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.

Shatter by Michael Robotham

Joe O'loughlin, a clinical psychologist, is compelled to intervene in a police matter. A naked lady, wearing only a pair of high heeled shoes, is on the edge of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. As Joe tries to engage her in a conversation, the lady falls into the river. Her last words: “you don't understand”. The cops conveniently want to close the matter as a clear case of suicide. Joe is not convinced. He is disturbed by this unnatural death; not just because he couldn't save her, but because things don’t add up in this alleged suicide.

The story picks up steam after this incident. In comes the daughter of the deceased mother. There are differences between the cops and Joe. In comes Vincent Ruiz, Joe’s long time friend and ex-cop. Couple of other incidents makes the matter serious. Half way through the book, the plot is completely different. Joe meets his nemesis. There is exhilarating duel between the mind readers. I cannot divulge any other information as it would jeopardize the story.

Overall this is another mind blowing psychological thriller by Michael Robotham. The narration mesmerizes the reader. If you love thrillers then include this book to your read list / library. So far I have read four books by this author; two are thrillers (Life or Death and The Wreckage) and two are psychological thrillers (Say You're Sorry and Shatter). Except for The Wreckage, all the other three novels have swept me off my feet. I am eagerly waiting to read the remaining novels by Robotham.

Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham

Say You’re Sorry tells the sorry tale of two teenage girls who go missing from a nondescript town. No one knows what has happened with them. There is no ransom demand, there is no letter stating a probable elopement, nothing. They just vanish together one fine day. The whole town is involved in their search which turns out to be futile. As days pass, cops, parents and people lose hope of ever finding them. They become the infamous missing girls; popular as Bingham girls. 

After a couple of years, a family is murdered. Joseph O'Loughlin is sought out for an opinion. Joe is a clinical psychologist who has worked with the cops in the past. He is coerced to take part in the investigation after he links the murders to the missing girls. He is ably assisted by his long time friend and ex-cop Vincent Ruiz. The rest is the crux of the story. 

The novel is gripping and the narrative is engrossing, yet different. We see two different narratives; one is through the eyes of the missing girl and the other is from the perspective of the outside world. Michael etches his characters in such a manner that you cannot ignore to empathize with them. We gradually come to know the background of the story and the characters in a timely manner. The suspense is taut till the end of the novel. 

This is the second book by Michael Robotham, I have read. I recommend people who have a flair for thrillers to try Michael’s book at least once. I can guarantee that you will go back for more. I, for one, am already hooked to this author!

Life or Death by Michael Robotham

Michael Robotham is an Australian author who, according to me, is relatively not known in India. Life or Death is his latest offering. Though Michael has been bringing out novels since a decade, I had never heard of him. I stumbled across his new book by chance and I have written about this event in another post. This book review is without any spoilers.

Life or Death is a very gripping novel. We have Audie Palmer who is implicated in an armed robbery. The robbery involves 7 million cash which has not been recovered, two encountered robbers, one dead suspect, one missing suspect and one civilian casualty. Audie is the only captured suspect who has survived a bullet to his head. He is imprisoned for a decade. Tomorrow he is supposed to be released but today he escapes a federal prison. Why?! What sort of a fool would do such a stupid thing?

The story unfolds gradually. As we turn the pages, we get to know about Audie’s life, his ambitions, his love interest, his zest for life and the passion with which he maintains his promises. The more you read the story, the more interesting it becomes. The thriller races towards the finish retaining the suspense till the very end.

Since I have read many thrillers, I did somewhat second guess one mystery (not at the beginning but towards the middle). As this novel is a suspense thriller, I had to limit the length of my review. If you are into mysteries, suspense and thrillers, this is a must have book in your library. You will enjoy every bit of this book.

The Kill List by Frederick Forsyth

The new book from Frederick Forsyth’s stable does justice to his genre of thrillers. It has all the standard elements of spying, suspense, action, vengeance, etc. The title of the book has no major relevance to the story. The author does mentions the what and how of the kill list. There are two main characters in the book: preacher and tracker. The story revolves around these two characters.

There is surge in jihad, perpetrated by unsuspecting individuals. The big brothers, US and UK, are worried as this new phenomenon of jihad was never heard off. Individuals who have no history in violence are taking to jihad, to target equally unsuspecting citizens. There is a pile of bodies. The governments realize this sudden outburst is only because of one person and he is identified as the preacher. Then we get to know about the tracker, the person who is assigned the task of eliminating the preacher. The story talks about how these two primary characters evolve; how the tracker outsmarts the preacher; how the good triumphs over the evil. We get to know how these two individuals are supported by individuals who share the same ideologies.

There is also a subplot about the Somali pirates and their business of hijacking ships. My personal opinion is that the sub plot does not add substance except for stretching the novel by a couple of ten pages. There may be arguments that this subplot is the means by which the preacher is lured out of his den. I tend to disagree.

The readers are kept in the dark about the details of one important communication between the tracker and the preacher. We can only second guess the contents of this communication. This mystery remains a mystery.

Overall the book is a good read and also good to have in your private library. What is lacking is the direct dual between the two main characters. It seems that one character is not even aware of the danger lurking for him whereas the other character has all the resources and means to accomplish his task. The vengeance angle is also very subtle. Anyhow enjoy the book!