Title: THE TOKEN
Author: SHARON BOLTON
ISBN: 9781398723122
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 304
Source: Review copy from Jonathan Ball Publishers
The billionaire’s will promised them everything. But the money comes with a deadly price . . .
Seven strangers receive a mysterious note that billionaire Logan Quick is leaving them his vast fortune. All they need to do is accept the enclosed Token and wait for his death. None of them know why they’ve been chosen, but all seven desperately need the money and the chance of a fresh start.
When the group are forced to embark on a dangerous sea crossing, they discover they are connected by a dark secret from their past. As confusion turns to fear and trust to betrayal, the question is no longer who will claim the money – it’s who will make it off the boat alive . . .
Official Summary
19 January 2026
I am new to this author and must thank Johnathan Ball for this review copy.
The Token by Sharon Bolton is a dark, clever thriller that hooked me from the very first premise. A billionaire, a mysterious will, seven strangers, and a fortune that comes with strings attached. I was in immediately.
Bolton does a great job of creating an unsettling atmosphere, especially once the characters are forced together and taken out of their comfort zones. The sea crossing adds a strong sense of claustrophobia and danger, and the tension steadily ramps up as secrets begin to surface. I really enjoyed how the characters are slowly revealed—none of them are particularly likeable, but they are fascinating, flawed, and desperate enough to make some very questionable choices.
The central idea of the Token itself is chilling and original, and the moral questions woven throughout the story kept me thinking. Who deserves redemption? How far would you go for a second chance? As alliances shift and paranoia grows, the story becomes less about the money and more about survival, guilt, and consequences.
While the pacing dipped slightly in places and a few twists felt a little over-the-top, the overall ride was gripping and unpredictable. Bolton’s writing is sharp and confident, and she knows exactly how to keep the reader guessing.
A solid, tense thriller with a unique concept and a dark edge. If you enjoy psychological suspense with morally complex characters and a sinister twist, The Token is well worth picking up.
Also By Sharon Bolton
DEAD WOMAN WALKING
Just before dawn in the hills near the Scottish border, a man murders a young woman. At the same time, a hot-air balloon crashes out of the sky. There’s just one survivor.
She’s seen the killer’s face – but he’s also seen hers. And he won’t rest until he’s eliminated the only witness to his crime.
Alone, scared, trusting no one, she’s running to where she feels safe – but it could be the most dangerous place of all . . .
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Sharon (formerly SJ) Bolton grew up in a cotton-mill town in Lancashire and had a varied early career in marketing and public relations. She gave it up to become a mother and a writer.
Her first novel, Sacrifice, was voted Best New Read by Amazon.uk, whilst her second, Awakening, won the 2010 Mary Higgins Clark award. In 2014, Lost, (UK title, Like This, For Ever) was named RT Magazine’s Best Contemporary Thriller in the US, and in France, Now You See Me won the Plume de Bronze. That same year, Sharon was awarded the CWA Dagger in the Library. She has been shortlisted for the CWA gold and steel daggers.
Thank you for visiting the blog. As mentioned, I am new to this author, and after reading this one I am looking forward to adding more of her books to my TBR – it may need to be a little later this year though. Until next time… Happy Reading!
