Group Read - White Is The Coldest Colour by John Nicholl - July

[Christine]

John wrote: "Hi again Christine, I know it's off the point, but I thought I'd mention that I visited the USA with my family a few years back. We drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and loved it. We hope t..."

John, that must have been a lot of fun! I love San Francisco. If you came again, where would you go?

[John]

Hi Christine, We loved San Francisco; it felt relaxed and friendly. We stayed in China Town. We also really liked the smaller towns on the journey like Cambria, Carmel and Monterey. We've always wanted to see The Grand Canyon, although there are many other parts of America that look well worth visiting. So much to see and so little time! Have you ever been to the UK?

[Cameron]

John, and Christine is correct - there are a lot of American readers on your book - and I feel a lot more to come.

[Christine]

John wrote: "Hi Christine, We loved San Francisco; it felt relaxed and friendly. We stayed in China Town. We also really liked the smaller towns on the journey like Cambria, Carmel and Monterey. We've always w..."

I would love to visit Carmel, John. That's a place I never got to on my trips to the area. Have gotten some great Chinese food in Chinatown though! I have never been to the UK, but a trip there is definitely on the bucket list. It's my first choice in terms of an out-of-States destination.

[Christine]

Stephanie wrote: "We made the drive a few times from San Diego to LA to San Francisco (we flew into CA from IL) ... A few relatives to visit!! Favorite city was San Francisco and love Carmel and Monterrey!!! Now, y..."

Oh, that sounds like great fun,vStephanie!

[John]

It's a beautiful part of the world.

[John]

I'd be really grateful if those of you who like the book, would recommend it to your Goodreads friends. I'm hugely appreciative of the reviews received so far. Thank you all for taking the time.

[John]

Thanks, Perri, for your review of the book. I appreciate you taking the time.

This is probably a good time to remind everyone that an updated version of the book went live on Amazon on 12, June. If you purchased the ebook prior to that date, and require the correct version, please contact me at nicholl06@hotmail.com. No charge, of course!

[Christine]

Yep, spreading the word like wildfire, John.

[IShita]

so.. I just finished the book. This was a hard book to finish without giving in to the urge to put it down because of it's horror! I was quite literally shaking as I read further on. IDK how you could've done such a job, day in, day out, even to make yourself a living, John!

(view spoiler)[ I am a bit too shaken, to be honest, right now. I have somewhat mixed feelings for the end. IDK if it's because I think it was an easy way out for that *insert a slang* or because I think that he should've suffered more! It just lacked that intensity as compared to the rest of the book. It didn't hit me that hard, if I'm being honest and plain. He's stabbed to death by his pathetic wife. That sounds a little cliched to me.
Also, now I know who the second book is about but I'm not so sure I understand why? She might take some time to recover and all but what's more? Unless she'll turn into a perverted maniac like her husband (which I highly doubt), why a book on her?
Chapter #46 (Doctor interview) & #47 (Cynthia interview) were excellently written. I could feel the tension as if I was in the room myself! I can only imagine how Gravel could've gotten a hold on himself and not punch him in the face. But above all, I was so terribly frustrated by Cynthia! That woman was so terrified by her husband that she wouldn't even breath if he'd ask her not to. I couldn't sympathize with her during the interview and rather fought to hold my frustration in. If that was the intention behind them- you nailed it! (hide spoiler)]

Honestly, if it weren't for you, John, I wouldn't have written a review for this one. Although I have an idea about how I feel, I don't know if I'd be able to put it down as clearly as I'd like to. I'll try my best nonetheless once I sleep it off a little.
A recommendable first book, congratulations.

[John]

Thank you, Christine, I really appreciate the attention you're bringing to the book. Your review has 22 likes on Goodreads already. That's brilliant!

Hi Ishita, I appreciate you reading the book, but please don't feel you have to write a review if you think it would prove too difficult. It is a dark book, but I hope with a positive message. As to the work, it's not a job anyone should do indefinitely. I talked in the book about the stress the investigating professionals were under. That's very real. I don't think anyone truly anticipates the impact the work will have on them when they first enter the field. A few years have now passed, which enabled me to write the novel.

[IShita]

Now that I've slept it off a little, I think I'll give it a try. I now understand why everyone said they needed time, hah.

Yes, I could see the book overflowing with experience. The proceedings and enquiries, the stress- it was all so real! And it sort of made me snort a little when I read the line, "no wonder some of them drink". In my head I was like "experience talking, eh Mr. Author?". Lol.

[John]

Thanks, Ishita, I'll look forward to finding out what you think.

[Christine]

Ishita, thanks for putting your feelings out there. I love all the discussion this book is generating! And it should make people want to see for themselves.

[Jan]

Just checking in to see if everyone is ready to start group discussions tomorrow or if there are some that need extra time? Not trying to rush anyone! Just don't want to start talking about spoilers for those not finished yet. :)

[David]

Great to see a group read with so much participation. I just wish I'd had the spare time to be a part of it.

[Stefanie]

I just finished last night and I am going to go back and read everybody's comments, so if I am being repetitive I apologize. My son's birthday party is today (he's 2!) so I probably wont get to it until tomorrow AM. But I wanted to ask you a quick question John.
I understand that Galbraith is more than a pedophile. He is obviously a sociopath as well and a sadist. But I had a bit of trouble comprehending why all these grown men (many criminal types themselves, like Wayne Fisher) were so afraid of him? Can you help me with that?

[Stefanie]

Also John, I know there has been some debate about the ending but I loved it! I am not sure how to hide spoilers so if someone tells me I have a question about Anthony. Thanks

[Christine]

I am not John, Stef, but I would have to think Wayne and the other sheep feared Galbraith as he is extremely intimidating and has killed. And is clearly a hothead so could be very impulsive. No one wants to cross the guy!

[Brenda]

Stef, in addition to what Chris said, I think Galbraith also gained a bit of control by easily providing what the others wanted. He also took on the risk and made it easy for the others.

[Christine]

Definitely, Brenda. Good point.

[Jan]

I think Chapter One highlights exactly what both Chris and Brenda wrote but wondering if there is more to it? Remember what happened to Sherwood when Dr G sensed that Sherwood was conflicted on how far Dr G was willing to take the abuse. He thought nothing of disposing those in his way

[John]

Hi Stephanie, I think you've answered your own question. The other sex offenders recognise that Galbraith is a psychopath; a man prone to extreme violence. His capacity for inflicting suffering on others knows no bounds.
I'd delighted you liked the ending. It's divided opinion. But, at least people are discussing it. I'm grateful for that. Before publishing I was wondering if anyone would real the book at all!

[Christine]

I can assure you that you are not dreaming, John, lol.

[John]

Hi Brenda, I think there would be an element of compliance based on met needs. You've got a point.

[John]

Hi Christine, I'll pinch myself to make sure.

[Jean]

I was expecting the more obvious ending - those who have finished will probably know what I mean - but there is an added dimension to the ending as you wrote it. I thought it was brilliant!

[John]

Thanks, Jean, that means a lot.

[John]

Thanks, Stephanie, it's appreciated.

[Christine]

I agree. I was very happy with the end.

[John]

Hi Christine, It seems more people are happy with the ending than I anticipated. Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback

[Stefanie]

Christine wrote: "I am not John, Stef, but I would have to think Wayne and the other sheep feared Galbraith as he is extremely intimidating and has killed. And is clearly a hothead so could be very impulsive. No o..."

Good point Chris, I just couldn't help thinking that one of these criminals would look at this guy like "who the hell do you think you are?" but after reading your and Brenda's comments I realize that since he was in charge of the ring and had such a position of power in the community not to mention no problem ending a life these guys just didn't want to cross him!

[Stefanie]

*****SPOILER*****
Sorry guys couldn't figure out how to hide it. John ( an anybody who would like to answer), can you help clarify one thing for me? I know that Galbraith overdosed Anthony with sedative and he decided that regardless of whether or not he regained consciousness he was going to kill him in 48 hours. Did Anthony regain consciousness and did Galbraith then abuse him? The reason I thought he might have is because Galbraith had him handcuffed to the wall.

[Jean]

DITTO ON THE SPOILER!!!!
Good question, Stefanie. He was having trouble waking him, so I wondered if he molested him while he was still out.

[Stefanie]

Good to know I'm not the only one Jean! I was hesitant to post the question because I'm thinking "is it obvious and am I just missing something?"

[John]

Galbraith didn't abuse Anthony, because the boy remained unconscious. Galbraith is excited by inflicting suffering. He want's to witness his victim's fear. He want's to see the terror in Anthony's eyes. He's the ultimate sadist.

[Brenda]

Phew, that's good to know, John. I didn't get an impression that Anthony had been abused, but Stefanie's question got me wondering!

[IShita]

It's also mentioned somewhere in the book, Stef, so far as I remember. He does lurk on the idea but then decides that he's never believed in the idea of molesting an unconscious child because he wants them to see it and he wants to see them suffer. Like John said, he's the ultimate sadist.

(view spoiler)[ Not being critical, the end was okay but, I feel it was a little cliched and a little rushed. And it was a little predictable, TBH. Even the part when she sits down to listen to that record while waiting for the police to arrive. It felt like at some level, it was just intended to mark an end to the story before it went on longer than it needed to. I would've liked to know a little more about what happens to Anthony and his family after the doctor's death. How is he returned to the family and what change does it bring in them as a family. Did mike and Molly ever get back together? (hide spoiler)]

Stephanie to put your comments in spoiler tags use < spoiler > and when you're done use < / spoiler > sans the spaces. Hope this helps :)

[Stefanie]

Thanks Ishita, that does help, I do recall the part of the book where Galbraith stated how useless and unconscious child was to him but when he was found handcuffed to the wall I wondered if he came to

[IShita]

I think he handcuffed him soon as he bought him inside the room. Maybe he does that with every victim. For should they try to escape. And they'll obviously fight back if he tries to abuse them without restrains. Which brings me to my question-
(view spoiler)[ What happens to the children who get taken to the "barn"? Do they handcuff them all? And if they don't, don't these children protest? They might be frightened by what they did to the animals but even so, they couldn't have just lied there and let them do what they did? Poor kids! (hide spoiler)]

[Jean]

John, thanks. That's pretty much what I thought (even though Galbraith seemed to be getting pretty desperate at that stage). I also thought that he perhaps had molested Anthony and that Anthony had gone unconscious again.

[Jan]

Hi John, here's a question I've been waiting to ask, will put in spoiler because I know Cameron is still reading
(view spoiler)[ I'm curious as to why Dr G didn't abuse his daughters, outside of ignoring them. While his preference was little boys, what about the pedophile ring?
I found myself anticipating the abuse to start being directed more at his own children...seems like it would have been in his nature to leave no child unharmed as evil as he was. Is a pedophile typically like Dr G and drawn to one gender only? (hide spoiler)]

[Stefanie]

Jean wrote: "John, thanks. That's pretty much what I thought (even though Galbraith seemed to be getting pretty desperate at that stage). I also thought that he perhaps had molested Anthony and that Anthony had..."
That what I was thinking too Jean

[Stefanie]

Jan wrote: "Hi John, here's a question I've been waiting to ask, will put in spoiler because I know Cameron is still reading
I'm curious as to why Dr G didn't abuse his daughters, outside of ignoring them. W..."

John this question coincides with the one Jan asked (view spoiler)[ When we met Davies he was at a case conference for abusing twin four year old girls, then it seemed that he was interested in having his turn with Anthony, I'm trying to recall what I was taught in my abnormal psychology lessons, but is that because pedophiles who are attracted to very young children (under 4 for example) are attracted to both genders since girls and boys differ so little at that tender age? (hide spoiler)]

[John]

Hi Jan, hi Jean, hi Stefanie, Galbraith doesn't abuse his daughters because he's only interested in preadolescent boys. The girls stay safe because he ignores their existence. It's not unusual for sexual predators a have a specific victim profile, but there are many such criminals, such as Gary Davies, who pose a risk to any child, irrespective of age and gender.

[John]

Hi Stefanie, I'm interested to know in what context you studied abnormal psychology?

[John]

Hi Ishita, They wouldn't all be handcuffed. There would be violence, threats of violence, and manipulative psychological pressure such as that inflicted on Anthony.

[Christine]

John, I often see the words psychopath and sociopath used interchangably. I always thought paychopaths would plan their crimes down tothe last detail and interact basically normally in social situations. Not so with sociopaths. What is your understanding of this? If I am thinking correctly, Galbraith would be considered a psychopath, right?

[John]

Hi Christine. Both are pop psychology terms for what are essentially antisocial behavioural disorders. Sociopaths, in general, tend to be more impulsive and erratic than their psychopathic counterparts. I'd label Galbraith a psychopath, albeit one who is gradually losing control as his offfending behaviour escalates.

[Christine]

OK, John. Thanks!

Is there anyone out there who is looking in, but is NOT ready to dispense with spoilers?