Grace has been a thief since she was a child. She's a good thief, taught by experts. But it's not the life she wants. It's a solitary life, always watchful, always on the move. She wants to change.
When a run-in with an old associate has her lying low in a small rural town, Grace finds an antiques shop with a timid but friendly owner who has a room for rent. This may be the perfect opportunity for Grace to have that new life.
But dangerous men are looking for her, and she should never let her guard slip because no matter how far she runs, her past comes right along with her.
~
Australian author Garry Disher never disappoints, and Sanctuary is proof of that.
For some reason, I've always had a penchant for reading about career thieves, and the character of Grace had me hooked from the moment I met her. Her voice drew me right in. Grace has been a thief since childhood, specializing in small, high-value items. She was taught by experts, and the identity of one or two of those experts may surprise you. She's not proud of being a thief, but it's the only way she knows how to live. Needing to feel better about herself, she loses herself in books and music whenever she can. When she finds the small town antiques shop owner, Erin, she sees her chance for a normal life, and I was certainly cheering her on. It's amazing how sympathetic this woman is, and if she taught me anything, it's that a life of thievery is exhausting. I'd never want to try it. Reading about it is enough for me.
To keep the pace fast and the blood pumping, there are characters devoted to finding Grace with varying degrees of menace, including one mediocre police officer who's always been overlooked. The twists and turns are plentiful and kept me guessing.
If you're in the mood for a fast-paced character study, I recommend Sanctuary. I bet you'll be cheering for Grace, too.
Sanctuary by Garry Disher
eISBN: 9781613168097
The Mysterious Press © 2026
eBook, 312 pages
Standalone Thriller
Rating: A
Source: NetGalley
As soon as I saw that the author is Garry Disher, I knew this would go on my wish list, Cathy. He writes so very well and with such a sense of place and atmosphere. He doesn't disappoint me, either, and it's good to hear this book lives up to his standard. I want to meet Grace just from your description.
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