Publisher: Scribner Books
Published: January 4, 2022
Source: ARC Paperback via Publisher
Summary:
In this page-turning psychological thriller from an author who Stephen King called “an absolute master,” a young female police officer faces danger on all fronts—from a clever victim of abuse, her colleagues on the force, and even her own mobster father.
Philomena McCarthy is a young, ambitious police office with the elite Metropolitan Police in London. When she responds to a domestic violence call, she finds the victim, Tempe Brown, trying to protect her abuser, a married man named Darren Goodall, a decorated Scotland Yard detective afraid of no one. As Philomena pursues the case against him, she not only encounters resistance from her police force colleagues but also becomes dangerously entangled with the victim—who is not at all whom she appears to be—much to the increasing endangerment of herself and Henry, her fiancée.
Complicating matters is Philomena’s estranged father Edward McCarthy, a powerful man who has built a criminal empire along with his brothers. Philomena has long tried to pursue her career as a police officer without her father’s involvement, but as she falls under suspicion of stalking and harassing Goodall, her father becomes involved.
As the situation escalates, Tempe’s sinister maneuvers further entangle Philomena in a web of secrets, corruption, and murder, putting Philomena’s impending marriage, career, and very survival in jeopardy…
Spellbinding, suspenseful, and filled with complex characters that could be heroes or villains, Robotham has crafted a smart and propulsive thriller that’s impossible to put down.
My thoughts:
A while back I read a book by Michael Robotham and I really enjoyed it and have been meaning to read more of his books, but you know how that goes…too many books, too little time. So, I was thrilled when I was pitched his latest book.
Obsession is always a favorite trope of mine when it comes to psychological thrillers and when the main character happens to be a female police officer who is somehow involved…I found myself completely hooked. This complex story had me on the edge of my seat wondering just where it was headed right from the start. It was one where I did not know who to trust and with every twist and turn, I found myself completely at a loss as to what would happen next. Philomena is easily a character you can’t help but root for – she’s strong-willed and determined and even though she makes some questionable decisions, I still loved her.
This is a completely binge-worthy read and one that will have you holding your breath a few times. It delves into some heavy topics, such as toxic friendships and family and all the baggage that comes with it, as well as abuse, yet I could not read it fast enough. If you like complicated plots with fully developed characters, this one is for you!
