A young, fresh constable, Florence Lovelady was only twenty and the first woman in the police force in the small town of Sabden in Lancashire. With the disappearance of three of the town’s teenagers, the force was desperate for answers, so when it was Florence who discovered the perpetrator and put him away, her popularity grew and her career took off.

Thirty years later, Florence and her son Ben returned to Sabden for the funeral of that long ago killer. But immediately Florence could feel something was wrong. Strange things happened; the impossibility of which hit her like a sledgehammer. Did she get it wrong all those years ago? Was the killer still at large? Determined to leave – take Ben with her to meet up with her husband – Florence was shattered when Ben vanished. She knew then that they had been wrong; also, that she had to remain calm to make sure she got it right this time, to save Ben’s life. Was it possible? And who could she trust?

Oh my! That twist! Around 75% in and I thought things were winding up; another enjoyable thriller. But no – Sharon Bolton was only just getting started! What an ending! The Craftsman is the creepiest, most heart thumping, nail biting psychological thriller Ms Bolton has ever produced! Totally brilliant and highly recommended!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

My first read from this author, it won't be my last. This is a cleverly constructed blend of serial killer/police procedural and horror, featuring a wonderful (and wonderfully named) heroine in Florence Lovelady. The foreword explains that Bolton always wanted to write a story about the Pendle witches, and the way they are woven into the story is brilliant.

Beginning in the present of 1999, senior policewoman Florence has returned to the Lancashire town of Sabden with her son, Ben, for the funeral of Larry Glassbrook, the serial killer she put away 30 years earlier for the horrific murders of three local teenagers. We return to 1969 to meet Florence as a young recruit, the only female officer in the town, mocked and shunned for her gender, Southern accent, class and education. The police have no leads in the disappearance of the three young people, until Florence finds crucial links between them that lead to the breakthrough - but instead of congratulating and appreciating her, she immediately becomes a suspect, in part because of her association with local women who call themselves witches...

I've gained a new expression here - "as creepy as bats in the bedroom" which brilliantly sums up this tense thriller. You know from early on that something terrible happened to Florence at the hands of the killer, but that she has survived and prospered, but that doesn't make waiting to read about it any less tense - you'll be clutching your left hand into a fist before long... Knowing who the killer is in advance also changes the way the plot unfolds, until we jump back to the present and everything changes. I did have an inkling of how this would ultimately unfold, but only because I read so much in this genre, and there were multiple satisfying little twists, rather than one obvious one.

The patronisation, sexism, inverse snobbery and downright cruelty shown to Florence by her colleagues for daring to be a bright woman in a man's world were hard to read about, but felt realistic. I loved the witches and Dwayne the sexton. This would make a fantastic movie or mini-series, I'd be casting Alex Kingston as the older Florence, and Sophie Turner as the younger one, and of course it's obvious who would play Dwayne...

My thanks to Sharon Bolton, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review. The Craftsman is available now.

It’s October, Halloween decorations are out, weather is cooler, and I was in the mood for a creepy book. 🎃 I was wholly unprepared for the creepiness of this book! I started what I thought was a thriller but found out quickly it definitely has a foot in the horror genre. I’m talking buried alive, in a casket, in a graveyard, and NOT ALONE. 😱 You guys, this is the stuff of nightmares. Told in dual timelines, this is the story of Florence Lovelady and her search for teens that have gone missing in her town. The Craftsman has missing teens, a murderer, a creepy town, interesting townspeople, and witchcraft. Now, I’m not a fan of reading about witchcraft but this is done in a low-key, not over the top way so it’s manageable if it’s not your thing either. This book had the creepy vibe I was looking for and the perfect Halloween type story. 🎃 For me, The Craftsman was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars (rounded up from 3.5). Thank you @stmartinspress for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 terrifying stars

“Stalking old flames has become a whole lot easier with the dawn of the Internet”

Frightening thought right? This book will surely give you just the right amount of fright and although it has that terrifying aspect for those of us who are claustrophobic, (which I do! ), the writing and the scenes depicted will send you on a chilling ride to an ever more horrifying ending. That being said, this book was a terrific read especially since the spooky season of Halloween is upon us. So, presenting: The Craftsman

Teenagers have gone missing in a small town. It is the stuff of nightmares for the parents and the people who knew them. Where are these children and while the police are investigating, we are introduced to Florence Lovelady, a novice policewoman in Lancasire, in a town called Sabden. The story being told to Florence's son, reflects back thirty years prior to a case that shocked, terrified, and shook the community. That case made Florence's career. It was a scary tale, wonderfully Gothic with many shades of witches, both the white and the black kind, and the missing children who are grisly murdered being found eventually having been buried alive. Absolutely horrifying! ...and then there is The Craftsman!

Ms Bolton was quite adept in this novel, in weaving this story into something positively chilling, while shifting focus among the many possible suspects. The book invokes pure evil, crafted so well that you will have to check under you bed and in you closets while reading. Yes, it is that frightening! The action keeps coming at you and the pacing is quick perceptive and keen. Particularly interesting was that the author used an area in England that was pretty well known for its witch trials, the Pendle witches, where twelve people were accused by ten people of witchcraft back in the 1600s. Ten of these people were convicted and executed. Old woman with taller younger woman.

If you are looking for a fast paced book, told with a first person narrative that will have you right there next to Florence, this book might just be for you. I found myself flying through the pages and while I had my suspicions as to who the killer (s) was, this author kept me guessing up to the end. Definitely recommended as a dark, haunting tale that will make you feel a large sense of the eerie and macabre.

Thank you to Sharon J. Bolton, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this shocking novel!

Thank you SO much to Minotaur Books for providing me with the physical copy to review.

I have been searching long and hard for a GOOOOOD thriller to read. When I stumbled upon THE CRAFTSMAN I didn’t know what to expect. When I began reading it I realized that THIS WAS IT!

The author took me on a major roller-coaster ride. I did not expect half of the things that eventually happened. The witch references, abductions, the murders, the visual description just took me right into those graveyards. I can appreciate a well written story and Sharon Bolton delivered.

I’ll start with the main character, Florence Lovelady, was extremely likeable to me. She was the only woman working on this multiple missing person case and she was able to discover more than the seasoned detectives could. She was a bad girl with a badge and I enjoyed figuring out the mystery right along with her. Bolton wrote her very well and the flashbacks from 1969 to 1999 were so tasteful to her story.

This is a slight spoiler, but there was a teen girl, named Patsy, who passed away by being buried alive and the vivid description of her final moments sent chills up my spine. The intense writing style at this point of the book is what drew me in the most. I could feel myself in that grave struggling to breathe. (Honestly, I was just holding my breath). It was THAT real.

I give THE CRAFTSMAN 5 stars! It kept my attention. The description of each harrowing event was well written, and the characters grew on me as if I knew each and every one of them. You will not be disappointed!

Bolton takes the story of the Pendle witches and turns it into a dark and chilly crime drama. Set in two different time periods, thirty years apart, this book had me completely riveted from first to last words. With a haunting plot, this book was eerily creepy throughout. Bolton is a superb writer of the psychological suspense/crime drama. Be prepared to lose some sleep as you will want to read this one straight through!! My only issue with Bolton is that she just doesn’t write fast enough!!!

The Craftsman by Sharon J. Bolton is a thriller that is told in two different timelines during the book. The story begins in 1999 with the funeral of a once convicted murderer but also flashes back to the past in 1969 when the murders had occurred that Larry Grassbrook had spent the last thirty years in prison for committing.

In 1969 Florence Lovelady was barely older than the teenage victims that had been disappearing but she had began to work with the police. Through the course of the investigation Florence played a huge part in bringing down the murderer which was a huge boost for her career.

Thirty years later however at the time they are burying the man Florence had gotten to confess events begin to happen that makes Florence wonder if she had been right all those years ago. As danger gets closer Florence finds herself looking into the past to find out just what is going on now and how it’s all connected.

Having read Sharon Bolton’s work before I was really excited to get around to reading The Craftsman and now I wonder if perhaps this is one of those too much anticipation moments when finished. I seem to be in the minority to not be completely swept away with this one but in my defense I think there’s several factors that lead to my 3.5 star rating.

One of those reasons was just being I read too much, this felt a bit familiar. Another that the story felt a bit slow in the middle to me. Then I also thought the blurb I had read gave a bit too much away for my ever guessing mind but regardless there’s plenty of others feeling this one was five stars so don’t let my 3.5 scare anyone away as it’s definitely a good book.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Whoa! That was one awesome read.....and because I can’t help myself! Holy Shooty Balls that was some book!!

Chilling, gripping & unputdownable!

I absolutely loved this book and it was definitely my kind of story! I love creepy suspenseful books with supernatural aspects to it and this one definitely satisfied my craving for an excellent spooky, spine-chilling and suspenseful read!

THE CRAFTSMAN by SHARON BOLTON is a dark, disturbing, tension-filled and an absolutely fantastic psychological thriller that had me totally engrossed, entertained and interested throughout this entire book. I was immediately drawn into this story and not once did I lose interest. In fact it had me on the edge of my seat with feelings of excitement and uncertainty right from the very start and in the end I was totally blown away by that ending.

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.

I thoroughly enjoy Bolton’s writing style and absolutely loved how this story unfolded. It opens up in the present, 1999 and then switches narrative to 1969 through flashbacks and then back to the present, 1999. This was an extremely effective way to set the mood and keep the suspense and tension high.

It was one of those books that definitely cast its spell on me and the witchcraft and supernatural aspects to this story was absolutely spellbinding.

*Traveling Sisters Read*

Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Creepy, sinister, piqued my interest, and fitting.
Title: Oh what an absolutely brilliant title and loved how it played into the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, compelling, stunning, and proficient.
Plot: Suspenseful, creepy, darkly gothic, supernatural, witchcraft, unsettling, fast-paced, enjoyable and extremely entertaining. I loved this brilliant original storyline!
Ending: Totally shocking and jaw-dropping! I must have read those last few sentences over about 10 times because that is how stupefied I was! I loved it!
Overall: A riveting read that was perfect for the Halloween season. One of my favourite books of the year and was quickly placed into my favourite reads shelf for 2018! Would highly recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and Sharon Bolton for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!

I have been a fan of many of Sharon Bolton books and after reading The Craftsman I’m still a fan. This book is creepy, creepy and more creepy. And all in a good way. It begins with a funeral and then the story moves between two time periods, taking place in an area that has a long history of witchcraft. That alone makes The Craftsman a perfect book for the month of October.

But wait, there’s more. Florence Lovelady is the cop who, in 1969, was instrumental in the conviction of a serial killer in Lancashire. Fast forward to 1999 and Florence, now an assistant commissioner, is once again in Lancashire, attending the funeral of the killer. To her horror, she begins to wonder if an innocent man has spent the last thirty years in prison;

The plot is very well-developed and Florence is well-educated, stubborn and focused. Realizing that a killer could still be on the loose, Florence becomes determined to bring the case to a final close. During the early part of her career Florence deals with sexism, suspicion and humiliations from her fellow officers. But, she bravely forges ahead and remains professional and committed.

Ms Bolton is a master storyteller. The Craftsman is a superb book with twists and turns that the reader will never see coming. I highly recommend this book but caution that it should be read with the lights on!

Thank you, Ms Bolton, for another great book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

The Craftsman is THE PERFECT OCTOBER BOOK!! It is a thriller, but with just enough of a supernatural innuendo to have that extra Halloween creep factor. I could not put it down. Florence was ahead of her time as a cop in the late 1960's in rural England. It was so hard to read about the everyday treatment she received that are the trademark's of the first women who chose to enter into a male-dominated field. That is not the central focus of the story. Rather, I just thought it added a perfect touch of enlightenment to an otherwise completely fantastic escapist story. The book starts at a funeral of a convicted killer decades after Florence was instrumental in solving the case. Soon the time period shifts back to 1969 when she was on the case. As a newbie and the first female on the police force in the small town setting, Florence is confounded by both the implications that there might be so-called witchcraft involved in the mystery of the murders and disappearances (of which she is a definite skeptic) and by the difficulty of not having the support of many of her fellow law-enforcement officers. In the more recent timeline, Florence is forced to wonder whether the right person was convicted of those 1969 crimes after all. I was entranced by the story in both timelines. This was my very first Sharon Bolton book, but I can promise it won't be my last.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sharon Bolton and St. Martin's Press for an advanced ecopy of The Craftsman in exchange for an honest review.

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|#partner| Thank you @stmartinspress @minotaur_books for my free copy via @netgalley for review.
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WPC Florence Lovelady is back in the town where she made her career. 30 years ago, children were disappearing and being buried alive. Florence solved the case and the murderer spent life behind bars. Now he’s dead, and the past has come back to taunt Florence. Did they convict the right person? Or is the murderer still at large?
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I requested a copy of this ebook when I saw Shannon over at @givemeallthebooks was raving about how much she loved it. Guys, she was not kidding. Holy smokes it was good! I kept trying to guess who the culprit was and changing my mind. It felt like I was on a literary rollercoaster, but in the best possible way. Sometimes I get a little sick of “twisty” thrillers, but this didn’t feel like that, although I didn’t really know what was coming. It was more of just a really good mystery/crime novel. There was also a spookiness to it that creeped up on me slowly. Perfect for this time of year. @sharonjbolton did it perfectly. I was totally hooked.
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This book releases today! I highly recommend it for mystery, thriller, and crime fans.
4.5⭐️
Addicting, creepy, and very well-written.
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Thank you Shannon for sharing your recommendation! 🙌🏼
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#arctobertrickortreat #bookreview #bookrecommendation #fallreads #thetipsyreader #favoritebooks #igreads #bookstagram #bibliophile #netgalley #thecraftsman #sharonjbolton #minotaurbooks #stmartinspress #thriller #mystery #crime

4.5 stars, rounded up

Bolton gets it all right here. The story, the characters, the atmosphere. The area was known for witch trials in the 17 century and a belief in witches still permeates the current century. In 1969, young teenagers are going missing and are found to have been buried alive. WPC Lovelady is the only policewoman in Lancashire and to say she is not a welcome addition to staff is an understatement. Three teenagers have gone missing and the police are at a loss. But Lovelady has ideas, not that they're welcome. “Hiding my thoughts was obviously something I had to work on.”

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.

The book is also told from the present day, 1999, when Lovelady returns to witness the funeral of the convicted serial killer. She finds an effigy made to look like her and she realizes she most likely helped convict the wrong person.

The suspense here is unnerving. This book just grabs you and doesn’t let you go. The writing perfectly communicates that whole ominous feel. I love how Bolton makes you see how inter-related charges of witchcraft and sexism are. And can I say I did not see that ending coming at all?

Other than one small glitch in the plot, this book would have rated a full five stars.

My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Wow, did I pick the perfect Sharon Bolton book as my first ever read by her! What a sensational book! First of all, I don't know what took me so long to read one of Bolton's books even though my bookish friends kept telling me that I'd LOVE her writing (I really have to listen to you all more often!). Secondly, I just can't tell you how much I loved this book, and I want everyone to love it as much as I do! The Craftsman is by far one of the creepiest, darkest, and most bewitching books that I've ever read, and it's going straight on my list of top ten books of 2018!

I love thrillers that are deeply dark, dangerous, and take you places in your mind you might otherwise not want to go. I'm more than a bit morbid and bloodthirsty with my thrillers, and Bolton gives you that with The Craftsman, where the atmospheric vibe is at times tense, disturbing, and extremely terrifying. Yet what can you expect in a book that has a psychopathic, monstrous serial killer on the loose not only kidnapping children but burying them alive too--whoa! Then throw in some witchcraft, both white and dark spells, a little voodoo, masterful writing, an out of this world plot, a strong, intelligent female character like Florence, and I'm sold! And you should be too because this is an amazing book. In fact, I probably don't have the words to express how stunning and marvelous this book is!

The novel begins in 1999 when Florence and her fifteen year old son attend the funeral of Larry Grassbrook, the man she helped catch as the murderer of three teens 30 years ago. The town has never been the same since the murders and Larry's arrest but after his funeral, Florence finds something that makes her suspect something might be off about the original investigation. She then begins looking into the old case while wondering if the right man was convicted of those crimes 30 years ago even if he did confess. Could the killer still be at large after all these years? If so, has she put herself and her family in danger by coming back to Sabden?

The story alternates between 1969 and 1999 with the majority of the story taking place in 1969 when Florence is new to the town of Sabden as a young policewoman. During that time, she faces dislike and mistreatment from her male colleagues who think she's overstepped her place by being a woman in a man's world and they aren't afraid to ridicule her or show her what they think of her university degree, high intellect, and posh accent. Yet, Florence is tough as nails if naive at times and doesn't let them stop her from following her superb instincts, investigating on her own, or solving the case. Florence is a dynamic character, and I loved her! She's strong, determined, bold, and brave and I loved how she didn't let the misogynistic men she worked with dictate her actions!

Oh, but the book really starts not in the first chapter but with a letter written by the author to the reader! Oh, yes, I loved this letter and it completely captivated me before I even read a single page of the story! It's addressed to the "Dear Reader" and you simply must read it because it's just entrancing! Bolton recounts the legend of the Pendle Witches, her ancestors. The legends goes that the females of Pendle are baptized twice-once in church and again in the dark pool where they are reborn as witches, and Bolton writes that this is a story "of women and witches. Of the children we love and must protect. And of the men who fear us." Oh my! That just beguiled me right there!

I so loved the witch aspect of the novel and although you might shy away from the supernatural element, please don't. It is written in the book in such a way that it feels very real and not fantastical or absurd. It adds to the story instead of taking away from it and only plays a large part in the third part of the novel. And I also loved this aspect since the Pendle witches were real (I love Google!), so it added a fab historical element to the novel that is relevant to the setting of the story.

That ending though! What a last line for a book!! I was left shocked and absolutely stunned. Bolton has definitely captured me under her spell with The Craftsman, and I'm positive that she will you too! Highly, highly recommend that you read this one!! It comes out October 16, 2018, just in time for the perfect creepy, terrifying read right before Halloween! I really want you to read this one...can you tell how much I loved this book??

**Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

“One night…what’s the worst that can happen?”

4.5 rounded up. I am late to the party where this author is concerned; a literature chat session directed me toward this galley, and now I am sure to read Bolton’s work again. My thanks go St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for the review copy. This book will be available to the public tomorrow, October 16, 2018.

Is it a thriller, or is it a horror story? Bolton successfully rides the center here, and there’s a good case to be made in either direction. Our protagonist, Florence Lovelady, is a high ranking cop in the UK. Her career was made when she identified a serial killer and was instrumental in his arrest; now he is dead, and she returns to the small town where he nearly made her one of his victims 30 years ago. The plan is to attend the service with her 15-year-old son in tow, and then spend the night or two in a hotel, where her spouse will join them.

Things don’t go according to plan.

The plot is cunningly constructed, beginning with one of the creepiest fictional funerals in literature. The foreshadowing will give even the most cynical reader a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. As for me, I know my limitations, and as soon as I saw how things are in this one, I decided it could not be the last thing I read before falling asleep at night. Ever.

The interesting thing here—and what keeps this story from actually becoming too horrible to be any fun—is that we know, at the outset, how this case, which takes place in 1969, comes out. We are told in a smooth first person narrative what the broad contours of the case are. We know what the crime was; what happened to Florence while she investigated it; who did it; and that he was caught and convicted. There now.

So as we look back to the teenager that was kidnapped, then buried alive, I confess my eyes skipped over some of the explicit horror, but really the description isn’t a lengthy one, and after all, we know that the guy was apprehended. We see the numerous humiliations to which Detective Lovelady is subjected, in the day when female cops are scarce on the ground and expected to run along and make the tea for their colleagues and to comfort the crying women; I love the scene in which she is told she’s being (punitively) put on a desk to type up reports, and it turns out that she doesn’t know how to type. Ha. But then again, we also know that her career is a successful one, that she has weathered these miseries and now outranks most of the men that treated her badly.
But there are surprises in store too, as new developments surface while she’s there in town. One thing after another unravels till we are on the edge of our seats—and this time we don’t know how it will all shake out.

At about the eighty percent mark, a plot element that I won’t identify comes into play that makes me stop cold for a moment and roll my eyes. Oh please. Not this thing. Every steadfast reader of the genre has a mental list of overused devices they hope never to read again, and after doing so well at avoiding them all, Bolton lets a big, beefy one loose, and just as things are on a roll, too. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but it took the wind out of my sails for a moment. However, after a brief visit to the literary corn-and-cheese factory, she comes out on top again, and the ending is deeply satisfying.

The story features witches—yes, real ones! As well as shadowy, mostly unnamed stonemasons, and Dwane, who is by far the best-written sexton in a thriller or mystery anywhere.

Highly recommended to all that enjoy a creepy murder story with supernatural elements.

Imagine waking up to a dark, cramped space. Feeling around in panic to discover you are in a casket. How could it get any worse? Then you realize you are not alone in the casket. Holy flipping crap! Like nothing I have ever read. Bring on the nightmares! A chilling, creepy, fantastic 5 star read!

1969 we are introduced to a small town called Sabden, a town with an extensive history linked to witchcraft. Everyone knows of the Pendle witches that have been hung for their practice. Except now the town is in the spotlight for missing children. It comes to light what their fate may have been when the first child Patsy is heard screaming for help while buried alive underground. Will she be rescued in time? Who put her there? Was she buried alive with the person that the casket was meant for? Or was the casket dug back up?

30 years later we join up with Florence Lovelady the police officer that cracked the case. She returns to the small town to attend a funeral of all things. The killer has been caught, so why does she still have so many unanswered questions?

I have read close to 70 books this year and this one is in my top 3! To think, I almost passed on reading this book because I was worried it would be too gruesome for me. I decided to brave it and I am so glad I did. It is a creepy, twisted, edge of your seat thriller. I could not put this one down! Now excuse me as I am off to order my next Sharon Bolton book, Daisy in Chains. I have some catching up to do as I have now added another favorite author to my list! I read this with a group of my Traveling Sisters and I know they are just as excited.

Thank you so much to Sharon Bolton, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this chilling fantastic ARC.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sharon Bolton is one of those writers that you have to clear the decks for. When one of her titles hits my kindle I have to choose when I will begin because I will be reading steadily until I finish. I can’t start a Bolton novel and get busy and then have to put it aside for a day or two and get back to it. You can’t start one before bedtime thinking you will just knock of 10 pages before you turn in. It doesn’t work that way. The combination of interesting characters and perfect pacing (neither tiring you out nor leaving room to put it aside for later) is irresistible. But she has another skill that often goes under appreciated and makes her novels so compelling. Shirley Jackson knew it. Who could read that whatever walks in Hill House walks alone and not want to open that door. Stephen King knows it. How can one read that sometimes an accident can be a lonely woman’s best friend and not want to know what happened?

Sharon Bolton knows it too, but she doesn’t do it so much with first lines. What she does is start her novels with a “holy crap!” moment that compels the reader to find out what happened or what is about to happen. Whether it is with a woman finding something awful when digging on her property, a group of people trapped in a rapidly and helplessly descending hot air balloon being followed by a man in a vehicle with a high powered rifle, or in this case a funeral during which a line of people walk up and spit on the coffin. There is a story there that you have to know. You just have to purchase the ticket and get on the ride.

The Craftsman has it all. A compelling beginning. A story set in the past as well as in the future. Surprises and twists. An interesting exploration of what it was like for a woman to be an investigative police officer in the 1960’s. Weird northern English towns with centuries of history. (Not-so) Secret societies’ powerful influence. A crime spree where the manner of execution is unimaginably horrific.

And witches.

One of my favorite books of the year and perfect for this time of the year when it starts getting cold. Chilling like being buried alive in the cold earth. Yes, it has that too.

Check it out. 5 stars.

A mystery/thriller about whether there is a copycat killer or the wrong person went away for a crime. I liked the premise of this, but I struggled to really get hooked into the story. It's not bad, but it wasn't for me. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press.

With The Craftsman I think Sharon Bolton has jumped into Stephen King territory of horror and left him behind. Shocking and heartbreaking, this is a compelling story of a place, a people and a great many tragedies. It is also the story of a love that will last for eternity.
The Craftsman is set in Lancashire with the double time-line of 1969 and 1999.
Lancashire is an unusual, isolated area of England, visitors are mostly drawn by the harsh beauty or the dark history of the Pendle witches. The great Pendle Hill rises in its single majesty from flat ground and dominates the area,. Folklore says those who are born within sight of the Pendle Hill, are baptized once in a Christian Church, and once in the great Black Tarn to serve another, darker master. The appalling, well- documented history of the Pendle witch trials and consequent hangings have always fascinated people. Some of the residents of the surrounding area take their fascination deeper.
In 1969 WPC Florence Loveday is assigned to the Sabden police department. .Her assignment and working conditions with the misogynist men are the first horror Bolton documents. Florence brings a bit of the mistreatment on herself as she is well educated which she isn’t afraid to demonstrate and from what her co-workers consider a posh background. Most everything she does is resented; especially when she gets results.
She does have a few defenders including DC Tom Devine and Superintendent Rushton but they too will leave her in the lurch at times.
In 1969 children of the town of Sabden are disappearing. Disappearing children are a re-occurring theme for Bolton. What could be more terrifying and heartbreaking for a community? What else could change an area permanently?
Florence is added to the investigating team. Florence may anger co-workers and townspeople, but she is stubborn and refuses to alter her path. During the investigation Florence is lucky enough to meet the women who aid her and whose influence will continue throughout her life.
Eventually undertaker Larry Glassbrook is arrested and spends the rest of his life in prison.
In first section of The Craftsman Florence returns for Glassbrook’s funeral. She has visited him while he was in prison; hoping he will reveal the motivations for the crimes.
After the funeral, Florence goes to visit the property where she first lodged with the Glassbrook family. While there she decides to honor an old belief that the hive bees must be told all the important news. At first the hives seem deserted but then Florence finds a clay picture- aka effigy- of herself, leading her to the horrifying belief the wrong man might have been convicted. Florence sees the clay picture as a taunting message, a challenge to finally put this case, and the murdered children to rest.
The second part of the book returns to Sabden in 1969 for the investigation. In this section Bolton closely details how one of the victims suffered. This is very important to closely read, don’t skim as I did in my first reading. I really thought Bolton went overboard until I finally realized the importance of this section.
The third section returns to 1999 Sabden. The case has made WPC Florence Lovelady’s career, in 1999 she is the highest ranking woman in the Met. Florence has come back, both for the funeral and to show her fifteen year old son, Ben, an important part of her life.
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.
Bolton is a master of her craft. Once again she shocks her readers; never leading them astray, but not providing a straight path either. But, I have ended up with a few questions. I found a few parts of the book to be unclear. I’m not taking a star because of the overall quality.
There is a strong paranormal aspect to The Craftsman, but Bolton makes it organic to the story.
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.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for and honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and Sharon Bolton for the opportunity to read and review this book. I've never read any of Bolton's books before but this definitely won't be my last. 4.5 creepy stars for this read!

The book opens in 1999, as Assistant Commissioner Florence Lovelady comes back to town to attend the funeral of a convicted murderer, Larry Glassbrook. Florence has ties with this man who was a master craftsman at building caskets and coffins and was convicted of burying teenagers alive.

The next part of the book takes us back to the summer of 1969, when Florence lived with the Glassbrook family while she worked as a police constable fresh out of university. Florence is part of the team investigating the disappearance of the teenagers. It's a different time, and Florence struggles with the sexism of the department and community and is desperate to fit it and be accepted for her skills as an investigator.

Back in 1999, Florence and her son go back to the Glassbrook home after the funeral and make a startling discovery - one that is a bit too close to home.

This was a perfect Halloween season read because it is full of witches and ghosts - wonderfully creepy and hard to put down!

Best book of the year so far! Florence is exactly what I want to see in a protagonist. She's smart, level-headed and not afraid to speak up. Yet, the authenticity of the 1960s rings through. Women have come a ways since then. And we still have far to go, but it is because of women like Florence that we are strong. If you like a strong mystery with a little bit of mysticism, this is for you.