📖 Book Review ~ That Day at Rose Cottage by John Nicholl

Boldwood
21 October 2026

Thanks to the publisher for the copy of this book 

Two women running from their pasts. Two predators determined to find them. One isolated cottage with a deadly secret…

Ella Hart believed the nightmare was over when her manipulative, abusive ex-boyfriend, Nigel Franks, was sent to prison. But now Nigel is free – and his obsession with revenge is stronger than ever.

When Ella’s friend Poppy arrives at Rose Cottage seeking sanctuary from her own recently released tormentor, the two women realise a terrifying truth: prison bars and restraining orders can only keep dangerous men away for so long.

Hidden deep in the Welsh countryside, Rose Cottage was meant to be a refuge. Instead, it becomes a trap. As their former abusers close in, determined to reclaim the control they’ve lost, Ella and Poppy find themselves cut off, hunted and running out of options.

With the threat of violence growing by the day, the women face an impossible choice: live in fear forever – or fight back.

As hunter and hunted exchange places, the lines between justice and vengeance begin to blur. Because some monsters never stop coming for you. And sometimes the only way to survive is to find a way to stop them, forever…

📖 My Review..

Reaching breaking point, Ella Hart finally reports her abusive boyfriend to the police. With evidence stacked against him Nigel Franks is convicted and sentenced but even with her abuser behind bars, Ella never feels safe. When she comes to the aid of her friend, Poppy, who is also another traumatised victim of domestic abuse, Ella is determined that the time has come for them stop allowing these vicious men to take control of their lives.

Cleverly written, with a terrifying edginess, the story unfolds not just from the perspective of both Ella and Poppy but also from Nigel, the prison governor who has the measure of the man, the prison psychologist who assessed Nigel for release from prison and who sees good where evil lurks and finally Detective Inspector Laura Kesey who understands better than most that the justice system consistently fails these traumatised women. All of these fascinating characters add a sense of realism to the story and drive the action spinning headfirst into what is, after all, an inevitable reckoning.

I read That Day at Rose Cottage in one sitting simply because I couldn’t bear the thought of Ella and Poppy’s pain and wanted the whole sorry story to pan out in the way I hoped it would. With his usual flair for cracking good storytelling the author paints a vivid picture of despair, fear and a twisted sense of righteousness which made me reach the end of the book with a wry smile. Justice served.

About the Author

John Nicholl is a Welsh author renowned for his gripping psychological thrillers and crime novels. Born and raised in West Wales, Nicholl draws upon his experiences as a former police officer, child protection social worker, and lecturer to craft compelling narratives that delve into the darkest corners of human nature. His work often explores themes of justice, psychological manipulation, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Twitter/X  @nicholl06

Twitter /X @BoldwoodBooks