Sanctuary in Aussie Readers

Apr 02, 2024 PattyMacDotComma rated it really liked it

Shelves: aa, australian-author, kindle, mystery-crime-thriller, fiction, arc-netgalley-done

4.5鈽�
鈥淚t was even possible Grace had burgled that stockbroker at some stage in her life. She wouldn鈥檛 necessarily have remembered. People like that were not real to her in the way Children鈥檚 Services bureaucrats, teachers, policemen and foster carers were real.鈥�

Add to that the fact that she didn鈥檛 like or trust those 鈥榬eal鈥� people either. Grace (originally Anita) lives by her wits, one scam after another, because that鈥檚 all she learned how to do. Her last real friend was Adam, her foster brother ...more

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Mar 26, 2024 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2024-release, 3000-2024, arc, own-read, crime, net-galley, reviewing-by-request, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, mystery

3.5鈽�s

Grace Latimer, once Anita - or Neet - was a foster kid, and it was there she met Adam. They were of a similar age and grew close; them against the world. And so their lives of crime began. They separated on an extremely bad note as adults, and Grace went through some harrowing times. Grace's job as a thief was one she was good at. She was constantly on alert, so much so that she was basically invisible. But when in Brisbane at an elite auction, Grace spotted someone from her past - she remo ...more

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Mar 07, 2024 Tracey rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller, 2024, fiction, crime, australian

Sanctuary can be ever so elusive

Grace is a woman of many names, many pasts and an uncertain future. Bounced around the child welfare system, Grace learns the art of thieving and with the assistance of a corrupt police officer elevates her skills to a whole new level. Working in the shadows comes with a cost of constant vigilance, always on edge, always expecting danger and always alone. After running into a former associate who she needs to avoid, Grace wonders what it would be like to be norma Sanctuary can be ever so elusive

Grace is a woman of many names, many pasts and an uncertain future. Bounced around the child welfare system, Grace learns the art of thieving and with the assistance of a corrupt police officer elevates her skills to a whole new level. Working in the shadows comes with a cost of constant vigilance, always on edge, always expecting danger and always alone. After running into a former associate who she needs to avoid, Grace wonders what it would be like to be normal, to have a job and not constantly be looking over your shoulder. That dream looks possible when Grace walks into Mandel Antiques in an Adelaide Hills country town and for the first time hopes she has found sanctuary. Grace soon realises that a life of security is not going to be for her as the dangers of the past and the present collide.

When I read, I like to try and take notes, jot down lines of the book that are descriptive but not this time. From the outset I was drawn into this dark criminal world that Disher has created. The pacing is on point, the intrigue is high, the characters are vibrant, flawed, compromised and ever so real.

Grace as the central character is fabulous and you find yourself anxious for her. Worrying about how she is going to get out of this mess. Even though you know she has the skills, there is a vulnerability that peeks through, that rounds her out as believable. What I did appreciate is that Grace comes fully formed on the page and has a backstory that is slowly revealed. The supporting characters are all deftly drawn on the page and stand out. Adam Garrett, key to Grace鈥檚 past, is interesting in how he is almost the other path Grace could have taken. The mistrust, the misunderstandings it is a gloriously complicated relationship. One of the other characters I really enjoyed was Brodie Hendren, a lovely piece of narcissistic work, self-centred, social media driven and plain nasty. Melodie Pithouse, was another interesting character, and her scheming and manipulation is something to behold. The one character that runs along in the background is Galt the man who made Grace. While never physically there, he invades every moment of Grace鈥檚 life.

If you are a fan of Disher鈥檚 works you will not be disappointed. If you have not come across his works before or have been thinking about starting, grab this book, do not delay. Get completely immersed into the vortex of a complex story that is easily weaved together by a master thriller writer. As a reader you are in the safest of hands, as Disher knows how to keep you turning the pages and wanting to know what how this is going to end.

My big question at the end, when will this appear on screen? It is that good. ...more

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Apr 12, 2024 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-are, netgalley-reviews, aussie-author

While I鈥檓 looking forward to another instalment of Garry Disher鈥檚 series featuring Detective Hirsch, Sanctuary, a stand-alone novel from Australian author Garry Disher, is a welcome substitute.

When Grace Latimer (AKA Anita) catches sight of her estranged foster brother, Adam, while casing her next heist, she runs as fast and far as she can. A talented professional thief with more than one enemy, Grace needs somewhere to lay low and a 鈥榟elp wanted鈥� sign in the window of an Antique store in an unr ...more

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Oct 21, 2024 Karen rated it really liked it

Not the usual Garry Disher novel, but interesting nonetheless. Grace is a thief, and a good one, she specialises in small, high value items, such as stamps, watches, art work. It is a lonely life, she is always alert, always on the run. Lying low after a running with an old associate, she walks into a rural antique shop and sees an opportunity for a chance at a normal life, a job, a place to call home. Her boss Erin is frightened to leave her house, someone is looking for her, and someone is loo ...more

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Oct 19, 2024 Chloe rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

Well written. Didn鈥檛 draw me in like Disher鈥檚 others. Abrupt ending. Felt like several storylines which has been building went unresolved. Still an enjoyable read.

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