The Safe House

Emily Proudman's life was a mess. The London out-of-work actress had been filling in time temping but then she lost that job too. She had no spare money and is about to be homeless unless she can convince her parents to allow her to return home - just for a little while. Then her former boss, Scott Denny, offers her a job acting as housekeeper and odd-job person at his luxury estate in the south of France where she would be assisting his wife, Nina, and his daughter Aurelia.

Eventually Emily decides that she has no choice but to accept Scott's offer and finds herself living in a beautiful secluded property near the beach. She has her own living quarters and there is a pool. After meeting Scott's wife and daughter Emily feels that the arrangement might work - at least she will give it a try. Then Emily begins to notice things that she cannot explain and gradually becomes uneasy about her new environment, especially her relationship with Nina.

The story is told from the point of view of Emily and Scott and we gradually learn part of the back story as told by a third voice. Emily becomes aware that something sinister has occurred and that she must escape to save her life. At times during the book we learn a little about events that occurred when Emily and Nina were younger that may impact on current actions and relationships.

The author, Anna Downes, is English but now lives with her family in Australia. This is her first novel.