Sacrifice Reviews

"Splendidly crafted, deeply disturbing . . . this debut novel will deservedly be a bestseller."
The Times

"A really creepy plot based on one of the Shetland Islands' nastier legends . . . The combination of folklore and forensics works well, and the story grabs from the very beginning and holds on tight."
Literary Review

"A dazzling debut in thriller-writing: fast paced, gripping and full of atmosphere."
Classic Fm

"An incredible debut."
The Bookseller

"This eerie tale had me so hooked I was reading it through the night . . . brilliantly written and carefully crafted."
Peterborough Evening Telegraph

"This slick, fast-moving thriller has a cracking opening scene and goes on to develop into a gripping story of intrigue and adventure.   An interesting and skilful debut."
Margaret Yorke, crime writer

"A real page-turner by a new crime writer - not to be read while alone in the dark."
Jenni Murray in The Guardian

 "Sacrifice is a real find. The Shetland setting is beautifully evoked, the complex plot is adroitly handled, and - best of all - S.J. Bolton has created an entirely believable and different heroine. At the heart of the book is Tora Hamilton, a contemporary woman absorbing the pressures of career and relationships, strong-minded - indeed bloody-minded a lot of the time. Her honesty and awareness of her own failings make her a mesmerising character to follow through the dark corridors of the sometimes gruesome story. I very much look forward to S.J. Bolton's next book."
Simon Brett, crime writer

"One of (Bolton's) great strengths lies in her ability to bring the atmosphere of these far north islands on to the printed page.  Hard to believe that this is her first novel."
Scots Magazine

"Sacrifice belongs firmly in that specialist category "spooky crime" and could best be described as CSI-meets-The Wicker Man. The setting is the wild and lonely Shetland Islands, an ancient Norse legend is involved and there is enough forensic pathology, both animal and human, to keep fans of Patricia Cornwell happy . . . Sharon Bolton grabs the reigns and steers it home by cranking up the suspense with a skill which is remarkable for a first novel."
Birmingham Post

"Another female frightener coming up hard on (Mo) Hayder's heels is S.J. Bolton, whose own début, Sacrifice (is) a feminist's "told-you-so" nightmare."
The Times Christmas Books 2008

"Fairy legends associated with island races are fascinating - and none more so than the Kunal Trows of the Shetlands . . . Sharon Bolton has hit the ground running in this debut novel."
Nottingham Evening Post


"Part forensic thriller, part medical thriller, Sacrifice combines both elements to great effect in this atmospheric and original debut. S J Bolton is one to watch."
Simon Beckett, crime writer


"Inspired by an eerie ancient legend...a chilling, mesmerizing debut thriller."
Tess Gerritsen, crime writer

"Sacrifice is an intense, fast paced thriller with numerous wonderful twists and turns that confound the reader throughout."
Crimesquad.com


"Some authors start their careers on a slow note: Sharon Bolton hits the ground running. How long does it take to realise this is one of the good ones? On page two, I had an idea that S. J. Bolton could plot. And she can, like the best . . . Sacrifice makes a great start to 2008."
Shotsmag

"...scary late night reading and riveting stuff. The plot twists and turns like a snake trying to wriggle free, only at the very end does the author enlighten us as to the exact details of the gruesome truth . . . This is an unmissable, un-put-downable debut novel from S J Bolton . . . I haven't seen this level of talent in a new writer for some years - it's bloody brilliant."
The Truth About Books


"This novel is a page turner for which I sought the end vigorously, written in the first person with a jaunty, swift style."
It's a Crime


"Based on an eerie Shetland legend, Sacrifice is a sinister forensic chiller with a race against time to solve a heinous crime. Great debut novel."
Betty Bookmark