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Dark Sanctuary
A mother's worst fear, a killer on the loose, a darkness visible... A gripping page-turner for readers of Candice Fox and Karen Slaughter from an award-winning author
Sergeant 'Hex' Rexford is the detective who caught the infamous serial killer Dr. Witcherton. Now, with a series of gruesome murders unfolding inside Coast Sanctuary - a hospital for the criminally insane - Witcherton claims to know who's behind them. Hex takes the case, determined to uncover the truth, even as his own body is failing him.
Beth Thompson is desperate to keep her children safe. Her violent ex is stalking her, her son's behaviour is growing strange, and his beloved teddy bear, Theo, might be more than just a toy. When an elderly woman offers Beth a remote cottage, it feels like a chance to breathe - but safety is an illusion.
Meanwhile, true crime podcasters Eve and Zane are chasing the story of the murders. But as Eve edges closer to the truth, the danger closes in.
As past and present collide, and the body count rises, the threads connecting them all begin to tighten - and something terrifying is watching from the dark.
Sergeant 'Hex' Rexford is the detective who caught the infamous serial killer Dr. Witcherton. Now, with a series of gruesome murders unfolding inside Coast Sanctuary - a hospital for the criminally insane - Witcherton claims to know who's behind them. Hex takes the case, determined to uncover the truth, even as his own body is failing him.
Beth Thompson is desperate to keep her children safe. Her violent ex is stalking her, her son's behaviour is growing strange, and his beloved teddy bear, Theo, might be more than just a toy. When an elderly woman offers Beth a remote cottage, it feels like a chance to breathe - but safety is an illusion.
Meanwhile, true crime podcasters Eve and Zane are chasing the story of the murders. But as Eve edges closer to the truth, the danger closes in.
As past and present collide, and the body count rises, the threads connecting them all begin to tighten - and something terrifying is watching from the dark.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 12, 2026
DS Hugh Rexford (‘Hex’) is the detective who caught infamous serial killer Dr Witcherton, a surgeon who carried out unethical brain surgery experiments on children he abducted. Now similar murders are being carried out inside a hospital for the criminally insane, Coast Sanctuary, where prisoners are being put through a rehabilitation program before being eligible for early release and Hex is convinced Witcherton knows who is responsible.
Podcaster Eve Harrington and her assistant Zane are investigating complaints made about Coast Sanctuary and the efficacy and safety of their early release program for dangerously insane criminals.
In a separate story line, Beth Thompson who works as an activities director at a retirement village, is struggling to separate from her abusive and threatening husband who has gambled his way through all their assets. At the same time, she is concerned about her young son Charlie and his struggles to cope with the separation from his father.
As all three story arcs start to merge, the creepiness and tension starts to ramp up, especially as the body count rises. The mix of police procedural, investigative journalism and domestic abuse all merges into a disturbingly dark and gripping tale that kept me engaged right to the twisted end.
With thanks to Harlequin Australia via Netgalley for a copy to read
Podcaster Eve Harrington and her assistant Zane are investigating complaints made about Coast Sanctuary and the efficacy and safety of their early release program for dangerously insane criminals.
In a separate story line, Beth Thompson who works as an activities director at a retirement village, is struggling to separate from her abusive and threatening husband who has gambled his way through all their assets. At the same time, she is concerned about her young son Charlie and his struggles to cope with the separation from his father.
As all three story arcs start to merge, the creepiness and tension starts to ramp up, especially as the body count rises. The mix of police procedural, investigative journalism and domestic abuse all merges into a disturbingly dark and gripping tale that kept me engaged right to the twisted end.
With thanks to Harlequin Australia via Netgalley for a copy to read
July 17, 2026
Meticulously plotted. Atmospheric. Gripping crime fiction.
'A mother's worst fear, a killer on the loose, a darkness visible... '
Another chilling and memorable read from Australian author Sarah Barrie.
'A mother's worst fear, a killer on the loose, a darkness visible... '
Another chilling and memorable read from Australian author Sarah Barrie.
April 28, 2026
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie blew me away, it’s dark, atmospheric and totally creepy, I don’t know if I could of read this one if I was home alone late at night, it’s the perfectly executed crime thriller and I highly recommend.
Detective Sergeant ‘Hex’ Redford is tasked with finding a serial killer with a link to the infamous serial killer Dr. Witcherton who is currently held in a facility for the criminally insane. Hex is about to retire and his body is letting him down.
Beth Thompson works at a retirement village and has become close to a woman called Rose. Beth is also being stalked by her estranged and psychotic husband and her young son Charlie who is five is showing signs of worrying and strange behaviour.
True Crime podcasters Eve and Zane are chasing up complaints around Coast Sanctuary, a hospital facility designed to rehabilitate mentally ill individuals from the criminal justice system.
Beth, Rose and Hex are my favourite and they’re all amazing characters. There are themes of violence, murder and coercive control that will make your blood boil.
There are many twists and turns and I especially loved the plot twist near the end, never saw that one coming. Sarah Barrie is an amazing writer, this is a book not to be missed!
Publication Day 28 April 2026
Publisher HQ Fiction AU
I read this as part of the HQ Insiders team, thank you so much Harlequin Australia for a copy of the book.
Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie blew me away, it’s dark, atmospheric and totally creepy, I don’t know if I could of read this one if I was home alone late at night, it’s the perfectly executed crime thriller and I highly recommend.
Detective Sergeant ‘Hex’ Redford is tasked with finding a serial killer with a link to the infamous serial killer Dr. Witcherton who is currently held in a facility for the criminally insane. Hex is about to retire and his body is letting him down.
Beth Thompson works at a retirement village and has become close to a woman called Rose. Beth is also being stalked by her estranged and psychotic husband and her young son Charlie who is five is showing signs of worrying and strange behaviour.
True Crime podcasters Eve and Zane are chasing up complaints around Coast Sanctuary, a hospital facility designed to rehabilitate mentally ill individuals from the criminal justice system.
Beth, Rose and Hex are my favourite and they’re all amazing characters. There are themes of violence, murder and coercive control that will make your blood boil.
There are many twists and turns and I especially loved the plot twist near the end, never saw that one coming. Sarah Barrie is an amazing writer, this is a book not to be missed!
Publication Day 28 April 2026
Publisher HQ Fiction AU
I read this as part of the HQ Insiders team, thank you so much Harlequin Australia for a copy of the book.
May 27, 2026
Holy mother of mercy!
What a heart stopping psychological thriller. I will never forget this story. Initially I was a little thrown but what seemed to be unconnected side stories but they coalesce in the most horrific and unexpected way.
As many deaths as a Shakespearean tragedy, and just as many difficult to read traumas (be warned - some of the most difficult psychological DV scenes I’ve ever read).
Outstanding writing by Sarah Barrie.
What a heart stopping psychological thriller. I will never forget this story. Initially I was a little thrown but what seemed to be unconnected side stories but they coalesce in the most horrific and unexpected way.
As many deaths as a Shakespearean tragedy, and just as many difficult to read traumas (be warned - some of the most difficult psychological DV scenes I’ve ever read).
Outstanding writing by Sarah Barrie.
May 24, 2026
This book doesn’t simply begin; it creeps into your peripheral vision like a shadow you swear wasn’t there a second ago, and before you know it, you’re knee‑deep in murder, madness, and the kind of dread that makes you want to turn on every light in the house. It’s atmospheric, it’s unsettling, and it wraps around you like cold fog that refuses to lift.
Sergeant Hex Rexford is exactly the kind of detective I fall ferally in love with — exhausted, haunted, stitched together with grit and stubbornness. He’s the man who caught Dr. Witcherton, the serial killer whose name alone feels like a curse. And now? Now he’s dragged back into the nightmare as bodies start piling up inside Coast Sanctuary, a hospital for the criminally insane.
Hex is unraveling physically, mentally, emotionally — and yet he keeps going.
Because of course he does.
He’s that brand of broken hero who refuses to lie down even when the universe is actively kicking him.
Then there’s Beth Thompson — a mother in survival mode, clinging to her kids while her violent ex circles like a wolf. Her son’s behaviour is shifting, her nerves are frayed, and even the teddy bear feels wrong. When she’s offered a remote cottage, it feels like salvation… until you realise safety is just another illusion this book loves to rip away.
And floating above it all are Eve and Zane, true‑crime podcasters chasing the story like moths to a flame. Eve gets too close — because of course she does — and suddenly the danger isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s breathing down her neck.
The brilliance of this book is how all these threads — Hex’s failing body, Beth’s terror, the podcasters’ curiosity, Witcherton’s cryptic knowledge — start tightening around each other like a noose. Every chapter feels like a step deeper into a labyrinth where something is watching, waiting, calculating.
The atmosphere?
Immaculate.
Dark corridors.
Unreliable shadows.
A hospital full of monsters — some human, some not.
A sense of dread that never lets up.
This is the kind of thriller that doesn’t just entertain you — it infects you.
You read it with your shoulders up around your ears, muttering “oh no oh no oh no” while refusing to put it down.
By the end, you’re breathless, rattled, and absolutely convinced that something ancient and hungry is lurking just out of sight.
A masterclass in tension, character, and creeping horror.
A 5‑star, sleep‑with-the-lights-on, “I will be thinking about this for days” experience.
Sergeant Hex Rexford is exactly the kind of detective I fall ferally in love with — exhausted, haunted, stitched together with grit and stubbornness. He’s the man who caught Dr. Witcherton, the serial killer whose name alone feels like a curse. And now? Now he’s dragged back into the nightmare as bodies start piling up inside Coast Sanctuary, a hospital for the criminally insane.
Hex is unraveling physically, mentally, emotionally — and yet he keeps going.
Because of course he does.
He’s that brand of broken hero who refuses to lie down even when the universe is actively kicking him.
Then there’s Beth Thompson — a mother in survival mode, clinging to her kids while her violent ex circles like a wolf. Her son’s behaviour is shifting, her nerves are frayed, and even the teddy bear feels wrong. When she’s offered a remote cottage, it feels like salvation… until you realise safety is just another illusion this book loves to rip away.
And floating above it all are Eve and Zane, true‑crime podcasters chasing the story like moths to a flame. Eve gets too close — because of course she does — and suddenly the danger isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s breathing down her neck.
The brilliance of this book is how all these threads — Hex’s failing body, Beth’s terror, the podcasters’ curiosity, Witcherton’s cryptic knowledge — start tightening around each other like a noose. Every chapter feels like a step deeper into a labyrinth where something is watching, waiting, calculating.
The atmosphere?
Immaculate.
Dark corridors.
Unreliable shadows.
A hospital full of monsters — some human, some not.
A sense of dread that never lets up.
This is the kind of thriller that doesn’t just entertain you — it infects you.
You read it with your shoulders up around your ears, muttering “oh no oh no oh no” while refusing to put it down.
By the end, you’re breathless, rattled, and absolutely convinced that something ancient and hungry is lurking just out of sight.
A masterclass in tension, character, and creeping horror.
A 5‑star, sleep‑with-the-lights-on, “I will be thinking about this for days” experience.
July 18, 2026
4⭐️ - Another banger from HQ Books! This one follows multiple storylines that slowly come together as the story unfolds. You've got a detective investigating a disturbing case, a pair of true crime podcasters looking into a suspicious facility and Beth, who's desperately trying to escape an abusive relationship. I wasn't sure how everything was connected at first, but seeing all the pieces fall into place was so satisfying.
OMG, the tension in this! 😮💨 It gets pretty dark, especially with its themes of violence, trauma and coercive control. There were twists I never saw coming and every time I thought I'd figured things out, the story pulled the rug out from under me again.
Sarah Barrie's writing had me completely hooked from start to finish and that ending genuinely caught me off guard.
Thank you so much to HQ Books for the gifted copy!
OMG, the tension in this! 😮💨 It gets pretty dark, especially with its themes of violence, trauma and coercive control. There were twists I never saw coming and every time I thought I'd figured things out, the story pulled the rug out from under me again.
Sarah Barrie's writing had me completely hooked from start to finish and that ending genuinely caught me off guard.
Thank you so much to HQ Books for the gifted copy!
April 12, 2026
A few storylines to follow and anticipate the moment the storylines begin to merge together. Some fabulous characters and satisfying moments of karma along the way. Thanks to HQ INSIDERS for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This was full of suspense and a must read for lovers of psychological thriller novels.
This was full of suspense and a must read for lovers of psychological thriller novels.
March 21, 2026
This book comes straight out of left field, slaps you and demands your attention….and it’s not going to take no for an answer.
I’m a massive fan of Sarah’s Lexi Winter series, Lexi is one of my all time favourite characters, so I was a little nervous on just how Sarah was going to move on from there. However, there is no doubt that she had done just that, and in true brilliance.
Dark Sanctuary is told from the point of view of the three main protagonists. Sergeant ‘Hex’ Rexford is a detective at the end of his career and possibly his own life, but with a determination to see a serial killer caught. Beth, a mum doing her best trying to survive her ex and keep a roof over the heads of her two children. Then there is Eve, a podcaster with a difference, she has her heart in the right place and is trying to find the truth.
There are a wide variety of characters in this story, and they all play their part impeccably. Some will find a place in your heart, and to put it bluntly, there are one or two that will rile you up and you will want to punch them in the face, but regardless, they will all bring your emotions front and centre as you make your way through this book.
This captivating story is entertaining, action-packed, emotional and full of twists and turns around every corner. It had my attention from the opening prologue, and didn’t let go until the very end, well to be honest, it didn’t let go even then as it has stayed with me while I write this review.
There is so much I’d love to say about this book, seriously I will be talking about it long into the future, but I don’t want to spoil anything for other readers, so I’ll leave it there and just say…..you really need to grab a copy of Dark Sanctuary and see for yourself….but maybe lock your doors if you’re reading it at night.
Thank you Harlequin Australia for my fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 28 April 2026
#darksanctuary
#sarahbarrie
#darksecrets
#harlequinaustralia
#harpercollinsbooks
I’m a massive fan of Sarah’s Lexi Winter series, Lexi is one of my all time favourite characters, so I was a little nervous on just how Sarah was going to move on from there. However, there is no doubt that she had done just that, and in true brilliance.
Dark Sanctuary is told from the point of view of the three main protagonists. Sergeant ‘Hex’ Rexford is a detective at the end of his career and possibly his own life, but with a determination to see a serial killer caught. Beth, a mum doing her best trying to survive her ex and keep a roof over the heads of her two children. Then there is Eve, a podcaster with a difference, she has her heart in the right place and is trying to find the truth.
There are a wide variety of characters in this story, and they all play their part impeccably. Some will find a place in your heart, and to put it bluntly, there are one or two that will rile you up and you will want to punch them in the face, but regardless, they will all bring your emotions front and centre as you make your way through this book.
This captivating story is entertaining, action-packed, emotional and full of twists and turns around every corner. It had my attention from the opening prologue, and didn’t let go until the very end, well to be honest, it didn’t let go even then as it has stayed with me while I write this review.
There is so much I’d love to say about this book, seriously I will be talking about it long into the future, but I don’t want to spoil anything for other readers, so I’ll leave it there and just say…..you really need to grab a copy of Dark Sanctuary and see for yourself….but maybe lock your doors if you’re reading it at night.
Thank you Harlequin Australia for my fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 28 April 2026
#darksanctuary
#sarahbarrie
#darksecrets
#harlequinaustralia
#harpercollinsbooks
May 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 4.5/5 stars
𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍!
𝚆𝚘𝚊𝚑𝚑𝚑 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜!
𝙼𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝙿𝙾𝚅’𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚒𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛.
𝚂𝚘 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛
𝙰 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚈𝙴𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚎!
𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 ’𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞’ 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭)
𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍!
𝚆𝚘𝚊𝚑𝚑𝚑 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜!
𝙼𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝙿𝙾𝚅’𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚒𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛.
𝚂𝚘 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛
𝙰 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚈𝙴𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂𝚂 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚎!
𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 ’𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞’ 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭)
May 30, 2026
Starts off slow but it sure ramps up towards the end. While some of the plot is predictable it is still a nail biter!
May 26, 2026
It was easy book to get into, although I could predict where it was going I still enjoyed the process.
June 5, 2026
WOW! What an absolutely fantastic thriller. I absolutely LOVED it.
Dark Sanctuary was full of suspense, mystery, murder, secrets, and killer twists that I didn't see coming.
I was completely blown away by how good this book was. Sarah Barrie has been a go-to thriller author for me for a while now, especially since her Lexi Winter series, but she's taken it to another level with Dark Sanctuary. It was very well written. It was dark, emotional, twisted and down right addictive. I couldn't put it down.
I love that it was told from three very different point of views. I enjoyed reading about each of them: Hex: police officer, Eve: podcast journalist, and Beth: Single mother, leaving an abusive marriage.
I especially loved Beth. She was brave, strong, smart, and determined.
Sarah wove these stories together beautifully, with a few epic twists along the way.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
I very highly recommend. This is honestly one of the best thrillers I've read in years.
5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For fans of Sam Holland, J.D. Barker, Sharon Bolton, and M.W. Craven.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin Australia, and Sarah Barrie.
Dark Sanctuary was full of suspense, mystery, murder, secrets, and killer twists that I didn't see coming.
I was completely blown away by how good this book was. Sarah Barrie has been a go-to thriller author for me for a while now, especially since her Lexi Winter series, but she's taken it to another level with Dark Sanctuary. It was very well written. It was dark, emotional, twisted and down right addictive. I couldn't put it down.
I love that it was told from three very different point of views. I enjoyed reading about each of them: Hex: police officer, Eve: podcast journalist, and Beth: Single mother, leaving an abusive marriage.
I especially loved Beth. She was brave, strong, smart, and determined.
Sarah wove these stories together beautifully, with a few epic twists along the way.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
I very highly recommend. This is honestly one of the best thrillers I've read in years.
5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For fans of Sam Holland, J.D. Barker, Sharon Bolton, and M.W. Craven.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin Australia, and Sarah Barrie.
May 14, 2026
Gruesome murders, a serial killer, a hospital for the criminally insane, a podcast, creepy teddy bears...caught your attention? It should have! And you absolutely need to add this book to your TBR if you like dark, gritty murder mysteries. Sarah Barrie is the Queen of Aussie Crime.
Now, there are a lot of characters in this book so I will admit it took a couple of chapters to really settle in to the flow of the story. But before I knew it I was hooked. I loved the slow reveal of how the character's stories were going to intersect. The story was downright creepy in parts and I was seriously questioning my decision to read it at night after everyone had gone to bed 😅 but I also couldn't possibly put it down. Creepy, clever and addictive. Love love loved it!
Now, there are a lot of characters in this book so I will admit it took a couple of chapters to really settle in to the flow of the story. But before I knew it I was hooked. I loved the slow reveal of how the character's stories were going to intersect. The story was downright creepy in parts and I was seriously questioning my decision to read it at night after everyone had gone to bed 😅 but I also couldn't possibly put it down. Creepy, clever and addictive. Love love loved it!
May 25, 2026
WOW… this one is going to live rent free in my head for a while!
This one is dark, twisty and completely gripping from start to finish. The atmosphere is seriously unsettling (in the best way) and I found myself hooked on every layer of the story as it unfolded.
The multiple POVs worked so well, slowly building the bigger picture, and those twists?! I genuinely didn’t see some of them coming.
It definitely feels like her darkest book yet, with that perfect mix of psychological edge and creeping unease that keeps you turning the pages late into the night.
Dark Sanctuary was an addictive read, emotional, gripping with just the right amount of creeping unease.
If you love thrillers that keep you guessing and give you goosebumps along the way… add this to your TBR immediately.
This one is dark, twisty and completely gripping from start to finish. The atmosphere is seriously unsettling (in the best way) and I found myself hooked on every layer of the story as it unfolded.
The multiple POVs worked so well, slowly building the bigger picture, and those twists?! I genuinely didn’t see some of them coming.
It definitely feels like her darkest book yet, with that perfect mix of psychological edge and creeping unease that keeps you turning the pages late into the night.
Dark Sanctuary was an addictive read, emotional, gripping with just the right amount of creeping unease.
If you love thrillers that keep you guessing and give you goosebumps along the way… add this to your TBR immediately.
June 16, 2026
My head is still spinning from this epic psychological thriller
Strap in, it’s an intense and dark ride!
With two stories running concurrently, we see Beth desperately trying to escape the clutches of her horrible and controlling husband Byron. Now living in a less than ideal rental, trying to shield her children from his reaches.
Sergeant ‘Hex’ Rexford is the famous detective who many years ago put serial killer Dr Witcherton behind bars. But now as gruesome murders are being discovered at Coast Sanctuary (a hospital for the criminally insane) Dr Witcherton claims to know who the killer is. The causes Hex to take the case, with podcasters Eve & Zane eager to solve the crimes
As the story flows the tension builds with short chapters and past and present POVs
Dark, creepy, at times very very frightening (Beth & Byron’s encounters were intense and horribly unsettling) the glimmers of hope kept me going
While there was a lot going on, I was desperately trying to piece together the clues and shocked to my core with the final reveal - DID NOT SEE IT COMING!!
I have Sarah’s Lexi Winter series on my TBR and I will absolutely be bumping it up!
Dark Sanctuary is a must read thriller - highly recommend
Thank you HQ Books for sending me this as part of the #thrillerbotm - the perfect Thriller book!
Strap in, it’s an intense and dark ride!
With two stories running concurrently, we see Beth desperately trying to escape the clutches of her horrible and controlling husband Byron. Now living in a less than ideal rental, trying to shield her children from his reaches.
Sergeant ‘Hex’ Rexford is the famous detective who many years ago put serial killer Dr Witcherton behind bars. But now as gruesome murders are being discovered at Coast Sanctuary (a hospital for the criminally insane) Dr Witcherton claims to know who the killer is. The causes Hex to take the case, with podcasters Eve & Zane eager to solve the crimes
As the story flows the tension builds with short chapters and past and present POVs
Dark, creepy, at times very very frightening (Beth & Byron’s encounters were intense and horribly unsettling) the glimmers of hope kept me going
While there was a lot going on, I was desperately trying to piece together the clues and shocked to my core with the final reveal - DID NOT SEE IT COMING!!
I have Sarah’s Lexi Winter series on my TBR and I will absolutely be bumping it up!
Dark Sanctuary is a must read thriller - highly recommend
Thank you HQ Books for sending me this as part of the #thrillerbotm - the perfect Thriller book!
May 13, 2026
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
After devouring and loving the Lexi Winters series, I have been looking forward to a new Sarah Barrie story.
And I was not disappointed.
we get 3 different story arcs and views of this story, however they all merge to give us a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, needing to know what is going to happen next
It was a bit of a slow start for me, however as the story progresses, the creep factor and the thrills ramp up. I was left holding my breath as I turned each page.
I also like that I know a lot of the areas that Barrie writes about in her stories, which gives a bit more oomph and realism for me.
Now I am wondering what she can do to enthrall me next.
After devouring and loving the Lexi Winters series, I have been looking forward to a new Sarah Barrie story.
And I was not disappointed.
we get 3 different story arcs and views of this story, however they all merge to give us a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, needing to know what is going to happen next
It was a bit of a slow start for me, however as the story progresses, the creep factor and the thrills ramp up. I was left holding my breath as I turned each page.
I also like that I know a lot of the areas that Barrie writes about in her stories, which gives a bit more oomph and realism for me.
Now I am wondering what she can do to enthrall me next.
April 8, 2026
I was hooked from the very first page as Dark Sanctuary wove its tendrils into my page turning finger. This book has everything I love and I was instantly addicted. Unlikable characters, podcasts, plot twists and much much more which just cemented the fact that I will read what everything Sarah Barrie writes.
Dark Sanctuary follows three main characters, Hex, Beth and Eve, I knew their stories would intertwine at some stage but I was surprised at the depth their journeys took and was wowed with their eventual collisions. There are a lot of surprises in this book, one that left my jaw on the floor, and kept me reading at warp speed to the final conclusion.
I highly recommend Dark Sanctuary to all thriller lovers, it is a fast paced, unhinged and at times very dark read, it will get your blood pumping and keep you reading long into the night. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for this early reading copy, five big stars!
Dark Sanctuary follows three main characters, Hex, Beth and Eve, I knew their stories would intertwine at some stage but I was surprised at the depth their journeys took and was wowed with their eventual collisions. There are a lot of surprises in this book, one that left my jaw on the floor, and kept me reading at warp speed to the final conclusion.
I highly recommend Dark Sanctuary to all thriller lovers, it is a fast paced, unhinged and at times very dark read, it will get your blood pumping and keep you reading long into the night. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for this early reading copy, five big stars!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow…. What a story!! 🤯
We follow three main character, Hex - a detective, Beth - a mother going through some struggles, and Eve - a true crime podcaster.
Sarah Barrie captured my attention instantly with this book; it held me from the very get-go. The perfect read for any thriller/crime fans out there.
Being set local to me on the Central Coast; I also found it even more gripping to read.
Definitely one for the thriller fans to add to their TBR’s, the plot twists were fantastic!!
Thank you to HQ Insiders for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this story!
We follow three main character, Hex - a detective, Beth - a mother going through some struggles, and Eve - a true crime podcaster.
Sarah Barrie captured my attention instantly with this book; it held me from the very get-go. The perfect read for any thriller/crime fans out there.
Being set local to me on the Central Coast; I also found it even more gripping to read.
Definitely one for the thriller fans to add to their TBR’s, the plot twists were fantastic!!
Thank you to HQ Insiders for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this story!
Read
April 1, 2026A brilliant page turner. Full of suspense, surprises & intrigue. Would have liked to learn a bit more about what happened to Hex’s team afterwards, but maybe it could lead to another book? Hope so. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
March 22, 2026
Dark Sanctuary is Sarah Barrie’s next release, and boy is it a good one!
Following 3 different main characters - Detective ‘Hex’ Redford, single mother Beth Thompson and podcaster Eve, their lives intertwine when a series of gruesome murders take place.
Another great read from Sarah Barrie! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and boy, was I in disbelief at a few of the twists! I didn’t see them coming! 🤯🤯
Overall a great read and I’m sure another bestseller!
Thank you HQ insiders for the copy to read and review.
Following 3 different main characters - Detective ‘Hex’ Redford, single mother Beth Thompson and podcaster Eve, their lives intertwine when a series of gruesome murders take place.
Another great read from Sarah Barrie! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and boy, was I in disbelief at a few of the twists! I didn’t see them coming! 🤯🤯
Overall a great read and I’m sure another bestseller!
Thank you HQ insiders for the copy to read and review.
March 18, 2026
What a roller coaster of a story!
Beth Thompson, a young mother who is trying to free herself from her manipulative husband and who in turn tries to use their children to get his way.
Rose, an elderly woman who wants to help Beth but also her own demons to battle.
Eve, a crime podcaster trying to chase a story for the next episode.
Sergent Hex Rexford, who is close to retirement but is desperate to solve the case of a serial killer as he has carried some guilt over the investigations when all started many years ago.
This is a very unsettling story. At times I saw or guessed how paths might be connected and this added to the feeling of unease. It made me get up to make sure the doors were locked.
And it will take some time until I can pick up my knitting needles and not think of this story….
Thank you Harlequin Australia for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy as part of the HQ Insiders program.
Beth Thompson, a young mother who is trying to free herself from her manipulative husband and who in turn tries to use their children to get his way.
Rose, an elderly woman who wants to help Beth but also her own demons to battle.
Eve, a crime podcaster trying to chase a story for the next episode.
Sergent Hex Rexford, who is close to retirement but is desperate to solve the case of a serial killer as he has carried some guilt over the investigations when all started many years ago.
This is a very unsettling story. At times I saw or guessed how paths might be connected and this added to the feeling of unease. It made me get up to make sure the doors were locked.
And it will take some time until I can pick up my knitting needles and not think of this story….
Thank you Harlequin Australia for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy as part of the HQ Insiders program.
March 8, 2026
I've read and enjoyed all of Sarah Barrie's books so far, I really liked the Lexi Winter series. I was very excited to receive this book from HQ Insiders to read and review.
There seemed like a lot of characters in this book at first, and two very separate story lines. But eventually the two story lines cross over with a bang.
I read this book in less then 24 hours and that was on a work day! I had to keep reading to find out what happened. I thought I had an idea but there were still some twists and turns to come.
I enjoyed the setting, some places that I had been to before. I do enjoy novels using real locations.
I think readers of Candice Fox would enjoy Dark Sanctuary.
This was a very fast paced thriller with lots of characters.
This ARC did have some typos, a name mix up 3 times in one page and 2 major story line errors. Hopefully those will be picked up by editors before the final edition is released.
#HQinsiders
There seemed like a lot of characters in this book at first, and two very separate story lines. But eventually the two story lines cross over with a bang.
I read this book in less then 24 hours and that was on a work day! I had to keep reading to find out what happened. I thought I had an idea but there were still some twists and turns to come.
I enjoyed the setting, some places that I had been to before. I do enjoy novels using real locations.
I think readers of Candice Fox would enjoy Dark Sanctuary.
This was a very fast paced thriller with lots of characters.
This ARC did have some typos, a name mix up 3 times in one page and 2 major story line errors. Hopefully those will be picked up by editors before the final edition is released.
#HQinsiders
March 9, 2026
OMG!
This was absolutely amazing!
So many thoughts running through my head!
I could not put it down!!
WOW!
Truly a twisted Thrill!
So many great characters, this story was Woven to perfection!!!
Five stars 🌟 is not enough!!
This was absolutely amazing!
So many thoughts running through my head!
I could not put it down!!
WOW!
Truly a twisted Thrill!
So many great characters, this story was Woven to perfection!!!
Five stars 🌟 is not enough!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Massive thank you to the team at HQ for sending me an uncorrected proof copy for early review. I have loved getting lost within the pages of this book!
Dark Sanctuary is an intense, gripping crime thriller that had me completely hooked from the very first pages. From start to finish, this was the kind of book that demanded to be read in one sitting, with each chapter pulling me deeper into its dark and intricately layered narrative.
Told through three distinct perspectives, the story balances its characters exceptionally well. Hex, a detective on the verge of retirement while battling chronic illness, brings a grounded and emotional depth to the investigation. Eve, a podcaster dedicated to exposing broken systems and advocating for reform, adds a contemporary and compelling angle to the story, while Beth’s perspective, as a mother navigating a painful separation and custody battle, gives the novel its emotional backbone and some of its most confronting moments.
At the heart of the story is a brutal and deeply unsettling killer whose crimes are both horrifying and symbolic, forcing the narrative to examine themes of trauma, psychology, and the age-old question of nature versus nurture. The inclusion of journal-style recordings from an elderly woman in aged care was such an effective storytelling device, gradually revealing pieces of the past that shaped the present and tying the threads of the story together in a powerful way.
Barrie doesn’t shy away from difficult and important real-world issues, particularly domestic violence, coercive control, and the often frustrating realities of securing protection through legal systems. These elements gave the story an added weight and realism, making Beth’s journey especially impactful.
The character work was incredibly strong, including the ones you love to hate. Byron and Eddie were written so effectively in their arrogance and entitlement that every scene with them sparked genuine frustration, which only speaks to how convincing their roles were in the wider narrative.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly all the storylines converged into a shocking, emotionally charged climax. The final chapters were explosive, heartbreaking, and deeply satisfying, with the closing podcast chapter delivering a particularly powerful emotional punch. It felt cinematic in its execution, like watching the most intense episode of a crime procedural unfold in real time.
With vivid imagery, relentless tension, and themes that feel both timely and important, Dark Sanctuary was a standout read for me. It delivered everything I want in a thriller: suspense, emotional depth, complex characters, and moments that genuinely made my heart race. This was my first Sarah Barrie novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.
A five-star read without hesitation!
Dark Sanctuary is an intense, gripping crime thriller that had me completely hooked from the very first pages. From start to finish, this was the kind of book that demanded to be read in one sitting, with each chapter pulling me deeper into its dark and intricately layered narrative.
Told through three distinct perspectives, the story balances its characters exceptionally well. Hex, a detective on the verge of retirement while battling chronic illness, brings a grounded and emotional depth to the investigation. Eve, a podcaster dedicated to exposing broken systems and advocating for reform, adds a contemporary and compelling angle to the story, while Beth’s perspective, as a mother navigating a painful separation and custody battle, gives the novel its emotional backbone and some of its most confronting moments.
At the heart of the story is a brutal and deeply unsettling killer whose crimes are both horrifying and symbolic, forcing the narrative to examine themes of trauma, psychology, and the age-old question of nature versus nurture. The inclusion of journal-style recordings from an elderly woman in aged care was such an effective storytelling device, gradually revealing pieces of the past that shaped the present and tying the threads of the story together in a powerful way.
Barrie doesn’t shy away from difficult and important real-world issues, particularly domestic violence, coercive control, and the often frustrating realities of securing protection through legal systems. These elements gave the story an added weight and realism, making Beth’s journey especially impactful.
The character work was incredibly strong, including the ones you love to hate. Byron and Eddie were written so effectively in their arrogance and entitlement that every scene with them sparked genuine frustration, which only speaks to how convincing their roles were in the wider narrative.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly all the storylines converged into a shocking, emotionally charged climax. The final chapters were explosive, heartbreaking, and deeply satisfying, with the closing podcast chapter delivering a particularly powerful emotional punch. It felt cinematic in its execution, like watching the most intense episode of a crime procedural unfold in real time.
With vivid imagery, relentless tension, and themes that feel both timely and important, Dark Sanctuary was a standout read for me. It delivered everything I want in a thriller: suspense, emotional depth, complex characters, and moments that genuinely made my heart race. This was my first Sarah Barrie novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.
A five-star read without hesitation!
May 4, 2026
Follow my reviews on substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/taraand...
I’m a huge fan of the Lexi Winter series, so I was excited to read Sarah Barrie’s newest crime novel, Dark Sanctuary.
This thriller is written in many different perspectives; throughout most of the story there are three. Therefore, from the beginning it is clear that these lives and stories will be connected, and throughout the story as a reader you strive to piece it all together. For this story, I feel that format didn’t quite do the storylines justice. It made certain characters easier to pinpoint as ‘suspicious’, and I think overall reduced the shock-value of the twists and turns.
I received a copy of Dark Sanctuary as an advanced reader copy, and there were some formatting issues with the digital ARC. I am unsure if this is related to that - but there were some grammar issues throughout some of the conversations. Some dialogue was written a bit clunky – it made me re-read sentences to confirm meaning. This stood out to me as I am familiar with Barrie’s work, it seemed unusual and disjointed.
In addition to this, I found the start of the book quite slow. I feel that it relied on the ‘shocking’ nature of the murders that were committed to keep the reader engaged, missing Barrie’s typical ‘punchy’ storylines and movement of stories. The storyline involving domestic violence in one point of view felt both rushed and shallow, and often unbelievable, while throughout most of the story the point of view of the podcaster (Eve) felt unnecessary. Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion, but I feel that Eve’s storyline could have been told through the storyline of the head detective Hex, rather than given its own point of view. The POV felt lacking and only present to further a particular twist and turn.
Towards the end of the story (about 70%) however, I felt Barrie’s magic start to trickle in. She truly thrives in action packed, fast moving and shocking scenes, and this was clear throughout the Lexi Winters series. The twists and turns felt realistic and probable, and kept me hooked and engaged up until the end of the story. The end was satisfying, clear, and impactful, and it did leave me wanting more – which is an excellent way to conclude a book.
I rated this book as a whole at 3.5 stars. I would rate the first 70% 2.5 stars, and the final 30% 4 stars. Overall I greatly enjoy Barrie’s writing style, I just found the start of the novel to be a bit lacklustre.
Thank you so much to HQ Books Australia for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for me to provide a review with my complete and honest opinion.
I’m a huge fan of the Lexi Winter series, so I was excited to read Sarah Barrie’s newest crime novel, Dark Sanctuary.
This thriller is written in many different perspectives; throughout most of the story there are three. Therefore, from the beginning it is clear that these lives and stories will be connected, and throughout the story as a reader you strive to piece it all together. For this story, I feel that format didn’t quite do the storylines justice. It made certain characters easier to pinpoint as ‘suspicious’, and I think overall reduced the shock-value of the twists and turns.
I received a copy of Dark Sanctuary as an advanced reader copy, and there were some formatting issues with the digital ARC. I am unsure if this is related to that - but there were some grammar issues throughout some of the conversations. Some dialogue was written a bit clunky – it made me re-read sentences to confirm meaning. This stood out to me as I am familiar with Barrie’s work, it seemed unusual and disjointed.
In addition to this, I found the start of the book quite slow. I feel that it relied on the ‘shocking’ nature of the murders that were committed to keep the reader engaged, missing Barrie’s typical ‘punchy’ storylines and movement of stories. The storyline involving domestic violence in one point of view felt both rushed and shallow, and often unbelievable, while throughout most of the story the point of view of the podcaster (Eve) felt unnecessary. Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion, but I feel that Eve’s storyline could have been told through the storyline of the head detective Hex, rather than given its own point of view. The POV felt lacking and only present to further a particular twist and turn.
Towards the end of the story (about 70%) however, I felt Barrie’s magic start to trickle in. She truly thrives in action packed, fast moving and shocking scenes, and this was clear throughout the Lexi Winters series. The twists and turns felt realistic and probable, and kept me hooked and engaged up until the end of the story. The end was satisfying, clear, and impactful, and it did leave me wanting more – which is an excellent way to conclude a book.
I rated this book as a whole at 3.5 stars. I would rate the first 70% 2.5 stars, and the final 30% 4 stars. Overall I greatly enjoy Barrie’s writing style, I just found the start of the novel to be a bit lacklustre.
Thank you so much to HQ Books Australia for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for me to provide a review with my complete and honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow, this storyline is incredibly spine chilling and although I was a little anxious with reading, I also wanted to know who the murderer was and although it kept me on tenterhooks, I never guessed the ending till closer to the end.
The storyline has like 3 lots of different stories of people and I wasn't sure how they were all going to be connected to each other.
We have Sergeant Rexford known as Hex and he is a detective investigating the gruesome murders inside Coast Sanctuary Hospital for the criminally insane. It's not hard to like him and feel his pain of losing his wife who he carries a picture in his wallet and he himself is suffering with health problems but is determined to see this through and catch the killer.
Then there is Eve & Zane who are crime podcasters and they are chasing the story of the murders.
We also follow a great story with Beth and her two children ages 5 and 11. She has an abusive ex-husband that is so annoying and demanding for her attention all the time. I found reading about her life really interesting but how was she connected to the murders of all these people. Keep reading and you will find out.
Beth befriends from work an elderly lady called Rose who was just so delightful and loved Rose like her own. Beth was helping her write her memoirs. It wasn't hard to warm to Rose at all.
Us the reader will be captured from the first page, it really grips you to the core of how these people, mostly women are murdered. A lot of twists and turns to keep you interested. It's one of those stories that you just can't put down.
There were times that I felt tears welling up. I highly recommend reading this great crime thriller. Even if you are a bit like me and apprehensive, don't be as this storyline really captivates you into finishing reading and seeing how they are all entwined into the murders and who the murderer is.
Sarah Barrie has created another tense but thrilling storyline who brings out the most amazing storylines and descriptive murders that chill you. I don't think I will look at knitting needles the same anymore.
Thank you to @harlequinaustralia for sending me this uncorrected proof-reading copy. The cover really suits the storyline. Also to @sarahbarrie, I know I will read more of your books for sure.
The storyline has like 3 lots of different stories of people and I wasn't sure how they were all going to be connected to each other.
We have Sergeant Rexford known as Hex and he is a detective investigating the gruesome murders inside Coast Sanctuary Hospital for the criminally insane. It's not hard to like him and feel his pain of losing his wife who he carries a picture in his wallet and he himself is suffering with health problems but is determined to see this through and catch the killer.
Then there is Eve & Zane who are crime podcasters and they are chasing the story of the murders.
We also follow a great story with Beth and her two children ages 5 and 11. She has an abusive ex-husband that is so annoying and demanding for her attention all the time. I found reading about her life really interesting but how was she connected to the murders of all these people. Keep reading and you will find out.
Beth befriends from work an elderly lady called Rose who was just so delightful and loved Rose like her own. Beth was helping her write her memoirs. It wasn't hard to warm to Rose at all.
Us the reader will be captured from the first page, it really grips you to the core of how these people, mostly women are murdered. A lot of twists and turns to keep you interested. It's one of those stories that you just can't put down.
There were times that I felt tears welling up. I highly recommend reading this great crime thriller. Even if you are a bit like me and apprehensive, don't be as this storyline really captivates you into finishing reading and seeing how they are all entwined into the murders and who the murderer is.
Sarah Barrie has created another tense but thrilling storyline who brings out the most amazing storylines and descriptive murders that chill you. I don't think I will look at knitting needles the same anymore.
Thank you to @harlequinaustralia for sending me this uncorrected proof-reading copy. The cover really suits the storyline. Also to @sarahbarrie, I know I will read more of your books for sure.
April 25, 2026
4.5 Stars
God, I love Sarah Barrie. This book was probably one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it was everything I wanted!
There are three different POVs that you follow throughout the book - Hex (Detective), Beth (a mother dealing with her abusive ex) and Eve (podcast host).
There is nothing I love more than when the characters all seem so random at the beginning and then slowly throughout the book you find out how everything is connected. Sarah did a PHENOMENAL job at executing all of the intertwining storylines. I actually can't get over how much I loved this book!
I will say that some of the main plot points were predictable, but others were a complete surprise. Even though I knew who the killer was the second they were introduced it didn't take away from the story because I was still so curious to learn about how everything was going to piece together.
The first half of the book felt a little slow (even though I enjoyed every second of it) but I think it was a perfect example that sometimes it's necessary to build up that character context before getting into all of the fast paced action. I think the main reason it felt a bit slow was due to the fact that you're following 3 different storylines so each time a storyline started picking up it would switch to the next. I wouldn't change a single thing about it though, the story was perfect.
I absolutely flew through the second half, it was so incredibly addicting!
I think the thing I struggled with the most was reading Beth's POV. I can't even begin to explain how much it physically pained me to read what that poor woman was going through. It hurts my soul to know that people have to deal with this sort of abuse. Bryon deserved everything he had coming.
Sarah really did such a fantastic job at portraying the torment, anxiety, hopelessness and most importantly the strength that comes with leaving an abusive partner and the aftermath of it all. I really applaud her for that.
This book was one of those books that really reminds you of why you love reading. I had the best time. Please, please, please read it!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will 100% be purchasing a copy once it releases on the 28th of April because I need it on my shelf!
God, I love Sarah Barrie. This book was probably one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it was everything I wanted!
There are three different POVs that you follow throughout the book - Hex (Detective), Beth (a mother dealing with her abusive ex) and Eve (podcast host).
There is nothing I love more than when the characters all seem so random at the beginning and then slowly throughout the book you find out how everything is connected. Sarah did a PHENOMENAL job at executing all of the intertwining storylines. I actually can't get over how much I loved this book!
I will say that some of the main plot points were predictable, but others were a complete surprise. Even though I knew who the killer was the second they were introduced it didn't take away from the story because I was still so curious to learn about how everything was going to piece together.
The first half of the book felt a little slow (even though I enjoyed every second of it) but I think it was a perfect example that sometimes it's necessary to build up that character context before getting into all of the fast paced action. I think the main reason it felt a bit slow was due to the fact that you're following 3 different storylines so each time a storyline started picking up it would switch to the next. I wouldn't change a single thing about it though, the story was perfect.
I absolutely flew through the second half, it was so incredibly addicting!
I think the thing I struggled with the most was reading Beth's POV. I can't even begin to explain how much it physically pained me to read what that poor woman was going through. It hurts my soul to know that people have to deal with this sort of abuse. Bryon deserved everything he had coming.
Sarah really did such a fantastic job at portraying the torment, anxiety, hopelessness and most importantly the strength that comes with leaving an abusive partner and the aftermath of it all. I really applaud her for that.
This book was one of those books that really reminds you of why you love reading. I had the best time. Please, please, please read it!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will 100% be purchasing a copy once it releases on the 28th of April because I need it on my shelf!
June 8, 2026
📚 HQ Thriller BOTM CLUB MAY 2026 📚
Dark Sanctuary
✍️ @authorsarahbarrie
📚 @harlequinaus @harpercollinsaustralia
📅 28 April 2026
5 🌟
How is it almost the end of May! I thought by now I would be much braver reading Thrillers. Ding Dong buzzer sound..not even close.infact, I am just more terrified 😨.
Thanks again to the wonderful team a HQ insider @harlequinaus for making this club choices just fabulous. I am always so grateful &appreciative for the gifted book in exchange for an honest review.
It's:
A crime thriller
A mother's worst fear
A killer on the loose
A darkness visible
Unlikeable characters
A dangerous criminally insane hospital
Chilling moments
Police procedural
Disturbing
Podcasts
Plot Twists
Unhinged
Jaw dropping moments
Totally creepy
Twists & turns
Dark
Multiple POVs
TW - graphic/horrific murders/DV/Stalking/Mental Health/cohesive control
Plot Twists
Violence
Murder
Atmospheric
Set in Australia
A read for "LIGHTS ON"
IT'S SCARY AS!
Sergeant 'Hex' Rexford is the detective who caught the infamous serial killer Dr. Witcherton. Now, with a series of gruesome murders unfolding inside Coast Sanctuary - a hospital for the criminally insane - Witcherton claims to know who's behind them. Hex takes the case, determined to uncover the truth, even as his own body is failing him.
Beth Thompson is desperate to keep her children safe. Her violent ex is stalking her, her son's behaviour is growing strange, and his beloved teddy bear, Theo, might be more than just a toy. When an elderly woman offers Beth a remote cottage, it feels like a chance to breathe - but safety is an illusion.
Meanwhile, true crime podcasters Eve and Zane are chasing the story of the murders. But as Eve edges closer to the truth, the danger closes in.
As past and present collide, and the body count rises, the threads connecting them all begin to tighten - and something terrifying is watching from the dark.
Geez Louise! I am more spooked than ever. I had to keep reminding myself ro breath and say yo self "lts just a book, Lis!"
❓️As a child were you afraid of the big bad wolf ? Any plans for the weekend? What do you hope to finish for the month of May reading?
Dark Sanctuary
✍️ @authorsarahbarrie
📚 @harlequinaus @harpercollinsaustralia
📅 28 April 2026
5 🌟
How is it almost the end of May! I thought by now I would be much braver reading Thrillers. Ding Dong buzzer sound..not even close.infact, I am just more terrified 😨.
Thanks again to the wonderful team a HQ insider @harlequinaus for making this club choices just fabulous. I am always so grateful &appreciative for the gifted book in exchange for an honest review.
It's:
A crime thriller
A mother's worst fear
A killer on the loose
A darkness visible
Unlikeable characters
A dangerous criminally insane hospital
Chilling moments
Police procedural
Disturbing
Podcasts
Plot Twists
Unhinged
Jaw dropping moments
Totally creepy
Twists & turns
Dark
Multiple POVs
TW - graphic/horrific murders/DV/Stalking/Mental Health/cohesive control
Plot Twists
Violence
Murder
Atmospheric
Set in Australia
A read for "LIGHTS ON"
IT'S SCARY AS!
Sergeant 'Hex' Rexford is the detective who caught the infamous serial killer Dr. Witcherton. Now, with a series of gruesome murders unfolding inside Coast Sanctuary - a hospital for the criminally insane - Witcherton claims to know who's behind them. Hex takes the case, determined to uncover the truth, even as his own body is failing him.
Beth Thompson is desperate to keep her children safe. Her violent ex is stalking her, her son's behaviour is growing strange, and his beloved teddy bear, Theo, might be more than just a toy. When an elderly woman offers Beth a remote cottage, it feels like a chance to breathe - but safety is an illusion.
Meanwhile, true crime podcasters Eve and Zane are chasing the story of the murders. But as Eve edges closer to the truth, the danger closes in.
As past and present collide, and the body count rises, the threads connecting them all begin to tighten - and something terrifying is watching from the dark.
Geez Louise! I am more spooked than ever. I had to keep reminding myself ro breath and say yo self "lts just a book, Lis!"
❓️As a child were you afraid of the big bad wolf ? Any plans for the weekend? What do you hope to finish for the month of May reading?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sarah Barrie has bought her readers another twisty ride with her newest thriller this one is a page turner with fabulous characters, good and bad and there are some bad ones, it centers around Coastal Sanctuary a place for the criminally insane and what goes one there, this one is told from a few different angles and it appears two stories, will they come together?
Detective Hex Rexford is retiring and his body is telling him it should be soon, the date is set for his retirement and a new boss has been chosen although not all are happy with the new choice but when some gruesome murders start happening Hex steps back to take over after all he put the infamous serial killer known as the Witchdoctor Dr. Witcherton behind bars many years ago and these killings are similar and Witcherton claims to know the killer, Hex will push to get answers and the killer.
Beth Thompson is a single mum with two small children and she is being stalked by her violent husband she is doing all she can to keep her kids safe, she works at a retirement village and loves her job and is close to a couple of residents one of them Rose, her young some Charlie is showing some strange behaviour at the moment and he has somehow acquired a new teddy bear named Theo, Rose offers Beth and the children a new place to move to a cottage that is isolated and Beth takes it but will it be safe?
Eve and Zane are podcasters who are starting a new podcast on the state of mental health and they are using Coastal Sanctuary to start with and what they find will shock them all, when a doctor from Coastal Sanctuary offers to step up and help them with their research Eve is happy but Zane not so happy and soon danger is creeping closer and closer.
What a story this is I loved it Beth and Hex are such fabulous characters as is Eve and Zane and Rose and what is uncovered is a shock to everyone the past tying in with the now and MS. Barrie did it so well, she had me on the edge of my seat often, this is one that I would highly recommend to any reader who loves a good crime, mystery, thriller, don’t miss this one, a fabulous story.
My thanks to the publisher Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.
Detective Hex Rexford is retiring and his body is telling him it should be soon, the date is set for his retirement and a new boss has been chosen although not all are happy with the new choice but when some gruesome murders start happening Hex steps back to take over after all he put the infamous serial killer known as the Witchdoctor Dr. Witcherton behind bars many years ago and these killings are similar and Witcherton claims to know the killer, Hex will push to get answers and the killer.
Beth Thompson is a single mum with two small children and she is being stalked by her violent husband she is doing all she can to keep her kids safe, she works at a retirement village and loves her job and is close to a couple of residents one of them Rose, her young some Charlie is showing some strange behaviour at the moment and he has somehow acquired a new teddy bear named Theo, Rose offers Beth and the children a new place to move to a cottage that is isolated and Beth takes it but will it be safe?
Eve and Zane are podcasters who are starting a new podcast on the state of mental health and they are using Coastal Sanctuary to start with and what they find will shock them all, when a doctor from Coastal Sanctuary offers to step up and help them with their research Eve is happy but Zane not so happy and soon danger is creeping closer and closer.
What a story this is I loved it Beth and Hex are such fabulous characters as is Eve and Zane and Rose and what is uncovered is a shock to everyone the past tying in with the now and MS. Barrie did it so well, she had me on the edge of my seat often, this is one that I would highly recommend to any reader who loves a good crime, mystery, thriller, don’t miss this one, a fabulous story.
My thanks to the publisher Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(3.5 stars)
Sarah Barrie is a competent Australian crime writer, as her Lexi Winter series shows. Dark Sanctuary has three protagonists, a dying cop whose retirement is drawing close, a podcast journalist, and an aged care worker who is being besieged by her violent ex-partner. They eventually coalesce into a coherent, if slightly unbelievable serial killer narrative. Like the previous series, it's set on the Central Coast, so locales like Kariong and Woy Woy will be familiar to Coasties.
What Barrie does well in this book is her depictions of domestic, family and sexual violence, including reproductive coercion: "He'd tossed out her pill and told her he'd like a son." It doesn't feel like poorly integrated 'research': "And sometime during the taking over of her life, and the slow and methodical eroding of her self-esteem, the exhausted, overwhelmed young mother had become the wife he wanted her to be: quiet, compliant, and grateful for whatever crumbs of affection or approval he decided to dish out." What I liked even more, is that the character who this relates to, Beth, was anything but a compliant doormat. She's strong and resilient and will do anything to save her kids. To me this felt like a very accurate description of how coercive control is a pattern of behaviours that can erode even the strongest women subjected to it.
What makes this book slightly worse for me than the Lexi Winter books, is at 46% read I knew who the killer was. I wrote a note in my Kindle saying, for a journalist investigating day release murders to accept someone from the mental health facility she's investigating who only shows up during the day as a tenant in her home should have set off some alarm bells. This diminished my pleasure in the book. Sure there are twists, but if you know who the killer is, it's a bit like a pantomime where you're screaming: "Look behind you!" at an oblivious character.
With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy to read.
Sarah Barrie is a competent Australian crime writer, as her Lexi Winter series shows. Dark Sanctuary has three protagonists, a dying cop whose retirement is drawing close, a podcast journalist, and an aged care worker who is being besieged by her violent ex-partner. They eventually coalesce into a coherent, if slightly unbelievable serial killer narrative. Like the previous series, it's set on the Central Coast, so locales like Kariong and Woy Woy will be familiar to Coasties.
What Barrie does well in this book is her depictions of domestic, family and sexual violence, including reproductive coercion: "He'd tossed out her pill and told her he'd like a son." It doesn't feel like poorly integrated 'research': "And sometime during the taking over of her life, and the slow and methodical eroding of her self-esteem, the exhausted, overwhelmed young mother had become the wife he wanted her to be: quiet, compliant, and grateful for whatever crumbs of affection or approval he decided to dish out." What I liked even more, is that the character who this relates to, Beth, was anything but a compliant doormat. She's strong and resilient and will do anything to save her kids. To me this felt like a very accurate description of how coercive control is a pattern of behaviours that can erode even the strongest women subjected to it.
What makes this book slightly worse for me than the Lexi Winter books, is at 46% read I knew who the killer was. I wrote a note in my Kindle saying, for a journalist investigating day release murders to accept someone from the mental health facility she's investigating who only shows up during the day as a tenant in her home should have set off some alarm bells. This diminished my pleasure in the book. Sure there are twists, but if you know who the killer is, it's a bit like a pantomime where you're screaming: "Look behind you!" at an oblivious character.
With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy to read.
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