The Suspect by Michael Robotham
It’s hard to believe that The Suspect by Michael Robotham is his first novel. It’s a gripping psychological thriller, with well defined characters and a plot that kept me guessing to the last.
Joseph O’Loughlin is a clinical psychologist, apparently living the dream. But his world starts to rapidly unravel when he is asked by the police to help them solve the mysterious death of a young woman. O’Loughlin recognises her as a woman from his past, and the police’s attention turn to him as a suspect.
Robotham’s insights into the human condition elevate this book above your average thriller. For instance, while discussing a patient’s father O’Loughlin ruminates ‘Every childhood has a mythology that materialises around it. We add our own desires and dreams until the stories become like parables that are more emblematic than edifying.’ Rather than merely describing what a hotel room looks like, O’Loughlin thinks ‘There have been very few hotel rooms in my life. I am grateful for that. For some reason loneliness and regret seem to be part of their decor.’
I found the The Suspect’s resolution satisfying and am looking forward to travelling with O’Loughlin on his further adventures.
Find The Suspect in the SMSA Library Catalogue
Review by Gaby Meares
Murder on a Monday Reading Group
