Awakening

Loved Sacrifice and absolutely adored Awakening. Best book of the last 4 dozen I've read. Something about the way Bolton writes... Her main characters are intelligent gutsy empowered women who are really sympathetic. Although in some ways the plot is a bit formulaic (as most mystery thrillers typically are), Bolton delivers new twists and turns, but more so, her delivery is fresh and original. Highly recommended for all fans of fiction, not just mystery!

I happened across this book at the local library and would characterize it as one of the best, if not the best, I have read all year (if you figure three or so a week, that's saying something). Bolton's spare and elegant prose weaves its web so deftly that you are caught up in the characters and the place before you realize it... so that when she brings in the snakes, you're too hooked to leave! Although really a murder mystery, the elemental terror of the reptiles that Bolton taps into makes this one of the scariest books I think I have ever read. Yet, when you're done, you find you have extensive new knowledge about snakes and respect and even admiration for them you didn't have before. Don't you love it when really fun leisure activities are also educational? Bolton's writing reminds me strongly of that of another British master, Michael Gilbert. One of my favorites by him is the very old "Sky High," in which he, like Bolton, creates that iconoclastic rural British village so vividly that even us Yanks can feel like we know the place. It is true that not every thread in the story is neatly tied up by the end, but I can only hope that is because we'll be seeing more of protagonist Clara -- there is certainly room for sequelae! This one definitely gets top honors from me: the "Shoot! I wish *I'd* written it" category! Now, I'm going to go find Bolton's first book, and also look out for the next one.

New author, S J Bolton, follows up her first book, "Sacrifice", with this twisting tale that is sure to keep you wondering about more than just what is tasting the local residents. The well-written protagonist, Clara Benning, has her own secrets and she dangles them before the reader like small carrots. I found myself just as interested in finding out what Clara was hiding as I was in the primary mystery itself. Packed with clues, heart-felt emotion and plenty of twists and turns, "Awakening" is well worth the read.

First Sentence: The darkest hour I've ever known began last Thursday, a heartbeat before the sun came up. Clara Benning is a veterinary surgeon who, due to a childhood accident, chooses to spend her time working with a wildlife hospital and living as a near recluse in her small village near the boundaries of Devon and Dorset England. Grass snakes are common in that area, but not when they invade households en masse. Even less common is when a resident dies by the bite of a black adder as many times the level of venom from one snake bite. When a taipan, one of the world's most deadly snakes and native to New Guaina, is found, there is clearly a human hand at work killing elderly residents. Along with her neighbor, a police officer, and an internationally herpetologist, Clara must uncover a long buried secret and a killer, before more die. I can't say I'm fond of snakes, but its clear Ms. Bolton has done her research. I found the information on snakes, the breeds, their venom and their history in England very interesting. I still don't want one as a pet, but the information was included in such a way that it added to the story without disrupting the flow. And flow the plot did. From the very beginning, added by her vivid descriptions and very good suspense. The story did lag a bit at one point, but soon picked up again. I found myself reading much later into the night than I had intended. I was never able to predict where the story was headed. The twists were very well done. Bolton likes very strong, very independent women. As with her first book, "Sacrifice," the protagonist doesn't need a man to rescue her. She occasionally does things which would qualify a different character as "too stupid to live," but the difference is that Bolton's characters are aware when they put themselves into those situations and the motivation for so doing is always solid. There is a strong emotional factor as well. We come to understand very clearly what has made Clara as she is and are allowed to see her break through those barriers; not in a maudlin was, but in a way that is understandable and well done. It is not a perfect book, but it is a solid read with excellent suspense. I am quite certain her next book will make its way to my shelves. AWAKENING (Susp-Clara Benning-UK-Cont) - VG Bolton, S.K. - 2nd standalone Bantam Press, 2009, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780593059234