Reading Between the Wines book review #99/135 for 2022:
Rating: 2 🍷 🍷
Book 📱: The Cellar
Author: John Nicholl
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
RELEASED on November 7, 2022!!!

Sipping thoughts: Extremely dark and disturbing. The blurb had me intrigued and the first chapter grabbed me by the throat. As disturbing as the scenes from the cellar were it was the best part of the book. I felt the police chapters were boring and draggy. The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion. I would like to give Nicholl’s another chance but this book was not a winner for me.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for an advanced copy of @TheCellar.

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A serial killer hones his skills and prepares to create his soulmate from his next choice. Lucy goes about her everyday life, unaware that a killer has her in his sights...
The Cellar is a graphic serial killer novel set in the UK, on the border between England and Wales.
The premise of this book is fascinating. A killer wants a woman to join him on his killing spree and he has chosen artist Lucy. There is a distinctly sinister and ominous tone to the first part of the book as he stalks his prey and kills other women in the meantime. The danger becomes more threatening as he seizes Lucy and holds her captive in the cellar, preparing to indoctrinate her in his heinous ways.
A word of warning: this book is not for the faint hearted. It contains explicit depictions of dismemberment, mistreatment of dead bodies, body disposal and sexual gratification from killing. However, despite the gruesome content, I was completely hooked: revolted by Gove, fearful for Lucy, and totally absorbed in the plot and characters.
Gove has obviously been damaged by his past which would initiate our sympathy if he had not chosen the path of killing others. I was firmly on Lucy's side as she faces the unthinkable in order to survive. The plot develops as a speedy pace and was tense throughout. I felt that the ending was perhaps a little rushed but it was certainly dramatic!
The Cellar is a disturbing but enthralling serial killer thriller.

The mind of ex-nurse, and lottery winner Marcus Gove, is a dark and disturbing place to be, and Lucy has found herself in his sights.
She finds herself naked, and shackled in a cellar, and is soon a victim of his sadistic ways. He hopes that she will become his partner in crime, but Lucy fights him all the way. Pretending to play along with his games, it is a matter of survival, and she finds herself doing unspeakable tasks that she must pass just to stay alive.
Although I found it a bit gruesome in places, I did enjoy this book. It certainly makes you wonder what goes on in the minds of the people around you.
This is the second book that I have read in this series, and I will be on the look out for more.

This is a dark, disturbing and violent psychological thriller that pulls no punches and is highly descriptive which may be a bit much for some; I admit that I winced and drew breath a few times but kept going as I was gripped and already highly invested in the story.

The characters are excellent and feel real. Marcus Gove is a despicable person; I can't even bring myself to call him a human being he is that bad, he is a sad, twisted and demented individual who has absolutely no moral compass or redeeming qualities whatsoever - an absolutely brilliant character and one you love to hate.

Lucy is a young woman who is generally content apart from being in an unfulfilling relationship and her mum being diagnosed with cancer but things get a whole lot worse when she comes into the crosshairs of Marcus Gove and her world turns into the most horrendous nightmare.

Ray Lewis is the detective tasked with finding Lucy; not so easy when there are few clues and even less evidence and whilst he may be unfit, unhealthy and thought of as a dinosaur, he goes about his business in a methodical way with some much-needed humour.

Told from the points of view of each of the main characters and at a really good pace, this is a book that has you wanting to put down at times due to the graphic nature of what is being written and not put it down due to the gripping nature of the story ... not put it down won out with me.

This is the first book by John Nicholl I have read before and it certainly won't be the last especially if they are as addictive and compelling as this has been and I therefore have no hesitation in recommending it to others who love a gritty and dark thriller who don't mind graphic and disturbing details that have you wincing as you read.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cellar.

My Review: What an incredibly clever spine chiller, it’s a bit but not quite Silence of the Lambs meets one of Joy Fieldings thrillers. My stomach turned many times and yet, I couldn’t put it down, I just had to know what happens to Lucy, the chosen one. We meet Marcus Gove when he is being interviewed by perm haired psychologist Dr Barton. It’s such a harsh story. Art meets Eery.

I started reading and I couldn't get in to the story at all.

I'll maybe give it another go at some point, but it just wasn't gripping me to make me want to read on.

The Cellar by John Nicholl
Nurse. Protégé. Murderer.
Marcus Gove has been all these things. He's reached the pinnacle of his art, and now it's time for him to take a protégé. Lovely Lucy is perfect for the role, or she will be.
Artist. Teacher. Daughter.
Lucy Williams is just like everyone else. She's had some success as an artist, not so much success in love, but she's getting by. But soon, she will have to become something else if she wants to be a survivor.
Detective. Ex-husband. Underdog.
Ray Lewis's career isn't heading anywhere. But he's a solid detective determined to find Lucy no matter what the upper brass throw at him.
Three people. Nineteen days. Who will live, and who will die?
I have relished all of John's books, and this one is no different. It's so darkly delicious, a graphic, deeply harrowing read that's gripping and unsettling, definitely not for those with a nervous disposition, a terrific fast-paced thriller.

Now, here is an author that I find better than some of the most famous horror and psychological thriller etc authors out there in the big wide world! His books are not for the faint hearted! as they are gruesome and gory and they are Just Brilliant!
So when John Nicholl has a new book out I have to put everything on hold and start to read his books!!! and become apart of his tale! He never disappoints!

WoW!!! The Cellar by John Nicholl was OMG Brilliant from start to finish I can't praise this author enough! The Cellar is as dark as one book can get. So be warned its Not for the faint hearted again and it's just brilliant again. It has everything you want from a book, great well written book, great realistic characters, very graphic, its gruesome and so gory from start to finish that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and what more can you ask for!

John Nicholl's book are well, just amazing and I have enjoyed all his books so far........I don't think his brain every stops thinking of his next superb books to write..........Every book has just taken my breathe away.

I highly recommend all of his books! They are Superb! If I could give this book 10 stars I would. So max stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC – this is my review.

‘Dark, disturbing and gripping. This is not for the faint of heart.’ You got that right! From the very beginning we know we are dealing with a very dark and disturbed man, graphic from the onset this is one book that is truly not for the faint of heart! It has been a long time since I have read something that has violence like this and you know what? It was a welcome change to the fluffy happy cozy murder books that I read often.

The story had me hooked and ticked along at a nice pace, though when I got to the that final few chapters I was beginning to wonder how the police were going to figure out who was behind taking Lucy and how it was all going to be wrapped up in such a short period, whilst I feel the last few chapters were a little rushed after such a strong build-up it, they did it justice though.

This is my first book by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last.

5 stars

Marcus Gove is a nurse, but not one who likes to save lives. His next victim will be Lucy.
It will be down to Ray Lewis to save her.

This was a gripping novel from start to finish, to the extent it made my skin crawl and my spine tingle reading certain chapters. This novel will have you on the edge of your seat and even sometimes scared.

This is a really dark novel with characters that are written so well I could see them as real; although I did not want to meet them.

Nicholl writes a narrative that is graphic and has bits that made my stomach turn, so although this is a heavy read in places this is one I would recommend for those who don’t mind anything too graphic.

It’s not often that a book renders me speechless but The Cellar at times did just that. This is a fantastic and gory thriller with so many omg moments and it certainly isn’t for the faint hearted. Never before have I been afraid reading a book at night but this one was a day time read for me. As soon as I’d read the first page I was completely gripped and knew this was a book that would be quite horrifying but also one that I was going to love. The writing is brilliant and the protagonist is a truly despicable and horrible person who I despised from the very start. If you want an unputdownable and at times horrifying read I highly recommend this book. Absolutely brilliant.

If you're after a gripping horror thriller then this is your book! Fantastic visuals as the horror of things unfolds. Really great writing which sees us follow (and begin to feel like she's a friend) lovely Lucy as she goes about her every day life. As the story progresses, we find out that Lucy is somewhat of an esteemed artist and catches someone's eye - the perfect proposal which is definitely too good to be true.
Lucy's family are portrayed as pretty switched on which leaves Lucy as a little stubborn but as that is something I can relate to, I can forgive this!
The main protagonist is someone I actually despise. A well written character who is so vile and nightmare inducing, at times I just wanted to stop reading! He is such an obvious psychopath always wondering to himself if "his tendency to kindness [was] clouding his thinking?". A despicable character!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Gruesome and gory! This book will thrill and disturb you at the same time. A dark and twisted psychological thriller that will suck you in on page one and spit you out in shambles at the end!

Marcus Gove is a vile and sadistic serial killer, with enough money to sustain his brutal hobby. He’s careful when selecting victims. Driving to a nearby city and selecting vulnerable girls that won’t be missed. He’s cautious and doesn’t attract attention. But then a local girl catches his attention. Lovely Lucy is destined to be his. He just needs to be careful.

Not that any sane person would ever want to befriend a serial killer…but if they did, Marcus would be at the bottom of the list. He is depraved and evil. You’ll be thrilled to pieces when you read the conclusion and find out just what a bitch karma can be!

“Gove bent easily at the waist, placing his face only inches from hers. And then he opened his mouth wide and licked her, poking out his tongue, leaving warm saliva smeared across one cheek and eye as she flinched back in apparent fear. The look of total shock on her face amused him immensely as she urgently reached for her panic alarm.”

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There have been so many brilliant psychological thriller released this last few months. This author is one of my favourites. I have been saying that a lot too! John Nicholl knows how to write a fabulously dark and delicious tale. I just knew I would enjoy this!

The Cellar is as dark as it can get. Be warned, if you don't like gruesome and gory it won't be one for you. If you do, read on. It's as always, superbly written and with well developed and realistic characters. Who, well, you shall see, when you read it!

We meet Marcus Gove, a man who has won the lottery and is also a psychopath. He made it his mission to buy a remote house and kit his Cellar out to kill his victims and mutilate them too. Gove has lined Lucy up to be his next victim. When she disappears D.S Ray Lewis is the officer in charge of the investigation into Lucy's whereabouts. Will he be able to get to the bottom of whats happened before Lucy becomes Gove's latest victim?

Told from multiple points of view, with Gove being the most hateful characters. Lucy is a woman who I was right behind. She is determined that she will get through this situation she finds herself in. Lewis is a copper who is a doggedly determined man. Knowing Lucy's disappearance isn't marked as important doesn't deter him. I liked how his humour lightened the story a little too.

I was scarily captivated by this dark and gruesome tale. I couldn't tear myself away. John Nicholl's past experiences within the social services and the police always make his books real. Scarily real. His understanding of the psychology of a criminals mind makes for an addictive read. If you love a dark, gory psychological thriller that will have the hairs on your arm stand up, pick up this book.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley.

My parents have a cellar that used to be our playroom as kids, and when they lights went out it was as scary as.....

This is my first book by Nicholl's and definitely won't be my last. It's very well written and the plot is just like, wow...it's dark, disturbing and serial killer central!

Lucy was my favourite character. Can you imagine being kidnapped because you couldn't make an appointment?

The Cellar is fast paced from beginning to end, twisty and is a proper edge of your seat, suspense thriller.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"He was a man devoid of a moral compass, that moronic sense of right and wrong that lesser men indulged. He felt no guilt, no remorse. Not for her, not for any of them."
Nurse. Protégé. Murderer. Marcus Grove has been all these things. He's reached the pinnacle of his art and now it's time to take a protégé. Lucy is perfect for the role, or she will be... Artist. Teacher. Daughter. Lucy Williams is just like everyone else. She's had some success as an artist, not so much success in love, but she's getting by. Soon she's going to have to become something else if she wants to be a survivor. Detective. Ex-husband. Underdog. Ray Lewis' career isn't heading anywhere. But he's a solid detective and determined to find Lucy no matter what. Three people. Nineteen days. Who will live and who will die?
This book is most assuredly dark, disturbing and gripping. We get a real insight into Marcus' mind and it is not a pretty place to be. I was always relieved when the story went to someone else's point of view because it wasn't so intense. Marcus is a psychopath and it is evident from the very moment he is introduced into the story. He gets a sick thrill off killing and torturing his victims. I will admit I was relieved that the book didn't go into much detail about the process! It details him finding his victims and what happens after, but we are spared in between!!
I could tell from the start that this book was going to be dark and twisty and it was! I honestly did not want to put it down until I was finished. The author does a masterful job of giving the various characters life and distinguishing their personalities, thank god! The author easily transports you into the story which in this case is both good and bad, haha. Some elements were easy to see coming but the book is very big on the psychological aspect.
My only complaint with this book is that it felt like it was resolved too nicely and too easily. I wanted more. I won't say anything to avoid spoilers, but it just felt like a lot of fortunate coincidences in a story that had none up until that point. However, this book is amazing and if you are a fan of psychological thrillers or just serial killer themed books you should check this one out for sure!

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

This is the first John Nicholl book I’ve read, but it won’t be the last.

Lucy is an artist who is in a bad marriage and has decided it’s time to end it. Marcus Gove is a serial killer who is obsessed with Lucy and comes up with a ruse to kidnap her because he thinks she’s the one. He enjoys torturing women, and it gets to the point that she’d almost rather be dead.

Detectives work constantly for several days until they finally get a break. But will it be soon enough to save Lucy? The answer is unexpected and one that surprised me.

The Cellar is definitely not for the faint at heart. It’s graphic, a little more than I care for, but it has a strong woman as the main character. She just makes some bad decisions. I liked reading about the detectives and how they worked the case. Overall, it’s a great read.

The Cellar by John Nicholl

Grim, ghoulish, and gruesome, this dark tale of torture and murder of helpless women by a creepy crazy man is a page turner. That said, I had trouble connecting with the main characters and found them a bit more cartoon character in description than real.

Lucy was a pleaser that didn’t seem to have much backbone or street smarts. The phrase that kept coming to my mind while reading about her was too stupid to live [TSTL] as she made choices contrary to those any intelligent person would make. Nurse Gove was obviously crazy from the first chapter of the book and how he managed to avoid being hospitalized rather than allowed to work in a psych hospital for criminals or caught when it became obvious that he was not right remains a mystery. The characters that I could relate to were Lucy’s mother and sister and the police who eventually put the puzzle pieces of Lucy’s disappearance together. As much as I found Lucy and Gove’s dance in the cellar to be unrealistic, I came to admire Lucy’s pluck and determination.

The writing was easy to read, the pacing quick, the most gruesome details limited, and the story complete on the last page. If you don’t mind graphic violence that includes blows but not every single infliction of pain, a damsel in distress, a crazy killer, and police doing their best…this book could be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC – this is my review.

4 Stars

This book was definitely not for me and I DNF. I didn't like the style of writing or the content. Not at all what I was expecting.

I love a good psychological thriller and I was intrigued by the description of the cellar. The opening chapter felt quite odd to me - it depicted a psychologist interviewing a senior nurse as part of his ongoing disciplinary procedure and his behaviour becoming increasingly repugnant and disturbing before he announces his resignation and walks out. I know this is fiction but it really annoyed me that this happened without any kind of follow up. I have worked as a health professional in the NHS and in secure units and this is very unrealistic. As the story progressed it was certainly gripping and very dark and disturbing. I struggled with the writing as there was a tendency for the author to include too much irrelevant information and whilst he is clearly very knowledgeable about the policing and crime aspects there are some basic details that are poorly researched that just niggled away at me, and things that I just felt wouldn't happen. I felt that the sequence of events towards the end were too convenient and the ending was rather rushed. As some other reviewers have said, there was a lot of masturbation! The characters were interesting, Lucy showed strength throughout her ordeal. Gove was loathsome! I think this has the promise of a very dark, gripping thriller, and clearly many people loved it.  Overall I think it's a good story and readers who love their books dark and disturbing will love it. For me however it fell short and there were elements that just didn't work for me.