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

Great thrill ride - smart mystery!

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

At the top for sure - this mystery/thriller is up there with any great mystery writer, and maybe even a touch better, as it's smarter, more layered. Super story, perfect narrator for the work.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well obviously Rob, the main character. There are puzzles at every turn, and he manages to somehow figure them all out without going nuts. He's just a regular guy, suddenly in the midst of unusal circumstances with something personal at stake.

Kind of cool that it's set on Isle of Man....which I had to look up on a map. It's a self-contained little island, which lends itself to being an important "character" in this book.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

I really enjoy Simon Vance's narrations. He did Chris Ewan's other books, Good Thief's Guides. This time it's a different character (of course) and he alters his presentation accordingly. I'm always amazed at how good narrators are at conveying different characters, moods, even places through their delivery. This is no exception!

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

Uh, no I didn't laugh or cry - I'm not sure that would've been appropriate - but I was intrigued and had to keep listening to find out the end!

Any additional comments?

LOVE IT. You'll become a Chris Ewan fan.

Nice mystery, and the characters feel real.

If you could sum up Safe House in three words, what would they be?

I really liked Safe House. It has a sombre, somewhat depressive mood that is very, very different from the flip tone of Chris Ewan's "Good Thief" books. But the tone is appropriate to this story of a man recovering from a mysterious accident while also investigating the mysterious death of his sister. There's a good amount of action and while the story contains elements (and coincidences!) common to many thrillers, the story still manages to seem fresh and plausible. Everyone feels real and their actions/thoughts are both believable and relatable. Nicely narrated, as ever, but Simon Vance.

Very entertaining

If you could sum up Safe House in three words, what would they be?

Very suspenseful

What was one of the most memorable moments of Safe House?

I could not figure "who done it" until the very end.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Easy to listen too

Rollercoaster ride

Chris Ewan writes well and the plot keeps moving. It just like there was so much violence that it was off putting. After reading his Good Thief series, I was hoping that this would also be suspenseful but not bloody. I had to skip over sections. And I felt that on some level those who committed egregious violence were let off too lightly. If the violence doesn’t bother you, it’s a great read.

unexpected twists

well developed characters, interesting plot, unusual place- all the ingredients for a good book (for me). I think, the narrator Simon Vance had contributed greatly in the success of the book.

Intriguing twists and turns

I enjoyed "Safe House" and especially liked Simon Vance. To help with the setting I downloaded a map of the Isle of Man and had it at my elbow as I listened to the story. Rob Hale is an unlikely hero, a plumber and a serious cyclist (Isle of Man is the home of TT motorcycle races). Like the TT races, the story is full of dramatic twists and turns; the book keeps you guessing. For this reason you have to be quite attentive listening to this audio book; scenes change and a few times I had to hit the rewind button. I should add that this does not mean it is a superficial tale; Ewan through Vance's voice paints a very detailed picture of the surroundings, the characters and the events.
This is my first Chris Ewan and I will check out his offering offerings.

Intriguing, Who Can You Trust Mystery!

I enjoyed this book, especially the narration by Simon Vance. It is a twisting, turning story of intrigue that will keep you guessing to the very end. My only criticism of it is that none of the characters but Rob were fleshed out enough for the listener to acquire any sense of empathy or dislike for them. That said, it is a good (not great) story that was worth the time for certain!

Overall compelling

Genuinely great characterizations. Slow/uneven at times, but then intriguing and intensely engaging at other times. Ending worked but left me unsatisfied. Loved the Good Thief series, liked this story.

Great Novel

If you could sum up Safe House in three words, what would they be?

Addicting. Brilliant. Captivating

Who was your favorite character and why?

Main Character.

Which scene was your favorite?

I couldn't possibly pick just one scene as a favorite. The entire book was well written.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the storyline. It definitely had a way of sweeping me up into the story - I was hooked instantly. I really enjoyed the narrators voice as well. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good mystery book.

If Jon Snow narrated a book.

Loved the narrator, sounds a bit like Jon Snow reading. Not too bad. Found myself engrossed and easily sucked in. Its a solid mystery and not too slow, a nice easy listen. I felt that it did end a bit abruptly but all issues were adequately resolved. Overall not bad.