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happy_hiker's review against another edition
5.0
I am a fan of the Joseph O'Loughlin series and I thought this was one of the best books in the series. The story was engaging - great writing, some twisty suspense, and compelling characters. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narration.
thebevinsclan's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was not what I expected but in a good way. All of the characters are well described and it was interesting to see as the story progressed, how they all were intertwined with each other. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries that have more to the plot than just that. I will say this is the 1st novel I have read my this author, so even though it says it is #9, I haven't read any of the others.
bibliotechied's review against another edition
4.0
Another enjoyable read in the Joseph O'Loughlin series. This one examines his relationship with his father as he discovers a secret life unhinted at in the moral high ground his father has always taken. There is also the aftermath of the death of his wife as Joe and his children work out how to live in their new circumstances. This series has always had a great emotional side as well as the crime aspect with characters that the reader cares about. I am not sure I have forgiven Robotham for killing off Joe's wife but I wonder how much longer a character with Parkinson's can carry on anyway. The trouble with having a central character that is not a policeman is that there are too many crimes that are personal and stretch credulity and this one is a doozy. I read most of it in one sitting but it is not the best in the series.
dbevvers63's review against another edition
4.0
Having read all the previous books in the series I was looking forward to this book and wasn’t disappointed. I enjoy Michael Rowbotham’s ability to structure his storylines and plot, there are wonderful twists and turns and even small comments made in the book resonate later in the story. The ability to create a good whodunnit is another of his skills, I admit I had the.wrong suspect in mind throughout. Just a slight issue for me is that I found Joe’s decision making in how he gets himself into sticky situations a bit disconcerting. For a renowned clinical psychologist his thinking through of issues seems at odds with his clinical ability, but his flawed character is another thing that makes the books appealing. Maybe he needs a good psychologist to help him out.
sophiekimber's review against another edition
3.0
This book was really interesting and insightful. This was my first Micheal Robotham book and I really enjoyed it. I will be exploring more of his books later. In this novel, I was really taken aback in a great way of how well developed and interesting the characters were. They ended up being so strong and well built, with their own stories and intertwined life that it became so real and interesting. I really felt for them, and it was a rare instance where the main character was actually my favourite character. The MC has incredible personal growth and his mindset and ability is so interesting to explore. His relationships are so interesting and well fabricated, and the one that touched me the most emotionally, was his relationship with honesty and parenthood with his youngest daughter, Emma. These awesome characters (probably some of the best collective characters I've seen for a while,) really saved the novel from a 3/5 stars and jumped it up to a 4/5 stars. The story was well written and suspenseful, and kept the pages turning, in the end, 'the who did it?'was fairly easy to predict, but the character's stories and motive were so good and it came together so well, that I didn't mind it at all. I would highly recommend, yet I wouldn't keep it on my bookshelf for the long term.
omnibozo22's review against another edition
5.0
All of the O'Loughlin novels involve the psychologists' family in the murder investigations Joe gets involved in. This one is completely about his family. Multiple layers of deception and intrigue keep the reader guessing, as with all of the stories. This brings me up to date with this series, though Robotham has plenty of other works out there... so off to find a couple.
andrea_reads_theworld's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first in the series, a bit slow paced for me, I didn't dislike it at all but didn't find it as spectacular as the reviews either. Was just looking for some easy listening in the car but the narrator's 'female voice' drove me up the wall. That said, it works well as an audiobook, didn't lose track at all.
jackiearbuckle's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting book but a little far fetched and unrealistic at times. I mean the main character is a psychologist, seeing clients and yet can take 4 weeks off work at no notice to run around investigating his own father’s assault - cause the police are too incompetent to do it themselves... I mean, what about his own work...
paperback_view's review against another edition
5.0
Joe's parents have been happily married for 60 years when he is called to the hospital after his father is brutally attacked. However, when Joe arrives at the hospital another woman is sitting by his fathers bed crying. Who is she?? Is she mentally unstable?? Is she a friend or did she try and kill Joe's father??
Robotham is a talented writer who weaves quite the unexpected plot twist that I did not see coming.
A real page turner
Robotham is a talented writer who weaves quite the unexpected plot twist that I did not see coming.
A real page turner