Judith D Collins
a day ago5 min
Cyrus Haven #4
By: Michael Robotham
Narrator: Joe Jameson
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 978-1668030998
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: 07/02/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
PubCyrus Haven and Evie Cormac return in Robotham’s latest psychological thriller, which finally unlocks the secrets of Evie’s past and reaffirms why Stephen King has proclaimed this author “an absolute master.”
The mystery of Evie Cormac’s background has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach.
There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk. The police recruit psychologist Cyrus Haven to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link
to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what
dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?
Michael Robotham, a favorite author among psychological thriller fans and a top Australian crime fiction writer—returns with his acclaimed Cyrus Haven series. In this latest installment, #4 STORM CHILD we revisit the complex relationship between Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, two characters who have been at the heart of the series since its inception.
Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, two deeply emotional characters, are back as they try and unlock the secrets of Evie's past, a journey that will surely resonate with readers and keep them glued to the pages!
Some memories are buried for a reason…
The most painful of Evie Cormac’s memories have been locked away, ever since she was held prisoner as a child— a child whose rescue captured hearts and headlines.
Evie Cormac’s traumatic background has followed and haunted her into her adulthood. As a child (the silent child), she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten.
How did she come to be hiding in the walls, and why didn't she escape when she had the chance? What was her name, and where did she come from? She has only bits and pieces and random thoughts that dangle in front of her like baited hooks.
The past collides with the present when Evie is on holiday with Cyrus, and a boat of migrants is overturned. This is a trigger for Evie. Does she recognize something from her past? A memory? She watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach with only one survivor. A teen boy informs police their small boat was destroyed deliberately.
Psychologist Cyrus Haven (forensic psychologist) is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but sees that Evie, who has a connection to the migrant tragedy, might hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the past and solving this crime.
STORM CHILD is a psychologically rich, razor-sharp, emotionally charged suspense thriller. Fans of the series who have followed Evie and Cyrus will be fully engaged and satisfied. Dark and moving, some of Evie's memories are not so pleasant, but she will have answers (and so will the readers).
Action-packed, gripping, and emotional — fans will see the growth in Evie since the start of the series. She is not the same damaged teen that Cyrus met four years earlier at the secure children's home in Nottingham. Evie is like a little sister to Cyrus and fills a hole in his life and he will never stop caring for her.
The author's exploration of the remarkable depths of the human mind, heart, and soul will surely stimulate the intellect and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
I have been a huge, long-standing fan of the author for many years. All his books are first-class, personal, and soul-searching with strong takeaway messages. His well-developed complex characters, lyrical prose, settings, insightfulness into the human psyche, and twisty plots set him apart from many other thriller authors.
Congrats! Marking 20 years of books from this highly talented author, we cannot get enough and hope for many more to come! His former investigative journalist skills make him one of the best international crime writers of today.
STORM CHILD is a must for Robotham fans and the Cyrus Haven series and an excellent addition to the series. For fans of Lisa Gardner, Linwood Barclay, David Baldacci, and Karin Slaughter.
Thanks to Scribner for an advanced reading copy via NetGalley for an honest opinion.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 2, 2024
“Well paced with a slow tension building to a gripping climax [and] very pleasing ending, Storm Child is a terrific addition to the series. Although this could be enjoyed as a stand-alone, the series really deserves to be enjoyed from the beginning. . . . A totally engrossing and captivating read from a master storyteller.”
—Mystery & Suspense Magazine
“A razor-sharp and emotionally charged thriller that explores both the darkness of men’s hearts and the resiliency of human spirit.”
—LISA GARDNER, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the of the Frankie Elkin series
“Fast-paced . . . will rivet the reader’s attention. . . . Fans of crime fiction will love this one.”
—KIRKUS (starred review)
“Storm Child proves once again Robotham is not just among the world's top thriller writers, he is without question the best when it comes to characters whose pain we feel. Storm Child is a great read with something important to say.”
—LINWOOD BARCLAY, author of No Time for Goodbye
“Robotham’s stirring fourth mystery featuring forensic psychologist Haven is the best yet. Robotham adds moving new dimensions to the dynamic between his well-developed leads, and shrewdly connects the central mystery to [character] Evie Cormac’s backstory. This series continues to impress.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Readers who fell for teenager Edie in Robotham's earlier novels will welcome her return. Robotham's prose gleams [and] the finale is satisfactorily bloody."
—BOOKLIST
“Tension and tenderness—Michael Robotham is that rare thing, a writer who does both brilliantly. And that makes Storm Child an utterly thrilling emotional ride. I enjoyed it hugely.”
—WILLIAM SHAW, author of The Birdwatcher
“Storm Child is a riveting and absorbing masterpiece—a cancel-your-social-plans and ignore-your-family kind of book. Michael Robotham never lets me down!”
—CHRISTIAN WHITE, author of The Nowhere Child
"A gripping thriller. I couldn't put this down. Complex characters, plenty of twists and turns, Storm Child left me breathless.”
—SIMON MCCLEAVE, author of The Snowdonia Killings
Michael Robotham is a former investigative journalist whose bestselling psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages. He has twice won a Ned Kelly Award for Australia’s best crime novel, for Lost in 2005 and Shatter in 2008. His recent novels include When She Was Good, winner of the UK’s Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for best thriller; The Secrets She Keeps; Good Girl, Bad Girl; When You Are Mine; and Lying Beside You. After living and writing all over the world, Robotham settled his family in Sydney, Australia. WEBSITE