Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham. I really like this series featuring Joe O'Loughlin, a clinical psychologist with Parkinson's, and I have followed the series for quite a while--as much for the characters as for the compelling crimes Joe finds himself involved in. Joe is still in love with his wife Julianne, but because of mistakes he made, they have been separated for six years. When Julianne asks Joe to spend the summer with her and his daughters, Joe is eager to do so, even if he tries not to hope for too much.
At the same time, he is asked to help with the murder of a mother and daughter. At first he refuses, but a former student has used Joe's name, then betrayed the trust of the police and leaked information about the crime.
Plenty of suspects and some red herrings, but Joe finally makes the right connections. You need not have read the previous entries in this series to appreciate Robotham's latest, but if you have, the twist at the end may surprise you! Nuf said.
What next, Mr. Robotham?
NetGalley/Mulholland Books
Crime/Psychological Suspense. 2015/ April 12, 2016. Print length: 392 pages.
Brief description: "Ayleswick-on-Teme, 1813. Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, has come to this seemingly peaceful Shropshire village to honor a slain friend and on a quest to learn more about his own ancestry. But when the body of a lovely widow is found on the banks of the River Teme, a bottle of laudanum at her side, the village's inexperienced new magistrate turns to St. Cyr for help."
C.S. Harris continues to keep my interest in this series; in fact, I think she gets better. Again, you don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. There is an overarching storyline that develops a little with each entry, but the main plot of each one is complete.
I like the cover, but it don't be misled into thinking this is a romance. Harris plots intricate and atmospheric historical mysteries, and this one is excellent.
NetGalley/Berkley Publishing/NAL
Historic Mystery. March 1, 2016. Print length: 370 pages.
brief description: "Following a humiliating fourth Season in London, Lady Elizabeth Fraser is on her way back to her ancestral country estate when her train careens off the rails and bursts into flames. Though she is injured, she manages to drag herself and her unconscious mother out of the wreckage, and amid the chaos that ensues, a brilliant young railway surgeon saves her mother's life. Elizabeth feels an immediate connection with Paul Wilcox—though society would never deem a medical man eligible for the daughter of an earl."
I like the time period, and the information about the early railroads in England is interesting. The characters are likable, but there is a little too much emphasis on an insta-love romance for me. The mystery itself is solid, but I would have like it much better without the insta-love.
NetGalley/Random House/Alibi
Historic Mystery. March 29, 2016. Print length: 411 pages.
I've got a copy of CLOSE YOUR EYES and look forward to reading it. I love Joe and wonder now what the ending will bring - thanks! LOL
ReplyDeleteHey, I also just finished reading Sibel Hodge's book that your reviewed last year - WHERE THE MEMORIES LIE - about the father with Alzheimer's and then it's discovered that a missing teen is buried beneath the garage. I remember you saying you'd like to talk to someone about it. Well, feel free to email me. I'm a bit on the fence about this one and trying to decide if I will even review it. Hmmm.....
Where the Memories Lie was so many books ago! I remember that Olivia wasn't a character I truly liked; she annoyed me in so many ways. I can't remember really liking anyone but Tom much by the time I got through. I'll email you with what bothered me. Or as much as I remember! :)
DeleteI have been meaning to try C.S. Harris. I must get around to him.
ReplyDeleteHarris is a woman. Her first name is Candy--I just saw that on Amazon. She has a PhD in European history and lives in New Orleans. I had no idea!
DeleteI'm jealous that you've already gotten to read the new C.S. Harris novel; Sebastien St. Cyr is one of my favorite characters, and I have this book on hold at my library, but it's still "In processing" and who knows how long that'll take. But I can't wait to read it! :) The other two books sound good, too.
ReplyDelete:) NetGalley! As soon as I saw it, I was all over it! And after I posted this, I had to go to the Post Office and on the way back, stopped at the library and picked up some Sebastian St. Cyr books that I'd missed. My husband has plans for this weekend, and I'm gonna' stay in my pjs, eat popcorn, and read all weekend!
DeleteThese sound good. I'm adding the O'Loughlin series to my list.
ReplyDeleteJoe's battle with Parkinson's give this series a different angle. Hope you try this series, Stephanie.
DeleteClose Your Eyes sounds interesting! Glad to hear this can be read as a standalone. :-)
ReplyDeleteRobotham is good about giving you enough of the background information in a subtle way and each book works as a stand-alone. I started in the middle and then went back to pick up the early books.
DeleteInsta-love - that's great! Sometimes it works for me and other times it really doesn't. All of these sound great though and definitely mysteries I would love to check out. I have read a couple of the C.S. Harris books and do like the series but it's been year's since I checked in with the characters. I really need to go back for a visit!
ReplyDeleteIf the author had not spent so much time on it, I could have accepted it. The unlikely romance just got too much attention, so those snarky comments in my head kept interrupting my reading. The information about the railroads and the early accidents was interesting.
DeleteC.S. Harris has produced a book a year since 2005--I've missed quite a few in this series.
I thought I had commented on this, but perhaps I got distracted in the middle and never hit publish. I imagine Joe O'Loughlin's ex isn't too happy with him taking on another case. Wasn't that part of why they split up in the first place? I can't remember. I've been wanting to try C.S. Harris's books for awhile now. I have a copy of A Lady in the Smoke to read. I don't mind romance so much, but insta-love annoys me.
ReplyDeleteNo, Julianne isn't too happy with Joe's involvement, but she has mellowed some and has other things on her mind. I like C.S. Harris' later installments the best. The mystery of A Lady in the Smoke was interesting, but the romance distracted me because it was too intense too quickly. But that's just me. :)
DeleteI tried to resist but I kept remembering your comments and so I requested the first in this series from the library. I started reading it about an hour ago (7 PM) and it looks like a long night. What a terrific writer. The dialogue is especially crisp. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin series? Or the St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris? Anyway, I'm glad you are enjoying it, Mary!
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