DARWEN-born author Sharon Bolton is to make her publishing debut with a modern-day thriller inspired by folklore.

And although the former Darwen Moorland High School pupil now lives on the Oxon/ Buckinghamshire border with her husband and young son, she admits to "borrowing" a few characters from her Lancashire upbringing in her books.

"This part of the world is, of course, well known for its local characters," she said.

"It isn't possible to put real people in a novel, but I will admit to borrowing a few characteristics from people I've known over the years."

Sacrifice, Bolton's first novel, is set on the remote Shetland Islands and tells the story of Tora Hamilton, an obstetrician from London who has recently moved to an old house on the island with her husband.

When her beloved horse dies Tora decides to dig the grave herself, but she is horrified to unearth a body of a woman - perfectly preserved but with a gaping hole where her heart has been brutally removed.

The disturbing event is made all the more sinister when a pathologist discovers three rune marks carved into the woman's skin that match signs carved into the fireplace in Tora's own cellar. What can it all mean?

The novel, available from February, has attracted critical acclaim from respected authors Tess Gerritsen and Margaret Yorke.

"A chilling, mesmerising debut thriller . . . S J Bolton is one to watch," said Gerritsen.

And Yorke agreed: "This slick, fast-moving thriller has a cracking opening scene and goes on to develop into a gripping story of intrigue and adventure."

Bolton, who trained as an actress and dancer, and later went on to pursue a career in public relations and marketing, is already working on her second novel.

In the future she hopes to base a body of work around her home town, where many of her relatives still live.

"I love the desolate beauty of the moorland countryside around Darwen," said Bolton.

"It is the perfect setting for the sort of books I write.

"When I'm home I spend a lot of time wandering around the older parts of the town and letting my imagination wander.

  • Sacrifice is available from bookshops and from www.rbooks.co.uk