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Grievous Harm
When a child is in danger, every second counts.
In Sydney, Australia, The Loving Hand church understands how children can be a commodity more precious than gold.
When Kate Maclaren flies in from Los Angeles, desperate to find her missing niece, she opens a door into this world, and uncovers a network of corruption and cruelty that stretches across the country.
Agent John Corey, torn by long-buried guilt, and harbouring secrets he must not reveal, joins forces with Kate to expose the sinister cult before more children disappear. He will risk everything, even defying orders, to help Kate uncover the truth and keep her safe.
But when their journey into Australia’s Outback reveals the psychopath at the centre of the network, it is Kate who discovers she will do anything for the people she loves.
In Sydney, Australia, The Loving Hand church understands how children can be a commodity more precious than gold.
When Kate Maclaren flies in from Los Angeles, desperate to find her missing niece, she opens a door into this world, and uncovers a network of corruption and cruelty that stretches across the country.
Agent John Corey, torn by long-buried guilt, and harbouring secrets he must not reveal, joins forces with Kate to expose the sinister cult before more children disappear. He will risk everything, even defying orders, to help Kate uncover the truth and keep her safe.
But when their journey into Australia’s Outback reveals the psychopath at the centre of the network, it is Kate who discovers she will do anything for the people she loves.
- GenresCrime
Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Curtis
25 books40 followersSandy Curtis lives on Queensland’s Central Coast, not far from the beach where she loves to walk and mull over the intricate plots in her novels. Her husband says he doesn’t know how she keeps it all in her head, and her friends think she must be far more devious than she appears.
Actually, after having dealt with the chaos involved in rearing three children, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and a kookaburra (teaching it to fly was murder), creating complex characters, fast-paced action and edge-of-your-seat suspense is a breeze for Sandy.
At fourteen she wrote a story about a pickpocket who steals a wallet from an off-duty cop. To make sure her details were authentic, she wrote to Police Headquarters asking them about fingerprints. Her mother received a phone call wanting confirmation the query was genuine, and as Sandy hadn’t told her about the letter (or the story), she nearly had a heart attack thinking her daughter was in trouble with the law.
Sandy’s query resulted in an invitation to tour Police Headquarters with her teacher and several schoolfriends and meet the Police Commissioner. That’s when she learned that although the pen might be mightier than the sword, it does nothing to imbue self-confidence in an extremely nervous fourteen-year-old who had to shake the hand of Queensland’s top cop.
“All my pocket money and birthday money went on purchasing books,” Sandy says. “I devoured them. My aunt and uncle used to let me borrow their Saturday Evening Post (American version) and Reader’s Digest. In one Saturday Evening Post I read a story called “The Answer” by Philip Wylie, about a nuclear explosion which kills an angel and the Defence Force’s efforts to prove it was ‘really an alien being’. I was so impressed with the story I decided that one day I would become a story-teller like Philip Wylie.”
Interviewers often ask Sandy to describe her normal writing day. “Normal is when the chaos in my life subsides to frantic rather than frenzied. I once told a friend that I must have a chaos attractor glued on my forehead and she said that creativity hovers on the edge of chaos, to which I replied that I’d long ago fallen off the edge into the middle.”
Her various occupations, from private secretary to assistant to a Bore Licensing Inspector, as well as hitch-hiking around New Zealand and learning to parachute, have given Sandy lots of people and research skills. It’s the paperwork going feral in her office she has trouble with.
Actually, after having dealt with the chaos involved in rearing three children, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and a kookaburra (teaching it to fly was murder), creating complex characters, fast-paced action and edge-of-your-seat suspense is a breeze for Sandy.
At fourteen she wrote a story about a pickpocket who steals a wallet from an off-duty cop. To make sure her details were authentic, she wrote to Police Headquarters asking them about fingerprints. Her mother received a phone call wanting confirmation the query was genuine, and as Sandy hadn’t told her about the letter (or the story), she nearly had a heart attack thinking her daughter was in trouble with the law.
Sandy’s query resulted in an invitation to tour Police Headquarters with her teacher and several schoolfriends and meet the Police Commissioner. That’s when she learned that although the pen might be mightier than the sword, it does nothing to imbue self-confidence in an extremely nervous fourteen-year-old who had to shake the hand of Queensland’s top cop.
“All my pocket money and birthday money went on purchasing books,” Sandy says. “I devoured them. My aunt and uncle used to let me borrow their Saturday Evening Post (American version) and Reader’s Digest. In one Saturday Evening Post I read a story called “The Answer” by Philip Wylie, about a nuclear explosion which kills an angel and the Defence Force’s efforts to prove it was ‘really an alien being’. I was so impressed with the story I decided that one day I would become a story-teller like Philip Wylie.”
Interviewers often ask Sandy to describe her normal writing day. “Normal is when the chaos in my life subsides to frantic rather than frenzied. I once told a friend that I must have a chaos attractor glued on my forehead and she said that creativity hovers on the edge of chaos, to which I replied that I’d long ago fallen off the edge into the middle.”
Her various occupations, from private secretary to assistant to a Bore Licensing Inspector, as well as hitch-hiking around New Zealand and learning to parachute, have given Sandy lots of people and research skills. It’s the paperwork going feral in her office she has trouble with.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2015
Kate Maclaren had left her mother in Los Angeles and headed to Sydney, Australia when she couldn’t get in touch with her sister-in-law Melanie and niece Cindy – her brother’s wife had gone into the depths of grief when Paul died and Kate had had to bail her out before. But now she was worried – little Cindy was such a gorgeous little girl – Kate needed to find her. Kate’s investigations led her to The Loving Hand church; apparently Melanie and Cindy had joined the church community; now Kate just needed to find them.
When Agent John Corey in his investigation of a particular case came across Kate, he decided to help her in her search. His deep feelings of guilt were a constant in his life, and he needed to do this – both for himself and for Kate. But as they followed the clues, they found secrets, lies and an incredible network of corruption – they were scratching the surface. And the dangers were all around them – not the least being the Australian outback and its extremes. What on earth had they uncovered? And would Kate find Cindy – safe?
Grievous Harm is the latest by Aussie author Sandy Curtis, and in my opinion it’s her best! Full of gripping suspense and terrifying intrigue, the storyline flowed well. The plot was well executed and the characters were flawless. I did feel the resolution was a little rushed at the end, but it certainly didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story. Highly recommended for all lovers of mystery, intrigue and suspense.
When Agent John Corey in his investigation of a particular case came across Kate, he decided to help her in her search. His deep feelings of guilt were a constant in his life, and he needed to do this – both for himself and for Kate. But as they followed the clues, they found secrets, lies and an incredible network of corruption – they were scratching the surface. And the dangers were all around them – not the least being the Australian outback and its extremes. What on earth had they uncovered? And would Kate find Cindy – safe?
Grievous Harm is the latest by Aussie author Sandy Curtis, and in my opinion it’s her best! Full of gripping suspense and terrifying intrigue, the storyline flowed well. The plot was well executed and the characters were flawless. I did feel the resolution was a little rushed at the end, but it certainly didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story. Highly recommended for all lovers of mystery, intrigue and suspense.
May 23, 2019
4.5 stars
I’m finally getting through the author’s backlist titles. Have enjoyed every one of Sandy Curtis’s romantic suspense novels and this one was no exception. Ms Curtis spins an intense tale featuring child exploitation, a sensitive topic the author handled well.
A riveting read that will have you turning the pages swiftly.
*Book #12/72 of my coffee table to-read pile challenge
I’m finally getting through the author’s backlist titles. Have enjoyed every one of Sandy Curtis’s romantic suspense novels and this one was no exception. Ms Curtis spins an intense tale featuring child exploitation, a sensitive topic the author handled well.
A riveting read that will have you turning the pages swiftly.
*Book #12/72 of my coffee table to-read pile challenge
January 17, 2018
An excellent romantic suspense! I have to admit I almost stopped reading at a certain scene part way through the book, but I'm glad I pressed on. A real page turner!
February 23, 2015
So great to get my teeth into a Sandy Curtis book again. I have read them all and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one - it's been a while between "drinks" :)
Grievous Harm did not disappoint! A very sensitive topic which I believe was handled well, although it makes my blood boil knowing that this issue (along with the corruption) is real and part of the world in which I live :(
Grievous Harm did not disappoint! A very sensitive topic which I believe was handled well, although it makes my blood boil knowing that this issue (along with the corruption) is real and part of the world in which I live :(
December 26, 2018
This lovely lady barely reaches my shoulder, has the smile of an angel and looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. She also writes romantic suspense at a level that will scare the heck out of you and ensure you’re reading with every single light on – in daylight. There were several moments where I had to forcibly look away and remind myself I was reading a work of fiction. The most gripping thought though was how much fact weaved itself into the story. Some of the themes depicted in this story truly exist. Ms Curtis put her main characters through the ringer, yet I was the one who felt rung out after the intense pace her story had set.
Grievous Harm begins in the streets of Sydney and travels through to the Australian Outback in Queensland. American, Kate McLaren flies to Australia searching for her missing niece, unaware the child is being groomed by a sinister cult for terrifying purposes. Agent John Corey, whist working on what he believed was an unrelated case, soon learns the truth when he joins forces with Kate. Discovering the long reach of the cult is just the beginning, because not only are there other children in danger, they’re fast running out of people they can trust.
Personally, I love the nod the author gave to our Australian farmers doing it tough, which they are, and I hope that awareness shines through for other readers and in some way makes a difference to our famers’ plight.
Grievous Harm begins in the streets of Sydney and travels through to the Australian Outback in Queensland. American, Kate McLaren flies to Australia searching for her missing niece, unaware the child is being groomed by a sinister cult for terrifying purposes. Agent John Corey, whist working on what he believed was an unrelated case, soon learns the truth when he joins forces with Kate. Discovering the long reach of the cult is just the beginning, because not only are there other children in danger, they’re fast running out of people they can trust.
Personally, I love the nod the author gave to our Australian farmers doing it tough, which they are, and I hope that awareness shines through for other readers and in some way makes a difference to our famers’ plight.
June 7, 2017
An exciting story although I found some of the romantic feelings expressed somewhat overstated and a bit obvious at times. The background of the Australian bush and its inherent dangers was interesting.The topic of child exploitation was well handled especially when we were looking at it through the children's eyes.
April 26, 2020
An excellent romantic suspense! I have to admit I almost stopped reading at a certain scene part way through the book, but I'm glad I pressed on. A real page turner!
January 1, 2015
Great read. Really entertaining. Great characters who are made to face some really difficult situations! There are some sensitive issues in the book but the author has handled them with a lot of care - well done to her. And a very satisfying ending, which I'm big on! Overall, great book, great characters - will have to find the rest by this author!
March 2, 2015
a suspected criminal turns out to be a hero!
a trusted official is really a traitor to his country!
an undercover cop is injured and whisked away ...
she is braver than she thought!
Good story.. interesting focus changes..
gun running.. to false religions .. child prostitution.. to matters of national security!
a trusted official is really a traitor to his country!
an undercover cop is injured and whisked away ...
she is braver than she thought!
Good story.. interesting focus changes..
gun running.. to false religions .. child prostitution.. to matters of national security!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews