Safe

Twelve years after six-year-old Jennifer Kristal disappeared while walking down a New York suburban street to her friend's house, a young woman shows up in town claiming to be Jenny. She's questioned by local police and the FBI, and shares horrifying details of the abuse she suffered from her kidnappers. Eventually they seem satisfied she is who she says she is, especially when Jenny's grateful parents arrive to bring her home. The title of S.K. Barnett's riveting Safe implies Jenny's ordeal is now over, but don't be fooled. Her first night home, Jenny's older brother makes it clear he doesn't believe the young woman is his long-lost sister. Then she receives an anonymous online warning: Be careful.

Is she a cruel manipulator or sympathetic victim? Does she intend to cause harm or is she in danger?

What follows is an exploration of the ravages of grief on families of missing children and the devastating effects of child trauma and abuse, wrapped up as an insidious thriller that twists in surprising directions. Barnett (a pseudonym) layers mystery upon mystery, keeping the central puzzle hidden while tantalizingly meting out clues. Readers who think they can unravel the knots will remain constantly challenged, and at some point, it's best to stop trying to get ahead of the story and enjoy remaining in the dark until the final revelations. --Elyse Dinh-McCrillis, blogger at Pop Culture Nerd

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