A fascinating and uncomfortable tale, with some neat twists towards the end.

The setting is claustrophobic, with mother & daughter having lived in a bunker for 16 years to keep Esther 'safe'. In spite of this Esther emerges as a sympathetic character regardless of her mother's obsessive and extreme behaviour.

My main criticism is that I found it hard to believe just how easily Esther adapts to the changes to her life which occur and doesn't seem particularly overwhelmed and shocked.

Regardless, I found the concept intriguing and the book hard to put down.

I enjoyed Mumford’s writing style in this novel, particularly the use of extended metaphors. On the other hand, I thought the novel was a lacking a certain ‘spark’ and found the narrative quite sleepy, like reading a story on sedatives (significant plot reference here). In this way, I felt the ending rather prolonged and I would have liked to see a bit more action in the story.

Early on in the book, Mumford establishes that Esther’s mother wants nothing more than to keep her daughter safe. Suffering from increased asthma attacks, Esther’s mother is convinced that the next time she is whisked away in an ambulance will be fatal. Esther’s father cannot fully comprehend the paranoia that her mother feels and this grows to an obsession, leading to Esther and her mother living in the House. Separated from the outside world, this House is all that Esther has really known and, with her mother insisting that isolating themselves in this building, Esther will remain safe from harm. Consequently, Esther grows to fear life Out There because of the harm it will cause her.

Initially I thought I was reading a dystopian novel because of Mumford’s descriptions. However, as we learn more about Esther’s mother, it becomes clear that there is more to her obsession than just wanting to protect her daughter. I liked the flashbacks to Hannah’s past and her perspective on Esther’s health, getting a true sense of desperation that her husband does not take her concerns seriously. At the same time, it establishes the basis of the novel and how Esther’s existence has been shaped by everything her mother tells her.

Throughout the novel, Esther’s asthma is described as a ‘demon’ living inside of her. I liked the references to this type of dragon that has the ability to strangle Esther’s lungs and how it can easily be awoken. Indeed, it did remind me a little bit of Tolkein’s dragon, Smaug, and I could vividly picture this personified illness sleeping inside of Esther’s body. Based on how Esther’s mother has depicted her asthma, it becomes another form of control that Esther gradually realises she needs to confront.

Similarly, Esther makes many comparisons to films she has seen. This is significant because of how isolated her life has been, living experiences through her mother’s teaching. When Esther’s way of life starts to change, Esther draws on her understanding from films, emphasising to readers how little she has experienced herself. It adds a surrealism to the story which I think is intensified further by the slow, relaxed nature of the plot – as if readers are also tranquilised by Esther’s safe way of life.

An unusual story with some surprises along the way, I was hoping for a bit more action. The ending felt like it could have been condensed and I don’t think the final couple of chapters from Mumford were quite necessary: I would have preferred to imagine Esther’s next steps for myself. That being said, I did feel a certain satisfaction about the closure given, feeling assured that Esther would live a life that made up for being starved of so many experiences.

There are a lot of references to the environment and air pollution in this story, which I think is considerably thought-provoking. At times I thought Mumford was getting a little preachy through Esther and her mother’s characters, but I could not help but draw comparisons to the world post-pandemic and how our lives have altered with this awareness. Indeed, it is a central theme to the story and I found it interesting to draw comparisons between Esther’s understanding and how new people her in life interpret impacts on the environment.

This was an enjoyable read from Mumford and demonstrates the extent a mother will go to protect her child. An unusual story that may have been a little slow, but interesting nonetheless.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this more in the first half of the book but then it became a little far fetched and I found myself rushing through it to finish it. It was just OK for me but really not that great.

The Safe House is the story of Hannah and her daughter Esther. When Esther was a young girl she was diagnosed with severe asthma. Hannah has tried to protect her to the best of her ability. But when is protecting over reacting???

Hannah purchases land away from the city to keep her daughter safe. She finds land which conveniently has a Cold War bunker built into the hillside. They move there where it is safer for Esther, but does not tell her husband since he didn't take the asthma diagnosis as seriously as she did. Hannah eventually tells Esther her father has died. There they live for sixteen years, with Hannah making a yearly day trip to buy supplies, and Esther never going outside because it is not safe.

One day Esther opens the huge door, wearing a protective mask, she is trying to help a bird and then she sees a man!! After he is trapped in a bear trap Esther tries to free him in order to save him. He slowly beings to tell Esther truths her mother has lied to her about.

This was a interesting story with lots of suspense as the story unravels. The story is a little over the top for me. It is good but had difficulty believing the plot.

I really didn’t enjoy this book very much, I found the narrative difficult and the whole story really unsettled me for some reason. Whether it was the way it was written I have no idea but I struggled with this book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)

Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: HQ

Plot

Esther has lived in a war bunker since she was a child since her mother, Hannah convinced her that it was in her best interests. She'd never left it and interacted with anyone else, so how could anyone else know her name and that possibly Esther was deceived all these years by her mother? Would Esther take a brave step forward?

Thoughts

I liked that it was a dual POV book (although third pov but it wasn't as bad) because that gave a lot of insight into Esther and Hannah's thoughts. I could feel the emotions described in the book which is definitely a strength of the book. The first half was very imaginative and captivating, it gave a very good buildup. However the second half of the book became a little repetitive and unrealistic. I would think that given the type of girl Esther was, it'd take more getting used to the real world but she assimilated pretty quickly which couldn't quite seem believable to me. The pace of the book was medium: slow and fast at times, especially fast towards the last 20% of the book. But the way the book was written was really good, very creative and it felt like I was watching a show.

Esther Albright has lived in a remodeled Cold War bunker with her mother, Hannah, from the age of five. She is now twenty-one and other than what Hannah has told her, she knows nothing about the outside world. Esther suffers from severe asthma and the isolation was Hannah's attempt to keep her safe. On the day her mother goes on her annual shopping trip, a man called Tom approaches the bunker and changes Esther's life forever.

This is a compelling psychological thriller. It also makes important and valid points about the world's polluted atmosphere which has created Hannah's extreme response to her daughter's illness. The novel is very well written with a clever and twisty plot. The characters are well drawn. The atmosphere of the spartan bunker is very effective. The undercurrent of dry and subtle humour creates a brilliant additional dimension to this book.

I highly recommend this addictive and entertaining read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Stories for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Esther has been kept in a safe house for sixteen years. She barely remembers life before, so knows only that the house keeps them safe, from 'out there'.

Esther has asthma, ever since she was diagnosed, her Mother has feared for her life. Her need to keep Esther safe from the germs and grime of the outside world forced her to purchase a well hidden underground bunker.

Esther mostly doesn't question this, but as she reaches a significant birthday, she asks her Mother if she can join her on her annual trip outside for supplies. Her request is denied, and Esther's interest now piqued.

What is out there that her Mother doesn't want her to know/see/hear?

She finds out sooner than she could imagine.

A man outside the 'house'. Who is he and how did he get there? Dare she open the hatch and talk to him?

Whatever decision Esther makes must be timely, her Mother won't be long, and she can't be seen to be breaking any rules. The truth comes quicker than she imagined, and changes everything Esther thought she knew about the world outside.

The Safe House is a well written, interesting take on the lengths that some people will go to protect those that they love. I've seen some describe the story as a little far fetched, but I believe that we are capable of anything, and I think it's a great story!

This is a chilling thriller that describes how the world can ultimately effect someone with a fragile state of mind.
A bit of a slow burner but Fast enough to hold my interest.
Esther was a well thought out character who lived a lie inside a ‘Safe House’, her mother and the other characters were nicely described and added the thrill to this thriller!
The setting was claustrophobic but realistic, and a nice little twist towards the end finished it well form me.

A well written book with interesting ideas that manages to keep the twists coming and the reader on their toes.
However, a minor grumble, but I could've done without Mr Wiffle and some of the twists were a bit too unbelievable .
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of this book

I loved The Safe House! Esther’s story had me completely gripped from beginning to end. I could not put the book down and would recommend it to everyone, it was brilliant!

Esther hasn't been outside for 16 years as her mother told her that it wasn't safe. One day she is forced to question this.. A thriller with a difference which is very addictive. An amazing ending. Will definitely read more books from this author.

A very twisted tale, it did keep me engaged but some bits such as Esther's first night in the out there were just a bit too easy.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This is an interesting story. Esther is 21 years old and has lived with her mother for the last 16 years in a converted bunker. Hannah is convinced that she is keeping her daughter safe from all the things that could harm her in the outside world. Esther has been asthmatic since childhood. One day, a man appears at the door and knows Esther's name. She now has the opportunity to experience life in the big wide world. But how far will her mother go to keep her at the house? I have to say that I didn't really warm to the characters and felt that the story was a bit too far fetched for my liking. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

A great story with lots of twists keeping you hooked in waiting to see what the outcome will be. A good read.

Esther, a young child has been rushed to a safe house by Hannah, her mother. Having suffered severe asthma attacks, Hannah fears that her daughter will suffer in the polluted outdoor air, and has kept her imprisoned in an old fortress until becoming adult. No-one knows where they are, even Esther’s father who has been searching for her.
I found this to be a depressingly sad story, and unbelievable at times. It might be easy to keep a young child locked indoors, but as you enter your teens you become rebellious and it seems inconceivable that someone could be imprisoned for many years without ever escaping. I also found repeated references to a talking stuffed toy called Mr Wibbles irritating.
The pace is slow at first, but picks up as Tom, a young man arrives at the door and the plot unfolds. Well described, the story is unique in its concept and there are several twists and turns towards the end of the story. But I couldn’t warm to the characters, and there wasn’t enough to keep me interested.

The description of The Safe House really grabbed my attention and I was expecting great things from the book. It did not disappoint. It was a complete page turner for me with enough twists and turns along the way. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my ARC.

What… just… what? We all know when the claims come that Esther’s mother is lying, there’s going to be a point Esther will need to discover the truth for herself. Esther leaving the bunker is no real shock to any reader. Therefore, the author has to create other twists and turns. And, boy, I was not expecting that ending! One issue that I found with Esther seeking out the truth was… she’s spent sixteen years completely isolated and spends her first night outside at a music festival. Irrelevant of if her mother’s telling the truth about the air or not, sixteen years of truth or potential brainwashing surely can’t be forgotten that quickly. But I so easily overlooked this element, and it did not affect my enjoyment of the book at all.

Mumford’s writing is poetic and beautiful. I cannot fault her use of imagery and descriptions. The way she weaves metaphors into her writing is incredible. I marvel at all the ways she’s shown Esther’s mother protecting her from the air, including before they even got to the bunker. I would never have thought of something like stuffing tissue paper into the cracks around a window. The use of a talking teddy to keep her company and the development of that element truly creates a sense of Esther growing into her own.

The revelations, the twists and the final act of love left me finishing the book with teary eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Louise Mumford and HQ Digital for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. I liked the premise. Esther suffers from asthma and when she's 5, her mom takes her off the grid into a bunker where she has no contact with the outside world for 16 years. She is told her dad died trying to help in a tragic fire. Finally, at 21, someone comes lurking claiming to know her father. Is he still alive? What else is Esther's mom hiding from her? I had trouble with the characters as they were mostly unlikable and the story seemed very unbelievable at times.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC.

Loved this! The Safe House is a story about a little girl, Esther who has asthma, and her mum, Hannah who would do anything to protect her. They live off grid in a remote spot, far away from the pollution and evils of the modern world. Esther has been wrapped up in cotton wool since she was little, never having been back outside or met anyone else since they moved to the isolated bunker. What is really waiting for them in the outside world is more shocking than Esther could have imagined...