A story full of twists and turns, lies and deceit: get ready for In Safe Hands by J. P. Carter.
The first book in a new series that you’ll not want to miss…
The plot:
Be careful who you trust with your children…
When nine children are snatched from a nursery school in South London, their distressed parents have no idea if they will ever see them again. The community is in shock – no one saw a thing.
With the kidnapper’s ransom becoming more demanding, and one little boy fighting for his life, can DCI Anna Tate uncover the truth before time runs out?
It’s one of the most disturbing cases she has ever worked on. Not only because nine children are being held hostage, but because she’s certain someone close to them is lying…
Definitely one of the more favourable detectives I’ve read
Some parts are very hard to swallow, especially when it involves such a sensitive topic, but props to Carter because it just goes from 0 to 100 real quick. It’s weird in a way, because I felt like this could have genuinely been happening now, especially through certain words/terminology. In Safe Hands reads, rather upsettingly, realistic, and made me even question aspects of real-life.
In hindsight, one aspect is quite predictable, but your suspicions are quashed quite quickly, and then re-appear for them only to be like ‘nah, surely not’. Basically, In Safe Hands just keeps you on your toes and throwing you around the place, in the. best. way. possible.
The chapters are regularly split between Ruth (the parent of the unwell child), Anna (the DCI and series protagonist), and the occasional throwback of Anna’s past. It is seamless and involves those chapter ends where you don’t want to put it down.
Anna is definitely one of the more favourable detectives I’ve read. Her back story is shocking itself, and she doesn’t have the usual drinking problem or ‘I’m a wreck’ personality that a lot of other lead-detective series have. It made for such a fresh change and when you start to uncover more information about her past, you’re in for a treat.
When it all comes together, it comes together well with no questions left unanswered. A fabulous idea for ‘why’, but this book feels more about the journey to uncovering the truth than that huge plot twist. But it’s a good plot twist. Reeeeeeeeeeaaalllllll good.
I think the epilogue definitely made it for me here, because now I’ve GOT to read the next book, At Your Door (out in August 2019).
Very well planned and contemporary, in the same league as Cara Hunter (who you all know I LOVE). Bookmark That approved for all you thriller-loving fans out there.
Warning: Child abduction.
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In Safe Hands, J. P. Carter, RRP £7.99 (paperback); Book Depository
Pages: 360
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Thriller
