The Sanctuary

Andrew Hunter Murray's The Sanctuary is an atmospheric and intriguing thriller that blends dystopian themes with psychological suspense.

The novel follows Ben, a man in search of his fiancée, Cara, who has vanished into an exclusive, isolated community known as Sanctuary Rock. As Ben arrives on the island, he quickly realises that the idyllic setting hides dark secrets, and the more he uncovers, the more dangerous his situation becomes.

Murray's greatest strength lies in his world-building.

The island is vividly realised, a self-contained utopia that slowly reveals its cracks as the story unfolds.

The sense of unease builds gradually, and the novel's themes - power, control, and environmental collapse - give it a timely relevance. The pacing is well-measured, drawing the reader deeper into the mystery with each new revelation.

However, while the novel is compelling, it doesn't quite reach the heights of the best in its genre. The premise - a seemingly perfect, isolated community harbouring dark secrets - is familiar, and The Sanctuary doesn't fully distinguish itself from similar works.

While the writing is strong, the plot follows expected beats, making some of the twists predictable for seasoned thriller readers.

Another drawback is the novel's somewhat ethereal tone. The philosophical elements and environmental themes, while thought-provoking, sometimes take precedence over character development, making it harder to form a deep emotional connection with Ben and Cara.

The suspense is there, but it lacks the gripping intensity of top-tier psychological thrillers.

Overall, The Sanctuary is an engaging and well-crafted novel with a compelling premise and strong atmosphere.

While it's an enjoyable read, it doesn't quite redefine the genre. Readers who enjoy slow-burning mysteries with a dystopian edge will appreciate it, but there are stronger options out there​.