Close Your Eyes – Michael Robotham

Close Your Eyes is the latest book by Michael Robotham. Clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin, Robotham’s most famous protagonist, features in this novel for the seventh time. The story usually flies off to a running start when Joe is the central character. My earlier reads, Shatter and Say You're Sorry, are good examples to substantiate my previous statement. Close Your Eyes is a tad different.

We have a crime, a double murder of a mother and daughter. The mother is butchered by multiple stab wounds where as the daughter’s body is sterile. The cops approach Joe, who is reluctant to offer help, as usual. Joe is informed that one of his old students has used Joe’s reference, without Joe’s approval, to be a part of the investigation. Worst part, he has made some confidential details public; to claim fame and also to make a quick buck. Unwilling Joe delves into the case to nab the perpetrator.

Joe unravels the truth bit by bit. He is also able to connect the murders with multiple cases of brutal physical abuse. As the victims fear shame, they don’t come forward to report these cases. This only helps the perpetrator to carry on with his scheme of things. The list of suspects only grows which makes Joe’s task harder.

There is a parallel track about Joe’s family. There is bonding, crisis and an unsavory stop. Though this subplot is woven without hampering the main story, I feel that this sub plot was unnecessary.

As a whole, this novel is a bit behind in meeting my expectations. Though the narrative begins with a bang and tries to keep the tempo, the story itself is not so compelling. Again, I have to clearly state that I am comparing this novel with Michael’s previous books I have already read. It might have been a good book, if I did not consider other works by the same author; I don’t know. Michael’s strong point is making his readers empathize with his characters. This is especially true when Joe is the main protagonist in the story. In Close Your Eyes, I empathized only during some portions of the climax. Read this book, it is good. However, I do not consider it to be the best from the stables of Michael Robotham.