As with her first novel, Sleepless, Louise Mumford takes a fresh approach to the psychological thriller. This latest novel explores how the decisions a loving mother makes for her child move from protective, through overprotective, to abusive and increasingly criminal. With questions about health and climate also raised, this title would make a good book club discussion.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

I enjoyed reading this book. How love and the desire to protect your child at all costs can turned into an insanity. I pitied Hannah but also disliked what she did.

Story very well written & unpredictable, great plot & captivating mystery. Page turner, it gripped me from the beginning.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received free from the author.

For sixteen years Esther and her mother have lived off-grid, safe from the outside world. For sixteen years Esther has never seen another soul, until today - there’s a man outside the house. He knows Esther’s name, he can prove her mother’s claims about the outside world are false. A man who is telling her she’s been living a lie.

I was intrigued by The Safe House. Like other reviewers I thought the first half of this book was great but the second half just didn’t work for me. Also the ending was sadly predictable. I would rate this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

A brilliant story about a mum who has engineered total control over her daughter and what happens when that control begins to unravel and the Web of lies become undone. Loved it.

An intense book, with a gripping climax.

Evelyn and her mother live in a protected bunker, far from the poisons killing the world. They live a quiet existence until secrets begin to emerge. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the story becomes more intense as the frustrations of a solitary existence come to the fore.

Some great insights into the psyche here.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Safe House by Louise Mumford is a thriller that is like if Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt meets Room. The story revolves around 16 year-old Esther, whose mother Hannah has kept her locked in her house for her entire life. Her mother has told her about the poisonous fumes of the outside world and about how she has to stay inside for her own safety. But what will happen when a man enters their world?

Here is a chilling excerpt from Chapter 1, which is a flashback:

"There was a killer prowling around their terraced house, Esther’s mother told her. It pressed itself against their windows, slithered over the bricks and licked at the door-knocker.
The only thing to do was escape.
‘We are going to go far away and live amongst the trees. Would you like that? The trees?’ Mother asked, wrapping a scarf around five-year-old Esther’s mouth and nose so she couldn’t have answered even if she had wanted to."

Overall, The Safe House is a post-apocalyptic-like thriller that you won't be able to put down. One highlight of this book is how original it is. I haven't read any thrillers with a similar premise before. I did take off 1 star, because I'm not really a fan of books about doomsday preppers, and so, I didn't find the plot that exciting or gripping. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in May!

This is certainly a page-turner and a compelling read, but ultimately I found it a little disappointing, The characters never really rang true, and Esther seemed remarkably well adjusted for someone who lives in such confinement. An OK read but not one I would rush to recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Louise Mumford and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the concept of this book and thought the plot was executed perfectly until the second part. I think it was a bit unrealistic after then, but I still loved it! I especially loved the comedic relief of Mr Whittles, and how everything is described so vividly it feels like you're transported into the book.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this book when I first started reading, I wasn’t sure it was my sort of book. But I carried on and ended up really enjoying it. There were very few characters which I’m not normally a fan of but it really worked in this book, several twists along the way and a great ending. I read this in two afternoons I became that engrossed in it. I would highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy

Esther and her mother have lived safely in a hidden house for over 16 years. They grow as much green veg as they can manage underground, and the house has its own air filters, water supply etc. The only time this changes is when Esther's mother leaves for her annual shopping trip, stocking up on the year's needs. This is all to keep Esther alive; the world outside is too dangerous, the air is hideously polluted, animals are dying at a rate of knots and no-one has any hope it can change. Esther has accepted this for years but now at the age of 21, wants to try and discover what else there is and what it is actually like outside. She gathers her courage and eventually finds the right time to try and go Outside. When she gets there, she is shocked to find a man there who knows who she is. What can he tell her about her past and her future?

This was a gripping story from start to finish, with sci fi elements, a dystopian feel, eco-tragedy and a mother who just wants to keep her child safe above all else.

This is an unusual story and it was very good. Great feeling of claustrophobia and elation.
Not sure if I was asthmatic I would sit and watch a house demolished. Think of all the dust!
Good book though., I enjoyed it.

What a thoroughly claustrophobic tale! A small family of two is keeping to themselves in order to “keep safe”, but not all as it seems. Highly recommend picking up this book!

I totally loved this book, another winner for Mumford! The house protects them, the house keeps them safe, but what has been gong on outside the house whilst they've been in there? A fabulous thriller with lots a twists and turns and a heroine you'll route for. Five stars.

Thank you, HQ, and NetGalley for a copy of The Safe house by Louise Mumford. This is a dark compelling read of one mother doing all she can to protect her daughter. Or so she thought. I liked the premise of the story. I found it a unique one to other stories I read. It made you feel a bit claustrophobic and wonder on living so long in a bunker what may be lurking on the outside and why is Esther’s mother being this way. I was just disappointed at the ending. For me personally found it a bit unbelievable. Esther has tucked away in a bunker and for 16 years and she comes out of it normal and blending it with her surroundings and have no problems with communicating with other people. I would have thought she would have some doubts or even mental health issues if this was reality, wouldn’t she?
Overall, a good read but I was expecting more from the ending. 4 stars from me.

What a book!!!! Absolutely loved this book which kept the twists going throughout.
It follows the story of Esther and her mum. They have lived away from the public view for 16years of Esther's 21yr life. Has Esther's mum been protecting her or has she been holding her as prisoner.
One of the most gripping and tense books I have read.
Highly recommended!!!

For sixteen years, she and her mother have lived off the grid, protected from the dangers of the outside world. For sixteen years, Esther has never seen another single soul. Until today. Today there’s a man outside the house. A man who knows Esther’s name, and who proves that her mother’s claims about the outside world are false. A brilliant rollercoaster of a ride… I read this book in one sitting in less than a day and loved every minute of it

I struggled with this book, I didn't like the main character, I can get past not liking a character some times, but it put me off on this occasion. I hope other readers enjoy it more than I did.

After experiencing a global pandemic, the current climate crisis, and all the other bad things that go on in the world, the idea of living in a Safe House has a certain appeal. But, maybe not quite how it turns out for Esther.
It was an okay read. It didn’t feel like much of a thriller or suspenseful story until the end of the book. I enjoyed that there were some twists that I didn’t anticipate.
It’s a really fast paced read, which I liked, but I didn’t really care about what happened with the plot. I got a little annoyed with Esther’s POV but I think the author did a good job portraying her given her life experiences and I appreciated the character growth that we see.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for this digital review copy.

This is a book which has captured my interest from the beginning. I love how this is written. It is filled with a mix of characters and has been a book I have been unable to predict.