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BookInspector (124 KP) rated Alive (The Craftsman #0.5) in Books
Sep 24, 2020
I know that this short story was a teaser for Sharon Bolton’s book “Craftsman”, but I listened to it after I read the book itself, and I actually recommend doing it that way, for me, it gave different perspective towards the characters and quite a bit of confusion, to be honest.
It tells you the stories of three teenagers, Susan, Steve and Patsy, and how they vanished. And I think they were awesome. Their stories are absolutely engrossing, making “Craftsman” even more dark and sinister. I loved the way Sharon Bolton poetically describes the moon, and I loved the way she made those three stories so twisty and intriguing. It is told from multiple perspectives and really opens up these characters to the reader.
So, without spoiling it for you, if you read Craftsman by Sharon Bolton, you have to listen/ read this little story as well.
It tells you the stories of three teenagers, Susan, Steve and Patsy, and how they vanished. And I think they were awesome. Their stories are absolutely engrossing, making “Craftsman” even more dark and sinister. I loved the way Sharon Bolton poetically describes the moon, and I loved the way she made those three stories so twisty and intriguing. It is told from multiple perspectives and really opens up these characters to the reader.
So, without spoiling it for you, if you read Craftsman by Sharon Bolton, you have to listen/ read this little story as well.
Katarzyna Krasuska (81 KP) rated Dead Scared (Lacey Flint, #2) in Books
Aug 10, 2018 (Updated Aug 10, 2018)
Wow- I wasn't expecting that
What a brilliant story! I bought this book on Monday and by Wednesday evening I was sad, that it ended.
The story takes place in Cambridge University. There's been way too many suicides in one year for it to go unnoticed. DC Flint goes in undercover to investigate but due to her troubled past becomes the perfect victim herself.
Very gripping, kept me on edge from the beginning till the end.
How have I never come across Sharon Bolton before, I don't know. Need to get hold of 'Now you see me'- a bit backward, I know, but what can I do :-)
The story takes place in Cambridge University. There's been way too many suicides in one year for it to go unnoticed. DC Flint goes in undercover to investigate but due to her troubled past becomes the perfect victim herself.
Very gripping, kept me on edge from the beginning till the end.
How have I never come across Sharon Bolton before, I don't know. Need to get hold of 'Now you see me'- a bit backward, I know, but what can I do :-)
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Dark (Lacey Flint #5) in Books
May 29, 2022
Lacey Flint is back for another gripping story but don't worry if you haven't read any of the series before, it doesn't matter too much as Sharon Bolton does a great job of getting you up to speed with the characters without you getting bogged down in the back story.
Lacey is a complex character with secrets some of which are highlighted in the prologue. She is strong yet vulnerable, fearless and yet fearful as the opening chapter shows when a baby is snatched and set adrift on the River Thames and a pram is thrown off a bridge. What? Why? Who would do such a despicable thing?
The dark web is buzzing with the story and threatening of more to come; the incels (involuntary celibates) have had enough and want to make sure that every woman, no matter their age, knows it. The pressure to catch those behind the terrorist movement ramps up as the attacks become ever more commonplace and when it becomes clear that Lacey herself is a target, the tension becomes palpable but who are the people behind this and how can they be stopped when every man is a potential threat?
An absolutely gripping read with a scary concept that is all too frighteningly plausible that had me swiping my screen desperate to see what happened next but not wanting it to end ... and that ending ... I hope Sharon Bolton doesn't leave it as long for the next instalment is all I can say!
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Dark and to share my thoughts.
Lacey is a complex character with secrets some of which are highlighted in the prologue. She is strong yet vulnerable, fearless and yet fearful as the opening chapter shows when a baby is snatched and set adrift on the River Thames and a pram is thrown off a bridge. What? Why? Who would do such a despicable thing?
The dark web is buzzing with the story and threatening of more to come; the incels (involuntary celibates) have had enough and want to make sure that every woman, no matter their age, knows it. The pressure to catch those behind the terrorist movement ramps up as the attacks become ever more commonplace and when it becomes clear that Lacey herself is a target, the tension becomes palpable but who are the people behind this and how can they be stopped when every man is a potential threat?
An absolutely gripping read with a scary concept that is all too frighteningly plausible that had me swiping my screen desperate to see what happened next but not wanting it to end ... and that ending ... I hope Sharon Bolton doesn't leave it as long for the next instalment is all I can say!
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Dark and to share my thoughts.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Craftsman (The Craftsman, #1) in Books
Dec 25, 2023
203 of 235
Book
The Craftsman (book. 1)
By Sharon Bolton
⭐️⭐️⭐️
OLD ENEMIES... NEW CRIMES
Thirty years ago, WPC Florence Lovelady's career was made when she arrested coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook for three shocking murders.
Larry confessed; it was an open and shut case. But now he's dead, and events from the past are repeating themselves.
The town Florence left behind still has many secrets. Will she finally uncover the truth? Or will time run out for her first?
This was a decent read I did enjoy it but it took me a while to read. It wasn’t as gripping as I expected. These poor children it was so heartbreaking and I didn’t really see that ending and I’m normally pretty good at catching the killer. Overall it was a good read!
Book
The Craftsman (book. 1)
By Sharon Bolton
⭐️⭐️⭐️
OLD ENEMIES... NEW CRIMES
Thirty years ago, WPC Florence Lovelady's career was made when she arrested coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook for three shocking murders.
Larry confessed; it was an open and shut case. But now he's dead, and events from the past are repeating themselves.
The town Florence left behind still has many secrets. Will she finally uncover the truth? Or will time run out for her first?
This was a decent read I did enjoy it but it took me a while to read. It wasn’t as gripping as I expected. These poor children it was so heartbreaking and I didn’t really see that ending and I’m normally pretty good at catching the killer. Overall it was a good read!
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Craftsman (The Craftsman, #1) in Books
Sep 24, 2020
My Queen of crime and thrillers is back, with another marvelous story to tell. I read all her books, and every time she surprises me with something different and original.
The story is set in a small town with a hill, where witches were meeting since the 16th century. As you can see in the description above, this story is told in two different times – 1969 and 1999. In 1969 Florence was a WPC in the local police station, which she recently joined. Moreover, she was the first woman in that station, surrounded by men, who are not very friendly. She is assigned a disappearance of three teenagers, but what she discovers is way more complex and sinister than she could imagine.
Florence is the protagonist of this novel, and this story is told from her perspective. I love strong, smart and rebellious female leads in the books, and I absolutely loved Florence. Even though she is facing cruel workplace bullying and constant demeaning behavior, she is still fighting for what she believes to be right, and she wipes noses to those stuck up men. BRAVO! 😀 I really liked the wide variety of characters, which Bolton offered in this novel. All of them were very well rounded and unique personalities, who brought more richness to the book.
The narrative of this book was very well planned out and delivered. I was sucked in from the first pages of this book, I just wanted to find out what in a world was going on there! I really enjoyed all the twists, turns and diversions which Bolton creatively incorporated in this book. Sharon Bolton always follows an intriguing topic in her novels, and I am very glad that she was discussing workplace bullying and sexism, alongside witches and witchcraft. Even though I am not a believer in witchcraft, It was amusing to read about the people who believe in it and practice it.
Sharon Bolton is a very talented storyteller, she has a very absorbing and suspense building writing style, which I thoroughly enjoy every time. I loved the setting of this book, it compliments the atmosphere of this book with all those mills, hills, cemeteries and complex houses. The pages just fly while reading those short chapters. The climax was absolutely unexpected and left me very surprised. So, to conclude, for now, this book was the best read of 2018 for me. I enjoyed it from first to the last page, I think it has very intriguing and absorbing characters and very well crafted narrative, which is fast paced and very amusing. I do strongly recommend this book, I think you are in for a treat. Enjoy! 🙂
The story is set in a small town with a hill, where witches were meeting since the 16th century. As you can see in the description above, this story is told in two different times – 1969 and 1999. In 1969 Florence was a WPC in the local police station, which she recently joined. Moreover, she was the first woman in that station, surrounded by men, who are not very friendly. She is assigned a disappearance of three teenagers, but what she discovers is way more complex and sinister than she could imagine.
Florence is the protagonist of this novel, and this story is told from her perspective. I love strong, smart and rebellious female leads in the books, and I absolutely loved Florence. Even though she is facing cruel workplace bullying and constant demeaning behavior, she is still fighting for what she believes to be right, and she wipes noses to those stuck up men. BRAVO! 😀 I really liked the wide variety of characters, which Bolton offered in this novel. All of them were very well rounded and unique personalities, who brought more richness to the book.
The narrative of this book was very well planned out and delivered. I was sucked in from the first pages of this book, I just wanted to find out what in a world was going on there! I really enjoyed all the twists, turns and diversions which Bolton creatively incorporated in this book. Sharon Bolton always follows an intriguing topic in her novels, and I am very glad that she was discussing workplace bullying and sexism, alongside witches and witchcraft. Even though I am not a believer in witchcraft, It was amusing to read about the people who believe in it and practice it.
Sharon Bolton is a very talented storyteller, she has a very absorbing and suspense building writing style, which I thoroughly enjoy every time. I loved the setting of this book, it compliments the atmosphere of this book with all those mills, hills, cemeteries and complex houses. The pages just fly while reading those short chapters. The climax was absolutely unexpected and left me very surprised. So, to conclude, for now, this book was the best read of 2018 for me. I enjoyed it from first to the last page, I think it has very intriguing and absorbing characters and very well crafted narrative, which is fast paced and very amusing. I do strongly recommend this book, I think you are in for a treat. Enjoy! 🙂
I'm pretty sure this book had me reading with my brow actually furrowed for about the first two thirds. I was perplexed and confused, trying to work out Felicity's character--her intentions, motivations, and what on earth she was doing. I won't reveal much, as it's best to go into this one spoiler-free, but there's a lot going on with her and, as such, this is a very compelling and fascinating tale.
The book crosses time periods and perspectives, as we hear from folks in South Georgia, Cambridge, and elsewhere. I guessed one big piece before one of the characters--whether this was intentional or not, I'm not sure. (I felt superior to the doctor, but who knows, ha.) I can tell you that I read this book in three frantic chunks, desperately wanting to know the deal with Felicity and Freddie. It's a little crazy, a little out-there, and a bit extreme, but it certainly keeps you flipping the pages, I will grant Bolton that. I'm not sure if it's a book you really enjoy, per se, but it's one you consume (or does it consume you?), sucking in the story and the wild characters until there is nothing left. 4 stars.
A big thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Netgalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review, as I really love Sharon Bolton and her writing! This book releases in the U.S. on 4/28/2020.
The book crosses time periods and perspectives, as we hear from folks in South Georgia, Cambridge, and elsewhere. I guessed one big piece before one of the characters--whether this was intentional or not, I'm not sure. (I felt superior to the doctor, but who knows, ha.) I can tell you that I read this book in three frantic chunks, desperately wanting to know the deal with Felicity and Freddie. It's a little crazy, a little out-there, and a bit extreme, but it certainly keeps you flipping the pages, I will grant Bolton that. I'm not sure if it's a book you really enjoy, per se, but it's one you consume (or does it consume you?), sucking in the story and the wild characters until there is nothing left. 4 stars.
A big thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Netgalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review, as I really love Sharon Bolton and her writing! This book releases in the U.S. on 4/28/2020.
The Split by Sharon Bolton is a roller coaster of a ride from start to finish. I know that sounds very clichéd, but it’s true! I don’t think I managed to draw breath whilst I was reading each stave every morning for twelve days on The Pigeonhole. I had no idea what was going to happen next, and I REALLY appreciated that!
Felicity comes to see Joe, a counsellor, when she is found wandering, lost and disorientated in Cambridge, where he story is set. She doesn’t know how she got there, or how she has been injured. She wants to go to South Georgia to carry out her research on glaciers ( she’s an academic at the university), but has to have a clean bill of health. This accident puts her mental health in doubt.
I don’t want to say too much more about the plot. I will say that it was a breathtaking read. I was constantly left wondering what could possibly happen next, and I didn’t know who to be the most worried for, or who I could trust - if indeed I could trust anyone at all!
It’s a great read, and one I’d thoroughly recommend if you like suspense - I was on tenterhooks for the whole book!
Felicity comes to see Joe, a counsellor, when she is found wandering, lost and disorientated in Cambridge, where he story is set. She doesn’t know how she got there, or how she has been injured. She wants to go to South Georgia to carry out her research on glaciers ( she’s an academic at the university), but has to have a clean bill of health. This accident puts her mental health in doubt.
I don’t want to say too much more about the plot. I will say that it was a breathtaking read. I was constantly left wondering what could possibly happen next, and I didn’t know who to be the most worried for, or who I could trust - if indeed I could trust anyone at all!
It’s a great read, and one I’d thoroughly recommend if you like suspense - I was on tenterhooks for the whole book!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Craftsman in Books
Mar 12, 2019
Complex, compelling, and complicated tale
The year is 1999 and Assistant Commissioner Florence Lovelady returns to Lancashire for the funeral of Larry Glassbrook, a murderer she arrested 30 years ago. Larry killed three children, burying them alive in caskets he made himself. He also kidnapped and tortured Florence while she was investigating his case. Thirty years ago, Florence made a name for herself with the Glassbrook case, which changed her life forever. Clay effigies were found with each of the children's bodies, suggesting an element of witchcraft. Now, when Florence returns for the funeral, she finds a fourth: of herself. Does this means Florence is in danger? And what does the message Larry sent her from prison mean? Is there still a killer out there?
"I wonder what words his headstone might carry: Loving husband, devoted father, merciless killer."
I'm a huge Sharon Bolton fan, so I was excited to read this one. I hadn't really read the description in a while, so I didn't realize so much of the narrative took place in the late 1960s. I'm usually more of a modern fiction fan, but I found the 1960s portion--narrated by Florence--to be surprisingly engaging and enjoyable. It offered a really detailed look at how women were treated, especially on the police force, and was a true testament to Florence's strength. She was a fascinating, nuanced character who drew me in from the beginning. The book really revolves around her, but she makes it worth it.
The novel is certainly creepy--definitely a good spooky read for the month of October. It can be dark and gruesome. There's a witchcraft portion that sometimes seems a little unbelievable, but I thought it worked well within the confines of the story. There's even some funny moments--made even better by what a great heroine Florence is.
There's an excellent mystery here, which will keep you guessing from the start. The story skips between 1969 and 1999, and the two portions work together seamlessly. I found the tale to be complex, complicated, and just really compelling. There's something about this book that simply keeps you reading. Florence is an awesome character, the story is fascinating and different, and it's just a really enjoyable (if somewhat dark) read. Definitely recommend.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
"I wonder what words his headstone might carry: Loving husband, devoted father, merciless killer."
I'm a huge Sharon Bolton fan, so I was excited to read this one. I hadn't really read the description in a while, so I didn't realize so much of the narrative took place in the late 1960s. I'm usually more of a modern fiction fan, but I found the 1960s portion--narrated by Florence--to be surprisingly engaging and enjoyable. It offered a really detailed look at how women were treated, especially on the police force, and was a true testament to Florence's strength. She was a fascinating, nuanced character who drew me in from the beginning. The book really revolves around her, but she makes it worth it.
The novel is certainly creepy--definitely a good spooky read for the month of October. It can be dark and gruesome. There's a witchcraft portion that sometimes seems a little unbelievable, but I thought it worked well within the confines of the story. There's even some funny moments--made even better by what a great heroine Florence is.
There's an excellent mystery here, which will keep you guessing from the start. The story skips between 1969 and 1999, and the two portions work together seamlessly. I found the tale to be complex, complicated, and just really compelling. There's something about this book that simply keeps you reading. Florence is an awesome character, the story is fascinating and different, and it's just a really enjoyable (if somewhat dark) read. Definitely recommend.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).