Sacrifice

Lacked character description. Plot was disappointing. You need not read past page 75

Combining modern day forensics and medicine with the ancient lore and unusual setting of the Shetland islands drew my attention. The characters seem real and the story moved fast. I could easily see this book made into a movie. My congratulations to the author on a wonderful first novel. I look forward to reading more of her work.

How do you make murder and mayhem new and exciting? S.J. Bolton's done it with her debut novel. Set in the Shetland Islands , an unusual and interesting locale. The Viking/Scottish lore and legend is fascinating and, yes, a bit disturbing. The characters are believable, not one dimensional cookie cutter people. Bolton's style of writing often feels like the two of you are chatting over a cup of tea. Nice, very nice. I don't know that she'll write a second book, but I'm certainly hoping.

I was drawn to the book because of the setting: the Shetland Islands off of Scotland's far north coast. What drew me in was the chilling mystery of who the body in the peat was and why was she buried if she had only just given birth, and why was her heart ripped out? The main protagonists is an unlikely heroine in Tora Hamilton an obstetrician who is obsessed with finding out who was the young lass who she found buried in her yard in the peat. But quickly the reader is thrown into a mystery that engulfs a mixture of ancient Norse legends that clash with the modern technology of criminology. But as our heroine keeps just one step ahead of death, her own, she quickly learns she can't trust anyone on the island including those closest to her. There are a lot of twists and turns with just enough clues to help the reader but things may not be as they seem, which helps to make this one of the most chilling reads. The only downside is some of the UK terminology of the characters but it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the book. The pace is well done with only a few bumps in the road and the reader finds their self cheering Tora along the way to solve the mystery of the dead woman hoping that all she loses will be worth it. To realize this offering is from a debut author is equally exciting because we have a wonderful new author to look forward to. This is a most unique find and should be read by those who like a strong mystery along with a sprinkling of Celtic/Nordic legends and aren't afraid to take a chance on a new author.

For those of use who want a new mystery, this is it. A new plot, a new heroine, and hard to put down. I can't wait for Bolton's next effort.

Excited but a bit apprehensive obstetrician Dr. Tora Hamilton leaves London with her husband Duncan Guthrie, to open up a practice near his hometown on the Shetland Islands. When her horse dies, Tora starts to dig a grave to bury her steed. However, her shoveling uncovers the corpse of a young woman. Runes are etched onto the victim's back and her heart ripped from her chest. The autopsy also reveals the woman recently gave birth. Unable to resist Tora investigates trying to learn who the woman is, what happened to the child, why this seemingly ritual homicide, and by whom. No one cooperates not even her spouse, who warns her to back off from her inquires. As she gets closer to the truth, Tora becomes frightened that she could be next victim and begins to trust no one especially Duncan. This is a deep amateur sleuth with local mythos and a hint of the supernatural making for a compelling tale that is mindful in many ways of the 1973 version of The Wicker Man especially as Tora begins to uncover the motive. Readers will be spellbound by the islanders who resent the outsider's inquiries into their lives and belief system. Vivid in detail including some stomach turning sequences, SACRIFICE is definitely not a sacrifice to read as SJ Bolton provides a powerful look at the essence of inhumanity, which humanity would insist is pure evil. Harriet Klausner