Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Girl in Red: A Chilling Psychological Thriller by John Nicholl is a novel with strong psychological underpinnings, a novel that explores the depths of an abusive relationship and what it takes to make difficult choices. Kathy finds herself in a fix, for what began as a beautiful relationship with Police Inspector Michael Conner quickly turns into mental slavery. Conner’s behavior suddenly changes after their wedding and he becomes a control freak. Life becomes unbearable for her and when she tries to run off, Conner convinces everyone that she is mentally ill. But her twin sister Anna thinks differently and she knows her sister needs her help. The two sisters execute a plan to end Kathy’s suffering, but will they succeed against a man as ruthless and as controlling as Conner?

John Nicholl hasn’t only plotted this novel expertly but has written it in a masterly manner. It is engrossing, psychologically exciting and with characters that are hard to ignore. Kathy Conner is the perfect example of what many women experience in abusive relationships. And her policeman husband is very manipulative. Kathy has reported the abuses, but the husband convinces his superiors that she is mentally unstable. It is interesting to follow her through the mental torture and to see her find a great ally in her sister. The emotional level of the novel is excellent. The prose is exciting and the conflict so well managed that it escalates at a great pace, without letting readers lose interest in either the characters or the storyline. The Girl in Red: A Chilling Psychological Thriller is a fantastic read with gorgeous characters.