Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

The Safe House is another gripping crime thriller in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series. This instalment sees her investigating a collapsed underground safe house in Santa Carina Valley, California. However, because the victims were illegal immigrants Susan and her team have to work this case on their own with next to no resources.

Still reeling from her husband’s (Amit) murder and receiving more devastating news from Naved about him, Can their friendship survive? Susan uncovers a chilling truth: the safe house explosion was deliberate, as the body count mounts, no-one is safe. Can Susan arrest the Saint before it is too late?

Full of twists and false leads this had me turning the pages late into the night

This started off sooo strong, but it just couldn’t keep my attention sadly. I thought this story was going to play out very differently but it just wasn’t for me. I prefer thrillers that are less about crime scenes, investigating, questioning witnesses and finding out what happened, like CSI or shows like that, so for that reason this just isn’t the book for me. However, if you like crime scene thrillers and a story similar to a CSI episode or along those lines then this is definitely for you and will probably keep you on your toes!!

An FBI Special Agent crime series, The Safe House (2024) by Sam Baron is the third in a series featuring Special Agent in Charge Susan Parker. The team led by Susan has the best investigation closing rate, but cannot rely on their FBI resources to solve this multiple murder case. Susan is taken to a desert location where the hole in the ground indicates a massive explosion with numerous victims. None of the various crime police departments want anything to do with the death of these immigrants. Susan’s manager agrees to put her team on unspecified training activities, allowing the team to investigate using their own time and resources. Given the confusing interview information, a complex case ensues as the all too few clues lead to nothing and an unidentifiable suspect. A classic police procedural with realistic characters and an authentic case that is a delight of a four and a half stars read rating. With thanks to Storm Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced cop of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A well-written gripping police drama, with plenty of twists and turns to hold you attention. REcommended.

"The Safe House" by Sam Baron is a solid thriller that had potential but ultimately fell short of delivering the gripping experience I was hoping for. The premise is compelling, with FBI Agent Susan Parker taking on a harrowing investigation while grappling with her own personal demons. The setting of a collapsed underground safe house provides a unique and eerie backdrop that sets the stage for what could have been an edge-of-your-seat thriller.

However, the story struggles to maintain momentum. The pacing is uneven, with some parts dragging on while others feel rushed. Susan Parker is a well-drawn character, but her internal struggles sometimes overshadow the central mystery, making it difficult to stay fully engaged with the plot. The antagonist, "the Saint," had the potential to be a terrifying and memorable villain, but the lack of depth in their backstory left me wanting more.

The twists and turns in the investigation are somewhat predictable, and while there are moments of tension, they don't sustain the level of suspense I crave in a thriller. That said, the book does have its strengths, particularly in its portrayal of grief and the toll it takes on Susan.

Overall, "The Safe House" is a decent read, but I feel like it didn't reach its full potential. You won't regret reading it, but go in with the right expectations.

Thank you Sam Baron, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

3.5 stars

The Safe House by Sam Baron  is the third in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series. 

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
Series Background: (Warning - Contains spoilers from previous books) 
FBI Agent Susan Parker has been with the bureau over 10 years.  Her team consists of Special agents Ramon Diaz, Kayla Regis, and David Moskovitch, with Trainee agent Brine Thomas.   They work with Chief Evidence Investigator Marisol Mancini.  Detective Naved Seth from the local police force has been working with the group as a liaison.  Their old boss Deputy Director Connor Gentry is on leave pending some disciplinary action, and Deputy Director Zimal Bukhari has stepped in.  Susan is a single mother to 7 year-old Natalie, who is deaf, but her sister-in-law Lata has been helping out since Susan's husband Amit was murdered.  Susan's mother-in-law and her brother are antagonistic towards her, but her father-in-law is loving.  Recently Susan's home was burned to the ground by a serial killer targeting Susan.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Ramon seeks Susan's assistance when an underground safe house for illegal immigrants is blown up -- with the people still inside. No one survived.   Although this is too "hot" of a political issue for any of the police agencies or FBI to handle, Susan is given permission to go off the books and look into it.  She won't get much help, but she's allowed to use her team.

They quickly determine that this was a mass murder, and everything leads to someone that the refugees call "the Saint", who has been their savior in the past.  It may be that things have changed, as their savior may be the bomber.  The Saint apparently has some type of military background.  Things are about to get tense.

Meanwhile,  Susan and Lata are staying with the in-laws while they fight with insurance over the money from their house being burnt to the ground.  Things are not going well.  Then, Susan gets some disturbing news from Naved, who has  been looking into her hubsand's murder.


My Opinions:
This was really interesting.  I loved the plot from start to finish.

Again, the characters are really good.  Susan and her team are definitely a family.  I'm getting sick of her mother-in-law and her brother.  I'm hoping that their storyline will end soon.  At first I was annoyed that the author added so much diversity to her characters -- it seemed forced -- so many different ethnicities, sexual orientations, and people with disabilities within the series.  I'm now used to the inclusivity...or maybe not, as I am still thinking about it.

I'm hoping that the questions about Amit will be dealt with soon.  It's annoying that it goes from book to book to book without being finished.

Okay, as much as I complain, these books are really interesting, and I'm looking forward to the next book..

Sam Baron delivers another intriguing installment in his Agent Parker series, staying true to his signature style. The story's plot, particularly the antagonist's motive, is compelling and thought-provoking. It touches on themes that resonate beyond fiction, reflecting some unsettling truths about our country.

However, when it comes to Agent Parker's character development, I can't help but feel a bit let down. It seems like she hasn't grown or evolved much from the last novel to this novel. I don’t want to see her stuck in the same place, solving cases without any real personal progression.

On the other hand, Amit's story continues to fascinate me. It's a thread that has been skillfully woven into Agent Parker's narrative from the start, yet the author hasn't fully explored it. I'm really hoping for a dedicated novel that dives deep into Amit's backstory and gives it the attention it deserves.

Overall, while this book was an interesting read with a lot to offer, I'm left wanting more in terms of character growth and the unfolding of Amit's story. I’m eager to see where Sam Baron takes these elements in future installments.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read all three books in the series so far and this one didn't disappoint at all. I just loved it and whizzed through it really quite quickly.
Susan is just bad@ss, so likeable and I always want to know what she does next.
I like the closeness of the relationships with Lata and Natalie, and the other more difficult family dynamics.
I think the author is really good, they really know how to tell this story. I will look forward to book 4!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did I enjoyed it. Had I known it was the third in a series I would have sought out the other two first, or not bothered downloading this one. I can never really gel with characters where I know very little about their backgrounds, but the author did quite a good job of filling new readers in. The writing was good, and the plot was believable(ish) but I’m left wanting to know more. It means I’ll be on the lookout for the next book because I really want to know what happened to Amit, and who is the benefactor of this large inheritance that appears to be coming Susan’s way. I’m also hoping that her monster-in-law gets her comeuppance. Isn’t it strange how you can really dislike someone when you know barely nothing about them?! Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Fast paced, intense and kept me guessing until the end. Thrilling and I really enjoyed it. For sure a page turner that kept me engaged then entire time.

An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“The Safe House” by Sam Baron

In the heart-stopping and propulsive thriller The Safe House, FBI Agent Susan Parker faces her toughest case yet. When an underground safe house collapses in Santa Carina Valley, California, Susan is called to lead the investigation. Still reeling from her husband’s murder and struggling to rebuild her life as a single mom, Susan uncovers a chilling truth: this was no accident, but a cold-blooded mass murder. The trail leads to a mysterious figure known as ‘The Saint,’ a supposed savior with a twisted hatred and deadly agenda. As a ruthless killer targets the vulnerable, Susan races against time to unmask The Saint before more lives are lost.

Baron’s writing keeps readers addicted, and the suspenseful plot is perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, Lisa Regan, and A.J. Rivers. With vivid characters and a gripping narrative, The Safe House delivers a thrilling ride that will leave you breathless as it advances to its conclusion.

There is nothing I would change about this book, it was exciting, I LIKE the protagonist, the plot (and the supporting characters) was well-developed and interesting, which earns it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this grateful reader!

After I post this I am going to read the other two entries in this series, The Therapy Room and The Murder Club, which I just purchased.

Sam Baron is a mystery / police procedural author headed for the best seller's list.

This is book 3 in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series. Special Agent-in-Charge Susan Parker is based out of the Los Angeles Field Office and mainly investigates crimes in the Santa Carina Valley. Susan along with her team - Ramon, Kayla, Brine, David and her partner Detective Navid Seth, her liaison from the Santa Carina Valley Police Department become involved in a crime that no one wants to be solved. This is a well written and a very descriptive book with lots of twists and turns with a red herring or two thrown into the book. It is fast paced and a roller-coaster of a read. At one point, I thought I had guessed the culprit but I was proved wrong. Susan and her team go on a hunt to find the culprit behind a horrific crime of blowing up a safe house in the desert, I highly recommend this book.

My first Sam Baron book but definitely not my last. Parts of this were a difficult subject but wow it is very well written. The characters were perfect and kept me flipping pages long into the night. Really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you NetGalley, Sam Baron and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book

Another great entry in a great series, although it's getting frustrating that we're 3 books in, and we still only know only the barest information about Amit's death.

FBI agent Susan Parker is tasked with hunting down a dangerous mass murderer. There are plenty of explosions and lots of suspenseful drama.

I personally really struggled to get through this book. I really liked Book 2 of the series, but this one I just couldn't get into. I had hoped there would be some additional information regarding Susan's late husband, but we were left high and dry again. Maybe next time...

This is one of my favorite new series and this particular story is quite emotional. A man calling himself ‘The Saint’ purposely blows up a safe house for immigrants. It’s only because one of FBI Agent Susan Parker’s team has a tie to a victim’s family that they are even notified of the horrific incident. It gets worse when no agency wants to be involved. Even Susan’s team isn’t ‘officially’ working on the case. How will these victims ever get justice? And what will it cost all those involved?

Sadly, I could imagine this on the news any night of the week. No matter how anyone feels about immigration, any person who could not care about the callous loss of so many lives, young and old, in such a terrible way, would just be heartless. To think you’re on your way to a better life due to the aid of a total stranger, putting complete trust in that person, and then suffocating when the world explodes above you? It’s tragic. And then for the local and federal agencies not wanting to deal with it because of all the red tape? That’s exactly why Susan’s team is so compelling in these stories. You can picture them as real people, not just characters.

It was yet another book that I raced through because I was so immersed in it that I had to find out how it would end. I wasn’t disappointed! I’m so glad I discovered this series and I cannot wait to read the next one as soon as it’s available.

Having not read the first two books, I was leery going into it as I did not realize it was the third in a series. The blurb just sounded good! However, I pleasantly found myself catching on rather quickly to FBI Agent in Charge Susan Parker’s life thus far.
In this novel, she is after a mass murderer who bombed a safe house where illegal immigrants were awaiting further papers and instructions on where to go. Over half of them being children. With it being an election year, no department wants to touch this mess. Susan and her team work off the books to try and find this killer before more innocent lives are taken.
Dealing with not only this case, she is trying to be a single mom to her deaf daughter after her husband was murdered. And that’s a whole deeper mystery that will continue in the next book.
I enjoyed this enough that I will go back and read the first two books. I love how Susan marches to the beat of her own drum. As one character in the story told her, “It’s like you read the entire training manual and purposely do the opposite of what you are expected.” Or something along those lines. I like a black sheep, and this one has me eager to learn more of her story.

The Safe House by Sam Baron is a gripping thriller that dives deep into a chilling narrative of mass murder, deception, and relentless pursuit of justice. Set against the gritty backdrop of urban America, the novel follows FBI Detective Susan Parker, whose life takes a tragic turn when her house is burned down by criminals involved in a deadly plot against immigrants.

The story kicks off with a haunting scene: an enigmatic figure known as the "Saint" enters a safe house where immigrants are hiding. The Saint, who is perceived as a benevolent guardian offering food, water, and promises of relocation, turns out to be a cold-blooded deceiver. As he leaves, he detonates a bomb that collapses the building, killing everyone inside and leaving a trail of devastation.

Susan Parker, a widow juggling the responsibilities of caring for her daughter, Natalie, and her sister-in-law, Lata, is thrust into the heart of the investigation. Despite the government and local authorities' indifference and the dangerous nature of the case, Parker and her dedicated team bravely confront the unfolding mystery.

The novel’s suspense is amplified by a masterful plot twist which threw the readers off-guard, captivating and making them admire Baron's masterfully crafted novel even more.

The Safe House is a remarkable blend of action, mystery, and psychological intrigue, showcasing Baron’s ability to weave a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. It’s a testament to the strength of its characters and the complexity of its plot, ensuring that readers are both entertained and engaged throughout the journey.

The Safe House by Sam Baron The book has a chilling storyline filled with twists and turns with a unexpected ending. While the cases were intriguing, it was difficult to connect with the characters. A good serial murder mystery.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.