The Craftsman

Product Information

However, you are filled with many questions about Sabden amongst other things and you do get some answers but there are still some unresolved issues to my mind. Are we left to make our own logical assumptions or will there be a number 3??? I loved it. The Craftsman had me waking up at all hours for nights after I’d finished it, sure there was something waiting there in the dark. The ending, as I said, was elegantly done for maximum effect, as if the rest of it wasn’t enough and these are the kind of reads I live for. 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 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. Florence herself is a completely fascinating character. She is tough and by-the-book, whip-smart, and dogged in her pursuit of the truth. And just when you think that she’s invincible, you see the young woman that she truly is—wanting to fit in, connecting with other women who find themselves on the outs in the town, and getting schoolyard crushes. Florence is truly perfect in her contrasts.

Whoa! That was one awesome read.....and because I can’t help myself! Holy Shooty Balls that was some book!! But there is one book that I have always wanted to write. The book about me, and women like me. Women of the north, who stand out from the crowd, and who are punished by that same crowd for daring to be different. I have always wanted to write a book about witches. Specifically, how women become witches. Do they make that choice themselves, or is it made for them? I used to think the latter, that it is societies that create witches. Now, after several years of research, I’m not so sure. I no longer dismiss the idea of witchcraft. Now, I think we all have powers within us. And some of us have learned to use them.Unpredictable, unsettling, utterly addictive and with a twist in the tail that will leave you gasping, The Craftsman is unique, bold and brilliant…but best read before dark.” LANCASHIRE EVENING POST Grisly and compelling. I was so pleased to hear it’s the start of a new series as it’s top notch.” SARAH HILARY

WPC Florence Lovelady is a Police Officer. She is brought in to investigate the search for several missing children in Pendle Hill, who have been buried alive. Unfortunately, it is too late to save Patsy, the first victim, who is found buried in a grave with a clay effigie (a voodoo doll of sorts), made by her killer. WPC Lovelady finds Patsy’s murderer and she puts him behind bars: it’s Larry Glassbrook, the casket and coffin maker in town, who just happens to be Lovelady’s landlord. Set in the 70’s and later on the cusp of the new millennium, the story follows Florence, a policewoman in a small northern town where children are disappearing. Their fate becomes intertwined with her fate and Sharon Bolton weaves a tense and deeply atmospheric tale around her characters and her location. 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. This is the area where Sharon Bolton was born and grew up. Small wonder her early books earned her the title of Queen of the Rural Gothic. Bolton has gone beyond her earlier title and moved onto being the Empress of the Rural Gothic.This follow up novel to The Craftsman isn’t really a conventional sequel nor a prequel, but more of a parallel contemporaneous story set both in 1969 when undertaker Larry Glassbrook was arrested for the murder of three teenagers and 30 years later when he dies. Set in the small industrial town of Sabden in the Pendle district of Lancashire, the story is mostly narrated by two women reluctantly revisiting the place they once called home. Larry’s elder daughter Cassie, now a successful songwriter and Superintendent Florence Lovelady, who as a young police constable arrested Larry, her former landlord. And one of them thinks the other is a killer. Is this a copy cat or did they arrest the wrong man? The race is on but you'll have the read it to find out!

The Craftsman is a perfectly crafted tale in which Bolton carefully molds her story of murder, sexism, witches, legend and mystery. In 1999 Assistant Commissioner Florence Lovelady has returned to Sabden with her fifteen-year-old son, Ben, for the funeral of master carpenter and funeral director, Larry Glassbrook. Thirty years ago, Florence arrested him for murdering three local teens by burying them alive with clay effigies in the caskets he made. His funeral is not the typical one. Instead of mourners weeping for the deceased, the funeral is attended by those who are happy he is dead and enjoy spitting on his casket. The book is set right at the year of August 1999 and earlier in June of 1969. The book is set in Northern New England where witchcraft is practiced. Forget about solving all these crimes; the signal triumph here is (spoiler) the heroine’s survival.Set between 1969 and 1999 in the shadow of Lancashire's Pendle Hill, notorious for its link to the 17th-century witch trials, the trilogy tells the story of a community shattered by a merciless predator through protagonist Florence Lovelady. As a young police constable in 1969, Florence finds herself out of her depth in a climate of misogyny and superstition as she battles to solve an extraordinary murder case that could make her career - and change her forever. 30 years later, events start to repeat themselves, and Florence must ask herself: did she get it wrong all those years ago? Florence’s tenacity and her integrity come to the fore; if the wrong man has been convicted, she must do whatever is necessary to right a terrible wrong no matter the cost. But then Florence finds there is a limit to what she is willing to pay. In the first investigation Florence suffered dreadfully, in the second it looks like there is again going to be a terrible price to pay. The only thing I had a bit of a problem with, was the ending. Too much, imo, was thrown into the mix and didn't think it was effective. On the whole though, this was a very good thriller, and Bolton fans will find much to like. In 1969, Florence was a member of the Lancanshire police force. She was constantly being put in her place and reminded that she was not one of the boys. Many members of the force did not like that she had a college education, was clever, smart and spoke her mind. She was constantly being asked to make tea and do menial tasks to remind her of her "place." The team especially did not like that she made suggestions concerning the missing teens and how to find them. DC Tom Devins appears at times to be the only one on the force who respects her input and opinions although he frequently cautions her about how others perceive her.

In this book we have the same characters as the first and the majority of the story does take place in 1969. I would recommend that the first book is read but there are plenty of references to what happened. What begins to feel like a cut and dry police procedural becomes even more interesting when Florence hears drums in the distance and eventually learns that there is a coven of witches in the town. HUH? What, you may ask witches??? Yes, witches and two of them befriend Florence and remind her that she must trust someone. Here is where some might think the book is going to go off into the deep end, but here is where the magic happens (pun intended). Yes, you need to suspend some disbelief, but everything worked perfectly for me in this book. Bolton seamlessly blends the paranormal into her criminal investigation brilliantly. I love her writing style. This one has some twists and turns with jaw dropping moments. I am so happy this is a series. I am so excited to read the next book. I am on a five star high! I loved this thrill ride. Sharon Bolton slips on her research gloves and presents quite the storyline. She even slides in a coven of witches on the outer periphery that will certainly get your attention. Her character of Florence is amazing. Don't call her Flossie like "The Boys". And don't have her hold up her hand and count how many fingers that she sees. More on that later, dear readers, much later. A stunning read that shouldn't be missed.

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. This is both a prequel and a sequel which is pretty clever when you think about it! I decided to read The Craftsman again prior to reading this and the two dovetail well. As always, what a unique and extremely well written web of suspense that Bolton has crafted here with elements of supernatural and witchcraft! I LOVED the aspect of supernatural. I couldn't get enough!! She continues to put most of the men to shame in the brains department. Tom is the only one willing to see her as an asset and help her along.