Helpful Score: 3
"Suspect" fits my definition of an excellent mystery novel: it's rich with background, precisely plotted, and populated with interesting, multi-dimensional characters. It's certainly not a 'no brainer' novel, though--devious, cunning minds are at work in this book and the reader must be alert and attentive to detail. But the reward is that when you've finished the book, you understand more about the human psychology of love and of hate.
Helpful Score: 3
The author, Michael Robotham, had been recommended to me. For once, I decided to begin at the beginning, with "Suspect", the first in his series centered around Psychologist Joe O'Loughlin. The plot was nicely detailed and suspenseful. I enjoyed learning about the many complex characters. The descriptive writing allowed me to be there - in Liverpool or London.
My only criticism is of the depiction of Julianna, Joe's wife. She is described as beautiful, or similar terms, more than once. I would think, or hope, that a man as complicated as Dr. O'Loughlin would have a wife who was equally intriguing, not simply beautiful and physically perfect.
My only criticism is of the depiction of Julianna, Joe's wife. She is described as beautiful, or similar terms, more than once. I would think, or hope, that a man as complicated as Dr. O'Loughlin would have a wife who was equally intriguing, not simply beautiful and physically perfect.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a thrill a minute! It is beautifully written and contains twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
Robotham is a new English mystery writer. This is his first book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. His characters are first rate, including a psychologist whose past catches up with him and a really grizzled old homicide detective, who pursues him. (I gather his sequel will feature the detective as the main character). At any rate, enjoy this!
4.0 out of 5 stars -- Cognitive dissonance...
I enjoyed this thriller despite my up front acknowledgement that I detested the character of the (anti)hero and star of this first in a series - renowned psychologist Joseph O'Laughlin who goes from "hero to zero" when he's accused of murder by Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz of the Metropolitan Police.
Joe lives with his loving wife and daughter in a heavily mortgaged house in London near the London Zoo. He is in a thriving private practice; busy and happy -- but his world starts crashing down when he is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Despite his credentials, degrees, and experience, Joe can't cope. He makes the first of many mistakes.
Joe continues to see his patients, some more disturbed than others, and volunteers to give a safety lecture at a meeting of prostitutes. Police crash the meeting and Joe speaks with the detective heading an investigation. Though initially thrilled to be asked to help with the identification of the dead woman in the morgue, Joe is soon thrust into a situation out of control when he realizes that he knows, and has a history with, the victim. He soon finds himself the main suspect and is desperate to clear his name and regain the life he totally messed up.
This is Joe: "Nobody likes admitting mistakes. And we all hate acknowledging the large gap between what we should do and what we actually do. So we alter either our actions or our beliefs. We make excuses, or redefine our conduct in a more flattering light." I don't excuse the decisions he made and the lies he told. I'm only somewhat sympathetic because I'm sure it was a blow for him to get that dreaded diagnosis. He needs therapy himself.
Despite that -- I am going to read another in this series hoping he has some HUGE personal growth. He hasn't earned forgiveness nor do I feel he's deserving of the gift. I'm not wild about anyone in this book, not his friends, wife, or family either. Hmmm. Can Joe redeem himself?
What I loved about this book -- the psychology. Very interesting to try to understand the motives and thinking of a disturbed mind though often all the reasons and excuses remind me of something I once learned -- "No, you're probably not responsible for anything that happened to you as a child. But, as an adult, you are 100% responsible for fixing it."
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland books for the e-book ARC to review.
I enjoyed this thriller despite my up front acknowledgement that I detested the character of the (anti)hero and star of this first in a series - renowned psychologist Joseph O'Laughlin who goes from "hero to zero" when he's accused of murder by Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz of the Metropolitan Police.
Joe lives with his loving wife and daughter in a heavily mortgaged house in London near the London Zoo. He is in a thriving private practice; busy and happy -- but his world starts crashing down when he is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Despite his credentials, degrees, and experience, Joe can't cope. He makes the first of many mistakes.
Joe continues to see his patients, some more disturbed than others, and volunteers to give a safety lecture at a meeting of prostitutes. Police crash the meeting and Joe speaks with the detective heading an investigation. Though initially thrilled to be asked to help with the identification of the dead woman in the morgue, Joe is soon thrust into a situation out of control when he realizes that he knows, and has a history with, the victim. He soon finds himself the main suspect and is desperate to clear his name and regain the life he totally messed up.
This is Joe: "Nobody likes admitting mistakes. And we all hate acknowledging the large gap between what we should do and what we actually do. So we alter either our actions or our beliefs. We make excuses, or redefine our conduct in a more flattering light." I don't excuse the decisions he made and the lies he told. I'm only somewhat sympathetic because I'm sure it was a blow for him to get that dreaded diagnosis. He needs therapy himself.
Despite that -- I am going to read another in this series hoping he has some HUGE personal growth. He hasn't earned forgiveness nor do I feel he's deserving of the gift. I'm not wild about anyone in this book, not his friends, wife, or family either. Hmmm. Can Joe redeem himself?
What I loved about this book -- the psychology. Very interesting to try to understand the motives and thinking of a disturbed mind though often all the reasons and excuses remind me of something I once learned -- "No, you're probably not responsible for anything that happened to you as a child. But, as an adult, you are 100% responsible for fixing it."
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland books for the e-book ARC to review.
I loved this first of the series book, especially because the "hero" had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Interesting main character--he has Parkinson's disease. Suspenseful and entertaining.
Great page-turner. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin has a thriving practice, a beautiful wife, and a little girl. He has recently found out that he has Parkinson's disease; but hasn't told his friends and family. The police ask Joe for his help in solving the murder of a prostitute. Joe goes over the case information and discovers that he knew this woman. She was a nurse in Liverpool that he knew years ago. When the police learn about Joe's connection to the victim, he becomes their number one suspect.
This was a DNF for me. After four hours of listening to this book, I had to give up. It was so BORING! Nothing was happening. Just discussion with various patients. Discussions with his wife. Discussions with a former prostitute. I nearly fell asleep. Others seemed to love this book, but it wasn't for me. My rating: DNF.
This was a DNF for me. After four hours of listening to this book, I had to give up. It was so BORING! Nothing was happening. Just discussion with various patients. Discussions with his wife. Discussions with a former prostitute. I nearly fell asleep. Others seemed to love this book, but it wasn't for me. My rating: DNF.
A woman is found dead in a ditch. From her head wounds, it's obvious she has been murdered, but her stab wounds are self-inflicted. When a psychologist tries to help the police profile the killer, the police suspect him instead.
A great novel from a new author. Though the subject/plot has been done before in other books that I have read, this author just does it better. The way that the mian character is written even leaves the reader guessing at his innocence; it kept me intrigued throughout the entire book.
A great novel from a new author. Though the subject/plot has been done before in other books that I have read, this author just does it better. The way that the mian character is written even leaves the reader guessing at his innocence; it kept me intrigued throughout the entire book.
A highly effective thriller, awesome plot with gathering horrors
a gripper.
a gripper.
I really enjoyed this book! A page-turner and unpredictable!
A well written thriller about a London psycholgist suspected in the murder of a former patient.
Great book. You will love this book if you enjoy a lot of psychology and twists and turns. I totally recommend it!
This was an interesting book. Not alot of conversations, mostly someone's thoughts...but finished in two days. Surprising twist in the end!
Well written, fast paced mystery. Author has followup book, LOST, with same characters.
Lots of action and difficult situations as the suspect must wade through the clues to find the true culprit.
Beverly H. (GainesvilleGirl) -
A bit of a slow starter, Suspect gradually begins to move more quickly and picks up a lot of speed in the last third (or so) of the book. I stuck with it because the theme interested me ... a psychologist, suffering through the early stages of Parkinson's disease, has to gather all of his strength to fight for his career and, eventually his life, as he privately investigates the death of a woman who had been a part of his past.
This turned out to be a very well written and interesting book, hard to put down.
Suspect is one of those rare literary gems, a beautifully written thriller that is both moving and relentlessly suspenseful. __Tess Gerritsen
Very Interesting! Will not want to put it down until finish!
i thought i had it figured out!!!suspenseful untilllast page!!!
Great read, can't wait for his next one!
A really good mystery/suspense novel-first-time author. He has since written Lost, which is good, but not nearly as good as Suspect!
I enjoyed this author's characterizations and twisted plot and will read more by him.
at forty two, joe o"loughin seem to have it all, but when a women is found dead ,he begins to suspect that one of his patients may be responsible.
Enjoyable writing style. Interesting Character development. Believability -- NOT -- but a good read none the less
"Joseph O loughlin appears to have the perfect life - a beautiful wife, a loving daughter and a successful career as a clinical psychologist. but even the most flawless existance is only a loose thread away from unravelling. All it takes is a murdered girl a troubled young patient and the biggest lie of his life"
Great read !
Great read !
At 42, psychologist Joe O'Loughlin seems to have it all. But Joe's happy world is crumbling. Recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he is dreading the future. When the police ask for his help in solving a brutal murder of a women they assume to be a prostitute, Joe is horrified when he sees that the victim is a nurse he had not only worked with, but had a past with! As Joe starts to suspect one of his patients as the killer, he learns that the police suspect him, Joe, instead. The story keeps you waiting for the next chapter to see what is going to happen.
Excellent book, page turner.
42 year old psychologist Joe O'Loughlin has a wonderful life, a beautiful daughter, an adoring daughter until his life begins to crumble. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and being asking to help the police in the murder of a nurse with whom he has a bit of a past, his life begins spiraling down as he suspects one of his patients may be responsible. A thiller those those who like suspense.
At forty-two, psychologist Joe O'Loughlin seems to have it all: a thriving practice, a beautiful wife, an adoring daughter. But Joe's snug, happy world is crumblin. Recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he's dreading the inevitable and all too palpable deterioration of his body and mind. Then, when the police ask for his help in solving the brutal murder of a woman they assume is a prostitute, he's horrified to recognize the victim as a nurse he once worked with, and with whom he has a bit of a past. As Joe begins to suspect that one of his patients may be responsible, the police zero in on him instead.
A beautifully written thriller that is moving and suspenseful.
At 42 [sucjp;pgost Joe seems to have it all a thriving practice, a beautiful wife and adoring daughter. But Joes snug, happy work is crumbling. Recently diagnosed with parkinson disease, hes dreading the inevitable an dall to plapable deterioration of his body and mind. Then, when the police ask for his help in solving the brutal murder of a woman they assume is a prostitute, he horrified to recognize the victim as a nurse he once worked with and with whom he has a bit of a past...
I really enjoyed this book and I hope the author (this is his first book) continues the series.
I was in a book club and never got a chance to read all the books, including this one.
This book was gave to me so I have not read it.
