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The Gilded Sanctum
Former FBI agent Ryan Walker is a private investigator who tracks down people for the wealthy and powerful, frequently crossing the line between justice and revenge. Disgraced by his final operation as an agent and haunted by the demons of his past, he is now lost in the world of missing persons.
Walker seeks atonement for his sins when a client calls upon him to find his missing daughter who vanished from her prestigious private school in suburban Washington, D.C. without a trace. But as he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the girl's disappearance, he unexpectedly enters a hidden world of secrets, lies, and deception.
Realizing the elite academy is not what it appears beneath its resplendent surface and driven by a desperate quest for redemption, Walker will risk everything — whatever the cost — to uncover the truth of what really happened at the shadowy school they call...the gilded sanctum.
Walker seeks atonement for his sins when a client calls upon him to find his missing daughter who vanished from her prestigious private school in suburban Washington, D.C. without a trace. But as he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the girl's disappearance, he unexpectedly enters a hidden world of secrets, lies, and deception.
Realizing the elite academy is not what it appears beneath its resplendent surface and driven by a desperate quest for redemption, Walker will risk everything — whatever the cost — to uncover the truth of what really happened at the shadowy school they call...the gilded sanctum.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2019
887 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Keith Veverka
3 books18 followersA former social studies supervisor for a school district in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Keith Veverka loves writing, history, and education; all of which came together for his first novel, The Gilded Sanctum.
Keith began his teaching career twenty-five years ago at a public school in Virginia, not far from the fictional academy in his story. Having lived and worked in the area for several years, he was intimately familiar with the state’s rich Civil War history, which provided the perfect backdrop for this mystery thriller.
His second novel, The Tenant, takes place a little closer to home in northwest Philadelphia and was inspired by a friend's true story of an unruly tenant. Although his friend never considered murder, they decided it was an intriguing premise for a psychological thriller.
Visit Keith's website at www.keithveverka.com or email him at keith.veverka@outlook.com.
Keith began his teaching career twenty-five years ago at a public school in Virginia, not far from the fictional academy in his story. Having lived and worked in the area for several years, he was intimately familiar with the state’s rich Civil War history, which provided the perfect backdrop for this mystery thriller.
His second novel, The Tenant, takes place a little closer to home in northwest Philadelphia and was inspired by a friend's true story of an unruly tenant. Although his friend never considered murder, they decided it was an intriguing premise for a psychological thriller.
Visit Keith's website at www.keithveverka.com or email him at keith.veverka@outlook.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 14, 2020
"He was blinded by a short-term investment, intrigued by the possibility of unimaginable wealth, but as people never seemed to understand in that moment of weakness, he wouldn't be taking his money with him."
The Gilded Sanctum by Keith Veverka
I do so love redemption stories. And that is exactly what The Gilded Sanctum is. Ryan was an FBI agent with a great future ahead of him until a hostage negotiation went terribly wrong. As a result he lost his job, his wife and his family. He also lost his hope.
Now Ryan works as a Private investigator for various unsavory people. When one of them hires Ryan t o find his missing daughter he promises if Ryan helps him find her, he will pay enough money for Ryan to retire.
Amanda went missing at a powerful and private boarding school. And there are cameras everywhere so how it it nobody knows what happened? It is like she vanished into thin air. What is this Gilded Sanctum hiding?
I really enjoyed this book, which is also a first novel. I loved seeing where the book would go and it went to some pretty dark places. This book is not for the squeamish in terms of violence.
There is a Noirish component which I quite liked. If I had one negative it would be that this is really two books in one and I enjoyed Ryan's back story way more then solving the kid napping. I found him fascinating as a character and wish the book had gone into more detail as to what his wife and daughter were feeling etc. I know the book was more about the kidnapping but I just was strongly drawn to the back story.
This is a book I'd highly recommend to fans of redemptive story lines. I also must say I had just read Stephen King's "The institute" right before this. What is it lately about schools with dark secrets?
Anyway..I really liked this..highly recommended.
The Gilded Sanctum by Keith Veverka
I do so love redemption stories. And that is exactly what The Gilded Sanctum is. Ryan was an FBI agent with a great future ahead of him until a hostage negotiation went terribly wrong. As a result he lost his job, his wife and his family. He also lost his hope.
Now Ryan works as a Private investigator for various unsavory people. When one of them hires Ryan t o find his missing daughter he promises if Ryan helps him find her, he will pay enough money for Ryan to retire.
Amanda went missing at a powerful and private boarding school. And there are cameras everywhere so how it it nobody knows what happened? It is like she vanished into thin air. What is this Gilded Sanctum hiding?
I really enjoyed this book, which is also a first novel. I loved seeing where the book would go and it went to some pretty dark places. This book is not for the squeamish in terms of violence.
There is a Noirish component which I quite liked. If I had one negative it would be that this is really two books in one and I enjoyed Ryan's back story way more then solving the kid napping. I found him fascinating as a character and wish the book had gone into more detail as to what his wife and daughter were feeling etc. I know the book was more about the kidnapping but I just was strongly drawn to the back story.
This is a book I'd highly recommend to fans of redemptive story lines. I also must say I had just read Stephen King's "The institute" right before this. What is it lately about schools with dark secrets?
Anyway..I really liked this..highly recommended.
January 21, 2020
I was tempted to read Keith Veverka’s novel, The Gilded Sanctum, because (a) it was offered for free, (b) the reviews were mainly favorable, and (c), Mr. Veverka and I both live and work in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (though my kids were not educated in the school district where he teaches). I was hoping after reading his book to show my support for a local author.
The best I can say about his book is that it wasn’t terribly bad. But why focus on what the book “wasn’t?” What about its positive points, what it “was?”
Well, it WAS very tolerant of typographical and grammatical errors, which is unforgivable even when the author is not a professional educator like Mr. Veverka. We can only hope that he pays more attention to correcting his students’ mistakes than his own.
His book WAS also lacking in originality and credibility. The author’s hero, Ryan Walker, is yet another disgraced former FBI agent turned private investigator. An incident in his past, common to all the disgraced former FBI agents who populate these kind of books, cost him his job, his marriage, his sobriety, and estranged him from his teenage daughter. Never mind that in this case the incident that we are supposed to believe destroyed his life was a freak accident not even remotely Walker’s fault.
Anyway, Walker is now working for a mobster helping the mobster find people stealing from him. The mobster is not only ruthless but rich, also has a teenage daughter, and sends her to an exclusive, very expensive private boarding school in Virginia. Despite having the highest academic reputation, the FBI suspects the school of engaging in sex trafficking and money laundering. When the mobster’s daughter mysteriously disappears from the heavily fortified campus, he hires Walker to find her.
Walker, we are told, began his FBI career immediately after graduating from Penn Law; not impossible but unlikely. The law school at the University of Pennsylvania is one of the finest — and most expensive — in the country. Most Penn Law graduates practice in prestigious corporate law firms, the better to pay off their student loans. It’s unlikely that a student would subject himself to Penn’s rigorous scholastic program for three years and incur a mountain of tuition debt just to work as a cop and not even practice law. But who knows, maybe Walker was last in his class at Penn Law and the FBI was the only job he was offered.
In fact, Walker’s misunderstanding of the law would seem to support such a dismal class ranking. In one lurid scene from the book, a female student is drugged, stripped naked and placed on a sacrificial stone in a forest as a male student belonging to a cult is about to plunge a knife into her neck, narrowly missing her. According to Walker, the male student was committing ”nothing more” (his words) than a misdemeanor like criminal mischief or disturbing the peace (his examples). I mean, seriously?
The incredibly ignorant Walker is assisted in this case by his black former FBI partner, curiously the only major character in the book identified by his skin color. It’s also curious, if not downright bewildering, why of all students, the culprits would target to disappear the daughter of a mobster renown for his ruthlessness, the one guy you would think you would want to avoid angering. The author attempts an explanation at the end, but you will be shaking your head in disbelief.
But these concerns aside, Walker and his black former FBI partner dutifully plod through a predictable plot where even the vapid twists and turns are part of the formula. So while Mr. Veverka’s book may not have been terribly bad, it was awfully bad, and that’s bad enough.
The best I can say about his book is that it wasn’t terribly bad. But why focus on what the book “wasn’t?” What about its positive points, what it “was?”
Well, it WAS very tolerant of typographical and grammatical errors, which is unforgivable even when the author is not a professional educator like Mr. Veverka. We can only hope that he pays more attention to correcting his students’ mistakes than his own.
His book WAS also lacking in originality and credibility. The author’s hero, Ryan Walker, is yet another disgraced former FBI agent turned private investigator. An incident in his past, common to all the disgraced former FBI agents who populate these kind of books, cost him his job, his marriage, his sobriety, and estranged him from his teenage daughter. Never mind that in this case the incident that we are supposed to believe destroyed his life was a freak accident not even remotely Walker’s fault.
Anyway, Walker is now working for a mobster helping the mobster find people stealing from him. The mobster is not only ruthless but rich, also has a teenage daughter, and sends her to an exclusive, very expensive private boarding school in Virginia. Despite having the highest academic reputation, the FBI suspects the school of engaging in sex trafficking and money laundering. When the mobster’s daughter mysteriously disappears from the heavily fortified campus, he hires Walker to find her.
Walker, we are told, began his FBI career immediately after graduating from Penn Law; not impossible but unlikely. The law school at the University of Pennsylvania is one of the finest — and most expensive — in the country. Most Penn Law graduates practice in prestigious corporate law firms, the better to pay off their student loans. It’s unlikely that a student would subject himself to Penn’s rigorous scholastic program for three years and incur a mountain of tuition debt just to work as a cop and not even practice law. But who knows, maybe Walker was last in his class at Penn Law and the FBI was the only job he was offered.
In fact, Walker’s misunderstanding of the law would seem to support such a dismal class ranking. In one lurid scene from the book, a female student is drugged, stripped naked and placed on a sacrificial stone in a forest as a male student belonging to a cult is about to plunge a knife into her neck, narrowly missing her. According to Walker, the male student was committing ”nothing more” (his words) than a misdemeanor like criminal mischief or disturbing the peace (his examples). I mean, seriously?
The incredibly ignorant Walker is assisted in this case by his black former FBI partner, curiously the only major character in the book identified by his skin color. It’s also curious, if not downright bewildering, why of all students, the culprits would target to disappear the daughter of a mobster renown for his ruthlessness, the one guy you would think you would want to avoid angering. The author attempts an explanation at the end, but you will be shaking your head in disbelief.
But these concerns aside, Walker and his black former FBI partner dutifully plod through a predictable plot where even the vapid twists and turns are part of the formula. So while Mr. Veverka’s book may not have been terribly bad, it was awfully bad, and that’s bad enough.
March 8, 2021
Where did my morning go?
I don’t know why I started reading this book when it was sunny outside and the garden was calling. But I did, and I really enjoyed it and finished it in one sitting. I’m probably going to download the next one right away.
I don’t know why I started reading this book when it was sunny outside and the garden was calling. But I did, and I really enjoyed it and finished it in one sitting. I’m probably going to download the next one right away.
October 6, 2019
Sanctum
Another author that does not mind throwing arithmetic “f” word and other obscenities. Too bad Amazon does not warn us.
Another author that does not mind throwing arithmetic “f” word and other obscenities. Too bad Amazon does not warn us.
April 6, 2020
Saw this as a freebie on Kindle Amazon and grabbed it right up. Mysteries at private schools may be its own future category. Ever since reading Alexandra Robbin's nonfiction "Secret Societies" I'm hooked. The Gilded Sanctum is a well done first novel by a teacher. Ryan Walked disgraced FBI guy investigates a missing person at a private school near Washington D.C. Characters are well drawn, and the mystery holds together.
The subplot telling the story of how Walker gets kicked out of the FBI is the weakest part.
The story at the school is intriguing and keeps you guessing for most of the book. The ending is wild and well written.
Looking forward to the next one.
The subplot telling the story of how Walker gets kicked out of the FBI is the weakest part.
The story at the school is intriguing and keeps you guessing for most of the book. The ending is wild and well written.
Looking forward to the next one.
June 15, 2019
A true page turner!! Veverka’s novel is a fast-paced journey full of mystery and intrigue. Reminiscent of Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code, The Gilded Sanctum layers historical information with the detective genre, and Veverka was able to find the perfect mix of these components to create a compelling narrative. Equal parts cat-and-mouse chase and introspective drama, The Gilded Sanctum has something for everyone. I highly recommend!!
May 6, 2020
A very intricate plot always exciting
I found the characters well drawn and not confusing. I disliked the quite unnecessary use of the 'f' word. Also the incorrect use of other words - alluding symmetrical and myriad (which is an adjective and not a noun) could have been resolved by better editing. But a really good read for all that!
I found the characters well drawn and not confusing. I disliked the quite unnecessary use of the 'f' word. Also the incorrect use of other words - alluding symmetrical and myriad (which is an adjective and not a noun) could have been resolved by better editing. But a really good read for all that!
October 8, 2020
A disgraced former FBI man is hired by a mobster to find his daughter, who had disappeared from an exclusive private school. Much mystery surrounds the school including tunnels under the buildings and money-laundering by the administration. A hard-to-put-down book.
March 20, 2020
Great storytelling
Needs better editing but avery good read.
Word word word word word word word word word word word word word
Needs better editing but avery good read.
Word word word word word word word word word word word word word
March 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this story, all the twists and turns. I love how he tied it all together. Never guessed the ending.
April 27, 2020
Exciting
Twists and turns with unexpected criminals at the very end. A tail of organized crime and the lengths they go to hide in plane site to do business.
Twists and turns with unexpected criminals at the very end. A tail of organized crime and the lengths they go to hide in plane site to do business.
May 10, 2020
The Gilded Sanctum
Very good read and it kept me guessing who the bad guy was until the end. I hope Keith writes another one as good.
Very good read and it kept me guessing who the bad guy was until the end. I hope Keith writes another one as good.
June 11, 2020
A pleasant read with enough twists and turns to make it an interesting journey.
July 19, 2020
Wow - just finished this book. The writing was superb and the main character was very well developed. The plot kept me on my toes from beginning to end. Highly recommend.
July 27, 2020
A surprising ending.
I enjoyed this book. The main character was quite likeable. I found myself routing for him. But the ending was the biggest surprise.
I enjoyed this book. The main character was quite likeable. I found myself routing for him. But the ending was the biggest surprise.
October 4, 2020
Quick read with some fun twists.....the who was pretty easy to figure out, but the why was a complete surprise.
April 26, 2021
Interesting book about a private school. Lots of adventure with a twisting plot. Highly recommend.
July 31, 2021
Outstandingly Written
A true page turner, I personally could not lay the book down, never even saw the ending coming. Need another!
A true page turner, I personally could not lay the book down, never even saw the ending coming. Need another!
September 10, 2021
A very well written story
I was very impressed with this story. I had a great mix of intrigue and personal triumph. I will definitely read more from this author.
I was very impressed with this story. I had a great mix of intrigue and personal triumph. I will definitely read more from this author.
February 13, 2022
Well written and absorbing
Makes a lot of sense. Not overly wrought characters. A good who-done-it read. Seven more words required to post review.
Makes a lot of sense. Not overly wrought characters. A good who-done-it read. Seven more words required to post review.
July 28, 2023
Riveting!
My first encounter with this author; hopefully not the last! Compelling character development, ironic plot twists and great mood-crafting. More, please!
My first encounter with this author; hopefully not the last! Compelling character development, ironic plot twists and great mood-crafting. More, please!
September 29, 2024
Lots of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. Read and enjoy the ride.
October 20, 2024
Good plot development
This book kept my interest. It had many surprises in the plot and really kept me guessing. Great read!! I will look for other books by this author.
This book kept my interest. It had many surprises in the plot and really kept me guessing. Great read!! I will look for other books by this author.
February 19, 2020
This story was much better than I expected. A missing girl, a private school with a interesting history and so many secrets -all coming crashing down together. The story moves along nicely, tense at times, uncovering all the lies and coverups to finally get to the truth. Really well written and entertaining.
May 6, 2020
Scholastic Heaven or Hell?
Priviledged elite of elite students and prep school, but is it the haven it's purported to be? Interesting premise and twists and turns to satisfy whodunit fans.
Priviledged elite of elite students and prep school, but is it the haven it's purported to be? Interesting premise and twists and turns to satisfy whodunit fans.
October 22, 2019
Choose in or out
We look back in history at how society has changed and or if at all this author has created a moving story from such revelations and infused family tradition right wrong and the influence in society of Federal Government all encompasses within the notable characters and irregular situations that few experience in life.of despair hope.religion or family and the acceptable standards that society determine is normal ..or is it the government? Only by reading this from end to end will can the reader consider the reality and or the choices presented in complicated situations within this book with only one small critic that repetition could have been edited to present a complete appreciation of this story
We look back in history at how society has changed and or if at all this author has created a moving story from such revelations and infused family tradition right wrong and the influence in society of Federal Government all encompasses within the notable characters and irregular situations that few experience in life.of despair hope.religion or family and the acceptable standards that society determine is normal ..or is it the government? Only by reading this from end to end will can the reader consider the reality and or the choices presented in complicated situations within this book with only one small critic that repetition could have been edited to present a complete appreciation of this story
October 14, 2019
Awesome!
Ryan Walker, a decorated FBI agent, had lost everything: his wife and daughter, his career, and his self respect. Called in on a kidnapping case by his mafia employer, Ryan questions his wisdom in taking on the case. When the missing girl is the mafioso's daughter, Ryan heads to her elite boarding school to investigate. He has been given three days!
Hair raising suspense with so many twists and layers, you are sure of the perpetrators more than one time. Excellent story!
Ryan Walker, a decorated FBI agent, had lost everything: his wife and daughter, his career, and his self respect. Called in on a kidnapping case by his mafia employer, Ryan questions his wisdom in taking on the case. When the missing girl is the mafioso's daughter, Ryan heads to her elite boarding school to investigate. He has been given three days!
Hair raising suspense with so many twists and layers, you are sure of the perpetrators more than one time. Excellent story!
October 23, 2019
A better than good first novel, this novel was great! All lovers of mysteries will enjoy this. It had very good characters. The main character was definitely flawed, but likeable. The different sides of characters and their interactions were very well guarded by the author and he held the reveal until the very end of the book
However, he cleverly let various characters reveal all the unanswered questions the readers might have wondered about except one. Is there a book two for this main character! I hope so.
However, he cleverly let various characters reveal all the unanswered questions the readers might have wondered about except one. Is there a book two for this main character! I hope so.
October 10, 2019
A semi-historical novel of a mysterious disappearance of a young student
Washington Academy is a private school stemming back to the 1800's. Maybe too private. Discovery as an exchange for laundered monies and an abduction of a senior student, Amanda, a crime boss's daughter, a persevering private detective works to find her. Ryan, a failed former FBI agent, soon discovers a much more complicated series of criminal action.
Washington Academy is a private school stemming back to the 1800's. Maybe too private. Discovery as an exchange for laundered monies and an abduction of a senior student, Amanda, a crime boss's daughter, a persevering private detective works to find her. Ryan, a failed former FBI agent, soon discovers a much more complicated series of criminal action.
October 15, 2019
Interesting story with some questions
Interesting story of ex-fbi agent who washed out after committing an error in a hostage rescue. So, gets hired to find a gangster’s missing daughter. The story does not examine this prior failure in the rescue and the similar failure of not looking for the accomplice a second time. Also, one does not get septic shock from being stabbed. Shock can occur, yes, but not immediate septic shock.
Interesting story of ex-fbi agent who washed out after committing an error in a hostage rescue. So, gets hired to find a gangster’s missing daughter. The story does not examine this prior failure in the rescue and the similar failure of not looking for the accomplice a second time. Also, one does not get septic shock from being stabbed. Shock can occur, yes, but not immediate septic shock.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews