Safe House

By: Chris Ewan

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A brilliant thriller from the author of the acclaimed Good Thief's Guide series asks: How can a woman simply vanish?

When Rob Hale wakes up in hospital after a motorcycle crash, he is told that Lena - the gorgeous blonde woman who was on the back of his bike - doesn't exist. The woman he describes bears a striking resemblance to his recently deceased sister, Laura, but has he really only imagined her? Convinced that Lena is as real as he is, Rob teams up with Rebecca Lewis - a London-based PI who has a mysterious connection to Laura - to follow the clues. He learns that even a close-knit community like the Isle of Man can hide dangerous secrets that will not stay safe forever.

©2012 Chris Ewan (P)2012 AudioGO

Enjoyable read!

After a slow start this mystery picks up speed and kept me engaged and entertained throughout! I definitely was surprised by several of the twists and turns and enjoyed it immensely.
The narration is well done. However, for me the voice didn't quite fit the main character and sounded much older than I would have expected this particular character to sound.
I Definitely recommend this mystery.

Complicated Tale

So many secrets in this story. I wasn't able to guess them all which made listening enjoyable. Reader does a good job. I'd never heard of The Isle of Man and activities there. I like learning of new places and people who live there. The characters were interesting, and I especially enjoyed the female "private eye" and her skills and strengths. There is some violence, but not enough to turn me away from the story. However, I must confess, I fast-forwarded a bit not hear it.

First rate thriller!

Well written and fast paced! Well drawn characters. The bad guys are really bad and the good characters well balanced.
Got to read it!

Phenomenal from start to finish

What did you love best about Safe House?

The narrator, Simon Vance, gives a STELLAR performance as always.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely. This story is action packed, with plenty of attention paid to character development. I couldn't stop listening...I had to take my phone into the office with me to finish!

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Simon Vance is an audiobook rockstar. He could read the phonebook and I would listen. He is hands down my favorite narrator. Every performance he gives is as close to perfection as it gets...and this one is no different.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book...no tears, but definitely cringed a few times during some of the description of the more violent scenes ( which are limited and integral to the character development). Also smiled a little during the parts with Grampa and Rocky. Great great story.

Any additional comments?

This is my first Chris Ewan book, but it won't be my last. He's got the goods. And Simon Vance just nails it. He IS every character...male , female, young, old,.....and the accents!! Spot On!!

Slow first half

Where does Safe House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Middle to high

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Once you get to 2nd half you can't stop listening

Which scene was your favorite?

The barn fight

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Female hero

Any additional comments?

Rebecca best part

My kind of book, good intrigue and good characters

What made the experience of listening to Safe House the most enjoyable?

The narrator is great! I love the setting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is the main character, because he seems like a normal person.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't know

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Intrigue on the Isle of Man.

Any additional comments?

I was left wanting to read more from this author.

great for a road trip!

Good mystery. Kept us fully engaged
and narrators don't get much better than Simon Vance! Listened on an 8 hour road trip...made the drive qo by fast.

Worthwhile book,but I like the Thief series better

Chris Ewan is a clever and articulate author; and, coupled with the fabulous Simon Vance, can't go very far wrong. I have listened to all his "Good Thief's Guides" and find the deadpan, comically self-effacing protagonist irresistible and fun. The slightly arrogant thief, characterized perfectly by Vance, is entertaining in any and all books.

Ewan clearly is trying to break away from that niche with this more serious book. While Vance is a delight to hear as Charlie the thief, in this book when he assumes a humorless and less articulate Isle of Man accent and character it is far less entertaining. The lack of cleverness and humor is sorely missed. It starts off slowly, but does capture the reader's attention with a typically convoluted, but perhaps more confusing plot than usual. There does not seem to be as much intimate depth of character (we know all of Charlie's flaws and shortcomings--but not so here), and the characters are less sympathetic.

All in all, it is quite a good read, and I would listen to anything written by Ewan if narrated by Vance. But, I would prefer he stick to the rascal thief character, with his hilarious predicaments.

An Isle of Man adventure

Would you consider the audio edition of Safe House to be better than the print version?

Great audio - I am sure the book is a good read

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed each of the characters; none stood out in particular

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Unsure, however I thought his performance was excellent

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

There are more turns than the Isle of Man's TT track

Entertaining

Good story, good characters, well read.
Gets slow/over detailed every now and then, but everything tied together and made sense.