White is the Coldest Colour

A dark psychological suspense thriller

Fiction - Suspense
282 Pages
Reviewed on 04/16/2015
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

White is the coldest colour is entirely fictional, but draws on my experiences as a police officer, child protection social worker, manager and trainer.
During my career I was faced with case after case that left me incredulous as to the harm sexual predators chose to inflict on their victims. The book reflects that reality.
The story is set in 1992, a more naive time when many found it extremely difficult to believe that a significant number of adults posed a serious risk to children.
The book includes content that some readers may find upsetting from the start.
It is dedicated to survivors everywhere.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

White is the Coldest Colour by John Nicholl is a dark psychological novel that is realistic and disturbing at the same time. The novel starts with a sadistic pedophilic scene in the sound-proof cellar of a psychiatrist named Dr. David Galbraith. To all outward appearances, Dr. Galbraith is a respectable, law-abiding citizen. However, what most people don’t know is that he is also a sexual abuser and sadistic pedophile. He torments and completely controls his wife, Cynthia, with whom he has two daughters. He preys on young boys and has already sexually abused, made videos of, and murdered a young child. That is when he is asked to take on a new case of a young seven-year-old boy named Anthony. Anthony is a troubled child raised by a single mother, and starts seeing Dr. Galbraith for therapy. What he or his family don't know, however, is that the psychiatrist has already marked Anthony as his next victim. What follows next is a realistic story of abuse, power, strength, and triumph.

White is the Coldest Colour by John Nicholl is a dark, powerful, gripping novel about themes that are especially important and relevant in today’s society: namely, childhood sexual abuse and its lifelong repercussions, the mind of a sexual predator, and the psychology of a pedophile. John Nicholl himself has a background in law enforcement and, as a result, the novel definitely has a ring of authenticity to it. None of the events described in the book seem far-fetched and, although this is a work of fiction, it is to be hoped that it will spread awareness of sexual abuse, such that all of us with a social responsibility are better prepared to watch for warning signs as well as the reporting and handling of such incidences. The writing is crisp and engaging; overall I would very highly recommend this book for everyone.

Sue Ward



I saw this author advertise his book in 2 friends promote with authors, I rarely ask these days if I could read a book in exchange for a review, simply because I have lots already waiting and oftentimes I get approached by authors on a daily basis, which I love and feel honored they have asked.

I first was smitten by the cover, how can you resist a cover with a sad little boys face, and the title, what was that all about.

Many times new aspiring authors do not really think about the cover [not all, "some"] and I just had a gut feeling when reading the blurb of the book I would more than not enjoy reading it and discovering what this author is about. I had read his profile too, so I could see he was drawing on experience in a field he knew a lot about. So with tongue in cheek and my cheekiness I messaged to ask. He was very happy for me to approach him and only days later I was tucked up reading this book.

I never know what to expect from a new author, so was hoping my gut instinct didn't let me down after 3 years or so of reading and reviewing books.
I WAS RIGHT!!!

Right from the start I could see this was going to be good and got excited. I hoped it didn't lag anywhere in the middle, NOPE it didn't.

The writing is superb.

We have Dr David Galbraith who on the surface seems to be the ideal child psychiatrist. But he's not, what he is, is a preying sadistic predatory paedophile.
Although we learn early on in the book who is the 'monster' in this book the author still kept me tense. The insight to Dr David Galbraith's daily life, his marriage, his wife and his 2 daughter were something I felt myself shouting in my head about. His wife appeared so weak. But isn't that how these people work, they get control, and are used to having the control.

We see and experience how he tries to lure a child, what means he takes and what scare tactics.


I found it fascinating getting into Dr Galbraith's head. For example, he would be all sweetness and light smiling and chatting, but the thoughts in his head were totally the opposite which this author had written out very well. He spoke one thing...........but his thought process was another....I could hear him cackling like Hannibal hector....truly, in my head I could!!

The Mailer family are in danger, or should I say their son is [Anthony] because of their marital breakdown and how Anthony is not coping well, its thought he needs help, hence the referral to Dr Galbraith. He has his next victim lined up. Anthony.

When things start coming to light it all kicks off.

I started this book early one evening and finished it the next morning. I was totally gripped.

I cannot believe this is John Nicholl's debut novel. I do believe he is writing a follow up with a look in on the side of the Drs wife [Cynthia] which I hope [with fingers crossed] he will PING me when hes done because I am soooooo wanting the next installment.

I do hope he continues to write as people who follow my reviews know I read LOTS and when I give a 5 star to someone it means something. It surpassed all my expectations as a debut book.

**My thanks go to this author for allowing me to read this and be the first apart from his family members, I feel quite chuffed*** SMILES