A tense and dark thriller .
Aidan Cullen is a writer of crime fiction and a best selling one at that .
He lives a very reclusive life , keeping himself to himself.
He shares his home with Luke a friend from university and the dog Nanook .
Things are quite stagnant in Aidan’s life until a murder takes place near by to his home .
When the police come calling Aidan realises that the murder is the same as one that took place is one of his books .
He finds himself in the middle of the police investigation, which he’s not entirely happy about .
The murders begin to mount up and they are straight off the pages of the crime novels , even the latest one to be published.
Who can be doing it?
It must be someone close to the reclusive author , but how close?
This book is deliciously dark and perfectly written , I’d expect no less from the author.
Pull up your favourite chair and hold on for a rollercoaster read !
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, Chapter One.

This was a hugely entertaining read right up to the last few lines which made me question everything I thought I had learned in devouring this book!

The story is told to us by Aiden from the first night he tries to celebrate with this friends that he has become a published author through his self isolation and on to his current concerns over someone imitating his art and making all of his Chapter One's happen. This might not sound such a bad thing until you realise that Aiden writes crime/thrillers eeek!

I found this a very easy to read book and I loved the addition of Nanook, Aiden's dog, who became such an important part of his story. All of the characters we met through this book had a real feeling about them, all of their actions and reactions felt natural and the story seemed to flow well around and between them all. Once I got near the ending there was no way I was putting this down, I just had to know what was going on and that last part of the ending well, I guess that's something that you'll need to read this to find out about because I'm not going to spoil it and tell you but it's worth reading this story just for those few lines and how much it made me question myself and what I had just read!

Another brilliant book by Michael Wood. This is a really good psychological thriller that keeps a reader on their toes to the the very end making a reader second guess themselves. Really well written and an absolute gem of a book. Thank you for advanced copy.

Aidan Cullen has always dreamed of becoming a successful crime writer. However, the joy of releasing his first book quickly turned into a nightmare when he was brutally attacked and left for dead. And this traumatic experience has left him extremely paranoid and struggling with his mental health.

Now five years on, Aidan has published a series of successful crime thrillers and is preparing for the release of his latest work. But he is also a recluse, living in a beautiful yet heavily secured home complete with massive iron gates, nestled in a picturesque village in the Derbyshire countryside. With his dog Nanook and his friend Luke, who visits when he can. As his only companions.

However Aidan's reclusive lifestyle is abruptly disrupted when a murder occurs near his home. In fact, he can see the flashing blue lights, detectives, and forensics working at the crime scene from his house. And this proximity makes him realise that his sanctuary might not be as secure as he had once believed.

And it isn't long before the police come to interview Aidan, and another murder follows soon after, and a pattern emerges. Which leads Aidan to start to suspect that someone may be targeting him.

But is he right, or is it merely his paranoia talking? And with a truly claustrophobic feel to the story, perfect pacing, and tension that builds to epic proportions, Chapter One is a sharp, twisty and atmospheric tale. That screams Michael Wood wrote this and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to all.

Michael Wood is such a talented author, this book was thrilling, mysterious and clever!

Aidan Cullen is a reclusive thriller writer who hides himself away from the world in his Derbyshire home after suffering from an horrific attack 6 years earlier. His only company is his loyal dog Nanook and his friend Luke.

A series of murders brings the police to his door as he believes someone is basing them on his novels. He struggles with the invasion in his privacy as well as the potential risk to his safety.

I did guess the ending bit that didn’t spoil it as I enjoyed the reveal and there were still some surprises.

An amazing atmospheric book that you won’t want to miss out on!

Once again, Michael Wood, delivers a rollercoaster of a read!! Full of twists and turns! Great characters especially Aiden Cullen!

All Aiden Cullen wanted from life is to be a successful crime fiction writer, but his life was turned upside down when five years previously, after celebrating his book deal with friends he is set upon and viciously attacked and left for dead. Moving to the countryside with only his trusty dog Nanook for company, he builds a fortress of security around him complete with locked gates and security cameras. Living in fear that the attackers may return, his only friend Luke comes to stay and look out for him when he can, but Aiden is mostly alone, he never goes out, and his successful writing career is all he has left.
One night when he spots the blue lights and a forensic tent near his home it can only mean one thing – a murder has been committed on his doorstep. Terrified that his security may be breached, he starts to panic, especially when DS Katherine Marshall comes knocking. How will Aiden cope with the intrusions? And why is DS Marshall so keen to speak to him?
I listened to this on Audible last year, so naturally I wanted to re-read it when it became available in eBook – and I had forgotten just how dark and creepy this book is! I absolutely loved Aiden, and this was written from his POV which just added to the story so well. As the tale unfolds, we as the reader learn more about Aiden and the effect of his attack on his mental and physical health. I felt as though I wanted to read this from behind a pillow as I didn’t know what was coming next! It’s real steady, edge of your seat tension that keeps you up all hours! It was absolutely fantastic! Loved it!

Aiden Cullen has finally achieved his goal of becoming a published writer. He gets his friends together for a surprise party to announce his news. When he leaves, Aiden is attacked and left for dead.

Six years later and Aiden lives his life as a recluse in Derbyshire. His only companions are his dog, Nanook, and his best friend, Luke, who comes and goes.
When DS Katherine Marshall interviews Aiden following some local murders, Aiden notices that there is a link to him. Living in fear, can Aiden discover what is happening and stop his life from spiralling?

Goodness me, what a clever plot this story has! I was sucked into the tale from the first page, it made for a riveting read.

I liked the characters in the story, and I had a soft spot for Nanook, who is a white German Shepherd. He helped to keep Aiden calm when he was struggling, and you could feel their love for each other.

This is a dark and gritty thriller, where we discover more about Aiden’s life from prior to his attack, and how he copes with life now.

I was surprised by the ending as I hadn’t seen that coming at all, the author weaved his magic and kept me in suspense right up to the end.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Chapter One is a thrilling standalone read. . Aidan Cullen is a successful best selling author, who lives in in isolation with his best friend, Luke, after being a victim of a knife attack several years earlier. I was engrossed in this book and couldn't fathom how it was going to turn out. A surprising finale.

We start in the past, with Aidan Cullen who has striven for years to write his first book. He has finally made it and wants to share this moment with his closest friends. I say closest, they're not actually close as we will soon find out! So he hires the upstairs room of the uni pub they all used to drink in and, eventually most of them arrive. When the last one turns up, he is just announcing his success when he is gazumped by better news and, well, loses the crowd. His "friends" all leave to celebrate the other news, leaving him to dejectedly pack up his car. An event during which he is brutally attacked. An attack which leaves him traumatised and turns him into the recluse he is today. With only Luke - the friend that came back to find him that night, and dog Nanook for company in the big house in the country they all now live in, and which he hasn't left for years...
One book became two and now he has a whole series under his belt with the newest just about to be released. But then he hears some shocking news. The death of a women in very similar circumstances to the opening chapter of one of his books. Long story short, more of his books start to yield further identical murders. All coming under the investigation of DS Katherine Marshall who kinda befriends Aiden as he is feeling vulnerable cos Luke is working away, again.
Oh My Days. This book was all things brilliant for me. Although I did guess certain things early, I was never sure. I've been duped by this author on more than one occasion before so I am never wholly sure! He do love his curve balls! But my early tentative guess did in no way spoil the "moment"! I really loved his portrayal of Aiden who was a troubled soul but one who I felt a huge connection with as he knew his shortcomings and appeared to really want to get better. Luke was a bit of a funny fish and I wasn't sure of him but then again, his heart appeared to be in the right place as far as Aiden was concerned. Nanook however really stole the show.
And the story - wow. Brilliant. Perfectly paced, tension and intrigue ramping up nicely all the way through. And the way that Aiden begins to unravel as it all descends into darkness...
I'm trying to be oblique with my review but my best advice to you. If you are still reading reviews about this book then don't. Others may not be as kind and spoilers might slip in. I said that guessing ahead didn't mar my overall enjoyment of this book, but it did soften the blow when the penny finally dropped and the whole truth came out. And I don't want that for you.
Me, I'm still working my way through the Matilda Darke series back catalogue, as well as pouncing on his stand alones and Olivia Winter books as they are published.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Chapter One tells the story of Aidan Cullen, a newly successful crime writer. When his hard work finally pays off and his first book is published, what should have been a night of celebration unravels into an evening of horror. Left for dead after a brutal attack, trauma leaves him paranoid and reclusive, and he retreats to the remote countryside with only his dog Nanook for company. With the world kept at arm’s length, he begins to feel safe. That is, until a woman is murdered at the end of his road. With the police asking questions and a stalker knocking on his door, Aidan’s peace is completely shattered. And when the murderer strikes again, he starts to see a pattern in the killings; a pattern only he can recognise. Is the killer sending him a message or is his mind playing tricks on him?

I absolutely love Michael Wood's books and this is no exception. Chapter One is an excellently written, fast past psychological thriller and I loved every minute of it.

I couldn't get through it quick enough and loved all of the twists and turns that kept me wanting more. I can't wait to see what Michael Wood writes next!

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

After 10 years of struggle Aidan Cullen has become a published author. A celebration with friends turns to a nightmare when he is attacked, stabbed and left for dead in the pub car park. Told mainly from Aidan’s perspective, in dual timeline, this is a perturbing and claustrophobic story and I felt a lot of empathy for Aiden and his suffering with what is appears to be PTSD from his horrific near death experience.

Briefly, six years after the attack Aiden is living a reclusive existence in the countryside of Derbyshire. He hasn’t left the house and lives with his best friend Luke, who job often means he has to be away from home, and dog Nanook, in a beautiful property with high levels of security. He has now written 6 successful crime novels and on the point of publishing his seventh. However, his solitary life is interrupted when a series of murders occur locally. But only Aiden realises that there is a link between the murders.

It seems like Aiden was right to be paranoid about his safety. The tension in this book is palpable, I was feeling just as stressed as Aiden! A dark thriller with a startling twist and whilst I guessed who the killer was it didn’t deter in any way from the enjoyment of the book. Fast paced and compulsive psychological thriller.

Wood continues to prove why he's one of my all-time favorite authors. Chapter One is yet another testament to his gift for tight plotting and compelling storytelling. This time, we’re pulled into the claustrophobic world of Aidan Cullen, a reclusive crime writer who hasn’t left his home in five years after surviving a brutal attack. Isolated and gripped by paranoia, Aidan becomes an unlikely figure at the center of a murder investigation when a killing happens disturbingly close to his rural home.

The story is intense, atmospheric, and laced with psychological depth. I really enjoyed the book — the writing, pacing, and structure are as excellent as ever. However, I did find that I figured out the central twist fairly early on. That said, it didn’t take away from the experience, because Wood’s strength lies not only in surprise but in how he builds tension and explores character.

What stood out to me most in this novel was how it gave space to different kinds of voices. Aidan’s mental state, his trauma, and the way he navigates the world (or doesn’t) are portrayed with empathy and nuance. Stories like this make it easier for readers to understand how life might feel for someone dealing with fear, isolation, and a past that won’t let go. It’s a powerful reminder of how fiction can foster connection and empathy.

In short: gripping, thoughtful, and expertly written. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that go beyond the surface, this one is definitely worth picking up.

A dark disturbing tale of a successful author who was attacked when his first novel was published. It leads him to living a hermit like life in the countryside with his dog and at times his best friend staying from time to time. Then a series of murders in his area mirror the plot lines of his novels so things become very dark. A female police detective is assigned to the case and she gradually comes close to him until the shock truth emerges.

📚All the suspense I anticipated!😧

Michael Wood has done it again, with a suspenseful murder mystery that had me captivated from the first chapter (of many first chapters)! I thought I had guessed the serial killer early on and, with a major twist, I was right. But it's that twist that gave the story its edge.

An author recluse with his faithful canine companion, living on an isolated estate and almost totally cut off from society with gates, multiple locks and security cameras to keep outsiders away. For six years, since a brutal knifing in a pub parking lot, Aidan Cullen has sought refuge from the world and kept churning out bestsellers. Until a series of murders, uncannily similar to those described in his novels, bring the police to his gate and disturb his solitary world.

As with other books, and I've read more than a few by this author, the prose just drew me along at a clipped pace and I found it hard to put it down. Brilliant suspense in an eminently readable package.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 7/14/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.

My thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Chapter One’ written by Michael Wood in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Aiden Cullen is a popular author whose crime fiction novels are best-sellers. He’s lived as a recluse in Gallowsfield, Derbyshire, since being stabbed six years outside a public house in Liverpool, with his German Shepherd Nanook for company and his best friend Luke Jackson turning up when he’s not working. Late one night Aiden sees flashing blue lights nearby and learns that a woman’s body has been found left on a road, and he’s shocked that the circumstances of her murder mirror the plot and characters from one of his books.

‘Chapter One’ is a dark and compulsive standalone thriller that’s had me gripped from the moment I opened my Kindle. The plot is so frighteningly intense that it’s made my spine tingle as the killer moves on from one victim to another, each time copying the plots from Aiden’s books. This is an exceptionally disturbing thriller that has twists, suspense and tension that’s gradually building to a crescendo, and final chapters so shocking that I was unable to stop reading even if I wanted to. I’m open-mouthed in admiration for an author who can create a plot of such magnitude that it had me cringing in shock and horror while dreading what was going to happen next, with a plot that’s realistic and characters who were perfectly described. It gets a huge five stars from me although I’d give more if I could!

Aiden Lives as a recluse with his dog Nanook and his friend Luke in Gallows View House in Derbyshire. He is a well renown Crime thriller writer and he has lived there for several years. He has top security in his home as he still suffers from the aftereffects what happened to him six years ago. When his first novel Out of Darkness was just about to be released, he was stabbed and left for dead by three thugs outside in the car park of ‘The bucket of blood pub in Liverpool. He only survived because of Luke who rescued him all of them years ago.
When Luke is away, he spends evenings with his dog Nanook looking out his window to the surrounding fields. Aiden has agoraphobia and too scared to venture out from the borders of his garden. One evening he sees blue lights of a Police car. When DS Katherine Marshall arrives. At first, he doesn’t trust her to let her in but when he does, he finds out there is a copy kat killer that is killing someone in the same way as one of his books and not far from where he lives. What will he do? Will he be next?
I always love a Micheal Wood book, and he never disappoints and Chapter one is another fabulous book from the author.
I don’t usually go for a slow burn of a storyline but, but I found this to be compelling read. The way the author has portrayed Aiden with his Paranoia and agoraphobia, it gave me a closed in feeling that I felt I wanted to get out. I thought I had this story all figured out at the end but, yet again Mr Wood to have surprised me again with the ending I did;t see this coming. 5 stars from me.

I always know I’m in great hands with a Michael Wood book! This one did not disappoint! It hooked me from the beginning, was dark and twisty - with hints of the psychological in there! I listened to the audio version and had to source the book and I’m glad I did! A definite favourite author!

After what was supposed to be a night of celebration went badly wrong author Aiden Cullen sought refuge in a new home, turning it into a fortress that he didn’t want to leave. Then a body is found close to his home and suddenly his sanctuary doesn’t feel so safe anymore.
The murder has a chilling similarity to the plot in one of his books. Then he hears about another killing and knows that someone is acting out his plots. DS Katherine Marshall is in charge of the investigation into the killings and the more questions she asks the more Aiden is convinced someone is coming for him.
He survived one attack, will he survive another?
This intense, pacy thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s so well written that at times I felt like I was locked in the house with Aiden, I felt the claustrophobia. It’s a masterclass of thriller writing.
I have read most of Michael Woods books, this one is now my favourite.

A short synopsis about Chapter One, The main character is reclusive & agoraphobic crime writer Aidan Cullen, he lives secluded in his home since being stabbed years before and all he has for company is his dog Nanook and his old friend Luke, Then he hears about a murder not far from him and it is a murder that is exactly like one he has written about in one of his books, paranoia quickly sets in as Aidan tries to make sense of who could be doing such a heinous thing and why is he being targeted?
Michael Wood has a fabulous dark mind and his writing quickly drags you in until you race to the final page. Definitely worth reading.