Awakening

A terrifying, heart-racing up-all-night thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Tess GerritsenA past master at playing with your mind, Richard & Judy million-copy bestselling author Sharon Bolton has penned a menacing and gripping thrill ride that will keep you gripped. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Cara Hunter and Karin Slaughter.'Bolton is a gripping storyteller, with fine, haunted characters' - PETER JAMES'This book writhes and glides and slithers its way into the readers psyche... Bolton knows precisely how to ratchet up the tension and tell a cracking story' -- Guardian'An original and atmospheric chiller' -- Daily Mail'A book you won't want to put down' -- Reader reviews'Cracking good read' -- Reader reviews'Brilliant! Well plotted, original and fast moving' -- * Reader reviews****THE TRUTH DOESN'T HURT. IT KILLS.You know that feeling? The one that makes you want to glance over your shoulder?All Clara Benning wants is a peaceful life as a wildlife vet, and to hide her disfigurement from the world.But now she doesn't have a choice.Because a man has died from a suspicious snake bite, and Clara's concern leads her to the abandoned house at the end of the lane, and an unspeakable tragedy that occurred half a century ago.What is it exactly that lies in store...?

“Bolton has elevated herself to the High Priestess of English Rural Gothic. If she carries on like this she will have worshippers in their millions”

The Times
This book writhes and glides and slithers its way into the readers psyche...[Bolton] knows precisely how to ratchet up the tension and tell a cracking story Guardian
A tour de force - totally grips from beginning to end -- JENNI MURRAY
An original and atmospheric chiller Daily Mail
Assured and original. Sacrifice was good: Awakening is even better -- SIMON BECKETT
Devilishly clever... a terrifying climax... a classy, fast-moving and gripping thriller...You wouldn't want to miss it! Lancashire Evening Post
Full marks...Bolton racks up the tension in preparation for a nail-biting finale Yorkshire Post
Bolton goes for the gothic with gusto here...a powerful cocktail of creepiness Time Out
Chilling, eerie and intense. *** News of the World *

Sharon Bolton (previously S. J. Bolton) is the author of six critically acclaimed novels. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year, the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the CWA Dagger in the Library.Sharon lives near Oxford with her husband and young son.For more information about the author and her books, or to check out her addictive blog, You can also join her on Facebook at

How did it all begin? . . . A few minutes before six on a Friday morning and my quiet, orderly life went into meltdown. When a man dies from what appears to be a random snake bite in a quiet country village, the hospital seeks the expertise of wildlife vet Clara Benning. But the post-mortem reveals this was no freak accident. Clara finds herself drawn into the hunt for a brutally inventive killer, putting herself in grave danger as she unravels links to a barbaric ancient ritual, an abandoned house and a fifty-year-old, unspeakable tragedy. For someone the truth must remain buried in the past, even if they have to kill to keep it there.

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