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Cyrus Haven #4
Storm Child
Some memories are buried for a reason...
The most painful of Evie Cormac's memories have been locked away, ever since she was held prisoner as a child - a child whose rescue captured hearts and headlines.
Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven's mission is to guide her to something near normality. But today, on a Lincolnshire beach, seventeen bodies wash up in front of them. There is only one survivor, with two women still missing. And Evie's nightmares come roaring back...
Whatever happened all those years ago lies at the core of this new tragedy. Because these deaths are no accident. The same dark forces are reaching out, dragging her back into the storm.
Evie must now call upon Cyrus's unique skills, and her own, in their search for the missing pieces of this complex and haunting puzzle. But will that be enough to save them? And who will pay for the past?
The most painful of Evie Cormac's memories have been locked away, ever since she was held prisoner as a child - a child whose rescue captured hearts and headlines.
Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven's mission is to guide her to something near normality. But today, on a Lincolnshire beach, seventeen bodies wash up in front of them. There is only one survivor, with two women still missing. And Evie's nightmares come roaring back...
Whatever happened all those years ago lies at the core of this new tragedy. Because these deaths are no accident. The same dark forces are reaching out, dragging her back into the storm.
Evie must now call upon Cyrus's unique skills, and her own, in their search for the missing pieces of this complex and haunting puzzle. But will that be enough to save them? And who will pay for the past?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2024
765 people are currently reading
16824 people want to read
About the author
Michael Robotham
53 books7,234 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.
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June 10, 2024
Traumatic
Storm Child is a dark thriller that revolves around a boat carrying a group of migrants that sinks, killing all but one.
This is the fourth installment in the Cyrus Haven series, but it can be read as a standalone.
The series is character-driven, focusing on forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, a young woman who survived a horrific trauma. Both characters are deeply compelling, each with complex backstories that add layers to the narrative.
The tragic incident surrounding the boat and its lone survivor causes Evie to unlock the repressed memories of her childhood. The revelation of these memories is intense and uncomfortable, adding to the dark and suspenseful tone.
Robotham illustrates the complexities of the immigration debate, showcasing both sides and demonstrating that neither emerges victorious.I appreciate that he lets the reader determine which side they land on vs. trying to sway them with his personal beliefs.
Overall, is a fast-paced and unputdownable read. The plot is tightly wound and thought-provoking. The ending is emotional, leaving a glimmer of hope for Evie’s future. I have no idea if Robotham intends to write a 5th book in this series, but if not, I would be satisfied with this being the final book. However, there are still some answered questions regarding Evie’s past, and I would love for them to be brought to light only to allow her full closure.
Due to the subject matter, be prepared to read horrific and traumatic scenes. Trigger Warnings: human trafficking, sexual abuse, physical abuse
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Scribner in exchange for an honest review.
Storm Child is a dark thriller that revolves around a boat carrying a group of migrants that sinks, killing all but one.
This is the fourth installment in the Cyrus Haven series, but it can be read as a standalone.
The series is character-driven, focusing on forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, a young woman who survived a horrific trauma. Both characters are deeply compelling, each with complex backstories that add layers to the narrative.
The tragic incident surrounding the boat and its lone survivor causes Evie to unlock the repressed memories of her childhood. The revelation of these memories is intense and uncomfortable, adding to the dark and suspenseful tone.
Robotham illustrates the complexities of the immigration debate, showcasing both sides and demonstrating that neither emerges victorious.I appreciate that he lets the reader determine which side they land on vs. trying to sway them with his personal beliefs.
Overall, is a fast-paced and unputdownable read. The plot is tightly wound and thought-provoking. The ending is emotional, leaving a glimmer of hope for Evie’s future. I have no idea if Robotham intends to write a 5th book in this series, but if not, I would be satisfied with this being the final book. However, there are still some answered questions regarding Evie’s past, and I would love for them to be brought to light only to allow her full closure.
Due to the subject matter, be prepared to read horrific and traumatic scenes. Trigger Warnings: human trafficking, sexual abuse, physical abuse
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Scribner in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2024
Hell yeah, Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac are back for round four! Cyrus is a criminal psychologist, counselor, teacher, and also the guardian of Evie, still into cardio sports, living a secluded life in the old house inherited from his grandfather, living with Evie. He still tries to psychoanalyze her in his own ways, trying to open her up, and thankfully, Evie is not the same mercurial, self-destructive, nihilistic, infuriating, abusive, yet desperate for love girl. She has a bank account, attends courses, drives a car, works at a shelter to find the best homes for poppies. She's even slowly breaking barriers to go to crowded bars to meet her neighbor Liam, whom she might be harboring a crush on.
Unfortunately, their random life crashes after a few refugees are found dead at the seaside where Cyrus swims, as Evie witnesses and gets a catatonic episode after seeing Cyrus saving the only young survivor boy from the sea. Cyrus finds himself involved in the investigation of illegal boat trafficking of refugees and the gangs led by a mythical boogeyman called the Ferryman, who damages the boats of the refugees who resist paying him, following them until finding revengeful compensation by killing them brutally and leaving a coin inside the mouth as a symbol of Greek myth or kidnapping some of the victims for trafficking.
As Evie heals from her recent episode and complicated news she’s gotten from the hospital, Cyrus has no intention of leaving her side, even if it means taking her into the middle of dangerous operations where she meets a man named Angus Radford she recognizes from her past.
Cyrus is adamant about destroying the invisible barriers to help Evie heal, which means he takes her on a journey to Scotland, where Angus comes from, to reignite a walk down her memory lane. This trip may put their lives at stake to find out the truth about what happened to Evie’s sister Agnes and her mother, and it may also open a can of worms about the very politically powerful and notorious man who may be connected with Evie’s dark past and the entire people smuggling organization. Who’s the Ferryman? How was little Evie carried from the boat she was illegally shipped to England? What happened to her before her life turned into something scarier than the seven gates of Dante’s hell?
I cannot get enough of this series, and I enjoy how both Cyrus and Evie’s characters have evolved over four years, in four different books. I love their special bond of two broken, tarnished souls, holding each other to heal together.
I can’t wait to read more books. Let’s meet at the fifth adventure to see more adventures of my favorite characters who deserve happy lives, learning to deal with their emotional wounds in healthier ways.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this unputdownable thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Unfortunately, their random life crashes after a few refugees are found dead at the seaside where Cyrus swims, as Evie witnesses and gets a catatonic episode after seeing Cyrus saving the only young survivor boy from the sea. Cyrus finds himself involved in the investigation of illegal boat trafficking of refugees and the gangs led by a mythical boogeyman called the Ferryman, who damages the boats of the refugees who resist paying him, following them until finding revengeful compensation by killing them brutally and leaving a coin inside the mouth as a symbol of Greek myth or kidnapping some of the victims for trafficking.
As Evie heals from her recent episode and complicated news she’s gotten from the hospital, Cyrus has no intention of leaving her side, even if it means taking her into the middle of dangerous operations where she meets a man named Angus Radford she recognizes from her past.
Cyrus is adamant about destroying the invisible barriers to help Evie heal, which means he takes her on a journey to Scotland, where Angus comes from, to reignite a walk down her memory lane. This trip may put their lives at stake to find out the truth about what happened to Evie’s sister Agnes and her mother, and it may also open a can of worms about the very politically powerful and notorious man who may be connected with Evie’s dark past and the entire people smuggling organization. Who’s the Ferryman? How was little Evie carried from the boat she was illegally shipped to England? What happened to her before her life turned into something scarier than the seven gates of Dante’s hell?
I cannot get enough of this series, and I enjoy how both Cyrus and Evie’s characters have evolved over four years, in four different books. I love their special bond of two broken, tarnished souls, holding each other to heal together.
I can’t wait to read more books. Let’s meet at the fifth adventure to see more adventures of my favorite characters who deserve happy lives, learning to deal with their emotional wounds in healthier ways.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this unputdownable thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
July 14, 2024
4.5+⭐️
The fourth installment in Michael Robotham’s Cyrus Haven is a dark, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving read and a worthy addition to the series.
Years ago, Evie Cormac, then a child of eleven/twelve, was rescued from a room in a home where she had been hiding, where she witnessed a man brutally tortured to death. No one knew who she was or how she came to be in that room. In the years since, Cyrus Haven, a forensic psychologist and profiler who works with law enforcement, has helped Evie in her efforts to deal with her trauma and has been a supportive presence. Her true identity and what she has endured are no longer a mystery, but there are memories of her earlier life and how she fell into the hands of her abusers that have yet to be recovered.
Evie is now twenty-two years and though she has been able to move forward, she is still haunted by the traumatic events in her past. Evie’s memories of certain events are vague, but she is triggered when she witnesses the horrific scene of the bodies of migrants washing ashore at Lincolnshire beach during a seaside trip with Cyrus. The sole survivor, a traumatized teenager, reveals that the boat carrying him and other migrants was deliberately rammed by a trawler, causing it to sink.
Cyrus who is asked to assist in the investigation into the incident, also tries to help Evie unlock her repressed memories as they search for the people responsible for the tragedy – a search that takes Evie and Cyrus to Scotland among people who know more than they are disclosing and would not hesitate to hurt them to protect their secrets. What awaits them in Scotland? Who is The Ferryman? Is he just a myth, or does this entity truly force migrants to pay for their crossing? Will Evie finally be able to remember what happened to her and her family, or will this lead to another dead end?
Intense and gripping, Storm Child by Michael Robotham is an exceptionally well-written novel. The narrative, presented from the first-person POVs of Cyrus and Evie, touches upon themes of trauma and healing, criminal conspiracy and human trafficking, kidnapping and sexual abuse of minors, murder and the refugee crisis. Evie’s memories are shared in flashbacks as the narrative progresses and the author deftly weaves past and present timelines, dual POVSs and several subplots into a well-paced, tension-filled and deeply immersive narrative with a satisfying ending. The author writes with depth and strong attention to detail. I’m glad the author ends the story on a positive note and I enjoyed following the narrative as the mysteries were unraveled with plenty of surprises that kept me hooked until the very end.
Given the subject matter, this is not an easy read. The dark themes are disturbing and might be triggering for some readers and descriptions of the migrant bodies washing ashore will remind you of the heartbreaking pictures we have seen in the headlines.
I loved how Evie has evolved over this series and I continue to appreciate the dynamic between Cyrus and Evie and how their connection has helped both of them explore their own tragic pasts. Both character arcs are well thought out and I’m curious to see what the future holds for both characters. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Scribner for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Though this book could be read as a standalone , I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of the characters.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
The fourth installment in Michael Robotham’s Cyrus Haven is a dark, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving read and a worthy addition to the series.
Years ago, Evie Cormac, then a child of eleven/twelve, was rescued from a room in a home where she had been hiding, where she witnessed a man brutally tortured to death. No one knew who she was or how she came to be in that room. In the years since, Cyrus Haven, a forensic psychologist and profiler who works with law enforcement, has helped Evie in her efforts to deal with her trauma and has been a supportive presence. Her true identity and what she has endured are no longer a mystery, but there are memories of her earlier life and how she fell into the hands of her abusers that have yet to be recovered.
Evie is now twenty-two years and though she has been able to move forward, she is still haunted by the traumatic events in her past. Evie’s memories of certain events are vague, but she is triggered when she witnesses the horrific scene of the bodies of migrants washing ashore at Lincolnshire beach during a seaside trip with Cyrus. The sole survivor, a traumatized teenager, reveals that the boat carrying him and other migrants was deliberately rammed by a trawler, causing it to sink.
Cyrus who is asked to assist in the investigation into the incident, also tries to help Evie unlock her repressed memories as they search for the people responsible for the tragedy – a search that takes Evie and Cyrus to Scotland among people who know more than they are disclosing and would not hesitate to hurt them to protect their secrets. What awaits them in Scotland? Who is The Ferryman? Is he just a myth, or does this entity truly force migrants to pay for their crossing? Will Evie finally be able to remember what happened to her and her family, or will this lead to another dead end?
Intense and gripping, Storm Child by Michael Robotham is an exceptionally well-written novel. The narrative, presented from the first-person POVs of Cyrus and Evie, touches upon themes of trauma and healing, criminal conspiracy and human trafficking, kidnapping and sexual abuse of minors, murder and the refugee crisis. Evie’s memories are shared in flashbacks as the narrative progresses and the author deftly weaves past and present timelines, dual POVSs and several subplots into a well-paced, tension-filled and deeply immersive narrative with a satisfying ending. The author writes with depth and strong attention to detail. I’m glad the author ends the story on a positive note and I enjoyed following the narrative as the mysteries were unraveled with plenty of surprises that kept me hooked until the very end.
Given the subject matter, this is not an easy read. The dark themes are disturbing and might be triggering for some readers and descriptions of the migrant bodies washing ashore will remind you of the heartbreaking pictures we have seen in the headlines.
I loved how Evie has evolved over this series and I continue to appreciate the dynamic between Cyrus and Evie and how their connection has helped both of them explore their own tragic pasts. Both character arcs are well thought out and I’m curious to see what the future holds for both characters. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Scribner for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Though this book could be read as a standalone , I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of the characters.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
July 4, 2024
Book four of one of my favorite new series.
What started as a relaxing beachside stroll instantly turns into something dark and sinister for Cyrus and Evie.
A boat off shore has just capsized. Cyrus jumps into action hoping to save any possible survivors. Evie remains frozen, caught in a catatonic state as the sight triggers horrific memories.
Evie is haunted by a tragic past. But with the help of Cyrus Haven, a Forensic Psychologist, she’s gradually started to emotionally heal. Until today!
This book takes a close look at Evie’s past and what led up to her crossing paths with Cyrus.
The story is told in two timelines, both present and past. Equally captivating, I felt a deeper connection with both characters after reading this latest installment to this series.
I would definitely read this series in order to fully understand these characters and their relationship to each other.
Looking forward to seeing what direction Michael Robotham takes this series next!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner
What started as a relaxing beachside stroll instantly turns into something dark and sinister for Cyrus and Evie.
A boat off shore has just capsized. Cyrus jumps into action hoping to save any possible survivors. Evie remains frozen, caught in a catatonic state as the sight triggers horrific memories.
Evie is haunted by a tragic past. But with the help of Cyrus Haven, a Forensic Psychologist, she’s gradually started to emotionally heal. Until today!
This book takes a close look at Evie’s past and what led up to her crossing paths with Cyrus.
The story is told in two timelines, both present and past. Equally captivating, I felt a deeper connection with both characters after reading this latest installment to this series.
I would definitely read this series in order to fully understand these characters and their relationship to each other.
Looking forward to seeing what direction Michael Robotham takes this series next!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner
March 18, 2024
Storm Child (Cyrus Haven, #4) by Michael Robotham
Synopsis /
The mystery of Evie Cormac’s background has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach.
There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk. Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Hachette Australia and New Zealand, and author Michael Robotham, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for June 26, 2024.
Author, Michael Robotham, has Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac returning in book #4 of the highly readable Cyrus Haven series - Storm Child.
🛑Like the other books in this series, there are some confronting themes within Storm Child.
Trigger Warnings to consider: human trafficking, rape and child abuse.🛑
I was more excited than a three-year-old on Christmas morning (if that's possible) when I got my hands on a copy of this book. And, just like that, to paraphrase The Rolling Stones, 'It's All Over Now'.
Now I'm wishing that I could forget what I've just read, just so that I can read it all over again and experience that same simple enjoyment of a first read. [Starlight, Starbright, First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.]
It all started with book #1, Good Girl, Bad Girl - when Adam Guthrie, the resident social worker at a secure children's home in Nottingham, calls his good friend, Forensic Psychologist, Dr Cyrus Haven to evaluate one of the residents. Evie Cormac. When Cyrus asks to see Evie’s historical records he’s faced with an enigma. There is no record of her date of birth, no hospital file, midwife report, or any records of school attendance. She’s the girl who was found by Detective Chief Inspector Lenore Parvel, living in a secret room in a house in north London. Who, when found, weighed less than a child half her age. She had been hiding out in a room that included the decomposing body of a man who had been tortured to death. Wild-eyed and feral-looking, she trusted no-one. At the court hearing for Evie's application for release (from Langford Hall), Cyrus makes an impulsive gesture. He offers to foster Evie until her eighteenth birthday. The court grants his application and the rest, as they say, is history.
To the present day, and Evie, who is now twenty-two years old, is still sharing a house with Cyrus. Evie has made valuable progress under Cyrus' watchful eye. She has a bank account, drives a car, attends courses, works at a local shelter helping with the surrendered animals and is still seeing a psychologist on a regular basis. As for Cyrus, he's still battling his own demons by pounding the pavement running and then lifting weights until he's exhausted.
The two are having a seaside break at the beach at Lincolnshire, but that quiet holiday time is interrupted when a boat capsizes on its way from France to England. As the bodies start floating towards shore, Cyrus swims out to try to rescue as many as he can. Most are already dead before Cyrus reaches them, but a teenage boy survives. Where did these people come from and where were they headed? The boy tells police that the boat (full of illegals) was deliberately sunk during the night. When Evie realises what's happening down at the shoreline, she's triggered by memories of her past.
These resurfacing memories take Cyrus and Evie on a journey to Scotland and reignites the mystery surrounding Evie's childhood. Now they have a chance to find out the truth about Evie's missing past. But will this knowledge heal her or break her?
This instalment gives the reader unfettered access to Evie's backstory. Every. Dark. Horrid. Element. And although we, as readers, could most likely guess what her early childhood was like, to be faced with the reality was a completely different scenario.
Highly charged and very emotional. This was the book that this series needed and I'm so glad I've had the opportunity to read it.
I recommend you read this series in order:
A Good Girl, Bad Girl
A When She Was Good
A Lying Beside You
#StormChild #NetGalley
Synopsis /
The mystery of Evie Cormac’s background has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach.
There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk. Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Hachette Australia and New Zealand, and author Michael Robotham, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for June 26, 2024.
Author, Michael Robotham, has Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac returning in book #4 of the highly readable Cyrus Haven series - Storm Child.
🛑Like the other books in this series, there are some confronting themes within Storm Child.
Trigger Warnings to consider: human trafficking, rape and child abuse.🛑
I was more excited than a three-year-old on Christmas morning (if that's possible) when I got my hands on a copy of this book. And, just like that, to paraphrase The Rolling Stones, 'It's All Over Now'.
Now I'm wishing that I could forget what I've just read, just so that I can read it all over again and experience that same simple enjoyment of a first read. [Starlight, Starbright, First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.]
It all started with book #1, Good Girl, Bad Girl - when Adam Guthrie, the resident social worker at a secure children's home in Nottingham, calls his good friend, Forensic Psychologist, Dr Cyrus Haven to evaluate one of the residents. Evie Cormac. When Cyrus asks to see Evie’s historical records he’s faced with an enigma. There is no record of her date of birth, no hospital file, midwife report, or any records of school attendance. She’s the girl who was found by Detective Chief Inspector Lenore Parvel, living in a secret room in a house in north London. Who, when found, weighed less than a child half her age. She had been hiding out in a room that included the decomposing body of a man who had been tortured to death. Wild-eyed and feral-looking, she trusted no-one. At the court hearing for Evie's application for release (from Langford Hall), Cyrus makes an impulsive gesture. He offers to foster Evie until her eighteenth birthday. The court grants his application and the rest, as they say, is history.
To the present day, and Evie, who is now twenty-two years old, is still sharing a house with Cyrus. Evie has made valuable progress under Cyrus' watchful eye. She has a bank account, drives a car, attends courses, works at a local shelter helping with the surrendered animals and is still seeing a psychologist on a regular basis. As for Cyrus, he's still battling his own demons by pounding the pavement running and then lifting weights until he's exhausted.
The two are having a seaside break at the beach at Lincolnshire, but that quiet holiday time is interrupted when a boat capsizes on its way from France to England. As the bodies start floating towards shore, Cyrus swims out to try to rescue as many as he can. Most are already dead before Cyrus reaches them, but a teenage boy survives. Where did these people come from and where were they headed? The boy tells police that the boat (full of illegals) was deliberately sunk during the night. When Evie realises what's happening down at the shoreline, she's triggered by memories of her past.
These resurfacing memories take Cyrus and Evie on a journey to Scotland and reignites the mystery surrounding Evie's childhood. Now they have a chance to find out the truth about Evie's missing past. But will this knowledge heal her or break her?
This instalment gives the reader unfettered access to Evie's backstory. Every. Dark. Horrid. Element. And although we, as readers, could most likely guess what her early childhood was like, to be faced with the reality was a completely different scenario.
Highly charged and very emotional. This was the book that this series needed and I'm so glad I've had the opportunity to read it.
I recommend you read this series in order:
A Good Girl, Bad Girl
A When She Was Good
A Lying Beside You
#StormChild #NetGalley
July 1, 2024
EXCERPT: I saw Cyrus, waist deep in water, carrying a child in his arms. I felt a sudden surge of adrenalin and a sudden, overwhelming need to run. I couldn't make my legs move. I couldn't speak. It was as if somebody had hit the pause button and my life had stopped, frozen on that image of Cyrus holding a dead child with dangling limbs and a lolling head and open eyes staring at me.
ABOUT 'STORM CHILD': The mystery of Evie Cormac’s background has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach.
There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk. Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?
MY THOUGHTS: I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and Storm Child only strengthens my love. I have loved watching the relationship between Cyrus and Evie develop and grow and Evie's character develop and grow alongside it. A lot of Evie's backstory, some of which she is vaguely aware but a lot of which she is ignorant of, is revealed in Storm Child. There are many heart wrenching moments, but equally, some heart warming moments too. And then there are the terrifying ones! My nails look a hammering!
We are introduced to a new character, Florence, whom I believe we will see a lot more of in the future. Florence is a motor bike riding lawyer whose services Cyrus and Evie need more than once.
Full of tension, Storm Child is a tightly plotted and riveting read. Bring on #5 in the series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#StormChild #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: 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.
Michael now lives in Sydney with his wife and a diminishing number of dependent daughters.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hachette Australia and New Zealand for providing a digital ARC of Storm Child by Michael Robotham for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
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ABOUT 'STORM CHILD': The mystery of Evie Cormac’s background has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach.
There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk. Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?
MY THOUGHTS: I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and Storm Child only strengthens my love. I have loved watching the relationship between Cyrus and Evie develop and grow and Evie's character develop and grow alongside it. A lot of Evie's backstory, some of which she is vaguely aware but a lot of which she is ignorant of, is revealed in Storm Child. There are many heart wrenching moments, but equally, some heart warming moments too. And then there are the terrifying ones! My nails look a hammering!
We are introduced to a new character, Florence, whom I believe we will see a lot more of in the future. Florence is a motor bike riding lawyer whose services Cyrus and Evie need more than once.
Full of tension, Storm Child is a tightly plotted and riveting read. Bring on #5 in the series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#StormChild #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: 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.
Michael now lives in Sydney with his wife and a diminishing number of dependent daughters.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hachette Australia and New Zealand for providing a digital ARC of Storm Child by Michael Robotham for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
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July 8, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up Excellent addition to the series
This is a series you need to read in order, you'll be lost with the characters and backstory if you don't. As the series has progressed, we have learned more and more about both Cyrus and Evie and their individual pasts and trauma. As a warning, this is a very difficult book to read at times, the graphic depictions of immigration and human trafficking are complex and harrowing.
The inciting incident in this story is the bodies of seventeen migrants wash ashore on a beach and Cyrus and Evie are witnesses. One survivor tells them that their boat was deliberately hit because they didn't pay the "ferryman." This nudges a spark of memory in Evie, and she and Cyrus go on a hunt to try to find one more piece to her past. There are people who don't want the truth uncovered and will go to any means to keep it hidden.
I feel like each book in this series gives us new insight into these characters, making them more complex and nuanced. I really like the relationship between Cyrus and Evie because it's unusual and very realistic. Although this series feels somewhat complete, there's an issue with Evie that still needs to be resolved so I really need book five for that.
Robotham is an excellent writer, giving us stories that are both realistic and compelling. If you haven't discovered this fantastic series, start with Good Girl, Bad Girl ASAP.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a series you need to read in order, you'll be lost with the characters and backstory if you don't. As the series has progressed, we have learned more and more about both Cyrus and Evie and their individual pasts and trauma. As a warning, this is a very difficult book to read at times, the graphic depictions of immigration and human trafficking are complex and harrowing.
The inciting incident in this story is the bodies of seventeen migrants wash ashore on a beach and Cyrus and Evie are witnesses. One survivor tells them that their boat was deliberately hit because they didn't pay the "ferryman." This nudges a spark of memory in Evie, and she and Cyrus go on a hunt to try to find one more piece to her past. There are people who don't want the truth uncovered and will go to any means to keep it hidden.
I feel like each book in this series gives us new insight into these characters, making them more complex and nuanced. I really like the relationship between Cyrus and Evie because it's unusual and very realistic. Although this series feels somewhat complete, there's an issue with Evie that still needs to be resolved so I really need book five for that.
Robotham is an excellent writer, giving us stories that are both realistic and compelling. If you haven't discovered this fantastic series, start with Good Girl, Bad Girl ASAP.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 12, 2024
Cyrus Haven #4
Will we finally learn of Evie Cormac’s mysterious past? The infamous child, brutally treated is discovered several years ago in a secret room of a house where a man has been savagely murdered. Evie is silent on her name and background, a precaution for her self preservation. She has lived with psychologist Cyrus Haven in Nottingham for the last three years. On a holiday trip to Cleethorpes on the Lincolnshire coast, a horrifying sight plays out before their eyes as bodies of migrants are washed up on the beach, including a little boy. There’s one survivor, a teenage boy called Arben. The tragedy has a terrible impact especially on Evie, putting her temporarily in a catatonic state. Cyrus, who works with the Nottinghamshire Police Force, is drafted in to help with the difficult inquiry as dark forces are intent on controlling the narrative.
Like many readers, I have been eagerly anticipating this since “Lying Beside You” and this is everything I hope for. I love the bond that exists between Cyrus and Evie, it’s heartwarming witnessing the care he shows towards her, his constant concern and worry for her. She is certainly his blind spot as it’s apparent there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. As for Evie, I think she’s wonderful, she’s endured so much yet still gets up each day, putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. There’s no DS Lenny Pavel in this one sadly because not much takes place in Nottingham, principally Lincolnshire and particularly Scotland for much of the action. However, we are introduced to a fascinating new character in human rights lawyer, Florence Gatsi who is a great addition to the terrific cast.
The fast paced, ever changing plot is told alternately in flashbacks as the circumstances trigger memories and the drama following the migrants deaths. Evie’s memories are inevitably a tough read but as she’s in a better place than three years ago and has Cyrus at her side the toll isn’t as overwhelming as it might have been. What emerges from her recollections and from the present day storyline is a dark tale, jet black dark, as here lies ruthlessness that takes your breath away with a huge conspiracy revealing itself. It’s tough to read at times because of the violence and inhumanity. Cyrus and Evie make some appalling discoveries and your jaw drops at the extent of the control. The ending is very dramatic, Hollywood thriller style, perhaps the suspend your disbelief kind but as it’s so good, I don’t mind one bit! It’s moving and emotional, breaking your heart and warming it at the same time.
This is another tremendous and well written read which is action packed, full of tense and suspenseful moments and a multilayered plot. Highly recommended. It can be read as a standalone but as the first three are also outstanding novels, you’d be missing out.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Will we finally learn of Evie Cormac’s mysterious past? The infamous child, brutally treated is discovered several years ago in a secret room of a house where a man has been savagely murdered. Evie is silent on her name and background, a precaution for her self preservation. She has lived with psychologist Cyrus Haven in Nottingham for the last three years. On a holiday trip to Cleethorpes on the Lincolnshire coast, a horrifying sight plays out before their eyes as bodies of migrants are washed up on the beach, including a little boy. There’s one survivor, a teenage boy called Arben. The tragedy has a terrible impact especially on Evie, putting her temporarily in a catatonic state. Cyrus, who works with the Nottinghamshire Police Force, is drafted in to help with the difficult inquiry as dark forces are intent on controlling the narrative.
Like many readers, I have been eagerly anticipating this since “Lying Beside You” and this is everything I hope for. I love the bond that exists between Cyrus and Evie, it’s heartwarming witnessing the care he shows towards her, his constant concern and worry for her. She is certainly his blind spot as it’s apparent there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. As for Evie, I think she’s wonderful, she’s endured so much yet still gets up each day, putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. There’s no DS Lenny Pavel in this one sadly because not much takes place in Nottingham, principally Lincolnshire and particularly Scotland for much of the action. However, we are introduced to a fascinating new character in human rights lawyer, Florence Gatsi who is a great addition to the terrific cast.
The fast paced, ever changing plot is told alternately in flashbacks as the circumstances trigger memories and the drama following the migrants deaths. Evie’s memories are inevitably a tough read but as she’s in a better place than three years ago and has Cyrus at her side the toll isn’t as overwhelming as it might have been. What emerges from her recollections and from the present day storyline is a dark tale, jet black dark, as here lies ruthlessness that takes your breath away with a huge conspiracy revealing itself. It’s tough to read at times because of the violence and inhumanity. Cyrus and Evie make some appalling discoveries and your jaw drops at the extent of the control. The ending is very dramatic, Hollywood thriller style, perhaps the suspend your disbelief kind but as it’s so good, I don’t mind one bit! It’s moving and emotional, breaking your heart and warming it at the same time.
This is another tremendous and well written read which is action packed, full of tense and suspenseful moments and a multilayered plot. Highly recommended. It can be read as a standalone but as the first three are also outstanding novels, you’d be missing out.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 7, 2025
Loved this one another banger of a book in the Evie Cormac series!
This time deal with human trafficking a dark tale is told, its subject needs to be told & Robotham tells it kudos to him.
Evie still wants to get with Cyrus I love the banter between them it’s magic 🪄 Evie’s younger sister comes in & it’s quite a harrowing tale for both of them.
The story deepens when one character ends up in hospital I won’t say who it is but it’s a sad tale!
I know I didn’t go into much detail for this review but I don’t want to divulge to much…let’s just say this series is a must, please start this series in order as there is references that are told in book 1 that may get readers confused a solid 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me can’t wait to see what happens to Cyrus & Evie in book 5.
This time deal with human trafficking a dark tale is told, its subject needs to be told & Robotham tells it kudos to him.
Evie still wants to get with Cyrus I love the banter between them it’s magic 🪄 Evie’s younger sister comes in & it’s quite a harrowing tale for both of them.
The story deepens when one character ends up in hospital I won’t say who it is but it’s a sad tale!
I know I didn’t go into much detail for this review but I don’t want to divulge to much…let’s just say this series is a must, please start this series in order as there is references that are told in book 1 that may get readers confused a solid 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me can’t wait to see what happens to Cyrus & Evie in book 5.
June 17, 2024
Evie Cormac and Cyrus Haven were at the beach when the unthinkable happened - Cyrus raced into the surf to rescue the person he could see bobbing in the waves. But the person was dead. So were many others, and the horrors turned out to be victims from a migrant boat which had been brutally run down, with them all left for dead. Fortunately there was one young survivor - a teenage boy who was able to tell them they'd been deliberately rammed. The police were on the case, protecting the boy while he was in hospital, and Cyrus was recruited - as a psychologist - to help the police.
Evie was traumatised by the whole event; it brought back images of her past and what had happened to her, her mother and sister. But there were large blank spaces in her memory. She couldn't remember the important parts - didn't particularly want to remember - but would this bring it all back to her? Cyrus was her support person, the one she could turn to for anything. He would help her find her memories...
Storm Child is the 4th in the Cyrus Haven series by Aussie author Michael Robotham and is another excellent addition to this addictive series. Set in England - Lincolnshire - and partly Scotland, Cyrus and Evie continue to be captivating characters, while Professor Joseph O'Loughlin received a couple of mentions as well. I'm really enjoying the series and hope it continues for a long time to come. Highly recommended (with a strong recommendation to start at #1)
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
***Congratulations to the author as 2024 is the 20th anniversary of his first book being published - The Suspect - which I also loved!
Evie was traumatised by the whole event; it brought back images of her past and what had happened to her, her mother and sister. But there were large blank spaces in her memory. She couldn't remember the important parts - didn't particularly want to remember - but would this bring it all back to her? Cyrus was her support person, the one she could turn to for anything. He would help her find her memories...
Storm Child is the 4th in the Cyrus Haven series by Aussie author Michael Robotham and is another excellent addition to this addictive series. Set in England - Lincolnshire - and partly Scotland, Cyrus and Evie continue to be captivating characters, while Professor Joseph O'Loughlin received a couple of mentions as well. I'm really enjoying the series and hope it continues for a long time to come. Highly recommended (with a strong recommendation to start at #1)
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
***Congratulations to the author as 2024 is the 20th anniversary of his first book being published - The Suspect - which I also loved!
June 22, 2024
Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac return in the fourth installment of the series, unlocking the mystery of Evie’s past. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured and killed. Abused by her captors but unable to identify them, Evie has longed for justice. When the bodies of migrant workers wash ashore on a Lincolnshire beach, repressed memories return to Evie, possibly linking her to those involved in the tragedy. Recruited by the police to collaborate on the case, Cyrus vows to uncover the secrets of Evie’s dark past, putting them both in danger.
Storm Child is a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I loved the chapters that dealt with Cyrus and Evie’s complicated relationship, I found myself losing interest in the ones dealing with the backstory of Evie’s sordid past. There are a lot of details surrounding immigration, migrants, and the fishing industry. While this chapter in Evie’s history is necessary to the plot of this series, filling in gaps in Evie’s memory and connecting the dots, it was more difficult to get through.
Never fear, Robotham’s writing is stellar and by the last few chapters I was moved to tears! I was under the impression that this was the last book in the series, but it ends on a BIG cliffhanger! I enjoyed the other three books more than this one, but I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
Trigger warnings: sexual abuse, physical abuse, and human trafficking
3.75/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 7/2/24
Thank you to Edelweiss and Scribner publishing for the ARC of Storm Child in exchange for an honest review.
Storm Child is a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I loved the chapters that dealt with Cyrus and Evie’s complicated relationship, I found myself losing interest in the ones dealing with the backstory of Evie’s sordid past. There are a lot of details surrounding immigration, migrants, and the fishing industry. While this chapter in Evie’s history is necessary to the plot of this series, filling in gaps in Evie’s memory and connecting the dots, it was more difficult to get through.
Never fear, Robotham’s writing is stellar and by the last few chapters I was moved to tears! I was under the impression that this was the last book in the series, but it ends on a BIG cliffhanger! I enjoyed the other three books more than this one, but I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
Trigger warnings: sexual abuse, physical abuse, and human trafficking
3.75/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 7/2/24
Thank you to Edelweiss and Scribner publishing for the ARC of Storm Child in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2024
4.5~5★
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is a little voice that says, ‘run’, ‘hide’, ‘pray’, but mostly, ‘stay silent’, be as quiet as a mouse within the walls. Don’t let them find you.”
Evie knows that’s the strategy that has kept her, if not completely safe, at least alive. She remembers her family and that they fled Albania, but that’s about all. Cyrus Havens is the forensic psychologist who helped her recover (as much as she has) and in whose house she lives as a friend.
She is tiny for her age, now 22, but is usually taken to be a young teen. They are holidaying at a beach where Cyrus is swimming (she can’t swim), and she is trying out a new, more adult, look. He wants her to at least set foot in the water.
“‘It’s bracing.’
‘That’s another word for cold.’ I’m sitting in a deckchair, hiding under a wide- brimmed hat and the sunglasses I bought at Boots this morning. I think they make me look like a movie star. Cyrus says I look like a blowfly.”
Suddenly, Cyrus dives out into the ocean, and to Evie’s horror, struggles to walk out of the water carrying the body of a child. She is immediately stricken with fear and lapses into an almost catatonic state.
“I was fixated on the dead child, who looked exactly like me. How old? Four, maybe five.
They say that the first thing we lose is our baby teeth, but that’s not true. We lose our honest, unbiased memories. We begin to rewrite events, slowly altering the truth until we create a new, more acceptable story, one we can live with or tell others.”
In Evie’s case, she hadn’t rewritten the events so much as lived with a big hole in her memory. But this tragedy has dislodged something, and she can’t ignore the scenes of her own history playing in her mind. Instead, she has retreated, withdrawn: “stay silent”.
She was only nine when she arrived. At eighteen, after years of abuse, she was interviewed by forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, who has helped her unearth a lot. But what about these new memories?
“The worst of them are buried just below the surface of her subconscious like landmines. One wrong step and they will cripple or maim. My job is not to dig them up, but to mark where they are with tiny flags so that Evie can cross the minefield safely. One of them has detonated and Evie has gone to her safe place. The question is – how do I get her back?”
She wakes up in hospital.
“ ‘I saw the bodies in the water. You were carrying a little boy and . . .’ I don’t finish. ‘I want to go home.’
‘After you’ve talked to the neurologist.’
‘The who?’
‘She’s a brain specialist. We need to find out what happened.’
‘I know what happened.’
He waits for my explanation, but I don’t have one.
‘Sleep,’ he says, turning off the light and leaning back in a chair, propping his feet on the bed.
‘You frightened me,’ he whispers.
‘I frightened myself.’ ”
Although Robotham doesn’t mince words, he doesn’t dwell on grisly descriptions. Evie’s terror is real and warranted. She is remembering her trip and is desperate to know what happened to her mother and sister.
As with gangland crime, the refugee operators run the full gamut from local toughs to the highest levels of power and influence. Everyone has an excuse. Nobody has a solution. It’s ‘the government’s fault’, of course.
While the plot and storyline keep moving, it’s the characters who hold our attention. Cyrus knows Evie has a crush on him, but he attracts his own share of lady friends, and Evie quite likes the current one. Evie was also beginning to date and feel teenaged flutters before this disruption.
They are evolving into an interesting family, and I hope to see some of them again. I think Robotham has left the possibility that we may. 😊
This is most enjoyable as part of the series, but there is enough back story here that it could be read as a standalone. Many readers of series start in the middle because that is the only book available at the library or that was shouting at us from a second-hand bookstall. Start wherever you can!
Thanks to #NetGalley and Hachette for the review copy of #StormChild from which I’ve quoted. (A few quotations may change, but you get the idea. The man knows how to write!.)
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is a little voice that says, ‘run’, ‘hide’, ‘pray’, but mostly, ‘stay silent’, be as quiet as a mouse within the walls. Don’t let them find you.”
Evie knows that’s the strategy that has kept her, if not completely safe, at least alive. She remembers her family and that they fled Albania, but that’s about all. Cyrus Havens is the forensic psychologist who helped her recover (as much as she has) and in whose house she lives as a friend.
She is tiny for her age, now 22, but is usually taken to be a young teen. They are holidaying at a beach where Cyrus is swimming (she can’t swim), and she is trying out a new, more adult, look. He wants her to at least set foot in the water.
“‘It’s bracing.’
‘That’s another word for cold.’ I’m sitting in a deckchair, hiding under a wide- brimmed hat and the sunglasses I bought at Boots this morning. I think they make me look like a movie star. Cyrus says I look like a blowfly.”
Suddenly, Cyrus dives out into the ocean, and to Evie’s horror, struggles to walk out of the water carrying the body of a child. She is immediately stricken with fear and lapses into an almost catatonic state.
“I was fixated on the dead child, who looked exactly like me. How old? Four, maybe five.
They say that the first thing we lose is our baby teeth, but that’s not true. We lose our honest, unbiased memories. We begin to rewrite events, slowly altering the truth until we create a new, more acceptable story, one we can live with or tell others.”
In Evie’s case, she hadn’t rewritten the events so much as lived with a big hole in her memory. But this tragedy has dislodged something, and she can’t ignore the scenes of her own history playing in her mind. Instead, she has retreated, withdrawn: “stay silent”.
She was only nine when she arrived. At eighteen, after years of abuse, she was interviewed by forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, who has helped her unearth a lot. But what about these new memories?
“The worst of them are buried just below the surface of her subconscious like landmines. One wrong step and they will cripple or maim. My job is not to dig them up, but to mark where they are with tiny flags so that Evie can cross the minefield safely. One of them has detonated and Evie has gone to her safe place. The question is – how do I get her back?”
She wakes up in hospital.
“ ‘I saw the bodies in the water. You were carrying a little boy and . . .’ I don’t finish. ‘I want to go home.’
‘After you’ve talked to the neurologist.’
‘The who?’
‘She’s a brain specialist. We need to find out what happened.’
‘I know what happened.’
He waits for my explanation, but I don’t have one.
‘Sleep,’ he says, turning off the light and leaning back in a chair, propping his feet on the bed.
‘You frightened me,’ he whispers.
‘I frightened myself.’ ”
Although Robotham doesn’t mince words, he doesn’t dwell on grisly descriptions. Evie’s terror is real and warranted. She is remembering her trip and is desperate to know what happened to her mother and sister.
As with gangland crime, the refugee operators run the full gamut from local toughs to the highest levels of power and influence. Everyone has an excuse. Nobody has a solution. It’s ‘the government’s fault’, of course.
While the plot and storyline keep moving, it’s the characters who hold our attention. Cyrus knows Evie has a crush on him, but he attracts his own share of lady friends, and Evie quite likes the current one. Evie was also beginning to date and feel teenaged flutters before this disruption.
They are evolving into an interesting family, and I hope to see some of them again. I think Robotham has left the possibility that we may. 😊
This is most enjoyable as part of the series, but there is enough back story here that it could be read as a standalone. Many readers of series start in the middle because that is the only book available at the library or that was shouting at us from a second-hand bookstall. Start wherever you can!
Thanks to #NetGalley and Hachette for the review copy of #StormChild from which I’ve quoted. (A few quotations may change, but you get the idea. The man knows how to write!.)
February 27, 2024
I was so excited when I got approved for the 4th installment of the Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac series. I absolutely love this duo.
A few years back, Evie was found hiding in a closet while there was a dead man in the house who appeared to be murdered. Cyrus had met her at a childrens home. She was terribly disturbed and his goal was to find out what exactly happened to the little girl. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist and well capable for the task.
Years later, and Evie, now 22, lives with Cyrus. They make a good team. He wants to protect her and always keep her safe.
One day a group of migrants wash up from sea. The rest dead with the exception of one surviving teenage boy. Where did these people come from and why are the rest dead? Is this a tragic accident or did someone do this on purpose?
When Cyrus begins to investigate, he realizes this tragic event just may lead back to Evie’s past. How is she connected?
I will tell you that this series is very dark. Things like human trafficking, rape and abuse are heavy subjects mentioned throughout this book and the series as a whole. If these TW are too heavy for you, I suggest skip right over this. For me, it’s not too bad. There have been other books that were way worse and more disturbing for my taste.
Oh man, the ending was something special. I almost cried. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Robotham gave it an amazing finish and I look forward to the next installment!
Michael Robotham is an excellent writer. If you haven’t read his work before, I also suggest checking out his Joe O’Loughlin series! Fantastic series and a phenomenal MC. Joe will always be my first love!
This book has changed the title, now known as Storm Child. I’d like to thank Scribner, NetGalley and Michael Robotham for the opportunity to read this gem!
Publication date July 2, 2024
All opinions are my own.
4.5 ⭐️ raised to 5
A few years back, Evie was found hiding in a closet while there was a dead man in the house who appeared to be murdered. Cyrus had met her at a childrens home. She was terribly disturbed and his goal was to find out what exactly happened to the little girl. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist and well capable for the task.
Years later, and Evie, now 22, lives with Cyrus. They make a good team. He wants to protect her and always keep her safe.
One day a group of migrants wash up from sea. The rest dead with the exception of one surviving teenage boy. Where did these people come from and why are the rest dead? Is this a tragic accident or did someone do this on purpose?
When Cyrus begins to investigate, he realizes this tragic event just may lead back to Evie’s past. How is she connected?
I will tell you that this series is very dark. Things like human trafficking, rape and abuse are heavy subjects mentioned throughout this book and the series as a whole. If these TW are too heavy for you, I suggest skip right over this. For me, it’s not too bad. There have been other books that were way worse and more disturbing for my taste.
Oh man, the ending was something special. I almost cried. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Robotham gave it an amazing finish and I look forward to the next installment!
Michael Robotham is an excellent writer. If you haven’t read his work before, I also suggest checking out his Joe O’Loughlin series! Fantastic series and a phenomenal MC. Joe will always be my first love!
This book has changed the title, now known as Storm Child. I’d like to thank Scribner, NetGalley and Michael Robotham for the opportunity to read this gem!
Publication date July 2, 2024
All opinions are my own.
4.5 ⭐️ raised to 5
June 18, 2024
The fourth book in the Cyrus Haven series and although I did enjoy reading it, it was not my favourite so far.
Having loved the three previous books I was really looking forward to delving into Evie's past and I was not disappointed. Having experienced so much trauma over so many years it is only amazing that she is sane at all. I had a small issue with there being too many coincidences along the way though, and secretly wished the author had used some other approach than people smuggling to tie events together.
Overall a very readable book - always a certainty with anything written by Michael Robotham. I enjoyed the alternate chapters by Cyrus and Evie which gave me so much to understand about both of them. There is a whole heap of action, some interesting information about people smuggling in the UK, and of course lots of psychology and understanding of Evie. There's a hint there that Cyrus may be even more underlyingly disturbed than Evie is. Maybe another book in the making?
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Having loved the three previous books I was really looking forward to delving into Evie's past and I was not disappointed. Having experienced so much trauma over so many years it is only amazing that she is sane at all. I had a small issue with there being too many coincidences along the way though, and secretly wished the author had used some other approach than people smuggling to tie events together.
Overall a very readable book - always a certainty with anything written by Michael Robotham. I enjoyed the alternate chapters by Cyrus and Evie which gave me so much to understand about both of them. There is a whole heap of action, some interesting information about people smuggling in the UK, and of course lots of psychology and understanding of Evie. There's a hint there that Cyrus may be even more underlyingly disturbed than Evie is. Maybe another book in the making?
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 5, 2024
Profiting Off the Storm
Seventeen bodies float up on the English coastline of Lincolnshire beach. Victims of a boating mishap, only one of these migrants survives, a young man named Arben. He is the only survivor left to reveal that the boat was purposely rammed by people ordering them to turn back around.
Psychologist Cyrus Haven is at the beach the day this happens. He finds himself swimming to pull bodies out, hoping to find survivors. With him that day, and traumatized by what she sees, is Evie Cormac, a young woman living with Cyrus and under his care. Evie has had a brutal childhood and this episode triggers threatening half-memories.
Cyrus is brought in by the authorities to assist in the investigation, and Evie makes a connection with Arben– she was the first to be able to translate his Albanian for the police– and he subsequently kept asking for her. Arben, the Storm Child, constitutes the only evidence that this was something other than a sad, desperate accident. Initially, a far-right racist group is suspected of sinking the refugee boat in an anti-immigration action. Who else would deliberately send seventeen souls to their death?
Evie, a Storm Child herself, was a refugee at one point and begins to piece together common threads between this tragedy and her buried recollections. Faces of some of the principals involved become familiar as she and Cyrus circle around the dark forces behind these murders. There is even a Keyser Söze type bogeyman, “The Ferryman,” lurking in the shadows, as these two investigators become targets.
I first picked up one of Michael Robotham’s thrillers when I saw Stephen King decreeing him an “absolute master.” I learned right away what people mean when they say the pages just turned themselves. This is the fourth novel I have read of his– and the remaining fourteen are welcome to my bookshelf. This is also the fourth Cyrus Haven novel–I have read one other– but it absolutely works on its own. If you have slowed down on your reading and need something to jump-start things again, this will do it.
Thank you to Scribner, NetGalley, and Edelweiss for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #StormChild
Seventeen bodies float up on the English coastline of Lincolnshire beach. Victims of a boating mishap, only one of these migrants survives, a young man named Arben. He is the only survivor left to reveal that the boat was purposely rammed by people ordering them to turn back around.
Psychologist Cyrus Haven is at the beach the day this happens. He finds himself swimming to pull bodies out, hoping to find survivors. With him that day, and traumatized by what she sees, is Evie Cormac, a young woman living with Cyrus and under his care. Evie has had a brutal childhood and this episode triggers threatening half-memories.
Cyrus is brought in by the authorities to assist in the investigation, and Evie makes a connection with Arben– she was the first to be able to translate his Albanian for the police– and he subsequently kept asking for her. Arben, the Storm Child, constitutes the only evidence that this was something other than a sad, desperate accident. Initially, a far-right racist group is suspected of sinking the refugee boat in an anti-immigration action. Who else would deliberately send seventeen souls to their death?
Evie, a Storm Child herself, was a refugee at one point and begins to piece together common threads between this tragedy and her buried recollections. Faces of some of the principals involved become familiar as she and Cyrus circle around the dark forces behind these murders. There is even a Keyser Söze type bogeyman, “The Ferryman,” lurking in the shadows, as these two investigators become targets.
I first picked up one of Michael Robotham’s thrillers when I saw Stephen King decreeing him an “absolute master.” I learned right away what people mean when they say the pages just turned themselves. This is the fourth novel I have read of his– and the remaining fourteen are welcome to my bookshelf. This is also the fourth Cyrus Haven novel–I have read one other– but it absolutely works on its own. If you have slowed down on your reading and need something to jump-start things again, this will do it.
Thank you to Scribner, NetGalley, and Edelweiss for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #StormChild
April 5, 2024
TW: Human trafficking, rape
The most painful of Evie Cormac's memories have been locked away. Now, the same dark forces are reaching out and dragging her back. That makes Storm Child an utterly thrilling and emotional ride as Cyrus and Evie wend their way through the subject of migrant crossings, bringing Evie's past to light for her.
I hope Storm Child isn't the end of the series because I have grown to love Cyrus and Evie. I also love Evie's labrador, named Poppy!
Big thanks to both #Scribner and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Storm Child. This book is #4 in the Cyrus Haven series, with the expected publication date of June 26, 2024.
#MichaelRobotham #CyrusHaven
The most painful of Evie Cormac's memories have been locked away. Now, the same dark forces are reaching out and dragging her back. That makes Storm Child an utterly thrilling and emotional ride as Cyrus and Evie wend their way through the subject of migrant crossings, bringing Evie's past to light for her.
I hope Storm Child isn't the end of the series because I have grown to love Cyrus and Evie. I also love Evie's labrador, named Poppy!
Big thanks to both #Scribner and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Storm Child. This book is #4 in the Cyrus Haven series, with the expected publication date of June 26, 2024.
#MichaelRobotham #CyrusHaven
October 15, 2024
While Cyrus and Evie are visiting Lincolnshire beach, the bodies of seventeen migrants wash ashore. There is only one survivor, a teenage Albanian boy, who tells the police that their small boat was intentionally rammed and sunk. The sight of the bodies washing ashore stirs something deep within Evie, unlocking memories of her traumatic past that she has been unable to recall.
Storm Child is the fourth book in the Cyrus Haven series, and it continues to explore the compelling relationship between Cyrus and Evie. Their bond is particularly fascinating given their traumatic pasts, which makes them intriguing characters. Their interactions feel effortless, with authentic dialogue that deepens their connection in this installment. I also enjoyed the introduction of Florence and the dynamic her presence added to the story. This book delivers excellent crime fiction, delving into issues like human trafficking and illegal immigration. Although I typically don’t enjoy hot political topics in my reading, I appreciate how Michael Robotham approached these subjects without being heavy-handed or preachy, offering a balanced discussion of both sides of the migrant crisis.
I was so excited to get approved for this ARC. Michael Robotham never disappoints and this series continues to be a favorite of mine. I LOVE Cyrus and Evie and hope there are still many more books to come in this series. Not quite 5 stars since there were a few times I had to suspend disbelief when it came to Cyrus’s actions. 4.5 stars rounded up.
I recommend reading the books of this series in order to have a better understanding of the characters.
Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for my ARC.
Storm Child is the fourth book in the Cyrus Haven series, and it continues to explore the compelling relationship between Cyrus and Evie. Their bond is particularly fascinating given their traumatic pasts, which makes them intriguing characters. Their interactions feel effortless, with authentic dialogue that deepens their connection in this installment. I also enjoyed the introduction of Florence and the dynamic her presence added to the story. This book delivers excellent crime fiction, delving into issues like human trafficking and illegal immigration. Although I typically don’t enjoy hot political topics in my reading, I appreciate how Michael Robotham approached these subjects without being heavy-handed or preachy, offering a balanced discussion of both sides of the migrant crisis.
I was so excited to get approved for this ARC. Michael Robotham never disappoints and this series continues to be a favorite of mine. I LOVE Cyrus and Evie and hope there are still many more books to come in this series. Not quite 5 stars since there were a few times I had to suspend disbelief when it came to Cyrus’s actions. 4.5 stars rounded up.
I recommend reading the books of this series in order to have a better understanding of the characters.
Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for my ARC.
June 30, 2024
This was bad, I loved the other 3 books, but this one was terrible. Keep politics out of books, getting sick and tired of books shoving everyday politics in my face. I read because i want to forget the world, not to be reminded of it. I think I'm done with this series.
June 18, 2024
Storm Child is the 4th book in the Cyrus Haven series featuring the beguiling Evie Cormac, the young woman with the most disturbing of pasts. The forensic psychologist and the young human lie detector are back in another emotionally taut thriller that starts in England’s Lincolnshire before heading up to Aberdeen in Scotland.
The two friends are holidaying at the beach when a scream pierces the air. Someone has noticed a body floating to shore. When Cyrus looks out to sea he’s disturbed to find many other bodies are also in the water. A refugee boat has capsized and sunk and these are the victims. He springs into action, swimming out to bring them to shore.
“That’s when I saw Cyrus, waist deep in water, carrying a child in his arms. I felt a surge of adrenaline and a sudden, overwhelming need to run. I couldn’t make my legs move. I couldn’t speak. It was as if somebody had hit the pause button and my life had stopped, frozen on that image of Cyrus holding a dead child…”
Evie spots him carrying a child to shore and the sight triggers a memory from her past and she becomes catatonic, falling into a stupor which leads to her hospitalisation. Although she eventually recovers from the episode, the MRI that was performed has revealed some disturbing results.
Using his police connections, Cyrus is able to find out more about the smuggling operation that went wrong and resulted in so many deaths. Tracking down names of boats and then names of boat owners he is able to identify the possible identities of the smugglers. Of course, getting proof is another thing altogether and in order to do that it appears the trail is going to take them to Scotland.
Together, Cyrus and Evie travel north to Scotland hoping to learn more about Evie’s past and the illegal people smuggling trade that was part of it. Naturally, confronting people who are in the middle of a lucrative illegal activity is extremely dangerous, putting lives at risk and ramping the tension all the way up.
Evie’s past - her early life in Albania and how she came to the UK - is revealed in a series of recalled memories. With the help of Cyrus she manages to remember the boat on which she and her mother and sister were travelling when it ran into trouble during the crossing of the English Channel. Her memories of some of the crew from that trip, the smugglers themselves, start to return to her.
I really like how this series has progressed, particularly the relationship between Cyrus and Evie. Certainly, there are still some major mental challenges to overcome for each of them but their trust and acceptance of one another provides plenty of positive moments throughout what becomes a turbulent search into Evie’s past.
It would be my recommendation to read the earlier books (Good Girl Bad Girl, When She Was Good and Lying Beside You) before tackling this one to get a full appreciation of how far they’ve come together. It will also explain the catatonia and moments of uneasiness between the two.
Normally, it’s the crime aspect of a crime novel that is of the greatest importance - who did it and how, will they be caught and how. For me, the real strength of Storm Child is the character development that takes place. They are given tremendous depth and substance as three dimensional characters and that leads to them striking an emotional chord in me. I felt as though I had a greater stake in the outcome as a result.
This is yet another outstanding thriller from Michael Robotham filled with powerful emotion, insightful commentary on worldwide refugee problems and a gripping finale to round things off.
My thanks to Hachette Australia & NZ via NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC, allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.
The two friends are holidaying at the beach when a scream pierces the air. Someone has noticed a body floating to shore. When Cyrus looks out to sea he’s disturbed to find many other bodies are also in the water. A refugee boat has capsized and sunk and these are the victims. He springs into action, swimming out to bring them to shore.
“That’s when I saw Cyrus, waist deep in water, carrying a child in his arms. I felt a surge of adrenaline and a sudden, overwhelming need to run. I couldn’t make my legs move. I couldn’t speak. It was as if somebody had hit the pause button and my life had stopped, frozen on that image of Cyrus holding a dead child…”
Evie spots him carrying a child to shore and the sight triggers a memory from her past and she becomes catatonic, falling into a stupor which leads to her hospitalisation. Although she eventually recovers from the episode, the MRI that was performed has revealed some disturbing results.
Using his police connections, Cyrus is able to find out more about the smuggling operation that went wrong and resulted in so many deaths. Tracking down names of boats and then names of boat owners he is able to identify the possible identities of the smugglers. Of course, getting proof is another thing altogether and in order to do that it appears the trail is going to take them to Scotland.
Together, Cyrus and Evie travel north to Scotland hoping to learn more about Evie’s past and the illegal people smuggling trade that was part of it. Naturally, confronting people who are in the middle of a lucrative illegal activity is extremely dangerous, putting lives at risk and ramping the tension all the way up.
Evie’s past - her early life in Albania and how she came to the UK - is revealed in a series of recalled memories. With the help of Cyrus she manages to remember the boat on which she and her mother and sister were travelling when it ran into trouble during the crossing of the English Channel. Her memories of some of the crew from that trip, the smugglers themselves, start to return to her.
I really like how this series has progressed, particularly the relationship between Cyrus and Evie. Certainly, there are still some major mental challenges to overcome for each of them but their trust and acceptance of one another provides plenty of positive moments throughout what becomes a turbulent search into Evie’s past.
It would be my recommendation to read the earlier books (Good Girl Bad Girl, When She Was Good and Lying Beside You) before tackling this one to get a full appreciation of how far they’ve come together. It will also explain the catatonia and moments of uneasiness between the two.
Normally, it’s the crime aspect of a crime novel that is of the greatest importance - who did it and how, will they be caught and how. For me, the real strength of Storm Child is the character development that takes place. They are given tremendous depth and substance as three dimensional characters and that leads to them striking an emotional chord in me. I felt as though I had a greater stake in the outcome as a result.
This is yet another outstanding thriller from Michael Robotham filled with powerful emotion, insightful commentary on worldwide refugee problems and a gripping finale to round things off.
My thanks to Hachette Australia & NZ via NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC, allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.
March 18, 2024
Book 4 in the Cyrus Haven series (I had only read book 3 previously) and here we are set in the world of people trafficking, the topic of migration and modern slavery.
It’s a dark tale and a very current topic, played out in England and Scotland and of course on the seas.
I’ve read many Robotham books in the past and enjoyed them all. He is an excellent storyteller and here again he weaves a believable and human story that still manages to be extremely dark.
A strong ending was the cherry on the cake. I’m going to pick up book 1 and 2 and in fact make book 1 my next read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
It’s a dark tale and a very current topic, played out in England and Scotland and of course on the seas.
I’ve read many Robotham books in the past and enjoyed them all. He is an excellent storyteller and here again he weaves a believable and human story that still manages to be extremely dark.
A strong ending was the cherry on the cake. I’m going to pick up book 1 and 2 and in fact make book 1 my next read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
July 27, 2024
This was my 7th book by this author, who won my admiration with “The Secrets She Keeps” & “Good Girl, Bad Girl”. I love his writing style and skills, as well as his ability to tell a story in a very captivating way.
And this book did not disappoint. From the opening page I knew I had a winner in my hands.
The storyline and its development was terrific! It was hard not to feel sympathy for the characters.
This is a dark, heartbreaking and suspenseful story told in first person and dual POV(s). And you can feel that the author wrote this book with passion. Some parts were so moving!
I just wished that the chapters were longer. I wanted more details.
But there is no doubt that the author is a good storyteller.
Paperback (Canadian edition by Simone & Schuster): 336 pages (70 chapters)
ebook (Kobo): 352 pages (default), 96k words
PS. I just realized that I missed the second book in this series, so I have ordered a copy. I believe that the reason was its order of publication or availability in Canada.
And this book did not disappoint. From the opening page I knew I had a winner in my hands.
The storyline and its development was terrific! It was hard not to feel sympathy for the characters.
This is a dark, heartbreaking and suspenseful story told in first person and dual POV(s). And you can feel that the author wrote this book with passion. Some parts were so moving!
I just wished that the chapters were longer. I wanted more details.
But there is no doubt that the author is a good storyteller.
Paperback (Canadian edition by Simone & Schuster): 336 pages (70 chapters)
ebook (Kobo): 352 pages (default), 96k words
PS. I just realized that I missed the second book in this series, so I have ordered a copy. I believe that the reason was its order of publication or availability in Canada.
March 9, 2024
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ love this series even when its a bit OTT and wild!!
Some memories are buried for a reason… The most painful of Evie Cormac’s memories have been locked away, ever since she was held a prisoner as a child - a child whose rescue captured hearts and headlines.
Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven’s mission is to guide her to something near normality. But today, on a Lincolnshire beach, seventeen bodies wash up in front of them. There is only one survivor, with two women missing. And Evie’s nightmares come roaring back…
Whatever happened all those years ago lies at the core of this new tragedy. Because these deaths are no accident. The same dark forces are reaching out, dragging her back into the storm. Evie must now call upon Cyrus’s unique skills, and her own, in their search for the missing pieces of this complex and haunting puzzle.
But will that be enough to save them?
And who will pay for the past?
Ok first up…. I have been a fan of this series from the start, way back when Evie was Angel Face… and if you too have been a fan waiting for this book I think you will like it. If you are new here… and you haven’t read the books prior … this might be a bit meh… or a bit confusing.. there is a long story at play here and I do recommend reading from the start.
Having said that I did have some issues with this book…. BUT as a fan I overlooked almost all of them because I love this series… so take that as you will because if you read it and go WTF KARLY WHY 4 STARS… well… you were warned.
Now… I couldn’t put this down, its been ages since I’ve read a book that I kept thinking about while I was at work and couldn’t wait to get back to it. Its easy to read, told from Cyrus and Evie’s POV alternatively throughout which I love. I liked hearing this story play out in the interactions and inner monologues of both Cyrus and Evie. I felt that Cyrus was a little less of a know it all asshole in this book… Evie of course was not but thats all part of her charm… or lack thereof.
I think Michael Robotham skirted the edges of “woke” really well.. he mentioned a few things here and there that I thought were done really well… and it enhanced rather than took away from the story. I also did like the secondary characters but I missed Lenny… she is one of my favourites.
This is a pretty far fetched tale… there are a lot of things that happen where if you don’t suspend your disbelief you will be rolling you eyes until you are dizzy… but knowing that up front I was all fine with it.. I threw it out the window and lent hard into this one. There are some plot holes… when I was thinking back I was like what happened to… or what about… but again… I don’t actually care … I read it and loved it… I will definitely be reading the next one.
I really liked the ending I thought it was a really nice way to find out more information that we have been waiting for since book 1 and I really enjoyed that. I think Cyrus and Evie’s relationship is questionable but I think they too skirt the edges of what is appropriate and honestly… I am not going to complain about it because as I said I love this series and I don’t mind.
I did knock one star off just because it did get a little toooo far fetched in places and I thought 5 stars was super generous but I enjoyed it… I was so excited when I got approved by NetGalley that I abandoned what I was reading immediately and dove into it head first.
Overall, if you love this author or this series… definitely read it. If you haven’t the first idea about either then read the synopsis and some other reviews first. If you like mysteries where you need to throw your disbelief into the sea then again pick this up.. however I don’t recommend starting part way through I highly recommend starting at the start… book 1 and 2 were also by far my fave in this series so far. Although this was close behind it…
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Some memories are buried for a reason… The most painful of Evie Cormac’s memories have been locked away, ever since she was held a prisoner as a child - a child whose rescue captured hearts and headlines.
Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven’s mission is to guide her to something near normality. But today, on a Lincolnshire beach, seventeen bodies wash up in front of them. There is only one survivor, with two women missing. And Evie’s nightmares come roaring back…
Whatever happened all those years ago lies at the core of this new tragedy. Because these deaths are no accident. The same dark forces are reaching out, dragging her back into the storm. Evie must now call upon Cyrus’s unique skills, and her own, in their search for the missing pieces of this complex and haunting puzzle.
But will that be enough to save them?
And who will pay for the past?
Ok first up…. I have been a fan of this series from the start, way back when Evie was Angel Face… and if you too have been a fan waiting for this book I think you will like it. If you are new here… and you haven’t read the books prior … this might be a bit meh… or a bit confusing.. there is a long story at play here and I do recommend reading from the start.
Having said that I did have some issues with this book…. BUT as a fan I overlooked almost all of them because I love this series… so take that as you will because if you read it and go WTF KARLY WHY 4 STARS… well… you were warned.
Now… I couldn’t put this down, its been ages since I’ve read a book that I kept thinking about while I was at work and couldn’t wait to get back to it. Its easy to read, told from Cyrus and Evie’s POV alternatively throughout which I love. I liked hearing this story play out in the interactions and inner monologues of both Cyrus and Evie. I felt that Cyrus was a little less of a know it all asshole in this book… Evie of course was not but thats all part of her charm… or lack thereof.
I think Michael Robotham skirted the edges of “woke” really well.. he mentioned a few things here and there that I thought were done really well… and it enhanced rather than took away from the story. I also did like the secondary characters but I missed Lenny… she is one of my favourites.
This is a pretty far fetched tale… there are a lot of things that happen where if you don’t suspend your disbelief you will be rolling you eyes until you are dizzy… but knowing that up front I was all fine with it.. I threw it out the window and lent hard into this one. There are some plot holes… when I was thinking back I was like what happened to… or what about… but again… I don’t actually care … I read it and loved it… I will definitely be reading the next one.
I really liked the ending I thought it was a really nice way to find out more information that we have been waiting for since book 1 and I really enjoyed that. I think Cyrus and Evie’s relationship is questionable but I think they too skirt the edges of what is appropriate and honestly… I am not going to complain about it because as I said I love this series and I don’t mind.
I did knock one star off just because it did get a little toooo far fetched in places and I thought 5 stars was super generous but I enjoyed it… I was so excited when I got approved by NetGalley that I abandoned what I was reading immediately and dove into it head first.
Overall, if you love this author or this series… definitely read it. If you haven’t the first idea about either then read the synopsis and some other reviews first. If you like mysteries where you need to throw your disbelief into the sea then again pick this up.. however I don’t recommend starting part way through I highly recommend starting at the start… book 1 and 2 were also by far my fave in this series so far. Although this was close behind it…
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 22, 2025
By Book 4, you want all the answers—and The Storm Child finally gives them to you.
After getting hooked on Book 1, I binge-read the rest of the series in one week. I don’t really recommend doing that, and here’s why:
Book 1 ends on a major character backstory cliffhanger, so it’s almost impossible not to plunge straight into Book 2. But after that, take a break. When you read all of them back-to -back, the author’s story arc structure starts to feel familiar, giving a “here we go again” energy. You’ll appreciate each book more if you put some space between them after Book 2.
Plus, Book 3 is the most standalone of the series, and it doesn’t really circle back in depth to Evie’s backstory until Book 4.
If you’re worried about forgetting who’s who or what’s happened between books, don’t be. The author does a great job bringing you up to speed. But when you binge read them close together, those refreshers might start to feel like, “Yeah yeah, I know! I don’t have amnesia, I remember.”
It’s a great series that somehow balances dark, potentially triggering content with surprisingly lighter, funny moments.
After getting hooked on Book 1, I binge-read the rest of the series in one week. I don’t really recommend doing that, and here’s why:
Book 1 ends on a major character backstory cliffhanger, so it’s almost impossible not to plunge straight into Book 2. But after that, take a break. When you read all of them back-to -back, the author’s story arc structure starts to feel familiar, giving a “here we go again” energy. You’ll appreciate each book more if you put some space between them after Book 2.
Plus, Book 3 is the most standalone of the series, and it doesn’t really circle back in depth to Evie’s backstory until Book 4.
If you’re worried about forgetting who’s who or what’s happened between books, don’t be. The author does a great job bringing you up to speed. But when you binge read them close together, those refreshers might start to feel like, “Yeah yeah, I know! I don’t have amnesia, I remember.”
It’s a great series that somehow balances dark, potentially triggering content with surprisingly lighter, funny moments.
June 7, 2024
Storm Child is the fourth book in the Cyrus Haven series by award-winning Australian author, Michael Robotham. A relaxing Sunday at the seaside in late August takes an awful turn when the bodies of refugees begin washing up. The sight of Cyrus Haven carrying a dead child from the water dredges up memories that Evie Cormac has been avoiding, sending her into a catatonic state that requires hospitalisation
Of the twenty souls aboard the little boat, seventeen are dead, two young women are missing, and the only known survivor is a fourteen-year-old Albanian boy. While Cyrus is busy chatting to an angry black lawyer in motorcycle leathers, a recovered Evie happens upon the teen in his hospital room and is able to communicate in her native language. Both he and the lawyer claim this isn’t a tragic sinking of an inadequate vessel, but a deliberate act by men on a fishing trawler who rammed the boat multiple times. And one of the missing women is the teen’s older sister.
The whole situation triggers Evie’s recall of her own experience entering the UK, but Cyrus is wary of pushing it too far. When they are apprehended, Evie’s vague recognition of one of the men on the offending fishing trawler sends Cyrus to Scotland to learn more about this man. And naturally Evie refuses to be left behind. That turns out to be no picnic: they encounter some very nasty types intent on serious harm; there are guns and someone almost drowns.
Exploring the refugee situation, philanthropy, and modern slavery, this instalment is topical and thought-provoking. Robotham delivers a tightly plotted story sprinkled with enough misdirection to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the heart-thumping climax. There’s plenty of dark humour and the banter is often entertaining, but there are also characters with a jaw-dropping disregard for human life.
Once again, the narrative alternates between Evie and Cyrus: the situation brings back many of Evie’s memories that provide readers with her backstory, while Cyrus has several occasions recalling the wise words of his teacher, Joseph O’Loughlin. With most questions answered by the final pages, and one or two surprises, it feels like their story might be complete, but more of Cyrus and Evie will always be welcome. Unputdownable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand
Of the twenty souls aboard the little boat, seventeen are dead, two young women are missing, and the only known survivor is a fourteen-year-old Albanian boy. While Cyrus is busy chatting to an angry black lawyer in motorcycle leathers, a recovered Evie happens upon the teen in his hospital room and is able to communicate in her native language. Both he and the lawyer claim this isn’t a tragic sinking of an inadequate vessel, but a deliberate act by men on a fishing trawler who rammed the boat multiple times. And one of the missing women is the teen’s older sister.
The whole situation triggers Evie’s recall of her own experience entering the UK, but Cyrus is wary of pushing it too far. When they are apprehended, Evie’s vague recognition of one of the men on the offending fishing trawler sends Cyrus to Scotland to learn more about this man. And naturally Evie refuses to be left behind. That turns out to be no picnic: they encounter some very nasty types intent on serious harm; there are guns and someone almost drowns.
Exploring the refugee situation, philanthropy, and modern slavery, this instalment is topical and thought-provoking. Robotham delivers a tightly plotted story sprinkled with enough misdirection to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the heart-thumping climax. There’s plenty of dark humour and the banter is often entertaining, but there are also characters with a jaw-dropping disregard for human life.
Once again, the narrative alternates between Evie and Cyrus: the situation brings back many of Evie’s memories that provide readers with her backstory, while Cyrus has several occasions recalling the wise words of his teacher, Joseph O’Loughlin. With most questions answered by the final pages, and one or two surprises, it feels like their story might be complete, but more of Cyrus and Evie will always be welcome. Unputdownable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand
October 13, 2024
STORM CHILD [2024] By Michael Robotham
My Review 5.0 Stars
I finished reading the author’s fourth installment of his series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and the damaged young girl calling herself Evie Cormac who he first encountered four novels back. The most painful of Evie’s memories were suppressed and have been locked away ever since she was imprisoned as a child after falling prey to a sex trafficking organization. She was still a child when ultimately rescued from this purgatory. Evie’s freedom made headlines in the news and no one with a heart beating in his or her chest was immune to the known details of her heartbreaking bondage and liberation as a broken little girl.
The main plot of this serial is the developing relationship between the good-hearted Cyrus and his friend Evie, now living in his home and 18 years old. The storyline finds the pair on Lincolnshire Beach where Evie is philosophizing on the sunny sand when a sudden horrific sight renders her catatonic.
“That’s when I saw Cyrus, waist deep in water, carrying a child in his arms. I felt a surge of adrenaline and a sudden, overwhelming need to run. I couldn’t make my legs move. I couldn’t speak. It was as if somebody had hit the pause button and my life had stopped, frozen on that image of Cyrus holding a dead child, with dangling limbs and a lolling head and open eyes, staring at me. My bladder loosened and wetness spread down my thighs.”
Seventeen migrants, including women and children, have met foul play, and met a painful death which led to a watery grave. The catastrophe occurred off the coast of Lincolnshire while they were trying to reach Britain in a small boat. The bodies washed up right in front of the people on the beach. There is only one lone survivor, a little boy, and the two women who were on the raft are missing. The images of this terrible tragedy are enough to cause Evie’s nightmares to come flooding back and her mind blocks the memories these horrors trigger.
It is relevant to note that this novel is written in real time using alternating chapters dedicated to First Person POVs of Cyrus and Evie. This is the sequel that fans have been anxiously awaiting because whatever happened to Evie all those years ago lies at the very genesis of this current death toll of innocent migrants.
Evie is initially hospitalized due to her catatonic state, and Cyrus is fearful of her mind’s resilience to return to the present. Evie does bounce back from the chilling catatonic state and she and Cyrus are undeterred in their search for the answers to what are complex questions and a daunting and truly haunting puzzle.
The author does an astonishingly fair job with the topic of the illegal immigration. There is the loud, brash voice of Lord David Buchan who had doggedly campaigned for tougher restrictions on the influx of illegal arrivals on British shores and blamed the government for their failure to control the country’s borders and for not assuming responsibility for this latest tragedy. DI Carlson also explains to Cyrus that 400 small boats had arrived from the port of Calais carrying over 5000 people and such migration into England could not be sustained.
The issue of illegal immigration is the thread throughout the novel that must be critically evaluated because within this crisis lies the key to unlocking Evie’s vault of stolen memories. Cyrus meets a beautiful black attorney with clues to the current tragic end of the line for the recent boat of twenty migrants coming from Calais. She is an attorney and is working with an organization called Migrant Rescue. (Florence Gatsi) and her cohorts “provide information to people who are trying to cross the Channel. Tides. Weather. Currents. Shipping lanes.” This is analogous to providing junkies with new needles and a safe place to shoot up. But I think the point to be taken away is that the migrants will try to cross the dangerous channel without any navigational input and those unfortunate individuals who are addicted will use dirty needles. I liked the character of Florence and her interactions with Evie are interesting, somewhat predictable but still poignant.
The lone survivor of the doomed trip, 14-year-old Arben Pasha, was able to tell the authorities that a fishing trawler had told the boat to go back, and when it did not comply it was rammed by the large fishing trawler which tossed the passengers into the water to be chopped by the blades of the assassin boat. The body of his brother had been located but the remains of his sister were not found at that time. Florence had text messages from his brother about the warning, the fishing trawler, and the impending horror when the boat was rammed.
The brother Simon Buchan is a quiet tolerant man who finances projects to make the migration crisis fairer, and he spoke often of the need to end the senseless carnage, and to reclaim the borders but by being fair and humane in the exercise.
This review does not need to address anything further about the migrant crisis which intersects the life of Evie and Cyrus. The story line of the novel is the investigation of the murders committed by parties unknown while migrants attempted to cross the channel. Evie and Cyrus are integral to solving many of the angles but there are several other key characters who are deeply vested as well, certainly including the lovely attorney, Florence.
It is difficult for me to write a book review for an installment of an ongoing series. Obviously, this should not be viewed as a standalone novel. Other readers may disagree. In any case the plot of this book is to make Evie a whole person again, to recover the early days of losing everything as a child, including her good memories and family members if possible. The horrors she suffered as a child looking into the faces of adult men before they defiled her, and another man took his place; the agony of the constant pain and degradation caused her mind to suspend all of those memories just out of reach where they were unable to hurt her anymore.
This was an excellent novel, and tears were inevitable before it was over, which was hardly a shock to me. There were a number of plot twists and surprises, deadly encounters, a veritable smorgasbord for any reader who loves dark psychological fiction, top shelf writing, and a propulsive pace filled with action, tons of tension, and stark suspense.
There are three prior installments featuring Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac. Read the first one and you will be hooked. Robotham is the real deal. He is perhaps more popular in Australia where he is a Bestselling Novelist. I’ll let King provide his opinion.
'A brilliant, propulsive writer. Pick Storm Child up, and I guarantee you'll go on to discover a rich and wonderful backlist' STEPHEN KING
My Review 5.0 Stars
I finished reading the author’s fourth installment of his series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and the damaged young girl calling herself Evie Cormac who he first encountered four novels back. The most painful of Evie’s memories were suppressed and have been locked away ever since she was imprisoned as a child after falling prey to a sex trafficking organization. She was still a child when ultimately rescued from this purgatory. Evie’s freedom made headlines in the news and no one with a heart beating in his or her chest was immune to the known details of her heartbreaking bondage and liberation as a broken little girl.
The main plot of this serial is the developing relationship between the good-hearted Cyrus and his friend Evie, now living in his home and 18 years old. The storyline finds the pair on Lincolnshire Beach where Evie is philosophizing on the sunny sand when a sudden horrific sight renders her catatonic.
“That’s when I saw Cyrus, waist deep in water, carrying a child in his arms. I felt a surge of adrenaline and a sudden, overwhelming need to run. I couldn’t make my legs move. I couldn’t speak. It was as if somebody had hit the pause button and my life had stopped, frozen on that image of Cyrus holding a dead child, with dangling limbs and a lolling head and open eyes, staring at me. My bladder loosened and wetness spread down my thighs.”
Seventeen migrants, including women and children, have met foul play, and met a painful death which led to a watery grave. The catastrophe occurred off the coast of Lincolnshire while they were trying to reach Britain in a small boat. The bodies washed up right in front of the people on the beach. There is only one lone survivor, a little boy, and the two women who were on the raft are missing. The images of this terrible tragedy are enough to cause Evie’s nightmares to come flooding back and her mind blocks the memories these horrors trigger.
It is relevant to note that this novel is written in real time using alternating chapters dedicated to First Person POVs of Cyrus and Evie. This is the sequel that fans have been anxiously awaiting because whatever happened to Evie all those years ago lies at the very genesis of this current death toll of innocent migrants.
Evie is initially hospitalized due to her catatonic state, and Cyrus is fearful of her mind’s resilience to return to the present. Evie does bounce back from the chilling catatonic state and she and Cyrus are undeterred in their search for the answers to what are complex questions and a daunting and truly haunting puzzle.
The author does an astonishingly fair job with the topic of the illegal immigration. There is the loud, brash voice of Lord David Buchan who had doggedly campaigned for tougher restrictions on the influx of illegal arrivals on British shores and blamed the government for their failure to control the country’s borders and for not assuming responsibility for this latest tragedy. DI Carlson also explains to Cyrus that 400 small boats had arrived from the port of Calais carrying over 5000 people and such migration into England could not be sustained.
The issue of illegal immigration is the thread throughout the novel that must be critically evaluated because within this crisis lies the key to unlocking Evie’s vault of stolen memories. Cyrus meets a beautiful black attorney with clues to the current tragic end of the line for the recent boat of twenty migrants coming from Calais. She is an attorney and is working with an organization called Migrant Rescue. (Florence Gatsi) and her cohorts “provide information to people who are trying to cross the Channel. Tides. Weather. Currents. Shipping lanes.” This is analogous to providing junkies with new needles and a safe place to shoot up. But I think the point to be taken away is that the migrants will try to cross the dangerous channel without any navigational input and those unfortunate individuals who are addicted will use dirty needles. I liked the character of Florence and her interactions with Evie are interesting, somewhat predictable but still poignant.
The lone survivor of the doomed trip, 14-year-old Arben Pasha, was able to tell the authorities that a fishing trawler had told the boat to go back, and when it did not comply it was rammed by the large fishing trawler which tossed the passengers into the water to be chopped by the blades of the assassin boat. The body of his brother had been located but the remains of his sister were not found at that time. Florence had text messages from his brother about the warning, the fishing trawler, and the impending horror when the boat was rammed.
The brother Simon Buchan is a quiet tolerant man who finances projects to make the migration crisis fairer, and he spoke often of the need to end the senseless carnage, and to reclaim the borders but by being fair and humane in the exercise.
This review does not need to address anything further about the migrant crisis which intersects the life of Evie and Cyrus. The story line of the novel is the investigation of the murders committed by parties unknown while migrants attempted to cross the channel. Evie and Cyrus are integral to solving many of the angles but there are several other key characters who are deeply vested as well, certainly including the lovely attorney, Florence.
It is difficult for me to write a book review for an installment of an ongoing series. Obviously, this should not be viewed as a standalone novel. Other readers may disagree. In any case the plot of this book is to make Evie a whole person again, to recover the early days of losing everything as a child, including her good memories and family members if possible. The horrors she suffered as a child looking into the faces of adult men before they defiled her, and another man took his place; the agony of the constant pain and degradation caused her mind to suspend all of those memories just out of reach where they were unable to hurt her anymore.
This was an excellent novel, and tears were inevitable before it was over, which was hardly a shock to me. There were a number of plot twists and surprises, deadly encounters, a veritable smorgasbord for any reader who loves dark psychological fiction, top shelf writing, and a propulsive pace filled with action, tons of tension, and stark suspense.
There are three prior installments featuring Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac. Read the first one and you will be hooked. Robotham is the real deal. He is perhaps more popular in Australia where he is a Bestselling Novelist. I’ll let King provide his opinion.
'A brilliant, propulsive writer. Pick Storm Child up, and I guarantee you'll go on to discover a rich and wonderful backlist' STEPHEN KING
March 16, 2024
Another fantastic series that is being ruined by an author's desire to shove his self-righteous wokeness down his reader's throats. Robotham has turned Haven into a judgmental, whiney, woke, lecturing bore who accuses anyone that disagrees with his views on illegal immigration as racist, bigoted xenophobes. Ok. A rather pedestrian story that doesn't make any real effort to entertain or engage. Too many authors have decided it's more important to follow the woke checklist that seems to be passed from publishing house to publishing house than to focus on solid writing, plot, story and characters. I can hope that this is a one-time thing and that the next one will get back to the gritty, hard-edged, character driven, lecturing-free stories that have made Robotham's books so enjoyable, but I'm not betting the farm on it. By far the least enjoyable of all of Robotham's books. Oh well. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2024
Storm Child is the fourth book in the Cyrus Haven series by award-winning Australian author, Michael Robotham. The audio version is narrated by Joe Jameson. A relaxing Sunday at the seaside in late August takes an awful turn when the bodies of refugees begin washing up. The sight of Cyrus Haven carrying a dead child from the water dredges up memories that Evie Cormac has been avoiding, sending her into a catatonic state that requires hospitalisation
Of the twenty souls aboard the little boat, seventeen are dead, two young women are missing, and the only known survivor is a fourteen-year-old Albanian boy. While Cyrus is busy chatting to an angry black lawyer in motorcycle leathers, a recovered Evie happens upon the teen in his hospital room and is able to communicate in her native language. Both he and the lawyer claim this isn’t a tragic sinking of an inadequate vessel, but a deliberate act by men on a fishing trawler who rammed the boat multiple times. And one of the missing women is the teen’s older sister.
The whole situation triggers Evie’s recall of her own experience entering the UK, but Cyrus is wary of pushing it too far. When they are apprehended, Evie’s vague recognition of one of the men on the offending fishing trawler sends Cyrus to Scotland to learn more about this man. And naturally Evie refuses to be left behind. That turns out to be no picnic: they encounter some very nasty types intent on serious harm; there are guns and someone almost drowns.
Exploring the refugee situation, philanthropy, and modern slavery, this instalment is topical and thought-provoking. Robotham delivers a tightly plotted story sprinkled with enough misdirection to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the heart-thumping climax. There’s plenty of dark humour and the banter is often entertaining, but there are also characters with a jaw-dropping disregard for human life.
Once again, the narrative alternates between Evie and Cyrus: the situation brings back many of Evie’s memories that provide readers with her backstory, while Cyrus has several occasions recalling the wise words of his teacher, Joseph O’Loughlin. With most questions answered by the final pages, and one or two surprises, it feels like their story might be complete, but more of Cyrus and Evie will always be welcome. Unputdownable.
Of the twenty souls aboard the little boat, seventeen are dead, two young women are missing, and the only known survivor is a fourteen-year-old Albanian boy. While Cyrus is busy chatting to an angry black lawyer in motorcycle leathers, a recovered Evie happens upon the teen in his hospital room and is able to communicate in her native language. Both he and the lawyer claim this isn’t a tragic sinking of an inadequate vessel, but a deliberate act by men on a fishing trawler who rammed the boat multiple times. And one of the missing women is the teen’s older sister.
The whole situation triggers Evie’s recall of her own experience entering the UK, but Cyrus is wary of pushing it too far. When they are apprehended, Evie’s vague recognition of one of the men on the offending fishing trawler sends Cyrus to Scotland to learn more about this man. And naturally Evie refuses to be left behind. That turns out to be no picnic: they encounter some very nasty types intent on serious harm; there are guns and someone almost drowns.
Exploring the refugee situation, philanthropy, and modern slavery, this instalment is topical and thought-provoking. Robotham delivers a tightly plotted story sprinkled with enough misdirection to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the heart-thumping climax. There’s plenty of dark humour and the banter is often entertaining, but there are also characters with a jaw-dropping disregard for human life.
Once again, the narrative alternates between Evie and Cyrus: the situation brings back many of Evie’s memories that provide readers with her backstory, while Cyrus has several occasions recalling the wise words of his teacher, Joseph O’Loughlin. With most questions answered by the final pages, and one or two surprises, it feels like their story might be complete, but more of Cyrus and Evie will always be welcome. Unputdownable.
July 20, 2024
4.5 / 5.0
A solid book from start to finish, a very emotional journey which tugs on your heart strings a bit. Even though I’ve joined the series quite late, the book can be read as a standalone - the character development, the plot and the journey they both go on this book is an emotional thrilling one. This book finally starts delving into the past of Evie, why she is who she is, her past but more importantly getting some form of closure to her past which she has struggled on. The develop Cyrus has with his almost ‘sister’ like relationship is put to the test in this book. You have to read it.
When Cyrus and Evie go on a holiday to cleethorpes beach, they end up finding 17 dead bodies washed up on shore with 1 main survivor and 2 missing women on board. This triggers Evie into a deep shocked state which gives her deep flashbacks of her past before she was torn away from her family. Whatever happened to those bodies showing up on shore has some play to Evie’s past which the book explores more. You’re in for an emotional journey that I think is needed in the series.
I have to admit, and its just speculation but could this be the last book? The ending feels like the closure that Evie has needed now even though there’s still some unanswered questions. I can see this being the last book but I’ve thorough enjoyed my time reading this book.
A solid book from start to finish, a very emotional journey which tugs on your heart strings a bit. Even though I’ve joined the series quite late, the book can be read as a standalone - the character development, the plot and the journey they both go on this book is an emotional thrilling one. This book finally starts delving into the past of Evie, why she is who she is, her past but more importantly getting some form of closure to her past which she has struggled on. The develop Cyrus has with his almost ‘sister’ like relationship is put to the test in this book. You have to read it.
When Cyrus and Evie go on a holiday to cleethorpes beach, they end up finding 17 dead bodies washed up on shore with 1 main survivor and 2 missing women on board. This triggers Evie into a deep shocked state which gives her deep flashbacks of her past before she was torn away from her family. Whatever happened to those bodies showing up on shore has some play to Evie’s past which the book explores more. You’re in for an emotional journey that I think is needed in the series.
I have to admit, and its just speculation but could this be the last book? The ending feels like the closure that Evie has needed now even though there’s still some unanswered questions. I can see this being the last book but I’ve thorough enjoyed my time reading this book.
May 13, 2024
What can I say about Michael Robotham books that I haven’t said before? This year marks 20 years of books from this wonderful author, here’s to another 20 at least I say.
Fans of the Cyrus and Evie series are going to love Storm Child. Finally we get some answers about Evie’s past. We learn about her childhood with her parents and sister, her travels to England and beyond as she starts to remember. She is on holidays on the coast with Cyrus when a boatload of migrants is overturned. This is triggering for Evie, and starts her quest for information. She recognises men from her past and Cyrus will do anything for Evie, even putting his life in serious danger.
This book is just fantastic. I didn’t want to stop reading it. I was there for it all. It is dark one, her memories are not all happy ones as you would expect from what we already know. I do hope that there will be more Cyrus and Evie to come.
Thanks so very much to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes in Australia on June 26th.
Fans of the Cyrus and Evie series are going to love Storm Child. Finally we get some answers about Evie’s past. We learn about her childhood with her parents and sister, her travels to England and beyond as she starts to remember. She is on holidays on the coast with Cyrus when a boatload of migrants is overturned. This is triggering for Evie, and starts her quest for information. She recognises men from her past and Cyrus will do anything for Evie, even putting his life in serious danger.
This book is just fantastic. I didn’t want to stop reading it. I was there for it all. It is dark one, her memories are not all happy ones as you would expect from what we already know. I do hope that there will be more Cyrus and Evie to come.
Thanks so very much to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes in Australia on June 26th.
July 4, 2024
I’m so happy I could cry! Cyrus and Evie are coming back to me :)
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