This was a great story, and appreciate netgalley giving me the opportunity to read an early edition of this great book.
Evie is found dirty, Hungry and hidden in a cellar of a house.
Upstairs in the house is a rotten corpse, what was she doing in the house, outside were two Alsatian dogs being fed by the scraps Evie had found..
What had been done to her in the house.
Doctor Haven was given the task to find out who Evie really is and in the process got involved in another case that got them both in danger.

Great story will there be a follow up.

Good Girl, Bad Girl is a misnomer as a title but a truly engrossing read. Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. We have been Joe O'Loughlin fans (a Michael Robotham character) but both hope and look forward to further books based around both of the main characters Evie Cormac a girl with little known about her past who was found as a child in a house with a dead body, and Cyrus Haven a psychiatrist who is working for the police on the murder of young skating protege Jodie Sheehan as well as being asked to assess Evie.
CMichael Robotham has woven the story brilliantly looking at what is going on through both Evie and Cyrus's eyes as Evie gets involved in the case Cyrus is investigating. Two wonderful characters about whom we learn a little and there is room to learn a lot more in future novels and a great plot. A highly recommended book.

This is the first time I read a book by the author and I really enjoyed it. Cyrus a phsycologist gets asked to assess Evie a girl with a dark, hidden past and so the story starts. The book was very interesting in the fact that it actually had what I would consider two main stories and no sub-story, strangely enough it worked really well.

I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and how they interacted with each other. Evie in particular seemed very interesting.

My only issue with the book is that I think it should come with a warning about sexual child abuse. I normally would avoid books with such subject matter but on this occasion it was only lightly touched upon. The book ended in a way that makes me hope that this will be a series as I loved the two main characters so much. However if it delves deeper into sexual child abuse and becomes more descriptive I would not be able to stomache them.

So I’ve never read a book by Michael Robotham before but when I read the description of Good Girl, Bad Girl it really appealed to me and I’m so glad it did. I will definitely be looking to read more of Robotham’s work because this book seriously impressed me. I was immediately hooked by the characters. Evie is so incredibly fascinating to read about and she also has this unpredictability which left me on the edge of my seat throughout. Cyrus is the point of focus in the story and he is just as interesting as Evie. He has a complicated and tragic history that we are given hints about as the plot progresses and his relationship with Evie is one of the most compelling aspects of Good Girl, Bad Girl. It is not a relationship which has obvious parameters and I loved watching them try to figure out how to trust and be around one another after their lives draw them together.

This book is not your typical police procedural or thriller. It looks more at the psychological aspect of crime and at the way society treats people who are different like Evie. The story has two strands to it – one follows Evie and her struggle to achieve some level of normalcy after a mysterious and horrifying childhood. The flip side to Evie is Jodie, a talented and seemingly perfect figure skater who has been found dead near her home. Cyrus is involved in the investigation into her death and because of her link to Cyrus, Evie becomes entangled in it too. I genuinely had no idea how this story was going to unfurl, which is something I love in a book like this. I was racing to get to the end which was helped by the fact that Good Girl, Bad Girl has a fantastic pace to it, not once did I feel a lull in how compelling it was and there was an intensity running through the prose that felt relentless. I don’t want to give too much away concerning the plot because I think it’s unpredictable nature is one of the best parts of the book but I can honestly say this is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. I am very much hoping Robotham is intending to continue with these characters in the form of a series because I feel like there is so much more to unpack here but for now I highly recommend Good Girl, Bad Girl if you are looking for a clever, dark and infinitely compelling read.

This story surprised me a lot. It was so well written that I was hooked from the first chapter. I really didn't know where the story was going to go. It went back and forth from one story of a girl who had a bad childhood to the current story of a murdered girl but it wasn't confusing at all and eventually the two stories came together. The twists and turns were actually quite surprising and definitely didn't know what would end up happening. A good, easy read.

Good Girl, Bad Girl is the first instalment in a brand new series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, and boy is this up there with some of the most thoroughly compelling and compulsively readable thrillers of the year so far. For all intents and purposes, this appears to be a series to watch and one that may rapidly become unmissable. Robotham crafts an almost perfect crime tale with the requisite twists and surprises as well as suspense and mystery aplenty. However, unlike many books in the crime genre, the author doesn't put all of his eggs in one basket by assuming the twists will fool everyone and backs these up with a tonne of substance.

Moving at a good clip and with impressively complex characterisation, something that is usually sacrificed in a fast-paced novel, we are treated to a story full of excitement and drama. I have read each and every work of crime Robotham has produced and can honestly say that this is up there with his most accomplished and thrilling. It is clear he is an incredible storyteller; he never fails to get your attention from the very beginning and holds it right through to the explosively satisfying conclusion. With all of the aforementioned in mind, I unreservedly recommend this highly entertaining and absorbing thriller to all crime connoisseurs. Many thanks to Sphere for an ARC.

Excellent! Mr Robotham knows how to tell a great tale. I loved the Joe McKaughlan series and fervently hope that this is the first of a new series. Cyrus and Evie could be the making of a formidable crime couple: her ‘special gift’ ; his professional background and two backstories with plenty of scope...... I wait ;impatiently) for the next book.

This was a bit of a slow burner for me but once it got going I really enjoyed it.
Cyrus is a psychologist and is asked to help with a girl who no-one has been able to reach in a children’s home.
No-one knows her age as she was found hidden in a house six years ago along with the body of a tortured dead man.
Cyrus wants to help her and tries his best.
Alongside this story is a murder of a fifteen year old girl. Cyrus is asked to help with the investigation and comes across a family with lots of secrets.
The detectives and Cyrus need to work through all the lies to find the killer and it’s not made easy for them.
I’m hoping there will be another book about Cyrus and Evie as I’d like to know what happens next.
Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Compulsive reading, this is an addictive suspenseful psychological thriller like no other.

The plot is unpredictable with lots of twists and turns along with solid engaging characters.
There is also a sense of dread as the story deals with the deep and dark corners of the human psych.

I very much enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone!

I was utterly gripped by this fast-paced, emotionally satisfying thriller. There are various threads that were skillfully woven into the plot and kept me burning the midnight oil turning the pages. Firstly there is the mysterious Evie who is seeking emancipation from the care system, but with a past as traumatic and unknown as hers she needs a psychological assessment. This is where Cyrus comes in. Having experienced a traumatic childhood himself, he seems to forge a connection with Evie where others have failed. This relationship really intrigued me as it allowed glimpses into each of their past, and opened up the characters in a way that really piqued my interest. The plot thickens further as Cyrus is called upon in his role with the police, to investigate the murder of a local 15-year-old.

I really hope that this is the start of a new series. I'm left wanting to know exactly what secrets Evie is keeping, who she fears is looking for her and what exactly her ability to tell if someone is lying means. Cyrus is as much of an enigma and I am keen to learn more about him.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

When Evie Cormack was found almost starved hidden behind a secret wall and her so called father killed in the next room, it was clear that this must have a severe impact on the girl’s mind. But who is she? Nobody seems to miss her. Cyrus Haven, forensic psychologist with the Nottingham police, is highly interested in the case of “Angel Face” even though the now young woman refuses all cooperation with carers and doctors who already established that she possesses a unique gift: she can tell if somebody lies. Yet, Cyrus does not have the time to totally focus on her since the body of Jodie Sheehan, figure-skating prodigy, has been found close to her cousin’s home. The deeper the police investigate, the stranger and puzzling the facts that they dig out about the girl become: wasn’t Evie the golden girl with the promising career that everybody believed?

Michael Robotham’s latest thriller does not come with unnerving suspense, it stands out because of two other aspects: first of all, it really goes into the psyche of the protagonists and second, the complex story offers many leads and red herrings that keep you alert and reading on. The characters are much more intricate than you would expect for a mystery novel and thus add a lot of thrill to the plot.

Cyrus Haven, the psychologist, is himself an interesting character since his own family was murdered by his elder brother when he was just a child. The knowledge that not returning home on due time saved him sticks with him and finding his parents’ and sisters’ bodies surely had an impact on him. His subject of study is also designed very interestingly, she does not just react to her experiences of being abused and hidden, quite on the contrary, she is highly intelligent and capable of controlling her moods when interacting with psychologists. She can anticipate what is expected from her and thus play with those who want to gain insight in her brain what she refuses. On the other hand, there are some triggers that make her explode and react uncontrollably. Robotham gives them both a voice and with the first person narration grants a glimpse in their mind.

The murder case comes with many surprises, too. The more you learn about the victim, the more interesting the dead girl gets. She obviously had a certain image that was portrayed to her family and the world, but there are also secrets she kept and only shared with selected persons. Whenever the police are convinced to have established the course of the evening of her assassination, some aspects simply do not fit in the picture and keep them investigating further.

“Good Girl, Bad Girl” really is a psychological thriller that deserves this label. Cyrus and Evie are certainly an odd couple of which I would love to read more.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC of this book

I've read a few of Michael's books but not all of them and this one didn't disappoint.

Psychologist Cyrus Haven is called upon to assess a girl with a traumatic past while also assisting the local police figure out who killed a young skater.

This is a great book and one of the better books I have read recently. I, like others, would hope this could be the start of a book series and I want to know more about the characters Evie, Cyrus and Lenny.

I would suggest you keep this book for when you have time to read it as I had trouble putting it down.

I really enjoyed reading this although at times it covers some uncomfortable issues. Evie Cormac is in a secure children’s home in Nottingham, her background and suffering are shocking but I think she is very smart, extremely clever, brave and some of her responses made me laugh especially when deflecting questions with film quotes or songs. I particularly likes the Austin Powers quotes. So funny. It’s clear that Evie hates herself she believes she’s ‘Used. Abused. Unloved. Unloveable.’ which is so sad. She has anger issues but I feel that is force of circumstances. Her psychologist is Cyrus Haven who also has a very sad background. He is immensely likeable and kind, thoughtful and perceptive too. Some of their encounters are like verbal tennis but Cyrus is prepared to give Evie the chance to find a life outside the home and little by little she reveals a few things about her past as does Cyrus. It’s almost like they are learning to heal each other, together.
Another strand to the book concerns the death of promising figure skater Jodie Sheehan which is being investigated principally by another really likeable character DCI Lenore (known as Lenny) Parvel. Jodie was not quite what she seemed as the investigation shows and her family are hiding more than one secret. Initially I was uncertain how the two cases would connect but they do with dramatic and very sad consequences and once again poor Evie finds herself at tremendous risk. I couldn’t help but think she is the most unlucky girl in the world.
I think the end is a bit overly dramatic but I guess if someone is desperate that leads to desperate actions and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Overall, an excellent and exciting read and I assume there is going to be another Evie/Cyrus book which I will look forward to and most certainly read.
On a personal note I was born and raised in Nottingham so I loved the guided tour around the city!

Well, this book took me all round the houses and back on itself... Evie Cormac is a troubled young lady. Found in her early teens, half starved and filthy, in a secret room where a rather nasty crime had been committed, she has spent most of her days in a secure children's home after a number of failed foster attempts. She is approaching what they think is her 18th birthday and she has demanded the right to be released from this environment. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven (great name) is brought in to assess her prior to the powers that be making a decision on her future. She has never told them who she is - Evie is a new name she was given - or explained her relationship to the man whose house she was found in. Or indeed what actually happened. She does have one special skill though, the ability to see through lies, to know when someone isn't telling the truth. This is both a blessing and a curse, albeit a very useful skill. She also has trust issues. Cyrus is also assisting the police in another murder investigation (busy man) and thing get a bit strange when his two cases start to intertwine forcing his hand to make difficult decisions, decisions that could have repercussions for all involved.
Wow! This was a very skillfully plotted and executed, character driven story. I was able very early on to fully immerse myself into the worlds of both Cyrus and Evie and connected with them straight away. The two of them develop a special "relationship" that spoilers prevent me from going into any more detail here but suffice to say that although chalk and cheese, they rub along very nicely indeed. Both have vastly differing but intriguing pasts which impact into their current lives. Other characters were just as well drawn and all played their parts well.
Pacing was excellent and went hand in hand with what was going on in the narrative. At times it was a tad slow but those parts added background and colour so were wholly acceptable and anyway, they gave me time to breathe and compose myself before the next wave of emotional action started up again.
The two (initially) separate storylines were also well weaved around and about each other and, as the layers of both were peeled back and the truth started to emerge, well, shocking to say the least. And the ending when it came was perfect. Well, in keeping with what had gone before!
All in all, a cracking read that hit the ground running, kept my attention throughout and left me satisfied at its conclusion. My thanks got to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Cyrus Haven is a forensic psychologist who works alongside the police. He's been called in to observe a young girl called Evis Cormac. No one knows where she came from, what her name really is or even hoe old she is. She's thought to have been the girl who lived in a secret room where a man was to death. She has a talent, she knows when someone is lying. She's like a human lie detector. There is also the case of the shocking murder of a high school girl named Jackie. As Cyrus and the police investigate, many shocking truths come to light.

There is a lot going on in this book. DCI Leonora (Lenny) Pacer and Cyrus Haven are on both cases. Can Evie help them solve this mystery? Evie and Cyrus are marvellous characters, they were so realistic that is felt I knew them personally. The story unfolds in alternating chapters reflecting the viewpoints of Cyrus and Evie. The story is multilayered, full of twists and very suspenseful. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. My first read by Michael Robotham but it certainly won't be my last.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lottle Brown Book Group UK and the author Michael Robotham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My second book by this author and though well written for me I did find it a tad slow in places.
I enjoyed this to a point but I just felt it dragged somewhat.
I was initially expecting this to be more of a psychological thriller but this is actually a police procedural with an ongoing backstory.
This was told in dual POV and switched between psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac a girl with a mysterious past.
The story focuses on Cyrus's work with the local police as an advisor and top of the agenda is the investigation into local murdered schoolgirl and champion figure skater Jodie Sheehan.
Meanwhile in the background is Cyrus's professional relationship with Evie and his desire to help her.
This does leave the door open for future works as we are left with lingering questions mostly in regard to Evie and her mysterious origins.
I did take a while to get into this and I felt that the blurb here did slightly oversell this.
Though mostly a solid read I was left somewhat underwhelmed.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Good Girl, Bad Girl.

When psychologist Cyrus Haven meets the elusive Evie Cormac, they team up to help solve a murder. But what dark things are lurking in both of their pasts?

It’s taken me a while to write this review manly because I wasn’t totally sure what to say. Just like the book, I am in two halves about how I felt about it. On the one hand I liked the fact that the book very much sets up the mysterious Angel Face and the equally mysterious psychologist Cyrus Haven. Their relationship is explored well and we are given practically nothing about their pasts, something which I’m sure will be revealed in the forthcoming series. That said, I felt like as half of the story is focused on these two characters there wasn’t really enough answers in this book to keep my interest peaked – I just got a little frustrated with it! The other half of this book is the murder of young figure skater Jodie which was interesting but I felt a little predictable for me, the outcome didn’t particularly shock me and some threads were left unresolved which was disappointing.

I found the whole ‘human lie detector’ thing to be a little odd – the book strays into the supernatural in this element and I don’t really think it needed to. With the two damaged main characters, questions about their pasts and the murder case they are both trying to solve I felt there was enough without needing this element as well. I felt it jarred too much with the gritty realness that the rest of the book was trying to portray.

Overall Good Girl, Bad Girl is indeed a book of two halves but I didn’t really feel that it grabbed me enough with either concept and the supernatural element was a little jarring. Thank you to NetGalley & Little Brown Book Group UK – Sphere for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An unexpected story with riveting and intriguing characters. The writing is engaging and you cannot stop wondering what awaits on the next page. A well constructed and original thriller. Definitely recommend!

Sydney author Michael Robotham has long been one of the leading lights in modern Australian crime writing. Although due to the fact he sets his excellent books overseas - most in the UK where he worked as a journalist and biographer for many years - he's not really acknowledged as part of the growing antipodean crime wave like Jane Harper and her Outback tales, Paul Cleave and his Christchurch-set thrillers, Emma Viskic and her Caleb Zelic series set in Melbourne, or Vanda Symon's engaging Sam Shephard series in the South Island. is

The Gold Dagger Award-winning crime writer is a tremendous storyteller. In recent years Robotham has interspersed his series starring Parkinson’s-afflicted psychologist Joe O’Loughlin with an array of standalones . This latest novel GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL steps away from Joe but swims in similar psychological terrain.

Six years after a traumatised adolescent dubbed ‘Angel Face’ was belatedly discovered hiding out at a brutal crime scene, the renamed Evie Cormac wants to move out of state care. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven is called in to assess the unusual young woman who seems to be able to act as a human lie detector. Meanwhile, Cyrus also consults with the police on the headline-grabbing murder of a teenage ice-skating star.

Intercutting between Evie and Cyrus’s perspectives (two fascinating characters who’ve found different ways to cope with each of their traumatic childhoods), GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL engages quickly and flows throughout It's a real page-turner, with the whodunnit of the murder bolstered by plenty of intrigue in relation to a variety of character secrets. Overall this is yet another example that Robotham is an accomplished storyteller who knows how to draw readers in, hold their attention, and deliver an absorbing psychological thriller.

I'm curious to see if we will see more of Cyrus or Evie in books to come. There's series potential there.

I enjoyed this book but didn't feel really engaged with the characters. There were no real surprises in the plot and I found Evie's ability to tell if someone was being truthful very contrived and a bit annoying.
Thank you to netgalley and little brown book group for an advance copy of this book