Welcome to another Weekend Read. This week’s featured book is the psychological thriller, The Girl in the Attic by popular author John Nicholl. John has dropped by to tell us more about his book and his writing journey. So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to John.
Blurb
There’s so much to tell. Things I can’t say yet. Not because I don’t remember, but because some memories bite back when you touch them…
Olivia thought she knew darkness. Her childhood. The years in care homes. The fear of abandonment. The fear of loss and failure.
Now, as the door clangs shuts behind her – with her captor’s promise ringing in her ears that she’s ‘his’ forever – she realises that nowhere before has been as dark as her attic cell.
But, under the eaves, as she shivers in the cold and recalls how she was taken, Olivia starts to make a plan.
Because only she knows that the girl in the attic isn’t as innocent as her captor thinks… and that the deepest darkness might just be within her.
Buy Link
Welcome to my blog, John. Can you tell us about your writing journey?
Thanks, Karen. I didn’t set out to become a writer. If anything, writing found me in the quiet spaces between the lives I had already lived. Before the books, before the readers, there was my work in the police and child protection services. Years spent listening to stories that most people would rather turn away from. Stories that didn’t leave you when the working day ended. They followed you home, sat with you in silence, and shaped the way you saw the world.
I think that’s where it began, really. Not with an idea for a novel, but with a need to make sense of the darkness I had witnessed. Writing became a way of processing it, of giving structure to things that often felt chaotic and senseless. I never wanted to sensationalise pain. What mattered to me was truth. The emotional truth behind people’s actions, even the most disturbing ones.
When I first started writing, I did so quietly. Almost privately. There was no grand plan, no certainty that anyone would ever read my work. But the stories came, persistent and insistent, demanding to be told. I found myself drawn to characters who lived in the shadows, people shaped by trauma, by choices, by the weight of their pasts. They were not always likeable, but they were real to me.
Publishing my first book was both exhilarating and unsettling. To take something so personal and place it in the hands of strangers felt like a risk. Yet the response from readers was something I had not anticipated. Messages from people who connected with the characters, who recognised something of their own experiences in the pages. That, more than anything, stayed with me.
I write in the early hours, often before the day fully begins. There is a stillness then that allows me to slip into the minds of my characters without distraction. It is not always comfortable. In fact, it rarely is. Writing psychological thrillers means inhabiting difficult spaces, confronting uncomfortable truths. But I believe that is where the most honest stories lie.
I don’t think of writing as an escape. If anything, it is a confrontation. A way of exploring the complexities of human behaviour, of asking questions that do not always have answers. Each book is a journey into the darker corners of the human psyche, but also, I hope, a reminder of resilience, of survival.
I’m still learning with every story I write. Still listening. Still trying to understand.
The Girl in the Attic, my latest book, number 18, was published on 8 April. It’s another twisty, dark psychological thriller, exploring the extremes of human behaviour.
The book is written in the first person, in the voice of Olivia, an art student in West Wales. A captive who is not nearly as innocent as her abductor thinks.
What a fascinating writing journey, John. Wishing you lots of success with your new book and future work.
Meet John
Author bio
John Nicholl is a Welsh author renowned for his gripping psychological thrillers and crime novels. Born and raised in West Wales, Nicholl draws upon his experiences as a former police officer, child protection social worker, and lecturer to craft compelling narratives that delve into the darkest corners of human nature. His work often explores themes of justice, psychological manipulation, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Nicholl’s transition to writing began after leaving a career in law enforcement and social services, where he witnessed the harsh realities of crime and its impact on victims. These experiences lend authenticity and depth to his stories, which are known for their vivid characters, intricate plots, and emotionally charged storytelling.
He debuted with the bestselling novel The Doctor, a chilling psychological thriller that introduced readers to his distinctive style. This was followed by a string of successful novels, including The Wife and The Cop. Nicholl’s books have resonated with readers worldwide, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
In addition to his novels, Nicholl is an advocate for raising awareness about abuse and mental health issues, using his platform to address societal challenges. When not writing, he enjoys the tranquil surroundings of West Wales, where he continues to draw inspiration for his work.
Contact links
More of John’s books
Karen King 