Awakening : A Novel

Clara Benning, a veterinary surgeon, is young and intelligent, but reclusive. Disfigured by a childhood accident, she prefers animals to people. When a man dies following a supposed snakebite, Clara's expertise is needed. She's chilled to learn that the victim's postmortem shows a higher concentration of venom than could ever be found in one snake: The killer was human. Assisted by a neighbor and an eccentric reptile expert, Clara uncovers links to an ancient ritual, an abandoned house, and a fifty-year-old tragedy. But for someone the truth must remain buried in the past—even if they have to kill to keep it there.

Awakening is a disturbing tale of dark secrets that will have readers unable to stop for a breath until they reach the stunning climax of this extraordinary read from acclaimed author S. J. Bolton.

“Awakening is a delicious Gothic thriller.” —Maureen Corrigan, NPR, on Awakening

“Page-turning suspense.” —Booklist (A Top Ten Crime Novel of the Year)

“I was totally riveted by S. J. Bolton's second thriller, Awakening. . . . Perfect reading for a long plane trip.” —Nancy Pearl on Awakening

“The page-turner of the summer . . . It's been a long time since we've devoured a book this length at one sitting. . . . We were just grateful to find ourselves in the hands of as extraordinary a storyteller as S. J. Bolton.” —The Denver Post on Sacrifice