PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Two minutes after completing the final, captivatingly dramatic pages of Then We’ll Be Safe the new psychological thriller by award winning author Jes Hart Stone, I’m left with, not just goosebumps, but a feeling only too familiar to the stories teenage fugitive leads – I WANT MORE!
Such is the case for Crystal Lynn Harsch and Majorka Fairweather, the unlikely duo who decide it best to flee the scenes of their own explosive crimes in search of more safety, more excitement, more life, and ultimately, more love, no matter what troubles ensue along the way. The two young women couldn’t be any more different from each other; One a beautiful, popular cheerleader reeling from boy troubles, and the other a brooding, misunderstood loner who finds that violence may be her only chance at survival. Despite the differences, these brave girls come together in a not so usual way, bonding through their mutual need for more.
Then We’ll Be Safe is a gripping psychological thriller about childhood pain, abuse, and neglect, and about the lies we tell ourselves in our desperate need to be loved. If Thelma & Louise were Canadian, this would be their story. -Crystal Lake Publishing, 2026.
Set against the back drop of beautiful British Columbia Canada, in 1974, this wonderfully colorful and descriptive story takes on themes of survival, abuse, anger, despair, systemic and social injustices, hope, innocence and true connection through unfamiliar streets, people and even a thick, wooded brush. A lovely feature as well is that all of the locations the girls travel through exist, and you begin to picture yourself alongside them in their spiraling journey. The novel becomes particularly poignant when you realize the tragic history of Canada’s Highway of Tears and the dangers faced by the two young women, one of whom is indigenous, traveling along it with no shelter, only their own boldness, instincts and a gun containing 3 bullets to protect them.
Then We’ll Be Safe is written by accomplished author Jes Hart Stone and published by Crystal Lake Publishing. Set for a release date of March 27th, 2026, I consider myself quite privileged to have been able to get a sneak peek into the world of Crystal and Majorka. At 17 and 18 years old, these two girls find themselves desperately running from their pasts, their truths, and the RCMP.
Embarking on a crime spree fit for Thelma and Louise themselves, what are they running toward? My take is Majorka and Crystal are running toward a safety and comfort they’ve created and placed their hope in, because the reality of their situations are too tough to face. I was very moved by the relationship established by the two girls, who had previously been strangers to one another. Even in desperation, they learn to protect and nurture one another.
The story also details the life of Zoey, a new but dedicated RCMP recruit. Zoey’s lifelong dream has been to serve and protect Canadian citizens as a member of the esteemed officers. Upon her employment, she learns very quickly that she may not be seen in as valuable an asset to her all-male colleagues as she would like. Zoey’s shift partner, Danny, who is a little more open-minded than his counterparts, assures her that this is because she is a woman, and not a reflection on her talents. Dismayed and angered, Zoey persists in her duties, making every effort to locate the missing girls. Zoey is eventually dismissed from the case, but privately continues in her tireless search, knowing the fear and danger that must be engulfing Crystal and Majorka.
Will Crystal, Majorka and Zoey find peace? Or will the Highway of Tears lead to nothing but endless tragedy? I highly recommend picking up this book to find out for yourself; You may even discover a few other answers captured within the pictorial, vivid and eloquent text.
To read more about author Jes Hart Stone, please visit her website https://www.jeshartstone.com/
