Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Sanctuary

Sanctuary
Sanctuary
Author: Nora Roberts, Sandra Burr
ISBN-13: 9781567402476
ISBN-10: 156740247X
Publication Date: 1/1/1998
Edition: Abridged
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 10

4.2 stars, based on 10 ratings
Publisher: Paperback Nova Audio Books
Book Type: Audio Cassette
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

67 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Sanctuary on
Helpful Score: 3
I'm not used to having Nora Roberts have me on the edge of my seat, but it certainly happended this time. This is very edgy for her but very much the top of her game, like the reviewers say. I really enjoyed it.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Must read for Nora Roberts fans.
BrownEyesBlue avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
An excellent story, Nora Roberts at her best! One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time.
redmama87 avatar reviewed Sanctuary on
Helpful Score: 2
This book was so boring.I figured out the "mystery" mid way through the book. Very predictable and there wasn't a sufficient enough ending for me no closure. It was like here is the bad guy the end.Boring.
KellyP avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 143 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
*Loved* this book! I am a voracious reader - of various genres and authors. So, when I can remember the specific details about a Nora Roberts' book that I read years ago, that tells me it was obviously something good. This one has great characters, a great setting & a juicy mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat and ignoring the television, the kids, the burning supper, etc., etc. Enjoy!!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book, truly, another great Nora Roberts classic, this is a seductive and suspensful novel of dangerous liasions and family betrayals.
Dynamic characters...
RUSTY777 avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is very good but does have lots of sex and bad words. But it is a good story and I did enjoy it. Stayed up late last night to finish it as I could not put it down in the ending chapters.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really loved this book was worth reading!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 314 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A woman photographer escapes to her family's home when danger seems to threaten her.Home is a places of memories of her mothers disapperance.Are the two connected.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very suspenseful! A great read!
pilgrim avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent. Held my interest throughout the story. Great ending.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 273 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book told a good story.
ckataoka avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lovely book. Brand new too!!
reviewed Sanctuary on
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed reading this book. I would have to say it is now one of my favorite books my Nora Roberts.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 8 more book reviews
great setting, pretty typical Nora Roberts:)
reviewed Sanctuary on + 23 more book reviews
A really good read,another GREAT one for Nora Roberts.
baeb47 avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 207 more book reviews
Seduction and suspense. A great story!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 277 more book reviews
The Hathaway siblings were torn apart by the desertion of their mother, and then neglected by their father while he grieved for twenty years. All have determined never to let someone else they love hurt them again. So, they depend only themselves, stand alone, and never let anyone close. Not even family. But Jo Ellen is having dreams of her mother, and when someone sends her pictures of herself taken without her knowledge, and includes a shot of her mother posed dead, she has a breakdown. She decides to return home to Sanctuary to get as far away from the stalker as possible. But, the stalker has chased her right where he wants her. Good story line.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 42 more book reviews
wonderful story suspenseful keeps you guessing
reviewed Sanctuary on + 46 more book reviews
Really like her writings. Very good read!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 41 more book reviews
Hey! What more can be said than this a typical Nora Roberts masterpiece. Good reading
reviewed Sanctuary on + 113 more book reviews
Nora Roberts does it again. Fresh and fast paced. A brilliant work that will enhance the reputation of romantic suspence top gun.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 37 more book reviews
thriller in a romantic vein
reviewed Sanctuary on + 26 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen Hathaway thought she'd escaped the house called Sanctuary long ago. She'd spent her loneliest years there, after the sudden, unexplained disappearance of her mother. Yet the sprawling resort off the Georgia coast continues to haunt her dreams. And now, even more haunting are the pictures someone is sending her: strange close-ups and candids, culminating in the most shocking portrait of all-a photo of her mother...naked, beautiful, and dead. Now Jo must return to the island, and to her bitterly extranged family-and, with the help of one man, learn the truth about the tragic past. But Sanctuary may be the most dangerouse place of all.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 18 more book reviews
Good. Well written. Suspensful.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 8 more book reviews
This is a seductive and suspenseful novel of dangerous liaisons and family betrayals...
reviewed Sanctuary on + 5 more book reviews
Keeps you guessing...
reviewed Sanctuary on + 35 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen Hathaway thought she'd escaped the house called Sanctuary long ago. Now JO must return to the island, and to her bitterly estranged family and learn the truth about her tragic past. "one you won't want to lay down"
reviewed Sanctuary on
This author writes great mysterys.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 8 more book reviews
Wonderful book with great story line, Nora Roberts is an excellent storyteller.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 25 more book reviews
such a great book.....I laughed, I cried, I was sad too see it end.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 6 more book reviews
I liked this book a lot! I just love Nora Roberts ability to tell a story with such descriptive power! It is a wonderful read that pulls you in with it's suspense!
Nora avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 130 more book reviews
suspense and romance are both plentiful
reviewed Sanctuary on + 10 more book reviews
Great book!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 612 more book reviews
I relly enjoyed this book.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 160 more book reviews
A classic Nora Roberts mystery/romance. A must for any romantic suspence fan.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 15 more book reviews
Photorapher Jo Ellen Hathaway thought she'd escaped the house called Sancturary long ago. She'd spent her loneliest years there, after the sudden, unexplained disappearance of her mother. Yet the sprawling resort off the Georgia coast continues to haunt her dreams. And now, even more haunting are the pictures someone is sending her: strange close-ups and candids, culminating in the most shocking portrait of all--a photo or her mother...naked, beautiful, and dead. Now Jo must return to the island, and to her bitterly extranged family---and, with the help of one man, learn the truth about the tragic past. But Sanctuary may be the most dangerous place of all...
LisaBeth0413 avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 59 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen Hathaway thought she'd escaped the house called Sanctuary long ago. She'd spent her loneliest years there, after the sudden, unexplained disappearance of her mother. Yet the sprawling resort off the Georgia coast continues to haunt her dreams. And now, even more haunting are the pictures someone is sending her: strange close-ups and candids, culminating in the most shocking portrait of all -- a photo of her m other...naked, beatiful and dead. Now Joe must return to the island, and to her bitterly estranged family -- and, with the help of one man, learn the truth about the tragic past. But Sanctuary may be the most dangerous place of all...
reviewed Sanctuary on + 191 more book reviews
Typical Nora :)
jwigg avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 39 more book reviews
I really loved this one! It was a fun beach read, but it kept me guessing and entertained the whole way through! Love love love.. couldn't put it down!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 33 more book reviews
Good read. Book was very slow for the first 40 pages then picked up. I would recommend it only to BIG Nora Roberts fans. First time Roberts readers won't read long enough to appreciate her writing. Great story line, wonderful ending.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 23 more book reviews
Enjoyed reading this book. She kept you wondering who done it.
JessieO avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 3 more book reviews
This is another one of my favorites by Nora Roberts. In my opinion, her style of writing makes you want to keep reading until the end.

The characters are very complex in this book, but as they come together as a family, everyone can relate to at least one of the characters in the story.

The descriptions of the settings in the book aids the imagination in taking you there, you can almost smell the air and study the architecture by just closing your eyes.

Also, if you have a bit of a photography bug the main character Jo Ellen will appeal to you.


Overall and excellent read. Nora Roberts never disappoints!
reviewed Sanctuary on
I DO enjoy a good Nora Robert's book, but I was not as impressed with this one. Maybe if I hadn't read the Chesapeake Bay series first, I may have enjoyed it more. It really seemed redundant to the other books I have read. Same story line, same characters with the same troubled past. I kept hoping it would get better. It is very predictable.
phoenix-rising avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 15 more book reviews
I don't normal care that much for Nora Roberts' writing style, but I loved this book. I give it 4.5 out of 5.

The 5 things I loved about this book:

1. Location
Sanctuary is located on a beautiful island off the coast of Savannah GA. It was so much a part of the story it almost became one of the characters. Roberts description of this lush island was lyrical and let me I imagined I was right there.
2. Dynamics of the family
The Hathaways were alienated from each other due to the abandonment of the matriarch. Their actions and feelings are explained by their dreams and the secrets of the past.
3. Mystery
Was there someone stalking Jo Ellen & did they send her a picture of her dead mother which has now disappeared? Or was it just her imagination? What was behind the strange disappearances on the island? Was murder involved? Who can be trusted? It had me guessing.
4. Romance
There are 3 romances that evolved on the island which include love, games, distrust, anger, reconciliations, and some hot steamy love scenes.
5. Page turner
The best part was how involved I got with the story and the characters. Once I got into this book, I couldnt put it down. I didnt want it to end, but I couldnt wait to learn how all the secrets and loose ends would be tied up. I was not disappointed.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 171 more book reviews
ANOTHER ONE OF NORA ROBERTS MUST READ THIS IS ALSO ONE OF THE BOOKS THAT HAS BEEN MADE INTO A MOVIE.. AND THE MOVIE WAS GREAT ALSO
reviewed Sanctuary on + 140 more book reviews
The second Nora Roberts book that I read a year or so ago. Very good!
reviewed Sanctuary on + 496 more book reviews
Excellent Nora Roberts read!
karabeal avatar reviewed Sanctuary on
A good, easy read. Not one of her best but fun all the same.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 12 more book reviews
Book is ok, but not one of my favorite from Nora. Took me a while to get into, but then held my interest.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 459 more book reviews
Jo Ellen must to the island where she grew up, to face the truth about her mother's disappearance.
robinmy avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 2106 more book reviews
Three romances in one book!
freeverse071681 avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 609 more book reviews
Threatened by an unknown stalker and haunted by pictures of her mother who'd mysteriously disappeared years ago, Jo Ellen returns to the island that's been home to her family for generations. This sets in motion a madman's plan that will endanger her family and others living on the island.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 54 more book reviews
Normally, I don't part with any Nora books, but this one was my sister's. She just cleaned out her bookshelf, so her loss can be your gain!

Great story about a woman who returns to her birthplace years after her mother has disappeared. Lots of suspense, a hurricane and romance all spun together.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 23 more book reviews
Great book,with a great plot.You won't want to put it down.
reviewed Sanctuary on
Another great one by Nora!
reviewed Sanctuary on
Another great Nora Roberts book. Love and mystery
reviewed Sanctuary on + 17 more book reviews
Herione Jo returns to the island to learn about her family history.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 35 more book reviews
Nora Roberts at the top of her game. Very suspenseful, with lots of romance thrown in and a little sex to go along.
BJ avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 61 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen Hathaway spent her loneliest years, after the sudden disappearance of her mother, at the house called Sanctuary off the Georgia coast. She thinks she has escaped the house until someone starts sending her pictures, of herself - candid and closeup - and a shocking protrait of her mother - naked, beautiful and dead. Jo returns to the island to learn the tragic truth about her past
reviewed Sanctuary on + 70 more book reviews
A woman returns to her old house where she grew up and her estranged family.
SoBe avatar reviewed Sanctuary on + 147 more book reviews
Not my favorite of NR's. The book was a bit too short for all the various stories Ms Roberts was trying to tell. And the youngest sister's theatrics annoyed me.

The suspense was good though, in particular at the end. If I wasn't at the edge of my seat, I was nearly there. However, while I was surprised to find out who the villain was, I can't help but think it didn't make as much sense as it could have. Maybe if the book had been longer. Or if we'd had more background.... Like I said, it was just a bit too short.

As Im a stout NR fan, I cant bring myself to give this one away, but this one will probably go to the back of the shelf.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 13 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen Hathaway thought she'd escaped the house called Sanctuary long ago.She'd spent her loneliest years there, after the sudden, unexplained disappearance of her mother.
Yet the sprawling resort off Georgia coast continues to haunt her dreams. And now, even more haunting, are the pictures someone is sending her; strange close-ups and candids, culminating in the most shocking portrait of all---a photo of her mother... naked, beautiful, and dead.
Now Jo must return to the island, and to her bitterly estranged family--- and, with the help of one man, learn the truth about the tragic past. But Sanctuary may be the most dangerous place of all.....
reviewed Sanctuary on + 10 more book reviews
Didn't read; prefer action/mystery.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 109 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen thought she had escaped the house called Sanctuary long ago. She had spent her loneliest years there, after the sudden, unexplained disappearance of her mother. Now someone is sending her strange close-ups and candids, culminating in the most shocking portrait of all -- a photo of her mother---naked, beautiful and dead. Now Jo must return to the island and to her bitterly estranged family and with the help of one man learn the truth about the tragic past. But ,Sanctuary may be the most dangerous place of all...............
reviewed Sanctuary on + 6 more book reviews
Photographer Jo Ellen Hadaway thoght she'd escapted the house called Sanctuary a long time ago. She spent her lonelist time there after the sudden unexplained disappearance of her mother. Now someone is sending her pictures, strange closeups and candids and the most shocking is a photo of her mother, naked, beautiful and dead. She must return to the island to learn the truth about the tragic past but Sanctuary may be the most dangerous place of all.
reviewed Sanctuary on + 304 more book reviews
Jo thought she escaped the house where she spent the loneliest years after the disappearance of her mother.
after receiving pictures of her dead mother, she returns home to learn the truth about the tragic past.