Fantastic book! I would highly recommend both this book and other books by this author. Be sure to read this book!

The Babel family reunites at their African safari resort to celebrate their mother, Odelia’s, new marriage to a man 20 years younger than her. They all run a sustainable clothing company and tensions run deep between Odelia and her three kids: Joshua, Sam, and Bailey. None of them know Asher, their soon to be stepdad, too well and all of them are suspicious. When someone turns up dead, they realize that money and revenge are the most powerful motivators of all.
I really enjoyed this book. The locale, the descriptions, the research of Africa, were all so impressive and detailed. The tension was excellent too. While I did put a few of the twists together, I enjoyed and was surprised at a few turns as well. Highly recommend and will be reading more from this author!

When you think about a Safari, I’m sure you’re thinking lush landscapes, exotic animals, and a once in a lifetime experience. After all, many of us never get to go on one in real life so reading about it in a book is fun. But what happens when humans and animals are both predators? That’s what you’ll find out when reading this book!

This murder mystery has a unique setting which is something I really appreciated. I can’t remember reading a book set in the South African safari, so this was a delight for me. On top of that, we have a murder mystery which is hard to figure out because it feels like EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER could be the culprit. All the narrators are unreliable, all are hiding big secrets, and each one could easily be the killer. For the most part, I enjoyed this. However, the guessing really did overthrow my overall enjoyment because it was SO MUCH. There’s a lot of drama, a lot of nasty characters, and the toxicity bleads through the pages. While it’s entertaining it does get on your nerves after a while (for me anyway). But overall, I think the book is good and that’s a personal preference. Would I still recommend it? Yes! I think many readers will love this one despite some of the things that annoyed me.

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Murder Mysteries
❥ Exotic Locations
❥ Family Drama
❥ Unreliable Narrators

Love this! Will likely pick it as my book club pick for our October thriller. I am a sucker for a trip-gone-awry and this delivered. I did not guess the twists which was very fun. I loved the descriptions of the safari trips and also of the Jewish foods! I have a few new recipes to try. White Lotus/Agatha Christie vibes.

Publication Date: May 20, 2025

Odelia has found love again after the loss of her husband. Asher is everything she has always hoped for; he is creative, passionate, loving. He is 25 years younger than her and also an employee at her wildly successful clothing empire, but she hopes her grown children Joshua, Sam and Bailey will grow to love him as she does. They are currently travelling to South Africa for their whirlwind wedding - but what will happen when they land at the lodge? Will it be happily ever after? Or something far more sinister?

PROS and CONS:
Certainly lots of twists and turns in this one (maybe too many?) - after quite a slow build up there was a lot of action in the end. Some parts stretched believability but in the end it all made sense. I loved the unique setting and the family drama, but found there were maybe a few too many secrets to keep track of, and I found it hard to get attached to any of the characters.

READ IT?
If you are craving a mystery filled family drama based in South Africa - then this one’s for you.

3 Stars

A mystery, a thriller, a suspense and of course a whodunnit. Even when we discovered who had done it, it didn’t end there, with more suspense thrown in and of course more secrets, because it’s always about the secrets and lies. Told in multiple POVs, we get to see inside nearly everyone’s mind, and guess what, they’ve all got a grouch to bear with the victim. A toxic family, non of whom are really happy - so much family drama. As the saying goes - money doesn’t buy you happiness, and this is very definitely the point in this story. So many twists and turns as the story unravels. I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t see it coming, any of it (well maybe one little bit), and I was hooked from start to finish. I even shed a tear or two at one point. A Highly entertaining read. A modern day Agatha Christie. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis is a family drama taking place in Africa at the family's private estate. I found it to be long and drawn out, the family bickering over too many issued became tedious and although I finished it I found myself skipping through sections of character dialogue to get it done. The descriptions of Africa were lovely, though. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I like the idea of this book; it has an Agatha Christie feel to it. However, as hard as I tried, I just could not get into this book. It seemed to drag on and on with not much going on, and the bickering between family was a bit much for me. This book just was not for me.

The Safari 🦓

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: May 20, 2025

The very wealthy Babel family is headed to the safari resort they own in South Africa to celebrate the matriarch of the family as she marries her soon to be second (and much younger) husband. The morning of the wedding a body is discovered, and the hunt is on for who did it.

I loved this. The setting was by far my favorite part of the book. Reading about this location and getting little tidbits about the culture of South Africa was really interesting. The mystery itself is basically a closed door thriller, but something about the location just made it feel different and better than other books I have read in this genre. I thought the character development was really well done, and I enjoyed getting points of view from several different people.

The story does start with a bang, but it does take until about the 45% mark to really get back into the mystery. I didn’t have a problem with it, and enjoyed the time spent with character development and setting the stage. I also enjoyed the ending! Lots of little surprises I didn’t see coming, but they also made sense!! No weird stuff out of no where 🙌🏼

Thank you to @Netgalley and the publisher Atria and Emily Bestler Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was the perfect binge-worthy destination thriller to cure my White Lotus hangover!
I absolutely love a luxe resort setting (the more isolated the better) for my summer thrillers, and The Safari takes place in a glamorous South African resort where the owners and their extended family have arrived for a wedding. But murder and missing guests crash the occasion and everyone seems to be a potential suspect. Family drama, hidden identities, decades of resentment, a billion dollar company at stake, and so many twists made this such a fun read, and I highly recommend thriller readers add this to their TBR.

This book was around 2.5-2.75 stars me. I enjoyed the family drama and the setting in the story, and the author's writing style.

But the story dragged a bit for me until halfway through and then the pace picked up and got more interesting. I had trouble understanding some of the references though, and found myself skimming a lot, so it felt like even less was happening. Another thing that made it difficult for me to follow along was the constant change of POV and all the characters I had to keep track of.

Once I started to understand the references, language, and characters, I was able to enjoy the mystery. None of the characters were particularly likable, but that made the family drama more interesting for me.

A big thank you to Atria books for this ARC!

Loved this destination thriller! Loved the visualisation and the atmosphere created throughout. The multiple perspectives help where everyone has their own motives and secrets.

It is quite well written and engaging. You know what's going to happen with the death of the matriarch and her upcoming wedding. However the setting prior is absolutely well done. I also liked how the characters and the suspicions regarding them were set up. Overall an interesting thriller that I absolutely loved and recommend!

Thanks Atria Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Jaclyn Goldis is one of my favorite authors today. She’s a Jewish thriller author who writes amazingly complex and fascinating stories about Jewish characters just living their lives, navigating the world around them while also being, well, Jewish.

And for a Jewish reader, that’s a breath of fresh air. OK, off my soapbox.

Now onto the story itself. Odelia is a “Girlboss,” who at 64, is remarrying a much younger man, at tge safari lodge she owns with her adult children in attendance. But the morning of the ceremony, she’s found dead, coincidentally after fighting with both of her sons the night before. And her daughter is missing. It’s all a mess, to put it lightly.

The story begins with the discovery of Odelia’s body in the prologue, then jumps back to the family’s arrival at the resort two days earlier, then moves linearly through events.

Like I said, this book is a thrill from start to finish. It’s clear from the beginning that this family is completely dysfunctional and it’s immediately confirmed as we learn more about the family dynamics, specifically following the death of the family’s former patriarch years before. Needless yo say, this creates immediate tension and an atmosphere of suspense as we wait for the “big event.” I mean, we know what’s coming, but now we have like five suspects.

Because as the story unfolds, it’s not just that the family is screwed ip, it’s everyone around them as well. The author does a great job of weaving together so many stories and characters, while keeping things easy to follow and engaging. And in the end, everything comes together so beautifully, and all the secrets are revealed in ways that wrap up all of the storylines neatly.

I loved this book, and it was completely different from the last book I read from her. I can’t wait yo see what she’ll think up next!

Odelia Babel, CEO of a sustainable fashion empire, is about to marry for the second time to a younger man named Asher Bach. She invites her family and friends to a luxury safari in South Africa to celebrate, but tensions among them lead to a big fight. The morning after, Odelia is found murdered, and her son, Sam, becomes the prime suspect. With his alibi being his missing twin sister Bailey, the family is left in turmoil as dark motives and hidden secrets come to light. As the investigation unfolds, dangers lurk in the safari, and it becomes clear that the killer is still targeting the Babel family.

This book started off slowly and complicated, but don't let that scare you away! It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I urge you to give it a chance and form your own opinion. Perhaps the audiobook will be more upbeat!

With a variety of characters and different points of view, especially towards the end, we get a full understanding of the dynamics at play. It's easy to keep track of everyone, as each character has their own unique traits and personalities that add to the family drama and mystery of who did what and why. The small details are all tied up nicely towards the end, shedding light on certain behaviors and irrational actions.

The vivid descriptions of the environment make you feel like you're right there on safari with the family, witnessing everything unfold. The author's familiarity with the setting adds an extra layer of beauty and believability to the story.

This book is a complex family drama with roots in the distant past. Stick with it, even if things seem confusing at first and it all seems like rich people problems. Everything comes together in the end, turning it into a suspenseful murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns. The ending was unexpected and unsettling!

If you enjoy tangled family dynamics, hidden secrets that can't stay hidden forever, family pressures, a touch of religious influence, and a lack of personal freedom, then this book will either captivate you or push you over the edge. Let me know what you think!

Thank you, Atria Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved the setting of the book and felt it played a major part in the story but the plot was not that original and dragged in areas . It was an ok read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

"When a wealthy family goes on a South African safari, a series of shocking murders rocks their exclusive compound in this unputdownable thriller from the acclaimed author of the "rollicking good fun" (The Wall Street Journal) The Main Character.

Odelia Babel, CEO of a sustainable fashion empire, is about to marry for the second time - to a man twenty-five years her junior. Asher Bach is the thirty-something designer of Odelia's luxury clothing line, the darling of every high-fashion journalist, and madly in love with Odelia.

Eager to celebrate her nuptials with her nearest and dearest, Odelia invites her adult children, her daughter-in-law, her grandchild, and her best friend/assistant to an all-expenses-paid luxury safari at Leopard Sands in South Africa, the Babel family's favorite vacation spot. In its soil, they have deep roots - and even deeper secrets.

It seems like the perfect trip, but not everyone is thrilled for the happy couple. Amid game drives in the bush and bonfires beneath the desert stars, tensions among the family threaten to boil over. And then, the morning after a big fight with her son Sam - and hours before the wedding - Odelia is found murdered. Sam is immediately the prime suspect, but he claims he has an ironclad alibi - he was with his twin sister, Bailey. Only Bailey is nowhere to be found...

As the heat roils, desperate poachers and ferocious animals lurk, and dark motives fester, it becomes clear that whoever killed Odelia isn't quite finished yet, and the rest of the Babel family is their prey."

I mean, at least let the woman get married before she's brutally murdered...

This South African-set tale is full of intrigue, secrets, and danger.

The Babel family is supremely wealthy, and matriarch Odelia decides to celebrate her wedding to her decades younger husband at the family home in the heart of Africa. Along for the ride are her best friend and her three adult children, along with one's wife and child. Dark secrets begin to seep out before the ceremony can even begin.

This book was incredibly atmospheric - I could hear the hyenas in the distance, could feel the South African heat, could see the hippos and crocodiles in the rivers. The chapters detailing the game drives, where the family goes out on Safari in open air jeeps, felt dangerously exciting and easily grabbed my attention.

The characters all have hidden depths that gradually come out over the course of the book. Much of the book has a slower pace as the author sets up who is who and gives the characters motivations for their actions. The back portion of the book definitely speeds up as twist after shocking twist is revealed, and I read several reveals with my jaw dropped.

Read if you like:
⭐️ Rich people doing terrible things
⭐️ Insanely dysfunctional family dynamics
⭐️ Locked room mysteries
⭐️ Thoughts on the circle of life

Thank you to Atria for the gifted ARC!

I was excited to pick up The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis as I already own The Chateau. The safari location was unique. Every person in the book had their own unique history and motive. It was even better than her first novel.

This was such an enjoyable read! I stayed up late to finish this one because it was so good. I loved the setting, the characters were richly layered, and the plot interesting and unique. While most mystery/thrillers have one or two big twists, this had at least six twists - all surprising but believable. I highly recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC!

This was a pretty decent murder-mystery with a unique setting.

I think the backdrop of this story was a character onto itself almost, and it definitely set the scene for a unique locked-room murder-mystery. The author did a good job describing the South African landscape, with its wild beauty and always-present dangers.

However, I think the setting was the only "character" I truly liked - and I still wonder if this was intentional. All of the "main" characters (i.e. the Babel family members) were all unlikeable and I found I honestly couldn't care less for their inner struggles. A family of entitled nepo-babies and their messy parents with their messy secrets was hard to feel empathetic towards - that's even before the heavy-handed religious virtue-signalling.

I kept going back and forth with my thoughts on the different family members. Did the author mean to write them in a way that made us hate them? But then some chapters seemed to want to make the reader empathize with the characters and see the human behind the billionaire - but it just didn't do it for me. This family is just one more amongst the many who exploit the poor in order to profit, and I don't need fiction to experience that type of story.

The whodunnit itself was fairly predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. The beauty of locked-room murder-mysteries is always the descent into chaos - the slowly building tension and unease as the characters don't know who to trust anymore, until the grand reveal of the true culprit. I also appreciated the slightly prolonged epilogue that wrapped the characters' side stories nicely.

Overall a decent murder-mystery and quick read if you enjoy locked-room Christie-like plots with unique settings.