In 2021 Michael Robotham released the stand alone crime thriller When You Are Mine. That book featured English police officer Philomena McCarthy who was not only dealing with police corruption but the fact that she came from a family of known criminals. In his Afterword to The White Crow, Robotham admits that Phil was too good a character to leave to one book. And so she makes her return in another absolute page turner.
When The White Crow opens, Phil is on a food run in the early hours of the morning when she spots a little girl in the street. That little girl, Daisy, is connected to a home invasion and robbery of the jewellery store owned by her parents. Although not a detective, Phil bonds with the little girls and is keen to stay involved in the investigation so asks if she can join the team. Little does she know that her family is involved and the robbery is part of a broader, violent move by a rival gang to take them down.
It is easy to see why Robotham returned to Philomena. Besides her interesting background she is a keen and dogged investigator but also, in her enthusiasm and lack of experience, prone to make mistakes. While Philomena is the central character of The White Crow, Robotham once again delivers a wide and interesting cast. From Keegan, the lead detective dealing with his own internal political issues, to Philomena’s father and uncles, to their frightening adversary. In doing so, despite the grey, Robotham will have readers cheering for the bad guys, if only because there are even worse guys.
With The White Crow, Robotham delivers yet another effortless, compulsive thriller. The White Crow will hook readers from the first page with a mystery that bubbles below the surface of a clock-ticking thriller. And will keep them engaged with a cast of compelling characters who all get pushed out of their comfort zones. Whether Philomena will be back again is an open question but it was definitely a winning move to bring her back.
The White Crow by Michael Robotham
2 Comments
I enjoyed this book very much. Great plotting, and Robotham obviously loves the gangster father and uncles.
Agreed – he has alot of fun with them and I would not be surprised if he comes back to this family again…