Acclaimed author Michael Robotham conquered international best-seller lists with this electrifying thriller. After a woman is brutally slain, investigators bring psychiatrist Joe O'Loughlin in for expert consultation. Joe is shocked to discover the dead woman is a former patient of his who cried rape when he rebuffed her sexual advances. Citing doctor/patient confidentiality, Joe hides this information. But the truth emerges, and suddenly he is the prime suspect.
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"This is the first book in the Joe O'Laughlin series. I went back to this after I had listened to the third. I really enjoyed this; I found it well-written and suspenseful. Like the other book I listened to in this series, I liked the intermixing of Joe's personal life with the mystery/main story of being wrongly accused of murder. I cared that Joe might be convicted of a murder he did not commit and rooted for him to find the real killer."
— Mathilde (4 out of 5 stars)
“[A] pleasantly creepy story, which is plotted with precision and narrated with real intelligence by the doctor, whose decision to keep mum on a serious medical condition of his own makes him look suspicious –and leaves him vulnerable when the real murderer shows up.”
— New York Times“The plot is not a new one—respectable citizen wrongly accused—but Michael Robotham handles it with unusual skill as he has us suspecting one person and then another.”
— Washington Post“Nail-biting tension full of fine characterization, brilliantly researched detail, and subtle humor.”
— Daily Mirror (London)“A clever plot…an absorbing read…a welcome new name in the genre.”
— Telegraph (London)" Joe O'Loughlin, a London psychologist, while helping Det. Insp. Vincent Ruiz on the case of a murdered nurse, Catherine Mary McBride, becomes the primary suspect in the killing. The story has many twists and turns, but at times things became a little confusing. I did not enjoy this book "
— Karen, 2/11/2014" This was ok - nothing new in the mystery dept. the main character is being framed for murder and he has to run from the police and figure it out.. this isn't a spoiler - the reader understands from the beginning that he isn't committing the crimes. He also as Parkinson's - I don't know why the author did that - it didn't add anything to the story. "
— Debbie, 1/21/2014" Written in first person narrative from the viewpoint of a psychologist in London whose former patient is found dead. The "plot thickens" and Joe successfully uncovers a long term vendetta. Interesting and suspensful. "
— Anna, 1/17/2014" First book I've "read" (listened to it) by this author, but won't be my last. Psychological mystery, with sardonic comments on human nature and daily life in modern London thrown in for good measure. The narrator, a psychologist, is a murder suspect, and he races to prove himself innocent by proving one of his patients as the murderer. Wonderfully narrated as well. "
— Kanewsted, 1/13/2014" The book is interesting and I am very interested in psychology so I loved that part of it. I got to a point that I had to just know what happened. I rarely do this but I skipped around and to the end to figure it out. This author has potential. "
— Harriet, 1/9/2014" Entertaining, smart, well-written. I'll definitely be reading more from Mr. Robotham. "
— Laura, 1/3/2014" One of the best contemporary thrillers I have read - snarky, twisty, fast...perfect. "
— Caroline, 12/27/2013" Lots of twists. A good first read of Michael Robotham. "
— Stacey, 12/14/2013" Good psychological crime story, written in 3 parts, plot moves right along. Flawed but likeable narrator and gruff detective. Looks like this may be a series. Will look for more titles to listen to. "
— Julie, 12/8/2013" Took me a while to get into this but really enjoyed second half. "
— Alsjem, 11/24/2013" 4.5 stars - wow, what a ride!!! "
— Suzanne, 11/24/2013" This is really a 3.5. "
— Lark, 11/11/2013" Great mystery! I was half right with the killer but still really good! I liked the characters and the narrator for the audio. I will definitely read another by this author. "
— Nicole, 7/17/2013" A really interesting mystery/crime novel about a psychologist. Much more involved character development, etc. than a lot of other crime novels. It was a little slow in the begininning, but more than made up for it by the end! "
— Lindsay, 12/22/2012" I loved this book, the narrative around the question lasted the length of the read, not letting up for a single moment. Deeply British, and that I liked too. "
— Jonny, 8/29/2012" Couldn't put this murder/thriller down, the twist at the end is excellent, a really good read. "
— Judy, 1/12/2012" Good thriller, takes place in London, central character is a psychologist who is framed for a murder that he's helping the police to solve. "
— Monica, 12/21/2011" I thought the story was well written... But I listened to it as an audiobook and I loved the narrator more than the story itself. Thanks Simon Prebble!! "
— Randi, 12/3/2011" Fascinating characters and a suspenseful plot. I'll certainly read more Robotham. "
— Deirdre, 10/12/2011" Taut thriller that keeps you guessing to the very end. I also liked the insight into Parkinson's disease that this book provided. "
— Kim, 9/24/2011" This is a really good book. It is written well, very suspenseful and I honestly didn't guess how it would end. I would recommend this to anyone who loves an honestly written suspense story. I could not put it down and any spare moment I had, I read it. "
— Christy, 9/8/2011" This book was recommended to me by a friend and I wasn't sure at first as I don't usually read suspense types. I read this book very quickly and got engrossed in the storyline from the get go. The plot has you guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next book. "
— Eve, 6/30/2011" Australian author. Set in London. Psychologist with Parkinson's is suspected of murdering a former patient. "
— Anne, 5/10/2011" I would rate this 4.5 stars. I liked this book and would recommend it. It is suspenseful and you want to keep reading it. I wonder if I would have liked it more if I hadn't read Shatter (which is the third one in the series) first. I enjoyed Shatter more. "
— Pam, 4/9/2011" Fascinating characters and a suspenseful plot. I'll certainly read more Robotham. "
— Deirdre, 3/16/2011" I only picked up this book because I shared a last name with the author (Robotham is not particularly common). Turns out I very much enjoyed the story. I'm a fan of the psychological thriller and this one did not disappoint. "
— Stacey, 3/10/2011" A psychologist is asked to consult on a murder and finds himself the lead suspect. The tale to finding who did is has many twists and turns. A great read! "
— Hollis, 2/7/2011" in one brain and out the other. "
— RK, 1/6/2011" First 1/4 was a bit slow but by the time I reached the middle I couldn't stop reading. Highly recommend! "
— Alexis, 1/6/2011" Read intently. From the first word I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. "
— Yannick, 1/2/2011" This book was a good read. It was not predictable, which I like. My boss turned me onto British thrillers and gave me this one because she enjoyed it and I did as well. "
— Shannon, 12/31/2010" Wow, what a treat! <br/>I loved the narrative, the betrayal, plot twists and there were times when I was truely too scared to read the next paragraph! Exceptional writing skills. I will have to read the next book. "
— Chris, 12/4/2010" Enjoying this. Robotham can really write. :) "
— Lisa, 6/8/2010" This book is wonderful!! I like Robotham more and more, this is the second book I've read from him so far. "
— Meghan, 5/22/2010" read it a while ago, but remember that i loved it. would recommend. "
— Emily, 5/2/2010Michael 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.