What is it about weddings? Odelia was happily planning to marry Asher, her younger love, even if her family was upset about it so why not take everyone to the Leopard Sands resort in South Africa. Well, things don't work out the way she planned because someone murders Odelia and then first her daughter and then her friend disappear. This is told from the POVs of the members of her family as well as workers at the resort. There's lots of drama as well as some ugly secrets. It meanders a bit at first but then picks up steam with a few well timed twists. Know that most everyone is unlikeable but that adds to the page turning. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Nicely atmospheric and entertaining.

There was a lot going on in this book. At times I had trouble keeping the characters straight and when the POV changed at each chapter I had trouble differentiating between narrators. Instead of there being so many little twists the book would have been better off concentrating on making one really good twist.

While I really enjoyed the setting of this book that might have been the only part I really enjoyed. I had higher hopes for this book.

Imagine being in South Africa at a luxury safari resort in the middle of dangerous wildlife, with a family of secretive and unlikeable people. Then the unthinkable happens when the hostess ends up murdered the night before her wedding.

To make matters worse, a rainstorm arrives which makes the roads to and from the resort impassable. Then, a guest goes missing and there is no way for police to come and investigate until the rain stops and the roads clear.

While waiting, each guest reflects on all that is wrong with the situation, this family, this marriage, and the list goes on. They all have their secrets. As the story progresses, readers will learn that the family is not as it seems.

A bit of a twisty ending wraps up this mysterious whodunit. Overall I liked it, although the first few chapters were a bit slow-moving.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am pleased to give my honest review and recommend this to other readers.

DNF at 40%. I think having so many different POVs has caused me to not feel invested in any of the characters.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria/ Emily Bestler Books for an eARC ♥️♥️♥️♥️

African sun. Odelia Babel, the formidable CEO at the center of this drama, is the kind of character you can’t look away from: powerful, flawed, and utterly fascinating right up to her shocking murder. The setting—an exclusive safari compound—should be paradise, but it quickly becomes a gilded cage where resentments fester and loyalties dissolve.

What makes this book so compelling isn’t just the whodunit (though the twists are expertly placed), but the way it dissects the Babel family’s fractured dynamics. The missing twin, the much-younger fiancé with questionable motives, the simmering grudges between siblings—every character feels fully realized, with hidden depths that keep you guessing. And just when you think you’ve pieced it together, the wild, untamed backdrop of the bush takes over, blurring the line between human malice and nature’s brutality.

The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere thick with tension, and the finale delivers a payoff that’s as satisfying as it is chilling. If you love thrillers where the family drama cuts as deep as the murder mystery, this one’s a must-read.

(And yes, it *deserves* a prestige TV adaptation—imagine the cinematography, the score, the sheer intensity of that final act.)

There is little doubt that The Safari will keep well-versed readers of suspense guessing whodunnit! The story’s premise and setting are original, yet I had an issue connecting to the cast of mostly unlikable characters. And it’s not as if I'm against plot distractors, but some diverted my attention from the main conflict. Nevertheless, the buildup of tension melded with twist after twist leads to a jaw-dropping ending. Goldis’ rich descriptive writing, opening my senses and fostering an ambience one would expect to find in the wilderness of South Africa, made for entertaining reading.

Mega-rich CEO of an eco-friendly fashion business has chosen a plush lodge in Kruger National Park to celebrate her second nuptials with those close to her. However, not only do a series of murders cause havoc, but nobody is left off the hook–that is, if they’re not knocked off beforehand! Drama, secrets, betrayal and grievances abound within this dysfunctional family who, at times, I wanted to strangle–no pun intended.

Narrated in the first person from multiple points of view, I found the pacing a tad slow until the second half. That being said, if you enjoy thrillers that drive home how the entitled upper class act up in a surrounding of opulence in the heart of stunning landscapes with diverse fauna, jump on this helter-skelter ride!

Thank you, Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Netgalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found it so hard getting into this book. I came very close to DNF'ing it but I powered through. I had read one previous book by this author and I had enjoyed it so that's why I gave this one a chance. It just took way too long introducing everything that I found almost the first 75% boring. Once it hit that 75% it got so intense and fun that I finally didn't want to put it down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.

This novel promised a rich family drama set on safari, but it didn’t work for me. The characterizations felt shallow and repetitive—Davina's post-baby body, Sam's sexuality, Joshua’s awkwardness—told rather than developed.

Most troubling were the racial dynamics. Set in South Africa, a country with a fraught colonial past and ongoing inequalities, the treatment of race—especially through Violet, a white South African character—felt careless. Her comments on safety, race, and affirmative action came off as uncritically presented, especially jarring given the author’s positionality. The book gestures toward complexity but lands in something far more uncomfortable.

I didn't get very far here because I did not get on with the book's style, which reads very unnaturally to me. Unfortunately I didn't get far as I really did not like the writing.

This is definitely a me thing and definitely check other reviews as a lot of people really love this book!

The Safari
Jaclyn Goldis
Emily Bester Books | Atria
05/20/2025

I have read both The Chateau and The Main Character, so when the opportunity arose to read her newest book The Safari, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Jaclyn Goldis captures the beauty, majesty, and danger of the South African wilderness with breathtaking precision. From the rustle of dry grass to the pulse of looming threats, The Safari pulls you deep into its lush, beautiful and dangerous world. The author includes details specific to the area that include their language, culture, values and traditions that authenticates this story pulling the reader deeply into this pulse pounding mystery.
Rich people behaving badly, multiple POV’s, tangled family rifts that span decades, secrets layered like a game of chess, and a cast of unreliable characters you won’t know whether to trust or suspect are exactly what you get when reading The Safari. Jacklyn is superb in her pacing and the ability to leave red herrings and/or subtle clues that you think may be inconsequential but - hang on – when you get to the end it will all come together in a way that will have you furiously flipping pages to get to the truth of what lies among the family members. If you’re craving a thriller that stands out with a jaw-dropping setting and nonstop suspense—this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

The Safari was WILD—and not just because of the lions and leopards 🐾 This book gave me everything I crave in a mystery:
🌿 an exotic, dangerous setting
👀 messy family secrets
🔪 and a twisty whodunit that kept me side-eyeing every character.

From page one, I was hooked. There’s just something deliciously tense about being stranded in the middle of nowhere with a killer on the loose. The safari vibes were so vivid I could hear the rustling grass and feel the suspense slinking through the trees.

But let’s talk about the drama. The family dynamics? Chef’s kiss. We’re talking betrayal, long-held grudges, and enough secrets to fuel an entire season of reality TV. I was pointing fingers in every direction—and then BAM 💥 another twist knocked me sideways.

And those twists? So. Well. Done. The author fed us little crumbs of suspicion just when we thought we had it all figured out—and it all came together in a way that felt so satisfying. No loose ends here, just gasp-worthy reveals and an ending that stuck the landing.

Yes, the chapters are a bit chunky… but honestly? I was so deep in this story I didn’t even notice. I flew through it.

📚 Final verdict: If you love murder mysteries with jaw-dropping reveals, tangled relationships, and a setting that feels like it’s breathing down your neck, The Safari needs to be on your TBR.

With the background of a lush African safari, this murder mystery will capture you from the very start. A thriller that I read by the beach and one that I will be thinking about for a very long time!

Thank you to Atria and Jaclyn Goldis for this ARC.

A locked-room mystery set in the African bush with the most toxic, unlikeable family ever? Safari is basically White Lotus meets The Guest List… with lions. If that appeals to you, keep reading. 😅🫠

🐘 What did you love the most?
This slow-burn thriller had me constantly second-guessing everything. 👀 I truly hated and distrusted every single character (in the best way). The messy family dynamics were next-level, and my unhinged theories only made reading more fun.

But the real standout? The setting. Goldis paints the African safari with such vivid detail that I felt the heat, the isolation, the danger. The tension builds with every scene, until the final act explodes like a lion pounce. 🦁

🐘 What to expect:
🫣 Dysfunctional family secrets
💍 Reverse age gap engagement
🚪 Locked-room mystery thriller
🦁 Vivid African safari setting

🐘 How was the pace?
It’s a true slow burn at first; most of the novel is a flashback leading up to the crime revealed in chapter one. But once the 60% mark hits, the plot accelerates like a jeep chase through the savanna. Buckle up. 😅

🐘 Do you recommend this book?
If you love psychological thrillers with toxic family drama, unreliable narrators, and lush, remote settings, Safari will be right up your alley. Just don’t expect a fast-paced action thriller. This one thrives on mood, manipulation, and one jaw-dropping ending. 💥

🐘 Perfect for fans of:
👀 Lucy Foley
👀 Ruth Ware
👀 Lisa Jewell

🐘 Mood: ☀️ Claustrophobic | 🐾 Atmospheric | 🧨 Explosive

🐘 Read if you like:
🌍 Locked-room thrillers in remote settings
🫣 Unlikable but compelling characters
💥 Family secrets unraveling in real time
🦓 Safari thrillers and destination suspense fiction

Goldis is a new to me author and this book did not disappoint! I loved all the twists and turns, some I saw coming, many I did not. I just enjoyed being along for the ride and where Goldis took the reader. Great book!

This was a genuinely difficult book to get through. The multiple view points of unreliable narrators should have been interesting, but they all were such unlikeable characters. We got constant diatribes about the issues with Aba and Ophelia to the point that the entire book was cycling around it endlessly. By the midway point, I had put the book down so many times out of boredom that I wasn't sure I could finish it.

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a complimentary copy of this novel! This reviews and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
On this South African safari, it’s not just the animals that are the hunter and the prey. Someone is hunting the humans and making them their prey. The wealthy Odelia Babel and her family are on their way to the exclusive luxurious Leopard Sands in South Africa to celebrate her nuptials to Asher Bach, 25 years younger than her. Her first husband died ten years ago. The group includes Joshua, her son with his wife and baby girl; Odelia’s twins Sam (male) and Bailey (female); and Gwen, Odelia’s longtime friend. On top if these people, there are longtime caretakers at the Leopard Sands. The only problem is....pretty much everyone in the family and also some of the caretakers all have secrets to hide and some are willing to kill to have their own way. Hours before Odelia and Asher are to tie the knot, Odelia is found murdered, with the main suspect being Sam. His only alibi is his twin sister Bailey, but she is nowhere to be found. Then Gwen goes missing too! Too many missing bodies. Someone isn’t who they say they are. Who is behind Odelia’s murder? While the African Safari poses numerous threats from wild animals and poachers, there is a threat far closer to home. Someone is hunting this family, and you won’t see it coming!!! I really enjoyed this novel. The first half is laid out in a way that each chapter gives background about how each family member, friends, and caretakers all have something against Odelia and a reason to kill her. The last half is where the action really begins! AVAILABLE May 20, 2025

4.25 stars
Wealthy Odelia Babel, the CEO of a sustainable fashion empire, is remarrying a much younger man. She has decided to have the celebration in South Africa at the luxury resort the family owns. In addition to the ceremony, a safari to view the wild animals in their natural habitat is on the agenda for her, her fiancé, best friend, and assistant and three grown children. One of her sons will also be accompanied by his wife and baby girl. The book includes multiple points-of-view, so setting the stage with the setting and getting to know all the characters means the first part of the story unfolds rather slowly.

When someone is killed, more and more secrets start to come out and the story really picks up. The showdown with the killer at the end is dramatic and thrilling. I like that there is a detailed epilogue to give closure to some of the outstanding plot points. The Safari is the first book I've read by this author. I was impressed by how skilled she was in smoothly combining family drama, details about safaris and South Africa, along with information about the Jewish faith. I enjoyed the book and would read more by this author.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy of the ebook. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Safari is my third Jaclyn Goldis book. I think Jaclyn Goldis is likely to become an auto-buy authour for me.

Safari is Goldis' typical wild ride of a book, quite literally in this case since it takes place in South Africa, on a safari.

What I enjoy about Goldis' books is that there are quite a few twists that I never see coming. Goldis writes in a way that I often find misdirecting. I am quite sure I've figured the mystery out and am always completely surprised at the end, Safari was no different.

Safari was a fast-paced, heart-pounding read. If I had one small complaint, it was that sometimes there was a little too much detail, and at times, just when I was getting to a really good part, then I'd find myself skimming paragraphs to get back to the really good stuff.

This was a mystery involving a family with incredibly complicated, if not fairly dysfunctional, dynamics. The Babel family travels to the Leopard Sands luxury safari resort to celebrate the upcoming second marriage of the family matriarch. To you guessed it, a much younger man. The tension in this family is palpable, with all of the adult children wanting to confront their mother. But then their mother is found dead on the morning of her wedding day, and fingers are pointing at each other.

There are so many secrets, lies, and bubbling up resentments, with not only the family but some of the staff as well. There are so many possible suspects that the book really kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the murderer was.

If you enjoy thrillers that involve complicated families, a closed circle of suspects, a fantastic setting, and lots of twists, this one is for you.

Odelia Babel, the powerful CEO of a fashion empire, invites her family on a luxury safari in South Africa to celebrate her upcoming wedding to a much younger man. But when Odelia is found murdered the morning after a heated argument with her son—and her daughter disappears—tensions explode. With danger lurking in the wild and secrets bubbling to the surface, the Babel family quickly realizes the killer may still be among them. Wow! This was an excellent read! I loved every twist and turn that this book provided!

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria and the author for a copy of this book!

The Safari blurb yanked me in by the neck as I thrive on adventure travel. The South Africa atmosphere descriptions were lovely with the trees and animals, yet at times I did not feel it was enough to consistently make me feel I was there. I appreciated the parallels between animals and people. However, all the characters were detestable and did not have redeeming qualities. Yes, it is fun to read about poor rich families and their dynamics but this was too much to invest in. The idea of a luxury family safari has all the hallmarks of thriller but it did not feel like that to me. It is rare for me to skip ahead in books but that is exactly what I did here. I did not enjoy the gratuitous adult situations or the spiritualism details such as tarot card readings which Gwen believed to be real. Murder and consequences sort of faded into the background. The writing style did not keep me riveted and this experience has taught me this author is just not for me. Others may really enjoy this novel.

The ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.