She Thought She Was Safe

by Terri Parlato

A young woman is reunited with the famous father she never knew at a secluded lakeside community hiding nightmarish secrets in this immersive modern-day gothic for readers of psychological suspense by Mary Kubica, Sheri Lapena and Megan Miranda.


After the double blow of divorce and her mother’s death, Emma Shrader receives an invitation to meet her estranged father for the first time. Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who had a brief fling with Emma’s mom, then disappeared. Now he’d like Emma to come stay at his beautiful home on Cheshire Lake in Maine.


The Spencer house is a towering Victorian steeped in history and lore, from its ornate turret to the little cemetery nestled in adjoining woods. It should be an inspiring place for Emma to finish working on her own novel, especially with Alex’s guidance. But when a neighbor is found dead under strange circumstances, the surroundings begin to feel less idyllic and welcoming. Not everyone is happy about Emma’s arrival, either—especially not Alex’s other daughter, Sunny.


There are things Emma keeps to herself about her chaotic childhood and ex-husband, but Cheshire Lake harbors secrets too—some recent, some decades old. What exactly has been going on in this quiet, close-knit community? And how much of it has to do with Emma’s arrival?


As Emma learns of other disappearances and mysterious deaths, what seemed like a fresh start begins to fill her with unease. Emma thought Cheshire Lake held the home and family she’s long been looking for. Now she wonders if she’ll ever be allowed to leave alive . . .

Genres: Gothic, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Terri Parlato was born and raised in upstate New York. She currently lives in a small north Georgia town with her husband and their dog Lucy.

Reviews

[Shereadbookblog]

Reunited with her father, a successful author whom she never knew, and invited to stay at his secluded lakeside home, Emma’s visit turns into a nightmare as someone is murdered, long held mysteries unfold, and she finds her life in danger.

With an atmospheric setting, the tension and suspense build as the story progresses. There are unexpected twists and turns that will have readers holding their breath until the final resolution.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @KensingtonBooks for the DRC.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma’s life is turned upside down after she catches her husband cheating and finds out he owes tens of thousands of dollars on gambling debts, her mother passes away, and she finally learns who her father is, a very famous author.

I wanted to love this book but unfortunately it just missed the mark for me. The pacing was too slow and I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters. I wanted to feel the gothic lore from the lake and Victorian home but it just didn’t get there for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Brittany]

I was really looking forward to this book based on the storyline, but unfortunately I was not able to fully get into it and ultimately had to DNF. That said, I do think this book could be a better fit for a different audience. I personally tend to gravitate toward extremely fast paced thrillers, and this one just was not quite the right match for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to provide honest feedback.

[Vonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one but it just didn’t grab me. The setup had so much potential with the gothic lakeside house, family secrets, and eerie small-town vibe. The story dragged and never built the tension I was hoping for. I didn’t feel connected to the main character and the mystery felt predictable. There were a few interesting moments but overall this one just wasn’t for me.

[Raymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to stay up past my bedtime to finish this book because I kept reading there was twist after twist towards the end I had to know how it ended.

This is my second Terri Parlato book and I think this one so far is my favorite.

This is a thriller under 300 pages. It is fast paced and everyone feels like a suspect.

I did guess one of the twist but I think it’s because I read so many thrillers. But even guessing that twist correctly didn’t stop the enjoyment of the read.

Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 271
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe has all the gothic thriller elements I love in a book. The story is set in a sprawling 1800s Victorian on a secluded lake in a small town, an atmosphere that feels both detached and claustrophobic. With only four homes on Cheshire Lake, the setting plays a huge role in building tension. Not long after Emma arrives, one of the residents turns up dead, making it unclear whether it was an accident or a case of murder.

This is a medium-paced thriller, with apprehension steadily creeping in as the mystery unfolds and secrets come to light. The dread builds gradually, and by the second half of the book I was on the edge of my seat, feeling like I couldn’t trust ANYONE. While I did manage to figure out a couple of details, the twists still caught me off guard and went in directions I absolutely did NOT expect. My head was SPINNING!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚She Thought She Was Safe
✍🏻Terri Parlato
Blurb:
A young woman is reunited with the famous father she never knew at a secluded lakeside community hiding nightmarish secrets in this immersive modern-day gothic for readers of psychological suspense by Mary Kubica, Sheri Lapena and Megan Miranda.


After the double blow of divorce and her mother’s death, Emma Shrader receives an invitation to meet her estranged father for the first time. Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who had a brief fling with Emma’s mom, then disappeared. Now he’d like Emma to come stay at his beautiful home on Cheshire Lake in Maine.


The Spencer house is a towering Victorian steeped in history and lore, from its ornate turret to the little cemetery nestled in adjoining woods. It should be an inspiring place for Emma to finish working on her own novel, especially with Alex’s guidance. But when a neighbor is found dead under strange circumstances, the surroundings begin to feel less idyllic and welcoming. Not everyone is happy about Emma’s arrival, either—especially not Alex’s other daughter, Sunny.


There are things Emma keeps to herself about her chaotic childhood and ex-husband, but Cheshire Lake harbors secrets too—some recent, some decades old. What exactly has been going on in this quiet, close-knit community? And how much of it has to do with Emma’s arrival?


As Emma learns of other disappearances and mysterious deaths, what seemed like a fresh start begins to fill her with unease. Emma thought Cheshire Lake held the home and family she’s long been looking for. Now she wonders if she’ll ever be allowed to leave alive . . .
My Thoughts:
Emma’s life is turned upside down after she catches her husband cheating and finds out he owes tens of thousands of dollars on gambling debts, her mother passes away, and she finally learns who her father is, a very famous author.. The setting is an eerie gothic lakehouse, filled with family secrets and eerie vibes. She Thought She Was Safe is an eerie psychological suspense.

After the unexpected death of her mother and the collapse of her marriage. Emma Shrader arrives at Cheshire Lake carrying the weight of grief and betrayal, hoping to reconnect with the father she never knew. The towering Victorian house, with its ornate turret and shadowed cemetery, promises inspiration and belonging—but quickly reveals itself as a place steeped in secrets. Parlato captures that delicious tension between beauty and menace, where every creaking floorboard and wary glance hints at danger.: Emma’s fragile hope for a fresh start set against the hostility of her half-sister Sunny, the allure of her father’s literary world shadowed by mysterious deaths and disappearances. As Emma begins to peel back the layers of Cheshire Lake’s history, the story becomes a haunting exploration of identity, trust, and the darkness that can linger in even the most idyllic settings. For fans of Mary Kubica and Shari Lapena you will enjoy this book, I highly recommend.
Thanks NetGalley, Kensington Books and Author Terri Parlato for the advanced copy of "She Thought She Was Safe" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#KensingtonBooks
#SheThoughtSheWasSafe
#TerriParlato
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe by Terri Parlato is a highly recommended gothic mystery/thriller set at a small, secluded lakeside community.

Emma Shrader just went through a painful divorce where her ex-husband's huge gambling debts are revealed which was followed by the death of her mother. She decided to look for her father, a man she never knew and whose name her mother never revealed. After he is found and it is determined that they are related through a DNA test, she briefly meets him. Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who invites Emma to stay at his home on Cheshire Lake in Maine. There are only four homes on the lake and when she arrives it is clear that this is not a simple lakeside cabin, the Spencer house is a large Victorian house.

Emma meets the welcoming neighbors and settles in to her writing when the unthinkable happens. A neighbor is found dead, and it is determined to be a murder. The police begin investigating. Alex arrives with his daughter Sunny, who is the antithesis of her name, and suddenly the idyllic lake setting and quiet community begins to feels less accommodating and increasingly threatening.

This is an even-paced mystery/thriller with gothic undertones in an atmospheric setting. The tension and apprehension increase gradually with every page leading up to several mysteries followed by some much larger plot twists and a very satisfying ending. I actually enjoyed it and was immersed in the plot throughout. However, the essential requirement to enjoy this novel is that you must be willing to set a huge dose of disbelief aside, multiple times, while reading.

The first main hurdle of disbelief to jump is that Emma would even accept an offer to stay at her father's lakeside home. She's never developed a relationship with him and doesn't know anything about him beyond what she can find online. Agreeing to meet in order to get to know each other is one thing; staying at one of his homes is another. Once you accept this premise, the other unbelievable plot points are easier to accept while you keep reading, after all, there is obviously a murder to solve but there are also other mysteries which are revealed and need answers.

Emma has a complicated background and meeting her father does not simplify it, rather it adds more complications. Along with all the residents at the lake, there is also emerges an unspoken, sinister history. The murder investigation uncovers other secrets from years ago, which add to the threatening atmosphere and plot complexities while making the plot take on even more of a gothic atmosphere.

She Thought She Was Safe is a good choice for those who enjoy mysteries/thrillers with a gothic atmosphere and can set disbelief aside. Thanks to Kensington for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

After three books featuring Detective Rita Myers, (whom I loved!) author Terri Parlato offers up this standalone murder mystery, which I so wanted to love as well, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

Emma Shrader needs a fresh start.

She caught her ex husband cheating and if that wasn’t bad enough, he owes money-lots of money-to some bad men and they are coming after her for it. She recently lost her mother and they know that she came into some money when she sold her mother’s house.

The only positive from the sale is that she never knew who her father was, but while clearing out the house she finally learns his name. It turns out he wasn’t the terrible guy, her mother implied he was. Instead, he is actually the wealthy renowned author, Alex Spencer, who had a brief fling with Emma’s mom, before selling his first book.

Emma reaches out to him, and is thrilled when her estranged father (after an DNA test) invites Emma to stay at his beautiful home on Cheshire Lake in Maine. It sounds like the perfect place to HIDE and work on her own novel, while offering her a chance to get to know this half of her family-even if her half sister, Sunny, is far from welcoming.

Soon after arriving, a neighbor is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and because of her father’s notoriety, the secluded lakeside retreat no longer feels safe.

This story never really felt plausible to me.

Because of the murder, Alex and Sunny Spencer end up coming up to the lake and living with Emma in the lakeside house despite the fact that they didn’t really know each other yet. Conversations were STILTED and SUPERFICIAL with Emma whining to the neighbor who JUST lost her husband that she didn’t feel “loved” by the Spencers…which came across as immature and self centered.

And, as the story progressed it became increasingly OVER THE TOP.

But, no book is for every reader, so if you like your books twisty, no matter how unrealistic, this may be a better fit for you! Do read a sample of reviews!

A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to see if she felt differently!

Available February 24, 2026

Thank You to Kensington Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets at the Lake

Terri Parlato's She Thought She Was Safe kicks off with Emma Shrader at rock bottom: her marriage is over, her mother's gone, and life’s offering no answers. Then, out of nowhere, the father she’s never met invites her to a quiet lakeside community, a place that promises calm but delivers a whole lot of darkness. Emma arrives hunting for solace, but quickly finds herself tangled up in secrets old and new, in a setting so eerie it practically begs for the blinds to be drawn.

Emma’s the kind of heroine with just enough baggage to feel real. Her flaws and resilience anchor every twist, while the people surrounding her, especially her complicated father, Alex, layer on suspicion and depth. Parlato’s novel isn’t just about who did what or why. It’s about how messy families get, all the things we never say, and the ways ghosts (literal and figurative) stay put even when you pack up and leave.

What stands out most is the atmosphere: the sense that something’s off lingers from the first page, making you uneasy in the best possible way. Parlato doesn’t rely on frenetic action; instead, she draws out tension, letting the dread build slowly, drip by drip. Her writing is brisk but immersive, with just enough psychological insight to let the reader live in Emma’s tangled thoughts without bogging things down.

If the novel stumbles, it’s mostly with side characters; some get lost in Emma’s shadow. And readers expecting a turbo-charged thriller might wish for a bit more speed. But for those willing to let the story unfold, the payoff is plenty rewarding. Critics and readers alike have praised Parlato’s ability to balance a modern gothic mystery with genuine emotional heft.

She Thought She Was Safe is perfect for anyone who wants their mysteries slow-burning, their characters complicated, and their sense of unease turned up to eleven. It’s got all the hallmarks of a satisfying suspense read, quiet menace, buried secrets, and writing that keeps you turning pages long after you planned to stop.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Shrader, reeling from divorce and her mother’s death, accepts an invitation to meet the famous father she never knew. Alex Spencer, a celebrated author, welcomes her to his grand Victorian home on Cheshire Lake, a place steeped in history and shadowed by unease. What should be a chance for Emma to reconnect and finish her own novel quickly turns ominous when a neighbor is found dead and tensions rise within the family—particularly with Alex’s other daughter, Sunny.

As Emma settles into the lakeside community, she discovers that both her past and Cheshire Lake itself are riddled with secrets. Strange disappearances, unsettling deaths, and buried memories converge, leaving Emma to question whether she has found the family she longed for—or stepped into a nightmare she may never escape.

Parlato delivers a chilling tale that immerses the reader in a world where nothing is as straightforward as it appears and trust is constantly in question. The suspense builds layer by layer, intertwining past shadows with present dangers, until both Emma and the reader are ensnared in a maze of doubt. With its gothic flavor and psychological intensity, this novel will appeal to those who enjoy thrillers steeped in family secrets and hidden motives.

The setting itself amplifies the unease—dim corridors, fractured family ties, and a community steeped in whispers all heighten the tension. Emma’s uneasy bond with her half-sister Sunny adds another edge of mistrust, while the slow revelation of Cheshire Lake’s sinister history keeps the mystery alive. Shifting timelines, morally ambiguous characters, and unexpected turns transform what begins as a familiar thriller into something far more compelling. The combination of eerie atmosphere, emotional resonance, and shocking discoveries makes this a striking and unforgettable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, The views presented here are solely my own.

[Roslyn Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advanced copy of She Thought She Was Safe courtesy of NetGalley, and this was my first experience with Teri Parlato’s work. It turned out to be an engaging, atmospheric thriller that blends family secrets, small‑town tension, and a steady undercurrent of danger. At the center of the story is Emma Shrader, who returns to her estranged father Alex Spencer after years of distance and unresolved hurt. Their relationship is one of the most compelling threads in the book strained, complicated, and shaped by the wealth and privilege that Alex wielded while keeping Emma at arm’s length. His decision to let her use the secluded family home adds a layer of unease, as if the house itself is holding onto the past just as tightly as Emma is. The isolation of the property amplifies the suspense, making every creak and shadow feel intentional. Emma’s dynamic with her ex‑husband adds another emotional layer. Their interactions reveal lingering wounds and unfinished business, grounding the story in real human conflict rather than just plot mechanics. The neighbors, too, play a significant role friendly on the surface, but each carrying their own secrets and motives. Parlato uses these relationships to build a sense of community that feels both welcoming and quietly threatening. The plot unfolds with a measured pace, dropping clues that seem straightforward until the twist reshapes everything you thought you understood. Without spoiling it, the reveal ties together the family history, the strange behavior surrounding the house, and the shifting loyalties of the people in Emma’s orbit. It’s the kind of twist that makes you rethink earlier chapters and appreciate how carefully the tension was constructed. Overall, She Thought She Was Safe delivers a satisfying blend of character depth, atmospheric suspense, and a twist that lands with impact. A strong four‑star read and a promising introduction to Teri Parlato’s storytelling.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terri Parlato’s She Thought She Was Safe is an atmospheric, modern gothic that blends family drama with psychological suspense in a way that feels both elegant and unsettling.

Emma Shrader arrives at Cheshire Lake carrying the weight of grief and betrayal, hoping to reconnect with the father she never knew. The towering Victorian house, with its ornate turret and shadowed cemetery, promises inspiration and belonging—but quickly reveals itself as a place steeped in secrets. Parlato captures that delicious tension between beauty and menace, where every creaking floorboard and wary glance hints at danger.

The novel thrives on contrasts: Emma’s fragile hope for a fresh start set against the hostility of her half-sister Sunny, the allure of her father’s literary world shadowed by mysterious deaths and disappearances. As Emma begins to peel back the layers of Cheshire Lake’s history, the story becomes a haunting exploration of identity, trust, and the darkness that can linger in even the most idyllic settings.

Parlato’s prose is immersive and elegant, drawing readers into a community where nothing is quite as it seems. The suspense builds steadily, weaving past and present together until Emma—and the reader—are left questioning who can be trusted, and whether escape is even possible.

This is a gripping, gothic-tinged thriller perfect for fans of Mary Kubica and Shari Lapena, where family ties, buried secrets, and a chilling sense of place combine to create a story you won’t want to put down.

With thanks to Terri Parlato, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Kensington Books for this gifted ARC!

This was a really short thriller/mystery and it was pretty enjoyable for the length that it was. Because it was a bit on the shorter side I wouldn't say there was a lot of connection or depth to it, but at surface level it was still an enjoyable quick read.

The main character, Emma, is thrown into a world of seemingly close neighbors but things really aren't what they appear to be. There are many twists, murder mysteries that arise, and tensions among the entire cast of people. I didn't guess anything correctly for the book, so that is a major win for the author, when it comes to these types of stories I want to be wrong. There were a lot of revelations at the end that I really didn't see coming and I enjoyed that. The main point of Emma needing to get away to this remote area in New England is to disappear from her ex-husband and his troubles, and I wish there had been more focus on that as well. It was more of a side point and not really fleshed out as much as it could have been. Again, I think that comes back to the short page count of the book, there just wasn't enough time for it.

For the short length of the book, it delivers what you would want out of a mystery/thriller. It kept me guessing and invested enough to keep reading. I would have absolutely enjoyed this more if it was longer and given a bit more depth for all of the characters as well! This comes out February 24th!

*This ARC was given by Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

She Thought She Was Safe was a truly gripping read that surprised me in the best possible way. From the start, the premise immediately caught my attention: Emma, a young woman who never knew her father, is suddenly reunited with him after her mother’s death. Her father is a famous and acclaimed author, living in a beautiful Victorian house by a lake: a setting that feels both idyllic and quietly unsettling.

Once Emma moves into the house, the story takes a dark turn when one of the neighbours is found dead. From that moment on, suspicion spreads in every direction, and Emma is left unsure of who can truly be trusted. I loved how the author built that constant sense of doubt and unease, especially as secrets tied to the house and its past begin to surface.

As Emma uncovers truths about former residents and the people currently living nearby, the tension continues to rise. Her journey felt emotionally raw and believable, as she’s forced to navigate grief, new relationships, and growing danger all at once. There were moments when I genuinely couldn’t believe the revelations unfolding on the page.

Blending police investigation with psychological suspense and family secrets, this novel kept me hooked from beginning to end. She Thought She Was Safe is a smart, atmospheric thriller that delivers unexpected twists and leaves a lasting impression. A highly satisfying and pleasantly surprising read.

That final revelation was just wow.

[DeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Believability Stars

Emma Shrader always wondered who her father was as she was growing up. Her mother would never give her any details. Only after her mother’s death was she able to discover his identity. Imagine her surprise to discover that he is a famous author.

She reaches out to her father, Alex Spencer, and is thrilled when he offers her a chance to escape to his Maine lake house. In addition to her mother’s death, Emma is also grappling with her cheating ex-husband and his financial problems.

Emma is looking forward to getting to know her new family, but she gets a very chilly reception from Alex’s daughter, ironically named Sunny. She does love Alex’s house at Cheshire Lake and hopes to continue writing her book and find some peace and quiet. She gets to know the few neighbors on the lake.

The peace doesn’t last, though, as one of the lake residents is discovered one morning on the path around the lake, and it’s ruled to be murder. Another resident goes missing as the police dig into the case. What sort of place is Cheshire Lake, and what other secrets will come out?

I didn’t connect with Emma or her decision to stay at the lake when all the mayhem started. I also found the ending over-the-top. I’ve read three earlier books from this author featuring Detective Rita Myers that I quite liked, but this one didn’t measure up.

I did enjoy my buddy read with Jayme for this one!

My thanks to Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 2.24.2026.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creeping dread, buried secrets, and a setting that feels like it’s watching you—this gothic psychological thriller demands to be devoured in one sitting.
From the moment Emma arrives at Cheshire Lake, the atmosphere drips with unease. A towering Victorian house, a private cemetery hidden in the woods, and a tight-knit lakeside community that smiles just a little too politely—everything looks perfect… and that’s exactly what makes it terrifying. Meeting her famous, elusive father should feel like closure, but instead it opens the door to a nightmare she never saw coming.
The tension builds slowly and relentlessly, layering family drama with long-hidden secrets and unsettling discoveries. The sibling rivalry, the whispers of past disappearances, and the sense that Emma is not welcome here create a constant hum of danger. Every character feels suspicious, every interaction loaded, and just when you think you understand what’s happening, the story twists again.
This book excels at atmosphere—moody, claustrophobic, and haunting—while exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the dark cost of secrets kept too long. Fans of Mary Kubica, Megan Miranda, and Sheri Lapena will feel right at home here.
Sharp, immersive, and deeply unsettling, this is the kind of thriller that makes you question every smile and every silence. Once you arrive at Cheshire Lake, you won’t want to leave… but you’ll be afraid you can’t. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of She Thought She Was Safe!
Wow, that ending had my heart racing and me on the edge of my seat! This was an incredible psychological thriller, and i loved every minute of this book.
Emma, after losing her mother, finds her long lost father, who happens to be a best selling author of historical mysteries. All she's ever wanted was a family, so she reaches out and he invites her to his lake house to stay. But upon arrival, she begins to see that things aren't as normal as they seem. After the brutal murder of Alex's neighbor, Simon, stories begin not adding up, and she has more questions than answers. Who really are the families that live in the secluded lake houses..? She'll soon find out that nobody really has her best interest in heart, except Noah, a journalist she formed a relationship with early on. She finds out that her dad got real-life experiences that were the basis of his books, and she has to find a way to get to the police and tell them everything she's found, while not being caught by Ruth, Larry, or Alex first.
This book will leave you asking yourself, "how well do I REALLY know those close to me?"
I could not believe the twists and turns this book took. It was definitely a rollercoaster of suspense, and I absolutely loved every single minute of it.

[A Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again,Terri Parlato has gifted readers with a masterfully crafted suspense drama that is unputdownable. This thriller is filled with family drama, lies, secrets and murder. The twists are plentiful throughout the entire book and many are gasp out loud revelations.

After the unexpected death of her mother and the collapse of her marriage, Emma is looking for a place to escape to. She discovers the identity of her father, something her mother had kept hidden from her, and accepts his invitation to stay at his beautiful lake house in Maine. Her father is a famous author, and Emma is hoping to write her first novel. With this in common, Emma is looking forward to getting to know her father better and enjoying the peacefulness of the lake. When a neighbor is found dead, and it's later ruled a murder, that hopefullness begins to fall apart.

The pacing of the story is perfect, letting little bits of information out at a time. I enjoyed Emma's character, but some of the others were a bit sketchy, giving balance to the story. The descriptive setting was the perfect backdrop for the elements of suspense. As with Terri's other books I was swept away with the storytelling.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy

[Tracey Mele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot going for it right out of the gate. The gothic lakeside house, long buried family secrets, and eerie small town setting felt like the perfect foundation for a moody thriller. I was really hoping to feel the weight of the lake’s history and the Victorian home’s atmosphere, but that depth never fully came through for me.

That said, for a shorter mystery thriller, this was still an enjoyable read. The pacing works well for its length, and while there is not a deep emotional connection to the characters, it delivers enough intrigue to stay engaging. I found myself guessing and wanting to see how everything unfolded, which is exactly what I want from a quick suspenseful read.

Overall, this book does what it sets out to do within its page count. I do think it would have benefited from being longer, with more time spent developing the characters and expanding the gothic elements of the setting. With more depth, this could have been something really special. It releases February 24th.

[BHK · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe by Terri Parlato had me hooked from the eerie first glimpse of Cheshire Lake. Emma Shrader is reeling from a divorce and her mother’s death. She accepts an invite to meet the famous father she’s never known, a brooding and best selling author who’s living in a sprawling Victorian that feels straight out of a gothic novel. At first, it’s all lake views and literary mentorship…until a neighbor turns up dead and the whole community’s friendly small town vibe starts to crack. The novels atmosphere is unsettling with creaky halls, whispered family tension, and a town full of sideways glances. Emma’s relationship with her half sister Sunny crackles with suspicion, and the slow reveal of both Emma’s secrets and Cheshire Lake’s dark history kept me guessing. I loved how the story mixed family drama, past tragedies, and modern psychological suspense. The perfect moody and layered mystery that’s tinged with the feeling that something is watching from the shadows!

[Rachiebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

She thought she was safe by Terri parlato

This story takes place around a woman named Emma after losing her mother and a complicated divorce. She receives an invite from her father who is a wealthy author, he offers for her to come to his home in Cheshire lake located in Maine.
Emma is also an inspiring author who hopes to get her first novel in the works and hopes to reconnect and get some help from her father in more ways than one.
After arriving at the beautiful home in Maine she learns of Alex’s other daughter sunny who runs his pr for his author career, as she receives a not so warm welcome from her new sister.
Things start to turn upside down when a neighbor is found dead and uncovers a few other disappearances that connect to this area.
What an insanely good book. I loved the base and character build.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this arc

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reeling from the death of her mother and a difficult divorce, Emma - who is struggling to write her novel - decides to accept an invitation from her unfamiliar father, who is a famous writer whom her mother had a fling with decades ago.

But her arrival at her father's lavish home in Maine feels less than welcoming - especially when she meets her enigmatic half sister.

Very soon after Emma gets there, someone is discovered dead, and the atmosphere quickly turns ominous. Has she made a mistake in coming to this place?

An entertaining story with a gothic feel to it, this will be devoured by thriller readers who enjoy having some complex family dynamics thrown in alongside the twists they are likely to encounter in storytelling in this genre.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terri Parlato's books have all been 5-star reads for me, so I requested this one as soon as I saw it. Happily, this one was just as good as her other books! I have to say, at the time of this review, this book has a 2.8 rating and I find that very surprising. There are multiple mysteries in the present day, multiple mysteries from 30 years ago, the isolated community setting is great, the characters are shady and there are plenty of shocking twists! I had no idea who to trust or what was happening and I didn't see any of the twists coming. I thoroughly enjoyed She Thought She Was Safe and I'm already looking forward to Terri Parlato's next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

[Liz K · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always nice to read books about people writing books, and this time it is the main theme of this story, which makes it double nice :)

I loved the unique storyline they presented here once you see the whole picture. At the beginning it would seem like a usual mystery book, but once the story unfolds, I had my beloved "whoa" moment.

If there are things I would want change in this story, it is the sometimes inconsistent behavior of the people which makes things so obvious, and lessens the mystery air of the story. But it didn't happen often and is subtle, so the story is really good and likeable.

I would recommend it for sure and will read more books by the author.

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a couple of devastating losses, Emma finds out a famous author is her biological father. He offers to let her use his lake house, so she can write and heal. However, not long after she arrives, the elderly neighbor is found dead, possibly murdered. Things turn ominous as Emma starts to wonder who could have killed him. When her father, Alex, and his daughter Sunny, come to the lake house to pay their respects, Emma quickly discovers that her dream of having a happy new family isn't going to come true. The lake house neighbors have secrets, including her father. This is a dark, chilling story. The ending was not what I expected, but overall, I enjoyed the family drama and suspense.

*Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review*

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

*hardback

“I don’t know if I’ll ever get published, but I’m content just to be writing, finding myself in the stories I create.”

Thanks to Kensington for my ARC of this one in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is a slow burn, atmospheric mystery novel about a woman who goes to meet her famous author father for the first time following her mother’s death.

After a DNA test to make sure she truly is the famous author, Alex Spencer’s daughter, she is welcomed with open arms by the family….but not by everyone.

The family has tons of skeletons in the closet and as the pages turn they come tumbling out.

This one was ok but I was a little bored in the middle. The ending picked up and def grabbed my interest again.

[Deanna Milford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an intriguing & well done thriller. Emma is faced with the loss of her mother and tries to rebuild her life after being harassed by her ex-husband and his gambling debts. She finds out the identity of her birth father which happens to be a famous writer. She thinks she has found a new family but while staying at his home at a lake, a neighbor is found dead and the connections and multiple mysteries surrounding the families here unfold and Emma is in danger. She finds out quickly who she can trust and who she can’t.
It was a slow burn mystery with lots of twists and turns and a few surprising plot twists. Highly recommend!
I am a fan of Terri Parlato and am grateful to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my ARC.

[Melissa Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of She Thought She Was Safe.
I raced to get this ARC as soon as I saw Terri Parlato’s name. I love her Rita Myers series and (wrongly) thought this was the next installment. A few chapters in, I sensed that this was not like her other books. The writing style was definitely different, and not in a good way. I found the first 85% of the book to be repetitive and painfully slow. The plot wrapped up very quickly and, in my opinion, sort of sloppily. The ending was also not very satisfying as there was no follow through on certain characters plot lines of the ramifications after certain reveals.
Overall, this was disappointing to me. I’d say it’s. ⭐️⭐️

[Sandy Marczewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Thought She Was Safe by Terri Parlato is a psychological thriller set in a quiet Maine lake town that’s full of secrets. Emma thinks she’s getting a fresh start when she reconnects with her wealthy father, but the eerie house, uneasy family dynamics, and mysterious deaths quickly turn her new life into a nightmare. Parlato does a great job building atmosphere and tension, and the family-secrets plot keeps the story moving. Some of the gothic-house tropes feel familiar, but the suspense and emotional layers make it a compelling, creepy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.