Book Summary and Reviews of When She Was Good by Michael Robotham

When She Was Good by Michael Robotham

When She Was Good

Cyrus Haven #2

by Michael Robotham

  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (3):
  • Published:
  • Jul 2020, 352 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

From the bestselling author of The Secrets She Keeps and Good Girl, Bad Girl comes a new thriller featuring the brilliant forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven as he becomes embroiled in an explosive murder case with disturbing origins.

Criminal psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac return in this mesmerizing new thriller from internationally bestselling author Michael Robotham, a writer Stephen King calls "an absolute master...with heart and soul."

Who is Evie, the girl with no past, running from? She was discovered hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a terrible crime. Her ability to tell when someone is lying helped Cyrus crack an impenetrable case in Good Girl, Bad Girl. Now, the closer Cyrus gets to uncovering answers about Evie's dark history, the more he exposes Evie to danger, giving her no choice but to run. Ultimately, both will have to decide if some secrets are better left buried and some monsters should never be named...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Cyrus and Evie, both trauma survivors, are quirky, complex, and endlessly fascinating creations, and Robotham's meticulously crafted tale is propelled by their alternating first-person narratives. Readers will be putty in this supremely talented author's capable hands. An urgent, poignant, and terrifying thriller. More please." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"[A] powerhouse of a novel…The whole enterprise is enriched by wonderfully cadenced prose that almost invites one to feel its texture. It's rare to be overawed by the writing in scenes of violence and danger, but...this one's a jewel, and readers who don't know Robotham should immediately catch up." - Booklist (starred review)

"[A] twisty, emotionally involving sequel to 2019's Good Girl, Bad Girl...Fans of grim psychological suspense will be rewarded." - Publishers Weekly

This information about When She Was Good was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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Cloggie Downunder

Another brilliant read!
“People think they want the truth, but the opposite is true. Honesty is mean and rough and ugly, while lying can be kinder, softer and more humane. It’s not honesty that we want, but consideration and respect.”

When She Was Good s the second book in the Cyrus Haven series by award-winning Australian author, Michael Robotham. Initially, it looks like retired Detective Superintendent Hamish Whitmore has committed suicide. But that’s not what forensic psychologist, Cyrus Haven sees when he examines the scene. It quickly becomes clear that Hamish was murdered, and that it is related to the old (closed) case he couldn’t let go. What disturbs Cyrus most is the tiny notation in a corner of Hamish’s case whiteboard: Angelface, London, 2013.

Evie Cormac is back at Langford Hall, a secure children’s home, impatiently waiting to be deemed old enough to be released. But not everyone agrees that she’s ready. Meanwhile, she endures, hanging out for visits from Cyrus, and more importantly, their Labrador, Poppy. But Cyrus has been picking at the past, hoping to find out more about what Evie refuses to reveal; have his subtle enquiries tripped a wire that will put them all in danger?

For all those readers who wondered just how Evie ended up behind the wall in that house where the tortured corpse was found, this instalment of Cyrus Haven eventually explains all that, and a lot more! Evie doesn’t trust anyone, and maybe Cyrus would do well to take a leaf out of her book. As he meticulously follows up leads, it’s like he’s pulled a tiger’s tail. This novel is filled with edge of the seat, heart thumping action. And the final chapter, oh boy! Another brilliant read!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.

Victoria

Recommended, but read number 1 in series first
Thanks Scribner and Netgalley for providing this ARC. This was a fantastic follow up to Good Girl, Bad Girl. Highly recommended but read the first one before diving into this. I can’t wait to read more about these characters and I hope there are more to come in the series.

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Author Information

Michael Robotham Author Biography

Michael Robotham is a former investigative journalist whose bestselling psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages. He has twice won a Ned Kelly Award for Australia's best crime novel, for Lost in 2005 and Shatter in 2008. His recent novels include When She Was Good, winner of the UK's Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for best thriller; The Secrets She Keeps; Good Girl, Bad Girl; When You Are Mine; Lying Beside You; Storm Child; and The White Crow. After living and writing all over the world, Robotham settled his family in Sydney, Australia.

Author Interview
Link to Michael Robotham's Website

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