What do you think?
Rate this book
Joseph O'Loughlin #3
Shatter
Joe O'Loughlin is on familiar territory—standing on a bridge high above a flooded gorge, trying to stop a distraught woman from jumping. She is naked, wearing only high-heel shoes, sobbing into a cell phone. Suddenly, she turns to him and whispers, “You don’t understand,” and lets go. Joe is shattered by the suicide and haunted by his failure to save the woman, until her teenage daughter finds him and reveals that her mother would never have committed suicide—not like that. She was terrified of heights. Compelled to investigate, Joe is soon obsessed with discovering who was on the other end of the phone. What could have driven her to commit such a desperate act? Whose voice? What evil?
Having devoted his career to repairing damaged minds, Joe must now confront an adversary who tears them apart: a man who searches for the cracks in a person’s psyche and claws his fingers inside, destroying what makes them whole.
Having devoted his career to repairing damaged minds, Joe must now confront an adversary who tears them apart: a man who searches for the cracks in a person’s psyche and claws his fingers inside, destroying what makes them whole.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Michael Robotham
46 books6,585 followersTwo-times Gold Dagger winner (2015 and 2020), twice Edgar best novel finalist (2016 and 2020) and winner of the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (2021), Michael Robotham was born in Australia in November 1960 and grew up in small country towns that had more dogs than people and more flies than dogs. He escaped became a cadet journalist on an afternoon newspaper in Sydney.
For the next fourteen years he worked for newspapers and magazines in Australia, Europe, Africa and America. As a senior feature writer for the UK’s Mail on Sunday he was among the first people to view the letters and diaries of Czar Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra, unearthed in the Moscow State Archives in 1991. He also gained access to Stalin’s Hitler files, which had been missing for nearly fifty years until a cleaner stumbled upon a cardboard box that had been misplaced and misfiled.
In 1993 he quit journalism to become a ghostwriter, collaborating with politicians, pop stars, psychologists, adventurers and showbusiness personalities to write their autobiographies. Twelve of these non-fiction titles have been bestsellers with combined sales of more than 2 million copies.
His first novel 'THE SUSPECT', a psychological thriller, was chosen by the world’s largest consortium of book clubs as only the fifth “International Book of the Month”, making it the top recommendation to 28 million book club members in fifteen countries.
Since then, Michael's psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages and his Joe O'Loughlin series is are currently in development for TV by World Productions. A six-part TV series based upon his standalone novel THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS was aired on BBC1 in 2020, and a second series begins filming in 2021.
Michael lives in Sydney with his wife and a diminishing number of dependent daughters.
For the next fourteen years he worked for newspapers and magazines in Australia, Europe, Africa and America. As a senior feature writer for the UK’s Mail on Sunday he was among the first people to view the letters and diaries of Czar Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra, unearthed in the Moscow State Archives in 1991. He also gained access to Stalin’s Hitler files, which had been missing for nearly fifty years until a cleaner stumbled upon a cardboard box that had been misplaced and misfiled.
In 1993 he quit journalism to become a ghostwriter, collaborating with politicians, pop stars, psychologists, adventurers and showbusiness personalities to write their autobiographies. Twelve of these non-fiction titles have been bestsellers with combined sales of more than 2 million copies.
His first novel 'THE SUSPECT', a psychological thriller, was chosen by the world’s largest consortium of book clubs as only the fifth “International Book of the Month”, making it the top recommendation to 28 million book club members in fifteen countries.
Since then, Michael's psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages and his Joe O'Loughlin series is are currently in development for TV by World Productions. A six-part TV series based upon his standalone novel THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS was aired on BBC1 in 2020, and a second series begins filming in 2021.
Michael lives in Sydney with his wife and a diminishing number of dependent daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,055 reviews
March 9, 2022
Shatter (Joseph O'Loughlin #3) by Michael Robotham, Sean Barrett (Narrator)
Shatter starts with Joe trying to talk a naked woman from jumping off a bridge. She jumps but something doesn't seem right, if anything can seem right about a suicide. When the woman's sixteen year old daughter contacts him and they walk through the woman's life, Joe is sure the woman was under some kind of influence when she jumped.
And then there is more, a woman connected to the first woman dies and there are many similarities. Against the wishes of his wife, Julianne, Joe dives deep into the murders. He's supposed to be a house husband now (with a part time university job) and he gets no support from his wife when he deviates from their (her) "rest of his life with Parkinson's" plan. I'm not liking Julianne very much, she seems like a real life crusher with her demands but at the same I'm not happy with some of the decisions Joe makes.
The villain in this story is a master at psychological destruction. He is able, with words, to brainwash a person, take over their ability to reason and act for themselves. This is one of the scariest villains I've encountered and a part of me wanted to stop listening to the story. The story is graphic and contains many references to bad things happening to children. Proceed cautiously because this story could be too much for some people.
Published January 1st 2008
Shatter starts with Joe trying to talk a naked woman from jumping off a bridge. She jumps but something doesn't seem right, if anything can seem right about a suicide. When the woman's sixteen year old daughter contacts him and they walk through the woman's life, Joe is sure the woman was under some kind of influence when she jumped.
And then there is more, a woman connected to the first woman dies and there are many similarities. Against the wishes of his wife, Julianne, Joe dives deep into the murders. He's supposed to be a house husband now (with a part time university job) and he gets no support from his wife when he deviates from their (her) "rest of his life with Parkinson's" plan. I'm not liking Julianne very much, she seems like a real life crusher with her demands but at the same I'm not happy with some of the decisions Joe makes.
The villain in this story is a master at psychological destruction. He is able, with words, to brainwash a person, take over their ability to reason and act for themselves. This is one of the scariest villains I've encountered and a part of me wanted to stop listening to the story. The story is graphic and contains many references to bad things happening to children. Proceed cautiously because this story could be too much for some people.
Published January 1st 2008
December 25, 2018
Book three in the Joseph O'Loughlin series by Michael Robotham.
Joe is a psychologist battling Parkinson’s. He’s also tasked with taking care of his two children while his wife works full time, often traveling abroad.
Police are at a stand-off with an apparent suicidal, and naked woman threatening to leap off the bridge. They’ve contacted Joe asking for his help. With no viable way out, he agrees.
As Joe calmly tries to convince her there’s a better way out, to everyone’s horror she lets go, falling to her death.
The police are satisfied that the death was a clear-cut suicide. Joe is ready to file it away as a sad, desperate tragedy as well.
That is until the woman’s daughter shows up on his doorstep pleading for his help. She tells Joe there’s absolutely no chance this was a suicide. Reason number one? Her mother was terrified of heights!
Will Joe walk away from this latest mind-bending mystery unscathed?
Michael Robotham writes an absolutely terrifying and addicting psychological thriller that will scare you to the bone! His villain gets into the mind of his victim leaving them helpless and willing to follow his every monstrous command. I felt myself gasping at the shocking horror with my hand over my mouth stifling my potential screams!
I have this entire series sitting on my book shelf just waiting for me and I certainly won’t be waiting long to jump into the next!
Joe is a psychologist battling Parkinson’s. He’s also tasked with taking care of his two children while his wife works full time, often traveling abroad.
Police are at a stand-off with an apparent suicidal, and naked woman threatening to leap off the bridge. They’ve contacted Joe asking for his help. With no viable way out, he agrees.
As Joe calmly tries to convince her there’s a better way out, to everyone’s horror she lets go, falling to her death.
The police are satisfied that the death was a clear-cut suicide. Joe is ready to file it away as a sad, desperate tragedy as well.
That is until the woman’s daughter shows up on his doorstep pleading for his help. She tells Joe there’s absolutely no chance this was a suicide. Reason number one? Her mother was terrified of heights!
Will Joe walk away from this latest mind-bending mystery unscathed?
Michael Robotham writes an absolutely terrifying and addicting psychological thriller that will scare you to the bone! His villain gets into the mind of his victim leaving them helpless and willing to follow his every monstrous command. I felt myself gasping at the shocking horror with my hand over my mouth stifling my potential screams!
I have this entire series sitting on my book shelf just waiting for me and I certainly won’t be waiting long to jump into the next!
December 22, 2016
I continue to be amazed by Michael Robotham. His writing style thoroughly engages me. His characters are fully developed. He proves that an exciting tension-filled story doesn't need blood and gore. It all takes place in the mind.
Robotham scatters pieces of truth, half truths, and lies throughout and applies them to both the good guys and the bad guys. Joe O'Laughlin and Vincent Ruiz have developed a wonderful friendship, and their humor and sarcasm offsets the tension when it's needed. Even secondary characters like DI Cray and Monk are well developed. Joe's wife ticked me off even though I wasn't sure what was going on with her.
The antagonist in this book is great. There are sections that are told in his own words, including this quote: "There is a moment when all hope disappears, all pride is gone, all expectation, all faith, all desire. I own that moment. It belongs to me. That's when I hear the sound, the sound of a mind breaking." Boy, does he break minds!
This book and this author hit all the marks for me again. I'm picking up the next book in this series immediately.
Robotham scatters pieces of truth, half truths, and lies throughout and applies them to both the good guys and the bad guys. Joe O'Laughlin and Vincent Ruiz have developed a wonderful friendship, and their humor and sarcasm offsets the tension when it's needed. Even secondary characters like DI Cray and Monk are well developed. Joe's wife ticked me off even though I wasn't sure what was going on with her.
The antagonist in this book is great. There are sections that are told in his own words, including this quote: "There is a moment when all hope disappears, all pride is gone, all expectation, all faith, all desire. I own that moment. It belongs to me. That's when I hear the sound, the sound of a mind breaking." Boy, does he break minds!
This book and this author hit all the marks for me again. I'm picking up the next book in this series immediately.
January 22, 2022
This third book in Michael Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin series is very, very tense and oh, so good! Joe finds himself hunting a serial killer, but not one who touches his victims physically.
Due to his Parkinson's, Joe has recently left his practice as a psychologist and moved to Somerset with his wife Julianne and their children Emma and Charlie. He has taken up a part time appointment as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Bath and also looks after his children when his wife is away travelling for work.
When he is brought by the police to talk to a naked woman standing on the edge of Clifton Bridge, he hopes to be able to stop her from jumping. However, although clearly terrified, she is fully focused talking to someone on a mobile phone and instead of engaging with him suddenly jumps into the river below. After meeting the woman's sixteen year old daughter and looking into the woman's life, Joe becomes convinced that the woman was not suicidal but that someone else was somehow involved. Although Joe's wife is not happy about him getting involved in a police investigation again, he calls in his friend, retired detective Ruiz to help track down the killer.
I love Joe and Ruiz. Apart from making a great team they have great chemistry between them and make a good team. I always enjoy their banter and humour and I love Joe's compassion for everyone who needs help. I wasn't so taken with Julianne, whose attitude to Joe really annoyed me. Robotham has also created one of the darkest and most twisted killers I've come across in a crime novel' one who is truly evil without a shred of compassion. Together with the easily flowing writing, it all made for an addictive read.
Due to his Parkinson's, Joe has recently left his practice as a psychologist and moved to Somerset with his wife Julianne and their children Emma and Charlie. He has taken up a part time appointment as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Bath and also looks after his children when his wife is away travelling for work.
When he is brought by the police to talk to a naked woman standing on the edge of Clifton Bridge, he hopes to be able to stop her from jumping. However, although clearly terrified, she is fully focused talking to someone on a mobile phone and instead of engaging with him suddenly jumps into the river below. After meeting the woman's sixteen year old daughter and looking into the woman's life, Joe becomes convinced that the woman was not suicidal but that someone else was somehow involved. Although Joe's wife is not happy about him getting involved in a police investigation again, he calls in his friend, retired detective Ruiz to help track down the killer.
I love Joe and Ruiz. Apart from making a great team they have great chemistry between them and make a good team. I always enjoy their banter and humour and I love Joe's compassion for everyone who needs help. I wasn't so taken with Julianne, whose attitude to Joe really annoyed me. Robotham has also created one of the darkest and most twisted killers I've come across in a crime novel' one who is truly evil without a shred of compassion. Together with the easily flowing writing, it all made for an addictive read.
September 8, 2016
This author gets better and better! I raced through this book with my heart in my mouth, so scared about what might be going to happen! The main character is no super hero, suffering as he does from Parkinson's disease. And life is not always kind to him in many ways. Nevertheless he struggles to help others even when the result is that he really does not help himself.
I enjoyed this very much indeed. The killer was very, very scary, the tension was extreme and the other characters were all people you did not want to see die. You will have to read it yourself to find out whether they did or not:)
I enjoyed this very much indeed. The killer was very, very scary, the tension was extreme and the other characters were all people you did not want to see die. You will have to read it yourself to find out whether they did or not:)
April 25, 2020
Take an interesting idea of psychological control and intertwine it with kidnapped women, children, death, a handicap lead and you get 0 of 10 stars.
September 15, 2019
Shatter by Michael Robotham is the 3rd Joe O'Loughlin book and it definitely feels that this series is back on track after bk2 😬.
This one is also a hell of a lot darker and more twisted , to use a mother and her feelings to save her child then to have to make that certain decision (you'll have to read it to know what I mean 😉) to make sure her child survives is just absolutely horrendous and heartbreaking.
There are many moments where you can hate certain characters and feel sorry for and love others.
It's definitely a great series so far and I would highly recommend it 📖
This one is also a hell of a lot darker and more twisted , to use a mother and her feelings to save her child then to have to make that certain decision (you'll have to read it to know what I mean 😉) to make sure her child survives is just absolutely horrendous and heartbreaking.
There are many moments where you can hate certain characters and feel sorry for and love others.
It's definitely a great series so far and I would highly recommend it 📖
February 18, 2023
5★
“I am untouchable. Unnamable. I can walk through walls. Locks crumble in my hands. The pins are like musical keys with a different tone and timbre as the pick passes over them. Listen. That's the final note. The door opens.”
That’s the internal monologue of the guy Professor Joe O’Loughlin is trying to figure out. Women are dying, ostensibly by suicide, but Joe is a psychologist, and facts aren’t adding up.
The police who have worked with him before have a regard for his skills, but those outside the area think he’s just showing off. Unfortunately, his stumbling and occasional falls because of Parkinson’s Disease doesn’t add to his professional demeanour either.
His smart, beautiful wife, Julianne, doesn’t like how caught up he gets when the police ask him to advise on cases, although this one begins with more than advice. A young woman is standing on a bridge, naked except for bright red Jimmy Choo high heels, hanging onto an outside wire. Joe has been asked to come and talk her down. How can he say no?
But she can’t hear him. She’s listening only to her mobile phone. He thinks he should have been able to do more.
She is only the first who is found in such strange circumstances, so Joe is frantically trying to piece together the similarities, their connections to each other, and their possible connection to the person who is talking to them on the phone. He feels strongly about these women whose families are bereft but who are now just a bundle of clues.
“The facts have a stark cruelty about them. A human being with a lifetime of experiences is labeled like a piece of furniture in a catalog. The pathologist has weighed her organs, examined her stomach contents, taken tissue samples and tested her blood. There is no privacy in death.”
Joe is desperate to figure out what would motivate someone to target these women and convince them to do what they do, shattering their minds with words. But what words? He’s not willing to write it all off as the work of some nut. He's a professor of psychology, after all. One day, a student asks him a question.
“ ‘Do you believe in evil, Professor?’
‘Excuse me?’
She asks the question again, clutching a notebook to her chest.
‘I think the word “evil” is used too often and has lost value.’
‘Are people born that way or does society create them?’
‘They are created.’
‘So there are no natural psychopaths?’
‘They're too rare to quantify.’
‘What sort of answer is that?’
‘It's the right one.’ ”
I believe Joe, and I understand why he feels compelled to find the perpetrator. But it’s taking a toll. Julianne and daughter Charlie want Joe at home. Julianne travels at lot with a handsome colleague for her work, and Joe is jealous, almost unreasonably so. Yet he still misses date nights and events.
“When people ask me why I became a psychologist, I say, ‘Because of Julianne. I wanted to know what she was really thinking.’ It didn't work. I still have no idea.”
That’s obvious. Fortunately, Joe’s old friend, retired Detective Inspector Ruiz is on the scene, so Joe at least has a sounding board.
“Ruiz had long ago stopped caring about what other people thought of him. He was like a big dark vague piece of furniture, smelling of tobacco and wet tweed. “
He may be casual now, but Ruiz’s retired police status gives them entry to places Joe couldn’t get to on his own.
Mixed with the drama and the tension are moments of levity, which are always welcome. Joe and Ruiz are sitting, waiting in an upmarket law firm.
“There is a waterfall and a pond and a waiting area with black leather sofas. Ruiz and I watch a man in a pinstriped suit come floating to the floor in one of twin glass lifts.
‘See that guy's suit,’ Ruiz whispers. ‘It's worth more than my entire wardrobe.’
‘My shoes are worth more than your entire wardrobe,’ I reply.
‘That's cruel.’ ”
I always enjoy Michael Robotham’s stories and writing style. He is an Aussie who lived and worked in England for many years, and his publisher told him that stories set in Australia weren’t going to sell, so he set these in London. It’s a great series, as are his others, and I’m sure he has paved the way for the success of other Aussie crime writers, many of whom are now setting their stories in Australia.
I don’t know if he has set anything in Oz yet - I must find out!
Joseph O’Loughlin #1 My review of The Suspect
Joseph O’Loughlin #2 My review of Lost
“I am untouchable. Unnamable. I can walk through walls. Locks crumble in my hands. The pins are like musical keys with a different tone and timbre as the pick passes over them. Listen. That's the final note. The door opens.”
That’s the internal monologue of the guy Professor Joe O’Loughlin is trying to figure out. Women are dying, ostensibly by suicide, but Joe is a psychologist, and facts aren’t adding up.
The police who have worked with him before have a regard for his skills, but those outside the area think he’s just showing off. Unfortunately, his stumbling and occasional falls because of Parkinson’s Disease doesn’t add to his professional demeanour either.
His smart, beautiful wife, Julianne, doesn’t like how caught up he gets when the police ask him to advise on cases, although this one begins with more than advice. A young woman is standing on a bridge, naked except for bright red Jimmy Choo high heels, hanging onto an outside wire. Joe has been asked to come and talk her down. How can he say no?
But she can’t hear him. She’s listening only to her mobile phone. He thinks he should have been able to do more.
She is only the first who is found in such strange circumstances, so Joe is frantically trying to piece together the similarities, their connections to each other, and their possible connection to the person who is talking to them on the phone. He feels strongly about these women whose families are bereft but who are now just a bundle of clues.
“The facts have a stark cruelty about them. A human being with a lifetime of experiences is labeled like a piece of furniture in a catalog. The pathologist has weighed her organs, examined her stomach contents, taken tissue samples and tested her blood. There is no privacy in death.”
Joe is desperate to figure out what would motivate someone to target these women and convince them to do what they do, shattering their minds with words. But what words? He’s not willing to write it all off as the work of some nut. He's a professor of psychology, after all. One day, a student asks him a question.
“ ‘Do you believe in evil, Professor?’
‘Excuse me?’
She asks the question again, clutching a notebook to her chest.
‘I think the word “evil” is used too often and has lost value.’
‘Are people born that way or does society create them?’
‘They are created.’
‘So there are no natural psychopaths?’
‘They're too rare to quantify.’
‘What sort of answer is that?’
‘It's the right one.’ ”
I believe Joe, and I understand why he feels compelled to find the perpetrator. But it’s taking a toll. Julianne and daughter Charlie want Joe at home. Julianne travels at lot with a handsome colleague for her work, and Joe is jealous, almost unreasonably so. Yet he still misses date nights and events.
“When people ask me why I became a psychologist, I say, ‘Because of Julianne. I wanted to know what she was really thinking.’ It didn't work. I still have no idea.”
That’s obvious. Fortunately, Joe’s old friend, retired Detective Inspector Ruiz is on the scene, so Joe at least has a sounding board.
“Ruiz had long ago stopped caring about what other people thought of him. He was like a big dark vague piece of furniture, smelling of tobacco and wet tweed. “
He may be casual now, but Ruiz’s retired police status gives them entry to places Joe couldn’t get to on his own.
Mixed with the drama and the tension are moments of levity, which are always welcome. Joe and Ruiz are sitting, waiting in an upmarket law firm.
“There is a waterfall and a pond and a waiting area with black leather sofas. Ruiz and I watch a man in a pinstriped suit come floating to the floor in one of twin glass lifts.
‘See that guy's suit,’ Ruiz whispers. ‘It's worth more than my entire wardrobe.’
‘My shoes are worth more than your entire wardrobe,’ I reply.
‘That's cruel.’ ”
I always enjoy Michael Robotham’s stories and writing style. He is an Aussie who lived and worked in England for many years, and his publisher told him that stories set in Australia weren’t going to sell, so he set these in London. It’s a great series, as are his others, and I’m sure he has paved the way for the success of other Aussie crime writers, many of whom are now setting their stories in Australia.
I don’t know if he has set anything in Oz yet - I must find out!
Joseph O’Loughlin #1 My review of The Suspect
Joseph O’Loughlin #2 My review of Lost
August 14, 2017
Best one of the series so far! Another audiobook during yet another long car trip. Spent 2.5hrs. sitting in a traffic jam and didn't care. This book was that good! The culprit was fascinating. The friendship between Joe and Ruiz is brilliant, love their banter. The only thing that annoyed me in this one was Joe's wife. Her attitude and behavior were irritating. Brilliant writing, fantastic series.
April 15, 2019
Nerve shattering psychological terror!
Don't forget to breathe!
There is a moment when all hope disappears, all pride is gone, all expectation, all faith, all desire. I own that moment. It belongs to me. That’s when I hear the sound, the sound of a mind breaking. It’s not a loud crack like when bones shatter or a spine fractures or a skull collapses. And it’s not something soft and wet like a heart breaking. It’s a sound that makes you wonder how much pain a person can endure; a sound that shatters memories and lets the past leak into the present; a sound so high that only the hounds of hell can hear it. Can you hear it? Someone is curled up in a tiny ball crying softly into an endless night.
********
*Audiobook Review*
Shatter by Michael Robotham is book three in the Joseph O'Laughin series and it's the best one yet!
One of the first things that struck me about this series is the hilarious sense of humor Joe has. Much of it is "laugh out load" funny. It may seem like a strange combination, intense psychological suspence mixed with high humor but it works beautifully. I dare say that if it weren't for the humor to break the tension I'd have had a heart attack!
Cheers to Mr Robotham!
Joe is an incredibly loveable character and I am already hopelessly hooked on this series! There are many other characters that make this series addictive including Joe's children and recently retired Detective Vincent Ruiz. I'm not sure if Ruiz will continue to appear in future books alongside Joe but I do hope so!
Michael Robotham's writing is scary enough but the audiobook edition ramps everything up another level, all the way up to absolute, scared stiff terror!
Narrator, Sean Barrett, made the events, characters, and emotions pop out of the story thus bypassing the paper and ink barrier between fiction and imagination and placing them directly into my brain and nervous system causing everything to feel absolutely real, alive, and terrifying! I'm really not exaggerating! By the end, my hands were cold and I needed more than one blanket to warm back up! Honestly, I didn't even realize I was so cold until the last words faded away.
I'm going to be listening to the remainder of this series on audiobook in close succession in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
If you're a psychological suspence lover, put this series at the top of your must read list! Especially in audiobook format!
Don't forget to breathe!
There is a moment when all hope disappears, all pride is gone, all expectation, all faith, all desire. I own that moment. It belongs to me. That’s when I hear the sound, the sound of a mind breaking. It’s not a loud crack like when bones shatter or a spine fractures or a skull collapses. And it’s not something soft and wet like a heart breaking. It’s a sound that makes you wonder how much pain a person can endure; a sound that shatters memories and lets the past leak into the present; a sound so high that only the hounds of hell can hear it. Can you hear it? Someone is curled up in a tiny ball crying softly into an endless night.
********
*Audiobook Review*
Shatter by Michael Robotham is book three in the Joseph O'Laughin series and it's the best one yet!
One of the first things that struck me about this series is the hilarious sense of humor Joe has. Much of it is "laugh out load" funny. It may seem like a strange combination, intense psychological suspence mixed with high humor but it works beautifully. I dare say that if it weren't for the humor to break the tension I'd have had a heart attack!
Cheers to Mr Robotham!
Joe is an incredibly loveable character and I am already hopelessly hooked on this series! There are many other characters that make this series addictive including Joe's children and recently retired Detective Vincent Ruiz. I'm not sure if Ruiz will continue to appear in future books alongside Joe but I do hope so!
Michael Robotham's writing is scary enough but the audiobook edition ramps everything up another level, all the way up to absolute, scared stiff terror!
Narrator, Sean Barrett, made the events, characters, and emotions pop out of the story thus bypassing the paper and ink barrier between fiction and imagination and placing them directly into my brain and nervous system causing everything to feel absolutely real, alive, and terrifying! I'm really not exaggerating! By the end, my hands were cold and I needed more than one blanket to warm back up! Honestly, I didn't even realize I was so cold until the last words faded away.
I'm going to be listening to the remainder of this series on audiobook in close succession in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
If you're a psychological suspence lover, put this series at the top of your must read list! Especially in audiobook format!
June 27, 2015
When Professor Joseph O’Loughlin was asked to assist on the Clifton Suspension Bridge with talking to a woman who was going to jump, he had no idea the trauma and life changing events that he would set in place by agreeing. Unable to stop the woman, her tears and desperation buried deep in his mind, he was shocked to find the woman’s sixteen year old daughter at his door a few days later. Darcy did her best to convince Joe that her mother wouldn’t have committed suicide – she was terrified of heights for one thing; plus Darcy knew she wouldn’t leave her alone…
As Joe tried to find the reason for Christine’s death, the police were sceptical – a clear case of suicide was their opinion. When Joe contacted his friend, retired Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz for help, Joe managed to persuade him there was a case to look at. Was Christine coerced into jumping? And how would anyone do that – there was no-one near her at the time? Psychology was what Joe was good at – reading people; understanding what made them tick. And Joe was seeing anomalies everywhere he looked.
Was it possible that Joe was over-reacting? Or was there much, much more to the death than anyone could see?
Shatter by Aussie author Michael Robotham is an unbelievably tense and gut wrenching psychological thriller! My heart was racing; I thought I knew what would happen, but I didn’t want to read on and have it confirmed. I couldn’t put it down either! This author’s work is brilliant – in equal parts chilling and horrifying; terrifying and powerful. I highly recommend this fast paced novel to all thriller lovers out there! (But read the series in order – it holds more meaning!)
As Joe tried to find the reason for Christine’s death, the police were sceptical – a clear case of suicide was their opinion. When Joe contacted his friend, retired Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz for help, Joe managed to persuade him there was a case to look at. Was Christine coerced into jumping? And how would anyone do that – there was no-one near her at the time? Psychology was what Joe was good at – reading people; understanding what made them tick. And Joe was seeing anomalies everywhere he looked.
Was it possible that Joe was over-reacting? Or was there much, much more to the death than anyone could see?
Shatter by Aussie author Michael Robotham is an unbelievably tense and gut wrenching psychological thriller! My heart was racing; I thought I knew what would happen, but I didn’t want to read on and have it confirmed. I couldn’t put it down either! This author’s work is brilliant – in equal parts chilling and horrifying; terrifying and powerful. I highly recommend this fast paced novel to all thriller lovers out there! (But read the series in order – it holds more meaning!)
August 24, 2018
This has to be the most frightening audiobook I have ever listened to and I'm still left thinking about what has just happened in the story.
A serial killer is on the loose who has been trained to torture with mind games that leaves his victims almost willing to die to save the life of their child.
Twists and turns at every corner in the race to find out just who is behind the crimes that have been committed.
I don't want to spoil the story by giving away too much but if you listen to this audiobook then be prepared for the horrors that unfold.
The narration was absolutely wonderful and really added to the story for me. I have marked this book as over 18 due to the nature of the crimes.
This is the very first book I have ever listened to by this author and it certainly won't be the last.
Exceptional.
A serial killer is on the loose who has been trained to torture with mind games that leaves his victims almost willing to die to save the life of their child.
Twists and turns at every corner in the race to find out just who is behind the crimes that have been committed.
I don't want to spoil the story by giving away too much but if you listen to this audiobook then be prepared for the horrors that unfold.
The narration was absolutely wonderful and really added to the story for me. I have marked this book as over 18 due to the nature of the crimes.
This is the very first book I have ever listened to by this author and it certainly won't be the last.
Exceptional.
December 29, 2021
This series gets better and better. Rowbotham takes you to a very dark place in the mind of a psychopath who 'talks' women to their deaths. Jo O'Loughlin is back and entangled in a police investigation. When it strikes close to home Ruiz who is now retired visits to assist.
This book will not appeal to all and describes tortures in a fairly graphic way. The content is disturbing, but with Ruiz and O'Loughlin there are moments of levity and quite a lot of humanity.
I can't wait for book 4 in this fascinating series.
This book will not appeal to all and describes tortures in a fairly graphic way. The content is disturbing, but with Ruiz and O'Loughlin there are moments of levity and quite a lot of humanity.
I can't wait for book 4 in this fascinating series.
April 8, 2020
Wow!! I enjoyed the first 2 in this series... The characters were great & the crimes really interesting.. But this 1 was on a whole other level! Super scary, tense situations! Of course I'd recommend you start with the first so that you can really get to know the characters (& their relationships,) but even if you're not up for a new series- read this 1!! Going in I expected solid writing but not such a terrifying premise (& "bad guy")- i was afraid to see what happened, yet i couldn't put it down!! 😳😂😂
& for me the audio definitely added to this 1.. If you're into audiobooks, this is 1 i absolutely recommend listening to!
& for me the audio definitely added to this 1.. If you're into audiobooks, this is 1 i absolutely recommend listening to!
May 6, 2022
Deze ging me te ver met zowel het taalgebruik als de soort wreedheid.
This one went too far for me in both language and kind of cruelty.
This one went too far for me in both language and kind of cruelty.
December 7, 2016
Australian author Michael Robotham has concocted a chilling and unputdownable psychological thriller. The book title refers to the method in which the villian, 'shatters' the victim's minds. It also shattered my sleep patterns. Once started, I could not stop - all 460+ pages in one (very late) night.
The main protagonist is psychologist, Professor Joe O'Loughlin. Joe is highly skilled at reading people, yet he is flawed. He is suffering from an incureable disease, his wife is seemingly having an affair, he's dealing with a grief-stricken teenager and he brings danger to his own doorstep simply by serendipitous association. He is an absorbing character, and I empathised with him every tremor-filled step of the way.
I was drawn into this novel very early on. The plot was captivating and built suspense, intrigue and even terror. The characters were beguiling and Robotham's writing style flowed easily from the page. This was my first Michael Robotham novel, it won't be my last, and I am now an unabashed Michael Robotham fan.
The main protagonist is psychologist, Professor Joe O'Loughlin. Joe is highly skilled at reading people, yet he is flawed. He is suffering from an incureable disease, his wife is seemingly having an affair, he's dealing with a grief-stricken teenager and he brings danger to his own doorstep simply by serendipitous association. He is an absorbing character, and I empathised with him every tremor-filled step of the way.
I was drawn into this novel very early on. The plot was captivating and built suspense, intrigue and even terror. The characters were beguiling and Robotham's writing style flowed easily from the page. This was my first Michael Robotham novel, it won't be my last, and I am now an unabashed Michael Robotham fan.
October 10, 2018
Really good. I really like the fact that Joe’s family and his evolving relationships within it are an integral part of these stories, as is his relationship with Ruiz. Then there is the upgrading of Mr. Parkinson’s status. You really get the whole man with this series. Excellent!
October 16, 2018
Review of the audiobook narrated by Seán Barrett.
Shatter has flashes of brilliance, but the story is filled with plot holes and none of the characters are very likable so this one ended up as a "meh" for me. I really did want to like it as I had enjoyed a more recent book by Michael Robotham, Every Secret She Keeps. It's clear that this book was written earlier in his career and not as mature as that one. I skipped the first two books and jumped into the middle of this series for two reasons, the first is because my library didn't have the first two on audiobook and the second is because I wanted something from this narrator specifically (more on that below).
Robotham does a good job of introducing the protagonist so it didn't feel like I was missing anything. However, the reasoning as to how a psychologist could be so deeply involved with the police in a murder investigation is one of those aforementioned plot holes that I was never able to get past. I found the actions and motivations of all of the characters to be questionable at best, in many cases only serving to advance the plot. The killer (who has the first person narrative for about 1/4 of the book) has completely conflicting personality traits which are never adequately explained.
Being one of the major factors which made me want to listen to this book, Seán Barrett's performance was disappointing. Previously I had loved his narration in a book which I didn't like at all, The Name of the Rose. Here he is inconsistent and shows his shortcoming of being poor at female voices (the other book was all male characters). He attempts to give the killer a distinct voice at the beginning of the book, which ended up being so quiet I needed to turn up the volume, and then gives that up later in the book so that the main character and killer end up with the same voice. I've never had such different experiences with the same narrator before.
Final verdict: 3 star story, 3 star narration, 3 stars overall
Shatter has flashes of brilliance, but the story is filled with plot holes and none of the characters are very likable so this one ended up as a "meh" for me. I really did want to like it as I had enjoyed a more recent book by Michael Robotham, Every Secret She Keeps. It's clear that this book was written earlier in his career and not as mature as that one. I skipped the first two books and jumped into the middle of this series for two reasons, the first is because my library didn't have the first two on audiobook and the second is because I wanted something from this narrator specifically (more on that below).
Robotham does a good job of introducing the protagonist so it didn't feel like I was missing anything. However, the reasoning as to how a psychologist could be so deeply involved with the police in a murder investigation is one of those aforementioned plot holes that I was never able to get past. I found the actions and motivations of all of the characters to be questionable at best, in many cases only serving to advance the plot. The killer (who has the first person narrative for about 1/4 of the book) has completely conflicting personality traits which are never adequately explained.
Being one of the major factors which made me want to listen to this book, Seán Barrett's performance was disappointing. Previously I had loved his narration in a book which I didn't like at all, The Name of the Rose. Here he is inconsistent and shows his shortcoming of being poor at female voices (the other book was all male characters). He attempts to give the killer a distinct voice at the beginning of the book, which ended up being so quiet I needed to turn up the volume, and then gives that up later in the book so that the main character and killer end up with the same voice. I've never had such different experiences with the same narrator before.
Final verdict: 3 star story, 3 star narration, 3 stars overall
March 21, 2022
Another horrible book that everyone else seemed to love. I have to question whether I’m losing my taste for dark British Crime series, perhaps from reading too many of them. We’ve listened to the first three of these as audiobooks - I had reservations about the first one, liked the second - probably because it’s mostly about Ruiz - but am sad to report that I didn’t enjoy this at all, and will not read anything more from this series.
Joe O’Loughlin is a psychologist who has given up clinical practice because of his Parkinson’s disease, so has moved his family from London to Bath to lecture at the university. When he is asked to attend a potential suicide on the Clifton Bridge, he is horrified by his failure to prevent it, and convinced that the was coerced, so gets involved in the case - drawing the attention of a deeply sadistic psychopath with a unique method of killing.
This has most of the elements I’m sick of: a twisted misogynistic serial killer, large sections told from POV of said serial killer, a sleazy MC obsessed with womens’ looks/bodies, who blunders about making everything worse, an incompetent police force, a missing child, a difficult wife, the killer targeting the “hero”’s family (I guess that’s a spoiler but it’s totally obvious that’s what’s coming)… and to cap it all, it’s all in bloomin’ First Person Present.
An audiobook stands or falls by its narrator. Sean Barrett is fine as Joe, but to make the killer sound different and indicate who’s POV we’re hearing, puts on a harsh fast whisper that ensured I had to turn up the volume and slow down those sections to follow just he was saying. Much of what he does say is crude or horrific. Then sometimes he forgets to change his voice and it takes a while to realise the perspective has changed. Both aspects were very annoying. The other character accents weren’t bad, apart from those of the younger children - ugh.
The writing is competent - I tend not to notice it as much with audiobooks, but Joe’s rambling internal monologues grew progressively more distasteful - especially as they relate to women. The fat-shaming is relentless, as is his ogling. He’s obsessed with how beautiful his wife is - even when terrible things are happening, he takes time to comment about it. It’s all that seems to matter to him as she’s really not that nice a person. He readily believes she’s having an affair (er, Joe - book 1 - pot - kettle much?) It’s not just his wife - he reminisces about his daughter’s birth and how beautiful she was, and his first wish is that he be the first person she sees when her eyes open.
Joe’s narcissism pervades the book - no one else is as clever as him (when in fact he makes one dumb mistake after the other and really it’s the tech guys who solve the case and save the day - he just shows up and demands to be included.) Worst of all, when (another spoiler which relates to the above mentioned one) his 12 year old daughter is finally rescued, his first question is not “are you hurt?” it’s “did he abuse you?” because that’s more of an issue for him.
It’s disappointing because I had heard great things about this series, but I’ve had a peek at the reviews for the next few which confirm that I won’t be going near them and will save my Audible credits for something less disturbing. Obviously lots of these issues don’t bother other readers but I’m not willing to sit through more of this.
Joe O’Loughlin is a psychologist who has given up clinical practice because of his Parkinson’s disease, so has moved his family from London to Bath to lecture at the university. When he is asked to attend a potential suicide on the Clifton Bridge, he is horrified by his failure to prevent it, and convinced that the was coerced, so gets involved in the case - drawing the attention of a deeply sadistic psychopath with a unique method of killing.
This has most of the elements I’m sick of: a twisted misogynistic serial killer, large sections told from POV of said serial killer, a sleazy MC obsessed with womens’ looks/bodies, who blunders about making everything worse, an incompetent police force, a missing child, a difficult wife, the killer targeting the “hero”’s family (I guess that’s a spoiler but it’s totally obvious that’s what’s coming)… and to cap it all, it’s all in bloomin’ First Person Present.
An audiobook stands or falls by its narrator. Sean Barrett is fine as Joe, but to make the killer sound different and indicate who’s POV we’re hearing, puts on a harsh fast whisper that ensured I had to turn up the volume and slow down those sections to follow just he was saying. Much of what he does say is crude or horrific. Then sometimes he forgets to change his voice and it takes a while to realise the perspective has changed. Both aspects were very annoying. The other character accents weren’t bad, apart from those of the younger children - ugh.
The writing is competent - I tend not to notice it as much with audiobooks, but Joe’s rambling internal monologues grew progressively more distasteful - especially as they relate to women. The fat-shaming is relentless, as is his ogling. He’s obsessed with how beautiful his wife is - even when terrible things are happening, he takes time to comment about it. It’s all that seems to matter to him as she’s really not that nice a person. He readily believes she’s having an affair (er, Joe - book 1 - pot - kettle much?) It’s not just his wife - he reminisces about his daughter’s birth and how beautiful she was, and his first wish is that he be the first person she sees when her eyes open.
Joe’s narcissism pervades the book - no one else is as clever as him (when in fact he makes one dumb mistake after the other and really it’s the tech guys who solve the case and save the day - he just shows up and demands to be included.) Worst of all, when (another spoiler which relates to the above mentioned one) his 12 year old daughter is finally rescued, his first question is not “are you hurt?” it’s “did he abuse you?” because that’s more of an issue for him.
It’s disappointing because I had heard great things about this series, but I’ve had a peek at the reviews for the next few which confirm that I won’t be going near them and will save my Audible credits for something less disturbing. Obviously lots of these issues don’t bother other readers but I’m not willing to sit through more of this.
November 4, 2017
The great thing about finding a series of books that have been around for a number of years and the first book you read in the series you really enjoyed,is, you don't have to wait a year before you can get your hands on the next one. That is just how I feel about the Joe O'loughlin series from Michael Robotham. The villain in this story is about as disgusting a character as you would never want to meet. As I listened to Shatter, I like listening to audio books when I'm out pounding the footpath, I wanted something really bad to happen to this character. So much so that I started wondering what I could be capable of in a similar situation. The conclusion I came to was I would want to, paint the walls red with his blood, a quote from one of the characters. I wont give you a synopsis of the book as it's been done before and done much better than I could do. Suffice to say that this is truly a can't put down book. To add veracity to my opening statement I am just about to start the next one (Bleed For Me).
May 19, 2024
Move over, Hannibal Lecter! You've got company!
Joe O'Loughlin, practicing clinical psychologist, and his wife, Julianne, a strikingly beautiful woman and an up-and-comer in the high-flying world of international corporate finance, moved to Somerset, where Joe was teaching part-time at the University of Bath. Away from the helter-skelter hustle and bustle of London life, they thought they would find a more pleasant environment to raise their two daughters, twelve year old Charlie and three year old Emma and to deal with the insidious attack of O'Loughlin's increasingly worrisome Parkinson's disease.
But the serenity and comfortable calm on the island that was Joe's new life is shattered when the local constabulary ask for his assistance and he fails to persuade a naked distressed jumper on the Clifton Suspension Bridge to give up her insane suicide attempt. Despite the obvious fact that this poor woman jumped with nobody but Joe around her, a subsequent remarkably similar death persuades Joe and his long-time friend, retired London Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz, that foul murder is afoot! But how it's being done - how somebody is using words and cell phones to persuade otherwise stable people to kill themselves - is a baffling psychological puzzle.
SHATTER is not really a mystery! The identity of the killer is revealed very early in the novel. The meat of the novel is a bleak and terrifying peek into the mind of a deranged, obsessively homocidal man. Robotham's portrayal of Gideon Tyler as the very personification of evil adds a brilliant character to the halls of literature's most memorable villains such as Aaron Stampler, Moriarty and Hannibal Lecter.
The devastating effects of O'Loughlin's investigation coupled with the progress of his Parkinson's disease on his family and the stability of his marriage makes for a poignant and intensely sad addition to the main plot. One of the other characters in the novel, Darcy Wheeler, the sixteen year old daughter of one of the murder victims, blossoming into womanhood and intent on a future career as a ballet dancer, adds some extremely interesting colour and spice to a story that is already a first-rate page turner. Cap a superb plot and wonderful characterization off with some absolutely fascinating dialogue as well as a bizarrely open-ended climax and you've got an unforgettable novel that will thrill fans of the psychological suspense genre.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Joe O'Loughlin, practicing clinical psychologist, and his wife, Julianne, a strikingly beautiful woman and an up-and-comer in the high-flying world of international corporate finance, moved to Somerset, where Joe was teaching part-time at the University of Bath. Away from the helter-skelter hustle and bustle of London life, they thought they would find a more pleasant environment to raise their two daughters, twelve year old Charlie and three year old Emma and to deal with the insidious attack of O'Loughlin's increasingly worrisome Parkinson's disease.
But the serenity and comfortable calm on the island that was Joe's new life is shattered when the local constabulary ask for his assistance and he fails to persuade a naked distressed jumper on the Clifton Suspension Bridge to give up her insane suicide attempt. Despite the obvious fact that this poor woman jumped with nobody but Joe around her, a subsequent remarkably similar death persuades Joe and his long-time friend, retired London Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz, that foul murder is afoot! But how it's being done - how somebody is using words and cell phones to persuade otherwise stable people to kill themselves - is a baffling psychological puzzle.
SHATTER is not really a mystery! The identity of the killer is revealed very early in the novel. The meat of the novel is a bleak and terrifying peek into the mind of a deranged, obsessively homocidal man. Robotham's portrayal of Gideon Tyler as the very personification of evil adds a brilliant character to the halls of literature's most memorable villains such as Aaron Stampler, Moriarty and Hannibal Lecter.
The devastating effects of O'Loughlin's investigation coupled with the progress of his Parkinson's disease on his family and the stability of his marriage makes for a poignant and intensely sad addition to the main plot. One of the other characters in the novel, Darcy Wheeler, the sixteen year old daughter of one of the murder victims, blossoming into womanhood and intent on a future career as a ballet dancer, adds some extremely interesting colour and spice to a story that is already a first-rate page turner. Cap a superb plot and wonderful characterization off with some absolutely fascinating dialogue as well as a bizarrely open-ended climax and you've got an unforgettable novel that will thrill fans of the psychological suspense genre.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
July 30, 2016
This is the third in a series involving psychologist Joseph O'Loughlin, a brilliant professor in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, who often is called upon to aid the police in their investigations due to his uncanny ability to profile the killer. This time, however, the killer is as cunning and psychologically astute as the good professor.
I thoroughly enjoy Robotham's writing style, the involvement of O'Loughlin's personal life as well as the unfolding of the criminal events, although at times I think there is too much detail about his Parkinson's. In this book, however, there is a depth to the suspect that has not been present in the previous two books. His profile is more complex and his character more fascinating. I hope that this continues in future books.
If you like crime, suspense, psychological thrillers, then this is a book for you. While you will have a better understanding of the characters if you read the series in order, Robotham always gives you ample background on each of them so that you can read the books out of order if you wish.
I thoroughly enjoy Robotham's writing style, the involvement of O'Loughlin's personal life as well as the unfolding of the criminal events, although at times I think there is too much detail about his Parkinson's. In this book, however, there is a depth to the suspect that has not been present in the previous two books. His profile is more complex and his character more fascinating. I hope that this continues in future books.
If you like crime, suspense, psychological thrillers, then this is a book for you. While you will have a better understanding of the characters if you read the series in order, Robotham always gives you ample background on each of them so that you can read the books out of order if you wish.
June 15, 2016
"
Shattered, shattered
Love and hope and sex and dreams
Are still surviving on the street
Look at me, I'm in tatters!"
Jagger/Richards, 1978
Built upon intriguing psychological supports and jammed front to back with suspense, the story centers on a protagonist clinical psychologist who seems true and real, his gruff and witty sometimes-sidekick, a believable family that plays into the storyline and other characters who capture the imagination.
Mr. Robotham is greatly gifted in writing dialogue, into which he blends just the right amount of the narrator/protagonist's thoughts and a lingering electricity.
Love and hope and sex and dreams
Are still surviving on the street
Look at me, I'm in tatters!"
Jagger/Richards, 1978
Built upon intriguing psychological supports and jammed front to back with suspense, the story centers on a protagonist clinical psychologist who seems true and real, his gruff and witty sometimes-sidekick, a believable family that plays into the storyline and other characters who capture the imagination.
Mr. Robotham is greatly gifted in writing dialogue, into which he blends just the right amount of the narrator/protagonist's thoughts and a lingering electricity.
November 2, 2017
This is a SOLID 4 star read, but i am throwing in another star for the fabulous continuation of a great series!! If you haven't read this series, star with Suspect which was AMAZING. Then continue from there. With this series it is best to start at book one, for the main characters continue to grow with each story line.
February 28, 2018
I really do like the writing here. Joe has grown on me as a character and I'm hoping to get to know him much better! This is a very dark read at times and I did wonder if it went over the top occasionally. However there is also humour here to. I found the idea of Gideon as a character and a concept very powerful indeed. I cannot find it in me to like Julieanne...
I have a couple more of this series to read during the course of the year hopefully and I'm looking forward to them.
I have a couple more of this series to read during the course of the year hopefully and I'm looking forward to them.
August 31, 2016
This is the 3rd novel in the Joseph O'Loughlin series.
However, it works splendidly as a stand-alone.
This has to be the most unique serial killer I ever encountered in the pages of a novel. He kills without lifting a finger against them, without leaving a mark on their bodies.
It is their minds that he wants to break...
However, it works splendidly as a stand-alone.
This has to be the most unique serial killer I ever encountered in the pages of a novel. He kills without lifting a finger against them, without leaving a mark on their bodies.
It is their minds that he wants to break...
May 4, 2020
Mildly entertaining, but far from special. Unfortunately I really took a dislike for Joseph O'Loughlin, the clinical psychologist hero, who in his own words has been visited by ‘Mr. Parkinson’ , meaning that he was a Parkinson’s sufferer. He just didn’t seem like a nice person, whether talking someone down off a bridge, talking with the young daughter of a victim, or presenting himself in conversation. I just felt I just couldn’t trust him. The story itself had lots of potential but sagged badly in the middle, and although I soldiered on to the end, it was certainly putdownable.
December 5, 2018
1.5 stars. For me, there was far too much time spent describing the thoughts of psychopath, I felt revolted for a lot of the book. Sadly, the main characters are not likeable enough to balance out the story, which often lacked pace and believability. Not for me.
February 13, 2020
Shatter is book three of the Joe O'Loughlin series by Michael Robotham. Clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin was called to the Clifton Suspension Bridge to help law enforcement with a woman who wants to commit suicide from the Bridge. Joe was unable to save the woman. However, when her daughter seeks Joe out, saying that her mother would not jump because she is scared of heigh. Joe decided to investigate with a high cost to himself; he decided to investigate. The readers of Shatter will continue to follow Joe O'Loughlin to find out what happens.
Shatter is another fantastic psychological thriller by Michael Robotham. I love Michael Robotham portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Michael Robotham excellently did the setting of Shatter that compliment the plot to ensure that I engage with this book. Shatter in some parts a little bit slow. However, on the whole, Shatter is well written and researched by Michael Robotham.
The readers of Shatter will learn about Parkinson disease and how it affects the suffer and everyone around then. Also, readers will learn about the role of Clinical psychologist in law enforcement investigation.
I recommend this book.
Shatter is another fantastic psychological thriller by Michael Robotham. I love Michael Robotham portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Michael Robotham excellently did the setting of Shatter that compliment the plot to ensure that I engage with this book. Shatter in some parts a little bit slow. However, on the whole, Shatter is well written and researched by Michael Robotham.
The readers of Shatter will learn about Parkinson disease and how it affects the suffer and everyone around then. Also, readers will learn about the role of Clinical psychologist in law enforcement investigation.
I recommend this book.
December 2, 2017
The garden is soggy and smells of decay. A rope swing is broken, frayed at one end, dangling halfway between a branch and the ground. I cross beneath it, skirting the garden furniture, and stand before a wooden shed. The door is padlocked. Crouching on my haunches, I press a pick into the keyhole and feel it bounce over the pins. The first lock I ever learned to pick was like this one. I practised for hours sitting in front of the TV.
Behavioural psychologist Professor Joe O’Loughlin is a part-time academic at the University of Bath fighting to control his body from Parkinsons Disease. He is called to the Clifton Suspension Bridge near Bristol where a woman in her forties, naked except for a pair of red Jimmy Choo shoes, holds a mobile phone to her ear. As Joe approaches to talk to her she jumps. While the Avon and Somerset police investigate, the woman’s teenage daughter Darcy seeks Joe out, to convince him that her mother would never commit suicide, and that she was afraid of heights. What motivated her to jump? He calls in an old friend, Vincent Ruiz, a retired detective with the Metropolitan Police, who knows people and how to work the system.
Men who take too much care of themselves and their clothes can appear vain and over-ambitious but Ruiz had long ago stopped caring about what other people thought about him. He was like a big dark vague piece of furniture, smelling of tobacco and wet tweed.
Ruiz introduces him to techno-geek Oliver who combs the mobile phone network for clues, explaining in layman’s terms how the system works.
My mind trips over the possibilities. Where did she get a second mobile phone? Why change mobiles?
'Could the data be wrong?’ asks Ruiz.
Oliver bristles at the suggestion. ‘Computers in my experience are more reliable than people.’ His fingertips stroke the top of the monitor as if worried that its feelings might have been hurt.
The mother was in partnership with another as wedding arrangers. They had known each other from school. Both have teenage daughters. Within days the second woman’s body is found, naked except for boots, hanging from a tree, mobile at her feet, the victim of hypothermia.
In Shatter Robotham takes us inside the mind of a sadistic killer, playing on the fears of his victims with the narrative switching between the two. As the two men stalk each other in a cat-and-mouse game the stakes get higher and more personal.
I have made a career out of studying human behaviour but like most in my profession I’m lousy at psychoanalysing myself. I have a wife for that. She’s good. Better than any therapist. Scarier.
As this book is; scary but highly entertaining, winner of the Ned Kelly award for Best Crime Fiction 2008 .
Behavioural psychologist Professor Joe O’Loughlin is a part-time academic at the University of Bath fighting to control his body from Parkinsons Disease. He is called to the Clifton Suspension Bridge near Bristol where a woman in her forties, naked except for a pair of red Jimmy Choo shoes, holds a mobile phone to her ear. As Joe approaches to talk to her she jumps. While the Avon and Somerset police investigate, the woman’s teenage daughter Darcy seeks Joe out, to convince him that her mother would never commit suicide, and that she was afraid of heights. What motivated her to jump? He calls in an old friend, Vincent Ruiz, a retired detective with the Metropolitan Police, who knows people and how to work the system.
Men who take too much care of themselves and their clothes can appear vain and over-ambitious but Ruiz had long ago stopped caring about what other people thought about him. He was like a big dark vague piece of furniture, smelling of tobacco and wet tweed.
Ruiz introduces him to techno-geek Oliver who combs the mobile phone network for clues, explaining in layman’s terms how the system works.
My mind trips over the possibilities. Where did she get a second mobile phone? Why change mobiles?
'Could the data be wrong?’ asks Ruiz.
Oliver bristles at the suggestion. ‘Computers in my experience are more reliable than people.’ His fingertips stroke the top of the monitor as if worried that its feelings might have been hurt.
The mother was in partnership with another as wedding arrangers. They had known each other from school. Both have teenage daughters. Within days the second woman’s body is found, naked except for boots, hanging from a tree, mobile at her feet, the victim of hypothermia.
In Shatter Robotham takes us inside the mind of a sadistic killer, playing on the fears of his victims with the narrative switching between the two. As the two men stalk each other in a cat-and-mouse game the stakes get higher and more personal.
I have made a career out of studying human behaviour but like most in my profession I’m lousy at psychoanalysing myself. I have a wife for that. She’s good. Better than any therapist. Scarier.
As this book is; scary but highly entertaining, winner of the Ned Kelly award for Best Crime Fiction 2008 .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,055 reviews