When Evil Calls Your Name

This is the sequel to the unbearable (and excellent) White is the Coldest Colour. Unbearable for the subject matter, but impossible to put down. When Evil Calls Your Name will not surprise readers of the first volume. We all know what happened with Dr. Galbraith. His wife Cynthia, a supporting character in the first part, is now the lead. The book is written as a memoir that she is composing at the behest of her prison counselor. If, reading the first novel, you thought "how can this woman be so spineless as to stand passively while her husband tortures children?" over and over again, this sequel explains it. A great psychologist can do much good but can also destroy someone's mind and this is the story of how Dr. Galbraith turned vivacious, independent and smart Cynthia into the kind of person who will thank her tormentor for repeatedly mistreating her. Her character is so well written and her transformation so subtle that it's unbearable to watch and yet impossible to stop reading. Turning this kind of subject matter so readable is impressive in itself. Mr. Nicholl is a fantastic writer and this book is a must-read.

This is book 2 of the series and it is a diary/memoir style story told from Cynthia's point of view. We get to hear about her life in prison and how she ended up there. This book answers so many questions I had from book 1 and really brings everything to light. It's a dark, psychological thriller that draws you in and builds tension. I found myself shivering in places. It is so well written and even though it's very different from the style of book 1, it's perfect. We get to absorb everything from Cynthia's point of view and understand how everything came about. Cynthia's thoughts are muddled from time to time and she jumps about a bit, but this is what makes the book feel so real. You feel like you are sitting in her cell with her as she tells you all about her life. There is so much contained in this book and at times it's hard going but no matter what, don't give up. This book is definitely one you need to read if you've read book 1. All the questions you might have asked yourself after reading book one about Cynthia and why she was the way she was, are answered. I'm so thrilled to have been given an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. If you haven't read book 1 yet, be sure to get it now before book 2 releases.

I loved this book! This series is the first I have ever read by John Nicholl but won’t be my last. A great psychological thriller!

What a fantastic book.
I really enjoyed White is the coldest colour and this book gives you the full story from Dr Galbraith’s wife, Cynthia’s perspective.
It took me a while to get used to the writing style but after a few chapters, and having read the first book I was desparate to know what happened next.
Dr Galbraith was a sick, twisted individual who preyed on young boys and carried out experiments in his cellar and in his place of work.
I don’t think Cynthia could have possibly comprehended what he was doing, especially as he kept her isolated from the world, including her family.
His treatment of her made my blood boil and I really felt sorry for her.
Even in the early days alarm bells were ringing but the way he wormed his way into her life was gradual and then she couldn’t get out.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This book is the dark follow-up to a dark book (White is the Coldest Colour), but it goes miles toward further explaining the events of the first book, as well as shining a light on the circumstances that can lead to cases of domestic abuse.

Cynthia Galbraith was one of the key figures in the first book, but we didn't get to see to much of how she came to be in her situation. This book explains that backstory and really shows how evil people like David Galbraith are able to operate.

It was really chilling to see how she went from a strong, independent student to the woman we saw in the previous book with some key manipulations and events orchestrated by her abuser. This book really should be required reading for anyone looking to understand how abusers trap their victims, little by little.

The book also continues the storyline following the ending of White is the Coldest Colour and reveals what happens immediately following. It was very fascinating to see how sometimes justice can get it wrong and how people have to fight to be heard.

I really enjoyed this follow-up and look forward to more from this author!

Fascinating follow up to white is the coldest colour. The first booking be about Doctor Galbraith’s evil deeds and this sequel that shows the reader a look into the throughs and feelings of his wife, Cynthia. What I loved most about this book was it different from the first book, your not reading the same story, your reading how his actions had an impact on Cynithia’s life, written from her prison cell!

Firstly please note this is the second book in the Galbraith series and you really need to read the first book before reading this one.

Following on from the first book this book deals with Dr Galbraith’s wife, Cynthia, as she reveals her story and the lead up to the conclusion of book one. Whilst in prison Cynthia is encouraged by her therapist to write a memoir and this book is the result.

This book is very different from the first and is written in a very different style but I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. I really loved the writing style and the way that Cynthia although telling the story of her past also gives us insights into how her life is now and the thoughts she has. It is written in a very chatty way and there are lots of moments when the story will suddenly go off on to a completely different subject but I think this just makes it more realistic as a memoir more than just a story, I’m sure if you’ve ever written any kind of diary this has happened to you too.

This is definitely a must read for anyone that has read the first of the series and if you haven’t then make sure you do and then read this one. Both books, although different in style, are absolute brilliant and really well written.

I’m literally bursting with excitement over John Nicholls newest book When Evil Calls Your Name, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and it didn’t disappoint in fact I could scream and shout about how much I revelled in this immense psychological thriller.

First and foremost the most important thing is to read the first book White Is The Coldest Colour as this is the start of the Dr David Galbraith Series, its imperative you do so as the two books link together.

Now lets get down to it….

John sets off in a very different direction when writing When Evil Calls your Name, I wondered if it was for me, I can hold my hands up and say I was unsure to begin with, but my doubts were unfounded. The book unfolds with Cynthia incarcerated for murder, there was the first OMG for me, why, she had nothing do with it all she was a victim.

John has written in the first person with Cynthia writing a diary of how she came to be in prison, from meeting Galbraith until her current situation. I couldn’t fathom how such a bubbly outgoing personality could be intimidated and coerced into becoming a person with no control over her life. Really felt like screaming at Cynthia to stop falling for his lies and to fight for her sense of worth. Galbraith a predator, takes all Cynthia’s worth and destroys her very soul.

When reading the first book in the series White Is The Coldest Colour, nothing much was conveyed of Cynthia, Galbraith was the headline act in the first but in taking on the second in the series, its been an eye opener finding out about Cynthia. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at how a person can be easily fooled by persuasion, a little flirting and complementary comments went along way to bring about Cynthia’s downfall.

Once finished reading When Evil Calls Your Name, I sat with a smug smile on my face thinking we got you Galbraith, but then I thought where next, what has John Nicholl got planned for us next…….. will there be more, what’s the possibilities.

Thanks go to Bloodhound Books, John Nicholl and Sarah Hardy for an advanced readers copy of When Evil Calls Your Name to read in exchange for an honest review. I look to forward to whatever John has in store for us next.

Continuing from where White is the Coldest colour .....Yes you must read book one first! Check out my review here http://chellesbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/white-is-coldest-colour-by-john-nicholl.html So in book two we catch up with twenty nine year old Cynthia Galbraith.



Telling her story has she struggles to come to terms with her traumatic past and prison life. Hold nothing back talking about her parents, life when she was younger and of course Dr David Galbraith....the sicko pedophile who she married leading up to her life prison sentence.



I was totally sucked into Cynthia’s journey and felt like it was just me and her in prison with her telling me the story face to face.You can feel the emotion and tension in the author’s writing making me feel sympathetic for her but at the same time wanting to know more. The suspense in this story was killing me. At the end of the day she is in prison for a reason put you cant help but feel for her not having the best life.



Once again this book won't be for everyone with the uncomfortable subject matter. But sensitivity is show throughout the author's writing. This is an excellent written story. I cannot begin to tell you what a brilliant job John has done of portraying the emotions of a female character and it come across over really powerful. Which I found rather fascinating . I would say that this comes with the experience he has, had working has a police officer and also a child protection officer.



The story unravels at a nice steady pace then boom... it picks up speed when everything is tied together and all our questions are answered. OMG what a book....I absolutely loved it. Which I recommend giving it all the stars!

White is the Coldest Colour has been one of my top reads of the year so far so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the second in this series When Evil Calls Your Name. Wow, what a read this was. Do bear in mind that it does follow on from the first so to get the full picture start with the first! While this book does come after the events of the first book, I’d say it’s more of a companion novel rather than a sequel.

We meet Cynthia Galbraith who we first met in White is the Coldest Colour and this is her story. I didn’t like Cynthia before going into this book but after learning about her and her past I feel so sorry for her, I just want to wrap her in a big hug. She has been through hell and with every page that went past my heart was breaking. Throughout the book, it was emotional, shocking and it genuinely disturbed me that even though Cynthia is fictional, John in his line of work has probably met many women like her. It’s this realness that John adds to his writing and has brought life into Cynthia.

John has written this in a different style which I loved. We really got into Cynthia’s mind as she poured her heart out into writing about what has happened to her and why she is like she is. At first, I wasn’t sure about the style but after the first few chapters I was hooked.

This read is dark, disturbing and has been written with John’s brilliant writing style. I was on the edge of my seat throughout and I couldn’t put this addictive book down. Another fabulous book by John, I’m looking forward to reading more from him.

I'm excited to be sharing my review of When Evil Calls Your Name today as part of the blog tour. It's written with thanks to Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound Books for inviting me on the tour and for my copy of the book through Netgalley.
Cynthia Galbraith is serving a life sentence. When the prison counsellor suggests that she begins writing a journal, she is sceptical, but quickly comes round to the idea, documenting her life before her sentence and the events that led to it. What happened to Cynthia?
I reviewed Nicholl's short story, Bully Boy Blue last year, and was interested to see how his writing would translate to a full length novel. I was not disappointed! When Evil Calls Your Name is incredibly compelling and I was gripped the whole way through.
When Evil Calls Your Name is written in the form of Cynthia's journal, and as such, the majority of it is addressed to her counsellor in the second person. The use of the second person gave the novel a conversational tone, and made me feel as though the journal (and all the personal information in it) was addressed to me. This helped me to empathise with Cynthia and understand what made her tick.
Cynthia and David's relationship is deeply unsettling, and I was disturbed by the way that David managed to get inside Cynthia's head. Sadly, I'm sure this is reflective of many real life abusive relationships, and in David, Nicholl has created a monster. Each time he spoke to Cynthia, he made my skin crawl and I wanted to shake my Kindle in anger and frustration.

As the sequel to White is the Coldest Colour, When Evil Calls your Name picks up a couple of years later. Cynthia is in prison. After given an assignment from her therapist to write in a journal, the truth finally comes out about her past with the evil Dr. Galbraith.

While reading the prequel I didn’t like the character of Cynthia. I viewed her as weak. However, after reading this book I now have an understanding of what happened to her.

The author does a great job in this book describing the true evil that lurks in Dr. Galbraith. This time we see it played upon Cynthia. The writing is raw, the emotions are real and very in your face.

I loved the outcome of Cynthia, especially her bravery. She overcame a life of manipulation and horror.

I would recommend reading the prequel before this one though. Another great book by John Nicholl!

This story follows on from White Is The Coldest Colour, (my review) and is from the viewpoint of Cynthia who now lives in prison. Her story is told via a journal that her counsellor has advised she writes.

Please read the first book before you start this one.

This answers so many questions I had about Cynthia. I was frustrated with her character, but this one is her account of her life as a child, through university and how she met David Galbraith and how he completely destroyed any control she had over any decision, he controlled her and others around her. This is a really addictive read, and as you learn about Cynthia’s life you realise how she was manipulated so convincingly. But also you see how she is starting to make steps towards standing up for herself, no longer wanted to be a victim.

This story really plays on how a master manipulator plays on the vulnerabilities and insecurities of a person until they become a shadow of their former selves. Because of the writing style it has a very believable feel to it, that personal account adds the perfect touch to the realism of the story.

In comparison to the first book it does differ quite a lot. Even though it has a dark psychology theme, it is not as the dark and twisted as the first book. It is an addictive read and a great follow on story. A book I would recommend to those who like to read a psychological thriller from the perspective of the victim who was unaware she was being manipulated.

Great quality reading I really like John's stories. I bought the original book before Bloodhound Books took over. I'm looking forward to seeing what John brings out next

I find myself in an unusual position when writing this review. I loved this book, and yet, I really did not like the first book in the series, White is the Coldest Colour, and had I realised that this was the second in the series when I selected it, I would not have done so. But I am absolutely delighted I did as none of flaws and criticisms I found with the first book are present in When Evil Calls Your Name (such as one dimensional stereotypical characters almost making a mockery of such a serious topic as child abuse sex rings).
Whilst this book picks up where the first one finishes in so far as we find Cynthia in prison, it is almost a prequel, in that through her writing her memoirs in prison (for the purposes of therapy and coming to terms with what has happened to her in the life) we find out how she found herself in the situation we saw her in with Dr Galbraith in book one.
This book was incredibly well written and I hope there is another in the series which is written to the same high standard.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.