The Sanctuary

Danny Hansen #2

by Ted Dekker

THE SANCTUARY is the gripping story of vigilante priest, Danny Hansen, who is now serving a fifty year prison term in California for the murder of two abusive men. Filled with remorse, Danny is determined to live out his days by a code of non-violence and maneuvers deftly within a ruthless prison system.

But when Renee Gilmore, the woman he loves, receives a box containing a bloody finger and draconian demands from a mysterious enemy on the outside, Danny must find a way to escape.

They are both drawn into a terrifying game of life and death. If Renee fails, the priest will die; if Danny fails, Renee will die. And the body count will not stop at two.

THE SANCTUARY is Ted Dekker at his best, a powerful thriller that relentlessly plumbs the depths of punishment and rehabilitation, both in a flawed corrections system and in the human heart.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Thriller, Christian, Mystery, Suspense, Adult

403 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Ted Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Likely my least favorite book of Dekker's. For the longest time I've felt like much of his writing was watered down, like he'd signed a book deal and was writing simply to satisfy a contract. Perhaps the problem is that I could list at least twenty books of his that I've absolutely love, so when he writes something new I have such high expectations. This lacked the passion and wonder that peppers so much of his work. Whether a salvo on the American penal system, or a shadow of God's unconditional love, it failed to really hit home in the end. It felt thrown together. Where other characters have spanned books, even series, of Dekker's, the priest just didn't captivate this time around. But don't take this as a knock on the author, just try a different book. The Circle trilogy is still one of the best series of books in modern fiction, in my opinion.

[Mark Carver · Rating 2 out of 5]

I applaud Ted Dekker's mission to create gritty entertainment for the Christian market. However, The Sanctuary is a consummate disappointment. Eye-rolling sappiness, ludicrous characters that have been engineered for maximum mainstream appeal, over-obvious dialogue, and a childish plot stuffed to the gills with exhausted cliches. This book is simply toothless, vanilla-flavored commercial fiction. Don't waste your time.

[Britain · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are just a few things I think everyone must know. This book is more than just a story. It's a message. If you've read and didn't understand what so many were talking about, you've missed out on one of the most important parts of this book. You may have read every word and looked at every inch of the cover and you still might be blind and confused, because it's much like looking at a human body. Touching and feeling with your hands and taking every inch of the person in with your eyes, yet remaining not fully fascinated or understanding. Because though it was extremely well done and had all the correct parts in the right places, some part of that body had failed to meet your expectation of it in some way. But you did not realize that beneath the skin, there was more. There was a heart that was beating and blood that was flowing. A whole system of clockwork mechanics and beautifully organized living things that you failed to see because you were so busy studying the skin. If you had read Skin by Ted Dekker, I hope you could have received the message inside, that we must learn to peel back the Skin of this world and see what is beyond it. Forget the reviews, forget your judgement, forget looking at things with our robotic minds, peel back the skin of it and see the message that is right in front of you.
This book is more than a story. It's a message. This book is more than a body. It is living beneath the surface. Ted has said it a hundred ways.
"For those who have eyes to see, let them see."
"This story is for everyone, but not everyone is for this story."
The great thing is that even though some may not see this book for what it is, they will still have an incredibly well written and well organized story with plot twists that you have have not seen coming. I picked up The Priest's Graveyard when it first came out and that book wrecked me. It spoke directly to me and moved me at the core of my being. Once again, I was able to find the heartbeat of that story, and it made my heart beat in a much more beautiful way as well. I fell in love with Renee and I wanted to spend time with Danny, talking about forgiveness, grace, and all that makes life beautiful. The characters developed so wonderfully in the first story, and they are people you want to spend time with even after the story is over. When I heard about Sanctuary, I instantly got excited. I would get to have more time with those characters again. I would get a look into what their world would be like years after the first story ended.
I was not expecting there to be a sequel and had no idea where he would go with it, and I have to say that I don't have a single complaint about this Sanctuary... Because though I had to watch my characters go through so much pain and turmoil, they helped me find the heartbeat that I would not have seen without them. Danny and Renee are taken on a journey that is not just physical. It is extremely emotional and spiritual. The constant question asked in this book is, "In this sort of a situation, what would be the correct thing to do. Speaking from a religious or spiritual standpoint. When is it okay to deviate from the law? When does it become okay to kill? After all, in the Bible, God kills many who do wrong. So is it okay to take an eye for an eye as many would say? Or would it be more honorable to take Jesus' philosophy and turn the other cheek? What will Danny do?"
You will see a man so filled with love, who is dragged down to hell. And how would a man filled with love treat those deserving of hell? What would Danny do?

There are moments that are shocking, awe inspiring, and tear jerking. Ted puts his thoughts and emotions into this in such a beautiful way, and anyone who would fail to recognize this as a work of art meant to touch the hearts and souls of its readers, well... They just haven't seen yet. Some eyes are not so easily opened.

There are beautiful parallels to this prison (correctional facility) and the average Christian Church. The way we bring people in and try to convince them that they are dirty. They are deserving of death and only with change will they be saved. Otherwise they will be punished, and God will not accept them. We treat these beautiful people as outcasts in the Christian church, and I believe it is just as much of a sin to treat them that way than it is to become a sinner by the church's definition.
Christ was never one to condemn. When the leaders of the church went to stone a woman who had committed adultery, which according to the scriptures of that time was spiritually the right thing to do, the son of God steps in front of them as says, "Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone." Every man drops his stone and leaves. He then gets down on the ground, the son of God, looks her in the eye and says, "Is anyone here to condemn you? Then neither do I. Go and sin no more."
He wasn't saying that was her last chance and if she sinned again, she would die. Nor was he giving her license to go and continue living in sin. He was displaying the heart of the Father. A heart of love; synonymous with a heart of forgiveness.
Ted dives into the world of law, and not just the laws of the state of California, but of the laws of man and of God. He reveals some things that are absolutely beautiful, and are a perfect mirror of the world that we live in. An unfortunately accurate mirror of many churches. But those are just some of the small mysteries hidden in this book.

In the world we live in, God intends us to go more than skin deep. We can, of course, just look at things from the outside and never fully appreciate or understand the world. We will live in confusion of the very place that we live.
Ted's books are, in a sense, much like this world. If you do not peel back the skin and see what lies beneath, you may never fully know, see, or understand. It's all right in front of you. And all you have to do is see it.

As Ted says at the end of the "Acknowledgments" section of Sanctuary: "I want to thank the power of story for the mirror it places in front of each of us. For you who have eyes to see, please...go ahead and see."


Ted Dekker's "The Sanctuary" is thrilling, deep, touching and exhilarating. It spoke to me in a deep spiritual way. The way I believe that it was meant to. It kept me awake until the early hours of the morning, and kept the wheels of my mind turning long after that. It delivered to me greatly. As love and forgiveness hold the ability to deliver, setting every captive free. I cherish the stories of Danny and Renee. For after reading them, they feel like my very own stories. I have experienced so much with them. And I can't wait to meet them again. Maybe someday.

I hope you cherish them as much as I do.


Sincerely, Britain V.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read The Priest's Graveyard yet, which as I understand, starts the story of Danny Hanson. But you can bet that I will after reading The Sanctuary. And I can tell you that it's not necessary to read the former to enjoy the latter.

The Sanctuary is about Danny Hanson, a ex-vigilante priest who has taken a vow of non-violence. The story is told from the point of view of his "wife", Renee, who he had saved from a life of drugs, abusive men, and (mild?)OCD. And Danny is serving a 50 year sentence. which makes his vow of non-violence a bit difficult.

When Renee starts receiving threatning phone calls, and then a box with a severed finger, she is thrust into game of wits and morality that will grab you and not let you go until the final pages. The book delves into the flawed corrections system, and the flawed human heart.

I have not enjoyed, nor been caught so off guard, as I was in the finale of The Sanctuary. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading. Anyone.

I know I'm not supposed to post this review until October, but if I don't post it now I will likely forget and not post it at all.

A First Reads giveaway recipient.

[Bill Garrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to The Priest's Graveyard, and it is really boring, and I can't recommend it. Danny Hansen is a man haunted by the rape and murder of his sister and mother. He fights in the Bosnian war, and then, as a man, became a priest who killed the worst of the worst criminals. Renee Gilmore is a woman trapped by her own pain and addiction. They meet, fight their own battles, and fall in love.

Then, THE SANCTUARY begins. Danny has just been transferred to Basal, a new type of prison where the warden is free to try out revolutionary theories. Renee is living alone, visiting Danny weekly, still madly in love. Danny's life is threatened, and Renee dedicates her entire being into saving him.

While the first novel had a great plot and featured the fascinating development of Renee and Danny as characters, this novel is weighed down by characters that don't change and themes that are repeated endlessly.

It seems like every chapter features Renee proclaiming her undying love for Danny, and Danny falling back on his vow of non-violence. EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER. Danny and Renee don't change. Dekker's message in the novel is also unclear. I really don't know what he was trying to say.

Since he moved away from the Christian market, Dekker has written a lot of great novels. This was the first that was a big disappointment.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly this wasn't a terrible novel, it just didn't feel as fluid and imaginative as we have come to expect from Dekker.

It did not help that one of the main characters, Emma? whatever the girls name is, is probably one of the most desperate, whiny and needy female leads of our generation. I'm shocked by her dependency and weakness and truly expected more growth from her as the story progressed.

This did not happen. In fact there was little growth and development from either character--what you'd expect in a sequel/continuation. Also, what little key hints and messages Dekker wanted to embed for the reader to take away was repeated so frequently it became saturated.

I do believe I enjoyed Priests Graveyard better but I'm able to separate serials and react to a story's components on their own. Sanctuary is just not for me and what a shame because the concept was intriguing.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do love Ted Dekker, but I believe he's been faltering a bit in his writing over the years. His new stuff isn't nearly as in depth as his earlier works. But The Sanctuary is entertaining nonetheless. We have Danny, a former priest thrown into an inhumane prison that implements torture as a form of punishment. His girlfriend Renee is being blackmailed by someone who wants Danny to suffer. Simplistic and pretty dull for a Ted Dekker.

[Tyler Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! My favorite book by Ted Dekker! I literally read this in a day. If you have the time to sit down and read it it is well worth it.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible.
It was typical Ted Dekker with some scenes that made me cringe a little, but it was the fact that I felt like I was a character in the book that made me love it. I felt Danny's pain. I experienced Renee's longing. Everything felt so real, especially page 309. I read this at night, and I felt the wire in my shin and I wanted relief from the torture. It was almost weird
The writing was just truly excellent.
The only problem I had with this book was Renee. I felt like Dekker was trying too hard to make her rough and tough; I have read The Priest's Graveyard, don't get me wrong thinking I believed she's weak, but there's a fine line between I can handle myself and let's pull out my Beretta and wave it around while I show you how to shoot a gun. And don't forget about her strangling wire.That she never used
One more thing about Renee- I read about ten too many times that she was skinny. I really don't care if she's skinny or if she's bigger than a bear. It was just annoying.
I also saw some typos, which I can't stand seeing in a published book.
The last con, I promise, was that I guessed who was in on the evil plot. And I'm bad at that. Usually Dekker has me guessing and then shocked at who is bad, but this time I kind of laughed, because, well, it was obvious.
So, 4 stars for the very imaginative and original writing, lacking one star for my previous complaints.

[J.S. Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guessed what the plot twist was. This has made Jennifer very, very sad because she has never guessed a "Dekkian" plot twist before, and it took away a bit of the fun.

The Priest's Graveyard remains one of my favorite novels to date, and I did enjoy revisiting the story of Danny and Renee. However, The Sanctuary wasn't nearly as intense or disturbing as its predecessor. Ted does provide the reader with some food for thought regarding the state of the United States prison system as well as the mental prisons we all place ourselves in every day.

Despite this novel not living up to my full expectations, it will always hold a special place in my heart because I purchased my copy at one of Ted's book tour stops and got it signed by the man himself.

[Kataryna Gingrass · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy reading level
Bigger ideas on morality
Long criminal minds episode
Some of the plot points and characters introduced seemed too random and I wish they would have tied together more

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in alternately the first-person singular and third-person limited point of view, Ted Dekker's episodic new novel is disturbingly chilling as it investigates the inside of America's prison system. Basal, a fictitious experimental prison, is not all that it appears to be, as former priest and vigilante Danny Hansen discovers upon being transferred there. Furthermore, his girlfriend Renee Gilmore soon finds herself drawn into a nefarious scheme that jeopardizes not only her own life but Danny's as well. Events from both of their pasts, now irrevocably interwoven, threatens to destroy their future. As the plot escalates, it becomes evident that no one can be trusted, and the book ends with a shocking revelation as the characters' humanity is put to the test. This story is definitely not for the faint of heart. It contains disconcerting scenes relating to the treatment of the prison inmates, and although the message of redemption flits through the pages, survival tactics dominate in this intense thriller.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sanctuary was a dark story. No doubt about that. In fact, I needed an occasional break from it; it was that dark. However, in typical Dekker style, redemptive themes made the payoff worth it. I really enjoyed The Priest's Graveyard, so this was a great sequel. There are twists in it that I didn't see coming. When it comes to the depravity of man, Dekker is a master at showing it. But he also shows how love is greater than all of the darkness. I love that about his stories. Anyway, I enjoyed this one. I don't want to tell too much and spoil it for readers, but let me say if you enjoyed the first book, you'll find this one worth your time as well.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty thought provoking regarding grace, obedience, taking justice into your own hands, etc. Character development was good, as was the graphic descriptions of the prison environment at Basal. The plot was average, and the ending wasn't very believable. It was definitely worth the read, but not great.

[Bookgypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutally twisted and eerily thrilling....I loved it!

[Rhonda Ruff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 3.5 Good thriller just didnt care for the some of the parts of the book Overall a it kept me reading right up to the end

[Linda H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sappy characters, childish plot...had a difficult time finding enough interest to finish this. If you're looking for a gripping thriller, look elsewhere.

[Maddy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this sequel to the priest’s graveyard, definitely an intense storyline but so well written!

[Sean Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dekker fan review. Not his best, but better than Priest's graveyard. I enjoyed the read and liked the ending. Go Dekker

[Giancarlo Papini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense! Exciting and fast-paced. It is a major page turner.

[Julie Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny Hansen is a former priest serving a 50 year sentence for murder. Determined to serve his time and live his life in non-violence Danny is transferred to Basal Institute of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Basal is run by Warden Marshall Pape who’s philosophy is An Eye for an Eye. Pape sees his job as Warden of his Sanctuary to rehabilitate the members of Basal by using a rewards and punishment system. Danny has his first taste of punishment the first day he arrives-he is thrown naked into a cell with only concrete for a bed and fed only once a day. It doesn’t take long for Danny to understand that the Warden has a special reason for torturing him. Danny is determined to endure the punishments of Basal in order to keep his girlfriend Renee Gilmore safe on the outside.

Renee Gilmore loves Danny Hansen with every fiber of her being. After all, he took the blame for the murder of 2 men that she committed. When she receives a severed finger in a shoebox she panics thinking it is Danny’s finger. This is the beginning of the game that a mysterious person that she labels as “Sicko” pulls her into. Afraid for Danny’s life and determined to help him in prison Renee enlists the help of a former lawyer named Keith. Together they must follow “Sicko’s” directions in order to save themselves and Danny. At what cost will they pay? And will they be able to save Danny before it is too late?

The Sanctuary is a companion novel to Ted Dekker’s novel The Priests Graveyard which I haven’t read. I don’t think it is necessary to have read The Priests Graveyard in order to follow the story of The Sanctuary. But I am definitely going to have to read it now that I have finished The Sanctuary. But first I need to read something a little less stressful! The Sanctuary is not for the faint of heart that is for sure. There is violence, there are uncomfortable scenes of torture and some crudity. Danny’s character was a former vigilante priest that performed multiple murders as an avenging angel of the weak. He has now turned to non-violence and is serving his time, but he is thrown into a situation where the Warden is now the avenging angel determined in his own twisted logic to punish Danny for his sins. The Sanctuary kept me on the edge of my seat and my fingers turning the pages late into the evening. Definitely The Sanctuary is a story that will stay with me for a long while.

[Starr Gardinier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I’ve not read Ted Dekker before this book. If his other books are even half as good as “The Sanctuary,” I fear I’ve missed some wonderful yarns.

Once a priest in cloth and always a priest in heart, Danny Hansen is now behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. He ‘confessed,’ not to save his soul but to protect Renee Gilmore, his one true love. I say ‘not to save his soul’ because although he may not have committed the murders he was convicted for, he did kill to protect the innocent. He did what he thought was right in the eyes of humanity but illegal in the eyes of the law.

After serving some of his sentence at Ironwood State Prison, a typical prison, Danny is transferred to Basal Institute of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a not-so-typical prison. What people believe to be an institution to mend the broken in order to keep criminals from repeating the same mistakes is anything but, and Danny finds this out in the most horrific way.

The warden, Pape, is out to break Danny and to convince all of his ‘members’ (prisoners) that he is God within the confines of Basal and they will do as he says or they will view the word ‘torture’ as nothing but a mere spanking. It is inhuman suffering Pape puts his members through, not simple torture. And Danny can handle the beatings and the extreme pain…until the warden brings Renee into the mess. Renee is thrown into dangerous situations and manipulated so that she unwittingly ends up making Danny break his vow of nonviolence to once again protect her.

Dekker’s story is incredible. The reader is catapulted headlong from one page to the next with his powerful ability to pen a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat, thrilling novel that will leave you wondering how you missed some of the red herrings that are amidst the well-written text. Amazing and most definitely recommended.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “One Major Mistake,” published by Suspense
Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted Dekker is at the top of his game with "The Sanctuary", delivering a masterfully written read that unfolds at a breakneck pace. I was immediately drawn back into the world of Danny and Renee, the characters first introduced in "The Priest's Graveyard", and Dekker cleverly interchanges between the points of view of Danny and Renee, while hurtling the reader towards the exciting conclusion. As with the prior book involving these characters, I am again blown away by Dekker's ability to take two characters who I should feel only disgust for due to their horrific deeds, and yet instead I find myself sympathetic to their plight and absolutely rooting for them. Danny utterly intrigues me as a character, a former priest who killed those whose crimes were escaping notice of the justice system, and someone who has now taken a vow of non-violence. The way that he is tested in this book is simply fascinating, and I should note that some of the scenes involving him are totally gruesome (especially regarding how he's tested) and will turn off some readers. But for those readers who don't have as sensitive of stomachs, this book should be at the top of their "must read list". It is completely entertaining, while leaving you thinking about human nature, about whether our justice system actually rehabilitates criminals, about our flaws as human beings and how we all have the capacity to be driven to act in ways we hope we never will. This book makes me thankful for God's grace, as we try to navigate an evil world and how to respond to it.

This is truly one of my favourite books from Ted Dekker thus far, and I give it my highest recommendation and 5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Center Street, for the purposes of this unbiased review.

[John Neece · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the main characters, Danny Hansen and Renee Gilmore. Hansen is a bigger than life type of character, flawed yet strong. Gilmore is likeable with her obsessive-compulsive characteristics but willingness to risk all for the man she loves. I also liked dilemma of Hansen's vow of non-violence when he is faced with threat of harm/death to Gilmore. Dekker's message about mystery of who God is and how God works through our own sanctuaries is powerful.
Yet, the book fell short of grabbing me because it seemed so unbelievable and far-fetched. One of the far-fetched notions was that one of the primary villains would have such a convoluted plan (that somehow works) to get our heroes to the prison where the novel reaches it's climax.
The moral message leads me to consider trying another book by Dekker. But the plot and story itself leads me to think I may not.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my typical genre but actually a very, very good read. There are some things which a good author or cinamatographer can make real without being graphic: Bravehearts hanging, drawing and quartering; the sea in The Old Man and The Sea; the teeth drilling scenes in Marathon Man. The author employs language in a similar manner to describe scenes to truly draw in the reader into the story. The novel at its core is classic good versus evil, redemption of mankind using the US prison system as its venue. Makes the reader ponder how the laws have changed over time and the ramifications of behavior which was once socially acceptable becoming taboo. Close to 5 stars....probably 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 stars.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best by Ted Dekker that I've read for quite some time. Which is saying a lot since the man is seriously my writing hero. :)

This is a sequel to The Priest's Graveyard, but I think it's very much a stand-alone book. It was nice knowing the background from there, but I don't think it's necessary for someone who just picks this one up. There's never any "wait, what? Oh yeah, that was in book 1" moments.

I enjoyed Priest's Graveyard, but this one is better in my opinion. I've always liked prison stories and vigilante stories, and this combines the two...with a whole lot more thrown in of course. LOVE the ending to this book. And may I learn to smile at the mysteries of life.

[Book Mitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This was my first Ted Dekker book, and it was NOT what I expected. It was twisted, and gritty while also being spiritual and deep.

I found his two main characters to be strange and complicated. I could feel their love for each other, but it didn't pull at my heartstrings the way it should have.

This book showed evil in gory detail, but was also filled with passages of right and wrong in the eyes of God. Which, in a book set in a prison seemed appropriate but overly saturated.

I didn't expect the twist in the story, nor was I expecting the good vs evil plot. I own 2 other Dekker books and I will give them a try.

[Ned · Rating 1 out of 5]

From almost the start of this book, a little voice inside my head was telling me to give up trying to read this book, that the story was not going to get any better. I ignored that voice because I like this author, who has written some great stories, and I knew he would not let me down. I continued to ignore the little voice in my head and finally came to the ending of the book. An ending that I had figured out near the start of the book. Sometimes even good writers toss out turkeys. I need to pay more attention to that little voice.

My faith in Ted Dekker has been jarred, but not shattered. I intend to read another of his novels very soon to get this taste out of my mouth.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and it was a great follow up to The Priest's Graveyard. I think a lot of readers who read this book but hadn't read The Priest's Graveyard really didn't get a sense of who Renee is. I wondered why Ted didn't include a little more about the torment she endured at the hands of Lamont which explains why she is so OCD and has such a wild imagination. She is a product of what she has endured, not just a harebrained female. She never knew love until Danny, had been abused every single person in her life, and I do believe she is strong in her own way.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a ton of Ted Dekker books, and while this book has the usual good versus evil plot line, Sanctuary brings a fresh spin on judgement, and as he says himself, it turns the mirror on the reader, and really forces you to evaluate for yourself the spiral society is stuck in by defining and labeling Christians as good, non Christians as bad. Human nature is much deeper than that, and This book points to the fact that only through faith in a savior can we be saved.