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Safe & Sound
When Amy Millhouse and her sorority sisters travelled to Mexico for vacation, they never expected what would be waiting for them: sun, sand, and a drug cartel holding the girls ransom for everything they were worth – and more.
Set against the backdrop of the ongoing drug wars in Mexico, Safe and Sound centers on the story of Amy Millhouse, a twenty-two year old recent college graduate who is struggling to adjust to normalcy after being kidnapped and held for ransom by a violent drug gang. Through conversations and vivid flashbacks, Amy walks her therapist, Dr. Vilsek, through the harrowing two weeks that she and sixteen of her sorority sisters spent held hostage in a basement before their ransom was paid. But when the rest of the girls got to go home, Amy’s time in Mexico was just beginning. Safe and Sound is ultimately the story of one woman’s journey to Hell and back, and what she learns about herself and the rest of the world along the way.
*CAUTION: Book contains language/themes that may be inappropriate for minors. Reader discretion advised.*
Set against the backdrop of the ongoing drug wars in Mexico, Safe and Sound centers on the story of Amy Millhouse, a twenty-two year old recent college graduate who is struggling to adjust to normalcy after being kidnapped and held for ransom by a violent drug gang. Through conversations and vivid flashbacks, Amy walks her therapist, Dr. Vilsek, through the harrowing two weeks that she and sixteen of her sorority sisters spent held hostage in a basement before their ransom was paid. But when the rest of the girls got to go home, Amy’s time in Mexico was just beginning. Safe and Sound is ultimately the story of one woman’s journey to Hell and back, and what she learns about herself and the rest of the world along the way.
*CAUTION: Book contains language/themes that may be inappropriate for minors. Reader discretion advised.*
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First published November 30, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 18, 2013
This book is brilliant. It is a great narrative of a kidnapping survivor, but it becomes so much more. Issues of faith and survival are central themes. Once I started reading, I simply could not put it down. I hope the author has many more books to come in the future!
December 23, 2012
Great read!! Love the writing style! The plot is suspenseful and exciting! It's like an inside look into what you really have always wanted to know about these situations!
March 11, 2013
Really enjoyed this book! Looking forward to this authors future books!
March 10, 2022
Reading this book before my trip to Mexico may not have been the smartest decision but I couldn't put it down!! The author does such a great job of vividly telling the horrendous story of the "Sorority 17". My heartache deepened for the girls and their families with each chapter. I felt connected to each character and held my breath awaiting their fate (especially Amy). Although this book wasn't based on a true story, the plot happens every day in the real world. The author, Danielle Singleton, tastefully educates readers on a crisis that hits too close to home.
December 5, 2019
It started out decent, but I found it to be drawn out and repetitive. Starts out with her telling her therapist her story, then it gets repeated when she got rescued, then she got interviewed and she told her story again. A bit of overkill, telling the story three times before finally wrapping up the book. I did like the story in itself, but it really didn't need a lot of the padding. Maybe that was done in order to make a book, since the book wasn't that thick.
June 15, 2013
"Safe & Sound" by Danielle Singleton is a gripping read about the kidnapping of 17 sophomore girls in Mexico.
Spotted by an accomplice as early as on the plane to Acapulco the girls find themselves captured on their first night and live in captivity and terror for some time to come. There is much more to the plot than just the kidnapping story, so rest assured that the book is rich with action and suspense; it does not have the victims locked up in a room for the entire book.
The story is told by one survivor, called Amy, who shot to fame because of the publicity. Part of the book re-tells her therapy sessions, part is narrative of the kidnapping telling her story rather than her telling it herself. The last part shows Amy as a politician and deals with the last side effects of the kidnapping.
The book is well written and through the changes of the narrative Singleton achieves a wider range of perspectives on the matter. The psychological damage, the experience first hand and the wide-reaching after effects of the ordeal - all are given prominent space and appropriate handling through the narrative and make this an emotional experience.It is a well paced and enjoyable read that avoids exploiting violent or sexual themes.
Remaining in thriller territory the book addresses some deeper issues but without shifting gear into other genres, such as self help or analysis and it is so convincing that at times it was difficult to remember that this is a work of fiction.
A great story by a writer to watch.
Spotted by an accomplice as early as on the plane to Acapulco the girls find themselves captured on their first night and live in captivity and terror for some time to come. There is much more to the plot than just the kidnapping story, so rest assured that the book is rich with action and suspense; it does not have the victims locked up in a room for the entire book.
The story is told by one survivor, called Amy, who shot to fame because of the publicity. Part of the book re-tells her therapy sessions, part is narrative of the kidnapping telling her story rather than her telling it herself. The last part shows Amy as a politician and deals with the last side effects of the kidnapping.
The book is well written and through the changes of the narrative Singleton achieves a wider range of perspectives on the matter. The psychological damage, the experience first hand and the wide-reaching after effects of the ordeal - all are given prominent space and appropriate handling through the narrative and make this an emotional experience.It is a well paced and enjoyable read that avoids exploiting violent or sexual themes.
Remaining in thriller territory the book addresses some deeper issues but without shifting gear into other genres, such as self help or analysis and it is so convincing that at times it was difficult to remember that this is a work of fiction.
A great story by a writer to watch.
September 25, 2013
*** I WON THIS IN A GOODREADS GIVEAWAY****
Safe and Sound is intense. The story is told (mostly) as Amy is talking to her therapist about being kidnapped for ransom with her fellow sorority sisters (the Sorority Seventeen as the media would du them) while on vacation in Mexico.
The girls are expecting their last hurrah together as they have just graduated. On the flight down, one of the girls is sitting next to a young man who tells her he is meeting friends and they should all meet up at a bar. Unfortunately for the girls, they decide to go to the bar. What happens over the next twelve days is horrifying. Danielle Singleton makes you feel as though you are there with the girls in the way that the basement and treatment are described. When the girls are rescued, only sixteen are present. Amy was not with the group; her ordeal is not yet over.
I like how the last few chapters provided some closure for Amy. We also find that she went on to live a productful life, though none of the sisters remained close. There were times I had to put the book down, and take a breather before coming back to it, it is hard to believe that this stuff actually does happen. At the same time I hated putting it down because I had to know what happened. I liked the style, where we are hearing the story after the fact, yet feeling like we are there. As I said, all in all the book was intense.
Safe and Sound is intense. The story is told (mostly) as Amy is talking to her therapist about being kidnapped for ransom with her fellow sorority sisters (the Sorority Seventeen as the media would du them) while on vacation in Mexico.
The girls are expecting their last hurrah together as they have just graduated. On the flight down, one of the girls is sitting next to a young man who tells her he is meeting friends and they should all meet up at a bar. Unfortunately for the girls, they decide to go to the bar. What happens over the next twelve days is horrifying. Danielle Singleton makes you feel as though you are there with the girls in the way that the basement and treatment are described. When the girls are rescued, only sixteen are present. Amy was not with the group; her ordeal is not yet over.
I like how the last few chapters provided some closure for Amy. We also find that she went on to live a productful life, though none of the sisters remained close. There were times I had to put the book down, and take a breather before coming back to it, it is hard to believe that this stuff actually does happen. At the same time I hated putting it down because I had to know what happened. I liked the style, where we are hearing the story after the fact, yet feeling like we are there. As I said, all in all the book was intense.
February 24, 2014
Not usually what I'd read but as a choice for our book club it required that I pick this one up! The story of 17 sorority girls vacationing in Acapulco and getting kidnapped by a Mexican terrorist like group-I'm glad the author wasn't too graphic with her depiction of what happened in those 11 days that the girls were held captive. I also like the fact that she didn't divulge in the story what went down when Amy was kept captive after the other 16 had gone home (thanks to Caitlin's wealthy grandfather). The ending was a bit too tidy considering all that had happened, but it should lend itself to a interesting discussion.
March 14, 2016
This was an unusual story and very well written about 17 girls who get kidnapped by a cartel whilst holidaying in Mexico. It was written so well it felt like non-fiction and my heart raced as I kept reading, waiting to find out their fate.
March 9, 2017
Safe & Sound by Danielle Singleton
3.5 Stars
From The Book:
Safe & Sound is the story of Amy Millhouse, a recent college graduate who travels to Mexico on vacation with her friends. While there, the girls are kidnapped by a violent drug gang and held hostage for everything they are worth - and more. Safe & Sound is a fast-paced kidnapping thriller that leaves readers on the edge of their seat and begging for more!
My Thoughts:
I picked this book up because it met the criteria for a reading challenge...haven't we all done that? It's a roll of the dice if we'll read it in one sitting or go screaming from the room. This first novel attempt by Danielle Singleton fell in the later category. The story was compelling even if it did deal with a brutal subject matter. Danielle manages to engage the reader in a manner that doesn't focus on the brutality as much as it does a connection to Amy and her strength throughout the terrible ordeal. It's not for the faint of heart but if you can get past this and go with the many twists and turns...you will enjoy this book.
3.5 Stars
From The Book:
Safe & Sound is the story of Amy Millhouse, a recent college graduate who travels to Mexico on vacation with her friends. While there, the girls are kidnapped by a violent drug gang and held hostage for everything they are worth - and more. Safe & Sound is a fast-paced kidnapping thriller that leaves readers on the edge of their seat and begging for more!
My Thoughts:
I picked this book up because it met the criteria for a reading challenge...haven't we all done that? It's a roll of the dice if we'll read it in one sitting or go screaming from the room. This first novel attempt by Danielle Singleton fell in the later category. The story was compelling even if it did deal with a brutal subject matter. Danielle manages to engage the reader in a manner that doesn't focus on the brutality as much as it does a connection to Amy and her strength throughout the terrible ordeal. It's not for the faint of heart but if you can get past this and go with the many twists and turns...you will enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews