One of my favorite cozy series is Nancy Mehl’s Cozy Up and Dye trilogy. The series was one of her first works and since then she has honed her craft into more suspense than cozy. Shattered Sanctuary is a suspense novel, and the series may become my new favorite by Nancy Mehl.
Erin Delaney’s life has been one of many tragedies. She finds herself with severe PTSD after the loss of her partner and accidentally shooting of a child when she was an officer. She is alone in the world when she is befriended by Kaley Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI agent. They plan to meet in the small town of Sanctuary to rest and heal, but their trip is very opposite of their plan when it’s clear a serial killer is on the loose. They are back to solving crimes when asked by local officers to help find the suspect.
There is a lot of good to love in this book. I liked that Mehl brought back a main character from earlier series, but did not make her the star. I love that the author does not hide her faith and shows it is the way to true peace. And I loved that there were three main suspects, and I was not sure who was the killer until the end.
Nancy Mehl’s fans are going to love this new series, and I look forward to the sequel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and JustRead Publicity, but all opinions are my own.

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 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. 

Sactuary 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 in visiting their town. 

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

I’ve only read the first Kaely Quinn novel a while ago so it was nice to see her back in action and quite happy with Noah. Erin, with a broken past that haunts her, reminded me a bit of Kaely at the beginning. Kaely had gone through a lot and clearly matured in faith and wisdom; it was rewarding to see Kaely use what she had learned to help guide Erin in matters of profiling but also in matters of life and faith. We only got to see a glimpse of Adrian - his work as police chief dominated his presence in the story but the glimpses of the man beneath the title showed a steadfast, hard-working man of character. I hope to see more of his personality and quirks in the next book.
The chilling nail-biting suspense was the best part of the novel; we were left with a few suspects but don’t know the true perpetrator until the very end.

If you enjoy murder suspense/thriller with a good dose of faith, this book will keep you up way past your bedtime. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via JustRead Tours, LibraryThing and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

From the very first chapter, Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl had me absolutely hooked! This gripping suspense novel delivers a thrilling mix of mystery, danger, and just a hint of romance, making it perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and chilling small-town secrets. Former police officer and bestselling author Erin Delaney seeks refuge in the Smoky Mountains, hoping to escape the ghosts of her past. But when terrifying cries pierce the night, her quiet retreat is shattered, and she’s drawn back into the world of crime solving. Partnering with local police chief Adrian Nightengale and former FBI behavioral analyst Kaely Quinn-Hunter, Erin must track a ruthless serial killer before she becomes the next target.This was my first Nancy Mehl book, but definitely not my last—I’ve already put more on hold at my library! The tension kept me on edge, and I loved the glimpses into the killer’s mind, which added to the eerie atmosphere and kept me guessing. Erin is a strong and complex heroine, grappling with trauma while finding her way back to what she does best, and Kaely’s profiling skills made for such a fascinating dynamic. While the romance is subtle, there’s a thread of possibility that has me excited for what’s to come. I also appreciated how faith was seamlessly woven into the story, bringing depth to Erin and Kaely’s journey without feeling forced. If you love pulse-pounding thrillers with intelligent heroines, expertly crafted suspense, and just the right amount of psychological intrigue, this one needs to be on your TBR!I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

Do you love contemporary Christian suspense novels? I do, and Nancy Mehl’s Shattered Sanctuary kept me turning the pages well into the night!

Erin Delaney is a best-selling mystery author - one who rarely leaves her house. She’s also an ex-cop who faced a huge, traumatic event while on the force. While writing her novel, she’s become online friends with Kaely Quinn-Hunter, ex-FBI behavioral analyst, who has helped her immensely in “getting things right” in her novel. As a Christian, Kaely’s greatest hope is that her friend Erin comes to know Christ as she does. Mehl naturally weaves faith throughout the book. It never seems preachy or forced.

Knowing that Erin has become very reclusive, she suggests a girls trip to a cabin in the small town of Sanctuary. Erin, arriving before Kaely, finds the cabin to be a beautiful, peaceful retreat. However, that peace is quickly shattered when a body is found in the woods nearby, and police chief Adrian Nightengale, knowing Erin’s background, seeks out her help.

Shattered Sanctuary captured my attention right from the start. I love watching shows and reading books in which profiling plays a big role. It’s fascinating to me how agents take in a murder scene or scenes and develop an accurate profile of the perpetrator. This fits right in there with great profiling without any graphic descriptions.

The way Kaely profiles killers is a bit different, but I thought it was really interesting. There’s a series before this one (that I have not read) that features Kaely, and I’ll definitely be checking it out. Mehl is wonderful at making her characters very realistic, and she doesn’t hide their flaws. I thought that the main characters had a lot of depth, and I also appreciated how the side characters fit in.

I highly recommend Shattered Sanctuary and can’t wait for the next Erin Delaney book! If you love reading Christian suspense with well-developed characters, you’ve got to read Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl. 5 stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

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.

Shattered Sanctuary was the first book I have read written by Nancy Mehl and I look forward to reading some more in the future. The story hooked me from the very beginning.

The character development was good. I enjoyed getting to watch Erin struggle through her issues and learn to work through her trauma. I appreciated Kaely’s friendship (first time meeting in person) and how she was there to support Erin through this while also, working on her process to help with the case. All the characters added to the story and were fun. I look forward to the next book. Also, while looking up other books, it seems like there is a series for Kaely which I think I will have to add to my TBR list.

The setting and storyline were great. As someone who loves Criminal Minds and crime shows, I loved the FBI BAU and law enforcement background aspect of this book. I loved getting to see the process behind solving these cases. I also loved the small-town element.

The romance element was light, as there is a possibility of one in the future. I appreciated the no spice.

The suspense element was great. I loved trying to figure out who the killer was and who else was linked to these killings.

Nancy Mehl did a great job intertwining faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Bravo! I now have a new author to add to my automatic must read list.

I was immediately captivated by the description of the story and was not disappointed. It is a multi-layered story with expert plot pacing. The two main characters intrigued me, with their individual pasts in law enforcement and personal traumas to overcome. Erin and Kaely meet for a girls week away at a cabin in a small tourist town in Tennessee.

The main plot was centered around a serial killer and a body count that continued to grow. I loved the way the author used the women's skills to profile the killer. With tension mounting, I found myself glued to the page. Ms. Mehl skillfully parcels out clues, at times allowing part of the story to be told from the killer's POV.

Woven throughout is a story of healing. Of confronting one's personal demons. It also has a faith thread without being preachy, allowing the characters to draw strength from their faith. One character is a Christian, the other is not. How does one prove a creator's existence in a world where bad things happen? The is a story of hope in the midst of darkness.

I am looking forward to reading more of Erin's story in future installments of this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Shattered Sanctuary brings together Erin Delaney, an ex-cop turned author and Kaeley Quinn-Hunter, former FBI profiler. We met Kaeley in a previous series but it is not necessary to read that series first but it could be helpful to understand her personality and her method of doing things. I hope she appears in future books since it is nice to catch up on what is happening in her life since the last book she was featured in. Kaely is a born again Christian; Erin is not. Kaely wants to witness the joy of Christ to her friend but treads lightly. She doesn't want to push her away. Erin has baggage from her past to deal with. Kaely and Erin meet up in a town in Tennessee called Sanctuary. From the townspeople they learn stories of ghosts and murders from the past in this little Dolly Parton loving town. They intend to have a relaxing few days in Sanctuary but it is anything but relaxing when a series of murders of young women occur in Sanctuary and Erin and Kaely have to put thier heads together and use thier profiling skills to catch a serial killer but he kills again. Five women have already died.

If you like a book with not a lot of romance in it this book is for you. I think in the future there is a possibility with a certain law enforcement officer but in the meantime Erin is content with her new furry friend Chester.

Thanks to LibraryThing and Netgalley for providing me a book to read and review. I was not compensated and all opinions are my own.

I can't wait until the next book in the series will be released. There was a preview at the end of the book so it should be coming Fall 2025.

While this is the first book in an all-new series, it does very prominently feature Kaely Quinn, who was the lead of the previous series. You do not have to have read any books in that series to be able to enjoy this one, but it might be useful in having a better understanding of Kaely's unconventional profiling method, which we DO see in this book too.

Nancy Mehl is one of those authors who I know is always going to provide a captivating story that will keep me at the edge of my seat. This one was absolutely no exception. The last thing Erin and Kaely imagined when they booked a cabin for a tranquil getaway was ghost stories and a serial killer... and yet, that's exactly where they found themselves-- in the midst of a murder investigation. One of the things that I think Nancy does really well is allowing us to see glimpses into the mind of the killers, only upping the creepiness factor and adding to the overall suspense... but blending in those elements of faith as well that keep it from feeling overwhelmingly dark. I enjoyed seeing Erin's journey throughout the story, and how Kaely offered her support throughout. This is certainly how you start a new series off with a bang, and I find myself looking forward to seeing what happens next. If you love Christian romantic suspense, this is definitely one to check out.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was quickly taken in by the main characters, Erin and Kaely. They each brought interesting professional backgrounds that reinforced the story. I liked how profiling skills were woven into the storyline, taking some of the focus off the serial killer.

Lots of tension and action kept me on the edge of my seat. The descriptions of the victims were handled well without all the excessive gore. Underlying Christian beliefs were woven throughout the story without being preachy. I enjoyed following the growth of both main characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own

The characters in this were far from perfect. Both of the main women come from law enforcement backgrounds, but it has not prevented them having to face fears, bad dreams, and trauma from various areas in their lives.

The book was a mix of creepy with some healing and bonding. Obviously, any time there is a serial killer on the loose, there is definitely an element of creepiness, and Mehl does a great job of building the suspense along with putting the reader into the setting. It was wonderful to see the bond between the two women especially with one trying to find her way out of the dark she found herself after losing her partner and killing an innocent.

I am planning on continuing this series to see if the next book lives up to what Mehl built in this one.

This book drew me in so quickly and I finished it in less than 24 hours!



If you have read books by this author, you may remember Kaely and her unusual way to profile suspects. Kaely befriends Erin, who is struggling with some PTSD. I love how Kaely supports Erin but doesn't push Christianity onto her. The week long vacation in the cabin is such a sweet aspect to the story!



Chester is such a great character and brings so much support to Erin!



The psychological aspect in this story is strong and the reader is left trying to figure out who is involved.



Thanks to justreads and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl features a re-occurring character from a previous series. As for the suspense element, I like the idea of a serial killer. However, I was a little disappointed that the body count was not higher throughout the story. It would have made the chase a little more exciting. Plus, the climactic moment to reveal and end the killer was about two pages long. I wanted more. Too easy of an out to end the suspenseful element that readers are reading this story for. While the heroine, Erin, does have some issues to deal with in order to be a good FBI agent and / or writer, Mehl does a wonderful job at using the other character to work with her through these issues. Majority of their conversation was filtered through a Christian lens, and I really liked that aspect. Even gave me something to ponder in my personal life. This is one of things that I adore about Christian fiction. Sometimes the author uses a lesson that the reader can use at that moment in their personal life. Nicely done! While the lesson was important to Erin and I liked it, I still wanted to spend more time with the suspense element. I hope that the next novel or two in the series can focus more on the suspense element. I know that Mehl can do that. I have enjoyed her previous two series. As a side note, there is a romance that could start to bubble into something more in an upcoming novel, so readers might want to pay attention to those subtle clues. Overall, Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl has an interesting concept for a killer, but I felt let down by the overall delivery of the killer’s story and demise.

I received a complimentary copy of Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl from Bethany House through JustRead Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Nancy Mehl’s first book, Shattered Sanctuary, in her new series, The Erin Delaney Mysteries, reinforces the idea that our lives are a tapestry woven from threads of our experiences. Trauma has become a prominent thread in the tapestry of Erin Delaney, former police officer, and she’s grown weary navigating her new world. When her friend, Kaely Quinn-Hunter suggests a week at an isolated cabin in the Smoky Mountains, Erin is hopeful that it’ll be the experience she needs to reclaim her strength and resilience. Unfortunately, the getaway in the town of Sanctuary is anything but a peaceful retreat.

Although the week in the woods doesn’t go as planned, it still offers Erin a chance to work through her trauma rather than outrun it. It’s obvious to readers that she misses using her talent to combat evil, so when Erin’s offered a chance to see UNSUB profiling in action and become an important part of an investigation, the new purpose builds Erin’s resilience. I loved watching someone emerge from the confines of trauma with a determined mindset that it wouldn’t define her as it did in the past. We all need ability this in our emotional toolkit.

The mystery in the woods kept me turning pages and the idea that a serial killer was on the loose kept me committed to the book until well past my bedtime. Mehl’s ability to weave in faith threads added to the plot and I was reminded about what God can do to help our resilience in facing the enemy. I liked Adrian’s character for the peaceful balance it added to the plot and Kaely’s character for the intrigue element. I’m sure these characters will contribute to book two and I can’t wait to see what Mehl has in store for her readers. This series is off to a great start.

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.