“Sanctuary” is a terrific suspense novel, full of gripping cat-and-mousery and compelling character dynamics.
Its plot is well worn— the criminal who wants to leave her bad ways behind, whose coerced escape to fresh pastures (in this case, a small South Australian town) turns out to be littered with unexpected landmines—but Disher’s mastery of compression, his exemplary ability to create complex characters in very few words, and dextrously (and excitingly) link plot threads, makes this a humdinger.
What is most remarkable about Disher is his efficiency as a storyteller. Like Elmore Leonard, he has a feel for pacing that few writers can emulate. He knows precisely when to enter and exit a scene. From its opening, when hyper vigilant master thief Grace spots the face of an old associate in a crowd and decides to abscond, to her induction into a new life working at an antique store with anxiety-ridden Erin, and various cross-cuts to bit-part antagonists closing in, there’s not a word in “Sanctuary” that doesn’t belong exactly where Disher has placed it.
Written By Sime 