This is a dark, twisted gruesome psychological thriller which pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. The story is told from multiple characters’ viewpoints, which I very much enjoyed, as I felt it enriched the narrative. The plot moves at a very fast pace and you can feel the clock ticking down as the police endeavour to apprehend the killer.
For me this story’s genius is how the author blends the police procedural with the ravings of an entitled madman, as it easily transitions from rational dialogue to the emotional, gory and detailed rantings of a killer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all the characters, even the surgeon. If you enjoy crime fiction with a darker edge this book is for you.

The multiple narrators aid the characterisation in this straightforward serial killer novel - there was no sense of mystery as the surgeon killer identified himself as such at the very start. Although a competent novel, a few twists and turns along the way would have improved the story and further engaged the reader. I appreciate nuance and uncertainty in murder mysteries and both were lacking here.

The Surgeon by John Nicholl is a fast paced suspense thriller. I would highly recommend adding to your tbr.

They say he who seeks revenge should dig two graves. Imagine being a serial killer and going to prison for a murder you didn't commit. The surgeon still wants revenge. This is a tale of revenge. This story has enough twists and turns to make your head spin. Read it. You won't be disappointed. Please request your copy today.

Alexander Aitken is a surgeon and a serial killer. He is in prison for a killing that, ironically, he didn’t commit. While he’s imprisoned, his very clever mind works out a plan of revenge. Then the real perpetrator is found guilty and Aitken is released to carry out his plan.

A gripping psychological thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Wow this is certainly not a book for the faint hearted . It grabbed you quite quickly and never let up with this heart stopping storyline. I absolutely loved it even though it did turns my stomach at times . I loved the style of writing and can’t wait to read more from this author. 5 stars from me

It wasn't really about a surgeon like i thought but it was an okay story. I didnt much like the ending it fell flat for me and some characters didnt need to be in the book as they didnt have any effect on the story.

Overall this book was enjoyable but good me could have been better. it got better towards the end but the beginning was a bit too fast for me and the multiple perspectives was a bit confusing. I would recommend this book to traders who prefer fast paced thrillers with multiple perspectives.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for an ARC in exchange for a honest review!

This book follows a surgeon who has been in jail for 1year. He is a serial killer but he did not kill the victim in the case that he was arrested and found guilty for.

He is a sick serial killer from page one. Then he is released and so begins his revenge.

The characters, plot, pacing is very well done. I read this book in under five hours!

Maybe the ending could've been a bit shorter as it felt a bit too long to read the same thing from three pov.

Shocking, twisty, suspenseful book! It grabbed you from the first page and did not let go. Definitely make room on your reading table for this book! Pulse pounding suspense!

This is a gripping & disturbing read. Alex Aiken, a surgeon was arrested and jailed for a murder he didn't commit and after the real murderer is found and he is released, he is out for revenge. Fast paced story told from different characters point of views. You will be kept guessing as it is a race against time.

Wow. This was a great read. Very twisted character but totally gripping and gruesome. Not for the faint hearted. Would highly recommend this book. John Nicoll never disappoints.

I really enjoyed this book—it was dark, gritty, and a very compelling read. Nicholl's writing is chilling and makes you feel unsettled about the world around you. I found it genuinely frightening; there were even scenes and moments that were uncomfortable to get through. However, the storytelling was so engaging that it made it difficult for me to put the book down!

We are introduced to various characters and get to know them through their perspectives. There are several characters, which occasionally confused me, but overall, this contributed to the urgency and uncertainty of the situations they faced.

The pacing of the story was steady and really picked up towards the end. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, eagerly wanting to know how the narrative would conclude.

Overall, The Surgeon was a 4-star read, and I look forward to reading more of Nicholl’s works.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

First, thank you to NetGalley, author John Nicol and Boldwood Books for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.

I’ll start off by saying the only negatives I have is that the title didn’t really match the storyline. Yes, one of the main characters was a surgeon, but with that as the title I was expecting more of a surgeon who kills while in the operating room or something along those lines.

The ending was a little ‘meh’. This character who is so random all of a sudden becomes a hero was just so out of place. I feel like there were a few characters who weren’t even really needed as they didn’t have a storyline or they were all of a sudden there and then gone for no reason. I don’t want to say much more to spoil anything but once you read it you will understand.

Aiken was a mastermind. I loved his character just in the sense of how his brain worked, not that he was evil. It was different to read from his point of view.

There are many points of view in the book which I really liked. Each chapter was a different characters view and I felt that part was well done.

The book was a fast paced suspenseful read and since it was my first by this author I’ll have to check out some of his others.

Publishes soon

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having said that, the book was amazing. I loved the various points of view and how it all played out.

The Surgeon is a dark and unsettling psychological thriller that had me hooked from the chilling opening. John Nicholl wastes no time pulling the reader into the mind of a man who is both brilliant and deeply disturbed, blurring the line between victim and predator in truly disturbing ways.

The premise is instantly compelling—a respected surgeon accused of murder, vindicated when the “real killer” confesses, only for the truth to be far more sinister than anyone imagines. What follows is a tense, twist-laden story of obsession, revenge, and cruelty. Nicholl’s writing is sharp and relentless, keeping the tension high while also delving into the psychology of both predator and prey.

This is not a comfortable read—there are disturbing moments that linger—but it’s the kind of thriller that grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Fans of Daniel Hurst, TM Logan, and Frieda McFadden will find plenty to devour here, especially if you like your suspense with an extra dose of darkness.

Clever, chilling, and compulsively readable—The Surgeon is one of those thrillers you’ll want to finish in a single sitting.

Professor Alexander Aitken is in prison for a crime he did not commit. The true murderer is eventually discovered, and after serving a sentence of several years, the professor is released. Although he was not guilty of that particular crime, the professor is not an innocent man but a creepy psychopath, and has plans to take his revenge on every person who was involved in locking him away in prison.
The story is told from the viewpoints of several characters, and made for a gripping read. It is a tense and thrilling plot which I really enjoyed, and I finished it in one sitting, I just had to keep turning the pages. This was my first novel by this author, but I will definitely look for more.
Thank you for my advance copy.

I’ve got a mixed feelings about this book because in the first chapter, I immediately got the vibe that the Surgeon was a bit off, yet I found myself cheering for him nonetheless. As the story unfolded, my initial enthusiasm changed as I delved deeper into his character and the plot. The pace is fast, shifting between various points of view, which keeps things interesting at first. However, after a few chapters, it felt like it hit a lull, and I was a bit disappointed. Thankfully, it picked up again towards the end; into a nail-biting conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat. It finished with a burning question: Will he (the Surgeon) ever escape this new situation? Absolutely gripping stuff, though it had its ups and downs! All in all, it’s a right rollercoaster of a read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thanks NetGalley! This one is fast-paced and full of tension. A great revenge fueled thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint! It did take a little bit to get into, as each chapter is a different perspective. However, this was done rather flawlessly and gave a completely rounded picture of the story! Even with the varying POVs, the character development and the plot points were spot on. This one will keep you hooked until the very end! I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and John Nicholl for an ARC an exchange for an honest review!