Title: When You Are Mine
Author: Michael Robotham
Published: June 30th 2021
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Pages: 416
Genres: Fiction, Crime, Suspense, Thriller
RRP: $32.99
Rating: 4 stars
For as long as we both shall live? A pulse-racing standalone thriller by the #1 bestselling author of The Secrets She Keeps, now a major TV series
Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds and become a promising young officer with the Metropolitan Police despite being the daughter of a notorious London gangster. Called to the scene of a domestic assault one day, she rescues a bloodied young woman, Tempe Brown, the mistress of a decorated detective. The incident is hushed up, but Phil has unwittingly made a dangerous enemy with powerful friends.
Determined to protect each other, the two women strike up a tentative friendship. Tempe is thoughtful and sweet and makes herself indispensable to Phil, but sinister things keep happening and something isn’t quite right about the stories Tempe tells. When a journalist with links to Phil’s father and to the detective is found floating in the Thames, Phil doesn’t know where to turn, who to blame or who she can trust.
This exhilarating thriller from the bestselling author – whose books have sold more than 6 million copies – is Michael Robotham’s finest page-turner yet.
Review:
Michael Robotham has sold over 6 million copies of his books according to the front cover badge on his latest release, When You Are Mine. Beneath the pages of this addictive new thriller from the crime fiction phenomenon is a story of the justice system, the law, domestic relations, danger, friendship, enemies and trust. Michael Robotham proves that he is the king of the psychological thriller genre with this exhilarating new tale.
Meet Philomena ‘Phil’ McCarthy. A young officer with a promising career ahead of her with the London Metropolitan Police, Phil has experienced a great deal of turmoil in her life already, due to her father’s gangster lifestyle. When the story opens, Phil must attend to a case of domestic assault. When she arrives on the scene Phil is confronted with an injured woman. This woman is the mistress of a respected detective so the case is soon closed off. But Phil quickly realises she is now embroiled in a difficult case and she has made a deadly new foe who will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out. Following this incident, Phil ends up connecting with the mistress of the detective. A friendship begins to develop and Phil grows closer to the helpful Tempe. But alarm bells start to ring for Phil when Tempe acts oddly and her stories don’t add up. Then a body is discovered with connections to Phil’s family and the detective. Phil is confused and conflicted, will she be able to crack this case and who can she turn to?
Michael Robotham really is a pro when it comes to crime fiction. The twice winner of the CWA Gold Dagger returns with another thriller offering. One to save for a long weekend or all-night vigil, When You Are Mine is an excellent addition to the Michael Robotham collection..
What struck me about When You Are Mine was the strong law, justice and policing element to this tale. All the police procedural scenes were authentic, realistic, gritty and credible. I enjoyed being involved in the groundwork and general routines of the Metropolitan Police unit in London. Phil McCarthy, the lead character and police officer is clearly marked. I valued Phil both a person and her career line as an officer. Robotham does an fantastic job with Phil. We also gain a great insight into Phil’s colourful family background and her current efforts in dealing with a challenging case.
In terms of the plot, Robotham has this aspect covered. With plenty of twists, surprising revelations, shadowy characters, untrustworthy figures, suspect events, shocking scenarios and double crossing, it is hard to stay settled at any point with this one. Robotham’s pace is even and the plot develops at a consumable rate. The suspense definitely builds as Robotham hurtles the reader to a pleasing climax. With a solid interrogation into themes of extortion, domestic relations, women’s rights, at risk society members, law enforcement, policing efforts and powerful society figures, When You Are Mine provides plenty for the reader to chew on!
When You Are Mine by Michael Robotham is published by Hachette Australia on June 30th 2021. $32.99.
https://www.hachette.com.au/michael-robotham/when-you-are-mine
To learn more about the author of When You Are Mine, Michael Robotham visit here.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
