Sanctum: A Jake Crowley Adventure

Jake Crowley Adventures #0

by David Wood, Alan Baxter

From the USA Today bestselling author of LOCH and the Australian Shadows Award winning author of THE ROO comes an engrossing archaeological thriller!

A quiet English village harbors a dark secret.

Trying to escape his past, veteran Jake Crowley takes a teaching position in the village of Market Scarston. But his slow rehabilitation is interrupted when a group of students are apparently attacked by Black Shuck, the legendary demon dog, and Crowley attracts the attention of a secret society dating back to the days of the Roman Empire.

See how it all began for Jake Crowley and Rose Black in this prequel novella, SANCTUM!

Praise for David Wood and Alan Baxter

“A genuine up all night got to see what happens next thriller that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the last.” Steven Savile

“Rip roaring action from start to finish. Wit and humor throughout. Just one question - how soon until the next one? Because I can't wait.” Graham Brown

“A page-turning yarn. Indiana Jones better watch his back!”Jeremy Robinson

“A a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of 'why not'?” David Lynn Golemon,

“A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!” Robert Masello

“A fast-paced storyline that holds the reader right from the start,. and a no-nonsense story-telling approach that lets the unfolding action speak for itself.” Van Ikin

“With mysterious rituals, macabre rites and superb supernatural action scenes, Wood and Baxter deliver a fast-paced horror thriller.” J.F.Penn

“Wood and Baxter have taken on the classic black magic/cult conspiracy subgenre, chucked in a toxic mix of weirdness, creepshow chills and action, and created a tale that reads like a latter-day Hammer Horror thriller. Nice, dark fun.” Robert Hood

Genres: Audiobook

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

David Wood is the USA Today bestselling author of the Dane Maddock Adventures and many other titles and series. He also writes Science Fiction under the pen name Finn Gray and fantasy as David Debord. He is also a book reviewer, podcaster, and a member of International Thriller Writers and The Horror Writers Association. David and his family live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit him online at www.davidwoodweb.com.

Reviews

[K.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of David Wood and I've read several of his books, all of which I've enjoyed thoroughly. And as I turned the last page in the book Sanctum, I was not disappointed. Sanctum has all the elements I like in an adventure book: a fast read, humor, suspense, and archaeological history as the backdrop.
This is the kickoff for his adventuresome characters, Jake Crowley and Rose Black. This is a solid plot with believable and well fleshed out characters. If you enjoy loads of action and adventure, you will enjoy David Wood's and Alan Baxter's Sanctum.

[Paul Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC very interesting plot and characters

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Mystery But Some Solid Action Too. This book is a short prequel of sorts to Woods's Crowley books - that alludes to far more possibility of prequels even earlier in the timeline. It is more mystery, with a lot of sneaking around finding clues, with the occasional grenade tossed or bone broken or trial by combat... but given its setting, it very much works. If you ever wanted to imagine what it would be like to unleash Jack Reacher into Hogwarts... this is your kind of book. ;) Very much recommended.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ripping Jake Crowley thriller! Picking up the pieces after leaving the British SAS, Jake Crowley takes up a history teaching position at an exclusive private school in Sussex. Strange things have been happening in the village but when Jake starts to ask questions, he receives a hostile reception from the village and the school. Despite being a shorter novella, this gripping mystery / adventure packs a substantial punch as Jake uncovers a violent secret society and systemic criminal activity. As a prequel, we are given a taster of Jake’s specialised skills and training as well as the injury and trauma that led to his military discharge and we are introduced to Rose Black before she meets Jake. Jonathan Waters ramps up the excitement and tension with his excellent audio narration - loved his regional UK accents!

[Tammy Bulcao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Jake Crowley Adventure!

I’m really enjoying going on these adventures with Jake. So much mystery, mixed in with some magic and as always plenty of evil danger lurking around.
The narration by Jonathan Waters was performed wonderfully. He always manages to bring the characters to life in a way I feel engaged with the story. I can’t wait for the next book.
This story has an HEA and can be read as a standalone.
I highly recommend this book.

Sisters Spotlight 💜

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written, action packed book with Good Characters. I enjoyed the various tight circumstances Jake got himself into through out the book. I also was amused by Elizabeth Morgan's additude towards Jake at first and how it changed as the story progresses. Narrator does a Great job with the characters voices and the entire storyline. Looking forward to more by this author.

[Amber K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written and amazing story and I really enjoyed the adventure that these 2 authors took me on!
A great mix of mystery, action and thriller. I loved the character, Jake Crowley and I'm looking forward to more in this series.
The audio narration was really enjoyable, bringing the characters & story to life. A great fit!!

[Mark Ennen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Crowley has something up his sleeve around every corner. Working as a humble schoolteacher, he finds the many clues and unlocks the mystery of the school club and its leadership. I'm happy to add this to my Baxter collection. Very recommended!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[Kristjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intro into the Jake Crowley Adventure series, so it was a relatively short Sherlockian mystery with paranormal overtones and secret societies that pulls you right along while doing a solid job developing the main characters for the books that follow (all of which I am planning to listen to). While the story itself is fairly interesting and somewhat predicable, the characters are likably and the narration exceptional (worth the addition of a star).

I was given this free review copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Sanctum #AudibookFree

[Terry and dog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting action/ mystery/ thriller. Some good characters, Jake has an intriguing past and some obvious skills that come into play. The story has a lot going for it and I’m sure I will be reading more from this series.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prequel to the Jake Crowley series. Jack is teaching at a posh school in Suffolk, when he is drawn in to a mystery around a secret club for the elite students. Also, a cameo appearance from Rose Black.

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to another Char. by Wood. I like the mystery behind Jake and "service". We don't really know what his skill set is but have some mentions of it throughout the book.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! As with this whole series, I didn’t want each book to end, but even more so with this one. Alan Baxter and David Wood have once again written an amazing story that I just couldn’t put down. I highly recommend the Jake Crowley Adventures.