This was one of the hardest book I’ve read in a long-time purely because of the subject matter, child abuse by a suave, determined paedophile who is in a position of power. Fortunately though, having been written by a former Police Officer and Social Worker it is impeccably researched and backed up by his professional experience.
Dr David Galbraith is the first character we meet, he is a child psychologist and the ring-leader of a paedophile ring, and he has an obsession with an eight year-old boy. I won’t deny that the details in the first chapter nearly had me set the book aside but fortunately the rest of the book doesn’t go into the details of the abuse rather it is an exploration of Dr Galbraith’s character viewed by the reader through his interactions with his PA, wife and young daughters as well as those with his patients and their parents, guardians and carers. These different faces that this arrogant and determined man shows the world with his innermost thoughts relayed to the reader that kept me gripped. In this respect it is rare to find a book that goes beyond the text-book definitions, John Nicholl has gone a step further and produced a ‘real-life’ monster resulting in a truly sinister character.
Fortunately we have some good characters in this book to balance out the evil Dr Galbraith. From these viewpoints we see the background to both the investigation and the multiple agencies involved when there is a suspicion of child abuse. Watching from the side-lines, so to speak, of these good people making decisions which will directly impact one young child, the tension ramps up to an almost unbearable level. Of course, as a reader we have pieces of the puzzle that these men and women don’t.
If you like your reads to be set at a fair old pace, this is a book that ticks that box without a doubt. Despite my initial reservations about the subject matter and the feeling of discomfort that lingered even when the book was set aside for real life, I was desperately keen to pick it up again and find out what was going to happen next which meant that I read some of this in short snatches in-between other activities. I know some of you read like this most of the time but I prefer to settle down with a book only when I have a reasonable stretch of time to do so – it really is a measure of quite how compelling the different stories within this book were that I over-rode that rule.
Leaving aside the despicable Dr Galbraith the other characters were well-drawn although if I were being hyper-critical some of the police et al lacked some depth probably because to focus too much on these would have interrupted the pace of the book. However even those viewed purely through Dr Galbraith’s eyes were realistic, his wife and PA particularly so because they were being seen through a distorted lens, a great achievement.
I am really glad I read this book although it will take me quite some time before I will forget some of the disturbing views it explored and I really appreciated the fine line the author trod to ensure that this didn’t become gratuitous. White is the Coldest Colour was published in April 2015 and I bought my copy after reading a number of great reviews by fellow bloggers.
Sounds like a disturbing book, to say the least – how insidious such men are, how they can fool the rest of us for so long…
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It is very disturbing but I think the author did a good job of balancing this particular character with far better men!
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loved this book, brilliantly done by the author. x
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You are quite right – it felt horribly authentic and yet it had an important message to impart.
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This does sound like a tough read Cleo. Unfortunately it’s all too believeable, given all that comes out in the news about high profile abusers. I’ll read it when I feel strong enough to manage it!
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I’d bought it about a year ago and it took me a while to take the plunge – one of those books I’m glad I’ve read but it was tough going especially the opening chapter!
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I thought this book was brilliantly handled and although can’t say it was “enjoyable” I loved it and couldn’t put it down.
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Yes it was certainly a compulsive read if more than a little disturbing particularly because of the authority of the author.
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Exactly. Some people were put off by that first chapter but I think it’s because it was so authentic and the author has seen things that no one should have to see.
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It does sound like tough subject matter, but a great read nonetheless.
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That’s it Cathy – it wasn’t easy especially the first chapter which is tough but it was a compulsive read despite that – and I fear only too true!
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It sounds as though this is one of those books that really discomfit one even as they are very well-written, Cleo. And it is awful to know that such people really exist. They can be so skilled at winning their way to their targets, too. It’s frightening, really.
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It is frightening and even more so when it concerns those in positions of power, as in this book. I was so glad that we had some really good male characters to remind us that this man isn’t representative of all men!
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This book sounds like one that might alter how we view all such professionals in the future. Because…couldn’t anyone at all cross those unspeakable lines?
But I might just have to read it! Thanks….
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Yes I think you are right – we’ve had such a lot come out in the UK about historical abuse the author set this a few years back to keep the authenticity of how some professions were above suspicion.
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Thanks for the great review. I have to say that you are very brave. I have a real hard time reading books about child abuse.
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I think anyone would find this hard but it was authentic and had enough good characters to root for to balance out the paedophile.
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Sounds like a tough read…
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Yes, but one I’m glad I tackled!
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First off, your new design is so cute!
Thanks for sharing this one. It sounds quite intriguing. It’s a tough issue, but it sounds like the author did really well with research and writing it in a way that people could “handle” so to speak.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much – I am stupidly pleased with it.
It is a tough issue but done in a way that meant I could at least get through it!
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I think I’d read a book like this only if it came with strong recommendation. I mean I don’t see myself picking it up in a bookstore. The title is intriguing.
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Sounds like it’s very well done, but not one I could bring myself to read, I think. Love the new look! And the new photo on your header! 😀
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Yes, I was regretting getting it but it was exceptionally well-done but not a book I feel I can widely recommend due to the subject matter.
Thank you! As always when I embark on these projects, it was totally unplanned but I am very pleased with the fresh look – and a new photo, I’d barely changed the blog since I started it.
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I’ve never changed mine – I play about with new themes a lot but always end up back where I started…
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🙂
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I didn’t think this was for me when you first posted about it because of the subject matter, which I still find off-putting but it sounds like it was so well written, I want to give a go…maybe I can skip the first bit that made you want to put it down ?
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