Bestselling Thriller 'The Attic' Available as Free Ebook for Limited Time

The bestselling psychological thriller 'The Attic' by Richard McMaster will be available as a free ebook on December 4 and 5, 2025 through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Richard-McMaster/author/B01LDIJ2QU?. The novel has achieved bestseller status in both contemporary fiction and psychological thriller categories, with readers praising its emotional depth and intricate plotting. 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, assumes a fake identity, and takes a low-level computer support job before going on the run from the FBI.

Byron's journey leads him to hide in the attic of Henry Steel, a dying old man estranged from his daughter over family secrets related to his wife's death. As Byron cares for the old man, the novel explores themes of redemption, identity, and ethical dilemmas. One of the 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.

Reviewers have praised the novel's complex characterizations and suspenseful narrative. One reviewer noted the book contains "rare disease rep, ethical drama, and a wildly underrated whistleblower story wrapped in quiet literary suspense." Another said, "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 novel's emotional depth draws readers in, allowing them to become emotionally invested in the lives of the characters while the intricate plot requires close attention to detail and careful piecing together of clues.

McMaster's other works include the bestselling historical fiction novel 'Aaron's War,' which details the struggles of a Jewish soldier's experience in WWII, exploring 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 of his books, 'Voyage Of Life,' is an exploration of overcoming obstacles that leaves readers deeply moved and inspired, capturing the essence of the coming-of-age 60's with a twist as the story parallels Thomas Cole's Voyage of Life paintings.

Dennis Keller of The Hudson Weekly noted that "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." The author's writing has been described as both 'page-turning' and 'gripping' while maintaining thoughtfulness and depth that elevates his work beyond mere genre fiction. More information about the author is available at https://richard-mcmaster.com/. The free promotion offers readers an opportunity to experience McMaster's acclaimed storytelling without cost during the two-day period, potentially introducing his work to new audiences who appreciate psychological thrillers with emotional resonance and complex character development.