John Nicholl (1)

Described as “a gripping serial killer thriller” I had really high hopes for this book, sadly it didn't quite live up to expectations :-(

This is my favourite genre and I have read countless numbers of serial killer thrillers, some more memorable than others, and although this isn't one of the best it was still a good read and I will definitely be reading the rest in the series when they come out.

The characters were strong with a solid plot line and Gravel is the stand out guy and he will make a very followable DI. The bad guy was fairly easy to work out but i think that was intentional. The most memorable and standout part of this book has to be the ending! Without giving any spoilers and ruin it for potential readers the ending is a definite WTF moment!! It will be very interesting to find out what comes next for DI Gravel following on from that explosive ending.

If you want to read a fast-paced, creepy thriller with a nice twist ending, this is the right book for you. It might not be a stand out among other similar novels, but fans of the genre will not want to miss it.… (mehr)

This is quite a book. It focusses on a very unpleasant and highly distressing subject…or rather, crime…and I confess I was a little apprehensive about how the story was going to unfold and if I really wanted to know, even. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in which I’ve loathed one of the main characters right from the get-go—as in, the very first page. I should add that this is the author’s intention; he (the character, that is!) is quite simply a loathsome, evil person. Strangely, this makes the story very compelling.

What we have here is a novel with paedophilia as its core. Please don’t rush off with a ‘Sorry, not a subject I want to read about’. This is a story in the very capable hands of an experienced police officer and child-protection social worker who has seen things he very probably wishes he hadn’t. In his own words, it’s ‘dedicated to survivors everywhere’.

Dr David Galbraith is a child psychiatrist, upheld as an expert and talented man in his field. But the exterior hides a sadistic, murderous predator, a vile and controlling human being. Seven-year-old Anthony isn’t handling his parents’ break-up too well, so he is referred to the best: Galbraith. A dangerous, potentially tragic move.

I really couldn’t tear myself away from this book. You’re committed to finding out how disgusting and heinous this man wants to be. All the characters were brilliantly conceived: from the villains to the victims. Galbraith’s wife is one who makes quite an impression.

The topic is harsh and hard-hitting, but the story was very well executed. It was powerful, and I can highly recommend it…but beware of the lack of editing. Apart from the ‘usual suspects’, there was a rather annoying overuse of the ellipsis (I did a search and discovered it was used 558 times. Good grief!). And then there was the characters’ irritating habit of calling each other by name in most of their dialogues. So if you simply can’t overlook under-editing, perhaps it might be worth waiting (and hoping) that a more polished version is eventually uploaded.
… (mehr)

This book is a harrowing tale of organized child abuse. The author set the story in the beginning 1990s, but except for the fact that parents are better informed nowadays, and have all the information they need at their fingertips (so they could have checked out how psychiatric sessions should be held, for instance), I'm afraid not a lot has changed.
Just look at how the Catholic church and some sects hush up child abuse in their ranks, or look up rel="nofollow" target="_top">Marc Detroux, who sexually abused and killed several children in Belgium in the 1980s and ~90s. It's a scandal never to be forgotten. Read the report and watch the video of a surviving victim of a pedophile ring.
I live in Germany, and child abuse, raping of women, and domestic violence are crimes that are still being punished lightly, if at all, and the clear signal to the perpetrators is, that they get away with it. And that seems to be a global attitude.
I read only today that a British judge ruled that a cricketer who had admittedly beaten his wife with a cricket bat and made her drink bleach does not need to go to prison.

So, nearly 30 years on, and nothing has changed. In light of all these true cases, John Nicholl's fictional story really hits home. The trouble is, that it is absolutely believable.
It drew me in right from the start, and I couldn't put it down, so I spent a sleepless night, rooting for Anthony,while being really afraid for him at the same time. This story is a nail-biter, and I'm very glad that I'm not in the habit of actually biting my nails, or none would be left.

Narrator Jake Urry was a perfect fit for the story. His gritty voice when speaking the character of Dr Galbraith made me shiver, and he managed perfectly, to make it clear, what was spoken, and which were the (unuttered) thoughts.
All the characters and accents were well done.

If you are of a sensitive nature, you might reconsider before buying this (audio) book, because somewhere in the world something similar to the goings-ons in the story is taking place at this exact moment, and honestly, it doesn't bear thinking of -- then again, it is crucial to raise awareness.

I got a free copy of this audio book via the audio bookworm.… (mehr)

I don't usually read short stories but made an exception for this one and bully boy am I glad that I did. It's a very short story, no more than an hour's worth of reading, but it packs a HUGE punch, if you will excuse the pun.

Kathy is an abused wife but nobody believes her and she can't inform the police as her husband is a police inspector. Everyone loves Mike Connor, he has a lot to put up with as his wife, Kathy, is struggling with her mental health after her miscarriage. Little do people know that he brought on the miscarriage. When Kathy finds out that she is pregnant again she will do ANYTHING to protect her unborn child. So watch out Mike, Kathy's coming to get you!

Wow! What an amazing novella. I defy anyone to tear their eyes away from the page whilst reading this. Kathy's plight is one that is sadly experienced by many women (and men) and John Nicholl has really raised awareness of domestic violence by showing us that appearances can be VERY deceptive. Of course, I was ultimately rooting for Kathy and showing her to be a strong character in the end, gives hope and a voice to so many women suffering the same fate.

Don't be put off by this being a novella, it's short but certainly not sweet, and will leave you with your eyes wide open and a compulsion to look at the signs, however subtle, being given by the people around you. Bully Boy Blue is such a brave and impressive book - don't miss it!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (mehr)