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Philomena McCarthy #2
The White Crow
“No one does suspense better.” —Stephen King
Ambitious young police officer Philomena McCarthy, the daughter of London’s most notorious mob boss, returns in the latest propulsive thriller by author Michael Robotham.
Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds to become a young officer with the Metropolitan Police because her father and her uncles are notorious London gangsters.
On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child, covered in blood, who says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.
These two events collide and threaten Philomena’s career, her new marriage, and her life. In too deep, and falling further, Phil must decide who she can trust—her family or her colleagues—and on what side of the thin blue line she wants to live.
Ambitious young police officer Philomena McCarthy, the daughter of London’s most notorious mob boss, returns in the latest propulsive thriller by author Michael Robotham.
Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds to become a young officer with the Metropolitan Police because her father and her uncles are notorious London gangsters.
On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child, covered in blood, who says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.
These two events collide and threaten Philomena’s career, her new marriage, and her life. In too deep, and falling further, Phil must decide who she can trust—her family or her colleagues—and on what side of the thin blue line she wants to live.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
493 people are currently reading
12075 people want to read
About the author
Michael Robotham
53 books7,233 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
June 30, 2025
Michael Robotham has delivered another gripping, tension filled, shocking book and I enjoyed every page of The White Crow!! I love the character of Philomena McCarthy and how she has gone against her family of gangsters to be a police officer. If you read the first book in this series, When You Are Mine, you will be over the moon with addictive The White Crow! If you have not read the first book in the series, I highly recommend you do so. While this book will work nicely as a stand-alone novel, do yourself a favor and dive into the first book first, you will thank me.
While on patrol one evening, Philomena sees a barefoot young child covered in blood who informs Philomena that she cannot wake her mother. At the same time a London jeweler is discovered with a bomb strapped to his chest. As the investigation progresses, a recently married Philomena finds her career, her marriage and even her life in danger!
Woohoo! I was so excited to see that there was a new book featuring Philomena McCarthy. I love her brave, strong, vulnerable, intelligent, and caring character. Her husband is a wonderful character as well. Then there is her father and uncles who are notorious London gangsters. Whew! They make for some interesting and intriguing characters! I love how Philomena's character is often seen walking a tightrope if you will between her family and the law. Michael Robotham handles this brilliantly with having her always side with the law while showing the complexities of her life, her allegiances, her family and her values.
I enjoyed the mystery in this book. I also enjoyed the tension, the mounting danger, the growing suspense, and the sense of dread that sprang off the pages! Robotham has a knack for creating fully fleshed out characters that I grow to care about. He has me fully invested in them and when he puts them through the ringer it is like experiencing an emotional punch to the gut.
As with all his books, The White Crow was beautifully written, well thought out, perfectly paced, and gripping. If you have not read a book by Michael Robotham before, you are seriously missing out.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
While on patrol one evening, Philomena sees a barefoot young child covered in blood who informs Philomena that she cannot wake her mother. At the same time a London jeweler is discovered with a bomb strapped to his chest. As the investigation progresses, a recently married Philomena finds her career, her marriage and even her life in danger!
Woohoo! I was so excited to see that there was a new book featuring Philomena McCarthy. I love her brave, strong, vulnerable, intelligent, and caring character. Her husband is a wonderful character as well. Then there is her father and uncles who are notorious London gangsters. Whew! They make for some interesting and intriguing characters! I love how Philomena's character is often seen walking a tightrope if you will between her family and the law. Michael Robotham handles this brilliantly with having her always side with the law while showing the complexities of her life, her allegiances, her family and her values.
I enjoyed the mystery in this book. I also enjoyed the tension, the mounting danger, the growing suspense, and the sense of dread that sprang off the pages! Robotham has a knack for creating fully fleshed out characters that I grow to care about. He has me fully invested in them and when he puts them through the ringer it is like experiencing an emotional punch to the gut.
As with all his books, The White Crow was beautifully written, well thought out, perfectly paced, and gripping. If you have not read a book by Michael Robotham before, you are seriously missing out.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
February 4, 2025
If you have not read a Michael Robotham novel, you are seriously missing out!!! He will always be one of my favorites!!
Philomena McCarthy is an officer with the Metropolitan Police. She first made her appearance in ‘When You Are Mine’ a few years back. You do not have to read that one to follow this. Trust me!
A woman has been murdered during a hostage situation. The criminals have escaped. Only thing is, the woman’s young daughter escaped and is discovered on the street by Philomena.
Who killed the woman and why? Is Philomena’s father who is a criminal boss himself involved?
I actually loved these characters!!! The mob dad, uncles, the little girl… everyone!!! Steve Cavanagh has been one author that can write mob books well, and so DOES MICHAEL ROBOTHAM!!! This story was so much more than a crime story. It’s about the relationships with family no matter what side of the street they stand on. Good or bad!
This would make a phenomenal film on the big screen!!! Robotham has done it before with the Joe O’Loughlin series. Wouldn’t surprise me!!!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Massive thanks to Michael Robotham and Scribner for the gifted galley and NetGalley for the arc!
Pub Date 7/1/2025
Philomena McCarthy is an officer with the Metropolitan Police. She first made her appearance in ‘When You Are Mine’ a few years back. You do not have to read that one to follow this. Trust me!
A woman has been murdered during a hostage situation. The criminals have escaped. Only thing is, the woman’s young daughter escaped and is discovered on the street by Philomena.
Who killed the woman and why? Is Philomena’s father who is a criminal boss himself involved?
I actually loved these characters!!! The mob dad, uncles, the little girl… everyone!!! Steve Cavanagh has been one author that can write mob books well, and so DOES MICHAEL ROBOTHAM!!! This story was so much more than a crime story. It’s about the relationships with family no matter what side of the street they stand on. Good or bad!
This would make a phenomenal film on the big screen!!! Robotham has done it before with the Joe O’Loughlin series. Wouldn’t surprise me!!!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Massive thanks to Michael Robotham and Scribner for the gifted galley and NetGalley for the arc!
Pub Date 7/1/2025
July 25, 2025
EXCERPT: Our shoulder radios crackle and buzz in unison.
'All cars. All cars. emergency attendance. Major incident in progress. Hatton Garden. Please proceed to Holborn Circus and establish a perimeter.'
Coop on the radio: 'Kilo Quebec Three Zero, responding. Twelve minutes away. Over.'
'You go,' I say.
'We should stick together.'
'I'm not leaving a child out here.'
I talk into my radio. 'Kilo Quebec Three Zero. This is PC McCarthy. I've spotted a missing child dressed in pyjamas. I'm searching on foot.'
'What is your location?'
'Haverstock Hill at England's Lane.'
'Do you have a description?'
'A little boy wearing long pyjamas.'
'Approximate age?'
'Hard to say. I only got a glimpse.'
'Do you need assistance?'
'I'll let you know.'
'Understood. Control out.'
Returning to the patrol car, I collect a torch and a thermal blanket before watching Coop drive away. My radio is broadcasting comms chatter about the Hatton Garden call-out. Some sort of robbery. So much for a quiet night.
ABOUT 'THE WHITE CROW' (PHILOMENA MCCARTHY #2): As the daughter of a London crime boss, Police Constable Philomena McCarthy walks a thin blue line keeping the two sides of her complicated life apart.
On patrol one night she discovers a child in pyjamas, wandering alone. Taking Daisy home, Phil uncovers the aftermath of a deadly home invasion, as three miles away a prominent jeweller is found strapped to an explosive in his ransacked store.
The crimes are linked, and all the evidence points to Phil's father as the mastermind.
Phil's two worlds are colliding, trapping her in the middle of a vicious gang war that will threaten her career and everyone she loves. Who can she trust - the badge or her own blood?
MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit to not having red the first book in this series yet, but I wish I had. Although Michael Robotham makes a good job of explaining Phil's family background and her difficulties joining the Met because of it, I think I would have had a better understanding of the characters and the storyline had I read When You Are Mine first. I think it would also have made a difference to my star rating.
The plot is multi-layered and complex, tight and tense. The characters are intriguing. Phil is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Her family don't quite trust her, nor do her workmates. In fact, it seems that some of them won't stop at anything to get rid of an officer they are sure is only there to pass information on to her criminal family. She is brave, kind, and smart in some ways but inclined to accept things at face value in her need to feel accepted and valued.
But the standout characters for me are the child Daisy, found wandering alone in the middle of the night, dressed only in her pyjamas and clutching a stuffed hippo toy; and Henry, Phil's husband and a firefighter. His love and respect for her blew my socks off!
I am a definite starter for #3 in the series, and I already have a hold on #1 from the library. After I have read it I may come back and increase my rating here. Because, as Mr King says, 'Nobody does suspense better.'
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheWhiteCrow #NetGalley
MEET 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 an e-ARC of The White Crow by Michael Robotham for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
'All cars. All cars. emergency attendance. Major incident in progress. Hatton Garden. Please proceed to Holborn Circus and establish a perimeter.'
Coop on the radio: 'Kilo Quebec Three Zero, responding. Twelve minutes away. Over.'
'You go,' I say.
'We should stick together.'
'I'm not leaving a child out here.'
I talk into my radio. 'Kilo Quebec Three Zero. This is PC McCarthy. I've spotted a missing child dressed in pyjamas. I'm searching on foot.'
'What is your location?'
'Haverstock Hill at England's Lane.'
'Do you have a description?'
'A little boy wearing long pyjamas.'
'Approximate age?'
'Hard to say. I only got a glimpse.'
'Do you need assistance?'
'I'll let you know.'
'Understood. Control out.'
Returning to the patrol car, I collect a torch and a thermal blanket before watching Coop drive away. My radio is broadcasting comms chatter about the Hatton Garden call-out. Some sort of robbery. So much for a quiet night.
ABOUT 'THE WHITE CROW' (PHILOMENA MCCARTHY #2): As the daughter of a London crime boss, Police Constable Philomena McCarthy walks a thin blue line keeping the two sides of her complicated life apart.
On patrol one night she discovers a child in pyjamas, wandering alone. Taking Daisy home, Phil uncovers the aftermath of a deadly home invasion, as three miles away a prominent jeweller is found strapped to an explosive in his ransacked store.
The crimes are linked, and all the evidence points to Phil's father as the mastermind.
Phil's two worlds are colliding, trapping her in the middle of a vicious gang war that will threaten her career and everyone she loves. Who can she trust - the badge or her own blood?
MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit to not having red the first book in this series yet, but I wish I had. Although Michael Robotham makes a good job of explaining Phil's family background and her difficulties joining the Met because of it, I think I would have had a better understanding of the characters and the storyline had I read When You Are Mine first. I think it would also have made a difference to my star rating.
The plot is multi-layered and complex, tight and tense. The characters are intriguing. Phil is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Her family don't quite trust her, nor do her workmates. In fact, it seems that some of them won't stop at anything to get rid of an officer they are sure is only there to pass information on to her criminal family. She is brave, kind, and smart in some ways but inclined to accept things at face value in her need to feel accepted and valued.
But the standout characters for me are the child Daisy, found wandering alone in the middle of the night, dressed only in her pyjamas and clutching a stuffed hippo toy; and Henry, Phil's husband and a firefighter. His love and respect for her blew my socks off!
I am a definite starter for #3 in the series, and I already have a hold on #1 from the library. After I have read it I may come back and increase my rating here. Because, as Mr King says, 'Nobody does suspense better.'
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheWhiteCrow #NetGalley
MEET 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 an e-ARC of The White Crow by Michael Robotham for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
September 26, 2025
5★
'What happens now?' asks Keegan.
'This is when I decide whether to cut the red wire or the blue wire.'
'You don't know?'
'I normally choose blue.'
'You a Tory voter?'
'A Chelsea supporter.' "
I enjoyed this second outing with Constable Philomena McCarthy, a small but fearsome young police officer who is easily underestimated by all, police and criminals alike. She has a black belt in karate, teaches karate, and can flip a big guy over easily or disable him with a well-placed kick.
Phil is from an established gangster family from whom she was estranged for many years, but lately she's been involved in birthdays and christenings. She does love her dad and his three brothers, who think she's a little princess, but she has vowed to uphold the law and tries not to mix family with business.
Her new husband Henry, is anxious to have kids, but she's just hitting her stride as a copper with the Kentish Town Police in northwest London. The bomb (the one with the red and blue wires) is attached to a jeweller whose store has been robbed.
But it's the jeweller's wife and little girl that Phil discovers. She and her partner are driving by and she spots Daisy, six, wandering in the street, saying she can't wake up her mummy.
Needless to say, Mummy is found dead (murdered), Daisy clings to Phil, and Phil gets far more involved with the case than her superiors would like.
Meanwhile, there's a christening to attend to. Her cousin Rosie has a new baby, and Phil is to be a godmother.
"'What do I have to do?' I ask Rosie.
'The vicar will talk you through it,' she says. 'You can ignore all the "walking in the way of Christ” stuff. You're going to be the cool godparent.'
'Me? Cool?'
'Yeah, you get to give her the proper sex talk and can get her stoned when she turns eighteen.'
'I'd best do the sex talk before the dope.'
'That might be safer.'"
Rosie's a sweetheart, and her father, Uncle Daragh adores her and Philomena, but he's no sweetheart in his 'career'. You recall I said they were all gangsters, her father and uncles?
"Up until now, anyone stupid enough to challenge the McCarthy family had been quickly re-educated. A visit from Daragh, brother number two, had sorted out the problem. A word in his shell-like and the sub-species would duly sh*t themselves, or spend the next ten years in hiding, hoping Daragh would never visit them again."
Not that you'd pick a fight with any of them, but Uncle Finbar and Uncle Clifton have other talents, kind of nicely summed up in this short passage.
"When Daragh McCarthy thinks too hard his head begins to hurt. It's like he's trying to process too much information and his brain begins to splutter and backfire. Finbar, a natural mechanic, might say that his spark plugs needed cleaning or his timing was off, whereas Clifton would tell him to delete any unused files and run a spam filter."
Phil's father, Eddie McCarthy is the kingpin, a 'property developer' who wishes he could have been something else, but his crime life started early. Now competition is threatening his position.
"That had always been McCarthy's way – to speak softly yet carry a big stick. Now he is facing somebody who whispers and carries a grenade launcher. Clearly, his hard-won respectability as a property developer had come at a cost. He had grown complacent and been blind to what was going on around him."
What's more, his troubles are getting mixed up with the robbery and the murder case, and Phil has been suspended, suspected of leaking police information to him. There goes her career.
Suspended or not, Phil is determined to find the real murderer and isn't going to let any Bulgarian bullies get in her way.
This gets pretty terrifying, I have to say, and Robotham keeps us on edge. Even his really bad guys come across as people whose motives we might understand and feel a little sympathy for, possibly lulling us into a sense that they could be reformed, or at least talked out of torture.
Don't get your hopes up. Robotham doesn't write cosy mysteries, but he does write so well, that I can even enjoy stories about serial killers, (not a favourite genre).
He was a seasoned journalist and ghostwriter before he turned to his own fiction, and I'm so glad he did. He knows how to keep a story moving, how to make us care about his characters, and how to set a scene. I particularly liked this description, a nod to London today.
"McCarthy lowers a window, wanting to feel the air, but there's nothing particularly clean or invigorating about what he's breathing. Two hundred years of industrialisation have left a permanent haze across London, a cataract that steals distance and blurs the edges of buildings."
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette for a copy for review.
My review of When You Are Mine, Philomena McCarthy #1
'What happens now?' asks Keegan.
'This is when I decide whether to cut the red wire or the blue wire.'
'You don't know?'
'I normally choose blue.'
'You a Tory voter?'
'A Chelsea supporter.' "
I enjoyed this second outing with Constable Philomena McCarthy, a small but fearsome young police officer who is easily underestimated by all, police and criminals alike. She has a black belt in karate, teaches karate, and can flip a big guy over easily or disable him with a well-placed kick.
Phil is from an established gangster family from whom she was estranged for many years, but lately she's been involved in birthdays and christenings. She does love her dad and his three brothers, who think she's a little princess, but she has vowed to uphold the law and tries not to mix family with business.
Her new husband Henry, is anxious to have kids, but she's just hitting her stride as a copper with the Kentish Town Police in northwest London. The bomb (the one with the red and blue wires) is attached to a jeweller whose store has been robbed.
But it's the jeweller's wife and little girl that Phil discovers. She and her partner are driving by and she spots Daisy, six, wandering in the street, saying she can't wake up her mummy.
Needless to say, Mummy is found dead (murdered), Daisy clings to Phil, and Phil gets far more involved with the case than her superiors would like.
Meanwhile, there's a christening to attend to. Her cousin Rosie has a new baby, and Phil is to be a godmother.
"'What do I have to do?' I ask Rosie.
'The vicar will talk you through it,' she says. 'You can ignore all the "walking in the way of Christ” stuff. You're going to be the cool godparent.'
'Me? Cool?'
'Yeah, you get to give her the proper sex talk and can get her stoned when she turns eighteen.'
'I'd best do the sex talk before the dope.'
'That might be safer.'"
Rosie's a sweetheart, and her father, Uncle Daragh adores her and Philomena, but he's no sweetheart in his 'career'. You recall I said they were all gangsters, her father and uncles?
"Up until now, anyone stupid enough to challenge the McCarthy family had been quickly re-educated. A visit from Daragh, brother number two, had sorted out the problem. A word in his shell-like and the sub-species would duly sh*t themselves, or spend the next ten years in hiding, hoping Daragh would never visit them again."
Not that you'd pick a fight with any of them, but Uncle Finbar and Uncle Clifton have other talents, kind of nicely summed up in this short passage.
"When Daragh McCarthy thinks too hard his head begins to hurt. It's like he's trying to process too much information and his brain begins to splutter and backfire. Finbar, a natural mechanic, might say that his spark plugs needed cleaning or his timing was off, whereas Clifton would tell him to delete any unused files and run a spam filter."
Phil's father, Eddie McCarthy is the kingpin, a 'property developer' who wishes he could have been something else, but his crime life started early. Now competition is threatening his position.
"That had always been McCarthy's way – to speak softly yet carry a big stick. Now he is facing somebody who whispers and carries a grenade launcher. Clearly, his hard-won respectability as a property developer had come at a cost. He had grown complacent and been blind to what was going on around him."
What's more, his troubles are getting mixed up with the robbery and the murder case, and Phil has been suspended, suspected of leaking police information to him. There goes her career.
Suspended or not, Phil is determined to find the real murderer and isn't going to let any Bulgarian bullies get in her way.
This gets pretty terrifying, I have to say, and Robotham keeps us on edge. Even his really bad guys come across as people whose motives we might understand and feel a little sympathy for, possibly lulling us into a sense that they could be reformed, or at least talked out of torture.
Don't get your hopes up. Robotham doesn't write cosy mysteries, but he does write so well, that I can even enjoy stories about serial killers, (not a favourite genre).
He was a seasoned journalist and ghostwriter before he turned to his own fiction, and I'm so glad he did. He knows how to keep a story moving, how to make us care about his characters, and how to set a scene. I particularly liked this description, a nod to London today.
"McCarthy lowers a window, wanting to feel the air, but there's nothing particularly clean or invigorating about what he's breathing. Two hundred years of industrialisation have left a permanent haze across London, a cataract that steals distance and blurs the edges of buildings."
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette for a copy for review.
My review of When You Are Mine, Philomena McCarthy #1
July 18, 2025
Excellent
August 17, 2025
This is the second book in Michael Robotham's latest series.
Philomena McCarthy is a young police officer with the ambition to go far in the police force. This despite the fact that her family are all on the other side of the law. Her ambition tends to get her into difficult circumstances and this is heightened by the fact that she is suspected by both the Police and her family of being on the opposing side. All she wants to do is her job.
As usual from this author, a great story well told, with lots of likeable characters, even including the gangsters in her family, but especially Philomena herself and her husband Henry. Fast paced and with a thrilling ending. Highly recommended if this is a genre you like to read.
Philomena McCarthy is a young police officer with the ambition to go far in the police force. This despite the fact that her family are all on the other side of the law. Her ambition tends to get her into difficult circumstances and this is heightened by the fact that she is suspected by both the Police and her family of being on the opposing side. All she wants to do is her job.
As usual from this author, a great story well told, with lots of likeable characters, even including the gangsters in her family, but especially Philomena herself and her husband Henry. Fast paced and with a thrilling ending. Highly recommended if this is a genre you like to read.
July 21, 2025
White Crow, Which Flock?
In 2021 I summed up my review of “When You Are Mine,” with “It turns out I will be reading everything by Michael Robotham.” I have since read three more of his books and have yet to be disappointed. This may be my favorite, so far.
This is the second in the series featuring Philomena McCarthy, a London police officer whose career is complicated by her father and uncles' notoriety as underworld figures. Her father never approved of her chosen vocation and there are those in law enforcement who will always have doubts about her allegiances.
Philomena finds a five-year-old girl wandering the streets alone, leading to the discovery of the girl's murdered mother. This murder is connected to a complex robbery, and it's unclear if Philomena's family was involved. As usual, Philomena is suspected of complicity. The story leaves us questioning who the "good guys" truly are, as both her far-from-innocent family and the equally ruthless police operate in a moral gray area.
I first discovered Michael Robotham’s work when I ran across a Stephen King posting: “I always have a huge stack of books to read, but a Michael Robotham novel automatically goes to the top of the pile.” While Mr. King frequently praises a number of authors, here he is dead on. The characters are intriguing, the pace is brisk, and the plot will have you guessing until the last shot.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Scribner, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #WhiteCrow
In 2021 I summed up my review of “When You Are Mine,” with “It turns out I will be reading everything by Michael Robotham.” I have since read three more of his books and have yet to be disappointed. This may be my favorite, so far.
This is the second in the series featuring Philomena McCarthy, a London police officer whose career is complicated by her father and uncles' notoriety as underworld figures. Her father never approved of her chosen vocation and there are those in law enforcement who will always have doubts about her allegiances.
Philomena finds a five-year-old girl wandering the streets alone, leading to the discovery of the girl's murdered mother. This murder is connected to a complex robbery, and it's unclear if Philomena's family was involved. As usual, Philomena is suspected of complicity. The story leaves us questioning who the "good guys" truly are, as both her far-from-innocent family and the equally ruthless police operate in a moral gray area.
I first discovered Michael Robotham’s work when I ran across a Stephen King posting: “I always have a huge stack of books to read, but a Michael Robotham novel automatically goes to the top of the pile.” While Mr. King frequently praises a number of authors, here he is dead on. The characters are intriguing, the pace is brisk, and the plot will have you guessing until the last shot.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Scribner, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #WhiteCrow
June 12, 2025
I was thrilled when I heard that there was going to be another book featuring Philomena McCarthy and her mob family. I loved When You Are Mine, the first book with the McCarthy family and The White Crow did not disappoint. Michael Robotham books never do. He is one of my favourite Australian crime authors and he should be yours too.
Philomena is looking forward to a mini break when she sees a young girl covered in blood wandering the streets of London in the middle of the night. She finds the girl and takes her home to discover that the girls mother has been murdered in a house invasion. Across town, her colleagues are called to a jewellery store robbery where the owner has been tied to a chair with a bomb strapped to his chest. Now tell me you don’t want to read this… I didn’t think so. So good right!
Working this case, Philomena is constantly having to block out her father, a notorious crime lord, and the rest of her family. She is still struggling to find that balance between her job and her family loyalties. This case really tests her morals and values as well as her relationship with her husband and workmates.
Just simply brilliant as always from such an incredible writer. Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for my advanced e arc and physical copy of this book to read. I really couldn’t get enough. Published in Australia on June 24th.
Philomena is looking forward to a mini break when she sees a young girl covered in blood wandering the streets of London in the middle of the night. She finds the girl and takes her home to discover that the girls mother has been murdered in a house invasion. Across town, her colleagues are called to a jewellery store robbery where the owner has been tied to a chair with a bomb strapped to his chest. Now tell me you don’t want to read this… I didn’t think so. So good right!
Working this case, Philomena is constantly having to block out her father, a notorious crime lord, and the rest of her family. She is still struggling to find that balance between her job and her family loyalties. This case really tests her morals and values as well as her relationship with her husband and workmates.
Just simply brilliant as always from such an incredible writer. Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for my advanced e arc and physical copy of this book to read. I really couldn’t get enough. Published in Australia on June 24th.
June 16, 2025
Four years into the job, and police officer Philomena McCarthy was with her partner on a food run. It was the middle of the night, so food took away the boredom for the officers at the station. But as Philomena heard the urgent call for all units to head downtown, she saw a small child from the corner of her eye. Sending her partner to answer the urgent call, she searched for the child, who turned out to be a five year old girl, Daisy, with blood on her nightwear. When Daisy said she couldn't wake her mother, Philomena called it in and headed for the house. What she found was the beginning of all out war between the underbelly of London, which unfortunately included her father and uncles; well known as gangsters.
Philomena and her new husband, firefighter Henry, were meant to head to Paris for a small break, but both the jewellery heist and murder of Daisy's mother meant they had to cancel. Daisy had hold of Philomena's heart and seemed to trust her, whereas anyone else saw her scream and cry. Meanwhile Edward McCarthy, Philomena's father, was having trouble of his own with his businesses suffering vandalism and sabotage. Certain someone was out to take over his business, he had his brothers digging deeply. But this put Philomena in the sights of her colleagues...
The White Crow is the 2nd in the Philomena McCarthy series by Aussie author Michael Robotham after the first in the series was initially called a standalone. But fortunately for his readers, the author enjoyed writing Philomena's character, so decided to continue. A thoroughly entertaining, tension filled, gritty read - typical of the author's style - I loved the characters, especially Eddie's brothers (all bad guys, but loveable ones!!) Daragh made me laugh! All in all, a book I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley & Hachette AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
Philomena and her new husband, firefighter Henry, were meant to head to Paris for a small break, but both the jewellery heist and murder of Daisy's mother meant they had to cancel. Daisy had hold of Philomena's heart and seemed to trust her, whereas anyone else saw her scream and cry. Meanwhile Edward McCarthy, Philomena's father, was having trouble of his own with his businesses suffering vandalism and sabotage. Certain someone was out to take over his business, he had his brothers digging deeply. But this put Philomena in the sights of her colleagues...
The White Crow is the 2nd in the Philomena McCarthy series by Aussie author Michael Robotham after the first in the series was initially called a standalone. But fortunately for his readers, the author enjoyed writing Philomena's character, so decided to continue. A thoroughly entertaining, tension filled, gritty read - typical of the author's style - I loved the characters, especially Eddie's brothers (all bad guys, but loveable ones!!) Daragh made me laugh! All in all, a book I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley & Hachette AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
July 30, 2025
This was the first book that I read by this author that I did not read in one sitting.
Mostly because I was not impressed by the writing.
I had a hard time believing that this was written by someone who I have praised so much in the past.
Here the writing felt too juvenile.
And so was the storytelling.
But I did enjoy the humour added in the dialogues (except for a 5 years old using the f word).
The dynamics between the characters wasn’t bad, but I didn’t find the storyline that original.
The main character failed to impress me, but I did not dislike her.
To cut short, I will just say that this installment was very disappointing for me.
Mostly because I was not impressed by the writing.
I had a hard time believing that this was written by someone who I have praised so much in the past.
Here the writing felt too juvenile.
And so was the storytelling.
But I did enjoy the humour added in the dialogues (except for a 5 years old using the f word).
The dynamics between the characters wasn’t bad, but I didn’t find the storyline that original.
The main character failed to impress me, but I did not dislike her.
To cut short, I will just say that this installment was very disappointing for me.
September 8, 2025
4.5★
I’ve been patiently waiting for this book from my local library as there was a bit of a wait for it, but I’m pleased to say it was well worth waiting for. Once again Aussie author Michael Robotham has written a brilliant and entertaining book.
When reading a book by this author it’s a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle where you need to put the pieces together bit by bit and eventually the picture or the storyline becomes clearer, but there will be a part you didn’t see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it addictive and hard to put down. The White Crow is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for their next read.
I’ve been patiently waiting for this book from my local library as there was a bit of a wait for it, but I’m pleased to say it was well worth waiting for. Once again Aussie author Michael Robotham has written a brilliant and entertaining book.
When reading a book by this author it’s a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle where you need to put the pieces together bit by bit and eventually the picture or the storyline becomes clearer, but there will be a part you didn’t see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it addictive and hard to put down. The White Crow is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for their next read.
July 23, 2025
Police officer Philomena McCarthy isn’t the black sheep of the family. No, she’s something rarer. She’s the daughter of one of London’s most notorious mob families. Her father and uncles are knee-deep in gangland legacy and she defied all that blood to become a Metropolitan Police officer.
She’s the white crow.
She doesn’t fit in, and that’s exactly what makes her unforgettable.
We first met Philomena in When You Are Mine. I read it, but didn’t remember much about her. It didn’t matter. This reads as a standalone. I loved Philomena. She walks the line between law and loyalty, and I was here for every step of it. She doesn’t fully play by the rules of either world. She’s that rare kind of character who feels grounded and human and I think that’s hard to do when there is so much grey area with her character.
I’ll admit it: I’m not usually a diehard crime thriller reader. When I do enjoy one, it’s almost always because of the characters, not the case. This one was a mix. I was there for some of the crime and some pages flew by and others I drifted off. The crime setup was a hook. A little girl found covered in blood saying she can’t wake her mother. A jeweler across town strapped with a bomb and a store torn apart with millions missing. The danger is there. The stakes are sky-high. But for some reason I struggled to feel it.
That might just be a me thing though. Mood reader problems, right? Still, Philomena kept me turning the pages and I’ll follow her into the next one.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
She’s the white crow.
She doesn’t fit in, and that’s exactly what makes her unforgettable.
We first met Philomena in When You Are Mine. I read it, but didn’t remember much about her. It didn’t matter. This reads as a standalone. I loved Philomena. She walks the line between law and loyalty, and I was here for every step of it. She doesn’t fully play by the rules of either world. She’s that rare kind of character who feels grounded and human and I think that’s hard to do when there is so much grey area with her character.
I’ll admit it: I’m not usually a diehard crime thriller reader. When I do enjoy one, it’s almost always because of the characters, not the case. This one was a mix. I was there for some of the crime and some pages flew by and others I drifted off. The crime setup was a hook. A little girl found covered in blood saying she can’t wake her mother. A jeweler across town strapped with a bomb and a store torn apart with millions missing. The danger is there. The stakes are sky-high. But for some reason I struggled to feel it.
That might just be a me thing though. Mood reader problems, right? Still, Philomena kept me turning the pages and I’ll follow her into the next one.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
July 6, 2025
I can’t say enough about this book. It was fast, it was thrilling, the characters were developed perfectly, and I loved it. 5 solid stars
April 5, 2025
3.75 stars
THE WHITE CROW is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series. It can be read as a standalone novel but keep in mind the first book gives insight into the character and her relationships which are further explored in this thriller. Both books are good reads but I prefer THE WHITE CROW a smidge more.
Philomena is not one to always play by the rules. When she spots a young girl wandering outside at night, her spidey senses tell her something isn’t right. Rather than wait for backup to arrive, she enters the girl’s home and stumbles upon a crime scene. Philomena finds herself with another case that puts her career, relationships, and life in jeopardy.
One of the fascinating aspects of the series is this balancing act of the character being a police officer and having a certain sense of loyalty to family members who let’s just say are well known to law enforcement. It’s an awkward position to be in and I like how it’s covered in the series. Philomena has wised up a bit in this book although there’s still the occasional lapse in judgement. But that’s okay as her flaws keep things interesting..
If you enjoy thrillers, definitely check this author out. His Cyrus Haven series is very good as well.
Thank you Scribner Books for sending me a free advance copy!
THE WHITE CROW is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series. It can be read as a standalone novel but keep in mind the first book gives insight into the character and her relationships which are further explored in this thriller. Both books are good reads but I prefer THE WHITE CROW a smidge more.
Philomena is not one to always play by the rules. When she spots a young girl wandering outside at night, her spidey senses tell her something isn’t right. Rather than wait for backup to arrive, she enters the girl’s home and stumbles upon a crime scene. Philomena finds herself with another case that puts her career, relationships, and life in jeopardy.
One of the fascinating aspects of the series is this balancing act of the character being a police officer and having a certain sense of loyalty to family members who let’s just say are well known to law enforcement. It’s an awkward position to be in and I like how it’s covered in the series. Philomena has wised up a bit in this book although there’s still the occasional lapse in judgement. But that’s okay as her flaws keep things interesting..
If you enjoy thrillers, definitely check this author out. His Cyrus Haven series is very good as well.
Thank you Scribner Books for sending me a free advance copy!
August 25, 2025
This is a book about a young police officer who just happens to be the daughter of a mob boss.
She becomes personally involved when she finds a child who is covered in blood who can't wake her mother. She has to choose between family and her career.
Just like Linwood Barclay says, " Michael is good at humanizing his characters even the nasty ones". I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm not one to gravitate towards books that involve mob or gang activity and with this one I was engaged from the very first page. I couldn't put it down. It goes to show just how brilliant an author he is.
I can't wait to read his extensive backlist. Any recommendations?
She becomes personally involved when she finds a child who is covered in blood who can't wake her mother. She has to choose between family and her career.
Just like Linwood Barclay says, " Michael is good at humanizing his characters even the nasty ones". I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm not one to gravitate towards books that involve mob or gang activity and with this one I was engaged from the very first page. I couldn't put it down. It goes to show just how brilliant an author he is.
I can't wait to read his extensive backlist. Any recommendations?
June 21, 2025
The White Crow is the second book in the Philomena McCarthy series by award-winning, bestselling Australian author, Michael Robotham. A home invasion with a hostage held while a jeweller is forced to open his shop and safe, nets the thieves over four million pounds. Unaware of this, PC Philomena McCarthy, now four years out of Hendon and a year married to firefighter, Henry, is on a 3am food run for her colleagues at Kentish Town police station when she spots a child in pyjamas wandering the street. Five-year-old Daisy Kemp-Lowe says she can’t wake her mother, and Philomena soon learns why this is tragically true.
DCI Brendan Keegan is on the Kemp-Lowe Jewel robbery, but he considers his priority is finding Caitlin Kemp-Lowe’s murderer. Investigations, interviews and CCTV soon has him suspecting slippery career criminal Eddie McCarthy, and his brothers, but pinning this on him is a challenge. Ignorant of any connection, when Phil asks to be part of the case, he allows it, impressed by her observational skills. When it becomes apparent just who her father is, Keegan is livid, and her career is on the line.
Under interrogation, Eddie McCarthy denies all knowledge of the home invasion and robbery, although he does secretly have a stake in the case. But Eddie has bigger problems: the bank is ready to call in their loans because his Hope Island development is behind schedule, delayed by lockdowns, skills shortages, supply disruptions and the like, but lately plagued by vandalism on an unprecedented scale. It’s clear someone wants his turf.
Before matters are resolved, there will be more deaths, extortion and blackmail, an abduction, quite a bit of gunplay, a tunnel escape, and a fire. By halfway, the astute reader might well discern the identity of the perpetrator of one of the crimes, but the journey to the nail-biting climax and the very satisfying resolution is worth every page.
Robotham gives the reader a wonderful cast of characters, of whom Phil’s uncles are a particular delight, and it’s soon apparent he had a lot of fun with their dialogue, and whatnot. Twists, turns and the odd red herring make this another dose of brilliant crime fiction from a master of the genre.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
DCI Brendan Keegan is on the Kemp-Lowe Jewel robbery, but he considers his priority is finding Caitlin Kemp-Lowe’s murderer. Investigations, interviews and CCTV soon has him suspecting slippery career criminal Eddie McCarthy, and his brothers, but pinning this on him is a challenge. Ignorant of any connection, when Phil asks to be part of the case, he allows it, impressed by her observational skills. When it becomes apparent just who her father is, Keegan is livid, and her career is on the line.
Under interrogation, Eddie McCarthy denies all knowledge of the home invasion and robbery, although he does secretly have a stake in the case. But Eddie has bigger problems: the bank is ready to call in their loans because his Hope Island development is behind schedule, delayed by lockdowns, skills shortages, supply disruptions and the like, but lately plagued by vandalism on an unprecedented scale. It’s clear someone wants his turf.
Before matters are resolved, there will be more deaths, extortion and blackmail, an abduction, quite a bit of gunplay, a tunnel escape, and a fire. By halfway, the astute reader might well discern the identity of the perpetrator of one of the crimes, but the journey to the nail-biting climax and the very satisfying resolution is worth every page.
Robotham gives the reader a wonderful cast of characters, of whom Phil’s uncles are a particular delight, and it’s soon apparent he had a lot of fun with their dialogue, and whatnot. Twists, turns and the odd red herring make this another dose of brilliant crime fiction from a master of the genre.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
August 18, 2025
Another addition to the Philomena McCarthy series, a Policewoman who also happens to be the daughter of a mob boss.
Here Phil finds a child wondering the streets late at night and brings her home to find her mother murdered in the kitchen.
The wife of a jeweller, the family were held hostage and the father forced to open the shop in the middle of the night for the thieves to rob. But there’s more to this story than first appears that draws in Phil’s family and some other very unsavoury characters.
I’m a big fan of Robothams books. I’ve read quite a few and I have to say that this series doesn’t quite do it for me. The premise is interesting but it all feels a bit surreal and you really do have to suspend disbelief for many of the scenarios here.
It’s not a bad book per se but it’s not that good either. It’s just ok.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Here Phil finds a child wondering the streets late at night and brings her home to find her mother murdered in the kitchen.
The wife of a jeweller, the family were held hostage and the father forced to open the shop in the middle of the night for the thieves to rob. But there’s more to this story than first appears that draws in Phil’s family and some other very unsavoury characters.
I’m a big fan of Robothams books. I’ve read quite a few and I have to say that this series doesn’t quite do it for me. The premise is interesting but it all feels a bit surreal and you really do have to suspend disbelief for many of the scenarios here.
It’s not a bad book per se but it’s not that good either. It’s just ok.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
March 20, 2025
Second in what I hope will be a continuing series, The White Crow is further proof of Michal Robotham's skill as a constructor of police procedurals and an observer of character. With so many plot twists and forks in the road, it kept me up at night until I finished, anxious to know the answer which was satisfying as well as plausible. Can't wait to see what happens with Philomena next.
September 16, 2025
Please tell me there's a third book coming....
July 19, 2025
The White Crow is the second crime thriller novel in the Philomena McCarthy series by bestselling Australian crime author Michael Robotham.
Series Includes:
1. When you Are Mine (2021)
2. The White Crow (2025)
This is my review of The White Crow.
Police Officer Philomena McCarthy, is a Policewoman who also happens to the daughter of a mob boss, returns in the latest thriller by author Michael Robotham. She became a young officer with the Metropolitan Police because her father and her uncles are London gangsters.
On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child in pajamas, covered in blood, wandering alone who says she can’t wake her mother. Taking Daisy home, Phil uncovers the outcome of a deadly home invasion, as three miles away a prominent London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.
Phil must decide who she can trust, her family or her colleagues.
The crimes are linked, and all the evidence points to Phil's father as the instigator.
Many thanks to Tracy Fenton from The Book Club Reviewer Group through NetGalley for my digital copy.
Series Includes:
1. When you Are Mine (2021)
2. The White Crow (2025)
This is my review of The White Crow.
Police Officer Philomena McCarthy, is a Policewoman who also happens to the daughter of a mob boss, returns in the latest thriller by author Michael Robotham. She became a young officer with the Metropolitan Police because her father and her uncles are London gangsters.
On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child in pajamas, covered in blood, wandering alone who says she can’t wake her mother. Taking Daisy home, Phil uncovers the outcome of a deadly home invasion, as three miles away a prominent London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.
Phil must decide who she can trust, her family or her colleagues.
The crimes are linked, and all the evidence points to Phil's father as the instigator.
Many thanks to Tracy Fenton from The Book Club Reviewer Group through NetGalley for my digital copy.
August 5, 2025
4.5 stars Page turner. Love this author. Great sense of humor. Very good story with unexpected ending.
July 18, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🐦The White Crow is the latest blockbuster read from Gold Dagger Award recipient Michael Robotham. This new Robotham scene stealer marks the sixth novel I’ve read by the highly praised author and once again he had me enthralled from the opening paragraph. The White Crow is a tense thriller that balances crime with psychological angles and with high-stakes action. I was in from the chilling early scenes, especially as it this moving opening presented us with a scene involving a young child alone at night, this triggering situation lingered with me.
🐦Philomena McCarthy has been cast again as Robotham’s enigmatic lead, after her previous turn in When You Are Mine and is quite the mysterious main character. Like Robotham’s other iconic protagonists, Phil is presented to us as layered, flawed and very real. I loved how Robotham explores the duality in Phil’s life. We bear witness to her desire to be a principled police officer while being constantly challenged by her past and blood ties to her father, a notorious London crime boss. This grey area between legacy and loyalty is one of the novel’s strongest points.
🐦The London setting was an extra treat. I relished the descriptions of familiar haunts, and the local sayings used. The dialogue that felt so true, I could hear my own dad’s voice who hails from the area in some of the exchanges. The procedural elements we observe throughout the progression of the novel came across as authentic, which worked to ground the story further for the reader. Robotham is skilled in his ability to build a credible and high-stakes investigative world.
🐦The central mystery involving the notorious ‘White crow’ was what propelled this story forward. I loved the intrigue around this figure. I didn’t see the reveal coming at all, despite following a few possible identity drops and some clever red herrings that were thrown in my direction.
The White Crow really spoke to me as being a story of family, betrayal, trust, power, loyalty, and the thin, often dangerous line between personal life and our profession choices - all of which got me thinking! In terms of the suspense side of things The White crow is well paced, the tone intense and the final stretch was an exhilarating race to the end.
While The White Crow continues the Philomena McCarthy series, it holds up easily as a standalone. It’s been a while since I connected with Phil in her first Robotham book outing but I had no trouble diving straight in.
Another concrete thriller from Michael Robotham. This one was made even better as I was able to share the reading experience with my wonderful pal @nadyslovebooks. Nothing beats unravelling plot twists, uncovering shady identities, gasping over narrative thread reveals and trading theories with a trusted book buddy. Thanks again for another unforgettable buddy read! Thanks to @hachetteaus 4 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
🐦The White Crow is the latest blockbuster read from Gold Dagger Award recipient Michael Robotham. This new Robotham scene stealer marks the sixth novel I’ve read by the highly praised author and once again he had me enthralled from the opening paragraph. The White Crow is a tense thriller that balances crime with psychological angles and with high-stakes action. I was in from the chilling early scenes, especially as it this moving opening presented us with a scene involving a young child alone at night, this triggering situation lingered with me.
🐦Philomena McCarthy has been cast again as Robotham’s enigmatic lead, after her previous turn in When You Are Mine and is quite the mysterious main character. Like Robotham’s other iconic protagonists, Phil is presented to us as layered, flawed and very real. I loved how Robotham explores the duality in Phil’s life. We bear witness to her desire to be a principled police officer while being constantly challenged by her past and blood ties to her father, a notorious London crime boss. This grey area between legacy and loyalty is one of the novel’s strongest points.
🐦The London setting was an extra treat. I relished the descriptions of familiar haunts, and the local sayings used. The dialogue that felt so true, I could hear my own dad’s voice who hails from the area in some of the exchanges. The procedural elements we observe throughout the progression of the novel came across as authentic, which worked to ground the story further for the reader. Robotham is skilled in his ability to build a credible and high-stakes investigative world.
🐦The central mystery involving the notorious ‘White crow’ was what propelled this story forward. I loved the intrigue around this figure. I didn’t see the reveal coming at all, despite following a few possible identity drops and some clever red herrings that were thrown in my direction.
The White Crow really spoke to me as being a story of family, betrayal, trust, power, loyalty, and the thin, often dangerous line between personal life and our profession choices - all of which got me thinking! In terms of the suspense side of things The White crow is well paced, the tone intense and the final stretch was an exhilarating race to the end.
While The White Crow continues the Philomena McCarthy series, it holds up easily as a standalone. It’s been a while since I connected with Phil in her first Robotham book outing but I had no trouble diving straight in.
Another concrete thriller from Michael Robotham. This one was made even better as I was able to share the reading experience with my wonderful pal @nadyslovebooks. Nothing beats unravelling plot twists, uncovering shady identities, gasping over narrative thread reveals and trading theories with a trusted book buddy. Thanks again for another unforgettable buddy read! Thanks to @hachetteaus 4 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
April 15, 2025
4⭐️THE WHITE CROW may not be out until July but I had no choice… I had to start it the second it showed up on my doorstep. You see, I love a floppy paperback and this early copy was an A+ in that department. Also, crime novels are my catnip and Michael Robotham really knows his stuff.
This is the second book in a series about Philomena McCarthy, a police officer with the Met who happens to have descended from a pretty notorious crime family. When Phil finds a child wandering the streets barefoot one night on patrol she follows her home and stumbles upon an absolutely wild crime.
Initially I thought it might be nice to reread book one (WHEN YOU ARE MINE) because my memory is nonexistent and I’m running out of new police procedurals (especially those written by my favorite authors) so I often have to get my kicks from a reread. THE WHITE CROW can totally be read as a standalone and the key information from the first book is revisited in a way that works for those who aren’t familiar with the characters. That said, book one is really good!
I loved book one but I forgot that I didn’t always love Phil so skipping the reread was probably a good choice for me. Phil’s a great character and she’s constantly toeing the line between family loyalty and following the rules. I just find some of her choices a little frustrating. Thankfully, I’m absolutely obsessed with all the other characters in this series (especially the bad ones!).
🏆If you haven’t read Michael Robotham yet and you enjoy crime novels or dark thrillers stop what you’re doing and read GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL immediately. It’s one of my very favorite books and after you devour that series you can come back to Phil just in time for this new release. You’re welcome!!
This is the second book in a series about Philomena McCarthy, a police officer with the Met who happens to have descended from a pretty notorious crime family. When Phil finds a child wandering the streets barefoot one night on patrol she follows her home and stumbles upon an absolutely wild crime.
Initially I thought it might be nice to reread book one (WHEN YOU ARE MINE) because my memory is nonexistent and I’m running out of new police procedurals (especially those written by my favorite authors) so I often have to get my kicks from a reread. THE WHITE CROW can totally be read as a standalone and the key information from the first book is revisited in a way that works for those who aren’t familiar with the characters. That said, book one is really good!
I loved book one but I forgot that I didn’t always love Phil so skipping the reread was probably a good choice for me. Phil’s a great character and she’s constantly toeing the line between family loyalty and following the rules. I just find some of her choices a little frustrating. Thankfully, I’m absolutely obsessed with all the other characters in this series (especially the bad ones!).
🏆If you haven’t read Michael Robotham yet and you enjoy crime novels or dark thrillers stop what you’re doing and read GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL immediately. It’s one of my very favorite books and after you devour that series you can come back to Phil just in time for this new release. You’re welcome!!
September 9, 2025
This book was so well written! I didn’t get out of my chair for the last 300 pages!
My recommendation… start with “When You Are Mine.”
My recommendation… start with “When You Are Mine.”
May 30, 2025
While on patrol one night, police officer Philomena McCarthy finds a young girl distressed and covered in blood. Simultaneously, there is the report of a home invasion and jewelry store robbery. As Philomena investigates the case, the ties to her notorious crime family are a hindrance and she realizes that she cannot separate the two. She puts her life at risk trying to solve the case and prove that she is not her father’s daughter.
This is the second book in this series and it is another excellent thriller from an intelligent and consistently entertaining author. I have found all of his books to be well-written, engaging and twisty, leaving the reader with a lot to ponder over. For fans of Heather Gudenkauf and Joanna Schaffhausen.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Scribner and Michael Robotham for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is the second book in this series and it is another excellent thriller from an intelligent and consistently entertaining author. I have found all of his books to be well-written, engaging and twisty, leaving the reader with a lot to ponder over. For fans of Heather Gudenkauf and Joanna Schaffhausen.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Scribner and Michael Robotham for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 25, 2025
Big thanks to Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
The return of Philomena McCarthy in this latest crime filled thriller was welcomed warmly by me and will be by many readers I dare say.
A character that has links to a gangster crime family and works in the police force fighting crime.
A grey area that impedes.
Phil discovered a small girl on the street in the early hours while on patrol.
Her home has been robbed and her mother is dead.
The family run a top end jewellery business.
An intense investigation and underworld connections that link her family are obstacles Phil and her colleagues endure.
The collision of her worlds lead to detriment and ultimately danger.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and was so absorbed in the plot and characters.
The uniqueness of the grey area that Phil found herself was brilliant.
Detailed settings and places took me to London and the cleverness of the plot prevented me from guessing the truth.
I hope to see more of Phil and her gangster family.
The return of Philomena McCarthy in this latest crime filled thriller was welcomed warmly by me and will be by many readers I dare say.
A character that has links to a gangster crime family and works in the police force fighting crime.
A grey area that impedes.
Phil discovered a small girl on the street in the early hours while on patrol.
Her home has been robbed and her mother is dead.
The family run a top end jewellery business.
An intense investigation and underworld connections that link her family are obstacles Phil and her colleagues endure.
The collision of her worlds lead to detriment and ultimately danger.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and was so absorbed in the plot and characters.
The uniqueness of the grey area that Phil found herself was brilliant.
Detailed settings and places took me to London and the cleverness of the plot prevented me from guessing the truth.
I hope to see more of Phil and her gangster family.
July 6, 2025
Incredibly engaging. Pulse racing. Read in one breath!
July 16, 2025
This is a 3-star story with 5-star writing. Michael Robotham is one of my favorite authors, so I can't leave a bad review, but I will say I am not a fan of Philomena. Really ready for Joe to come back!
July 9, 2025
A London mystery and my previous enjoyment of Robotham's "Storm Child" drew me to "The White Crow"—and what a thrilling ride it turned out to be. Robotham's writing voice enraptures from the opening pages, pulling me into Philomena McCarthy's world with such fluid prose that I found myself gliding through the narrative without a single snag. Even the ending lands with dramatic perfection.
Phil's character sits at the novel's conflict—a Metropolitan Police officer born to mob royalty. This contradiction creates delicious tension as she navigates her professional ethics against family loyalty when a murder investigation inches uncomfortably close to her father's business. Her personal conundrum hits at every turn, forcing her to question the black-and-white morality she clings to so desperately.
The strained relationship between Phil and her father resonated deeply with me. Her obvious affection battling against her self-righteous determination to stay on the right side of the law creates emotional weight that anchors the story in something real and complicated.
Detective Keegan frustrated me at times with his lukewarm reception of Phil's assistance, but his character adds compelling layers—a man wrestling with MET bureaucracy, personal demons, and professional ambition. Their uneasy alliance drives the investigation forward with palpable tension.
The McCarthy brothers bring welcome depth, their family dynamics and sense of duty complicating both Phil's character and the mystery itself. They constantly made me question their involvement in the unfolding case.
Katy Sobey's audiobook narration deserves special mention—her accents and character differentiation enhancing both suspense and emotional nuance.
Though this is a sequel, it stands perfectly on its own. For readers craving a thriller that balances procedural intrigue with complex family dynamics, "The White Crow" is a must-read.
Special thanks to Atria Books and Simon and Schuster Audio for providing the free books for review, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Phil's character sits at the novel's conflict—a Metropolitan Police officer born to mob royalty. This contradiction creates delicious tension as she navigates her professional ethics against family loyalty when a murder investigation inches uncomfortably close to her father's business. Her personal conundrum hits at every turn, forcing her to question the black-and-white morality she clings to so desperately.
The strained relationship between Phil and her father resonated deeply with me. Her obvious affection battling against her self-righteous determination to stay on the right side of the law creates emotional weight that anchors the story in something real and complicated.
Detective Keegan frustrated me at times with his lukewarm reception of Phil's assistance, but his character adds compelling layers—a man wrestling with MET bureaucracy, personal demons, and professional ambition. Their uneasy alliance drives the investigation forward with palpable tension.
The McCarthy brothers bring welcome depth, their family dynamics and sense of duty complicating both Phil's character and the mystery itself. They constantly made me question their involvement in the unfolding case.
Katy Sobey's audiobook narration deserves special mention—her accents and character differentiation enhancing both suspense and emotional nuance.
Though this is a sequel, it stands perfectly on its own. For readers craving a thriller that balances procedural intrigue with complex family dynamics, "The White Crow" is a must-read.
Special thanks to Atria Books and Simon and Schuster Audio for providing the free books for review, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
June 26, 2025
This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won't be my last. I have been missing out! I'm a huge fan of procedurals, stories set in/around London, and protagonists with intriguing backstories. This book features police officer Philomena McCarthy, known as "Phil," whose father and uncles are prominent gangsters in London, and it checked all my boxes, especially the intriguing backstory box. Although this is the second book in the series, it worked well as a standalone.
The crime and investigation are complex and layered, keeping me guessing throughout. It's gritty and tightly plotted, with moments that are pulse-pounding, and even some humor is woven in. The story mixes action and detective work with family drama and moral dilemmas. I found myself rooting for Phil in both her professional and personal lives. She is somewhat of an outsider in both areas, as her colleagues and family question where her loyalties lie, putting her to the test. Phil is a compelling character, embodying a mix of kindness, intelligence, strength, and resolve even amid some missteps, and I enjoyed that about her. Several other characters are interesting as well, including Phil's uncles, who, despite their criminal backgrounds, provide moments of comic relief. Fast-paced and suspenseful, this is such a page-turner!
Katy Sobey narrated the audiobook, and she's perfectly cast as Phil, delivering a nuanced performance. She also makes the other characters come to life and does a great job with different accents and ages. Her narration adds to the danger and suspense, making this an engaging and entertaining listen. And, I loved her voice. Highly recommend this one!
Thank you to Scribner Books and Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted book and audiobook
The crime and investigation are complex and layered, keeping me guessing throughout. It's gritty and tightly plotted, with moments that are pulse-pounding, and even some humor is woven in. The story mixes action and detective work with family drama and moral dilemmas. I found myself rooting for Phil in both her professional and personal lives. She is somewhat of an outsider in both areas, as her colleagues and family question where her loyalties lie, putting her to the test. Phil is a compelling character, embodying a mix of kindness, intelligence, strength, and resolve even amid some missteps, and I enjoyed that about her. Several other characters are interesting as well, including Phil's uncles, who, despite their criminal backgrounds, provide moments of comic relief. Fast-paced and suspenseful, this is such a page-turner!
Katy Sobey narrated the audiobook, and she's perfectly cast as Phil, delivering a nuanced performance. She also makes the other characters come to life and does a great job with different accents and ages. Her narration adds to the danger and suspense, making this an engaging and entertaining listen. And, I loved her voice. Highly recommend this one!
Thank you to Scribner Books and Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted book and audiobook
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