Shattered Sanctuary

Author: Nancy Mehl
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Series: The Erin Delaney Mysteries #1
Pages: 336
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Was this the last thing she'd ever see? Would she be able to make things right before it was too late?
"God . . ." was all she got out before he lunged toward her.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

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Reviewer: Tammy Lunsford

Whew! You will need to sleep with the lights on and watch cartoons after reading this mystery. Nancy Mehl has done it again. She has created a character that you can empathize with and appreciate her very real issues, while also gripping you into a captivating mystery.

Erin Delaney is a former police officer who is now a best-selling writer. It sounds like a perfect life, but her life is far from perfect as she suffers from agoraphobia. Her abject fear and regret from a past tragedy have completely suffocated her will to live a normal life. Kaely Quinn-Hunter is a former FBI profiler who worked with Erin while researching for her book. Kaely feels a bond with Erin and wants to help her find light out of the darkness that has consumed her. Kaely talks her into meeting at a secluded cabin in Sanctuary, Tennessee. What should be a tranquil setting and time to relax soon becomes a nightmare.

When Chief Adrien Nightengale comes knocking on their door asking for their professional assistance, it becomes very apparent that the restful vacation is over. Someone is killing women in a ritualistic fashion.

This book has held me captive, while also giving me goosebumps as the author allows you a glimpse into the mind of the killer. I was hanging on by a thread in those final pages as I anxiously awaited the reveal. But this book is more than a thrilling mystery. It is also about hope and healing through trust in God. Kaely feels led to share her faith with Erin in such a manner that is not preachy, but it is effective. It intertwines emotional and spiritual healing. It was both interesting and satisfying. This is a great start to a new series. I look forward to reading more about Erin Delaney.

Thank you to Bethany House and Just Read Tours for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

​I love how Nancy lays out not just the mystery but the thoughts and motivations of the killers in her books. It’s fascinating to me how trauma affects some people in a way that takes away their humanity, while others are able to overcome. 

In all of her books the characters are fully rounded out and in “Shattered Sanctuary” I particularly like how Erin was broken but began to see the hand of God moving, spurring her curiosity. 

Revisiting Kaely Quinn was a welcome surprise. She’s an impactful character and a perfect person to support Erin in her guilt and grief. I loved how their friendship played out in the story.

Adrian is an interesting character who I’d like to get to know more about. Though events didn’t focus on him specifically, he was an integral part of the things that were happening, and I look forward to seeing him again. 

Sanctuary is the perfect setting for this book. I found it to be an eclectic town that roused my curiosity, and the folks at Dolly’s Diner were a hoot. They and other businesses with their Dolly themes definitely added to the overall experience of visiting their town. 

This was a great book. I highly recommend it. 

I was given a copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

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