Sharon Bolton returns with her creepiest standalone yet, following a young cop trying to trace the disappearances of a small town's teenagers.

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.

“Award-winning master of suspense Bolton manages to transform a campfire ghost story into a riveting novel…Bolton is known for folding in elements of the supernatural, and “uncanny” clearly defines this work…Here’s hoping for a series with more of Florence, and, please, the witches.” – Booklist (starred review)

“Recommend to fans of the author’s previous work or other British female sleuths. Readers who were delighted by the big twist at the end of Sarah Pinborough’s Behind her Eyes will similarly enjoy the final few pages here.” – Library Journal

"Elements of witchcraft and the occult take the tale down a dark road toward an ending... readers will race to get there." - Publishers Weekly

“A big, strong suspense and horror novel, set in a wonderfully creepy atmosphere that provides what might well be supernatural elements.” —Sullivan County Democrat

"The Craftsman is a brilliant blend of rich crime thriller with a hint of the gothic. Dark, disturbing and with women who totally rock, with The Craftsman Sharon Bolton has proven herself to be a master Craftsman herself. Buy it. Read it. Tell your friends. Then sleep with the light on." --Sarah Pinborough

"Darkly gothic and brilliantly original, The Craftsman will have you spellbound." --JP Delaney

"Utterly terrifying and gripping." -- Sabine Durrant

"Sharon is a master of her craft. The Craftsman is an absolutely terrific crime novel that takes your darkest fear and makes it reality." -- Elly Griffiths

"Grisly and compelling. I was so pleased to hear it's the start of a new series as it's top notch." --Sarah Hilary

"A masterclass in the craft of writing. Fabulous, utterly unique storyline, that will effortlessly stand out in the crowd of thrillers. Also, it'll give you the creeps, and I don't say that lightly." --Helen Fields

"Sharon Bolton's army of fans will be storming bookshops for this one." -- Belinda Bauer

"Filled with intrigue and suspense. The Craftsman is spellbinding." -- Clare Mackintosh

“This book is a white-knuckle read . . . It’s so good. It’s so creepy. . . But please be smarter than me and don’t start the book before bedtime—trust me!” —BookRiot

“I loved this book so much. Definitely 5 stars for me…can’t wait for the next Sharon Bolton novel . . . Highly recommended for those who love dark terrifying thrillers.” —LadyJ's Bookish Nook