From the bestselling author of The Secrets She Keeps and Good Girl, Bad Girl comes a new thriller featuring the brilliant forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven as he becomes embroiled in an explosive murder case with disturbing origins.
Criminal psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac return in this mesmerizing new thriller from internationally bestselling author Michael Robotham, a writer Stephen … writer Stephen King calls “an absolute master…with heart and soul.”
Who is Evie, the girl with no past, running from? She was discovered hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a terrible crime. Her ability to tell when someone is lying helped Cyrus crack an impenetrable case in Good Girl, Bad Girl. Now, the closer Cyrus gets to uncovering answers about Evie’s dark history, the more he exposes Evie to danger, giving her no choice but to run. Ultimately, both will have to decide if some secrets are better left buried and some monsters should never be named…
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When She Was Good is the sequel to Good Girl, Bad Girl and sees the return of criminal psychologist Cyrus Haven and young ward of the state Evie Cormac. Evie is also known as Angel Face, but neither are her real name. Who is she? What happened to her as a younger girl? Why is she still in danger? Most of all, who wants to find her? Cyrus feels compelled to uncover the truth about this girl who has gotten under his skin. But the closer he gets, the great the danger for her, him, and others. They are up against a wide-reaching, untouchable enemy, so how can justice possibly be served, and how can it end well? To find out, you’ll need to read When She Was Good. Somehow, I don’t think this is the end though… I highly enjoyed the read, and recommend starting with Good Girl, Bad Girl to get the most from it. Though heavy on flashbacks to explain the past, as it heads towards the finish line, it becomes quite the page-turner. (4.5-5.0 stars)
I read ‘Good Girl, Bad Girl’ and absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the characters, and as I listened to the audio version, I was really impressed by the narrator. This second book in the series goes into Evie’s past, delving into some disturbing territory, putting Evie, Cyrus, and those close to him in danger. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first. If you enjoy crime, I highly recommended this series.
Great characters
Anything Michael Robotham writes is an instant buy for me now I’ve discovered him. I waited impatiently for this book to come out and consumed it.
After reading the first Cyrus Haven book, I was anxiously awaiting some sort of closure. When She was Good did just that, but now I’d like to see a third! Cyrus Haven is a talented, persistent criminal psychologist. He first met Evie Cormac at a group home, and the two formed a special, trusting bond. Evie has a horrendous, terrible past full of sexual and physical abuse, death, loss, all at the hands of a powerful sex trafficking ring. Those responsible want her dead in this book. Even with her identity hid for years, somehow they have tracked her down and she knows it. What follows is the reader is finally told what really happened to Evie and how she survived. Cyrus and reluctant Evie uncover the men responsible, and it may prove fatal. This is a fast-paced read, and, again, I’d like a third installment!
This wasn’t a five star for me like his last one, Good Girl Bad Girl. This is a continuation of the same story line and for me it might have reached plot line fatigue. It’s just me, I’m sure. It can also be that Good Girl Bad Girl was too good, too wonderful and anything else might pale in comparison. Don’t get me wrong this is a solid read and I enjoyed it. I also had the feeling that this one was a little more of a slow burn the way the story developed, almost like it’s a mystery construct told in a thriller construct which would account for the slow burn. The characters are well developed and there is a great balance between story and character development which is difficult to do. Four stars is a great rating but for me it didn’t quite rise up to a five. I will be recommending this book and look forward to his next.
David Putnam author of The Bruno Johnson series.
When She Was Good by Michael Robotham is a marvellous contemporary crime suspense that I could not put down. It is the second book in the Cyrus Haven series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Wow, what a fantastic book that totally consumed me. The action is told from two alternating points of view. A series of flashbacks fill in the blanks for the reader in this cleverly constructed and well executed read.
Characters are linked by tragedies. Trust does not come easy. To divert one’s own mind from past events, a character seeks to rescue another. Strong bonds are formed in unlikely places.
Characters are searching for the truth but the closer they get to it, the higher the body count.
Michael Robotham is a new author to me and I cannot wait to read more by him. This was a totally thrilling, highly absorbing read. There are some hard to read scenes of child abuse and neglect that stand side by side with pockets of kindness. I can highly recommend this book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
4.5 stars!
I liked the first book but I liked this one even more. I was one of those people who didn’t think the author gave us enough about Evie in the first book and I finally got my wish. The mystery of Evie Cormac is finally solved although there are a few questions I still have that makes me wonder, is this the end? Will there be more? Maybe it depends on how well this book is received? Anyways, I would definitely read another book in this series if there is one.
I like how the books are written with alternating POV’s between Evie and Cyrus because as similar as these characters are, they are very different. Cyrus got very aggressive in this book in his pursuit of the truth, and it strained things a little between him and Evie. I hope ultimately having the truth set free can help her, although I would be naive if I thought she was “safe” now.
Cyrus and Evie are back in this terrifying and exciting sequel to “Good Girl, Bad Girl”!
It’s been awhile since I’ve read the first book, but I didn’t have any issues remembering the eye-popping storyline. The author is great at giving us plenty of details along the way. This could be read as a standalone, but you would be missing out on such a fantastic first book!
I absolutely loved the first book, except for the ending! I had so many unanswered questions, I threatened to send Mr. Robotham hate mail . Not only were we left hanging, but there was no mention of a second book.
Cyrus and Evie are two of the most intriguing characters I’ve read about. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist working with the police and he’s formed a unique relationship with Evie, due to their many similarities.
Evie is the same sassy and resourceful teenager. She’s closing in on her 18th birthday, but still can’t manage to stay out of trouble. Their relationship is as witty and interesting as ever.
This book focuses on Evie’s mysterious past. Cyrus is going against her wishes, searching for answers in hopes of helping her. But Evie has reasons for keeping her past buried and we finally find out what those horrendous secrets are!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Michael Robotham and Scribner Books for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
Another incredible group read with No Rules – Just Thrills!
My Rating: 5 Fabulous ’s
Published: July 28th 2020 by Scribner
Pages: 352
Recommend: Definitely!
@michaelrobotham @ScribnerBooks @weiss_squad
#psychologicalthriller #NoRulesJustThrills #MustRead #MostAnticipatedThriller2020 #MustReadThriller2020
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More on the author:
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