Two missing girls. Two brutal murders. All connected to one farmhouse. 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 . . .
Download and start listening now!
"I've listened to all Robotham's books, and in Sean Barrett he has found the perfect narrator. His lovely, reassuring baritone is perfect for the introspective, cerebral O'Loughlin, who never seems to get rattled (except perhaps at the end with a gun in his shaking hands), and he adds just the right edge for series "partner" and ex-London police detective Vincent Ruiz. The NYT review pointed out that these are books about fathers and daughters, and the parallels here, as Joe works to find a kidnapped girl and to reconcile with his own daughter, are beautifully integrated. This audio is totally immersive--the kind you want to listen to in one big gulp. (I finished it in under 2 days, even with social engagements). A riveting story full of red herrings and suspenseful twists, absolutely compelling. And a crime story that's so much more than an investigation of the crime; it also probes the heart."
— Joyce (4 out of 5 stars)
“[Barrett] narrates in smooth, deep tones that suit the smart but troubled psychologist, an enormously sympathetic character. Barrett lightens vocal tones, slightly raises pitch, and adjusts cadence to portray teenage girls and other female characters. Police personnel, including O’Loughlin’s longtime friend, a retired London detective, are readily distinguished through identifiable British accents. Barrett’s reading captures the relentless plot pace; he considerably ratchets up the tension in the terrifying denouement. An engrossing crime novel with enough red herrings to satisfy mystery fans.”
— Booklist (audio review)“Taut…Robotham doesn’t shy away from the unsettling, but he never seeks merely to titillate.”
— Publishers Weekly“Subtle, smart, compelling, and blessed with both an intelligent story line and top-notch writing, this book will grab readers from page one and not let go until the final sentence.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Robotham creates relentless suspense as law enforcement and O’Loughlin close in on a sinister soul with a deranged criminal mind.”
— Booklist“Robotham has provided a first-rate psychological thriller containing a disturbing and menacing central story flanked by acute observations about people under stress and how they react. The well-drawn characters on either side of the crime make fine supports for a wounded hero in a wounded world.”
— Sydney Morning Herald“Writing in the first person with subtlety and compassion, Robotham assimilates his multiple plot strands so skilfully the weight and texture of social interconnection becomes almost palpable as the various stories start to intertwine, and then violently collide.”
— Australian (Sydney)Remarkable....crime fiction of the highest order.
— Booklist, starred reviewMichael Robotham is the real deal and we can only hope that will write faster.
— David Baldacci, on The WreckageThe most suspenseful book I read all year.
— Stephen King, on Shatter" Glad I found this series by Robotham. The plots are well worked and the characters are ring true. "
— Marilaine, 2/19/2014" I really like his books. A real page-turner. Couldn't put it down. "
— Lynn, 2/9/2014" Reminds me a bit of Lovely Bones, but more of a thriller "
— Danielle, 2/4/2014" I can't remember rather last time I sat glued to a book for a solid three hours like this... I'll just finish this chapter... I'll just finish one more chapter... I've got to finish this book! "
— Julie, 2/4/2014" Wow! This was a very exciting book. Kept me guessing right to the last few pages. Part police-procedural, part psychological thriller, the main character, Psychologist Joe O'Loughlin, is quite a guy. I'm looking forward to reading others in this series. "
— Mike, 1/19/2014" I stayed up till 1am on a school night to finish this fast paced thriller. That should say it all! "
— Tricia, 1/16/2014" This book was so good I read it in 2 days..full of suspense kept me guessing til the end. "
— Lyn, 12/31/2013" I could not put this book down! "
— Karenj454, 12/30/2013" Really, really good. I couldn't wait to find out how it would end, but I did. I'm going to try to read all of his books. "
— Pat, 12/23/2013" Wow. So impressed with this book! An ending that I didn't guess in the first few chapters!!! Finally! "
— Lisa, 12/12/2013" Really good. Another one that was hard to put down. Not for the faint hearted...two teenage girls kidnapped and held by a guy for 3 years. Sometimes hard to believe but pretty good overall. Easy read. "
— Kristen, 12/7/2013" Loved, loved, loved this book! It was gripping, suspenseful, filled with fully-fleshed out characters and had an ending I thought I saw coming, but was completely off-base. Robotham is a master! "
— Rick, 12/5/2013" Such a page turner...guessing till the end. LOved it! "
— Jami, 10/23/2013" The first I've read of this author. A great read, I've ordered his previous novels through our local library, can't wait to read more! "
— Karla, 9/30/2013" A good page turning thriller in the usual reliable style. Full of suspence. "
— Sara, 7/29/2013" Michael Robotham is hard to beat when it comes to gripping psychological suspense. I'm really surprised that he isn't more popular. He should be in my opinion! If you haven't read him start at the beginning with "Suspect." "
— Srebeccalubin, 4/22/2013" Could not read it fast enough Joe is one of my most favorite characters Of all time. I hope Robotham is writing more! "
— Natalie, 3/20/2013" Awesome - a real page turner ... great suspense and such an enjoyable read! "
— Marianne, 2/12/2013" Good mystery! Couldn't put it down! "
— Katie, 1/31/2013" An excellent, suspenseful mystery. Will keep you up reading late at night! "
— Lindaellen, 1/26/2013" I read it in a weekend. Very intriguing. Now I need to reread it and see how it all fits together. "
— Jan, 1/23/2013" Clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is back again working with the police to try to discover how a 3 year old kidnapping and a brutal double murder are connected. Non stop action complete with some great twists and turns. This guy knows how to write a page turner. "
— Mary, 12/17/2012" A fantastic effort from Robotham, this story of kidnapping and murder moves right along and never lets up until the hard-hitting ending. Even though I figured out the kidnapper's identity early on, it didn't affect my enjoyment of this intense tale. Very highly recommended. "
— Gatorman, 11/3/2012Michael Robotham is a former investigative journalist whose psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-three languages. In 2015 he won the prestigious UK Gold Dagger for his novel Life or Death, which was also shortlisted for the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe Award for best novel. He has twice won a Ned Kelly Award for Australia’s best crime novel and has twice been shortlisted for the CWA UK Steel Dagger in 2007 for The Night Ferry and 2008 with Shatter.
Sean Barrett has won over twenty Earphones Awards and two prestigious Audie Awards for his audiobook narrations. He started acting professionally at the age of twelve and has since appeared on television and in film in Minder, Brush Strokes, War and Peace, Sons and Lovers, and Return to Oz. His stage credits include performing in the West End with Noël Coward in his Suite in Three Keys. He has worked extensively on BBC Radio and has also narrated several television series, including People’s Century and Crash.