Synopses & Reviews
Clara Benning, a veterinary surgeon in charge of a wildlife hospital in a small English village, is young and intelligent, but nearly a recluse. Disfigured by a childhood accident, she generally prefers the company of animals to people. But when a local man dies following a supposed snakebite, Claras expertise is needed. Shes chilled to learn that the victims postmortem shows a higher concentration of venom than could ever be found in a single snake—and that therefore the killer must be human.
Assisted by a soft-spoken neighbor and an eccentric reptile expert, Clara unravels sinister links to an abandoned house, an ancient ritual, and a fifty-year-old tragedy that has left the survivors secretive. But for someone the truth must remain buried in the past—even if they have to kill to keep it there.
Awakening is a disturbing tale of dark secrets and insidious rituals that will have readers unable to stop for a breath until theyve reach the stunning climax of this extraordinary read from the author of the acclaimed debut novel Sacrifice.
Review
Advance Praise for Awakening
“Page-turning suspense and spectacular snake science . . . Murky, abandoned churches and dark family secrets stretching back a generation lend a compelling gothic sensibility to this story of a woman who awakens to new possibilities.”
—Booklist
Praise for Sacrifice
“This riveting debut novel . . . just might be the page-turner of the summer. . . . Its been a long time since weve devoured a book this length at one sitting. . . . Extraordinary.”
—Denver Post
“The plot never loses interest, the setting is beautiful . . . and the characters are well drawn. This is S. J. Boltons first book. I hope its the first of many.”
—The Charlotte Observer
“Brilliant plot with mythic overtones . . . This promising new talent delivers some profound insights into the eternal nature of evil.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Val McDermid meets Patricia Cornwell on the North Sea.”
—St. Petersburg Times
Review
Praise for Awakening
“Awakening is a delicious Gothic thriller.”
—Maureen Corrigan, NPR, on Awakening
“Page-turning suspense.”
—Booklist (A Top Ten Crime Novel of the Year)
“I was totally riveted by S. J. Boltons second thriller, Awakening. . . . Perfect reading for a long plane trip.”
—Nancy Pearl on Awakening
“The page-turner of the summer . . . Its been a long time since weve devoured a book this length at one sitting. . . . We were just grateful to find ourselves in the hands of as extraordinary a storyteller as S. J. Bolton.”
—The Denver Post on Sacrifice
Synopsis
Clara Benning, a veterinary surgeon, is young and intelligent, but reclusive. Disfigured by a childhood accident, she prefers animals to people. When a man dies following a supposed snakebite, Claras expertise is needed. Shes chilled to learn that the victims postmortem shows a higher concentration of venom than could ever be found in one snake: The killer was human. Assisted by a neighbor and an eccentric reptile expert, Clara uncovers links to an ancient ritual, an abandoned house, and a fifty-year-old tragedy. But for someone the truth must remain buried in the past—even if they have to kill to keep it there.
Awakening is a disturbing tale of dark secrets that will have readers unable to stop for a breath until they reach the stunning climax of this extraordinary read from acclaimed author S. J. Bolton.
Synopsis
A strange increase in snake activity in a small English village is either Nature's interference or something far more sinister, in this chilling mystery from the author of "Sacrifice."
Synopsis
Clara Benning, a veterinary surgeon, is young and intelligent, but reclusive. Disfigured by a childhood accident, she prefers animals to people. When a man dies following a supposed snakebite, Claras expertise is needed. Shes chilled to learn that the victims postmortem shows a higher concentration of venom than could ever be found in one snake: The killer was human. Assisted by a neighbor and an eccentric reptile expert, Clara uncovers links to an ancient ritual, an abandoned house, and a fifty-year-old tragedy. But for someone the truth must remain buried in the past—even if they have to kill to keep it there.
Awakening is a disturbing tale of dark secrets that will have readers unable to stop for a breath until they reach the stunning climax of this extraordinary read from acclaimed author S. J. Bolton.
About the Author
SHARON BOLTON grew up in Lancashire, England, and now lives near Oxford with her family. Awakening, her second novel, is inspired by her fascination with British folklore. Visit her online at www.sjbolton.com. Sharon Bolton was previously published as S.J. Bolton.