Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed this a lot and recommend as a good read. The characters and storyline developed well and held my attention to the end!

Third book in the Cyrus Haven series and after reading this I am keen on reading the others. Always get recommended Michael Robotham novels and this is the first one I’ve read. Two strong characters-forensic psychologist Cyrus- and his very annoying but she grows on you- friend Evie who is his lodger get involved in a murder case. Told from their points of view across alternate chapters it gives an insight into their characters but also moves the plot along. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and kept me guessing who the murderer was.

Lying Beside You is another twisty, multi-layered instalment in Aussie author Michael Robotham's fantastic Cyrus Haven / Evie Cormac series. It's great stuff!

Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and his former ward Evie Cormac live together subject to an often uneasy truce, as Cyrus balances the demands of his work with his complex personal history and Evie learns to function in a world where she's often misunderstood. Their delicate equilibrium is inevitably disrupted when Cyrus's brother Elias joins the household. He's just been released on parole, having served twenty years in a secure psychiatric facility after killing his (and Cyrus's) parents and younger twin sisters while suffering from a psychotic episode. It's a situation that anyone would find confronting, but for Evie, it's like living in a powder keg.

Meanwhile, Cyrus is called to consult on a brutal murder, from the scene of which a woman has been abducted. When a second woman goes missing, Cyrus - assisted by Evie with her unique intuitive skills - must race to find a link between the victims before time runs out for the missing women.

Lying Beside You is a fast-paced and gripping thriller, in which author Michael Robotham explores the long-reaching effects of past trauma, and the concepts of responsibility, forgiveness and redemption. There are many shocking twists and turns along the way, as Cyrus and Evie's paths intersect on more than one occasion with those of the killer and his victims, leading towards a dramatic conclusion in which a single-minded villain is unmasked. Robotham continues the nuanced characterisations and relationship dynamics that are a feature of the previous two books in the series, and the introduction of Elias as a character provides a mechanism for a deeper delve into the complex psyches of the series lead characters, Cyrus and Evie. This is a fantastic series, and I'll be waiting with bated breath for the next book to be released...

I'd highly recommend Lying Beside You to any reader who enjoys complex psychological thrillers. While reading in series order provides clear benefits in terms of character background, I believe that this book would also read well as a standalone for those yet to discover the series.

Thanks to the author, Michael Robotham, publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this fantastic title.

Having read the first two books of the series, I knew when I saw this on @netgalley I had to read it. I just love Cyrus and Evie. My thoughts of Evie done a 180 from when I first read about her but I loved her in this book.

The bond between them both has grown from when I read When She Was Good.

This book was thrilling, tense and filled with drama, twists and turns. It was great.

My first ‘whodunnit’ guess was Cyrus’ brother Elias as he was just getting released from prison after killing his whole family. The book was great, I didn’t see the ending coming at all.

I am a huge fan of Michael Robotham and his writing, I find it thrilling and gripping. I always seem to fly through the books and I enjoyed reading more about Cyrus and Evie - he brought them back with a bang!

Thank you to @netgalley , Michael Robotham for allowing me access to this ARC!

Evie Cormac and Cyrus Haven are such an intriguing duo. Each with their own baggage to deal with, each trying to forge a normality of sorts into their lives and each a major prop for the other.
Although nominlly a police procedural , what Michale Robatham does with this series is allow the readers to witness the procedural side of things, whilst offering a wider perspective through Evie and Cyrus.
This is so well plotted, with red herrings dropped in periodically throughout which kept me on my toes. The writing is so compelling, I was grabbing my kindle at every opportunity.
The subplot (not going to say much about it here #NoSpoilers) was heart wrenching and alongside the emotional heart tugs was a deep rooted fear about what might happen.
I love the way this series explores the vagaries of the human mind and how it can trick people inot behaving erratically and how hard menat disorders are to diagnse, treat and live with.
Beautifully executed and all I can say is when's the next one due?

Wow, what a read!
This is the third book in the Dr Cyrus Havan series by Michael Robotham, that said it works perfectly well as a stand alone read - this is my first dip into the series and it won't be the last.
Lying Beside You is complex and engaging with a great story line and likeable leading characters, a fascinating book full of twists.
5 Stars.

This is the third book in the series about a forensic psychologist working in Nottingham. The draw, besides the fact that I know Robotham is a good writer, is that I live close to this area and my daughter is also a forensic psychologist.

It is a fascinating premise: the psychologist has lived with a brother with schizophrenia and has experienced extreme trauma, and now shares his home with a victim of serious child abuse. And his brother is allowed home visits any day soon. All this against his day job of helping the police with missing and murdered women, possibly at the hands of a serial killer. Phew.

The story moves along at a good pace and I was surprised to find out that there are over 400 pages - they just whizzed by. The chapters are organised by two perspectives only, and such is the skill of Robotham, it is always clear whose chapter it is with the style and language used. The main characters are very well developed and have grown from previous books, although this can be read without the prior reading.

This is a book about forgiveness, justice and truth, and what exactly these concepts mean. A part of this story is definitely a thriller - the action and pace ensure that - but a fair chunk is also police procedural, while the psychological aspect is smaller than I would prefer. Which ever way it is looked at, there is no escaping the fact that this is extremely well written, structured and a very engrossing read.

A well written book that keeps you wanting to go back for more. I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it to others who like a bit of a thriller style book. Brilliant.

The third instalment in this cracking and compelling crime series featuring genius forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and troubled teen and human lie detector Evie Cormac. Cyrus is called to a crime scene, where a woman has been abducted and her pensioner father brutally murdered. Then a second woman goes missing. Full of brilliant twists and turns, but also a fascinating insight into the mind of a top psychologist.

Wow this is 100% my type of book! It draws you in from the start and then like a great book, it spins you in many directions. I loved Evie, the damaged child/woman who Cyrus, a forensic psychologist has taken into his own home. I cared a lot about the characters in this book and loved the twists. I hope there’s going to be more in the Cyrus / Evie saga.

I feel a bit mixed over this one to be honest.

I liked the main plot, it was very cleverly woven together and the threads that were introduced all came together to make a lovely jumper. I may have committed to this metaphor too much.

I also liked the subplot of Elias, I actually found that whole storyline quite tense. I felt uncomfortable when he was around. He rubbed me the weong way. It was very well written. Tangible.

I struggled with Evie in this book.
She felt flat and repetitive in this book. There were a few occasions where she tried to do something that was a misguided act of kindness which ended up backfiring and so it felt done. Then in between she kind of had the same conversations and monolgues. Basically if you read the first chapter in her voice it pretty much became the standard for those that came after. Yet whenever I was reading from Cyrus' point of view I was flying through the pages.

Plotwise, 4 star. Evie wise 2/3 star.

An engaging page turner featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus and his young friend Evie. Both have troubled and traumatic pasts and this novels furthers their character development. I read the first two novels in the series and am now invested in what happens next. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher turn the arc.

This is the first book I’ve read by Michael Robotham, I haven’t read the other books in this series so there were some parts of the characters that I felt like I was missing but overall can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed the writing, it was very complex and the story kept me guessing so this won’t be the last book of his that I read.

Twenty years ago, Cyrus Haven's family was murdered. Only he and his brother survived. Cyrus because he hid and Elias because he was the killer.

Elias is being released from a secure psychiatric hospital and Cyrus, a forensic psychologist, must decide if he can forgive the man who destroyed his family.

As he prepares for Elias visits, Cyrus is called to a crime scene in Nottingham. A man is dead and his daughter, Maya Kirk, is missing. A second woman goes missing; the woman works as a nurse and had links to Maya, the other missing woman. The only witness is Evie Cormac, a troubled teenager with a gift for knowing when people are lying.

The police believe they have the suspect, but Cyrus with help from Evie has spotted a link the detective in charge refuses to see. Following his instincts, Cyrus begins his own investigation.

I haven't read the previous two books, but reading this made me want to read the previous ones to find out more about the main characters Cyrus & Evie. It can be read as a standalone but at times I did wonder what was going on, especially with Evie and her BS detector!

Overall it was an interesting plot with a good storyline, but I'm not sure a forensic psychologist would go out on a limb by himself investigating this case, more like a copper than just his own skills.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

I was drawn into this book from the first sentence. It was a very easy read and quite the gripping page turner. I will definitely more from this author. I don't usually like books written from 2 different view points but this was not bad in that respect.

I loved the other books in this excellent series but this one was the best so fa, a page turner I read in one sitting.
Cyril and Evie, two damaged person, that are trying to find a way to live together without hurting the other.
Cyril, the boy who survived, who must face his brother.
A gripping, riveting, and fast plot that kept me turning pages. I loved every moment of this story and loved the characters.
It's an excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A great murder thriller with twists and turns along the way and keeps you guessing.
The series continues to impress and I can't wait for the next stages! The back story and character development of Cyrus and Evie is great to read and explore, Evie especially is growing into who she is and breaking the boundaries that she has been confined to all her life. We also start to explore Cyrus' troubled past and Elias coming home is the first big insight into their shared past. #LyingBesideYou #NetGalley

Relationships are the key to this story with Evie and Cyrus trying to cope with Cyrus schizophrenic brother being released from Rampton hospital. The sleuths are trying to understand the murder of one girl and the disappearance of 2 others they have a connection linked to unfortunate errors in a maternity unit. The pace quickens to a breathtaking ending

5★
“People think that traumatic events should be laid out like a deck of cards and sorted into suits or four of a kind, because it looks neat and well ordered, but I want to shuffle the deck and deal again. I don’t want ‘closure’, I want a new hand.”

That's Evie Cormac, musing to herself as her therapist probes into her background. VeeJay, as the therapist likes to be called, already knows more than the rest of us. Evie wants to stop talking about it, but I’m pleased that Robotham reveals more of her past and her family.

I heard him say she’s a favourite, but the hardest character he’s ever had to write. I’m not surprised! She’s now twenty-one, but so small that people assume she’s a young teen, which is annoying, especially when it’s Cyrus who treats her like the youngster he fostered until she turned eighteen. Her rebelliousness just adds to the impression.

She has done what he asked and found a job in a bar. How will she get home from work late at night? … Borrow his car … No … Buy a cheap car from a friend … It’ll be a rust-bucket ... I’ll think of something.

“I hate arguing with Cyrus. I hate that he’s older than me and that he thinks he knows everything. I hate how he picks me up on my grammar and my vocabulary, like when I say literally when I mean figuratively (whatever the f*ck that means). I hate how he laughs at me, but not in a cruel way. Cyrus thinks I’m a teenager, but I’m twenty-one, and I could be his equal, if he let me.

‘So where is this bar?’
‘In the Lace Market.’
‘Is it a nice place?’
‘Very classy. They want me to buy a dress.’

Cyrus knows my wardrobe consists of nothing but jeans and sweatshirts and oversized sweaters. It’s another staring contest. Who will blink first?

‘I’ll lend you money for a dress,’ he says. ‘But I want you to go shopping the old-fashioned way. Choose a dress. Try it on. Make sure it suits you.’

This is another test. Part of my therapy is to interact more with people, rather than living like a hermit. He’s challenging me to be ‘normal’, whatever that means.

‘I could come with you,’ he says.”

ASIF!

Cyrus is a forensic psychologist who tries to figure out what kind of people might commit which crimes – like abduct and kill young women. He was set on this path by his schizophrenic older brother, Elias, who slaughtered their parents and twin sisters when Cyrus was a boy, hiding.

Evie knows his history.

“‘I don’t know how you can do this.’
‘What?’
‘Understand why people do horrible things.’
‘Sometimes it’s the only way to stop them.’”

Elias has been ‘put away’ in a psychiatric hospital for the last couple of decades, but now he’s eligible for home visits, maybe weekends, maybe longer. Scary prospect. Medications are good, but . . .

Between worrying about Elias and her new job, Evie finds herself accidentally caught up in Cyrus’s current investigation. That means police and reporters. No pictures, please! She is in hiding, still being hunted by the villains Cyrus rescued her from.

Meanwhile, Cyrus has hired an ex-con, Mitch, to do some yard work and maintenance. Evie is wary of him. Does Cyrus intend to add him to the family?

In spite of her argumentative nature, she does want to please him. She tries to hide her transgressions.

“‘Please don’t tell Cyrus,’ I whisper under my breath, but Mrs Beaumont hears the words.

‘Who is Cyrus?’ she asks.
‘My conscience.’
‘That must be nice.’
‘It’s a pain in the arse.’”

Evie has her own way of deciding whom to trust. The word “lying” in the title could refer to a number of things. Bodies are found lying, people and dogs are seen lying close together for comfort. And then there’s Evie’s unusual ability to tell when someone is lying, a skill Cyrus finds useful in tricky interviews.

But what about the disturbing brother, Elias, who hears voices? Does he know what’s true and does Evie?

Evie and Cyrus narrate different chapters, which makes for a good balance between Evie’s instincts and Cyrus’s professionalism. I like that they’ve been together long enough to know each other’s weak spots, what buttons to push.

“‘What are you going to do with your life?’

‘I’m going to be a professional nihilist.’

‘I’m being serious.’

‘So am I. Worry about your own life.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘You’re single. You have nightmares. Your brother is a nutcase. You lift weights like you want to punish yourself. You’re the shrink who can’t find a cure for what’s wrong with him.’

‘This isn’t about me.’

‘It never is.’”

Whatever “lying” is supposed to mean, I loved the book. Robotham always tells a great story, and I’m glad Evie pestered him to write this one. I hope she keeps nagging.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sphere Publishing for the copy for review (so quotations may have changed).

I found this to be a very twisty and unpredictable read, I hadn't realised it was part of a series but enjoyed it anyway (it works as a standalone) The relationship between Evie and Cyrus was interesting, they spark off each other very well, although I didn't really like her very much!
The storyline is engaging, I wont say more for fear of spoilers, but the ending is neat and not one I guessed in advance, a well written book