Rona Halsall's Keep You Safe - Review

Keep You Safe by Rona Halsall

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gripping, fast-paced thriller that follows a woman’s quest to find her young son.

Recently released from prison, Natalie has dedicated herself to a sole purpose – to be reunited with her son and ensure his safety. Having broken her parole conditions, she has only a limited time to find him and escape.

Travelling to the Isle of Man, she enlists the help of both a stranger and an old friend, hoping they may be able to help her track down her husband, who spirited their son away following her arrest. Having recently received threats against her and her family’s lives, she fears she is being pursued by someone who means them harm.

As her fears are realised, Natalie races to find her son, on the run from the authorities, a dangerous enemy and her own demons.

‘Keep You Safe’ is Rona Halsall’s debut novel, a psychological thriller that captures you from the first page and keeps you in suspense throughout, expertly written to keep the plot’s secrets obscured for as long as possible.

Central character Natalie is broken, scarred and flawed, but has developed an admirable strength and determination throughout her time in prison. Throughout you are rooting for her and hope she will be vindicated of the crimes and transgressions of which she’s been wrongfully accused. I liked her relationship with Jack, the stranger whom she meets and seeks to help her, and the burgeoning potential of it. From their first meeting, I hoped it would be possible for her to find future happiness with him by her side.

Also punctuated by fleeting glimpses of Natalie’s pursuer, the novel hurtles through to its conclusion as it navigates twists and turns, jumping backwards and forwards in time as flashbacks reveal what has led Natalie to this point of desperation, keeping you guessing as each chapter concludes, culminating in a final major twist that turns the entire plot on its head.

Part prison drama, part race-against-time thriller, ‘Keep You Safe’ is a gripping and hugely enjoyable read. This is the first of Rona Halsall’s books I have read, and it certainly won’t be the last.



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