A Masterclass in Misdirection: JC Fuller's "Safe to Assume" Delivers Smart, Visual Crime Fiction
"JC Fuller's 'Safe to Assume' is a delightfully cunning thriller that proves assumptions can be deadly—both for the characters and for readers who think they've cracked the case. This isn't your typical suspense novel; it's a clever, visually engaging thriller that transforms readers into armchair detectives alongside a compelling community of characters. Where Fuller truly excels is in the delicate dance of misdirection, making this exceptional thriller fiction that's intellectually satisfying without being frustratingly obtuse."
Read the full 5-star review to discover why "Safe to Assume" is essential reading for thriller lovers...
Rating: ★★★★★
Categories: Thriller | Crime Fiction | Mystery | Contemporary Fiction
JC Fuller's latest offering, "Safe to Assume," is a delightfully cunning thriller that proves assumptions can be deadly—both for the characters and for readers who think they've cracked the case. This isn't your typical suspense novel; it's a clever, visually engaging thriller that transforms readers into armchair detectives alongside a compelling community of characters.
What Makes This Book Outstanding
From the moment you open "Safe to Assume," Fuller demonstrates a masterful understanding of what modern crime fiction readers crave. The book's greatest strength lies in its visual storytelling elements—whether through detailed scene-setting, evidence artifacts woven into the narrative, or the way Fuller paints each clue with cinematic precision. These aren't just words on a page; they're breadcrumbs in a carefully constructed maze that keeps you completely enthralled until the final reveal.
The community of amateur sleuths that emerges throughout the story adds a refreshing layer of authenticity to the mystery. Fuller captures the genuine enthusiasm and collaborative spirit of armchair detectives, making readers feel like they're part of an exclusive investigation team. Each character brings their own perspective and expertise, creating a rich tapestry of voices that enhances rather than clutters the central mystery.
The Art of the Red Herring
Where Fuller truly excels is in the delicate dance of misdirection. Just when you think you've identified the culprit, the author deftly shifts the evidence, revealing new layers of complexity that send your theories tumbling. This back-and-forth momentum—the constant questioning and re-questioning of every assumption—is what makes "Safe to Assume" exceptional thriller fiction. It's intellectually satisfying without being frustratingly obtuse.
The wit threaded throughout the narrative prevents the story from becoming too dark or heavy-handed. Fuller has a gift for finding moments of levity that feel natural rather than forced, providing necessary breathing room between the more intense investigative sequences.
A Taste of Fuller's Style
To give you a sense of Fuller's engaging approach, here's the kind of scene that makes "Safe to Assume" so compelling:
Detective Sarah Chen stared at the evidence board, three coffee-stained photographs pinned beneath a web of red string that looked more like abstract art than investigative work. The victim's reading glasses sat in an evidence bag, one lens cracked in a perfect spider web—too perfect, she thought. Nothing about this case was accidental.
"Still think the nephew did it?" Martinez asked, settling beside her with his fourth espresso of the morning.
"I did an hour ago." Sarah tapped the photograph of the broken vase. "But look at this—the fragments are scattered toward the door, not away from it. Either our victim threw it at someone leaving, or..."
"Or someone very clever wants us to think that's what happened."
Sarah smiled grimly. In a case built on assumptions, the smartest move was to assume nothing.
This exemplifies Fuller's talent for weaving visual evidence seamlessly into dialogue while keeping readers constantly questioning what they think they know.
The Verdict
"Safe to Assume" is an exceptional thriller that respects its readers' intelligence while delivering thrills, surprises, and genuine satisfaction. Fuller has crafted a suspenseful masterpiece that works on multiple levels—as a puzzle to be solved, as a character study, and as an exploration of how our assumptions can blind us to the truth hiding in plain sight.
This is thriller fiction at its finest. If you're looking for a book that challenges you to think, engages your visual imagination, and makes you question everything you think you know, "Safe to Assume" isn't just recommended—it's essential reading.
Perfect for readers who enjoyed: Tana French's atmospheric mysteries, Louise Penny's Three Pines series, or Agatha Christie's classic puzzle plots with a modern twist.
Have you read "Safe to Assume"? Share your theories and thoughts in the comments below—but no spoilers, please! Let's keep the mystery alive for future readers.
Found this review helpful? You can also find my thoughts on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble. Follow me on social media for more book recommendations: Facebook
Check out the author interview and an item out of The Lock Box…
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📜 Bonus Content from Lock Box:
A quote graphic from JC on writing through self-doubt:
A behind-the-scenes note on what she cut and why:
“What I Cut — and Why”
When I started writing Safe to Assume, I had a quiet scene between my main character and a younger version of herself — almost like a memory, or maybe a ghost. It wasn't supernatural, but it was deeply emotional. She was sitting in her childhood bedroom, and for a moment, she was both present and looking back.
I loved it. It grounded her motivations and showed where some of her walls came from.
But in the end, I cut it. The pacing didn’t allow for it — too much reflection at the wrong moment, and it pulled readers out of the tension. Still, it hurt to take it out. Not because it wasn’t good, but because it was honest.
That’s the hard part of writing — you don’t just cut words. Sometimes, you cut pieces of yourself.
— JC Fuller
A message to readers about what she hopes this book leaves behind:
If Safe to Assume stays with you after you turn the last page, I hope it’s because it made you feel something — curiosity, tension, maybe even comfort in the honesty of imperfection.
I didn’t write this book to create a perfect heroine. I wrote it to explore what we assume about people, and what those assumptions cost us — in relationships, in silence, in missed chances.
If you find yourself giving someone a second thought before writing them off… or noticing a quiet detail that others missed… then the story did what I hoped it would.
Thank you for reading with your whole heart.
— JC Fuller
✨ Thank you for being part of the journey. We can’t wait to spotlight more voices and stories with you.
🔍 First Look: Safe to Assume by J.C. Fuller
A promising date.
A few red flags.
And one unforgettable night.
📚 This one’s for the readers who love secrets, twists, and just the right amount of danger.
💡 Solution for Today:
Sometimes the biggest clue is what we assume we already know. Whether in fiction or in life, today’s reminder is this:
Pause before assuming. Ask before concluding. Notice what’s quiet.
That’s where the truth lives — in books and in people.
📦 What You’ll Find in the Lock Box
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In Light & Love,
🧡 The ReadMyBook.net Team
When the Old Ways Are Forgotten, What Comes Back?
After meeting author Steve Ramirez at Books, Blooms, and Brews, I knew I had to dive into The Great Migration—and I’m so glad I did. This haunting, powerful story blends Indigenous themes with speculative fiction and deep emotional resonance. In this review, I reflect on the book, the experience of meeting the author, and why this story deserves to be shared.
The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez
Genre: Indigenous Speculative Fiction / Apocalyptic Literary Fiction
Author: Steve Ramirez
Audience: Upper YA & Adult
Review by: ReadMyBook.net Street Team
🌿 Meet the Author: Steve Ramirez
Before diving into the pages of The Great Migration, let me first say—Steve Ramirez is not only a gifted writer, he’s also an extraordinary human being. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Books, Blooms, and Brews, and our conversation left just as much of an impression as his storytelling.
Steve speaks with the same thoughtful clarity and soulful depth in person as he does in his writing. He carries a quiet kind of strength—the kind rooted in deep respect for people, culture, and the natural world. You can tell he writes from a place of lived truth, not just imagination.
Now let’s talk about the book that’s stayed with me ever since I cracked it open...
When the Old Ways Are Forgotten, What Comes Back?
The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez is a haunting, genre-blending novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. It reads like a warning wrapped in poetry—slowly building, richly imagined, and deeply rooted in Indigenous wisdom.
As the world fractures and the balance between land and people slips further out of reach, the characters are faced with trials that test not just their survival—but their identity, loyalty, and spirit. In a time when nothing feels stable, choices must be made: to protect the stories, the sacred, and each other… or to lose everything to a silence that spreads like decay.
🧠 What’s It About (Spoiler-Free)
Told through the eyes of Indigenous characters, The Great Migration explores a shifting world—one where nature is out of balance and something long-buried is rising. The “migration” is both literal and spiritual, as the story moves between ancestral memory and contemporary collapse.
There’s a slow, creeping dread in the air—shadows moving just out of sight, people acting not quite alive, and signs that the earth is responding to generations of harm.
But at its core, this book isn’t about horror. It’s about remembrance. About reclaiming what was stolen and finding strength in the stories passed down through blood and earth.
✨ Our Thoughts:
Curious what we thought? Check out our review on Amazon or follow the link below to see it on Goodreads.
🔍 What Readers Are Saying (Amazon Highlights)
“A unique storyline with well-developed characters in a richly imagined universe.”
“Perfect for young adult readers—but with layered meaning for adults.”
“There’s plenty of action, and the visuals are unforgettable.”
“Some readers find the pacing slow in parts, but it builds to something powerful.”A Quote from: The Great Migration
“When a lack of information is combined with city‑wide fear, shocking revelations become an allegory for anti‑xenophobia: ‘Nothing fuels hate, as does fear.’”
📸 A Moment I’ll Always Treasure
Exchanging books with Steve Ramirez at Books, Blooms, and Brews was one of those rare, beautiful moments where everything comes full circle—reader meets author, story meets soul. It wasn’t just about swapping pages; it was about mutual respect, shared purpose, and the power of storytelling to build bridges between us.
Book exchange with Steve Ramirez at Books, Blooms, and Brews
Books like The Great Migration remind us that stories aren't just something we consume—they're something we carry. Something we pass on.
💬 Have you read The Great Migration? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
📤 Know someone who’d love this story? Share this post with them and help us spotlight more indie authors.
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In Light N Love,
Alice McMurtry
Happy Reading! 💛