The White Crow by Michael Robotham #bookreview

Thank you Scribner, #partner, for the advanced copy of The White Crow in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Scribner

Published: July 1, 2025

 

Summary:

Ambitious young police officer Philomena McCarthy, the daughter of London’s most notorious mob boss, returns in the latest propulsive thriller by author Michael Robotham.

Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds to become a young officer with the Metropolitan Police because her father and her uncles are notorious London gangsters.

On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child, covered in blood, who says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.

These two events collide and threaten Philomena’s career, her new marriage, and her life. In too deep, and falling further, Phil must decide who she can trust—her family or her colleagues—and on what side of the thin blue line she wants to live.

 

My thoughts:

This is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series, though the 1st book, When You Are Mine, did come out a few years back. As with most series, you can read these independently, but I will say you will appreciate Philomena’s character a bit more if you do read them in order.⁣
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As for this book, I loved it! It was a gripping, tense read from start to finish, with an emotional depth I wasn’t expecting. I already knew I loved Philomena’s character–I fell in love with her strength and determination in the 1st book — but seeing her go up against her own family in this book really shows what a complex character she is! ⁣
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There’s such a sense of danger and dread running throughout this book and it really kept me on edge. Even though this is crime fiction, I end up feeling for these characters that Robotham creates – they are so multidimensional and real. That little girl – oh my heart…I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and hug her! ⁣
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This is somehow only the 3rd book I’ve read by this author and I definitely need to change that…he had an entire backlist I need to read ASAP! ⁣
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Books in this series:

1. When You Are Mine
2. The White Crow

 

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