed this review—it captures the suspense without giving away too much, which makes me even more curious to read the book. I always appreciate stories that keep readers guessing until the very end. While looking into different resources recently, I also came across https://pimacountypropertyappraiser.org which turned out to be surprisingly useful. Thanks for sharing such an engaging recommendation; it’s definitely going on my reading list!
Really interesting take on The Safe Place by Anna Downes—definitely a gripping thriller with constant tension. While browsing related reads and insights through https://baldwincountypropertyappraiser.org I ended up thinking about how stories like this keep you hooked. The pacing and atmosphere really make it hard to put down once you start. What part of the book stood out most to you?