Sharon (formerly S J) Bolton grew up in a cotton-mill town in Lancashire and had an eclectic early career in marketing and public relations. She gave it up in 2000 to become a mother and a writer. Her first novel, Sacrifice, was voted Best New Read by Amazon.uk, whilst her second, Awakening, won the 2010 Mary Higgins Clark Award (part of the prestigious Edgars) in the US. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger, the Theakston's Prize for Best Thriller, the International Thriller Writers' Best First Novel award, the Prix Du Polar in France and the Martin Beck award in Sweden.
The Craftsman is one of those rare books that hooked me on page one, and didn't let go until the final sentence. Engaging, compulsive reading. Sharon Bolton at her best. * Rachel Abbott * Just finished The Craftsman and it is Sharon Bolton at her absolute finest. Beautifully dark and disturbing, I won't sleep well tonight. * Jenny Blackhurst * Sharon Bolton raises the bar with each new book. The Craftsman goes to some very dark places, and will have readers looking nervously over their shoulders with every page they turn. * Mick Herron * I was obsessed with The Craftsman, reading it every snatched moment I could. Pitch perfect creepiness, air punching female empowerment and sinister mysteries kept me hooked to the very last page. * Holly Seddon * Darkly gothic and brilliantly original, THE CRAFTSMAN will have you spellbound. * JP Delaney * The Craftsman is a brilliant blend of rich crime thriller with a hint of the gothic. Dark, disturbing and with women who totally rock, with the Craftsman Sharon Bolton has proven herself to be a master Craftsman herself. Buy it. Read it. Tell your friends. Then sleep with the light on. * Sarah Pinborough * Sharon is a master of her craft. The Craftsman is an absolutely terrific crime novel that takes your darkest fear and makes it reality. * Elly Griffiths * Grisly and compelling. I was so pleased to hear it's the start of a new series as it's top notch. * Sarah Hilary * I dare you to read it after dark. The Craftsman is a blood-chilling thriller that will cast a spell on you. * Mark Edwards, No.1 Kindle bestseller * Utterly terrifying and gripping. * Sabine Durrant, author of TAKE ME IN * A masterclass in the craft of writing. Fabulous, utterly unique storyline, that will effortlessly stand out in the crowd of thrillers. Also, it'll give you the creeps, and I don't say that lightly. * Helen Fields * Sharon Bolton is an absolute master and I've read, and loved, her other books, but this is a whole new level. This is the work of a writer at the absolute top of her game. The Craftsman is an original, dark, and twisted tale and the words just sparkle on the page. * Niki Mackay * Sharon Bolton's army of fans will be storming bookshops for this one. * Belinda Bauer * Filled with intrigue and suspense. The Craftsman is spellbinding. * Clare Mackintosh * [The Craftsman] will have you gripped -- Nina Pottell * PRIMA MAGAZINE * A chilling novel of witchcraft and suspense -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME * Bolton is at her best -- Barry Forshaw * GUARDIAN * [The Craftsman] reads like something by Gladys Mitchell is she were demonically possessed -- Jake Kerridge * S MAGAZINE, SUNDAY EXPRESS * This beautifully written story, which includes a richly woven seam of witchcraft and folklore, will keep you up at night. -- Deirdre O'Brien * Sunday Mirror * Sharon Bolton's most chilling novel yet * CHOICE MAGAZINE * 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 Post * The Craftsman is one of those rare books that hooked me on page one, and didn't let go until the final sentence. Engaging, compulsive reading. Sharon Bolton at her best. * Rachel Abbott * Just finished The Craftsman and it is Sharon Bolton at her absolute finest. Beautifully dark and disturbing, I won't sleep well tonight. * Jenny Blackhurst * Sharon Bolton raises the bar with each new book. The Craftsman goes to some very dark places, and will have readers looking nervously over their shoulders with every page they turn. * Mick Herron * I was obsessed with The Craftsman, reading it every snatched moment I could. Pitch perfect creepiness, air punching female empowerment and sinister mysteries kept me hooked to the very last page. * Holly Seddon * Darkly gothic and brilliantly original, THE CRAFTSMAN will have you spellbound. * JP Delaney * The Craftsman is a brilliant blend of rich crime thriller with a hint of the gothic. Dark, disturbing and with women who totally rock, with the Craftsman Sharon Bolton has proven herself to be a master Craftsman herself. Buy it. Read it. Tell your friends. Then sleep with the light on. * Sarah Pinborough * Sharon is a master of her craft. The Craftsman is an absolutely terrific crime novel that takes your darkest fear and makes it reality. * Elly Griffiths * Grisly and compelling. I was so pleased to hear it's the start of a new series as it's top notch. * Sarah Hilary * I dare you to read it after dark. The Craftsman is a blood-chilling thriller that will cast a spell on you. * Mark Edwards, No.1 Kindle bestseller * Utterly terrifying and gripping. * Sabine Durrant, author of TAKE ME IN * A masterclass in the craft of writing. Fabulous, utterly unique storyline, that will effortlessly stand out in the crowd of thrillers. Also, it'll give you the creeps, and I don't say that lightly. * Helen Fields * Sharon Bolton is an absolute master and I've read, and loved, her other books, but this is a whole new level. This is the work of a writer at the absolute top of her game. The Craftsman is an original, dark, and twisted tale and the words just sparkle on the page. * Niki Mackay * Sharon Bolton's army of fans will be storming bookshops for this one. * Belinda Bauer * Filled with intrigue and suspense. The Craftsman is spellbinding. * Clare Mackintosh *