Sacrifice [Hardcover]

S. J. Bolton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2008

In this masterful debut that starts off as a mystery and becomes much more, Tora Hamilton is an outsider at her new home on the rocky, wind-swept Shetland Islands, a hundred miles from the northeastern tip of Scotland. Though her husband grew up here, it’s the first time he’s been back in twenty years. Digging in the peat on their new property, Tora unearths a human body, at first glance a centuries-old bog body, interesting but not uncommon. But realizing that the body is in fact much newer, that the woman’s heart has been cut out and that she was killed within a few days of bearing a child, Tora, herself an obstetrician, becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her—even when the police, her colleagues and eventually her husband warn her against getting involved.

Reading town records and researching local lore, Tora discovers a disturbing link to ancient Shetland legend and uncovers a collection of deep, dark secrets---the kind of secrets worth killing for.

Sacrifce is a bone-chilling, spell-binding debut that will grip readers from its beginning to its startling end. 

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Bodies found in peat bogs—the peat preserves human flesh—make irresistible launching points for crime fiction. Erin Hart’s Haunted Ground was one of the best first crime novels of 2003, and now Bolton’s debut is in the running for the same distinction this year. Hart’s bog was in Ireland, and the novel drew on Irish history. Bolton’s is in Scotland, on one of the Shetland Islands, and she draws equally effectively on an ancient Scottish legend. Tora Hamilton, an obstetrician recently relocated to the Shetlands with her husband, a native of the region, is digging on her property when she discovers the body of a young woman. Pathologists determine that the body is not ancient, as was first supposed, but contemporary. Further investigation reveals that the victim died within days of giving birth and that her heart had been cut from her body. As Tora begins to investigate, she is warned off by the police, her hospital colleagues, and even her husband. With the help of another outsider, a police detective also new to the area, she discovers further anomalies: Why does the death rate of young women in the Shetlands spike every three years? As she comes closer to the truth, the connection to ancient lore emerges, and the Shetlands, once so tranquil and charming, turn menacing and deadly, much in the manner of the English moors when a certain Baskervillean hound was on the loose. Bolton combines rich history, precise forensic detail, and breathtaking use of landscape in what is a stunning blend of medical thriller and creepy gothic suspense tale. Yes, the plot is outlandish, but it grips us all the same and doesn’t let go. --Bill Ott

Review

Advance Praise for Sacrifice

“Inspired by an eerie ancient legend, Sacrifice is a chilling, mesmerizing debut thriller. S. J. Bolton is one to watch.”
---Tess Gerritsen, author of The Bone Garden

“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 skillful debut.”
---Margaret Yorke, author of Cause for Concern

“Part forensic thriller, part medical thriller, Sacri?ce combines both elements to great effect in this atmospheric and original debut.”
---Simon Beckett, author of Written in Bone

“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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312381131
• ISBN-13: 978-0312381134
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Chilling new voice..., July 1, 2008

By 

Jody Allen (US) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sacrifice (Hardcover)

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 Stars - Has all the elements, July 2, 2008

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacrifice (Hardcover)

SACRIFICE (Suspense-Tora Hamilton-Shetland Island, UK - Cont) - G+
Bolton, S.J. - 1st book
Bantam Press, 2008, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780593059111

First Sentence: The corpse I could cope with. It was the context that threw me.

Tora Hamilton is a newcomer, but has moved to the Shetland Islands with her husband, who was born there but left 20 years ago. Digging a grave in which to bury a beloved horse who has died, Tora uncovers the body of a woman who had been tortured, body mutilated and runes curved into her back.

While others are telling Tora, an obstetrician and surgeon, not to become involved, what was done to the victim make it imperative for Tora to investigate. The more she learns, the more frightening it all becomes. When an attempt is made on her life, Tora is no longer certain who she can trust.

Bolton's debut mystery certainly had all the elements; an interesting locale well depicted, a gruesome crime, a smart, gutsy protagonist, good suspense, a local legend that became creepier as the book went on, and a wonderful element of uncertainty as to whom the protagonist could trust.

The beginning is fairly gory but I found myself immediately drawn in. The story then lost a bit of steam, took a while to rebuild but then raced on to a very exciting ending. The setting played into the plot perfectly, but the writing did show aspects of it being a first book.

I shall definitely look for Bolton's next book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fresh Air, July 20, 2008

By 

annie "earthboundmisfit" (LEWISTOWN, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sacrifice (Hardcover)

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.