Keep Me Safe, Maya Banks' newest thriller

When millionaire Caleb Devereaux’s little sister is kidnapped he doesn't turn to the police or private security, He tracks down the elusive psychic Ramie St. Claire. Caleb is shocked when he finally finds her living in a secluded shack - she’s so tiny and fragile, and she has a broken look about her. Nevertheless, disregarding her seemingly callous refusal to help, Caleb forces her to hold his sister’s scarf. ..and watches in horror as it links Ramie’s psyche to Tori’s and Ramie lives everything Tori is experiencing at the hands of a murderer and rapist. Ramie finally surfaces enough to tell Caleb where Tori is being held. Despite his guilt over what he’s made Ramie experience, he must leave the broken woman, rushing off to prevent his sister’s murder. He leaves, but not before promising to return.

He does try to find Ramie once his sister is home, but the psychic is once again off the grid. She stays that way for a year. Until the night Caleb receives a frantic phone call: It seems Ramie has been hiding not from notoriety or the pain of helping victims. She has been on the run, constantly moving from place to place, chased and stalked by a psychotic, probably psychic, serial killer. She needs help, and the only person with the resources to protect her is Caleb Devereaux.

It’s not often that I enjoy a book so much when I don’t particularly care for the main character. But while I was annoyed by the repetitive reassuring conversations with and constant neediness of Ramie, I also understood that those traits were the result of losing every scrap of hope while being stalked relentlessly for over a year. The character truly came to life for me, and while she drove me nuts, I also hurt for her.

I absolutely devoured this novel. This was, in fact, one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read all year. I finished it in less than 24 hours, something I haven’t done since the last Harry Potter novel came out. Maya Banks has a true talent for crafting a novel. The plot was tight and never really slowed down; the writing carried me along even when I really needed to stop for awhile; and the characters were very well-drawn - so realistic that I wanted to shake them. In particular Ramie, who was so...needy...had a tendency to make me crazy. But Banks made me understand that Ramie's annoying traits were the result of losing every scrap of hope while being stalked relentlessly for over a year. The character truly came to life for me, and while she drove me nuts, I also hurt for her. And when I finished Keep Me Safe I wasn’t satisfied…I need the rest of this series. I must find out what happens to the rest of Caleb’s broken family. I really want to know how their stories continue...and end.

Banks, Maya. Keep Me Safe: A Slow Burn Novel. New York: Avon, 2014. 4.5 stars.

Disclaimer:  As an Avon Addict I received a copy of this novel free from the publisher  in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone.