Description
Be careful who you trust.
The Mailer family are oblivious to the terrible danger that enters their lives when seven-year-old Anthony is referred to the child guidance service by the family GP following the breakdown of his parents' marriage.
Fifty-eight year old Dr. David Galbraith, a sadistic, predatory paedophile employed as a consultant child psychiatrist, has already murdered one child in the soundproofed cellar below the South Wales Georgian townhouse he shares with his wife and two young daughters.
Anthony becomes Galbraith's latest obsession and he will stop at nothing to make his grotesque fantasies reality.
A note from the author: While fictional, this book was inspired by true events. It draws on the author’s experiences as a police officer and child protection social worker. The story contains content that some readers may find upsetting. It is dedicated to survivors everywhere.
*Previously published as White is the Coldest Colour*
BOOK REVIEW
Review for 'The Doctor' by John Nicholl.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for John Nicholl and Boldwood publishers.
Publication date 27th July 2022
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Killing Evil' which I would also highly recommend. This book is the first book in the 'Dr David Galbraith' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its unique eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. I am a huge fan of true stories and although this book is fiction it is based in a true story. I loved John's other book called 'Killing Evil' and if this is half as good as that it's bound to be a page turner. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood books. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 50 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Wales 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that I live in Wales and only live a few miles from the authour is amazing as I'm hoping to recognise a few local places.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Dr David Galbraith, Molly, Cynthia, Detective Constable Jane Pritchard. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Doctor' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book John discusses/includes child abuse, strong language and domestic abuse. I would recommend this to readers 18 + only.
OMG!!!! John Nicholl where have you been all my life!!!! What a read!! Just Wow!!! This is one of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a long time, in fact that I have ever read!!! However, please be warned this book is NOT for the faint hearted!!
The book is written perfectly and with such vivid descriptions it really feels that you are in the room right next to each of the protagonists. is sitting next to you telling you what is happening while she is doing it. It really immerses the reader into the storyline. This is very hard to achieve correctly but John absolutely smashed it!!! The title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
The storyline is absolutely addictive and gripping. I seriously WOULD NOT even start this book unless you have cleared your schedule because you will not be able to put it down!!! I absolutely blew through it in one sitting and it genuinely was unputdownable!!! A true page turner absolutely rammed with suspense, tension, gore, abuse and everything you want when you read a psychological thriller. This would be absolutely amazing if turned into a movie, if done right of course!!! Not only is this a gripping and addictive storyline but it is immensely thought provoking and worrying. The fact that this book is based on a true story is extremely sad but the truth is Dr Galbraith is just a drop in the ocean of monsters in this world. The storyline is, very sadly and sickening, based on events that happen daily all over the world. It deals with child abuse, paedophile rings and domestic abuse so it is quite hard reading at times. If you are going to read it you are best seeing it as completely fiction until the end. It really is not for the light hearted. The fact that John used to work in child protection has definitely shown in the writing of this book as you can see there has been alot of knowledge/ research put into it. It is a pet hate of mine when I read a fiction or non fiction books filled with errors that would have been easily avoided with just some research. This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of sadness, fear, tension, suspense and much more. I was so immersed in reading this book that I caught myself gritting my teeth on several occasions for different reasons. I wanted to shout at Molly to cancel the sessions, scream at the police for missing certain things and protect Anthony. This book is filled with a parents worse nightmare and shows how easynit can be for someone who is meant to be in a trusted position to manipulate not only children but the parents too.
Dr David Galbriath is the most sickening, twisted and evil monster I have ever met in a lifetime of reading. David's 'skills' of manipulation, coercion and exploitation are unmatched in any other fictional antagonist. There were so many victims left scarred by him, not just the children but his wife who he treated absolutely appallingly. I have never met a creature (I won't say man as he is anything but) treat his wife so despicably, ever!! I had mixed emotions about Cynthia but she was a victim in this also. David's personality, for me, is made even creepier in the fact that when he talks to himself he does it in third person perspective 'Come on, man'.
This book is a mother's worse nightmare and you will need a strong stomach to read it. Again, it is not for the light hearted. However, it is a book that should be read by any parent as it shows the inside of a sick man's mind and how he worked which may help you and your child in the future.
This book is one of those rare ones that will stay with me for a very very long time!!I really cannot compliment and recommend this book more. It is a heart racing, nail biting, suspense packed psychological thriller that will stay with you for one hell of a long time.
Congratulations John an absolutely epic novel and welcome to my favourite authour list!!! Looking forward to reading your next page turner and the next book in this gripping series!
Overall a unputdownable, heart racing, nail biting and addictive psychological thriller
Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Counselling, Adolescent Psychology, Allied Health Professions and Crime Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as Charlie Gallagher, Mark Edwards and just absolutely every parent out there as well as non parents, everyone should read this book!!
340 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@JohnNicholl @BoldwoodBooks @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
About The Author
John Nicholl, a former police officer, social worker and lecturer, is the award-winning, Amazon bestselling author of numerous darkly psychological suspense thrillers. He began writing after leaving his job heading up child protection services. You can find out more about John and his books at: www.johnnicholl.com
A Note From John
I write fast-paced, gritty, and dark psychological suspense thrillers, which draw on my real-life experiences as a police officer and social worker. I began writing after leaving my job heading up child protection services in west Wales.
All my books work as standalone stories, but some are part of a series and others are connected.
I’m very grateful to all of my readers, and I very much hope you’ll discover more of my books. I’m always interested to receive your feedback and read your reviews.
John
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