The Safe Room by Sarah A. Denzil - Book Review

When I was fifteen years old, I made a mistake. I trusted the warm smile of a stranger called Peter Harlow, and accepted a ride home in his car.

It would be the last moment of my life I’d ever feel safe again.

The trauma of what happened that night will never leave me—and it was only the beginning. For the last nineteen years, I’ve been trapped in a nightmare of blocked numbers, violated restraining orders, and the compulsion to scan every face in every crowd, waiting for the day when his will be among them.

But I've also spent the time preparing. My home has become a fortress, with reinforced doors, perimeter cameras, and a safe room in the cellar. I've even taught my seven-year-old daughter how to call for help. When I finally have to face Peter Harlow again, I’ll be ready.

Or so I thought.

Because on the night of a furious snowstorm, a terrified stranger arrives at my gate. Emily is barefoot, bruised, and desperate for help—claiming her husband just tried to kill her.

To let her in from the storm would mean breaking every rule I've made to protect myself and my daughter—but could I live with myself if I didn’t?

But what follows is everything I've lived in fear of for all these years. First, the lights go out. Then, the internet dies. Next, the phone line goes dead—and finally, I find myself trapped inside my own safe room, watching through a camera feed as the man who stole my life for two decades walks the halls of my home, playing happy families with my little girl.

I built this fortress to keep him out. Now, it’s the only thing keeping me from protecting my child.

The Safe Room is a heart-stopping psychological thriller by bestselling author Sarah A. Denzil, the "mistress of twists." Essential listening for fans of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden, and Caroline Kepnes.

Sarah A. Denzil has done it again with The Safe Room — another gripping thriller with an intricate storyline and one of her most complex heroines yet.

From the outset, I was drawn into Amber’s story, and the dual timeline, moving between her past and present, works particularly well in gradually revealing the events that have shaped her. It gives us a deeper understanding of her emotional turmoil and offers an insightful look at the lasting impact of being stalked. I thought this was one of the most compelling aspects of the story, as it explores how fear and past experiences can continue to affect someone long after the events themselves.

I loved how the tension builds throughout, with more of Amber’s story gradually coming to light. There’s a real sense of unease running through the narrative, keeping you invested and wanting to find out how everything connects. Just when you think you have a handle on things, the story keeps you questioning what you know, making it difficult to put down. Sarah A. Denzil has a real talent for creating unsettling situations and characters who are far more complicated than they first appear, and this is another great example of that.

Amber is a particularly interesting heroine, with layers to her character that make her feel complex and compelling. I enjoyed seeing how her past and present experiences intertwine, adding depth to the storyline and making her journey all the more engaging.

This felt incredibly cinematic at times, and I could easily see it being adapted for the screen. The atmosphere, the tension and the way the story unfolds would lend themselves brilliantly to a film or television adaptation. Fans of Panic Room and The Housemaid are going to absolutely devour this!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a tense, twisty psychological thriller. I’m already looking forward to re-reading it in audiobook format, especially with Gemma Whelan narrating. I have a feeling this will be just as gripping the second time around!

My rating for Sarah A. Denzil's Safe Room: ★★★★.