Category Archives: Sharon Bolton

April 27, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Split by Sharon Bolton

Title: The Split by Sharon Bolton
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Tense, gripping and with a twist you won’t see coming, The Split is an explosive new stand-alone thriller from Sharon Bolton about a woman on the run.

No matter how far you run, some secrets will always catch up with you…

The remote Antarctic island of South Georgia is about to send off its last boat of the summer – which signifies safety to resident glaciologist Felicity Lloyd.

Felicity lives in fear – fear that her ex-husband Freddie will find her, even out here. She took a job on this isolated island to hide from him, but now that he’s out of prison, having served a term for murder, she knows he won’t give up until he finds her.

But a doctor delving into the background of Felicity and Freddie’s relationship, back in Cambridge, learns that Felicity has been on the edge for a long time. Heading to South Georgia himself to try and get to her first is the only way he can think of to help her.

Review:

The Split by Sharon Bolton is a diabolically clever mystery.

In the present, glaciologist Felicity Lloyd is working on South Georgia, a remote Antarctic Island.Since there are few people on the island, she feels safe after being stalked for months in Cambridge.  But when she discovers her stalker knows where she is, she keeps watch when ships are expected to land. Frantically putting a plan in action when her worst fears come to fruition, Felicity undertakes a dangerous journey in order to protect herself from danger.

In the months leading up to her departure from Cambridge, Felicity is troubled by recent events in which she believes someone has been inside her home.  She is also certain someone is following her. After a recent incident, she seeks help from a local therapist who is also dealing with a few problems of his own. Although Felicity eventually has a breakthrough, she has no interest in pursuing the details uncovered during her sessions.

In the midst of Felicity troubles, someone is possibly murdering homeless people in Cambridge. Her therapist works among the city’s most vulnerable citizens and he recently encountered trouble with someone he was treating. Despite evidence to the contrary, could this person be responsible for the recent murder? Could this person be involved with some of the eerie incidents at both his and Felicity’s homes?

A local detective is determined find the person responsible for the deaths and she unearths evidence that might help solve the crimes. CCTV footage is invaluable in possibly identifying the murderer, but is there more to the cases than meets the eye?

The Split is a riveting mystery with a intriguing plot and well-developed characters. Felicity is a sympathetic protagonist with an unexpectedly tragic past.  The isolated island adds an extra layer of tension as Felicity flees for her life. While savvy readers might guess some aspects of the storyline, Sharon Bolton brings this compelling mystery to an action-filled and somewhat surprising conclusion. A suspenseful mystery that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Sharon Bolton, Suspense, The Split

October 15, 2018 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton

Title: The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical (60s & 90s), Mystery, Suspense, Slight Occult Elements
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sharon Bolton returns with her creepiest standalone yet, following a young cop trying to trace the disappearances of a small town’s teenagers.

Florence Lovelady’s career was made when she convicted coffin-maker Larry Grassbrook of a series of child murders 30 years ago in a small village in Lancashire. Like something out of a nightmare, the victims were buried alive. Florence was able to solve the mystery and get a confession out of Larry before more children were murdered., and he spent the rest of his life in prison.

But now, decades later, he’s dead, and events from the past start to repeat themselves. Is someone copying the original murders? Or did she get it wrong all those years ago? When her own son goes missing under similar circumstances, the case not only gets reopened… it gets personal.

In master of suspense Sharon Bolton’s latest thriller, readers will find a page-turner to confirm their deepest fears and the only protagonist who can face them.

Review:

Set in 1969 and 1999, The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton is an intriguing mystery with slight occult elements (witchcraft).

In 1969, WPC Florence Lovelady is the only woman on the Lancashire police force.  She is working in the small village of Sabden where three teenagers have inexplicably gone missing. The latest young woman to disappear is fourteen year old Patsy Wood and Florence comes up with an innovative idea in hopes of receiving tips from the public. Florence takes matters into her own hands when Superintendent Stanley Ruston is slow to act and she makes a gruesome discovery. She is then assigned to work the case alongside DC Tom Devine and the rest of the team and Florence makes some startling findings that lead to the arrest and conviction of coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook.

In 1999, Florence is back in Sabden along with her fifteen year old son Ben for Larry’s funeral. Over the past thirty years, she has periodically visited Larry in prison and she is little troubled by something he said to her during their last conversation. Returning to his house, she makes a chilling discovery that raise doubts about Larry’s guilt. Turning to her old friend Tom Devine, who is still on the police force, they work together to uncover the truth about who might have been responsible for the kidnappings and murders thirty years earlier.

The narrative begins in 1999 then quickly shifts back to the investigation in 1969. Florence is new to the force but she has keen instincts that quickly turn up leads to follow. Not everyone is happy to work alongside a woman so Florence is also dealing with sexism from her older co-workers. She soon learns to not to allow their attitudes affect and she diligently works the case.  Florence hears whispers of witchcraft and learns of a possible connection to the Stonemasons but does this information have anything to do with the missing teenagers?

The Craftsman is a fast-paced mystery with a chilling storyline and fascinating supernatural elements. The characters are multi-faceted and their attitudes are true to the time period.  Florence is a sharply intelligent woman whose confidence in her abilities grows throughout the investigation. The kidnappings and murders are disturbing but this part of the storyline is tastefully handled.  The witchcraft aspect is quite interesting and it is naturally incorporated into the story in a believable fashion.  With absolutely stunning twists and startling turns, Sharon Bolton brings the novel to a jaw-dropping, shocking conclusion.  I highly recommend this riveting mystery to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Historical, Historical (60s), Historical (90s), Minotaur Books, Mystery, Occult, Rated B, Review, Sharon Bolton, Suspense, The Craftsman

August 27, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton

Title: Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Dead Woman Walking, from master of suspense Sharon Bolton, the sole survivor of a hot-air balloon crash witnesses a murder as the balloon is falling.

Just before dawn in the hills near the Scottish border, a man murders a young woman. At the same time, a hot-air balloon crashes out of the sky. There’s just one survivor. She’s seen the killer’s face – but he’s also seen hers. And he won’t rest until he’s eliminated the only witness to his crime. Alone, scared, trusting no one, she’s running to where she feels safe – but it could be the most dangerous place of all..

Review:

In Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, the lone survivor of a horrific balloon crash evades both a killer determined to silence her and the local police investigating the crash. Which begs the question: what possible reason would she have for running from the police? An intriguing question with an equally intriguing answer that does not come into focus until this pulse-pounding mystery’s exciting conclusion.

Two sisters are enjoying their balloon ride until one of them spots a horrifying sight: a woman is being chased by a man through the Northumberland National Park. Much to her shock, the man, Patrick Faa, then proceeds to bash his victim over the head with a rock. She manages to take a picture of him but unfortunately, he spots her and immediately begins firing on the balloon. In a terrifying sequence of events, the balloon eventually crashes, killing her sister and the rest of the passengers. Terrified, she flees from the crash site before the police arrive but Patrick is often one step ahead of her as she attempts to elude him and Ajax Maldonado, the Superintendent who is investigating the crash.

The police initially believe the balloon crash is nothing but a tragic accident but several puzzling details soon add up to something far more sinister.  With all of the passengers accounted for except one, they immediately begin searching for her.  After widespread media coverage begins, reported sightings of the missing woman change the focus of the investigation once the police realize she is deliberately avoiding them. They are even more perplexed about her actions once they dig deeper into her background. Once Superintendent Maldonado comes up with a plausible theory for why she is on the run, they are more anxious than ever to talk to her.

Interspersed with the events of the present are a series of flashbacks that are initially a little confusing. However, it does not take long for the pieces of this intricately plotted storyline to begin to fall into place. Long held family secrets are interwoven with more recent events and a very shocking picture begins to emerge that is quite horrifying.

With non-stop action from beginning to end, Dead Woman Walking is an electrifying read with a clever plot and a brilliant cast of characters. Sharon Bolton skillfully brings this adrenaline-laced, suspense-laden novel to a twist-filled, stunning conclusion.  I highly recommend this spectacular mystery to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Dead Woman Walking, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Sharon Bolton, Suspense

September 21, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton

Title: Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He’s a serial killer. A murderer of young women, all killed in brutal attacks.

But despite Hamish Wolfe’s conviction, he’s always stuck to his story—he’s innocent and he’s been wrongly imprisoned. And now he wants someone to investigate and, more importantly, to write his story.

Maggie Rose is a notorious defense attorney and writer whose specialty is getting convictions overturned. At first, Maggie is reluctant to even acknowledge Hamish’s requests to meet, ignoring his letters. But this is a very charismatic and persuasive man, good-looking and intelligent.

Eventually even she can’t resist his lure…

Review:

Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton is a spellbinding mystery about a serial killer’s efforts to get his conviction overturned.

Maggie Rose is a reclusive defense attorney and true crime author who is famous for successfully getting several notorious murderer’s convictions overturned.  After refusing to meet with Hamish Wolfe, a handsome doctor convicted of murdering three young women, she is approached by his mother who asks her to reconsider her decision.  After she learns more about Hamish and the murders, she decides to meet with him so he can present his case to her in person.  Although not fully convinced of Wolfe’s innocence, Maggie agrees to look over the evidence but she warns him she will most likely not change her mind about representing him.  However, the deeper she delves into the cases, the more intrigued she becomes and Maggie officially accepts Hamish as her client.  While the odds of discovering new evidence that will exonerate Wolfe are not in her favor, Maggie is soon embroiled in her investigation.  Will she find information that will clear Hamish?  Or will Maggie discover irrefutable proof that he is, in fact, guilty of the crimes he has been convicted of committing?

Although she lives a low-key life out of the limelight, Maggie is a bit of a contradiction.  She does not hesitate to help rescue a possible drowning victim and her hair is dyed bright blue.  She is fiercely independent and values her privacy, but after a series of vaguely threatening incidents at her home, she comes to the attention of Detective Sergeant Pete Weston, who, coincidentally, arrested Wolfe for the murders. He has absolutely no doubt he arrested the person responsible for the killings but he is willing to hear Maggie’s theories once she begins digging around in the case.  However, Pete is not swayed by her theories and he continues to try to dissuade her getting involved with Hamish.

During the course of her investigation, Maggie dissects Wolfe’s life both in the past and the present.  He might be a well-liked and well-respected surgeon now but in his college days, there were whispers of impropriety  about him and a group of his friends and their ill-treatment of overweight women who bear a striking resemblance to the three women he is convicted of murdering.  Even more chilling is the unexplained disappearance of his college girlfriend Daisy Baron, who vanished without a trace years earlier while they were dating.  With plenty of rumors hinting at a dark side to Wolfe, Maggie refuses to heed his requests to leave the past alone.  After she discovers troubling information that might link Wolfe to the murders, Maggie is running out of time to find exculpatory evidence that will lead to a new trial.

Written from multiple points of view, Daisy in Chains is a compelling psychological mystery that is initially a little slow paced but eventually becomes impossible to put down.  The characters are richly developed and although flawed, they are easy to root for. The novel is well-written with chapters alternating between the various characters’ perspectives and a series of newspapers articles, e-mails and letters.  Although Sharon Bolton  eventually drops enough clues for the reader to guess the killer’s identity, the novel comes to a suspense-laden conclusion that contains a few unexpected plot twists.  An entertaining mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Daisy in Chains, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Sharon Bolton

June 1, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Dark and Twisted Tide by Sharon Bolton

darkTitle: A Dark and Twisted Tide by Sharon Bolton
Lacey Flint Series Book Four
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Lacey Flint, Sharon Bolton’s enigmatic protagonist, has been living in a houseboat on the River Thames, and she’s becoming a part of London’s weird and wonderful riverboat community. Against her friends’ better judgment, she’s taken up swimming in the Thames, and she feels closer than ever to Detective Mark Joesbury, despite his involvement in a complicated undercover case. For the first time in her life, as she recovers from the trauma of the last few months, Lacey begins to feel almost happy.

Then, at dawn one hot summer morning while swimming down the river, Lacey finds the body of a shrouded young woman in the water. She assumes it was chance—after all, she’s recently joined the marine policing unit, and she knows how many dead bodies are pulled out of the river every year, most the result of tragic accidents. But further investigation leads her policing team to suspect the woman’s body was deliberately left for Lacey to find. Lacey’s no longer a homicide detective, but as she begins to notice someone keeping a strangely close eye on her, she’s inexorably drawn into the investigation.

Award-winning author Sharon Bolton has once again crafted a tightly plotted, utterly unpredictable thriller around one of the most compelling characters in crime fiction today, intensely private London police officer Lacey Flint, whose penchant for keeping secrets is only matched by her determination to uncover those of others.

The Review:

In A Dark and Twisted Tide, Sharon Bolton’s newest addition to the Lacey Flint series, the River Thames is an intriguing and unique setting for a murder investigation. Ex-homicide detective Lacey Flint not only lives on the Thames, but as a member of the Marine Unit, she also works there as well. After she discovers the shrouded remains of a young woman, the subsequent investigation reveals an eerie similarity to previously recovered remains.

With her curiosity piqued by the body she discovered, Lacey tries to remain on the periphery of the ensuing investigation. However, it soon becomes clear that someone is trying to draw her attention to the unnoticed deaths. Unexplained gifts, glimpses of a mysterious swimmer and the blatant display of the latest victim make it obvious that someone wants Lacey involved in the case. So Lacey, along with DCI Dana Tulloch, keep digging for any possible connection between the victims, but fitting together the pieces of this perplexing mystery is virtually impossible.

Lacey is still the fascinating, if somewhat mysterious, heroine that she has always been. She has carved out a quiet life on the Thames and she has become friends with a few of her neighbors, but she still closely guards her secrets. Lacey’s romance with fellow detective Mark Joesbury is hindered by his current case which takes him deep undercover, but they do make a little progress during his quick, but meaningful, visits. Her uneasy professional relationship with Dana Tulloch becomes less rocky and they actually work well together once their investigation begins to produce results.

The mystery element of A Dark and Twisted Tide is full of unexpected twists and turns and easily keeps the reader guessing the killer’s identity for much of the novel. While I had a good idea that some of the secondary characters were somehow involved in the unfolding story, I could not figure out how or why. The chapters shift between different viewpoints and while interesting, there is little context to fit these different perspectives into the investigation. The pacing is a little slow until the last quarter of the novel and then it rushes at a breakneck speed to a dramatic and very surprising conclusion.

A Dark and Twisted Tide is another superb installment in Sharon Bolton’s Lacey Flint series and although it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the entire series (reviewed HERE).

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Filed under A Dark and Twisted Tide, Contemporary, Lacey Flint Series, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Sharon Bolton