This thriller was a lot of fun, especially because of the safari aspect. You don’t get thrillers with that kind of setting. It was enjoyable and a great weekend read. I really like the author’s previous books, so when I saw I was approved for this one, I was extremely excited. Thank you NetGalley, Jaclyn Goldis and Atria for this digital arc.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book.

I was interested in this novel because of the setting--a (luxury) South African safari reserve. The story follows a wealthy American family as the family matriarch plans to marry her (much younger) fiancé.

What I liked: I did appreciate the setting and learning a bit about the people who populate this world. There were lots of twists and turns. I'm intrigued by the older woman/younger man narratives we're seeing more of today--we absolutely should normalize this so I was interested in that narrative set-up.

What didn't work as well: While I noted the twists and turns above, there was A LOT happening here. This reminded me of a 19th-century serially-produced sensation novel that had to have a cliffhanger at the end of every section. You'll see some of the twists coming. Some maybe not. But it feels like the narrative depth was minimized for the sensational twists. It was also hard for me to connect with any of the characters--they are mostly all unlikable, with is not a problem for me usually. However, they just seemed too shallow. I couldn't absorb them as well-rounded characters and their dialogue often felt inauthentic.

If you're looking for a light-ish, twisty read in a unique setting, this might work for you. If you want a more nuanced thriller with greater character development, this might be a miss.

This book had an interesting plot. However, I don't think this book was executed that well. This book had too many characters and too many perspectives to keep up with. I kept getting confused with who was who. That took away from the intense vibes of the book. This sounded so good but just missed the mark for me.

Thank you, Artria Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This comes out on May 20.

I was so excited when I received notification that my request was granted, but that excitement quickly turned to utter confusion. I had never heard of this author before I put in this request, and after I started to read the first few pages, I was sitting there going "HUH????" because the writing was so poor.

Imagine my shock when I ran to goodreads (to see if anyone else had read this), and saw that this author has several books out already. I read through the lowest-rated reviews, and it seems like everyone had the same complaint-that the writing didn't feel natural, that it was "over-written", and just a bad book, and, I have to agree.

I can only speak about this specific title, but there were so many glaring issues just in the first couple of pages, that I wonder if this book was generated by A.I. This story is not written in a natural way at all. It's like prompts were just generated, including things like "bushes that shiver" (bushes do not shiver/do not experience fear), which is what the author was implying, and it makes more sense to me that this was a book cobbled together by AI than it having been written by an actual person, with it being green-lit for even just ARC reviews. It's that badly written.

If this was not written by AI, then I don't even know what to say other than this was an extremely jarring and frustrating read that needs a serious rewrite and a good editor. I would even say this book is unreadable. I have read plenty of bad books over the years, but at least I can say that those books felt like they were just either not for me, or were just poorly-written by an author who needed more time and/or a better editor, but this book just felt so......not like a book. It's hard to describe unless someone has read it themselves.

Thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to read and review this book,

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis is a compelling mystery, however I did not like or relate to any of the characters in this book.

The characters in this novel consisted primarily of a group of entitled siblings that feel that the money their parents earned should be freely handed out to them, that somehow they have "earned" it.

The mystery in this book has a few talented twists, however I was intrigued by the title of this book, and I hoped to learn more interesting facts along the way about the animals seen on a safari as I doubt I will experience one.

I did finish this novel, however, I feel it lacked in character development.

Just because a book is a mystery, it is still nice to have a person or two with good intentions along the way. If this isn't the case, it minimizes one's pleasure in reading the story (you merely feel lucky to not be surrounded by such a group of one -dimensional selfish people).

When I got the email for this one, I was sold with the premise. It just didn't work for me with all the multiple POV's of unreliable narrators that were all highly unlikable. The beginning of the book is very slow and nothing really happens. It was too much of a slow burn for me that even if it did pick up, it had hindered my enjoyment already. I have seen it being recommended to people who enjoy Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, those are 2 authors I don't vibe with. Hence why I think this was in the same style and wasn't for me.

This was sooo White Lotus x Agatha Christie and I loved it! Lots of reveals sprinkled throughout so it was never boring.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy.

Murder in the Savannah

Ever wondered what would happen if you mixed Succession with Lion Country? That's pretty much what Jaclyn Goldis serves up in The Safari, a murder mystery that proves family dynamics can be just as dangerous as the predators prowling outside your luxury tent.

The setup is deliciously scandalous: Odelia Babel, a fashion CEO with more money than scruples, is about to marry a man young enough to be her son at a swanky safari resort. Plot twist? The place was built by her dead husband. Before anyone can say "inappropriate timing," guests start dropping like flies, and suddenly, everyone's both hunter and prey.

Goldis, a former lawyer who knows her way around family drama, turns the African bush into more than just fancy scenery. The wilderness becomes a character itself, its raw danger matching the savage secrets lurking behind the resort's polished facade. There's something deeply satisfying about watching privileged people squirm when their five-star bubble starts to pop.

The characters are sharply drawn, each hiding enough skeletons to fill a game reserve. The author weaves their stories together like an expert tracker following footprints, leading readers through false trails and surprising revelations. And while the beginning might feel as slow as a tortoise race while Goldis sets up her chess pieces, the payoff hits like a charging rhino.

Sure, the plot occasionally stumbles like a baby giraffe finding its legs. But when it runs, it really runs. Goldis uses her legal background to add authentic bite to the family's twisted relationships, creating a story that's part murder mystery, part family therapy session from hell.

If you enjoy Ruth Ware's claustrophobic thrillers or Lucy Foley's wedding-gone-wrong tales, you'll feel right at home in this deadly safari. Just don't expect to trust anyone – in this game reserve, everyone's a potential predator.

3.5/5 stars – A slow-burning thriller that eventually catches fire like the African sun.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

I was mixed about this one. On the positive side, the descriptions of the safaris and the animals were rich, detailed and thoughtful. You could feel the love for the subject. The South African setting was compelling, as was the interspersing of Afrikaans and other dialects throughout the dialogue. The characters were vibrant and well-defined. On the negative side, the multiple points of view weren't difficult to follow, but it seemed like an inordinate number of narrators. The family dynamics were, ahem, interesting, and a little unrealistic and unbelievable for me. I didn't have anyone I was rooting for -- not that that's necessary, but it helps me connect with the story. It took a looooooong time to set up the story and for something to happen - I almost DNFed.

Overall, this was interesting, a little long-winded, in a fascinating setting. I'm sure it will find its audience.

I loved the cover, too.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

"The Safari" by Jaclyn Goldis is a gripping and emotional thriller that takes readers on a heart-pumping adventure through the African savannah. This intense story follows a group of friends as they embark on a safari vacation, only to find themselves fighting for survival against a ruthless enemy.

The setting of this book was really unique. The South Africa setting and culture elements added to the story. The first part of the story is very complex getting to know the characters and their history and connections. It is needed for the last half of the book that will make fly by!
If you love rich people drama stories with betrayals, secrets and a great atmospheric setting this book is perfect for you.

I love reading about insufferable rich people and this hit the mark, I didn't like most of the characters but I think that was the point, this is super twisty and had me hooked, a great thriller

I received an ARC of this book from Atria via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I really loved this one and was surprised to see the average rating on here was not higher! Also definitely going to seek out this author's other books now.

The setting was amazing. I am wondering how Ms. Goldis did the research. The descriptions of the resort were jaw-dropping.

I enjoyed the different POV's, and I felt most characters were at least somewhat likable. Aside from Odelia and her deceased husband, that is.

The surprises kept coming, though I did predict a few of them to some extent. But they all made sense! Nothing, to me, was a crazy twist just to be twisty. I thought all the surprises helped explain the characters' motivations and actions.

I also thought the writing was beautiful and lyrical.

Odelia Bable, is the CEO of a fashion empire. Started by her husband before he died. Her three children are grown but still pretty much under her thumb. Oh, there will be tension!

Odelia is going to get married. To one of her designers. And he is quite a bit younger. The tension mounts.

The wealthy Bables own a hunting lodge in South Africa and that is where they all come together to celebrate their mother and her marriage.

These three kids could not be more different but none of them are feeling great about the marriage.

There were quite a few different points of view here. And it felt like everyone was holding secrets. Maybe because they were! And oh my, they were big!

Someone will die and everyone’s life will be turned upside down!

I love this story. The setting, the children, the manager…all good characters.

Well Done!

NetGalley/ Atria May 20, 2025

3.5 stars- wow this was a wild ride! one of my favorite tropes..rich people behaving badly but all the twists and turns to the very end left me consistently hooked! thanks netgalley & the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

A great choice for a vacation read -- the author drops you right into the action of a family trip on safari in South Africa during a wedding weekend, and the drama is high. The story is told through alternating viewpoints by half a dozen characters, highlighting the unraveling relationships surrounding the central murder. I think this one is my favorite by Jaclyn Goldis to date. I appreciate the author's historical research for her novels, amidst the thriller/mystery elements.

I couldn't put this one down. And, while I enjoyed the twists and turns, at the end of the book, there MAY have been one character with whom I felt sympathetic. For the most part, the book's characters were self-centered, grasping people who would stop at nothing to achieve their own ends.

Wild animals, poachers, a harsh environment, storms, infighting over the family corporation, and mysteries on every side make this book one that will hold the reader's interest. The many unexpected twists will initially be a surprise but then make sense. The wealthy Babel family is visiting their compound in South Africa to celebrate the wedding of the matriarch to a younger man (Asher Bach). The family consists of Odelia, her children Joshua, his wife and infant daughter, and twins Sam and Bailey, as well as Odelia's lifelong best friend Gwen and Odelia's fiancé Asher Bach. The Babels have been visiting for years: Odelia's first husband is even buried there. The cast of characters includes longtime family retainers Violett, the head housekeeper, and safari guide Markus, whose lives are intertwined with those of the Babels.

If you're looking for constant thrills and surprises, read this book but if you're looking for characters you can identify with and feel compassion for, you won't find many in this work by Jaclyn Goldis.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis. This was one wild ride! You may think you know what's going to happen next, but trust me - you don't.

A suspenseful family thriller that has layers of twists. I enjoyed reading this book but disliked 90% of the characters. Maybe that was the point that most of these people are insufferable. This would be a great book for a thriller based book club:

this is a thriller set in Africa. The descriptions of the setting was beautfily written and I loved it. The book took me a little bit to get into since the beginning of a lot of character building, but once you got to the last third of the book, it flew and tied up all the loose ends.