Sanctum
Written by Madeleine Roux
Narrated by Michael Goldstrom
3.5/5
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About this audiobook
Haunting, fast-paced sequel to the New York Times bestselling photo-illustrated novel ASYLUM.
Perfect for fans of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
Featuring real found photographs from vintage carnivals, SANCTUM is a mind-bending reading experience that blurs the lines between past and present, genius and insanity.
Dan, Abby, and Jordan were traumatised by the summer they shared at New Hampshire College, the former site of the Brookline asylum. They want to move on, but someone is determined to keep the terror alive by sending them anonymous photos of an old-time carnival.
Forsaking plans to never to go back, the teens return during a weekend for prospective students, and realise that the carnival from the photos is not only real, it's here on campus…
As Dan and his friends visit abandoned houses and hidden places of the surrounding town, they realise that Camford is hiding a terrible past, and the influence of the asylum runs deeper than they ever imagined.
Madeleine Roux
Madeleine Roux is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Asylum series, which has sold over a million copies worldwide. She is also the author of the House of Furies series and several titles for adults, including Salvaged and Reclaimed. She has made contributions to Star Wars, World of Warcraft, and Dungeons & Dragons. Madeleine lives in Seattle, Washington, with her partner and beloved pups.
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Reviews for Sanctum
121 ratings20 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5wow. i had forgotten fiction could be so good. can i have another, please?
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Didn't enjoy it as much as Mina's Garnethill trilogy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In another classic example of reader blindsightedness (okay so that's probably not a word), I'd filed SANCTUM somewhere at the back of the bookcase and promptly forgot it was there. Such a relief to unearth it during a recent tidy up and to move it straight to the top of the reading pile. Interestingly, as I sat down to write up this mini-review I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising slightly as I think about Lachlan in particular again.Originally published in 2002, if you've not read SANCTUM for whatever reason, now is as good a time as any to rectify the miss. From the author of the much acclaimed Garnethill trilogy, this is a very different sort of a book. It's written in first person perspective, and whilst some readers are a bit leery of that, it works unbelievably well here. As SANCTUM explores the thinking of a husband whose wife is guilty of a murder, the use of Lachlan's own voice provides an intimacy that's disconcerting. It creates an insulated, personal, very intimate relationship between the character and the reader, and provides an author with Mina's skill with some serious options for manipulation (of the fairest possible kind mind you). Lachlan starts off very much as a man in grief, but it's not long before he becomes profoundly creepy, controlling and complaining. Other characters who come and go from his life astutely comment on him at points in the book. Susie, his wife, is distant, perfect, ethereal, extremely suspicious. There are others within the story - relatives, Susie's colleague, the live in help but ultimately this book is about Lachlan - even more so than it is about Susie and the man she murdered. Lachlan, frankly, makes the reader extremely uncomfortable in his presence and you'd be excused for having some sympathy for Susie - as extreme an escape plan murder of another may well be. Sympathies ebb and flow, as ultimately the truth behind the murder is revealed. The Garnethill Trilogy remains one of my all time favourite sets of books - but SANCTUM is a fantastic stand-alone that was just absolutely un-put-downable.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When prison psychiatrist Susie Harriott is convicted of murdering paroledGlasgow serial killer Andrew Gow, her husband, Lachlan, embarks on a franticsearch for material that may help with her appeal. He simply does notbelieve that she is guilty of the things he's just heard in court during hertrial, and is intent upon proving her innocence and bringing her back homeagain. But in going through the files inside her padlocked study, he findslayer upon layer of nasty secrets. This is Lachlan's diary, Written asdaily journal entries on his wife's computer, unwinding the dark andcomplicated story as he uncovers it. In medical school when he met Susie,Lachlan gave up his own medical career to be a house husband and dream ofbeing a writer after the birth of their daughter, Margie, now a toddler. Butdeception (and self-deception) abounds.But it's the voice of this story, not the events, that grabs hold of thereader and won't let go. Lachlan Harriott immerses us in his obsessions,repeling and commanding sympathy in the same instant. He is a charming,comic, intelligent narrator-and a man who might happily see his wife rot inprison, not for murder, but for the greater sin of betraying and rejectinghim. Susie herself is seen as if through a long lens that can barely containher beautiful, sorrowful image; what she did or didn't do is less compellingthan what her husband reveals (or invents) about himself in his new lifeafter her conviction. What starts as a novel of investigation turns into ajourney of self-discovery and finally, revenge, with an ending with a bigenough twist to help it pack a punch.This was my first Denise Mina novel, but it won't be my last. I wasespecially impressed with her ability to write in the voice of a malecharacter so realistically. She's quite a story teller with a good sense oftiming. This was a good 'un. It gets 5 stars.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Deception is a clever psychological thriller. Its narrator is a househusband who's married to a high-powered forensic psychologist who's just been convicted of murdering a suspected serial killer. As wifey lingers in the slammer, hubbie gets the willies, starts nosing around in his wife's papers and effects, and finds that he's on to something that is not what it first seems . . . Oh, and he's suddenly attracted to the zaftig Spanish au pair who sports a tiny mustache.Sounds pretty silly, and in fact our narrator is a rather silly man -- but somehow it works. Although Lachlan the househusband is ineffectual, whiny and irritating to follow around at points, he's never the less a mostly-believable character. The plot also builds in a plausible arc, with just enough luck/coincidence thrown in.This is an off-beat book that's a nice alternative read for crime fiction fans. Recommended.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5First Line: I'm shocked. 29-year-old Lachlan Harriot is in a state of disbelief. His ambitious wife Susie, a forensic psychiatrist, has just been found guilty of the murder of serial killer Andrew Gow, who was in her care. In the next two weeks, Lachlan must find grounds for an appeal, or Susie will be given a life sentence, depriving her of her home, her husband, and her two-year-old daughter. Lachlan is convinced of Susie's innocence, and against her express wishes, each night he trudges up the stairs to Susie's sanctum sanctorum-- her study-- where he goes through all her papers. Sitting at the computer, he painstakingly transcribes her case notes, her interviews with Gow and his new wife Donna, and the press clippings from the trial. As he works, he soon finds out that he's raising more questions than he answers, and that the lines between perception and reality, between responsibility and culpability, are blurring.Before I go any further, I need to clarify something. I read the UK edition of this book, which was published as Sanctum in 2003. This same book was published in the US as Deception, so if you think you've just discovered a Denise Mina book that you haven't read, be careful! Although the US title is more straightforward, I prefer Sanctum because it's much more evocative of the layers to be found within this book.Mina wrote this book in diary form, beginning and ending with disclaimers that these diaries were found and purchased by her as the highest bidder and as the collector of true crime stories. Make no mistake: every word was written by Mina. Few writers can create such in-depth character studies.And this is exactly what Sanctum is-- a multi-layered, revealing character study told by a young man who's not all that likable but definitely fascinating. As his self-appointed task consumes more and more of his time, he begins piecing small clues together, and he begins to doubt. As he types away at the computer, he wonders if he ever really knew his wife. Just how self-deluding could he have been? Watching the lies and cover-ups unravel to reveal the truth beneath is mesmerizing.If you love a well-developed mystery that unfolds inexorably to its conclusion all the while limning a character that you'll come to know better than you know yourself, Sanctum is a book that you will savor.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was the first Denise Mina novel that I read and I have been hooked ever since.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A good YA read. I think it should categorized as horror/paranormal rather than fantasy.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I started this book off in high hopes that it would make up for the first book in the series was lacking. I truly do love horror novels, the mystery factor and books that keep me on the edge. I am giving this book 4 stars simply because I was intrigued enough throughout the entire book to keep reading until the end. However, I do feel that the entire premise of the book did seem very basic compared to what it was apparently building up to. I'm hoping that the remaining books in the series, will really pick up and give what they are promising!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Not as good as the first one, but still creepy. I know the characters are teenagers, but their silly banter became a little annoying after a while. It had a great ending though.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I liked this one.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A great sequel to Asylum this book was a quick easy read that had me reading quickly to figure out what the hell was happening. With its creepy pictures this makes for a nice spooky read.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I liked it and will read the next one. I thought it was kind of weak in explanations.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5As in the first installment, there were no real surprises in this part of the series either, but the narrator's voice is still good and the book flows well enough
****SPOILER*******
and that is a good thing, in the end, since it looks like there will at least be a third installment - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5even better than asylum. still love the pictures - I look forward to them every time
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I thought this book was a solid sequel to the first. I liked Asylum better, but this was still really good and kept me interested. I liked the characters, I liked the story line, the creepy photos were awesome. I can't wait to read Catacomb now to see where this story goes! I would recommend this book. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dan, Abby & Jordan are back at NHCP following clues that Felix gave them, coordinates, all near the college. The college is having a special weekend event for anyone interested in attending. The perfect reason for them to be there and to hide their real motives. Meanwhile, is Felix helping them or sending them into a trap?
This book did not disappoint. It was as thrilling and creepy as the first one. If you liked Asylum, you will enjoy this book as well. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I wish I could give half-stars because I'm really on the fence between rating this book with 3 or 4 stars. I liked it, but thought it was less successful than "Asylum" was.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Sanctum is a fine sequel to Asylum. Not amazing. Not terrible. Like Asylum, Sanctum is a very quick read; like Asylum, Sanctum has many holes. But, if you read it quickly enough, you almost don't notice the holes and you almost don't mind the lack.
So, what's it about: Dan continues to have weird nightmares and day-mares relating back to the history of Brookline and its warden. His contact with Jordan and Abby has started to fade, and Dan is eager to resolve the issues he's having with both his friendships and his obsession with Brookline. The three decide to return to New Hampshire College, pretending to be prospies, interested in actually going to college there.
So that's weird. Like, return to the place where you almost died? Sure, yeah, believable. And since it's not, the whole premise is weak. BUT, as I say, it's a quick read. We *quickly* run through all kinds of creepy experiences, hallucinations, and dreams. We meet a handful of new, suspicious characters. We are introduced to a whole new society of people. And although it's all rather surface, it's enjoyable to read. I read it in just a few hours, and I will definitely pick up the next one (yep, there's a next one).
I enjoy these. They're not amazing, but they're enjoyable quick reads.
Recommended to someone looking for a creepy escape on a dreary day... - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wanting another scary read for this Halloween, I thought a take a dive back in the asylum.Plot: This story still follows Dan and his crazy past or rather his relatives. This time it circus time. With more crazy people telling Daniel things and Daniel following his past, things get crazier and crazier.Circus: This time Daniel is being stalked with old creepy circus photos. There were a few that made the hairs raise on my arm. Seriously creepy. I like how well the plot tied into the circus and the experiment that Daniel was doing in the past. We learn more about why he is doing it and for what purpose.Ending: The ending ends still creepy and leaving room for more. I would’t mind reading more into what Dan is becoming. It seems that the further I got into the book, the less Dan became Dan and was becoming Daniel. I’m curious to know what is going through his head.This is a great story for this time of month. A good creepy read and a fun plot to follow, the reader is entertained plenty. Sanctum is awesome.