When She Was Good

The pace and heart rending storyline took my breath away. You so desperately want everything to work out for Evie and Cyrus as payment for the horrific lives they’ve lead at someone else’s hands. Michael Robotham is a very skilled storyteller and this book is up there with his very best. Highly recommended.
ARC copy.

When She Was Good by Michael Robotham is the 2nd in the series featuring criminal psychologist Cyrus Haven and mystery girl Evie Cormac, someone with a traumatic past that she doesn't want Cyrus investigating. We first met Cyrus and Evie in Good girl,Bad Girl, which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend those tempted by this title to read first. It can be read as a standalone but you'll get a lot more from it by reading the first book in the series ,as well as enjoying another great read.
Against Evie's wishes Cyrus tries to discover who she really is, where she comes from and why she was found hiding in a house with a dead body. In doing so he puts her ,and himself,in great danger as powerful and dark forces attempt to silence her to keep their despicable crimes secret.
This series is a bit of a change of direction for Michael Robotham from the more cerebral Joseph O'Loughlin tales to more of a Simon Kernick style ,in particular When she Was Good where the action is non-stop with more high speed twists and turns than the Isle of Man TT.
Cyrus and Evie are both great characters with a complex relationship,not helped in this book by Cyrus's new partner, someone who Evie should be very grateful to .
If you enjoy fast-paced adventure,with a bit of conspiracy theory thrown, in or just a good story this will appeal. If you enjoyed Simon Kernick's Bone Field trilogy you'll love it.
There are themes some will find distressing,child abuse,trafficking and extreme violence,descriptions of which which are quite graphic so please avoid if this will make you uncomfortable.
Another great book from Michael Robotham and hopefully more in the same series to come.

Thanks to Michael Robotham, Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A line from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s well-known verse is the title of Michael Robotham’s latest tale involving psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, a resident in a secure children’s home:
‘When she was good,
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid.’
It’s no wonder that Evie can be horrid. She is living with terrible secrets and this trauma makes her take risks, make unwise decisions and trust no one, not even Cyrus who cares greatly for her.

Over the course of the novel, as he tries to put together pieces from her past, Cyrus begins to appreciate that the nameless puppet master who controls a paedophile ring and procures children, Evie included, is not only vile but also very powerful. The usual forces of law and order appear impotent. When Evie’s best friend is mistakenly killed instead of her, Cyrus realises that Evie’s views must be respected and that he must step in to protect her.

The subject matter ensures that this story is not an easy read. However, Robotham is never gratuitous and his characterisation is, as always, extremely effective. The relationship between Evie and Cyrus is entirely believable, seen mostly through their unsentimental and sometimes witty dialogue. Whilst the ending is satisfying, the author clearly does not believe in happy ever after and, given the themes within the narrative, this is entirely appropriate. Another good read; a pleasure to catch up with Cyrus, and if you haven’t already enjoyed ‘Good Girl Bad Girl’, there’s time to catch up before, hopefully, book number three in the series!

My thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

Evie Cormac is a damaged child living in a secure children's home, but now on the run. No one knows her true identity, no one wants to find her more than forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven himself traumatised by the brutal death of his own family. Evie's life is in danger as witness to a murder she is targeted by those who wish her dead, and the secrets that she knows, and those she can expose will die with her. A fast paced and very enjoyable thriller told in the first person alternating between the characters of Cyrus and Evie. This is a form of story telling that the author uses to great effect keeping the tension taut and the readers attention from first to last page. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review, and that is what I have written.

This was an excellent mystery novel focusing on the world of psychiatry that I enjoyed reading. The storyline literally kept me glued to the pages. I can’t recommend the book enough!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading. I have read the first book in the Cyrus Haven series, Good Girl, Bad Girl, and really enjoyed reading that book and When She Was Good, the second in the series was even better. The storyline is gripping and intense and keeps the reader engaged from the beginning to the end.
The characters of Cyrus Havers and Evie Cormac are so well defined that they seem like real people, with their own quirks and habits. The two books together are a phenomenal read and are a masterclass in storytelling by Michael Robotham.
Highly recommended

This is the second book in the Cyrus and Evie series and it is every bit as good as the first! Michael Robotham definitely knows how to write a gripping read!
Mystery teenager Evie is living in a secure children’s home keeping contact with psychologist, Cyrus who persists in trying to find out her true identity despite Evie’s warnings.
Evie has escaped from somewhere and people are looking for her. She is scared that if Cyrus digs too deep he will be in danger too.
Whilst looking into Evie’s background Cyrus is called on to consult for the police when a retired officer is found dead. On further investigation there seems to be a link to Evie- her name appears on a case the officer was revisiting.
As Cyrus delves deeper he discovers more about a conspiracy which reaches the highest echelons of society.
This book is fast moving and gripping, examining some very dark themes including child trafficking and abuse. Once I started reading I just could not put it down, racing through the novel to find out who Evie is and why she is in such danger. We learn more about Evie’s “super power” - she can tell when someone is lying to her and Cyrus is fearful this is going to prevent her having a normal life in the future.
I liked the bond between the two characters, both Cyrus and Evie have very tragic backgrounds and the device of alternating between their viewpoints in the narrative works very well and certainly helps to build up the tension.
This is a great read and recommended to all psychological thriller fans. Set aside time to read as you definitely won’t be able to put it down once you’ve started. I am now looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

When She Was Good is the second in the series, while it can be read as a standalone book, I made sure to read the first book before I devoured this one and I’m glad that I did! You could read this as a standalone and would enjoy it, but I think you get more from the book having read the first one. When She Was Good follows on from Good Girl, Bad Girl, definitely go and read that one first!

When She Was Good follows forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and the mysterious Evie Cormac. Cyrus is still trying to discover who Evie is and where she came from, against her wishes, Evie knows who she is and where she came from but also understands how dangerous it is for others to know and that there are still people looking for her years after she vanished.

There are casualties along the way, some more graphic than others and plenty of twists and turns. Cyrus has a new partner, which makes Evie uncomfortable, but it is slowly blossoming away in the background. More so there is the fast-paced adventure as Cyrus digs deeper into what he now knows is a vile paedophile ring, that’s also very powerful.

The story covers some uncomfortable subjects but is engaging, you can’t help but turn the next page to see what comes next. The characters are very believable and well developed, the relationship between Cyrus and Evie, is at times, complicated, but there is a lot of love and care between them, they have a great bond and Cyrus is her closest adult who Evie trusts and calls on when she needs help.

This is a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a psychological thriller. I’m hoping there are more to come in the series and will be first in line when it's available!

This is the 2nd book in the Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac series by author Michael Robotham. I am a big fan of this author and really enjoy the Joe O'Loughlin series and this new series looks to be to the same high standard.
Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven is involved in a new murder case which he believes will set the troubled Evie free. Evie has a troubled past and six years ago she was found hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a brutal murder. But nobody has ever discovered her real name or where she came from, because everybody who tries ends up dead. The duo have a very complex relationship and it is not helped by Evie's reluctance to trust anyone. Evie has an interesting ability to know when someone is lying which can help in cases but I feel is slightly underplayed so far in this series.
I would recommend reading the 1st book in the series to fully appreciate the back story as this book really deals with Evie's dark past.
This series is another winner for me and I really do look forward to Michael Robotham's books coming out.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

These books are easily becoming one of my favourite series! I just adore Evie & Cyrus. I’ve always enjoyed Michael Robotham’s writing style and this just takes it to a completely new level for me. I haven’t been this excited for a crime series in awhile and can not wait to get my hands on future instalments! Thank you Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group.

Oh, my! This is a fabulous read. It's an 'edge of the seat' thriller with characters you not only care about, but, immerse yourself in and an excellent storyline that had me gripped from beginning to end.

It's sooo well written.

A heartbreaking follow up to 'Good Girl Bad Girl'. However, this can absolutely be read as a stand alone.

Cyrus is a psychologist who became involved in the story of Evie, a young girl, rescued from a house of horrors and who is now in a secure children's home. Sasha is the Special Constable who found Evie and who has since become something of a hermit. Then there is the suspicious suicide of a policeman involved in Evie's original case.
All of the characters are incredibly drawn and interesting and the author cleverly weaves the tale as it's told from the perspective of either Cyrus or Evie.

Evie has a heartbreaking history and what I particularly loved about the book is that, despite being emotionally connected to her story, this is achieved without the need for detailed descriptions of her past pain and experiences. It's fabulous the way that the author manages to influence such depth of feeling without lots of detail which, in my view, would have ruined the story. The underlying darkness and sinister depth that permeates the story had an incredible impact on me both throughout the book and since finishing.

I loved it! Thanks so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown UK for the privilege of previewing this 5* read in exchange for this honest review.

Although I don’t need any convincing when it comes to Michael Robotham’s credentials as a great writer of crime fiction, I was quite impressed with the direction he had taken with Good Girl, Bad Girl and was looking forward to seeing where he would take new characters Cyrus and Evie. The murder mystery plot of the first book wasn’t Robotham’s most adventurous, owing a little to Twin Peaks, but it was clear that there were two intriguing damaged characters here that held great potential. When She Was Good however quickly shows that there is clear intent to delve further into their complicated backgrounds.

Aside from the unusual talent for being able to tell when someone is lying to her, it was clear that there was a dark backstory to Evie’s Cormac’s experiences. Confined now to protective care in a children’s institution, there were indications of some kind of abuse in her past. Found in an empty house where a man had been tortured to death, Evie is clearly a damaged figure. Now approaching her presumed 18th birthday, she still has a way of getting into trouble and it raises doubts about her ability to fend for herself in the outside world.

Which is where Cyrus Haven comes in. As a forensic psychologist for the Midlands Police Force, Cyrus isn’t a million miles away from Joe McLoughlin, the protagonist of a series of terrific books series of books by Robotham, but he also has a troubled family history that has allowed a trusting relationship to develop between him and Evie. Which is as well, as Evie has an unusual ability to be able to tell with almost complete accuracy when someone is lying to her. It’s a handy skill to have playing poker or for doing a little investigation for Cyrus, but a bit of a curse when you don’t know why someone is lying and when it’s you they are lying about. It might be one step closer to the truth, but even the truth can’t be trusted.

Having pushed their relationship to the limits on a dangerous case in Good Girl Bad Girl, and in the process ensuring that there was no possibility of Cyrus looking after Evie on any long term basis, Robotham makes it clear very early on that it’s Evie’s history that is going to come very much to the fore in When She Was Good. Cyrus has been asking questions about Evie’s background, but he’s not the only one. It appears like there are some very dangerous determined people wanting to find the girl known as ‘Angel Face’. What is worse is that Cyrus might be inadvertently leading these men towards finding Evie through his questioning and investigations.

Again using the format of viewing matters from the alternate first person viewpoints of Cyrus and Evie, the first two chapters of When She Was Good are a sheer joy of superb fluid writing that immediately draws you into the mystery of Evie’s unknown origins, a mystery that everyone is either reluctant to speak about or know suspiciously very little. That’s followed by an amusing situation that describes the nature of Evie and her ability to cause trouble wherever she goes quite brilliantly. If you haven’t met Cyrus and Evie before, Robotham captures the essence of both and the whole tone of this series brilliantly in the first two chapters. Consider yourself hooked.

It soon becomes apparent that there may be a very good reason why there is an air of secrecy over Evie’s origins and background, and why even Evie doesn’t want to speak about it. A great deal of her shocking backstory comes tumbling out and there are certain aspects that you might already have guessed from the hints in the previous book. What is interesting about When She Was Good is that Cyrus and Evie rarely meet up in this second book, but yet from what we learn about both of them, the bond between them deepens. The case very much brings out traumatic episodes in their lives that in some way defines who they are and how they see the world.

The actual treatment of the crime thriller aspects are more satisfying here than in the previous book since they are more closely related to the characters with revelations that serve to define them well, but When She Was Good does still feel a little mechanical in its plotting. There are one or two shocks here and certainly a few emotional punches to the gut, but no real surprises. I think I might have been expecting a little more originality from Robotham after his last Joe McLoughlin (The Other Wife) and his last standalone thriller (The Secrets She Keeps) and hoped that we might see more of these characters than a two book series, but as it is, Robotham resolves matters in a highly satisfactory way and with customary flair.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Michael Robotham is a new author to me and I thought the premise of this book looked good, and is my favourite genre. I really enjoyed this book, it is the second in a series and can be read on it’s own. I thought it began fairly slowly, and it soon picked up pace. The book is told by the two main characters Evie and Cyrus and moves from past to present times easily. Both main characters are likeable and their background histories and what they had gone through is sensitively written by the author and this really engaged me and had my attention from start to finish. The subject matter is current and a little hard to read at times because of that. I was really rooting for Evie and had much empathy for her. Overall a great read, and I would recommend this book.

Fantastic 2nd book in the series following Cyrus & Evie.
A dark storyline had me captivated from the outset & I devoured the book in 2 days. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about both Cyrus & Evie and hope their story continues.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Which for me is strange as I have only just found out that this is book 2 of a series. I can normally determine this from the beginning but I didnt in this case. And i have to say that knowing it at the end just proves that being the second book and not reading the first doesn't make a difference.

The writing style is fantastic and keeps you hooked quite easily the whole way through. I really enjoyed the dual narrative by Cyrus and Evie. I loved seeing their relationship build due to both of their traumatic pasts.

I will certainly be looking out for book number 3 by this author to see what happens next.

I am totally and completely blown away at just how much I loved this book and I so didn’t want it to end !
This is the second instalment of the Cyrus Haven series and having loved book one I was thrilled to receive the ARC of this one and my goodness it’s just as good if not even better than the first although how that can be well I don’t know because I completely fell in love with book one !!
When I finished book one I so wanted to know more about the lives of both Evie Cormac and Cyrus Haven and I wasn’t to be disappointed as the wonderful Michael Robotham didn’t keep us waiting too long in giving us our wish. This was a read that has so much while it is a wonderful thriller it also is so much more than that and the feelings it brought out while I was reading were many because these characters are so real that you can really find yourself caring for both Cyrus and Evie and grow to love them also and this for me has made both this book and the first book totally outstanding.
Brilliantly crafted, excellent throughout this will definitely be a best selling series and once again I thank Michael Robotham for making me laugh, cry and to be desperate for book 3 in what is one of my favourite reads of the year so far it was just bloody outstanding and I can’t fault anything about it so please let us see more of Cyrus and Evie I miss them already.
100% recommended and please don’t miss this series I can promise you you will love it !!
My thanks to NetGalley and Little,Brown Book Group, Sphere for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Although this book is very dark and disturbing , it is also absolutely brilliant! First book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Love the relationship between Cyrus and Evie. An overall great book!

In the second of this dynamite series, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven learns more about Evie Cormac's dark and shocking past. Her story reveals a dangerous and powerful network who will stop at nothing to silence ‘Angel Face’. Evie should be safe as she’s back at Langford Hall, a secure unit but her enemies prove to have a very long reach. The story is told in alternating storylines by Cyrus and Evie.

First of all, I love the character development of Cyrus and Evie. Cyrus really cares about Evie and wants to protect her as best he can. He understands her as he too has a shocking past that’s has led him to suffer, although in a different way to Evie but he means he empathises. He is probably the only person Evie really trusts. Evie is brave, quick thinking and incredibly resourceful which she has learned the hard way. Animals love her and they are very good judges of a persons character. The other characters are good too especially Detective Lenny Pavel and Badger. Although there is a great deal to praise in the book one of the standout features is the realistic portrayal of the characters.

In this book we learn more about Evie’s past as she recalls her suffering and the darkest of dark black stories emerges and you learn her tragic and heartbreaking history. Her enemies are dangerous and depraved human low life who seem to have eyes everywhere. Interspersed with all the darkness are some touching moments when you realise that she does have protectors and people who really care about her. The novel is very well written and is every bit as good as the amazing Good girl, Bad girl of last year. At times it’s scary and tense, there are moments when my jaw hits the deck with a resounding thunk and at others it’s deeply sad. The plot is excellent with good pacing and builds well on the first book although this can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Overall, this is very clever storytelling as the truth emerges slowly but surely and keeps your attention in a vice like grip. As a reader I feel invested in these characters and will happily read a third instalment as I want to see what happens next. More please Mr Robotham, thank you!!!

With big thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little, Brown Group for the ARC

This was a really good read. It was meaty and well thought out. There was plenty to get stuck into, it was fast paced and there was lots going on, but not too much that I felt I was becoming overwhelmed or lost trying to keep up with them. Good girl, Bad Girl was a great read but the story continued here in When She Was Good and it finished some of the questions that were left unanswered by filling in some of the gaps relating to their pasts. Evie we discover was a victim of a pedophilia ring when she was just a child and now memories of her horrific experiences come flooding back to haunt her. She and criminal psychologist Cyrus join forces here as they investigate a murder that was disguised as a suicide and thus uncover evidence pertaining to Evie's disturbing past as they uncover truths about the child sex industry. This book was well written. Suspense was held throughout and information was very slowly revealed to give us what we needed to know. I really enjoyed this book. I give it 4 stars and am already looking forward to the next instalment.

A decent sequel. Good to see Cyrus and Evie back again, and now we are finding out more about Evie’s past and why some very bad people are still looking for her. Good pace, well written characters and a decent plot. Wonder where they will go from here?

A terrific Series Evie &Cyrus are characters that jump off the pages.The authors books never fail to draw me in keeps me racing through the pages,Inwill be recommending this book and the series.#netgalley#littlbrownuk.

The latest book by Australian writer Michael Robotham is a fast paced thriller which I read in a few hours. I met Michael at a book reading in Perth, Australia a few years ago and he was lovely and have read some of his other novels before. I was expecting this to feature his regular psychologist, O'Loughlin but it has a new protagonist.

The novel takes the perspective of two main characters. There is a young girl , Evie, also known as Angel Face, the name the tabloids coined for her when she was discovered hiding in a wall space after a horrific murder. Evie has faced horrific sexual abuse and torment. There is also a forensic psychologist, Cyrus, who has been helping her come to terms with her horrific past. He identifies with Evie, because he too has suffered some trauma in his early life.

The story is basically about the search for what has happened to Evie, about her origins and who was responsible for her abduction and subsequent ill treatment, but is also tied in with a sub plot about a convicted child abuser, a missing child that the abuser indicated was not one of his victims and a wider conspiracy involving important and powerful people. There were some sub plots that were not fleshed out; a minor romance and an incident involving his brother, incarcerated in a mental institution and suffering from a poisoning, were dropped in but not adequately finished off. The ending, with a satisfying revenge conclusion, was a little unexpected but gave the book a rounding off.

Aside from a few editing errors and a strange use of an Americanism, using gas instead of petrol, which is odd because Michael is Australian and would therefore have used petrol and also the book is set in the UK, it was well written and fast paced.

When She Was Good is the second book in an exciting new series by Michael Robotham featuring a forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven. The first book Good Girl, Bad Girl introduces the reader to Cyrus and Evie and in order to fully appreciate the complexities and understand the characters I believe these books should be read in order.

Following swiftly on from Good Girl, Bad Girl, Cyrus has been asked to look into the apparent suicide of a retired policeman and discovers a link to Evie Cormac. Determined to find out the truth about “Angel Face” he begins to investigate the past which puts him and his loved ones in serious danger.

If you enjoyed the first book, then I am absolutely convinced you will love book two which digs deeper into both Cyrus and Evie’s past, shedding light on some particularly dark moments and giving the reader a greater understanding of the two main characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the dynamics between Cyrus and Evie is heart warming. I eagerly await book 3 in the series now.

I do need to warn potential readers that this book covers child abuse, trafficking and grooming and whilst the subjects are not glorified or gratuitous in the book, some readers may find them upsetting.

When she was good was gripping and I did not want to put it down. This book takes you at pace through a thrilling story and leaves you with a satisfying finish but wanting more from the characters you have invested in. It’s a great read thoroughly recommend.

Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven undertakes work for the Greater Manchester Police Force, but his investigation into the case concerning the kidnapping of the young girl, Evie Cormac, is a personal matter. With the perpetrator prosecuted, imprisoned, and now deceased, the case is officially closed. However, Cyrus suspects there is more to be uncovered. Besides, he identifies with Evie since they share similar backstories.

The victim, Evie Cormac, is struggling to recover from her kidnapping ordeal, and being an orphan, she is a ward of court living in a local authority home under an assumed name. Now an emotionally disturbed teenager, Evie mistrusts institutional authority and people in general, and looks destined to mature into a deeply traumatized adult.

This is the setting for a plot which gradually unfolds to reveal a network of child abuse, high profile blackmail, and a criminal network that wields influence at the highest levels.

The narrative alternates between the first person narrators of Cyrus and Evie, and is fast paced and direct. The author's writing style is eminently readable and avoids lengthy, extraneous character and scenery descriptions. The plot deals with a disturbing topic without sensationalism or detailing intimate details of child sexual abuse. This serves to make the crime even more hideously horrific. It is believable, if unsettling in places.

This book is the second in the author's Cyrus Haven series, but it stands on its own and can be read without reference to the previous novel.

This is a brilliant sequel in Michael Robotham's police criminal psychologist Cyrus Haven series, a man seriously traumatised by the murder and loss of his family, plagued with survivor's guilt, who continues to visit his brother,Elias, incarcerated at Rampton,a high security psychiatric hospital, housing many of the most dangerous patients in the country. Evie 'Angel Face' Cormac, discovered hidden in the home of the gruesomely murdered Terry Boland as a child, is now 17 years old, growing up in Langford Hall, a secure children's home, not the best of experiences for Evie. Her social worker, Adam Guthrie, is a poor professional with no empathetic skills, with a strong antipathy towards his client, and Evie unsurprising has a troubled time at the home. With a history of facing broken promises and being let down, trust is a huge issue for her, where the black lab, Poppy, and Cyrus, are responsible for her hold on sanity, against all the odds.

In a story that shifts back and forth in time, it becomes clear just how ugly and horror strewn Evie's history is, including human trafficking, the loss of family, physical and sexual abuse and exploitation at the hands of the human scum and pure evil that is her paedophile 'uncle' who owned her and kept her prisoner until Terry Boland rescued her, only for him to be tortured and killed for not giving her up. Evie, questionably blessed with the gift of knowing when anyone is lying, has never revealed the truth of her past, and for good reasons, but Cyrus is driven to find out, wanting to secure justice for Evie. He has no idea of what he is up against and the power of the guilty parties as he opens a can of worms. There is a double murder in Manchester, one of which is the killing, dressed as suicide, of the retired Detective Superintendent Hamish Whitmore, that threatens to wreak devastation and once again put Evie in grave danger.

Robotham's plotting and characterisation is stellar in this tense, immersive and riveting read, one of the highlights of which is the supporting cast, from DI Lenny Pavel to Cyrus's tattooist and best friend, Badger, whose skills include hacking as he provides invaluable help to Cyrus's investigation. This is an enthralling and exciting thriller that grabs your attention right from the get go and never once lets up until you reach the last pages. I cannot wait to see where the author takes the characters and the story next! Highly recommended to all crime and thriller fans. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When she was good is the second Cyrus Haven book and it is a definite must read. The novel follows Cyrus and Evie as Cyrus delves deeper into Evie's past - answering quite of few questions hinted at in the first novel, "Good Girl, Bad Girl". It was gripping and entertaining and definitely one of the best crime thrillers that I have read this year.

*Many thanks to Michael Robotham, Little, Brown Group UK and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Book 2 with a most unusual couple, Cyrus & Evie does not disappoint. The plot focuses on Evie's past, and although readers may have had some suspicions while reading Good Girl, Bad Girl, this time the truth is revealed. Mr Robotham masterfully continues engaging a reader in the story. The ideas behind it might seem improbable, however, sometimes the truth does surprise us. I like both characters and I think the relationship between them is just like it should be, not romantic or sentimental.
Highly recommended!

I normally start my review for a series book recommending that you start from book one and read in order. Sometimes that doesn't wholly matter as the main story is self-contained in each book and you only really miss out on a bit of background and character development. But... in the case of this series I would really recommend you read Good Girl, Bad Girl before this one as there is important background that you can't really play catch-up effectively with in this book. It does refer back but in my opinion only for a bit of a memory jogger rather than full recap.
So... in this book we learn more about Evie. A lot more. And a lot of what we find out is very shocking and not for the faint hearted. Cyrus is determined to figure out her past but, in doing so, inadvertently puts her in very grave danger and her safe haven is shattered... meanwhile Evie's own memories are staring to come back and she struggles to deal with them. And, to be honest, more than that I can't really say for fear of spoilers. But I will stress again that some of the stuff in this book is shocking and all thing nasty. But, I hasten to add, all delivered in as safe a way as possible without any glorification.
This book was everything I wanted (needed) and more. It hit the ground running, grabbed my attention right from the off and held me captive throughout my time of reading it. After reading GGBG I was hankering for the truth of what really happened to Evie and the questions I had in my head were ably answered in this installment. Characterisation was excellent, MCs Cyrus and Evie continue to develop nicely and we are also re-introduced to a minor character from book one who is playing a bit more of a part herein. Pacing was also good and followed the narrative all the way through, ramping up to the rather shocking, but satisfying, end. And, joy of joys, no superfluous waffle or padding to distract.
All in all, a cracking follow-up to GGBG which concluded many threads but still left the door open for further adventures. Really looking forward to seeing what's next. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Brilliant crime thriller! This is definitely a dark and gritty novel with a cracking ending. This is one of those books that as you get deeper into it the more involved and invested you become with the main characters. I felt like I was actually living the story about half way through. I could feel myself getting angrier and angrier with some of the characters! Evie and Cyrus are great perfectly flawed characters. I will definitely be looking out for them again in the future.

Evie is living in a secure unit. She has had a difficult life after having been found about six years ago hiding in a secret room in a house where a man was found murdered. No one knows her real identify or what happened to her during this time.
But forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven believes the truth will set Evie free. He ignores Evie’s warnings to leave things alone following the death of a retired police man. As he starts to dig into her past he could inadvertently be leading her past straight to her and putting her in more danger.

Thank You to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC!!

I haven't read the first Cyrus Haven book and I totally regret it. No no... it does not affect this book in any way but just because this book is so good and Cyrus is absolutely amazing.

Six years ago, Evie Cormac, aka Angel Face, was found hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a brutal murder. But nobody has ever discovered her real name or where she came from, because everybody who tries ends up dead.

Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven believes the truth will set Evie free. Ignoring her warnings, he begins to dig into her past, only to disturb a hornet's nest of corrupt and powerful people, who have been waiting to find Evie and kill her.

This book deals with a very sensitive and important topic of child abuse and child sex trafficking. I love the way the author has dealt with the topic- delicate but not over sensationalizing it. The chemistry between the main characters Cyrus and Evie is so delightful to read that it makes you fall in love and care for both of them. I liked Evie's unique talent, as a human lie detector, but also glad as this helps to keep her safe.

This book was fast paced and it keeps you hooked on right till the end. I loved the ending because it was so unexpected and satisfying. I am eagerly looking forward to more books!

Overall reading this book was an absolute delight!! Highly Recommended.

I am a big fan of Michael Robotham and When She Was Good doesn’t disappoint. It was totally believable in today’s world of Jeffrey Epstein. I also found it unbearably sad but I do hope there is a sequel. Michael Robotham must claim his place as a writer that always delivers a great story.

When she was good is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Told on a two person perspective we’re investigating why Evie’s so important and what really happened with her and Terry Boland. I would have liked a bit more about her ability to spot a lie but then again, it may have become a totally different story had we.

Cyrus is a likeable character and I can see him translating well on screen should this be made into a series. When she was good is an intelligent, mysterious read and I highly recommend it.

When I first started this book, I didn't realise it was the second book in a series but it didn't really matter too much.

Cyrus, a forensic psychologist, is called to the murder of a retired Detective who was looking into old cases. On investigating it seems that the murdered Detective may have discovered some of Evies past that shes so desperately trying to forget.

Michael Robotham goes into quite a lot of detail in regards to the back story so I had an understanding of Evie's past life. The one thing that I think would be gained from reading the first book would be the depths of Evie and Cyrus' relationship, they seem very close and I would love to see that relationship develop.

This book is a face paced pyschological thriller with twists and turns and once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I do recommend you read the first book before this one, however, I enjoyed this book enormously without that back story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sphere and Little, Brown Books for the advanced copy.

I loved this book. From the first sentence I was hooked. Unlike other people I hadn't read the first book in the series "Good Girl, Bad Girl" but Robotham has written the book so well, that I didn't feel there was any part of the story missing.
Cyrus Haven is a forensic psychologist who is involved in a complex, potentially dangerous case. The plot is compelling and moves forward quickly with great twists and turns. A great read and I hope there will be another Cyrus Haven book.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this excellent book in exchange for a fair unbiased review.

You really should read Good Girl Bad Girl before this one. It introduces us to Cyrus and Evie and although I did enjoy that one, this one is even better. This book gives us much more information about the background to the two characters and it is absolutely brilliant. Very dark at times and very much character driven, my heart breaks for some of the people in this book. Extremely well written and quite terrifying at times, it goes to some dark places. I would certainly recommend the two books in this series if you enjoy a tense psychological thriller.

A great read with relatable characters.
I hadn't read the first book in the series but that was not a problem at all, it covered everything you needed to know. in fact I didn't realise there was an earlier book for quite a while.
Evie was a real feisty character and I liked her. She had every right to take no nonsense after her dark past which sometimes was difficult to hear about. The relationship between the main characters was well portrayed and the reader could emphasise with them both.
The book moved at fast pace that kept you thoroughly engaged, the plot was not predictable and all loose ends were tied up at the end.

So it’s been three weeks since I finished this book and I’m still suffering from a raging book hangover - the two books I’ve read since just haven’t hit the spot like this did. So if you’ve got this on a to be read pile, choose your reading order carefully because it’s going to take a corker to be beat this!!

This book summed up in two words - bloody brilliant.

Now although it could be read as a stand alone, it would be worth your while reading the previous book Good Girl, Bad Girl, so you’ve already met Evie and Cyrus and know how their paths crossed from the beginning.

Cyrus Haven is a forensic psychologist who also has had an awful childhood. He met Evie in the previous book and so started their relationship. Evie got under his skin and he can’t let her go - he wants to protect her, no matter what. However, he wants to know more, in fact it seems he NEEDS to know all there is about Evie Cormac’s past. Even though she is adamant that he needs to not know. Because she knows that what has happened to her, people will kill to keep those secrets safe. But Cyrus has also got under Evie’s skin and she’ll do what is needed to protect him too. And thus ensues the nail biting journey we find ourselves on.

While others have described Evie as a damaged soul she is so much more than that. She is feisty, engaging, clever (not smart!) and wily. I guess if you’ve had to endure what Evie has in her life, then you either get tough or forever be a victim. The whole time you’re rooting for this gutsy girl to get the ending she so deserves. This book goes back in time, flashback style to give us the glimpses into just what happened to “Angel Face” and it makes for uncomfortable reading. While the author doesn’t go into explicit detail, it is obvious what is happening.

The chapters alternate between Evie and Cyrus and the cat and mouse games being played as Cyrus digs deeper into the depraved world that Evie has had no choice to be part of. And this really keeps the suspense going.

This is a full on, never letting up, keep the pages turning roller coaster of a read with Cyrus and Evie being such thorough characters they feel real. And the need they both have to save/rescue each other from their pasts is all the more believable because as a reader you want to do that too. Or it may just be that I’m a sucker for a happy ending which given the nature of the circumstances they’ve both had to endure may not always be “the” happy ending.

So that’s how I know a book is a good’un - if the characters come to life. And they sure did, along with some other interesting characters we meet along the way too - Sacha, Badger and Tilda and the canal boat man all so well described that even though their column inches were few, still made an impact.

I absolutely love Robotham’s writing style and devoured this book, although I did not want it to end because quite frankly I’m not ready to say goodbye to Evie or Cyrus yet so please please please write another book!!

Thank you Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.

This is an incredible atmospheric novel that follows Cyrus and Evie as they battle forces far beyond their expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, as it kept me on edge and captivated from the start to the final page. I definitely recommend!!

The second book to feature Cyrus Haven a criminal psychologist and a mystery girl named Evie Cormac. They have both suffered tragic pasts. I first met these two main characters in Good Girl Bad Girl which was also a powerful five star read.. This book is another heartbraking and gripping read. We are given glimpses of their tragedies. An evil peodaphile ring and a schizophrenic brother who murdered his parents. At times this was a difficult read. I was desperately hoping that there would be some solace for Evie. A gripping, fast paced thriller and I can't to read more about Cyrus and Evie.
Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the ARC.

After reading "Good Girl, Bad Girl" I was sure we'd be seeing more of Cyrus and Evie, and I was looking forward to unwrapping the mystery of who Evie is and how she came to be in the situation described in the first novel. After reading "When She Was Good" I'm looking forward to more stories about Evie because she deserves them on her own merits as a character.

Given the subject matter of the crimes described in this book--including family destruction and paedophile sex trafficking--this novel could have been a lurid mess. I'm glad to say that Robotham deftly manages to convey the seriousness and lasting impact of these crimes without dwelling on them in a crass way. I was also impressed that some of the people responsible for these crimes or who enabled them were portrayed as more than 2-dimensional monsters to safely be hated and reviled.

Conversely, the protagonists are flawed people who sometiems act badly or make relatable mistakes. There are no paragons of virtue here, jsut realistic people trying to do the best they can.

I'm not sure that Robotham has quite found a unique voice for Cyrus, yet. Most of his defining characteristics are external--like his tattoos--rather than represented through his dialogue or inner monologue. I also feel like he's portrayed quite differently in his own two novels than he was when he appeared in "The Secrets She Keeps"--perhaps that's due to Joe O'Laughlin being an unreliable narrator in that novel?

Evie is very much her own character, and I find her voice much more interesting than Cyrus's. In a future novel it would be interesting to see her take the role of primary character with Cyrus in a supporting role.

To wrap up, "When She Was Good" is an engaging page-turner with fascinating characters and an interesting story. If you've enjoyed Robotham's novels in the past you're sure to enjoy this too--but be aware that this novel goes to some pretty bleak places.

Follow-up to Good Girl, Bad Girl. featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven. This time, he delves deeper to uncover troubled teen Evie Cormac's true identity. Found seven years ago, half starved and filthy in a secret room in the home of her dead captor. Evie's true identity remains a mystery. But what if he finds puts her in even more danger? A gripping and compelling well written character-driven page-turner.

I love Michael Robotham books. And this follow-up to Good Girl, Bad Girl doesn't disappoint. We return to Cyrus, a psychologist, who is desperate to find out more about Evie Cormac, known as Angel Face after she was rescued from a house fire. He needs to find out her true identity if he is to save her life. As always. Robotham has plotted a great tale with twist and turns. A recommended author

I am a big fan of the first book in this series and couldn't wait to hunker down with the follow-up.
It's a dark and twisted ride of a book that plays out several months after the events of the first. Cyrus is back in his house and Evie has returned to Langford Hall. It is clear that Evie still represents a loose thread to some very dangerous people. As she starts to remember more about the events prior to her discovery and Cyrus continues to dig into her past, a fresh murder coupled with an unscrupulous care worker at Langford Hall pushes her to go on the run to escape the people who want her dead. It's chilling, thrilling and shines a powerful light on powerful people who consider themselves above the law.

There is less exploration of Evie's ability to discern the truth in this book; her dark past and traumatic childhood are given prominence here. Cyrus's character is also fleshed out, and permits an understanding of the dynamic between the two. Most of the questions raised in the first book are answered in an immensely satisfying way, and I wonder if there will be further books to follow.

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

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have read all this authors books and he never ever fails to disappoint. This had a great storyline, lots of twists and good characters. I loved it.

A corpse found brutally tortured. A starving feral child found in the same deserted house. A forensic psychologist, himself a victim of a horrific tragedy attempts to solve the mystery of a cold case murder by commencing his investigation with a search for the policewoman who found the child with no name. A decade has elapsed; evidence, witnesses, victims all lost or forgotten In the annals of time. Yet victims can never forget. Perpetrators live in the knowledge that exposure is ever present and victims must be silenced at any cost . Only by destroying all traces can the abuser and crimes remain hidden and respectability assured. So begins a slow and meticulous search. With no victim, no perpetrators, and very little information, our committed protagonist is intent on resolving the mystery, apprehending the abusers, and finally giving closure to victims and families. This is a well written, efficiently thought out, painstakingly outlined and relayed storytelling of the highest calibre. A five star read which tells the story of flawed hugely believable characters, a corrupt society hidden under the facade of respectably and a hugely enjoyable, believable conclusion. This author has previously slipped below my radar but no longer as now a serious contender for one of my favourite writers. Many thanks to publisher and NetGalley for this ARC of a thriller that stands out with the best of this genre.

Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this.book for an honest review.
It was a brutal and sad story about Evie, who has lived a very hard life and things to not get better until she meets Cyrus.
Cyrus has also lived through a terrible time, and is a psychologist.
He tries to help Evie and to find out the truth what had happened to her as a. Child.
This is the second book by Michael Robotham with Evie and Cyrus as the characters, and you really need to read the first one as it gives details about the characters.
Look forward to reading another book about Evie and Cyrus.