Tales such as this give me the creeps, as it's always a possibility that it could really happen..

When a top surgeon Alexander, is accused of murder this book gives an insight into how revenge becomes an obsession. Of course while being incarcerated he has had time to think about justice and revenge and he bides his time.

It is dark and disturbing and I loved how Alexanders charavter builds onto the devious monster he is and how that revenge pans out.

I loved this book. It is filled with drama and is a well written and brilliant book.

🔪🩺 ARC Review: The Surgeon by John Nicholl 🩺🔪

“Your life is in his hands… exactly where he wants it.”

When a respected surgeon is accused of a brutal murder, he swears he’s innocent. And when the true killer comes forward, he’s freed. But freedom doesn’t mean redemption—it means revenge. While the world believes he’s vindicated, he’s been plotting in the shadows. Because revenge is sweet… but murder is sweeter. 😈

This dark and chilling thriller is everything fans of Daniel Hurst, T.M. Logan, and Freida McFadden crave: shocking twists, unbearable tension, and a descent into the mind of a man who knows exactly how fragile life is.

⚡ Expect:
🩺 Medical suspense
🔪 Twisted revenge
🤯 Jaw-dropping twists
🔥 Relentless pacing
😱 Spine-tingling chills

John Nicholl once again proves he’s a master of psychological suspense. His background in law enforcement gives his stories terrifying authenticity, and The Surgeon will grip you until the very last shocking page.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Addictive. Disturbing in the best way.

🙌 Huge thanks to John Nicholl for another heart-pounding, goosebump-inducing thriller!

#ARCReview #TheSurgeon #JohnNicholl #ThrillerReads #Bookstagram #PsychologicalThriller #DarkReads #Unputdownable

This was the first book I’ve read from this author. This book was a fast read mystery filled with a mixture of mystery and suspense. With an interesting storyline and good character development, this is a book which I would recommend to all those who enjoy a good mystery.

The Surgeon by John Nicholl is a dark and tense psychological thriller that explores obsession, vengeance and the fine line between healing and harming.

The story follows an eminent surgeon accused of murdering a young woman. Though he maintains his innocence, the evidence points squarely at him until the real killer steps forward. Released and vindicated, the surgeon should feel relief—but instead, the time he has spent incarcerated has ignited something far more sinister. Behind his calm exterior, he has been quietly plotting revenge, and what follows is a chilling descent into manipulation and violence.

Nicholl balances pace with atmosphere, building tension through shifting perspectives and the surgeon’s unsettling logic. The interplay between the accused, the detective, a campaigning influencer and a past survivor adds layers to the narrative, revealing how trauma and justice intertwine in unexpected ways.

Cleverly written and deeply unsettling, this is a thriller that lingers with its unnerving exploration of control and retribution.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

The surgeon is a gripping thriller about a disturbing and narcissistic surgeon who was once highly respected in the community. After serving time in prison for a murder he didn’t commit he seeks revenge on those who put him behind bars. He is obsessed with torture and murder and although he didn’t commit the one murder he is eager to do so. I thought this was very well written and was suspenseful throughout. There wasn’t as many twists throughout which I would have liked but the plot was still interesting. I enjoyed the characters and found the dark thoughts of the surgeon very interesting to read. I recommend this psychological thriller to others.

I read 55% of this book. The premise of this book seemed so interesting and enjoyed the relatively short chapters, the multiple POV's, however just wasnt gripped or interested in finishing the book.
I immediately disliked the MMC (which is the point of him) however over time I began to get annoyed with his over description and repetitiveness.
I decided to DNF as I just didn't like his chapters at all.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for supplying this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very suspenseful and tense book to read. There were some gory scenes but they only added to the psychological dread (for me, anyway).

Another great book from this author who I always enjoy. A great storyline that held my interest and I was gripped throughout
.
I particularly enjoyed hearing a few names mentioned from John's previous books too.

Everything was held together with a great conclusion, superb. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

A surgeon is in prison. He has killed before but not the murder he was put away for. DI Laura Keesey believes the evidence is stacked against him but can't let it go- partly fuelled by a journalist who is insisting on his innocence and partly on her gut instinct that something is very wrong about him. When the real killer is discovered, the surgeon is released- determined to seek revenge on those who put him away. One of his victims survived and she and Laura are on his target list. Can he get away with yet more undiscovered crimes?

Once again, John takes hold of the reader early doors and doesn't let go- just how I like it. It is rather a dark read in parts and the descriptions are done very well to put the reader in the heart of the plot. I’ve always liked Laura and this didn't disappoint. She is a caring, well rounded DI seeking justice and one very determined tenacious lady. A read possibly not for the faint hearted but one that gripped me and didn't give me nightmares. A stunning, brilliant read and a very clever one.
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Very suspenseful and entertaining! I really enjoyed it! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc

First, thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Surgeon. I was super excited to read this book just based on the cover! I really enjoyed this book. However, I am someone who doesn't do well with a lot of gore. I had to skip those parts because I literally get sick to my stomach. Lol I do wish there was more of the story than those parts, but overall, I did enjoy this book. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

This was a perfect thriller for me! Full of twists wit purpouse. And a lot of gory, bloody scenes that make you chew on your nails.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

The Surgeon by John Nicholl

The title of this book initially drew me in, though I found it didn’t quite match the style of the story itself. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the read.

What stood out most for me was the voice of The Surgeon. The way he spoke was chilling and nerve-wracking, and it gave the story an unsettling edge that kept me hooked. The supporting characters added depth and balance, making the tension even more impactful.

Tbh I liked it but skipped a load of it since it felt like unnecessary gore for shock value and thats not my vibe. I'd rather have twists and turns than just unnecessary details that dont add anything to the plot. I guess if youre into that kinda thing then youd probs enjoy it but it wasnt my vibe

THE SURGEON is a gripping psychological thriller by international bestseller author, John Nicholl. After having read all his novels, which include The Dr. David Galbraith series, The DI Gravel series and his standalone psychological thrillers…this novel is another winner! The author has written books, each dealing with different issues, drawing on his experience as police officer and child protection social worker. This is a dark tale of revenge.

His standalone Novels Include:
The Cop (2019)
aka The Girl in Red
The Student (2019)
aka The Girl in White
Mr Nice (2020)
The Sisters (2020)
aka The Sisterhood
The Victim (2021)
aka Killing Evil
The Cellar (2022)
The Bride (2023)
The Holiday (2024)
The Boyfriend (2025)
The Surgeon (2025)

This is my review of The Surgeon.

Professor Sir Alexander Aitken was a consultant surgeon at the Welsh Hospital. They called him evil, and he has been in jail for almost five years. He admits he is in for a crime he didn’t commit. He didn’t kill Holly Larkin.

So, when the real perpetrator comes forward, and he is released, he feels vindicated.

But while in was in jail he was just counting the hours until his release where he will instigate his revenge. He had a plan…

The surgeon reviews in his mind the faces of those that had wronged him, and will be subject of his revenge-Megan-his 1st victim that had escaped and DI Laura Kesey. These were to be his Lab Rats and everything would be documented in the name of medical science.

The depth of the characters is enriched through alternating chapters devoted to providing background information that supports the development of these characters.

This was a well written dark gripping suspense/psychological thriller with likable and unlikeable well-developed characters and an intriguing plot. The brilliant ending blew me away, and one you won’t forget.

Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my digital copy.
Expected publication October 19, 2025

The Surgeon was my first John Nicholl book and I'm certainly not averse to a bit of gore and psychological torture so I came to it prepared and hopeful for an interesting read. However, I'm afraid I gave up on it half way through. I just could bear any more of the main character's self aggrandisement and the over explanation of every motive and action of the characters. This may be the usual writing style of this author but if so I'm afraid his books aren't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

An eminent surgeon is arrested for a brutal murder of a young woman and protests his innocence. The surgeon is released when the actual perpetrator comes forward and to the world he is vindicated. When the surgeon was locked up he spent his time plotting revenge. What follows his release is a series of terrifying assaults where obsession and manipulation are played out.

I have read a lot of books by this author and to be honest find the writing a little unsettling at times. This is a quick read that for me missed the mark. No real twists and turns, just a very realistic account of a brutal killer who is out for revenge.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When a surgeon is released from prison after he was wrongly accused he sets out on a reign of terror that will make your stomach churn and just because he was freed from this crime doesn't mean he hasn't done other terrible things. It's a real page Turnereven though its really gruesome at times I couldn't put it down it gripped me from the beginning and my heart was pounding at the end. A really gripping story

Read 75%of this, found it extremely graphic, and somewhere along the way I felt the story was overshadowed by the gore. I just wish it had more story less gore it put me off finishing it.

I love John Nicholl!! This is one of my favourites of his. An amazing read from beginning to end. You won’t be disappointed