Dead Scared

When a rash of suicides tears through Cambridge University, DI Mark Joesbury recruits DC Lacey Flint to go undercover as a student to investigate. Although each students death appears to be a suicide, the psychological histories, social networks, and online activities of the students involved share remarkable similarities, and the London police are not convinced that the victims acted alone. They believe that someone might be preying on lonely and insecure students and either encouraging them to take their own lives or actually luring them to their deaths. As long as Lacey can play the role of a vulnerable young woman, she may be able to stop these deaths, but is it just a role for her? With her fragile past, is she drawing out the killers, or is she herself being drawn into a deadly game where shes a perfect victim?

Dark and compelling, S. J. Boltons latest thriller Dead Scared—a follow-up to the acclaimed Now You See Me—is another work of brilliant psychological suspense that plumbs the most sinister depths.

Dead Scared

“Outstanding. . .Bolton never eases up the tension; her tightly coiled plot and heroine on the edge work perfectly in tandem.”

—Publishers Weekly (starred review, Pick of the Week)

“A number of superlatives could be used to describe Boltons new work, but a simple “wow!” will do. After reading the last sentence, I realized I had been holding my breath during the final page or two. Yes, the ending is that gripping. The storys atmosphere is dark and spooky, the main characters are strong yet vulnerable and the plot is refreshingly unpredictable. This stunning psychological thriller is well worth your time. Youll be hooked from page one.”

—RT Book Reviews (4½ Stars, Top Pick)

“Readers will be caught up in the twists and turns that leave them hanging until the final paragraph.”

—Library Journal (starred review)

“Credible characters, an evocative setting, and a chilling group of clever sadists make the latest from Bolton a satisfying and suspenseful read.”

—Booklist

Now You See Me

“S. J. Bolton is changing the face of crime fiction—if you only read one crime novel this year, make it this.”

—Tess Gerritsen

“Now You See Me is really special: multi-layered and sophisticated, but tough too.”

—Lee Child

“Bolton provides excruciating tension and much else. Romantics can drool over Joesburys turquoise eyes; amateur psychologists can mull Laceys one-nighters; and Ripperologists can ponder theories of Jacks real identity, one of which helps tie up the plot.”

―Kirkus Reviews (starred review, One of the Best Mysteries of 2011)

“The twists keep coming, and the truth is not revealed until the final page in Boltons best novel yet.”

―Library Journal (starred review)

“Nice atmosphere and good Ripper lore.”

—Booklist

“Bolton's fourth thriller, a complex psychological puzzler, stands head and shoulders above other such efforts featuring a modern copycat Jack the Ripper. . .Bolton skillfully plays with the reader's expectations.”

―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Excellent. . .Now You See Me is a cerebral thriller that avoids clichés. Each twist and turn is unpredictable as are the fully drawn characters' actions.”

—Oline H. Cogdill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

SHARON BOLTON is a Mary Higgins Clark Award winner and an ITW Thriller Award, CWA Gold Dagger and Barry Award nominee. Sharon Bolton was previously published as S.J. Bolton.