wolfshine's review
4.0
A psychological novella that gives the reader a sickeningly realistic look into the life of domestic abuse victims. Kathy lives her life in fear, dominated completely by the man who is supposed to love and protect her. After suffering a brutal miscarriage, she is horrified at the thought of getting pregnant once again. With the time ticking, she must find a way to escape.
The characters were all very vividly written, the main antagonist especially. The only problem I had with this book was the phone call between Kathy and her mother. If their relationship really was detrimental, why would she call to confide her secret in her knowing she wouldn’t be able to fully trust her mother to keep it? I took off one star for this detail but the rest of the story is still pretty good.
The characters were all very vividly written, the main antagonist especially. The only problem I had with this book was the phone call between Kathy and her mother. If their relationship really was detrimental, why would she call to confide her secret in her knowing she wouldn’t be able to fully trust her mother to keep it? I took off one star for this detail but the rest of the story is still pretty good.
bantambookworm's review
4.0
This review is written with thanks to the author for my copy of Bully Boy Blue.
Kathy Conner has been married to her police officer husband, Michael, for three years. He controls everything she does, and has turned her family and friends against her. But when Kathy discovers she is pregnant, she realises she has to escape. Will she succeed?
When I realised that Bully Boy Blue was a short novel, I was apprehensive about how Nicholl would convey such a serious and emotional issue over such a short number of words. However, I should not have worried. As a reader, I was dragged kicking and screaming into Kathy's world - her fear and isolation - from the very first page. This was heightened by the fact that Kathy's abuser is a police officer: a well respected member of the community who people may not believe was capable of carrying out the abuse that is described. I was willing the supporting characters, such as her family and Michael's colleagues to believe her account of her marriage, and I was desperate for Kathy to find the courage to leave.
In his professional life, Nicholl has worked as both a police officer and social worker, and I imagine he has drawn on his experience in these fields to present an accurate portrayal of what it is like to live with domestic violence. However, Kathy's plan to escape felt to me as though it was a little far fetched, so whilst I was keen to learn the outcome of the novella, I found it difficult to connect with Kathy as it drew to its conclusion.
Bully Boy Blue has an open ending - one that will see me turning over all the possibilities in my mind, probably as I try to sleep tonight! It was an unexpected twist that I enjoyed.
Kathy Conner has been married to her police officer husband, Michael, for three years. He controls everything she does, and has turned her family and friends against her. But when Kathy discovers she is pregnant, she realises she has to escape. Will she succeed?
When I realised that Bully Boy Blue was a short novel, I was apprehensive about how Nicholl would convey such a serious and emotional issue over such a short number of words. However, I should not have worried. As a reader, I was dragged kicking and screaming into Kathy's world - her fear and isolation - from the very first page. This was heightened by the fact that Kathy's abuser is a police officer: a well respected member of the community who people may not believe was capable of carrying out the abuse that is described. I was willing the supporting characters, such as her family and Michael's colleagues to believe her account of her marriage, and I was desperate for Kathy to find the courage to leave.
In his professional life, Nicholl has worked as both a police officer and social worker, and I imagine he has drawn on his experience in these fields to present an accurate portrayal of what it is like to live with domestic violence. However, Kathy's plan to escape felt to me as though it was a little far fetched, so whilst I was keen to learn the outcome of the novella, I found it difficult to connect with Kathy as it drew to its conclusion.
Bully Boy Blue has an open ending - one that will see me turning over all the possibilities in my mind, probably as I try to sleep tonight! It was an unexpected twist that I enjoyed.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
4.0
Bully Boy Blue is a stand alone novella. Having read the authors other books, I was expecting a dark and disturbing read and I wasn’t disappointed.
For a novella the fear that Kathy feels and the abuse she has to endure from her husband really comes across in the story. The fact that her husband works for the police force is even worse as who is going to believe her over her husband? I have to admit I was slightly confused to the age of Kathy. She kept calling her husband dear, which personally the only people I tend to find that use that word is the older generation. I have to admit that I would have liked to have seen a bit less of it when Kathy was speaking to her husband.
Michael Connor, Kathy’s husband is a really nasty piece of work and someone readers will loath instantly. The fact his colleagues can’t see through him made feel as frustrated as Kathy.
It’s hard to say to much about the story with it only being a novella and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading it yet. What I will say though is that Bully Boy Blue is a gripping read that can easily be devoured in one sitting. To be honest once you’ve picked it up you will struggle to put it down even if you wanted to! It may be a slightly uncomfortable read due to the abuse story line but it’s certainly a cracker a read.
My thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
For a novella the fear that Kathy feels and the abuse she has to endure from her husband really comes across in the story. The fact that her husband works for the police force is even worse as who is going to believe her over her husband? I have to admit I was slightly confused to the age of Kathy. She kept calling her husband dear, which personally the only people I tend to find that use that word is the older generation. I have to admit that I would have liked to have seen a bit less of it when Kathy was speaking to her husband.
Michael Connor, Kathy’s husband is a really nasty piece of work and someone readers will loath instantly. The fact his colleagues can’t see through him made feel as frustrated as Kathy.
It’s hard to say to much about the story with it only being a novella and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading it yet. What I will say though is that Bully Boy Blue is a gripping read that can easily be devoured in one sitting. To be honest once you’ve picked it up you will struggle to put it down even if you wanted to! It may be a slightly uncomfortable read due to the abuse story line but it’s certainly a cracker a read.
My thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
leona_omahony's review
5.0
Although this is a novella it sure does pack a punch ! It's a terrifying psychological thriller that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. I absolutely loved it and read it in less than an hour. It's a disturbing domestic thriller and one that will leave you thinking about a long time after you've finished reading it. This book like John Nicholls previous books is disturbing but makes us realise no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. The only 'niggle' I had was the way Kathy constantly referred to her husband as 'dear'. We are told in the first sentence that she is 26 years old and the word 'dear' to me would be used by someone much older. Apart from that very minor issue this novella was brilliant and a well deserved 5 star read.
petra_reads's review
4.0
In [b:Bully Boy Blue|34558350|Bully Boy Blue|John Nicholl|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489417827s/34558350.jpg|55701093], [a:John Nicholl|13795294|John Nicholl|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1476895459p2/13795294.jpg] created a very believable villain who was extremely vile.
Michael, a respected policeman, has successfully alienated and isolated his wife Kathy from family, friends, and the public by making her reliant on him financially and convincing everybody that she is mentally unstable and receiving psychological treatment. Ever since their wedding night 3 years ago, he's been physically, emotionally and sexually abusing her, but now Kathy is determined to find a way out.
This was a short listen - ideal for in-between when you don't want to start another long book - but it definitely packed an emotional punch. It's an intense story and the domestic abuse scenes are raw and unflinching.
Constantly addressing her husband as "dear" seemed odd for a woman in her mid-twenties and became a bit weird (especially listening to it. Not sure if I would have noticed it quite as much had I been reading it?)
Towards the end, there were a couple of things that were questionable.
Overall though, a very good short story raising awareness of domestic abuse situations.
Jake Urry narrated this poignant story with the quality I have by now become accustomed to: individual voices for all the characters, the female ones are portrayed in a credible way, and emphasis, intonation and pacing are excellent as always.
I received a copy of the audiobook for review purposes. Thank you!
Michael, a respected policeman, has successfully alienated and isolated his wife Kathy from family, friends, and the public by making her reliant on him financially and convincing everybody that she is mentally unstable and receiving psychological treatment. Ever since their wedding night 3 years ago, he's been physically, emotionally and sexually abusing her, but now Kathy is determined to find a way out.
This was a short listen - ideal for in-between when you don't want to start another long book - but it definitely packed an emotional punch. It's an intense story and the domestic abuse scenes are raw and unflinching.
Constantly addressing her husband as "dear" seemed odd for a woman in her mid-twenties and became a bit weird (especially listening to it. Not sure if I would have noticed it quite as much had I been reading it?)
Towards the end, there were a couple of things that were questionable.
Overall though, a very good short story raising awareness of domestic abuse situations.
Jake Urry narrated this poignant story with the quality I have by now become accustomed to: individual voices for all the characters, the female ones are portrayed in a credible way, and emphasis, intonation and pacing are excellent as always.
I received a copy of the audiobook for review purposes. Thank you!
canada_matt's review
5.0
Master of the full-length psychological thriller, John Nicholl presents the reader with a novella that offers the same bone chilling excitement as the story progresses. Kathy Conner lives the most horrible life possible. An abusive husband who bullies her unremittingly with no one who will believe her, either the family she has regularly called or the police who turn up at the door. Married to Police Inspector Michael Conners, Kathy is sure that she will never rid herself of this monster, especially when he offers such a calm demeanour to the outside world. At her breaking point, Kathy begins concocting a plan as her only way out, though it will take all the patience she can muster. Never knowing if each night Michael comes home will be her last on earth, one day Kathy takes a chance. A great story that reminds the reader of how addictive Nicholl can be, given the chance.
I remember when I first discovered Nicholl on a whim and could not put the book down. Promising I would keep an eye out for any of his future publications, Nicholl kept me on his own personal radar. Each book built on strengths from the last and now this novella first perfectly into the flow and ongoing positive development of his writing style. Though brief, the story builds on a few central characters and the emotional differences between them, namely Kathy and Michael. From there, it is the slowly evolving thought processes that Kathy exhibits that keeps the reader wanting to know how it will all come to a climax. The reader goes through all the ups and downs faced by an abused woman and the desire to flee, even when she finds herself under the thumb of the abuser. With Nicholl's past professional experience in this area, it is no surprise that he is able to write so seamlessly and presents the reader will a stellar story whose impact resonate powerfully.
Kudos, Mr. Nicholl for such a wonderful piece of work. I am truly blessed to be able to read and share your work with others and hope you have many more stories to come.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
I remember when I first discovered Nicholl on a whim and could not put the book down. Promising I would keep an eye out for any of his future publications, Nicholl kept me on his own personal radar. Each book built on strengths from the last and now this novella first perfectly into the flow and ongoing positive development of his writing style. Though brief, the story builds on a few central characters and the emotional differences between them, namely Kathy and Michael. From there, it is the slowly evolving thought processes that Kathy exhibits that keeps the reader wanting to know how it will all come to a climax. The reader goes through all the ups and downs faced by an abused woman and the desire to flee, even when she finds herself under the thumb of the abuser. With Nicholl's past professional experience in this area, it is no surprise that he is able to write so seamlessly and presents the reader will a stellar story whose impact resonate powerfully.
Kudos, Mr. Nicholl for such a wonderful piece of work. I am truly blessed to be able to read and share your work with others and hope you have many more stories to come.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
arathi's review
4.0
Kathy is in an abusive marriage and there's no one to save her, not even cops - the worst part of her marriage is she is married to a COP!
Whenever she seeks help her husband makes it sound like she is depressed and there's no saving her!
Kathy becomes pregnant (2nd time around) and realizes that she has to do something to save herself and her child - being a bright university student, she comes up with a fool proof plan - does she succeed?
This is a well written novella and look forward to reading more full length novels by John Nicholl.
Whenever she seeks help her husband makes it sound like she is depressed and there's no saving her!
Kathy becomes pregnant (2nd time around) and realizes that she has to do something to save herself and her child - being a bright university student, she comes up with a fool proof plan - does she succeed?
This is a well written novella and look forward to reading more full length novels by John Nicholl.
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