FOREWORD CLARION REVIEWS, 4 STARS

This is a refreshing thriller, with a compassionate protagonist and a complex set of crimes to solve.

Prepare for a roller-coaster ride of a thriller: Nicholas Nash’s The Girl at the Bar mixes a beautiful woman, an unemployed Wall Streeter, cancer research, and long-buried secrets together in a novel that zooms along at just the right speed.

Ragnar Johnson is fired from his Wall Street firm over his part in a quick money-making plan and stops into his favorite bar for some liquid consolation. There, he meets the intelligent and beautiful Rebecca; they strike up a conversation, talk for hours, and she goes home with him. When he wakes up the next morning with memories of a wonderful evening, Rebecca’s gone, leaving only her bra behind. He’s not exactly sure how to take the gesture, but hope flickers in him nonetheless.

Soon after, the NYPD sends detectives to his apartment to ask about his evening guest. Rebecca’s been reported missing, Ragnar seems to be the last person to have seen her before she disappeared, and he’s now a suspect. Rebecca left a deep impression on him, and he starts his own investigation. The more he learns about her, the more he’s driven to find her, and his intelligence and career knowledge in analysis give him the tools to do so.

The Girl at the Bar is a near-future thriller, featuring advancements from current technology in areas of cancer research and computer programming. Excitement and detail run high.

Characters are adeptly constructed; none do anything beyond their established behaviors, and backstories, movements, and thoughts are all well plotted. Distinguishing features—as with Ragnar, who has difficulties with speaking—help to differentiate characters from one another. The variety and number of characters in The Girl at the Bar are well balanced, offering a wide range of personalities without resorting to stereotypes as well as providing multiple information sources for solving the crimes in the story.

Some character traits stretch credulity, as with Ragnar’s mental health diagnosis, which would likely have made his Wall Street work much more difficult. Ragnar’s compassion and willingness to help others compel him to action very effectively.

This is a thriller that reveals its progressions consistently and at all the right times, maintaining the guessing game until the very end. The structure is tight without being spare, and the story moves through time well. Flashbacks are judiciously used, and the final scene revealing the key element gives an elegantly simple resolution with the revelation of one name.

The Girl at the Bar is a refreshing change from the glut of military and political thrillers more often seen in the genre. Atypical characters, a convoluted set of crimes, and its main character’s compassion set it apart in a very positive way.

 THE US BOOK OF REVIEWS, 5 STARS

"You always have a choice."

A whirlwind one-night stand turns into a bizarre nightmare for Ragnar Johnson after meeting cancer researcher Rebecca Chase at a local New York City bar. Her mysterious disappearance the following morning initiates a multitude of search parties, including Ragnar's personal investigation. Unfortunately, the police keep interrupting Ragnar's quest to find Rebecca since they earmark him as a possible suspect for a couple of different reasons. Besides the fact that he was the last person seen with Rebecca, Ragnar has a bit of a shady past as well as mental issues. Regardless of the police situation, Ragnar discovers a prominent clue that may uncover Rebecca's whereabouts. What he doesn't know is that there is more to Rebecca's disappearance than he expects, especially when grisly murders begin to surface.

Nash makes Clue seriously look like a kid's game in his page-turning debut. Producing a nail-biting psychological thriller, Nash includes a highly developed and tightly knit cast that will keep readers in a tizzy as they try to figure out "who did what in which room and with what weapon." His narrative, set during a nearly two-week period, continually shifts between present to past events. Nash throws in a flurry of activity along the way. As a result, Nash's story as one can guess is replete with twists and turns galore. Adding to its complexities, Nash builds his narrative by incorporating a constant influx of chapter cliffhangers. He also weaves in a handful of subplots, which ultimately culminates at the book's apex. Amid all the wonderful literary tools, Nash shines a light on the ins and outs of cancer research and pertinent medical information. A fast-paced and gripping read, The Girl at the Bar has the potential of wide audience appeal.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

Toula, 5 stars, Goodreads

First one I read by Nicolas. Contemporary one set mostly in New York and a few scenes in Los Angeles. This is a great great story that has you by the throat from the first page. There is a lot of research that Nicolas must have done. Everything is so real life. Everything just falls into place. This story is about murder, revenge and one sick mind that only sees what it wants. Hero is Ragnar. Heroine is Rebecca. 

Ragnar spots Rebecca at a bar. They both hit it off. They both start talking about what they do. Ragnar is unemployed. Rebecca works for a pharmaceutical company that tries to help Cancer patients. Rebecca's company does research with how cancer reacts to certain drugs. Rebecca and Ragnar have a night of hot steamy fun. 

When Ragnar wakes up the next morning Rebecca is gone. It's not your typical one that the lady leaves before the morning of shame.. every trace of Rebecca is gone ... no answer on her cell phone . Rebecca doesn't attend the function. She doesn't go back to her hotel room.  The police get involved and they believe that Ragnar did some illegal funny things to Rebecca. It's a need to read story because this is a very deep story.

Sarah Carper, 4 stars, Goodreads

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!

Adriana Koog, 5 stars, Goodreads

I was given a copy of The Girl At The Bar in exchange of an honest review. Wow, this book was excellent! The author provides a very interesting plot based on cancer research and the disappearance of one of the researchers. I loved the way the story was written with a lot of twist and turns that kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the ghost was. Action packed! Mr. Nash is a very talented writer with a gift of storytelling. I can't wait to read his next book!

Wren Reads, 3 stars, Goodreads

I was given the opportunity to review this book honestly before it was released.
Nicholas Nash seems to have done a lot of research on this book. He knows more about cancer than I know about anything in the health world. With that being said, I actually learned a lot about cancer and understand it a little more than I did starting out.

Nash did not just through facts at you though, that's what I loved. He actually explained things so when they are brought up again, you know exactly what he is talking about.

So, Rebecca is the girl that everyone stops and stares at. She has the smarts, the looks and the personality to make just about anyone fall in love with her.

So when she disappears after a one-night stand with Ragnar and before her big speech about recent discoveries in the cure for cancer, people start to get frantic and worried about their beloved scientist. 

So lots of people are pointing fingers at each other.Could it be Ragnar, the one night stand and tradesman down on his luck? How about Nancy or Christy, the envious colleagues and jealous coworkers? How about her boss, Julia, who may want all the glory herself? Or the competition, Dr. Gupta, who Rebecca countlessly refused? There are so much people who could have a reason to hate her; but do they have a reason to hurt her? Or kill her?

Nash spent a lot of time putting history behind each person. I felt as if I knew more about them than I really felt necessary, but I love a good backstory as long as it is needed. 

This is definitely and adult book. Can get a little graphic sexually and with murder scenes (lots of people do not make it to the end of the book). I thought it was a great read though and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good crime mystery.

1. Giving out 100 ARCs for reviews

2. Planning giveaways on book blogs

3. Planning a giveaway to everyone who pre-orders the book

4. Have set up around 10-15 author interviews

5. Releasing book excerpts on book blogs

6. Using social media platforms to connect with fans and influencers

7. Releasing book teasers one month prior to launch

8. Giving out signed hardcovers / bookmarks as giveaways