Bestselling author Richard McMaster has announced that the ebook version of his psychological thriller novel 'The Attic' will be available at no charge on February 4 and 5, 2026. The promotion will be accessible through Amazon, where McMaster's complete collection is available. The novel has achieved bestseller status in both contemporary fiction and psychological thriller categories, positioning it as a potential selection for book club discussions due to its multiple interpretative layers.
The story follows Byron Kelly, a man who becomes a whistleblower after discovering his CEO has embezzled over 26 million dollars from an international investment banking company. Facing assault charges and a lawsuit, Byron flees to Chicago under a fake identity, taking a low-level computer support job before his discovery forces him into hiding. He finds refuge in the attic of Henry Steel, a dying old man estranged from his daughter over family secrets related to his wife's death. Byron cares for Henry while navigating his own precarious situation.
One of the novel's principal characters, Sybie, was fashioned after a real high school classmate of the author who suffered from a rare genetic disorder. Some students called her Tic Toc because of the way she walked with her brace. Years later, she meets Byron, a former classmate, and they marry, but tragedy strikes before they can enjoy a honeymoon, setting in motion the events that lead to Byron's flight.
Reviewers have praised 'The Attic' for its emotional depth and complex characterizations. One reviewer noted the novel contains "rare disease rep, ethical drama, and a wildly underrated whistleblower story wrapped in quiet literary suspense." Another commented, "Absolutely loved this book. I don't want to give anything away, but this was the best book I have read in a long time." The book's structure, character development, and overall message lend themselves to engaging intellectual activity and discussion, making it particularly suitable for book clubs seeking substantive material.
In a story about McMaster printed by The Hudson Weekly, Dennis Keller said, "Richard McMaster never falls into the trap of presenting his characters as simplistic archetypes or caricatures, instead allowing them to emerge as fully-formed individuals with their unique voices and perspectives." Keller continued, "The author's writing is often described as 'page-turning' or 'gripping,' but it is also imbued with a sense of thoughtfulness and depth that elevates his work beyond mere genre fiction."
McMaster's other works include the bestselling historical fiction novel 'Aaron's War,' which details a Jewish soldier's experience in WWII, exploring themes of coming-of-age, antisemitism, forbidden marriage, PTSD, and substance abuse. USA Today bestselling author Holly Roberts called 'Aaron's War' "A coming of age story that grips your soul and takes you on a thought-provoking journey." Another novel, 'Voyage of Life,' explores overcoming obstacles through the lens of the Baby Boomer generation, using Thomas Cole's Voyage of Life paintings as a metaphor for the protagonist's life stages. McMaster considers this one of his signature works, with one reader noting, "This is one of the best romantic books I have read."
The author's website at https://richard-mcmaster.com/ provides additional information about his works. The free promotion of 'The Attic' represents an opportunity for readers to access a critically acclaimed psychological thriller that combines suspense with substantive themes of ethics, identity, and human connection, potentially expanding McMaster's readership and stimulating broader literary discussions.
