Review: The Craftsman (The Craftsman #1) by Sharon J. Bolton

Print Length: 432 pages

Publisher: Minotaur Books  (October 16, 2018)

From Goodreads.com: Florence Lovelady's career was made when she convicted coffin-maker Larry Grassbrook of a series of child murders 30 years ago in a small village in Lancashire. Like something out of a nightmare, the victims were buried alive. Florence was able to solve the mystery and get a confession out of Larry before more children were murdered., and he spent the rest of his life in prison.

But now, decades later, he's dead, and events from the past start to repeat themselves. Is someone copying the original murders? Or did she get it wrong all those years ago? When her own son goes missing under similar circumstances, the case not only gets reopened... it gets personal.

In master of suspense Sharon Bolton's latest thriller, readers will find a page-turner to confirm their deepest fears and the only protagonist who can face them.

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

I have mixed feelings about this novel. On one hand, I feel like the synopsis is very misleading. In a vague sense, things happen like promised, but I only remember one person actually being found buried alive (as far as I know the other two were never found). Added to that, after he died, the only event to repeat was the disappearance of her son. I feel like it was hyped up to be something that in the end, it was not. And that was very disappointing. 

But on the other hand, what we were given was such a complex, and interesting read that it was enjoyable. I still don't quite understand why certain people acted the way they did when nothing came of it, but there were definitely some surprising twists that I did not see coming! I enjoyed how the book spent time focusing on the events of the past, allowing the reader not only to experience the crimes, but also the dynamics of the team and all of the players. I felt that it was because we had lived that with them that it made what happened in the present more edge-of-your seat. 

There are some paranormal elements in this that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I felt for this particular story they worked. I would read more from this author, and I did notice that this book is part one. I am just curious enough I would read more in this series to see what else the author can do with it.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                            The Craftsman is available from Amazon.com