A stand alone novel by Robotham (one of my favorite authors). ( )

“Why is it that men have pride, but women have shame?”

“Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, love leaves a memory that no one can steal”

A fast paced intense psychological thriller with your usual fault-ridden characters who often madden you with their stupid, self-harming mistakes. Enough plot twists to keep you enthralled and guessing up until the end.

Phil was head-strong and determined, but I did find it strange just how easily she took to Tempe, ignoring the concerns of her fiancé, who you think she would have trusted above many others. The way she easily walked back into her estranged father’s life was also a tad unbelievable. Her uncles, however, were hilarious – realistic London bad boys. ( )

Michael Robotham is a perennial favorite author for me. I don't bother reading the synopses as I know I am going to enjoy whatever tale awaits me. The latest is When You Are Mine - a stand alone.

Philomena McCarthy is an officer with the Met in London. She's passionate about her job and is a stickler for upholding the law, not cutting corners and protecting the public. She's also the daughter of a London crime family.

Phil responds to a domestic violence call and ends up arresting Darren Goodall, who just happens to be a decorated officer with Scotland Yard. And that's the beginning of a nightmare for Phil - although she doesn't know it yet. She is determined to help Tempe - the victim of the assault. Despite knowing she should set limits, Phil invites Tempe into her life. And that too may not have been the smartest thing to do.

Phil is a great lead character - she's smart, fearless and determined, a protagonist you'll be behind all the way. But, she has some blind spots and I myself shaking my head at some of the choices she makes. But of course those decisions drive the plot forward. Goodall is easy to despise. Tempe is complicated. Robotham did a fantastic job with her - she's hard to nail down - are her motives well meaning or does she have her own agenda?

And, as always, Robotham's plotting will keep you reading until the wee hours. There are also some harsh realities to be found as well. I do hope we see Phil again, as well as her family. Despite the 'crime family' label, I quite liked her father and uncles.

I chose to listen to When You Are Mine. The reader was Katy Sobey, a favorite of mine. She speaks clearly and at a good speed, enunciates well and is easy to understand. Her voice is expressive, capturing the tone and emotion of the novel. And she is so versatile! Different voices and accents are used for the main players. They're easily identifiable and match the mental images I had of the players, both male and female. I have to say that the voice for Tempe is a stand out - lovely and chilling. An excellent performance of a great book from Sobey. ( )

My thanks to the Author publisher's and Secret Readers for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Starts as an interesting Police procedural and develops into an absorbing psychological thriller, which are normally not my type of read as they generally to me seem all the same, but I loved this book. Well written character driven with enough plot twists and turns for any reader, and just when I thought the end might be a bit contrived and rushed another surprise. A real page turner riveting suspense with at times hold your breath tension.
Finally a plea to the Author more of our ballsy brave clever fearless heroine, she has to be in more books PLEASE.
Totally recommended. ( )

When You Are Mine by Michael Robotham is a highly recommended crime/psychological thriller.

Philomena (Phil) McCarthy, a police office in London, and her partner respond to a domestic violence call. The victim, Tempe Brown, has clearly been assaulted. The abuser is Darren Goodall, a married man named and a decorated Scotland Yard detective, and he makes it clear that he is above the law and can't be touched. When Goodall tries to assault Phil, she stops him, cuffs him, and puts him under arrest, however his allies at the station make the case disappear and turn it against Phil. Phil, however, has had to overcome other challenges in her personal life and decides to continue to look into Goodall. She finds evidence he has been abusing his wife too and begins to investigate this.

At the same time, Tempe begins to insert herself into Phil's personal life, much to the chagrin of Henry, her fiancée. After finding her safe places to stay, it seems that Tempe is there at every turn, always running into Phil and wanting to help her, while Goodall is beginning to threaten her. Complicating matters further is Phil's background. She is the daughter of Edward McCarthy, a mobster and leader of a criminal empire he built with his brothers. Although she has distanced herself from him, his 60th birthday is approaching and she may attend the party and ask him for some help.

Phil is a fully realized, complex character and an engaging protagonist. You will want the best for her, although you may question her instincts and judgment several times in the novel. She should have noticed and could have curtailed Tempe's needy and clinging insertion into her life sooner. Tempe's behavior would have raised alarms for most people right away, but it does serve to further complicate the intricate plot and keep the tension high.

This is an extremely well written, perfectly paced, and wonderfully intricate puzzle of a thriller. There are so many pieces presented and questions that will arise concerning Phil's investigations, Tempe's actions, Phil's family, Goodall and his cronies, and corrupt behavior that seems to have infiltrated the police. The suspense and tension keep building on all levels. Once the novel starts the quick pace doesn't let up until the end and will keep you entrenched in the narrative. When You Are Mine is emotionally engaging, suspenseful, and compelling throughout.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Scribner.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/12/when-you-are-mine.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4409406727 ( )