One thing a reader can always feel assured about when they pick up a book by Michael Robotham, is that you’re in accomplished hands. This is an author who never fails to tell a cracking story, with marvellously flawed and genuine characters you come to deeply care about. This instalment (No. 4) in the Cyrus Haven series is no exception.
In this book, psychologist Cyrus and Evie are muddling along together – Cyrus (a former student of Joe O’Loughlin no less) with his practice and Evie with her volunteer work at the animal shelter. Both wrestle with their personal demons and sometimes with each other too.
When Cyrus and Evie bear witness to a tragedy involving refugees, they are not only flung into a dangerous investigation, but Evie finds herself triggered by what she witnesses. Her locked memories begin to pry open, terrifying her and yet also compelling her to seek the answers she’s been avoiding her short life.
When Cyrus makes the decision to head north to see if he can finally learn the truth of Evie’s past, she insists on going with him. Together, they can achieve anything, can’t they? Only what neither of them considered is how far others might go to protect the past – their own and Evie’s. After all, there are some doors that should never be opened.
Michael Robotham has done it yet again. Written such a compelling book that is impossible to put down. Not only do the alternate viewpoints of Cyrus and Evie give you insights into their state of mind at any given point in the story (and their pasts), but it wouldn’t be a Robotham book if it didn’t also deliver an excoriating (and accurate) critique of social systems and contemporary politics. This is mystery/crime writing at its finest.
My only disappointment is I now have to wait another year or so for the next novel by this master of the craft.