THE SAFE PLACE

When something seems too good to be true, it probably is. A captivating narration by author Anna Downes adds that extra spark to her neo-gothic novel. After losing her acting job, her agent, and her apartment, Emily gets a promising job as a housekeeper/girl Friday for her former boss, Scott, at his remote French estate, Querencia. After meeting Nina, his high-strung wife, and Aurelia, his troubled daughter, Emily almost quits, but she decides to stick it out for the summer. Downes knows her characters and delivers them with professional expertise, original plotting, and a masterful performance. She creates an uneasy atmosphere from the first, adding layers of uncertainty that cause Emily (and the listener) to question reality. Chilling. Disturbing. A nail-biter to the end. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2020]