Book Review: When She Was Good by Michael Robotham (Cyrus Haven #2)

 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Fast-paced and suspenseful with superb character development and a gripping narrative, When She Was Good by Michael Robotham is a worthy sequel to the first book in the author’s Cyrus Haven series.

As the novel begins, Evie is once again at Langford Hall, waiting to turn eighteen (officially, as per court records) and hopefully be released as an adult. The details of Evie’s true identity and the events that led to her being found seven years ago in a hidden room in a house where a man had been brutally murdered remain a mystery. She now considers forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven a friend but has not shared what she remembers of her past with him. Cyrus, haunted by his own tragic past, is concerned for Evie and seeks out Sacha Hopewell, the constable who initially found Evie, hoping that she might be able to shed light on the events that led to her discovery – facts that the police reports might have missed. Cyrus is also called to help investigate the death of a retired police officer, who at the time of his death was looking into an old case – a case that is revealed to possibly be connected to Evie – that might have gotten him killed. When Evie’s safety is threatened, she is compelled to share her story with Cyrus, who is determined to protect her from those who would resort to any means to keep Evie from exposing them.

This is a layered novel, intense and unflinching, and not for the faint of heart. The different threads of the narrative, past and present events and both Evie and Cyrus’s storylines are tightly woven into a gripping narrative that kept me glued to the pages. The narrative, presented from the first-person POVs of Cyrus and Evie in alternate chapters, moves fast without a boring moment. As Evie’s history is gradually revealed, we are taken down a dark and disturbing path that reeks of human depravity. Plenty of twists and surprises kept me glued to the pages as the author shed light on all the questions left unanswered in the first book of the series. The connection between Evie and Cyrus is well depicted – complex emotions at play and wary of each other yet also able to relate to one another, which enables Evie to slowly learn to trust Cyrus. I also thought that the supporting characters were well thought out, each with a distinct role to play. I was satisfied with the ending and was eager to begin Book #3.

Overall, I thought this was a brilliantly crafted thriller that I would not hesitate to recommend. However, please note that the story does feature content (mostly implied, not explicit) that might prove disturbing for some readers.

(⚠️human trafficking, kidnapping and sexual abuse of children)

I would strongly recommend reading the books in series order.