She Thought She Was Safe

by Terri Parlato

Overview

A young woman is reunited with the famous father she never knew at a secluded lakeside community hiding nightmarish secrets in this immersive modern-day gothic for readers of psychological suspense by Mary Kubica, Sheri Lapena and Megan Miranda.

After the double blow of divorce and her mother’s death, Emma Shrader receives an invitation to meet her estranged father for the first time. Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who had a brief fling with Emma’s mom, then disappeared. Now he’d like Emma to come stay at his beautiful home on Cheshire Lake in Maine.

The Spencer house is a towering Victorian steeped in history and lore, from its ornate turret to the little cemetery nestled in adjoining woods. It should be an inspiring place for Emma to finish working on her own novel, especially with Alex’s guidance. But when a neighbor is found dead under strange circumstances, the surroundings begin to feel less idyllic and welcoming. Not everyone is happy about Emma’s arrival, either—especially not Alex’s other daughter, Sunny.

There are things Emma keeps to herself about her chaotic childhood and ex-husband, but Cheshire Lake harbors secrets too—some recent, some decades old. What exactly has been going on in this quiet, close-knit community? And how much of it has to do with Emma’s arrival?

As Emma learns of other disappearances and mysterious deaths, what seemed like a fresh start begins to fill her with unease. Emma thought Cheshire Lake held the home and family she’s long been looking for. Now she wonders if she’ll ever be allowed to leave alive . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496755728
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	02/24/2026
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304

About the Author

Terri Parlato is the acclaimed author of domestic suspense, including All the Dark Places and What Waits in the Woods. Born and raised in upstate New York. She currently lives in a small north Georgia town with her husband and dog, Lucy. For more information, visit her online at TerriParlato.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Terri Parlato:

"Menacing...A deliciously twisty adventure." —PEOPLE Magazine, Best Books of December for Watch Your Back

“Brimming with creeping dread and isolation, this novel held me in its thrall from page one. Parlato tightens her expert grip, layering a creepy backstory of families enmeshed in disturbing and deadly ways, with increasingly nerve wracking circumstances in the present, and leading the reader to an explosive finale.” —Emily Carpenter, author of Gothictown on She Thought She was Safe

“Parlato smartly splits the novel into chapters narrated by Eve, Nathan, and Rita, using each perspective switch to cast things in a new light.” —Publishers Weekly on Watch Your Back

“Parlato’s multidimensional characters and effective use of red herrings will keep readers invested right up to the gasp-worthy conclusion. Series fans and newcomers alike will look forward to Rita’s next case.”—Publishers Weekly on What Waits in the Woods

“A failed ballerina’s return home is turned upside down by the appearance of a dead body in her family’s yard…Parlato piles on the rumors, menace, and revelations.”—Kirkus Reviews on What Waits in the Woods

“Rita’s perspective as an older, single woman with family issues of her own complements Esme’s tale as they each confront the secrets of Graybridge. Another highlight is Esme’s background as a dancer: the fading of her dreams grounds the narrative in realism as she struggles to adjust to her new life, for better or worse.”—Criminal Element on What Waits in the Woods

“A suspenseful thrill ride…Plenty of red herrings and twists-and-turns will keep readers guessing until the very end.” —Fresh Fiction on What Waits in the Woods

“A riveting plot.”—CrimeSpree Magazine on What Waits in the Woods

“A creepy debut most notable for the nightmares it finds beneath apparently untroubled surfaces.” —Kirkus Reviews on All the Dark Places

“An inexplicable murder kicks off Parlato’s gripping debut…Assured pacing matches accomplished characterizations. Parlato is off to a strong start.” —Publishers Weekly on All the Dark Places

“Part police procedural, part domestic suspense, All the Dark Places provides mystery fans with the reading experience they crave.” —Brian Kenney, First Clue on All the Dark Places

“This debut novel is well crafted and hooked me in the first chapter…The plot is deeply involved with several twists to the story to keep readers captivated to its dramatic conclusion.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine on All the Dark Places

"Terri Parlato's debut All the Dark Places checks all the right boxes for domestic suspense fans. This chilling whodunnit hooked me on the first page and kept me guessing to the last." —Wendy Corsi Staub, New York Times bestselling author

“All the Dark Places by Terri Parlato is a must read for anyone who loves a good mystery! The suspense was spine-tingling and the characters were interesting but believable. I loved this book and had to force myself to lay it aside at night. Seriously, a must read!” —Lisa Jackson, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

“A moody, atmospheric thriller perfectly crafted with just enough clues dropped along the way to keep the reader guessing and hopelessly addicted. I know I was.” —Charlie Donlea, USA Today bestselling author of Twenty Years Later on All the Dark Places

“Hooks you immediately. Sharp characters and a plot full of twists kept the pages turning to the last. Fantastic read!” —Mary Burton, New York Times bestselling author on All the Dark Places

“From the first pages to the stunning conclusion, All the Dark Places hums with tension. With meticulous plotting and a tenacious detective, Parlato peels back the layers of Molly and Jay’s seemingly ordinary life to reveal that dark secrets rarely stay hidden.” —Tessa Wegert, author of Dead Wind

“If you are a fan of thrillers that will keep you up at night, whispering "one more chapter" to your alarm clock, Parlato's murder mystery is the book for you. Two women—one with a traumatic past, the other a police detective—come together after a savage killing at a 40th birthday party rocks a tight-knight Massachusetts community. You know what they say about small towns: They often have big secrets.” —Enews (eonline.com) on All the Dark Places

From the Publisher