I’ve been a huge fan of Michael Robotham since discovering Shattered. He’s a writer who has just got better and better. Good girl, bad girl introduced us to a Cyrus Haven, a psychologist struggling to come to terms with a traumatic and violent event which killed most of his family. Evie, and equally troubled teenager enters his life and Cyrus finds himself caught up in her story. In this sequel, we discover more about Evie’s past and the people determined to keep her quiet. Cyrus wants to find out the truth and as those involved in the story are violently silenced one by one, will Evie ever be safe? A brilliantly complicated plot, and a great ending. Love this series.

When She Was Good is a gritty and nerve-racking thriller that reveals a backdrop of unthinkable child abuse, and a cast of characters that are absorbing and mysterious. Cyrus Haven and Evie alternately narrate the story as two characters that are brilliantly drawn and captivating. Both have disturbing pasts but are armed in this dark world with unique abilities that enable them to investigate crimes with clever insights.

Evie is fascinating, and her background and history are gradually revealed illustrating how she suffered as a child and struggles daily with the memories. Evie has an uncanny ability to tell if someone is lying – brilliant ability to have in solving crimes. In a world where she sees everyone with suspicion, she connects with Cyrus as her only source of reassurance and trust. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist and first met Evie in Good Girl, Bad Girl - a book I wished I had read before embarking on this one. Anyhoo, Cyrus has been called to the scene of a suspected suicide and quickly suspects murder. The victim, Superintendent Hamish Whitmore, had been investigating crimes connected to Evie’s past, and the more Cyrus digs, the greater the threat that emerges for Evie. Is it better to let sleeping dogs lie?

The riveting plot is full of danger and drama, and it totally enthralled me and kept me eagerly bound to the story until it was finished. More fool me, but I found answers to questions I did not know to ask. I should have done the sensible thing and stopped to read the first book, so the big tip here is to read Good Girl, Bad Girl first.

This is a series that is well worth reading so I can recommend that you should start this series before it gets away from you. I would like to thank Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in return for an honest review.

When She Was Good by Michael Robothom is a very well written and gripping novel. The two main characters are very different from each other but both have complex and traumatic pasts. This makes for interesting and, at times, disturbing reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to everyone who enjoys a cracking good read. I’m wondering if and hoping that we will meet these two again as the ending was left slightly open.

My thanks to Netgalley and Sphere, an imprint of Little Brown Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

My daughter is training to be a forensic psychologist in Nottinghamshire, so when I heard that this book features both, I couldn't not read it. It's great to read about places that I know, such as the Lace Market, Wollaton Park and the university, and I can see the story play out. Also Rampton Hospital, how does Robotham know it so well when he's from Australia?

Anyway, this book is a follow on from Good Girl, Bad Girl, which I should have read first but I wasn't aware of it at the time and sometimes felt as if I was missing something. However, this is a fairly good stand-alone novel and sliding into the story is easy. It is told from two perspectives, the psychologist (who has his own issues to come to terms with) and a strange and disturbed teenage girl who is very good at spotting liars.

​These are two great characters and the world is vividly expressed from their perspectives. Unlike many different point of view books, I was always aware of whose story is being told. Robotham's ability to write in different voices is excellent.

This is an uncomfortable story of abuse and mental illness, cat-and-mouse chases, action, murder and high-level corruption. What makes this book different is the unusual aspect of including scenes within British institutions. At the heart of this masterfully told tale is the theme of truth: the psychologists belief that it's the best policy and will set the victims free, and the opposite view that, basically, it is dangerous and over-rated. One quote, that I will pin on my notice board, sums it up - "It's not honesty we want but consideration and respect."

A good book, expertly executed. Recommended.

Highly recommended sequel to Michael Robotham's Good Girl, Bad Girl. Apart from saying 'do read it' it's hard not to reveal spoilers, twists. A really good, gripping book that anyone can enjoy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sphere for an advance copy.

Gripping story from start to finish. Despite the subject matter I found the book so compelling and well written I couldn't put it down.

Evie is a very likable character despite her issues and I found her well rounded

My only issue with this book is that it deals with issues of sexual child abuse and I feel that books that touch on this issue should come with a warning. I personally wouldn't have read the book if I realised what it was about.

# When She Was Good #Netgalley
This is most definitely a excellent read. I was caught in in the book by the second chapter. Although after reading the first chapter I was almost good. Evie who refuses to give her real band name and after almost exhausting every avenue they can not find out who she is. Cyrus a ex criminal psychologist starts to inveterate more. He thinks he’s helping Evie but she is becoming scared of what Cyrus finds out. What he didn’t realise he’s leading the evil towards Evie who know exactly what will happen if they find her. Evie decides she as to get away. Although she likes and trust Cyrus as a person she just can not trust anyone with the things she knows. It’s a fast paced easy reading book one that really grips you from the start, you start to feel for Evie and you pushing her and pushing her to stay but be left hidden near by so that she can have some sort of ordinary life. You are pushing for Evie’s safety this book drags you in so far it actually feels as if your there trying to protect her. When a book can literally drag you in the way this one does. You know your in for a mesmerising books thats just pure perfection. With lots of twists and turn because you feel your actually therc I found my heart rate went up and I felt the fear crawling into you from Evie you know longer know who you can trust. Yet Cyrus is one of the good guys who unwittingly bring fear to your heart as he as not realised he’s bringing the enemy towards Evie. When he actually realised what he’s doing by helping them find her. His he too late to save her. Thst I am afraid you will have to read for yourself. Oh I will say this I do not necessarily mean in this particular book but then again it’s something you have to find out for yourself. I have read a few books recently that it’s not always the good guys win . Which is making a refreshing change. If this Is one of those or not you will only find out by reading the book. Just glad there are some authors not being predictable. Love this book I
Now want to read more by this author as this is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely will not be the last

This is the sequel to Good Girl, Bad Girl so I would advise any potential readers to start with it. You won't regret it.
Before starting this book I was doubtful that it would live up to my expectations because I loved the first book so much. I'm happy to say that I needn't have worried. I could list any amount of superlatives here but suffice to say that I loved every heartstopping moment. Without a doubt this is the most exciting, exhilarating book I have read this year and I read a lot of books.

When she was good is a fantastic thriller that follows on from Good girl, bad girl, but can be read as a stand alone novel. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist working with the police. Evie is a teenager who was found hiding in the walls of a house that also contained the body of a man who had been tortured to death. When Cyrus starts looking into Evie’s past, it is obvious that someone is trying to keep it well hidden.
I was completely hooked from the start of this book and found the story to be utterly compelling. It is both plausible and thrilling with an ending that won’t disappoint. After watching the recently television version of Michael Robotham’s The secrets she keeps and reading this book, I am keen to catch up with his other work. Highly recommended.

When She Was Good is the 2nd book in Michael Robotham's fantastic criminal psychologist series.

Cyrus Haven is a man who has suffered serious trauma following the loss of his family. Being a survivor, he is racked by guilt though visits his brother, Elias, at Rampton, a high security psychiatric hospital. In this story, Evie (Angel Face) Cormac, now 17, who was found as a child hiding in the home of a gruesomely murdered man, is growing up in a secure children's home. Adam Guthrie, her social worker, is a professional without much skill and Evie has a hard time at the home. With a history of being let down, trust is a mammoth issue for her, and as Cyrus gets closer to uncovering answers about Evie’s dark past, he exposes Evie to terrible danger...

When She Was Good, with its dual timeline, was suspenseful and dark and the flawed characters were both wonderful and fascinating with a richness to them that really drew me in. There was a fantastic flow to Michael Robotham’s writing which was extremely appealing. The perfect pacing allowed me to fully appreciate the story with no dips in concentration. The story itself highlighted some very uncomfortable issues, including human trafficking and both physical and sexual abuse but nevertheless, it was a thoroughly immersive and compulsively readable thriller and a possible contender for one of my favourites of the year. I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown Book Group UK/ Sphere via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for an e-copy to read and review.
This is a difficult book to write a synopsis of without inadvertently giving spoilers!

When she was Good centres on a young woman, known as Evie Cormac, who has endured unimaginable events and is now living in a secure children's unit. She has few people in her life that she can trust, and one of them is Cyrus Haven, her previous forensic psychologist, who still visits and looks out for her. Cyrus knows more than most people about Evie's past, but nothing about her true identity or the reasons she can't tell anyone about it.

A retired policeman is murdered. Cyrus is called because it relates to other work he has done for the police. He immediately makes the link to the circumstances of Evie's discovery. He tries to get Evie to open up about her past, to bring the perpetrator of this recent crime to justice. As Evie suspects, this is a very bad idea and soon they are both in grave danger from people with seemingly unlimited resources.

This thriller races along, and events take the reader from the far reaches of England to the north of Scotland, with some particularly nerve-wracking and well realised chase sequences.
At no time did I know how things would pan out for Cyrus and Edie or the people they enlisted to help keep themselves safe: I was too involved in events to second guess the outcome. Characters seemed internally consistent and plausible throughout, which is a real strength of Robotham's writing.

There is a previous book featuring Evie and Cyrus, but this works extremely well as a standalone thriller.

When she was Good has been shortlisted for a Gold Dagger.

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.

I really enjoyed this book and will give it a huge thumbs up. With a great story line and excellent main characters - I would highly recommend this book.

Amazeballs!! I absolutely LOVED this book! I'm also hanging my head in shame because this is the 1st book from Michael Robotham that I've read. What was wrong with me?! I'm definitely now a fan and will stockpile his other books!

The story engages you from the 1st page and I found myself rushing through the pages to see how it will unfold.

"Nobody values the truth more highly than a liar" - Albanian proverb

Such true words and we all know people like this. But what if this truth is dangerous. Not only for you but also for the people around you? This is the dilemma that Evie is sitting with and people will kill for this truth to never come out. Will Cyrus be able to help her and at what cost?

"I am supposed to separate the person from the act, to hate the sin but forgive the sinner."

I absolutely loved Evie's character. She is a brave and strong young girl with a wicked sense of humour.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opini

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Michael Robotham certainly goes to the top of the class with this one. A compelling thriller told with panache and style that juxtaposes the best and worst of humanity, with characters who seem to defy their fictional existence, such is their realism. No more is this evident than in the central character of Evie. Evie: wonderfully funny, intelligent but damaged and abused Evie. A human lie detector no less, and the keeper of secrets of many wealthy powerful men. Until now she has stayed silent but the past is about to collide with the present. Only one man can help the resourceful Evie. His name is Cyrus, a psychologist with a dark past of his own. His belief in the inherent goodness of the world is shaky, but he believes in Evie. Both need to solve the enigma-wrapped-in -an-enigma that is Evie. But there are men out there who will stop at nothing to keep their inhuman and evil secrets hidden. Can good triumph over evil In the immoral universe of the rich and powerful? Well, maybe. Once you start reading this powerful, page-turner of a thriller you won’t want to stop. Robotham is fast becoming a cut above in a genre where prodigious talent is the rule, rather than the exception. Absolutely engrossing stuff from a writer with an inimitable storytelling talent.

A really good read and a great page turner. I was hooked from the start. This is a great series with believable characters and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I've had When She Was Good on my TBR pile from Netgalley for absolutely ages and other commitments kept pushing it down the pile. After reading the first in this series - Good Girl Bad Girl - I was absolutely smitten by the characters and wanted to follow their journey and, just to be clear I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. When She Was Good is a brilliant follow up and is every bit as compelling as the first in the series. Although it could be read as a standalone, I'd recommend reading the first in the series first to get the full effect of this brilliant follow up, which follows the two main characters' journey.
After finishing Good Girl Bad Girl, I was desperate to find out more about the two troubled main characters, Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac. I was left desperate to know the rest of their stories and in When She Was Good, that's exactly what we find out - well as regards Evie anyway.

Told from the two main characters' points of view, When She Was Good is poignant, thought provoking and utterly brilliantly written. Both characters are troubled in very different ways and that draws them together with an invisible bond that is stronger than steel.

I love that we get to see both characters' vulnerability as well as their strengths. At times I was almost in tears with Evie's story and I admit to having murderous thoughts on occasion at some of what she went through.

Rarely does a novel stir me so much that I want to immediately start on the next one and shout about it from the roof tops, but When She Was Good did just that. I felt I was with the characters each step of the way and was cheering them on over each and every hurdle they faced.

Spine tingling, suspenseful and chillingly emotive - I can't praise this book enough. I think it is my favourite book of 2020 so far.

**Out today!!**

Before I get into the review, here’s a short quiz that may save time.

1. Did you read “Good Girl, Bad Girl” ?
2. Did you enjoy it?

I’m going to assume you lovely people said “yes” to both as it is the only correct answer. So there’s really no need for you to read any further. All I’m going to do is talk about why it should already be on your TBR pile. You are excused. 🤓

As for the rest of you….obviously, we need to chat. GGBG was our introduction to Cyrus Haven & Evie Cormac, 2 intriguing MC’s with traumatic pasts. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist & we know his story. Evie is an enigma. A young woman who has grown up in care, we don’t even know her real name let alone her history. Hold on to your hat because that’s about to change.

They developed a bond during Cyrus’ last investigation & he wants to uncover her past. Evie is equally determined to block his every attempt but she may not have a choice. Her name has popped up in connection with the recent death of a retired cop. Someone has been searching a long time & finally found a lead to her whereabouts. And so begins a tense & creepy game of cat & mouse.

Intricate plot, well developed characters & MC’s you care about….all the ingredients that made book #1 a winner can be found here. Add in revelations about Evie’s past & at least one jaw-dropping twist & you’ve got an addictive read on your hands. Fingers/toes/eyes crossed that #3 is on the way.

I loved the descriptive style of writing right from the start in Michael Robotham’s latest, When She Was Good (a title that resonated with me as it was often quoted at me when I was growing up!). This is the second outing for criminal forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and again features Evie (Angel Face) Cormac, the young girl who Cyrus had been championing ever since she was rescued in very gruesome circumstances. This story introduces Sacha Hopewell, the young special constable who found Evie but then disappeared to live a reclusive existence in Cornwall. It quickly became obvious, at least to me, that this case concerns a child sex trafficking ring though it seems to take Cyrus a bit of a time for this to sink in and even more time for the police to want to investigate. Corruption at the very top seems on the cards. Thankfully we are spared the gruesome aspects of this case though Evie’s horrific back story is slowly and devastatingly revealed as this story weaves back and forward with the alternating POVs of Cyrus and Evie. The plotting and characterisation are top notch and make for a gripping read. While I haven’t read the first outing (Good Girl, Bad Girl) it becomes obvious quite early on that there is a backstory for Cyrus and Evie but I really didn’t feel that this impacted on my enjoyment. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the ARC.

Call it an oversight on my part, but I have to confess to not having read the first book in this series. While I do think it might have helped me understand better the dynamics between our two main characters, there was enough here for this book to stand alone (and I'm hoping when I go back and read the first book it will offer a different perspective on some events).
The story focuses on psychologist Cyrus Haven who has his own demons, but this time it's about a young girl - Angel Face, or Evie Cameron as he has come to know her - and Cyrus's attempts to help her remain hidden when people from her past come looking for her. Through Evie's memories and Cyrus's investigations we learn a little more detail about what led to Evie being found at the age of ten in an abandoned house with the dead body of a petty criminal who had been tortured. Nobody is meant to know who the young girl found at this infamous crime scene is, but Cyrus does and through his work someone has come to make the connection.
It's not giving anything away to say that Evie's past is closely linked to some very important people and a suspected paedophile ring. We suspect a number of those who Cyrus comes into contact with, but we do eventually get some answers - even if not everything is tied up cleanly.
There are some unpalatable details, and hints of a darkness that is quite unimaginable. Given that a lot of detail is told through Evie's memories/her perspective we are not given too much (which I'm pretty grateful for), though what we are told is enough to sicken and make the reader root firmly for Cyrus and those trying to put an end to such horrors.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication, and I'm looking forward to digging out book one and seeing how it began.