I tried to read this book and it just wasn't for me. it was slow and I just couldn't get into it

A riveting novel that gets you from the first page. Great ideas, fun and wonderful characters!

For my suspense/thriller fans out there, let me tell you about The Girl at the Bar by Nicholas Nash! An out of work trader named Ragnar sees and meets the beautiful Rebecca in a hotel bar. Their chemistry is instant and after talking about everything, including her role as a cancer researcher, Rebecca decides not to fight the desire between them and goes home with Ragnar. When Ragnar wakes up the next morning, he finds that Rebecca is gone and he is kicking himself because they didn’t exchange numbers. However, it’s not long until the police show up at his door inquiring about his relationship with Rebecca and he learns that she has been reported missing. Soon there are several people involved other than the police that looking into her disappearance and/or considered suspects including rival pharmaceutical CEO’s and fellow researchers, Rebecca’s ex-fiance, an ex-cop and an ex-boyfriend and fellow researcher. After initial questioning, Ragnar can’t get his mind off of Rebecca and her disappearance. He questions himself, wondering if he did something and blacked out, but also starts doing his own research and finding his own leads into her disappearance. Lines are blurred and several paths cross one another as everyone tries to figure out where Rebecca is, if she is still alive and most importantly, who is behind her disappearance.

I loved this novel in that it wonderfully represents a “whodunnit” mystery. There are so many players involved and so many sub-plots related to each person that at times, it almost makes your head spin. Poor Ragnar was fired after an on-going cover-up trading job cost people millions of dollars. He now lives alone, unable to find work and has few friends or even acquaintances. Although he keeps having these fabulous “aha moments” where he is able to gain some leads on Rebecca’s disappearance, he also ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time frequently throughout the novel. An old co-worker of Ragnar’s named Eddie is very active in the story with his expert IT skills for research and putting together the pieces of the puzzle as Ragnar gives them to him. His character is brilliant and adds a lot to the overall plot. The rival pharmaceutical CEO’s Julia and Matheus both claim to want to help find Rebecca, especially Julia that likens Rebecca as a child to her. Julia has Rebecca on her side and with Atticus Pharmaceuticals, but Matheus has always wanted Rebecca to join Faust Pharmaceuticals, along with Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend and researcher, Gustav. Other researchers Nancy and Christy are also relevant, especially Nancy, who has always been jealous of Julia and Rebecca’s close friendship. Then there is also the famous researcher Dr. Gupta, who was basically left behind by Rebecca and her breakthroughs and blames her for stealing his early research in finding the cure for cancer. Basically – there are a lot of people connected to Rebecca, the cancer research, and each other – all of whom could be responsible for her missing or become the next target.

The kidnapper makes several appearances in the novel prior to being revealed, but those moments refer to “the void,” as a void that needs to be filled but it’s referred to as a living thing. There are some weird, freaky things that go on in the void’s “head,” but it all just adds to the suspense and mystery as you read and try to figure out who are good guys, who are bad guys, and who has stabbed who in the back along the way. I must admit that I did not have any idea who the void was and was shocked once it was revealed. I love a mystery that keeps me guessing and re-guessing the entire time, and this is definitely one of those novels! The novel was very fast-paced and held my attention, although at times I felt bogged down by some of the cancer research lingo and back stories, but after finishing the novel and reflecting back on it, I feel like it mostly added to the plot and suspense. I also loved that this was told from several points of view. Almost everyone that is relevant in the story speaks from their point of view at some point or the other, giving the reader a thorough glimpse of what’s going on in their head, while still wondering if they are the bad guy.

Was this the best mystery/suspense thriller I’ve ever read? No. But, it was damned good and pulled me in from the start. I highly, highly recommend The Girl at the Bar if you enjoy this genre. It’s a crazy, wild ride but is very entertaining and will keep you guessing until the end!

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

WOW- A trillion suspects- ok maybe not that many but a lot- with twists and turns that will keep you up at night- at least it did me. Characters that you can believe, and a suspenseful story because you can't be sure who the good guys are.

This book is a definite page turner. If you have time to read it in one sitting I suggest you do so!
I didn't know what to expect from this book but I was pleasantly surprised with all aspects from the characters, the apparent research that went into the science details of the book, to the suspense that lead to a very surprising ending! I'm looking forward to reading more works by this author.

This book may be categorized as a Sci-fi/Thriller, but the author found a way to play psychological warfare with me! Up was down, left was right. Even I didn't know who to trust!

The story starts off with a chance encounter between a beautiful woman, Rebecca, and a handsome man, Ragnar, in a bar. They immediately hit it off and their instant chemistry turns into a night of passion. When Ragnar wakes up the next morning, he's sad to see that Rebecca's gone and he has no way of getting in contact with her. All too soon, the cops are at his door because Dr. Rebecca Chase has gone missing and he was the last one to see her.

Ragnar starts off as a suspect, but he's determined to find his girl, with or without police cooperation. As the cops start digging, their list of suspects grows longer. The body count is rising and suspects are dropping like flies.

I honestly didn't know who was behind it all and didn't bother to hazard a guess after I got it wrong the second time! Everyone had secrets and everyone had a motive. I was pleasantly shocked by the big reveal and I think other readers will be too. There is no doubt that the author keeps us guessing right to the end.

Nicholas Nash held me captivated with his mastery of words and this story refused to loose me from its grip until it reached its conclusion. It was obvious that he spent tremendous time on not only forming this story, but the research that went into it. I recommend this novel to fans of crime/sci-fi/mystery/thrillers.

Release Date: February 1, 2017
Genre: Sci-fi/Thriller
POV: Multiple - 3rd person
Steam: 1 out of 5
Series or standalone: Standalone

It seems a good first effort, though not much mystery. An average mystery reader would figure out the insane perpetrator, even though no "aha" clues presaged it. Also hard to imagine the intense motivation of the lead protagonist to spend the money and time to pursue his one-night stand, since he was jobless and rather aimless.. I would still hope the author will continue and hone his craft.

3.5 stars--THE GIRL AT THE BAR by first time author Nicholas Nash is a contemporary, aduit, stand alone, psychological, medical thriller that follows several paths culminating in a decades long vendetta for sins of the past.


Told from several third person points of view using flashbacks, memories, present day and the meanderings of a psychotic mind THE GIRL AT THE BAR is a story of research, hope, devastation, betrayal, murder and revenge. Rebecca Chase is a cancer specialist on the cusp of discovering a possible cure for cancer but hours before her symposium presentation Rebecca goes missing, and the last person to see her, Ragnar Johnson, is a man with a questionable past and Rebecca’s one-night stand. What ensues is a multi-layered investigation looking at several potential suspects that is hindered when a number of Rebecca’s colleagues are murdered within days of her disappearance.

THE GIRL AT THE BAR is a psychological thriller ; a story of intrigue that looks at the competitive side of cancer research; the probabilities of finding a cure; and the potential to save thousands of lives if a cure is to be found. There is an enormous amount of medical detail and technical terminology all relating to finding a cure for the big C but as to its’ authenticity I am not able to confirm the validity of the information presented. The story line also has some questionable means of investigation when a person of interest (aka suspect) is able to uncover more information and clues than the law enforcement or the forensic investigators combined. Similar to many thrillers THE GIRL AT THE BAR contains scenes of graphic violence, blood shed and murder.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the members of two competing research teams, the medical community, law enforcement and a host of witnesses, suspects, and a computer genius capable of breaking through any computer barrier.


THE GIRL AT THE BAR is an engaging and intriguing story line of suspense. The premise is thrilling; the characters are colorful and animated; the reveal is a surprise you will never see coming.

Copy supplied for review (Netgalley)

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This was a great read. Action packed and full of mystery from the outset. We meet Rebecca, the mysterious girl at the bar and witness her steamy encounter with Ragnar. And then she goes missing. In my mind, Ragnar had nothing to do with this, but he comes under suspicion from the start. Rebecca is one of the world's top cancer researchers, on the verge of a major breakthrough. Is her disappearance linked to the rivalry between her pharmaceutical company, run by the enigmatic Julia, and their major competitors? Staff poaching appears to be the norm, has this been taken to extremes? Ragnar has recently lost his job in the world of trading, under a cloud - is this connected? We don't know. There's a tight knit set of characters and I spent most of the book trying to figure it out. Nobody is safe- as more victims appeared I became more confused as each of my theories was blown away! The police aren't the sharpest, but they avoid sticking to their early conclusions. And there are at least three investigations going on - who will reach the right conclusion first? And will this be a murder investigation or missing person? An ending I didn't see coming and a wholly satisfying read.

My Review: 4/5

As you can tell from the blurb, this is a medical crime thriller. I put my detective skills to work on this one and I was wrong! I love that!! The author kept me guessing until the very end.

It is a fast read. Some of the medical terminology was a little difficult to understand, but the author does a good job of explaining. I will admit one thing that bothered me was the overly descriptive paragraphs. He tended to over-explain what something was. It left me a little bored and I found myself skipping over the explanation. Also, the writing style was a little different for me, and not something I'm used to. He had a tendency to not use personal pronouns. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I am just not used to that type of writing.

This was different than the usual police drama/murder mystery I usually read. It kept me guessing until the very end, and for that reason alone I highly recommend!

I was given a pre-release copy of The Girl At The Bar in exchange for my honest review. This book is one of my favorite books in recent times that I've read. This book did an excellent job of keeping me on my toes until the very last page! Nicholas Nash is a wonderful author and a great storyteller. He was able to develop the characters in such a way that I was never able to figure out who the 'mystery character' was. Every single time I *thought* I knew who it was, I was quickly proven wrong. There were so many twists and turns, and I was captivated the entire time I read the story! Also, there was clearly a lot of research dealing with cancer research that went into the writing of this book. I learned so much that I never knew and I loved that aspect of the book! Overall, I would highly recommend this book!

Hot opening scene....one night stand. Rebecca only leaves her black bra behind and slips away before he wakes. No note or phone number.

Police come knocking on James door days later....Rebecca is missing. This gorgeous woman happens to be the 'most' brilliant medical scientist working on a single cancer vaccine - that would cure virtually 'any' cancer.

Intoxicatingly- intimate storytelling - page turning enjoyment!!!

Thank You Fireflies Publishing, Netgalley, and especially author *Nicholas Nash*...
THANKS NICK!!! You're a mensch!