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The Craftsman

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Sharon Bolton (often simply called S.J. Bolton) was born in Lancashire in the North of England in 1960. She is most famous for her crime fiction, which, as she herself has described it, helps her to face up to her own demons. Bolton’s novels tend to fall firmly within the genre of detective fiction. They tend, too, to focus on female protagonists. This is particularly the case with her ‘Lacey Flint’ series of detective novels. The 1969 storyline (which forms the main part of the novel) is excellent – Sharon Bolton at her best. I was completely gripped by Florence’s investigations into the allegations of abuse at the children’s home and the obstacles she faces in trying to get anybody to take her concerns seriously. The 1960s setting allows Bolton to explore the sexism and misogyny Florence faces as she tries to do her work; the other police officers are exclusively male – local men from Sabden who resent Florence’s university education, southern accent and the fact that she is a woman doing what they consider a man’s job. Meanwhile, we get to know Sally Glassbrook, Cassie’s mother, who is struggling to cope after Larry’s arrest and imprisonment. As the family of a convicted murderer, Sally and her daughters are in a vulnerable position and find themselves having to fend off the unwanted attentions of Roy Greenwood, Larry’s former business partner.

We all loved the setting here with the small town and its mysterious characters and the buried secrets they hold. The setting comes alive with its spine-chilling danger and we could feel the terror the characters felt in this story. We loved the real danger and the magical and supernatural danger to the story. In traditional mystery/thriller fashion we're given alternating timelines. The present taking place in 1999 and the past taking place in 1969 where Florence is the first female police officer in Sabden. Not only is Lovelady highly educated - seen as pompous and snooty - but she has to fight the inherent sexism involved in becoming the first female on the force. Unlike many other female protagonists in these types of stories Florence is not battling personal demons and hangups. She is a genuinely likable and competent MC and it among many other aspects of this read were incredibly refreshing. I was drawn into this book form the very beginning. My advice - read the Author's note before beginning the book. Bolton talks about the infamous Pendle Witch Trials and the legend of how a witch is baptized twice first in the church and then in dark water. She talks of her interest in witches and with women who "stand out from the crowd and who are punished by that same crowd for daring to be different." Fabulous, utterly unique storyline, that will effortlessly stand out in the crowd of thrillers.' Helen FieldsThe narrative alternates between 1969 and 1999. In the past, the reader learns of Florence’s involvement in the case, as well as some additional drama that she got involved in. In the present, Florence comes to discover an effigy of herself, which is an element used by those who practice witchcraft, causing her to look deeper at the crime that she thought she solved so long ago. The more and more she investigates and reflects on the past, the more she uncovers about what really happened at the time. There’s a lot of more going on than what initially seems.

The Craftsman is such a brilliant web of supernatural, lies, and witchcraft that keeps you wondering what goes bump in the night. Not going to blab about the plot too much. As with all Ms. Bolton’s books, it’s best to go in blind for maximum effect. She’s the queen of jaw-droppers & you’ll enjoy it more if you discover things with Florence as she revisits a traumatic past. SHARON BOLTON delivers an impressive, original, clever, atmospheric, suspenseful, twisty and well-written read here with the perfect mix of intrigue, suspense, mystery, and the supernatural. Bolton captures the essence of these characters and the eerie setting perfectly. year- old Patsy Wood has been missing for two days, the third teenager to disappear in as many months. New to the Lancashire police force and struggling to fit in, WPC Lovelady is sent to investigate an unlikely report from school children claiming to have heard a voice calling for help. A voice from deep within a recent grave. I tried reading The Craftsman when it first came out but didn’t make it past the first chapter. The concept of teenagers being buried alive was just too dark at that moment in my life, but apparently I’ve built up a creep-factor callus over the years as thriller writers get more and more depraved.Lacey often has to go around her superiors to solve her difficult cases. To solver her tough cases, she more often than not relies on her very accurate gut instinct that tells her what to do in those very dire moments when her life or that of others can be in serious danger. Sharon Bolton Awards I absolutely loved this book and it was definitely my kind of story! I love creepy suspenseful books with supernatural aspects to it and this one definitely satisfied my craving for an excellent spooky, spine-chilling and suspenseful read! If you are a fan of dark crime reads, full of unlikeable characters and clever, twisty storylines, this author is for you. I can't tell you how much I love Sharon's books, and I will read anything she writes. Born and brought up inLancashire, Sharon Bolton is now living with her husband and son ina village in the Chiltern Hills, close to Oxford. Daphne tells Florence about the three disciplines of witchcraft: healing, divination and magic, along with her theory that each witch is drawn especially to one of the three. Which witch would you be?

In 1969 Florence Lovelady is a young police officer, who is drawn into the case of a missing 13-year-old girl. Although she gets little respect as she is the only policewoman on the Lancashire force, she goes against the grain and uses her instincts to solve the case. Florence has to battle not only murder suspects but also the men she serves on the force with. Not only is this a great police procedural, but what you might not be able to tell from the synopsis is that there is a supernatural aspect to this as well. While some write off fantasy / supernatural reads because it's not their own genre, or harder to fall into I can assure you that all lovers of mystery / thrillers would enjoy this. It isn't over done or misplaced - I was not only surprised by the inclusion of the Pendle Witch Trials did not detract from the overlying story line it only added to it. The historical information added in created a rich and exciting atmosphere that was difficult to draw myself away from. The town of Sabdem is made up of quirky and interesting characters who may or may not know what is going on. There was a lot of fear in that town during 1969 when teens went missing and the police could not come up with a suspect until Larry Glassbrook's arrest. As Florence finds the clay effigy of herself in 1999 she begins to wonder who put it there? Why? Did the police miss something all those years ago? Is she in danger?Thank you to St. Martin's Press- Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Huge thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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. The story takes place in Ms. Bolton’s stomping grounds, The North Country. Witch Country. As always, our author sets the scene beautifully, giving us a rich atmosphere in which to immerse ourselves. If I had to describe it in one word, I would call it sinister, very sinister. Sharon Bolton is a favorite author for me and I was really excited to add The Craftsman to the Traveling Sisters group reads. Seven Traveling Sisters joined in on this sister read and a couple sisters have now added Sharon Bolton to there list of favorite authors. After the funeral, Florence goes to visit the property where she first lodged with the Glassbrook family. While there she decides to honor an old belief that the hive bees must be told all the important news. At first the hives seem deserted but then Florence finds a clay picture- aka effigy- of herself, leading her to the horrifying belief the wrong man might have been convicted. Florence sees the clay picture as a taunting message, a challenge to finally put this case, and the murdered children to rest. S. J. Bolton does a brilliant job at blending in the witchcraft into the criminal investigation without it seeming too outrageous or "out there". It is a steady mix of the two and it is amazing how the author slips in these dark magical elements... it additionally provided me with a spark of interest to learn more about people who practice witchcraft. S.J Bolton does a great job at going between the two time periods and relating the past to the present. Furthermore, even the descriptions the author uses of the small town created an atmosphere of isolation and unwantedness, adding to the story.Superintendent Rushton is protective and nurturing of Florence. Is his attitude as sexist as some of the other officers’ open hostility?

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