A Good Thriller discussion
Group Read Archive
>
Group Read - White Is The Coldest Colour by John Nicholl - July
message 101:
by
Christine
(new)
Jul 06, 2015 11:55AM
John, did you run across many/any female sexual abusers in your career? You just don't hear about that many woman sexual abusers.
reply
|
flag
I can see myself wanting to get this all off chest, as well. If people could take away something from it, that's an added advantage then!
Hi Christine, I did run across female offenders, but they were very much in the minority, and under the influence of men.
Without giving away any spoilers, the Dr's focus on Anthony-is this a typical behavior amongst pedophiles to become almost obsessed with a target, to the point of overlooking self preservation?
Hi Jan, the behaviour of these criminals is risky by its very nature. They run a constant risk of detection and the consequences that will follow, but still offend. Their deviance often dominates their lives.
Good thing Cam. I'm pretty sure you were the catalyst for this whole thing. =}
First chapter borders on nauseating - I'll take everyone's word for it that the whole book isn't like that, although my gut is still clenched by chapter five. Galbraith is a sadistic so-and-so, but I imagine we'll see that he can really turn on the charm if he's seducing children. John, I don't know how you did your job and slept at night without nightmares!
Chapter one is by far the darkest of the book. I felt I had no option but to set out the grim reality by giving the brief description of the horrendous video Galbraith is watching, but there are no further graphic descriptions anywhere in the book. The job was extremely difficult at times, particularly when my own children were young. It was a case of trying to focus on the desired outcomes: securing the child's safety and prosecuting the offender.
Mod
Could you put a heterosexual person on a course and stop them being heterosexual? That's a rhetorical question, by the way. It will sometimes be possible to enable a sex offender to control their behaviour if they are motivated to do so, but they will always pose a degree of risk. It's just a matter of how high that risk is.
Wow...great way to put that into perspective John! If being heterosexual was the problem and not the norm I can't imagine how I would be rehabilitated to think and feel differently! I think there are pedophiles that are out there that know it's wrong and do feel guilt, but not sure how they can be rehabilitated. Maybe with the use of medication the feelings can be tampered?
Mod
It's certainly true that some sex offenders experience guilt and remorse, while others, like Galbraith, do not. There was a trial with chemical castration some years ago within the UK, but without a positive outcome.
What do those who feel guilt usually do? How do they cope with it and what's their state of mind when they're actually committing the crime?I think, as sickening as it is, the first chapter was the perfect start to this book. It'll not only keep the readers hooked but also hit them with a blow about the exact context that you wanted to convey.
Janet wrote: "Chapter 12 , the interview with little Donna and what she's describing, I found gut wrenchingly hard. :-("Yes, that was hard to read as well! But extremely well written with the sensitivities given to those tasked with having to ask the hard questions.
The focus of my work was investigating the crimes rather than working with the offenders. I can't answer the questions in your first paragraph.Thanks for your observations regarding chapter one. It's intended to engender horror and disgust in the mind of the reader. It certainly does in mine. I did think long and hard about including the brief description of the vile video Galbraith is watching, but after discussing it with the editor, concluded it was central to the story. As I said to another member of the group, there are no further descriptions of this kind anywhere in the book. Not a single one. That's important to me. I wanted to convey the truly terrible nature of the crimes involved, but without going into any descriptive detail.
This is my first group discussion, and I didn't know what to expect. I have to say I'm really impressed by the informed and intelligent nature of the questions posed by group members. I don't think it's any coincidence that all those who have commented are female. Any observations?
I'm at almost 80% now. Have faith, Good Thrillers, the police are on the case! I really don't want to spoil anything for any of you, so I'll leave it at that.
I completely understand what people are saying regarding chapter 12. No child should have to experience such things. I hope that the manner in which it's written conveys the social worker and police officer's concern for the child. In my experience the professionals who chose to undertake this difficult task have the child's interests very much at the forefront of their minds.
John wrote: "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 a..."That's completely understandable. Do you have other books in your head to write?
Hi Benda, I've started a new book. I can't say too much about it at this stage because it's a follow up of a kind. One of the characters in White is central to the story. To say which one now would give too much away.
Mod
John, how long were you thinking about writing Colour before you actually sat down to do it? Perhaps while you were still on the job?
Thanks John! What is the toughest aspect of writing for you?
E. wrote: "Good thing Cam. I'm pretty sure you were the catalyst for this whole thing. =}"Too funny E!
Janet wrote: "I don't know if this comes up in the book or not but and I know it's a difficult question - does anyone think a paedophile can be rehabilitated?"Wow. That's a tough question. And a good one at that.
Janet wrote: "It must be difficult for men in many ways. On the one hand they have strong feelings of protectiveness that's almost primal towards their loved ones and even people they don't know. It's instinctua..."I get that, Janet. Good observation.
Janet wrote: "It must be difficult for men in many ways. On the one hand they have strong feelings of protectiveness that's almost primal towards their loved ones and even people they don't know. It's instinctua..."I get that, Janet. Good observation.
A big Thanks a lot to Janet and Sean for setting this up! We are such a lucky group, eh, class?
Angel wrote: "whats book is it? im lost lol"Angel, it is "White is the Coldest Colour" by John Nicholl.
John wrote: "Hi Benda, I've started a new book. I can't say too much about it at this stage because it's a follow up of a kind. One of the characters in White is central to the story. To say which one now would..."This sounds intriguing!! Do you have a timeframe for when it will be published?
Mod
Janet wrote: "3:10 am and I've finished!! I know what the next story will be about!"3:10 am?? You go girl! LOL. Says a lot about how much you liked the book :)
Janet wrote: "3:10 am and I've finished!! I know what the next story will be about!"Cheater. ; )
Go Janet! I'm only 10% in.
I've just been back reading through all the questions and answers... Great job guys! Really fascinating reading your answers John.
This group read is a fantastic idea, gets everyone discussing!
I've just been back reading through all the questions and answers... Great job guys! Really fascinating reading your answers John.
This group read is a fantastic idea, gets everyone discussing!
Hi, Janet, finished already. You're a fast reader! So many questions to answer. Thanks for all the interest, it's truly appreciated!
I didn't think about writing the book until about two and a half years ago. I couldn't have written it any sooner than I did. A good deal of time needed to pass. My life is very different now. I hope my next book will be published in about nine months time, all being well.
Hi Christine, I sat down and started writing one day and had no real idea where the story was going. The book evolved over a two year period with lots of rewriting. I came close to deleting the entire manuscript several times. Anyway, I got there in the end for what it's worth. I was wondering if anyone would read it! The response has far exceeded my expectations.
Thanks for the kind comment, Kimberley, it's appreciated.
A final reminder that if anyone bought the ebook prior to 12, June, and wants the updated version, please contact me at nicholl06@hotmail.com No charge!
Janet wrote: "3:10 am and I've finished!! I know what the next story will be about!"Me, too, Janet! I finished this morning!
Janet wrote: "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! :)"Thanks Janet I feel better now. My little boy turned 2 yesterday and I had no time to read at at all !
Hi Brenda, That was fast. There's some fast readers out there! I hope you found the book interesting?
John wrote: "Hi Brenda, That was fast. There's some fast readers out there! I hope you found the book interesting?"Absolutely! I'm now formulating a review in my head, but I can tell you it's a 5 star rating. Thank you so much for participating here with us, John. I hope as others finish, we'll start talking without spoiling it for anyone.
Hi H N, The toughest part of writing the book was conveying the horror of the crimes involved without using any graphic descriptions with the exception of the few lines in chapter one. In the end I decided to portray sections of interviews with victims, while avoiding discussion of the detail. Most people seem to think this works fairly well. The book is a condemnation of men like Galbraith, Sherwood, Davies and the others, and all they stand for.
Mod
Mod
Thanks so much Brenda, that's really appreciated! I would be hugely grateful if you could find the time to add your planned review to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com in addition to Goodreads. I didn't know what to expect from the group read, but it's been a really interesting process. Some of the questions have been extremely insightful and thought provoking. It's a bit like being back discussing the subject with professional groups or university students!
