Category Archives: Mulholland Books

April 11, 2016 · 11:55 pm

Review: Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham

Title: Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham
Joseph O’Loughlin Series Book Eight
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When a former student bungles a murder investigation, clinical psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin steps in to face a ruthless killer.

A mother and her teenage daughter are found murdered in a remote coastal home, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other posed like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her prince. Joe O’Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, trading on Joe’s reputation by calling himself “the Mindhunter,” jeopardizes the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.

Joe discovers a link between the farmhouse murders and a series of vicious attacks in which the victims are choked unconscious and brutally scarred. Now, Joe must stop a ruthless and brash criminal who has apparently graduated to murder.

Much to his surprise, he is ably assisted by his eldest daughter, now a keen and courageous observer of her own right. Together they must track and catch a hunter who seems to anticipates every move they make.

Review:

Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham is another cleverly written and  tightly-plotted addition to the Joseph O’Loughlin series.  In this latest mystery, Joe reluctantly agrees to consult on a murder case that has been compromised by his former student who uses their tenuous connection to inveigle his way into the investigation.

With few leads and the public clamoring for an arrest, Detective Chief Superintendent Veronica “Ronnie” Cray convinces Joe to take a look at the scene of the double homicide of Elizabeth Crowe and her university bound daughter Harper.  The case has stymied the detectives and Ronnie hopes Joe can see something her team has missed.  With a vocal radio announcer’s incendiary remarks riling up the village residents and psychologist Emilio Coleman aka “the Mindhunter” leaking confidential information to the press, the police and Joe are under intense pressure to solve this perplexing case before the killer strikes again.

No stranger to crime scenes, Joe is  stunned by the brutal attack on Elizabeth Crowe.  The violence inflicted during her murder is a stark contrast to the gentle manner in which Harper was murdered and  almost lovingly arranged postmortem.  Joe and the police cannot help but wonder if Elizabeth’s proclivity for sex in public places (dogging) might have put her in the crosshairs of the killer but this does not explain why Harper was murdered. During the course of the investigation, a long list of suspects begins to emerge, but Joe remains troubled by the very different ways in which the two women were murdered.  When another woman is murdered, there are striking similarities to the unsolved murders of Elizabeth and Harper which leaves Joe convinced the cases are linked but will he find the connection before another attack?

In the midst of consulting on this current case, Joe’s personal life takes a rather unexpected turn.  Long estranged from his wife, Julianne, the two have remained on relatively friendly terms as they co-parent their daughters Charlie and Emma.  With eldest daughter Charlie about to begin college, Joe is surprised when Julianne asks him to move back into the family home for the summer.  He, of course, quickly agrees since he is still deeply in love with Julianne and remains hopeful they will eventually reconcile.

Written in alternating perspective from Joe’s and an unknown person’s point of view, Close Your Eyes is an intriguing and suspense-laden police procedural.  With a vast pool of suspects, shocking revelations and unexpected plot twists,  Michael Robotham brilliantly keeps readers guessing the perpetrator’s identity until the pulse-pounding and action-packed conclusion.  The novel ends on an emotional note that will stun readers and leave them wondering about the future of the Joseph O’Loughlin series.

1 Comment

Filed under Close Your Eyes, Contemporary, Michael Robotham, Mulholland Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review

July 12, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Night Ferry by Michael Robotham

night ferryTitle: The Night Ferry by Michael Robotham
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 433 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Struggling detective Alisha Barba is trying to get her life back on track after almost being crippled by a murder suspect. Now on her feet again, she receives a desperate plea from an old school friend, who is eight months pregnant and in trouble. On the night they arrange to meet, her friend is run down and killed by a car and Alisha discovers the first in a series of haunting and tragic deceptions.

Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks upon a dangerous journey that will take her from the East End of London to Amsterdam’s murky red light district and into a violent underworld of sex trafficking, slavery and exploitation.

Review:

The Night Ferry is a complex and intriguing mystery by Michael Robotham. More than just a “whodunit”, this suspense laden thriller delves into the dark world of human trafficking. Fast-paced and riveting, it is a thought-provoking story touches on social relevant issues that will resonant with readers.

Alisha Barba is stunned to receive a plea for help from her estranged friend Cate Elliot. The two have not spoken in eight years but Alisha is quick to agree to a meeting and she is surprised to discover her old friend is now married and expecting a baby. Before Cate can explain what she needs from Alisha, she and her husband are run down and killed by a cabbie. With only a cryptic message to go on, Alisha begins an off the books investigation that takes her into the seedy underworld of human trafficking and what she uncovers is as shocking as it is heartbreaking.

Alisha is an experienced detective constable who is just about to return to work after recovery from a horrific injury that almost left her paralyzed. She is plagued with regrets over the events that led to the end of her friendship with Cate and she is devastated to lose her before they can reconcile their differences. Leading with her heart throughout the investigation, Alisha is determined to discover not only who killed Cate but why.

Alisha gets little help from the detectives assigned to the case and once the deaths are ruled accidental, she quietly begins digging around on her own. With little to go on but Cate’s whispered assertion that someone wants to take her baby, Alisha quickly discovers that Cate’s infertility issues led her friend to take drastic measures in her quest to become a mother. Her complicated past with Cate’s family becomes a hindrance early in the investigation and the Elliot family will do just about anything to protect their daughter’s reputation. Alisha doggedly pursues the clues she uncovers but they quickly lead to dead ends. The case takes her to Amsterdam where she finally gets an idea of what Cate was up to in the months before her death but Alisha’s efforts to bring the people behind her death are thwarted at every turn.

With a personal stake in learning the truth about Cate’s death, Alisha often makes impetus decisions that have dangerous consequences. She also has a social conscience and this leads to some very passionate outbursts in her pursuit for answers. While understandable given the circumstances, her inability to remain impartial hurts her investigation and endangers not only her case, but the people she is trying to help. Her zealous search for answers is admirable but it is also frustrating watching Alisha make mistakes that could jeopardize bringing the guilty parties to justice.

The Night Ferry is a spellbinding mystery that is full of unexpected twists and turns. Michael Robotham has once again written a tightly plotted and suspenseful novel that also provides an insightful view into the tragic exploitation of young, vulnerable women. It is another brilliant police procedural that stands out from others in the genre that old and new fans do not want to miss.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Michael Robotham, Mulholland Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, The Night Ferry

March 8, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Life or Death by Michael Robotham

life or deathTitle: Life or Death by Michael Robotham
Publisher: Mullholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 449 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Why would a man serving a long prison sentence escape the day before he’s due to be released?

Audie Palmer has spent ten years in a Texas prison after pleading guilty to a robbery in which four people died and seven million dollars went missing. During that time he has suffered repeated beatings, stabbings and threats by inmates and guards, all desperate to answer the same question: where’s the money?

On the day before Audie is due to be released, he suddenly vanishes. Now everybody is searching for him – the police, FBI, gangsters and other powerful figures – but Audie isn’t running to save his own life. Instead, he’s trying to save someone else’s.

Michael Robotham has created the ultimate underdog hero, an honorable criminal shrouded in mystery and ready to lead readers on a remarkable chase.

Review:

Set in Texas, Michael Robotham’s newest release, Life or Death, is an absolutely outstanding mystery about a prisoner who escapes one day before his release from prison. By all accounts, Audie Palmer is a very intelligent man so what on earth would prompt him to make such a foolhardy decision? The answer to that question can only be found in the tangled web of secrets surrounding the armored car heist and the unrecovered seven million dollars from the robbery.

Audie has been a surprisingly model prisoner throughout his incarceration and he has managed to survive numerous attempts on his life by both fellow inmates and dishonest guards. He has never discussed the robbery nor has he disclosed the whereabouts of the missing money. When he first escapes, he does not appear to have a clear plan or destination in mind and there is no obvious reason for his prison break.

The news about Audie’s escape is stunning and no one is more shocked than his close friend and fellow inmate Moss Webster. Moss has no clue why Audie would escape, and in fact, he is a little hurt that Audie did not confide in him. No one in the prison believes Moss’s claims of ignorance and he endures a fairly violent punishment for his perceived lack of forthrightness with authorities.

FBI Special Agent Desiree Furness is equally shocked by Audie’s disappearance. Although she did not work on the original robbery, she was later assigned to the case once the trail for the money and one of the alleged robbers went cold. Throughout the manhunt for Audie, Desiree is stymied by the lack of a clear motive for his escape and she eventually grows suspicious that there is more to the original case than meets the eye.

Sheriff Ryan Valdez is the arresting officer from the armored truck robbery and he is one of the first to arrive at the prison once news of Audie’s escape emerges. On the surface, his motive for inserting himself into the search for Audie seems plausible. However it is soon clear that there might a far more sinister reason for his involvement in the current case.

The truth about Audie and the armored truck robbery is slowly revealed through flashbacks. At one time, Audie had a bright future but his older brother’s criminal activities put Audie under a cloud of suspicion that set him on a collision course with disaster. After losing his college scholarship, Audie drifted along until he lost his heart to a beautiful young woman and their effort to begin a new life takes a very tragic turn. Now Audie is determined to right a horrific wrong, but will he accomplish his goal before his luck runs out?

Life or Death is a riveting and intriguing mystery. Audie is an extremely sympathetic and likable character and it impossible not to root for him despite not having all of the facts about him, his past or the events that led to his incarceration. The novel is well-written and the plot is unique and engaging. Although it is a bit of a slow starter, Life or Death quickly gains momentum and thunders to pulse pounding and exciting conclusion and Michael Robotham wraps up all of the loose ends with a very satisfying epilogue. An exceptional read that I highly recommend to anyone who reads crime dramas.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Life or Death, Michael Robotham, Mulholland Books, Mystery, Rated A, Review

March 10, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: Watching You by Michael Robotham

watchingTitle: Watching you by Michael Robotham
Joseph O’Loughlin Mystery
Publisher: Mullholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Michael Robotham brings us face-to-face with a manipulative psychopath who has destroyed countless lives and is about to claim one final victim.

Marnie Logan often feels like she’s being watched: a warm breath on the back of her neck, or a shadow in the corner of her eye that vanishes when she turns her head.

She has reason to be frightened. Her husband Daniel has inexplicably vanished, and the police have no leads in the case. Without proof of death or evidence of foul play, she can’t access his bank accounts or his life insurance. Depressed and increasingly desperate, she seeks the help of clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin.

O’Loughlin is concerned by Marnie’s reluctance to talk about the past and anxious to uncover what Marnie is withholding that could help with her treatment. The breakthrough in Marnie’s therapy and Daniel’s disappearance arrives when Marnie shares with O’Loughlin her discovery of the Big Red Book, a collage of pictures, interviews, and anecdotes from Marnie’s friends and relatives that Daniel had been compiling as part of a surprise birthday gift.

Daniel’s explorations into Marnie’s past led him to a shocking revelation on the eve of his disappearance: Anyone who has ever gotten close to Marnie has paid an exacting price. A cold-blooded killer is eliminating the people in Marnie’s life, and now that O’Loughlin is a part of it, he is next in line.

The Review:

Watching You is another spine-tingling thriller by Michael Robotham starring Dr. Joe O’Loughlin and his friend, ex-cop Vincent Ruiz. This chilling mystery is full of intriguing plot twists that will keep readers guessing right up until the novel’s spectacular conclusion.

Joe’s patient since her husband Daniel’s disappearance a year ago, Marnie Logan is becoming increasingly desperate to uncover the truth about what happened to Daniel. The police investigation has yielded no leads and financially strapped, Marnie’s stress is intensified when she is expected to work off Daniel’s huge gambling debt to a local thug. Equally concerning for Marnie is the feeling that someone is watching her-nothing she can prove but she is unable shrug off the eerie sensation. The discovery of a birthday project Daniel was working on for Marnie at the time he disappeared offers vital yet puzzling clues and completely turns the investigation around. When people connected to Marnie begin turning up dead, Marnie becomes the chief suspect but she denies any involvement. Joe is convinced of her innocence but even he begins to harbor doubts when shocking information about her past comes to light. Is Marnie a cold-blooded killer? Or is there a far more sinister explanation for both Daniel’s disappearance and the murders?

As with previous novels in the series, Watching You is written from multiple perspectives-Joe’s, Marnie’s and presumably, the killer’s. Marnie’s emotions and growing desperation are palpable and easily draw the reader in to the story. She is sympathetic and early on, there is no reason to doubt her. But when it becomes clear that she has carefully edited her past, it is very easy to become suspicious of her and that of course, leads to second guessing everything that has happened up to this point in the story.

Joe is still struggling with the day to day difficulties from his Parkinson’s disease but overall, he seems to be holding his own in that battle. He and Julianne are separated but not divorced and as a matter of fact, she is only briefly mentioned in passing. With his incredible ability to read people, Joe has picked up on the fact that Marnie is holding something back from him during their sessions but he has been unable to convince her to completely trust him. Even in the face of damning evidence, Joe remains convinced that Marnie is not capable of the crimes she has been accused of and his persistence pays off when he uncovers vital evidence that may exonerate her.

The third perspective is quite fascinating and provides psychological insight and valuable information about the unfolding story. This history is full of clues but offers little context of where these pieces fit into the puzzle.

Watching You is an ingeniously creepy story that is full of unexpected twists and turns. The plot is multi-layered and refreshingly unique. The characters are complex and realistic. Michael Robotham brings the novel to a jaw-dropping ending that is satisfying in some areas but will leave you guessing in others.

Another brilliant mystery by a true master storyteller that old and new fans are going to love!

Click HERE for my reviews of the other novels in the Joseph O’Loughlin series.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Michael Robotham, Mulholland Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Watching You

October 2, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: Say You’re Sorry by Michael Robotham

Title: Say You’re Sorry by Michael Robotham
Joe O’Loughlin Mystery
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Imprint: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

TWO MISSING GIRLS. TWO BRUTAL MURDERS. ALL CONNECTED TO ONE FARM HOUSE. WHO IS TO BLAME?

When pretty and popular teenagers Piper Hadley and Tash McBain disappear one Sunday morning, the investigation captivates a nation but the girls are never found.

Three years later, during the worst blizzard in a century, a husband and wife are brutally killed in the farmhouse where Tash McBain once lived. A suspect is in custody, a troubled young man who can hear voices and claims that he saw a girl that night being chased by a snowman.

Convinced that Piper or Tash might still be alive, clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin and ex-cop Vincent Ruiz, persuade the police to re-open the investigation. But they are racing against time to save the girls from someone with an evil, calculating and twisted mind…

The Review:

Say You’re Sorry, Michael Robotham’s latest novel starring psychologist Joe O’Loughlin is a riveting mystery with many unexpected twists and turns. The death of a married couple finds Joe drawn back into police work when he discovers a possible link between the murders and two girls who have been missing for three years.

Joe O’Loughlin’s life has taken a new direction as he is back in private practice and no longer consulting for the police department. He reluctantly agrees to lend his expertise in a current case, but when compelling evidence persuades Joe that Tash McBain and Piper Hadley might still be alive, he relentlessly pursues every lead he uncovers. With the clock ticking, he once again enlists retired police investigator and close friend Vincent Ruiz to aid in the investigation.

While in many ways Joe has moved on, in some areas of his life, he has made little progress. He has moved into the city which further complicates his relationship with daughters Charlie and Emma. He and wife Julianne are still estranged with no immediate plans for divorce although Joe has indulged in a few affairs. The dynamics between them are still complicated even though there is more of an emotional distance between them.

In Say You’re Sorry, Joe’s personal life (including his Parkinson’s disease) is overshadowed by the murder investigation and the hunt for Piper and Tash. There is a high sense of urgency to discover the connection between the murder victims and the missing girls. Joe is sometimes alone in his belief that Tash and Piper might still alive and he diligently works to overcome the police’s reluctance to re-open their case.

Told in alternating perspective from Joe and one of kidnapped girl’s points of view, Say You’re Sorry is an enthralling mystery with a unique and well-executed storyline. A tangled web of clues keeps the investigation steadily moving forward until events culminate in a frantic rescue attempt that will keep the pages turning at a blistering pace. Through a series of misdirects and red herrings the killer’s identity is cleverly concealed and Michael Robotham brings the novel to an absolutely stunning conclusion.

As with the other novels featuring Joe O’Loughlin, Say You’re Sorry can be read as a standalone novel.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the series HERE.

4 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Little Brown and Company, Michael Robotham, Mulholland Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Say You're Sorry

February 27, 2012 · 3:57 am

Bleed for Me by Michael Robotham

Title: Bleed for Me by Michael Robotham
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Imprint: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A teenage girl–Sienna, a troubled friend of his daughter–comes to Joe O’Loughlin’s door one night. She is terrorized, incoherent-and covered in blood.

The police find Sienna’s father, a celebrated former cop, murdered in the home he shared with Sienna. Tests confirm that it’s his blood on Sienna. She says she remembers nothing.

Joe O’Loughlin is a psychologist with troubles of his own. His marriage is coming to an end and his daughter will barely speak to him. He tries to help Sienna, hoping that if he succeeds it will win back his daughter’s affection. But Sienna is unreachable, unable to mourn her father’s death or to explain it.

Investigators take aim at Sienna. O’Laughlin senses something different is happening, something subterranean and terrifying to Sienna. It may be something in her mind. Or it may be something real. Someone real. Someone capable of the most grim and gruesome murder, and willing to kill again if anyone gets too close.

The Review:

Bleed for Me by Michael Robotham is a compelling mystery that brings murder close to home for psychologist Joe O’Loughlin. Joe’s investigation into Ray Hegarty’s death uncovers dark family secrets and startling revelations about Ray’s daughter’s Sienna’s private life.

Joe O’Loughlin is a complex and engaging protagonist who is struggling to maintain his relationship with his two daughters and estranged wife. Written in first person from Joe’s perspective, readers gain valuable insight into Joe’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease, his love for his wife Julianne, and his hope that they will reconcile. As the story unfolds, it quickly becomes apparent that Joe is at a turning point in making peace with his past so he can move into the future.

Joe’s investigation into Ray’s death is complicated by his emotional involvement with his daughter’s friend Sienna. His inability to maintain his objectivity adds an interesting dynamic to the plot and puts him at odds with longtime friends and fellow investigators. Seemingly unrelated incidents are interconnected and provide valuable clues into the identity of Ray’s killer.

Bleed for Me is an engaging novel with a fascinating plot and engaging characters. It is also an interesting character study as Joe employs his keen observation skills and psychological insight to catch a killer. Michael Robotham keeps the series fresh and unique as Joe finds a new perspective on his life and makes positive changes regarding his future.

Although part of a series, Bleed for Me can be read as a standalone novel.

4 Comments

Filed under Bleed for Me, Contemporary, Little Brown and Company, Michael Robotham, Mulholland Books, Mystery, Rated B+