Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Safe Keeping” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Safe Keeping

Barbara Taylor Sissel (Goodreads Author)

3.54 · Rating details · 894 ratings · 108 reviews

At the heart of every crime, there's a family.

My son is a murderer.... So begins this chilling and emotionally charged mystery from highly acclaimed author Barbara Taylor Sissel.

Emily Lebay had always thought of her family as ordinary. Sure, they've endured their share of problems, even a time of great trouble; what family hasn't? But when a woman's body turns up in the d ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 320 pages

Published March 25th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA (first published January 1st 2014)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Safe Keeping, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Safe Keeping

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.54 ·

Rating details

· 894 ratings · 108 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Safe Keeping

Jun 21, 2019 Kathy Gange rated it it was amazing

enjoyed

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2013 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: traveling-book, 2014-wom-flipping-the-pages

Do You Ever Really Know Someone??

SAFE KEEPING is by one of my new go to authors, Barbara Taylor Sissel. This is the story of the Lebay family. Tucker and Lissa are brother and sister. Their parents are Roy and Emily. Tucker has been in trouble with the police before. Now it seems he is in trouble again. The police have found a dead woman on the same stretch of the highway where they found one a year before. A year ago, Tucker was questioned as a person of interest in the police departments inves ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 24, 2013 Pauline Tilbe rated it it was amazing

The characters drew me in from the first few pages. There was quickly a sense of hidden stories and conflict that was weaved amongst the family members. Tucker couldn't possibly be capable of murder and yet everything points to yes, he is. Roy's history makes him an imposing character but when needed, Emily stands her ground to put her family back together. The portrayal of Roy's PTSD was something I haven't seen written so well in other stories. This is a page turner for sure and kept me up pas ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2014 Cheryl rated it did not like it

I picked up a copy of this book because it falls in the genre that I like. However it did not intrigue me. I got to page 56 and put the book down. I came back to a long while later and started reading it again as I was determined to read the book. Sadly though I only got a few more pages into the book and finally gave up on it. None of the characters or storyline were drawing me in and keeping my interest. Plus, I really did not like the way that they talked. Such a bummer as I thought this book ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2014 Deanna rated it it was ok

Shelves: netgalley

Interesting premise, but I never felt any connection to the characters. The characters themselves seemed to be lacking in emotion a bit...or at least, their emotions didn't translate well to the pages (more "telling" than "showing" was the case here, I think). ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2015 Nenette rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Right after I finished the book, a question came to mind: what could be worse, death or incarceration? We're talking about either one happening to one's child. Both are unthinkable, unimaginable. Denial from the family is a natural reaction, as the mind cannot grapple with the idea of a kin, one of their own being capable of an evil act like murder.

I had hoped that the killer was someone else; maybe it was the mother in me. Yet, when the truth was exposed, it's true what's said that one can only ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2014 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

I don't believe I've ever read a book quite like "Safe Keeping." It was extremely emotional and the plot held my interest throughout. I just couldn't believe that Tucker was a murderer (not a spoiler because it's in the synopsis). I still don't believe it.

This family broke my heart. Emily, the mom, was such a tragic figure. She loves and supports her family so much that she's constantly hurting - and Lissa is the same way. She believes in Tucker no matter what. Even when everything is falling a ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2014 Sharon Huether rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 14, 2014 Michelle rated it liked it

I think something must be wrong with me because I keep looking for more fucked up twists and even darker depravity. This one was just ok.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 15, 2017 Deborah Carr rated it it was ok

Shelves: book-club

2.5 stars. This book was just OK. I felt like there was just too much going on; Tucker being charged with murder, Roy's PTSD, Emily's many, many issues, and Lissa/Evan's baby situation. This book just tried too hard and didn't deliver. One of my biggest issues is that central to everyone's story was Tucker, and we learned the least about him. Very disappointing. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2017 Lori rated it really liked it

Really enjoyed reading this book. It was a page-turner, and the characters were relatable and believable.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2014 Ashley rated it liked it

Shelves: author-female, mystery

When another missing woman is found murdered it once again casts a dark shadow over the Lebay family. How could it not? Jessica was murdered in the same manner and found in same location as Miranda whose body was found only a year earlier. Jessica, like Miranda, had a close association with Tucker Lebay and they had fought on the night she went missing. Miranda’s murder had never been solved and now Tucker once again is considered a “person of interest.” He, of course, proclaims his innocence bu When another missing woman is found murdered it once again casts a dark shadow over the Lebay family. How could it not? Jessica was murdered in the same manner and found in same location as Miranda whose body was found only a year earlier. Jessica, like Miranda, had a close association with Tucker Lebay and they had fought on the night she went missing. Miranda’s murder had never been solved and now Tucker once again is considered a “person of interest.” He, of course, proclaims his innocence but his family has their doubts. Tucker has always been in trouble, always been a little “different” and emotionally detached, can’t hold a job and runs with the wrong people.

Is Tucker innocent? Can his family ever trust him? Will this broken family ever mend? These questions form the foundation for Barbara Taylor Sissel’s “Safe Keeping.”

The story is thought-provoking and the emotional turmoil of the family as they struggle to believe in Tucker despite mounting evidence. They also struggle with determining their own responsibility in Tucker becoming the man that he is and who finds himself a suspected murderer. Were there warning signs? Could they have prevented this? Is he really even guilty? The questions felt endless and in the end it all wraps up neatly although readers still may not feel satisfied. It’s hard to share too much without spoiling the story.

While I enjoyed the story, especially once Emily (mother) and Lissa (sister) began to unravel the shocking truth about Tucker there were certain aspects of the book that I struggled with while reading. I had little issue with the story itself as it indeed a great journey but there are aspects of Sissel’s writing style that caused me to cringe on more than on occasion. She has an apparent love for the use simile as they are constant throughout the book and do not always create a pleasant image (e.g.: “as pale as a milky eye). At times I couldn’t understand if she was trying to create a negative image or if it was simply poor choice of imagery. I also have a personal disdain for the phrase ”in my (his/her) mind’s eye” which Sissel also uses frequently. The phrase originated in Shakespeare and feels sorely out of place in a contemporary fiction novel.

Do you share my disdain for poor similes and “mind’s eye” phrases? If so, there will be moments in this book that make you cringe. If you don’t and you’re all about the story then pick it up and give it a read. It’s a good book and the truth about Tucker is worth discovering.

Review by Ashley LaMar
Closed the Cover ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 06, 2014 Carla rated it liked it

****** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

I think 2 1/2 stars would be more accurate in my rating to be fair.

The story surrounds a family in Texas; Emily, the matriarch, who has her own pains and regrets in life as she blindly carries and sweeps her family's clean or bakes her way in a false stepford smile; Roy, the patriarch, wounded in war, came back with ptsd, did damage to his family in more ways than one, the night terrors sometimes keep in the day, questions was it all worth
****** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

I think 2 1/2 stars would be more accurate in my rating to be fair.

The story surrounds a family in Texas; Emily, the matriarch, who has her own pains and regrets in life as she blindly carries and sweeps her family's clean or bakes her way in a false stepford smile; Roy, the patriarch, wounded in war, came back with ptsd, did damage to his family in more ways than one, the night terrors sometimes keep in the day, questions was it all worth the pain; Emily, the daughter, the oldest, the one who has kept things running, married right, keeps the company going along with her husband, blindly loyal; Evan, Emily's husband, the son that never was, the silent strength; Tucker, the son, the lost child, the one who in one of his father's moments became an enemy and never grew out of it, and the one who is now the suspect in a murder - again.

Can lightning strike twice and it still be a mistake? Tucker is the suspect again in a murder of woman, another one he knew, another one found where the last one was, in the same fashion of death. Why does this keep happening? Can't people see what the rest of the family can? That he is good, that he is kind, that he has emotional problems that make him wonder off for days, but he is also the type of person the would spend his paycheck on saving a dog that was run over on the side of the road that he found. This is where the nightmare only begins for the Lebay Family, with their family history with each other and with the small town secrets that slowly creep up there are a bit of twists and turns.

Why only 2 1/2 stars - I didn't connect with any of the characters. I struggled to keep reading and finish the book, which thankfully I did, because finally 250 pages in is when the action began and it got exciting - sadly that left only 50 pages to wrap it up, which was plenty. There was a disconnect that not only I felt with the characters, but they had with each other, everything seemed very surface - a facade of love, of care, of a marriage, of a relationship with each other, I don't know if that was the author's intent.

...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2014 Domonique rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads

I absolutely loved this book! It was so good I just had to keep reading it, I finished it in just a few days. I have to say, the story really did tug at my heart strings, how one simple act so long ago could have such a huge impact on a family and change them in so many ways. Obviously, when the Dad got back from the war and did what he did to his son( I won't reveal to much because I don't want to give it away), that entire event scarred the son, Tucker, in a way that no one could have imagined ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 06, 2014 Natalie rated it did not like it

lost interest after 30 pages or so. I could not even keep the characters straight in my mind. sorry, but I do not know how this got the reviews it did.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 20, 2014 Eileen rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2017 Alicia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Emotionally moving

"Safe Keeping" by Barbara Taylor Sissel

What happens when you think your son may have murdered two women, yet at the same time you are almost convinced he could not have done it. Are you making justifications that he is always pestered by the cops, he has lied in the past, but not always, yes he has struggled at everything he has tried to do and just appears to have little or no ability to really succeed. Is this a result of how he was born? How he was raised? A traumatic event Emotionally moving

"Safe Keeping" by Barbara Taylor Sissel

What happens when you think your son may have murdered two women, yet at the same time you are almost convinced he could not have done it. Are you making justifications that he is always pestered by the cops, he has lied in the past, but not always, yes he has struggled at everything he has tried to do and just appears to have little or no ability to really succeed. Is this a result of how he was born? How he was raised? A traumatic event that happened to him when he was four? All of those things?

"Safe Keeping," is about one family who is going through this exact struggle. Their son is different from others. He always has been since he was about four. But is that a result of a traumatic event he suffered that a psychiatrist said he had recovered from? Or did the effects of that event continue to carry over to continual PTSD that led to his multiple issues as many others have argued? His father says his mother was too soft and easy on him. His father said he tried to be tougher to provide more guidance and discipline. In the end, both parents realize maybe communicating as a family might have been the best way. But who really knows what role nature and nurture play in ones development. What time does i
genetics play? His sister never really struggled with much. She feels she knows her brother better than either of her parents and that there is no way her brother committed these crimes. Yet she also says ther is much she doesn't know about him either.

But as the family members do their own soul searching; his sister some of her own searching to clear him lead to family issues that were never fully discussed or addressed, individual fears are brought forth, and speaking to outsiders often brings about more questions than answers.

As the LeBay family goes through the arrest of their son of the murder of two women and the family tries to prove him innocent or accept his fate, more situations arise that bring about both doubt and the potential of guilt.

In this twisting turning novel that starts out with the first sentence, "my son is a murderer," the reader is engaged from that point on and the author carries them through until the end.

Rating: 4.7
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
...more

flag Like · see review

May 15, 2018 Nancy Osberg-otrembiak rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If Barbara Taylor Sissel ever stops writing my world will collapse. In the span of just a few months I've gobbled up five of her books (will be finishing the fifth one tonight or tomorrow!)!!!!
I am not one to write a synopsis of a book when I give a review because I hate when story lines are given away. In fact I rarely read the synopsis on the book itself! So I'm not going to tell you anything about what I read in this book.
I am going to tell you, that as a reader, I am not easily impressed wi ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 25, 2017 Jool rated it really liked it

An interesting plot - what would you do if one of your family members was accused of not one but two murders - or even more? 34 year old Tucker is that person who has been accused. His mother and his sister and her husband stand behind him 100 percent. The only thing his father says, a Vietnam veteran who lost a leg in the war and struggles with PTSD - doesn't care what happens to Tucker, except that he "get the hell out of the house".

This is something I have wondered about; what if a beloved, ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 08, 2017 Mrs rated it it was amazing

Awesome book! I absolutely LOVED it. I had kind of a hard time getting into it at first, but once I hit about chapter 3, I was hooked.

flag Like · see review

May 28, 2018 Anne-Marie rated it it was ok

Short book but incredibly boring

flag Like · see review

Apr 08, 2019 Jessica Killingbeck rated it it was ok

I couldn't get into this book because I didn't like any of the characters. Everything felt very wooden and two dimensional. ...more

flag Like · see review

Apr 15, 2019 Naomi rated it it was ok

ok but characters were all annoying

flag Like · see review

Jul 27, 2019 Flewts rated it really liked it

This was well-written but kind of depressing. How does a family deal with a son accused of murder, twice... and a father with PTSD and the trauma he caused within his own family?

flag Like · see review

Oct 15, 2020 Melissa rated it it was ok

Didn't pull on the heart strings like a Jodi Picoult. ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 01, 2019 Jennifer rated it really liked it

this book kept my interest. I had connections from my childhood with some of the story.

flag Like · see review

Jan 12, 2014 Andrea Corley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: a-5-star-read, z2014-wom-flipping-the-pages, z2014-c2c-challenge, x-march-2014-reads

For a more in depth review, please visit my blog, Chorley Chronicals!

I have really come to love the writing of Barbara Taylor Sissel, and must say that Evidence of Life was one of my favorite books that I've read, so when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I did everything I could to find out how I could get my hands on a copy of Safe Keeping. I knew that Barbara Taylor Sissel was in with one of my Goodreads groups, Sisterhood of the Traveling Books, so I checked there, and sure enough, s For a more in depth review, please visit my blog, Chorley Chronicals!

I have really come to love the writing of Barbara Taylor Sissel, and must say that Evidence of Life was one of my favorite books that I've read, so when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I did everything I could to find out how I could get my hands on a copy of Safe Keeping. I knew that Barbara Taylor Sissel was in with one of my Goodreads groups, Sisterhood of the Traveling Books, so I checked there, and sure enough, she had Safe Keeping circulating, so I added myself to the list, and boy was I ever excited!

Who wouldn't want to read this book after reading such an amazing Synopsis? And after reading the book, I can't say that the Synopsis has let me down. I have found that with many books, that the story just doesn't quite live up to the Synopsis, and that in fact, the Synopsis is the best part of the book, however, that is so not the case with Safe Keeping. The story was expertly and emotionally written, making the reader feel what the other side of a murder investigation might feel like! It dives into the emotions that the family of the accused feel! How, as an accused murderer's mother or sister, might you feel? Would you stand by your son's/brother's side? Would you give everything that you had to prove his innocence? Would you believe in his innocence with all of your being? I felt a variety of emotions while reading this book.

I must say that Sissel really threw me off with this story! I thought that I had figured out what was going to happen, just to find out that I was totally wrong. There was quite a surprise ending and left me with my mouth hanging wide open! I was pulled in from the very first few words, and Sissel never let go until the last word on the last page! I found it to be a quick and easy read, however, very emotional throughout. It certainly was a page turner, and I enjoyed each and every page this story contained!

The characters were all such fierce characters, that believed in what they believed in, and were all willing to sacrifice anything for that belief. What this family goes through will leave you reeling for days and certainly will tug at all of your heart strings.

Overall, I had very high expectations for this book after reading Evidence of Life and I must say that I wasn't even in the slightest bit, let down after reading Safe Keeping. I think that Barbara Taylor Sissel has an amazing talent, and feel so honored that I can be one of her followers and have the opportunity to read her works of art! I enjoyed every minute of reading this book! As with her previous book, I found Sissel leaving me thinking of what I would do in the same situation, which is something that I really love about a book! I love the thought that goes along with these types of stories! I am endlessly amazed by Sissel's writing and can't wait to see what else she comes up with! ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 24, 2014 Cheryl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-read

Safe Keeping by Barbara Taylor Sissel
Published by Harlequin MIRA
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
ISBN-10: 0778316165
ISBN-12: 978-0778316169
Number of Pages: 320
Review Copy from: Author/Harlequin
Edition: TPB
My Rating: 5

Synopsis (via GR):
My son is a murderer.... So begins this chilling and emotionally charged mystery from highly acclaimed author Barbara Taylor Sissel.

Emily Lebay had always thought of her family as ordinary. Sure, they've endured their share of problems, even a time of great trouble ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 05, 2014 Jeanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads

Safe Keeping is the first book that I have read by Barbara Taylor Sissel. It is very well-written, an excellent second novel published under the Harlequin Mira imprint. This emotion-charged novel should be read with tissues handy! Your heart will be warmed, stretched and torn a bit as you read this expression of the incredible depth of love between parents and their children, brothers and sisters. I highly recommend this to a parent or brother or sister of one who has had a history of emotional Safe Keeping is the first book that I have read by Barbara Taylor Sissel. It is very well-written, an excellent second novel published under the Harlequin Mira imprint. This emotion-charged novel should be read with tissues handy! Your heart will be warmed, stretched and torn a bit as you read this expression of the incredible depth of love between parents and their children, brothers and sisters. I highly recommend this to a parent or brother or sister of one who has had a history of emotional challenges or facing criminal charges, as there is far more at stake than the public sees. More than those seeking award-winning headlines or conviction rates. There are people, people who love the person who is accused or convicted.
What does one do when their beloved son is a murder suspect for the second time? When your desire to stand by your son threatens your relationship with your husband? How can a wife and mother preserve both relationships, as well as the one with other adult children in the family? You will see how this author portrays with great depth and sensitivity how Emily LeBay examines her relationships with her family, the challenges her son Tucker has faced, and other relational traumas within the family over the course of her marriage to Roy. The challenges that Emily’s daughter Lissa faces in her marriage, including how she and her husband respond to the charges her brother faces, can easily fill another novel, and certainly leaves an open door for a sequel.
Woven amidst the relationships is the suspenseful search of Emily and Lissa while trying to exonerate Tucker. In hopes of finding evidence that will lead to another suspect, they also hope to find the key that will bring relief to the burdens that Roy, Tucker, and all the family members have carried too long.
An extra to this novel that I appreciated was the author’s writing of how she came to write this story. It is often interesting to readers to see where the novel comes from and how the author has researched or “brainstormed” their writing.
This novel was won from the publisher through a Goodreads contest; this is my own honest review.
...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 23, 2014 Stephanie rated it really liked it

I have to admit I was surprised to find out this was a Harlequin book. I remember them as being rather simple: girl meets boy, their personalities clash or there's some other obstacle that prevents them getting together, they overcome it, and live happily ever after. This book was nothing like that.

There are enough reviews on the storyline itself, so I'm going to focus on how I felt reading it. Emily frustrated me, made me want to shake her, and make her wake up to the reality of what this whole I have to admit I was surprised to find out this was a Harlequin book. I remember them as being rather simple: girl meets boy, their personalities clash or there's some other obstacle that prevents them getting together, they overcome it, and live happily ever after. This book was nothing like that.

There are enough reviews on the storyline itself, so I'm going to focus on how I felt reading it. Emily frustrated me, made me want to shake her, and make her wake up to the reality of what this whole incident was doing to her marriage. She constantly makes excuses for her son, and tries to escape into cooking, or talking to her best friend, or tentatively reaching out to an old love. Roy aggravated me as well--what the heck is he doing in that office all alone every day? We're never really given any hints, but it can't be good.

Lissa is dealing with a secret of her own, and between this and impulsive, foolish actions on her part, communication between her and her husband is also coming to a halt. Actually, her husband, Evan, is the most rational of them all. I wish his character had been developed a bit more. Tucker, the catalyst for this whole story, is almost a shadow person compared to the others.

But as I got more and more involved in the story, I began to see similarities between this family and my own, who dealt with a similar situation many years ago. No wonder this book got under my skin. It was like being a fly on the wall and watching it all unfold--not like a story neatly wrapped up in an hour on (insert your favorite crime drama here). Just as in a real life situation, parts of their pasts never dealt with color their actions and reactions. Regrets and wishes to make up for past mistakes cloud their judgments.

It's not really that important whether Tucker is guilty or not, which is probably why his character was given a light touch. The point of the whole story is the family; how it evolves and devolves and what happens when things are covered up and not brought out into the open. It's the result of pretending things are always just fine.

I won this book in a First Reads Goodreads Giveaway, but it did not alter my review in any way. ...more

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fiction

11 users

Mystery

10 users

Suspense

7 users

Family

5 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

2 users

Thriller > Psychological Thriller

2 users

Mystery > Crime

2 users

Relationships

2 users

Parenting

2 users

See top shelves…

About Barbara Taylor Sissel

Barbara Taylor Sissel

691 followers

Barbara Taylor Sissel writes issue oriented, upmarket women’s fiction that is threaded with elements of suspense and defined by its particular emphasis on how crime affects the family. Next to writing books she loves to edit them, and with more than fifteen years in the profession, both as a bestselling author and as a developmental editor, she's got experience. Contact her via her website if you' ...more