A Good Thriller discussion

Stefanie wrote: "Thanks for the reminder of the date Jan, I am really looking forward to this!"

Me too!! Trying to cram as many books in before then lol

Same!! :-))

Kimberley wrote: "Same!! :-))"

Ahh so you haven't started! (Just posted a comment on your wall) glad you will be joining us!

No not started yet Jan... Was just about to and then I saw this thread! Looking forward to this group read. :)

Definitely going to join--I was asked to review and haven't yet, so this opportunity will be great encouragement!

I should probably let everyone know that cariad is the Welsh word for love. If any of the group bought the book before 12, June, and want the updated version, please contact me at [email protected]. Best wishes, John

Still looking forward to this! Nearly finished a book, think will squeeze one more in before this on Monday (not counting down the days or anything :-P )

John wrote: "I should probably let everyone know that cariad is the Welsh word for love. If any of the group bought the book before 12, June, and want the updated version, please contact me at nicholl06@hotmail..."

Thanks for the heads up John!!

LOL, Kim!!!

Well, people, I just finished a book this afternoon and I need to start another. So I'm starting this group book a little early. :-)

Brenda wrote: "Well, people, I just finished a book this afternoon and I need to start another. So I'm starting this group book a little early. :-)"
I rushed to get Silent Scream done by today so I'm ready for this one tomorrow!! Looking forward to it :)

I'm starting this later :-))

Just a reminder that if any of the group bought the ebook before the 12th June, you can contact me at [email protected] for the updated version.

Well, I did. I read the first chapter this morning but didn't really notice anything particularly. Does it bother you, John? Would you rather people did?

Hugely frustratingly, I originally uploaded an early draft of the book in error. The correct professionally edited and proofread version is now live on Amazon. I'd be happier if people read the correct version if at all possible. As I said, if you contact me by email I'll send the updated version straight away.

I added this book to my TBR shelf and pre-ordered it way back in April. Before I started reading it yesterday, I didn't look at the blurb or any reviews to refresh my memory. I wanted to start with no preconceived notions.

I'm now about a quarter into it and thinking I can't read this.

I just now read the blurb and gained great respect for the author, John Nicholl. My mindset has changed to "I must read this."

Thank you, Brenda, that's very kind. The version you have is the early draft I originally uploaded to Amazon in error. If you send me an email at [email protected] I'll send you the correct version straight away.

I'm going to be out of the house for a couple of hours, but will respond to any comments later in the day. Have a great day, best wishes, John

I knew this was going to be an uncomfortable topic to read about...I've read books where this subject matter has been alluded to, but nothing quite like how Chapter 1 tackles it head on. Like you Brenda, knowing John's background has made me hunker down and see where this story takes me.
I highly recommend others in the group do the same!

Chapter one is particularly dark because I want readers to understand the terrible danger faced by the Mailer family. The chapter is intended to be hard to read. It should be shocking. Child abuse is shocking. But, it is a sad reality; a reality that shames society. I think it's worth saying that there are no graphic descriptions of sexual crimes anywhere in the book. Not a single one. I decided I couldn't avoid the brief description of the horrendous video Galbraith is watching at the start of the book, so as to make his true nature crystal clear. He is evil personified. A man devoid of conscience or empathy.

Chapter 1 absolutely sets the stage but I love having it confirmed by the author himself!! Thanks in advance for your willingness to be a part of this informal group read and being open to sharing and addressing questions!

Stephanie wrote: "I am going to join the read this month-- the book sounds compelling.

Thanks for joining the read, John!!!"

Yay!! :)

OK, I am into it! The first chapter is dark, but definitely serving a purpose. John, it is an homor to have you here to chat about your book. It should be a good experience.

Oh no I thought we were starting tomorrow, I am off a day, I better pick up my Kindle!

I'm upto chapter 9. Not a race though guys. This is just to share our thoughts as we read. If that takes a bit of time, fair enough! :)

My stupid life is not allowing me to read much today!!

Will get down to some serious reading tonight...

I can't stand the Dr already..

John I really admire you writing a book like this, after some of the things you must have seen during your career.

Was it hard to write?

Agree with Janet, guys, not a race. I also agree with Kim. This Dr. is one exceptionally bad dude. John, have you ever somehow met anyone as truly evil as this monster? Please tell me is isn't based on someone real.

I agree with the first chapter. Very powerful and chilling. We know this crap goes on, in all walks of life for far far too long. Like it's been said Dr G is a nasty piece of work and that's putting it mildly. How do they forget that they were once children themselves?? I know, in many cases the abused go on to abuse but sometimes bad is just bad.

I'm interested to hear your answer to Chris's question John..

Unfortunately I can only imagine there are people just like him walking this earth.

Galbraith isn't based on one person, but is a mix of people I had the misfortune to come across over the years. The book is entirely fictional, but sadly all too real. I couldn't have written it any sooner than I did as the memories and emotions were still too raw. Men like Galbraith and the other sexual predators in the story are skilled at hiding their true nature from the world. For those readers living in the UK, Jimmy Saville is an informative example of this. A high profile public figure who avoided detection for many years despite numerous unfortunate victims. I hope that shining a light on their manipulative methods makes a small contribution to the safety of children.

Janet is correct in saying that a significant number of sex offenders were, or claim to have been, victims themselves as children. That said, it is important to acknowledge that the vast majority of victims do not go on to become offenders themselves. In addition, as she says: sometimes bad is just bad. By no means all sex offenders were victims or had difficult childhoods.

Dr G's abuse, while focused on little boys, extends beyond children to anyone in his immediate circle. We can see he struggles with trying to control his behavior and put on his act/manipulation of normalcy...similar to a psychopath. Well said Janet about how do they forget they were once children? Was he born this way or was he a product of his environment? At what point does it not matter any more given the power position he is in?

I believe that once a person becomes an adult they must take responsibility for their actions, irrespective of their childhood experiences. Galbraith feels his own pain intensely, but has no empathy whatsoever for the suffering of others. In contrast, he takes pleasure from it. I guess that makes him a psychopath. Sherwood, in contrast, feels guilt and remorse, but still gives into his base impulses and continues his criminal activities despite being fully aware of the damage he's inflicting on the vulnerable. It's a common cycle of offending familiar to anyone working in law enforcement.

Dr. G. is one most obnoxious character! I felt sick reading the first chapter and was disgusted by the third. He is not only a sex predator, he's a sadist control freak too! I wanted to read further last night but I don't think my stomach could've taken any more, so I left it there. I shall continue tonight.

John, thanks a lot for the copy. I have a question though- is Dr. G. a result of your experience or do you think it's simply more your understanding of what people are capable of as a result of your experience? I mean, the doctor seems derives some sadistic pleasure from any harm that he could cause, be it be sexual harassment or psychological disintegration of a person. If it's just your understanding, do you think it's possible for a person to be so messed up that he could be so screwed up (excuse the phrase!)? What could trigger this in a person? What's your general observation (if any) in regard to this?

Hi Ishita, Galbraith is a sadistic paedophile who takes pleasure in the suffering of others, particularly that of children. He is evil personified; a man devoid of empathy or virtue. He's not based on one person, but is a mix of numerous sexual criminals I came across over a twenty year period. I haven't explored the origin of the characters offending in the book, although it escalates as time passes. He seeks to make his grotesque fantasy reality. A common pattern with this kind of criminal.

But doesn't it make the development of the character difficult?

Particular cases stand out and stick in the mind. Sadly, Galbraith was all too easy to create. I dealt with cases involving perpetrators from all walks of life during my career, from poorly educated manual workers to highly qualified professional men. I say men because the vast majority were male. Our County was the first in the UK to undertake a successful paedophile investigation with the successful prosecution of six offenders, and long prison sentences. While the book is entirely fictional, are as its characters, it is informed by those events.

I know it's easy to say after the effect - but even as a kid I had bad vibes about Jimmy Saville. To me he always came across as a slimeball with his shiny tracksuits and stupid medallions. Couldn't bear his show back then or anything about him. And couldn't understand why anyone liked him - there is no pleasure in being right. I've had bad vibes about a couple of people I know, just something was off and I would avoid them, years later I found out the truth. I was right there too, sadly. I've heard some awful stories from social workers I know as I'm sure many of us have come across stories or incidences in our lives. :((

There are elements to the storyline as well as the characters that I feel have to come from personal knowledge or experiences. I'm both impressed as well as saddened that you have this knowledge to share...This is going to be a fast read for me as I am having a hard time putting this book down!

Hi Janet, I guess the lesson for everyone from your comments is: trust your instincts. It's just a shame Saville died before his victims had their day in court. He should have died in prison.
Hi Jan, The story does draw heavily on my experiences. Writing it was somewhat cathartic.

So if I bought the book on June 8 it's not the correct version? I sent an email to your address above...

I uploaded an updated version to Amazon, which went live on 12, June. I'm very happy to replace the edition you purchased on 8, June. That applies to anyone who doesn't have the latest version. My email address is: [email protected]

Thanks. That was fast! Got it and will start today. Looking forward to it.

Like you, Jan, I'm now having trouble putting the book down. I do keep coming here to check on the conversation, though.

John, thank you for being here! Your insight is tremendously helpful. I can think of all kinds of descriptive words for Galbraith, and together they are not strong enough. He makes me literally sick to my stomach.

I'm curious about his wife. Why does she submit, even though she'd gotten out in the past? Why does she allow her daughters to grow up in that environment? Was there a specific reason you chose daughters and not sons for Galbraith's family?

And BTW, John, bless you for the 20 years of doing what you could to protect children.

I second that. Takes a special kind of commitment.

John wrote: "Thank you, Brenda, that's very kind. The version you have is the early draft I originally uploaded to Amazon in error. If you send me an email at [email protected] I'll send you the correct ve..."

Thanks, John, but you sent me the updated version already.

Hi Brenda, Thanks for your kind comment, it's appreciated. Cynthia stays with Galbraith because he has broken her spirit. Constant criticism has eroded her self esteem to such an extent that she blames herself for her husband's appaling behaviour towards her. To be honest, I decided on daughters rather than sons because Galbraith abuses boys. I wanted to focus on his criminal pursuit of Anthony. The story is already complex, and I thought that giving Galbraith sons would have added another unnecessary dimension.

I cannot begin to imagine how you must've felt dealing with such incidents, John. Like Jan said- I am both impressed and saddened by your knowledge.

I never had instincts like you Janet, but I knew this one person who was quite friendly with our family and I never had a good feeling about him. In fact, at some point, I even started fearing him. He always had that perverted look in his eyes! And he saw everyone around him like that, I could never stand to be in the same room as him. He had that weird aura about him all the time! One must think of me ruthless but I never could get myself to feel bad when he died. At some level, I might even say I was glad that I wouldn't have to see him anymore but I never had any sympathy for the painful death that he had. I was sorry for his family but that's all the length my condolences ever travelled!

Hi Janet and Ishita, A few years have passed since I left my post heading up child protection services for Carmarthenshire in West Wales. It sometimes feels like a different life. It's not a job anyone should do indefinitely. I felt compelled to write White as a debut novel, but I'll never write on the subject again.