Tell Me Something True

by Michael Robotham

The astonishing, moving crime epic from award-winning and bestselling Michael Robotham: a mystery, a coming-of-age tale, and a love story wrapped into one, set against the simmering tensions of a small Australian town

I look along the road and notice how many people are standing outside their houses or watching from doorways and windows. Staring. Studying.

“Do you think this town will ever forgive me?” I ask.

“Not in a million years.”

Small towns are quick to anger and slow to forgive, but Arlo Hackett doesn't expect mercy when he emerges from a twelve-year prison sentence and makes his way back to Yulara, a waypoint on Australia's Great Southern Road. The last time Arlo was home in 1988, his brother Luke was charged with a terrible crime, and Arlo was found guilty by association.

His return to Yulara is like cracking open a time capsule full of hatred and violence, along with memories of the people he loved—the ones he couldn't save.

The small town wants Arlo gone, or worse, but every insult and humiliation pushes him to confront what really happened all those years ago. The truth will shock you, surprise you, and break your heart.

For fans of Liz Moore and Chris Whitaker, Tell Me Something True is a poignant, slow-burning mystery filled with palpable tension and tender love about the cost of clemency and the need for revenge

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Australia

432 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Two-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.

Reviews

[TheMysteryMO (Mike O) · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Tell Me Something True' by Michael Robotham caught my eye after being compared to one of my all‑time favorites, 'All the Colors of the Dark' by Chris Whitaker. The US cover is stunning to complement a perfect title. I went in sans‑synopsis and was pulled in right away. The characters are so well drawn, including one who shone with the same gem‑like brilliance I felt in Chris Whitaker’s novel.

The opening is intriguing, and each chapter adds new characters, layers, and tension. I had a feel for the mystery’s direction, but the suspense came from the surprises and seeing how everything unfolded.

A few turns weren’t what I expected, and I might’ve preferred a slightly different direction in places, but overall this was a genuine page‑turner — emotional, engaging, and steadily building in suspense. The ending wasn’t exactly what I predicted, but it was beautifully executed and satisfying.

It’s already a strong contender for one of my 2026 favorites, though it’ll have competition from Brian Freeman’s upcoming Stride novel 'Where the Road Ends'.

Finding a book that captures even a bit of the magic of 'All the Colors of the Dark' felt special. It’s not quite on that level for me — as that audiobook is still unmatched — but I’m eager to see who narrates this one because I’ll definitely be listening.

Reading the acknowledgements and understanding what this story meant to the author added even more impact.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
I know Michael Robotham can write a damn good series. I know Michael Robotham can write a very good standalone. But this book Blew. Me. Away. I was so invested in and connected to Arlo Hackett. What a truly amazing character. This is a powerful read as the author takes us on an emotional rollercoaster as Arlo tries to put together the truth.
The author captures the heart of a small Australian town in a way that is reminiscent of Garry Disher. Wonderfully written and the story flows effortlessly between past and present. It's heartbreaking, emotional, suspenseful and was absolutely flawless- one of those books that will stay with you long after reading
'Tell Me Something True'- this is my favourite read of the year and is going to take some beating
A trillion stars for this outstanding piece of storytelling and I am so glad the masterpiece came out of the bottom drawer!

[Cynth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterpiece. I don’t think I’ll ever forget Arlo and his story. A beautiful character driven, emotional story about a man who tries to clear his brother’s name. The dual timeline was perfect. I can’t recommend this book enough.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful heartfelt story. Quickest read ever, loved it. First read of Michael’s book, won’t be my last.

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 5 out of 5]

My third 6⭐️ read of 2026!!
Michael Robotham, take a bloody bow. What. A. Book!!

This isn’t the twistiest thriller you’ll read this year, and it doesn’t need to be. Tell Me Something True is a character-driven, flawlessly written literary crime masterpiece that completely got under my skin.

Arlo Hackett returns to his small Australian hometown of Yulara after serving twelve years in prison, only to discover that while his sentence may be over, the court of public opinion has never moved on. Watching him return to a town that had already decided exactly who he was was both heartbreaking and infuriating. More than once I found myself on the verge of tears because I genuinely felt like I was right there beside him.

What truly sets this book apart, though, is the character work. Michael Robotham doesn’t just create memorable characters - he creates people. Arlo, Luke, Saxon and Helen felt so authentic, so layered and so beautifully developed that I stopped thinking about them as fictional characters altogether. I became completely invested in every one of them, and by the end I cared far more about these people than I did solving the mystery itself.

This book got under my skin in all the best ways. I struggled to put it down, not because I was racing towards the next twist, but because I simply couldn’t stop thinking about these characters and desperately wanted to know where life would take them. The dual timeline was flawlessly executed, with every reveal arriving exactly when it needed to and making each emotional moment land even harder.

Despite tackling some incredibly confronting subject matter, Michael Robotham writes with remarkable empathy and compassion. Every difficult topic is handled with such care and authenticity that nothing ever feels sensationalised.

After finishing, I discovered this story had been forty years in the making. Honestly? It feels like forty years spent perfecting it. This book is full of heart, blissfully Australian and one that’ll stay with me for a very, very long time.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

An Australian standalone character driven mystery.

Arlo returns to his small town home after completing a 12 year prison sentence. Such towns are slow to forgive.

This is a beautifully written character driven story with a mystery. It’s quite slow paced but I was so drawn in by the characters, I absolutely adored both Arlo and Luke. They are both kind genuine people. The story is told in a good split between the present and the past. Some of the reminisces are heartwarming others heart wrenching, some funny.
I love the Cyrus books, but the characterisation here was just delightful. I would love more of this style of book, I’m glad that the author finally shared it with the world. If I get the opportunity to listen to it on audio I’ll grab it with both hands.
This is into my books of the year

I had this book for free

[Gatorman]

I'm not going to bother rating or reviewing this book as I find the author's continued woke ramblings and, more importantly, outright hatred and mockery of Catholicism to be insulting and offensive. I'll just leave it at that and to say I won't be reading Robotham anymore.

[Jindi (readingwithcaffeine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell YOU something true. I knew this book would be a five star book from the first few chapters (although I’m new to this author and really had no idea what to expect going into this) I could just feel in my entire body that this would be the kind of book that would stay with me long after I’d finished it.

It left me feeling emotionally drained and just super sad in general but I’m still so honoured to have been able to read an early copy. Usually I’d summarise the plot here but I really think you’d be better off going in blind for this one and meeting the characters for the first time on page the same way I did.

If you’re a fan of thrillers that pack an emotional punch and rely on well placed key revelations instead of huge, shocking twists - definitely consider picking this one up when it hits shelves this September. Undoubtedly in my top ten reads this year for sure 👏🏼

[Patty Abarno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this novel. Robotham is such a talented writer and this stand alone is exactly why. After twelve years in prison, Arlo Hackett emerges and returns back to his hometown of Yulara. But he is not wanted there because of a crime that occurred and his guilt by association. But Arlo has served his time and has returned to discover what really happened all those years ago when his brother Luke was blamed for the rape and murder of a young woman named Saxon. Although he couldn’t save his brother or Saxon, Arlo is driven by the memories and strives to uncover the truth that the corrupt police department has hidden and exonerate his brother and hopefully himself in the end. This book broke my heart but it was worth every tear. A story of loss and deception but also love and ultimately redemption and forgiveness. Huge 5 stars from me.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Michael Robotham, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Arlo Hackett is just out of prison when he returns to his small hometown of Yulara. It quickly becomes obvious that the local people have not forgiven Arlo for the crime he and his brother committed. But being back in Yulara gives him the chance to figure out what happened that night years ago, make up for the damage that was done, and repair relationships with those he loved.

I thought the writing of this book was very well done. There were some really interesting characters, Arlo, Helen, Clem, Jenny. I loved how quickly the author kept the story line going, giving us just enough information to keep us hooked. There were also several twists that I didn't see coming, one that really made the book for me. The book made me run through the entire gamut of emotions - happiness, sadness, joy, and sorrow.

I have read some pretty fantastic books so far in 2026, but this one is easily in my top 10. 5 ⭐s! I'll definitely be looking at other titles by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an advanced copy of this book. It's scheduled to be published on January 5, 2027.

[Mainlinebooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Robotham’s Tell Me Something True may surprise readers who come to it expecting the taut machinery of his celebrated psychological thrillers. While elements of mystery and menace certainly pulse beneath the narrative, this novel distinguishes itself less through velocity than through emotional excavation. It is, at heart, a deeply humane and melancholic meditation on guilt, exile, forgiveness, and the corrosive nature of communal judgment. In many ways, it stands among Robotham’s most affecting works precisely because it resists sensationalism and instead lingers in the bruised interior lives of its characters.
The novel follows Arlo Hackett, a man returning to his small Australian hometown after serving twelve years in prison for his role as an accessory to a murder committed — or believed to have been committed — by his younger neurodivergent brother. Arlo emerges from incarceration not hardened but softened, almost painfully gentle in his manner. He returns carrying the quiet dignity of someone who has suffered deeply yet still wishes to believe in goodness. Robotham renders him with extraordinary tenderness. Arlo’s humility, restraint, and instinctive kindness make the hostility directed toward him feel all the more devastating.

What makes the novel especially compelling is its portrayal of small-town moral pettiness masquerading as righteousness. Robotham understands that communities often preserve themselves not through compassion but through exclusion. The town has long since decided who Arlo is, and no amount of patience, decency, or hard work can fully erase the stain of collective memory. Rumor calcifies into truth; suspicion becomes a civic pastime. The residents cling to grievance because it grants them a sense of moral superiority. In this world, redemption is not merely difficult — it may be structurally impossible.

This is where the novel acquires its deeper resonance. Robotham does not offer the sentimental reassurance that suffering inevitably ennobles people or that communities ultimately choose grace over cruelty. Instead, he suggests something far sadder and perhaps more truthful: that people often prefer familiar scapegoats to uncomfortable self-examination. The town’s treatment of Arlo exposes how easily fear and resentment become inherited traditions, passed from one generation to another under the guise of “protecting” the community.

Into this emotionally charged landscape arrives Saxon, a young girl fleeing abuse from her politically prominent father. She is one of the novel’s greatest triumphs. Saxon could easily have become a stock “troubled child” figure, but Robotham imbues her with astonishing vitality. She is sharp-tongued, fiercely intelligent, wounded yet defiant. Her sassiness and emotional candor inject moments of levity and electricity into an otherwise sorrow-laden narrative. Through Saxon, the novel explores how trauma can produce not only fragility but also resilience and wit. Her growing relationship with Arlo becomes the emotional backbone of the story — two damaged souls recognizing safety in one another.

Equally poignant is the rekindled connection between Arlo and his former girlfriend. Their love story is not written in grand declarations but in hesitations, silences, and accumulated regrets. Robotham excels at depicting the ache of lost time: the unbearable awareness of what life might have been had fate, circumstance, and human weakness not intervened. Their relationship carries the emotional weight of years stolen by imprisonment and judgment, making every gesture between them feel fragile and precious.

Stylistically, the novel is beautifully restrained. Robotham abandons the relentless pacing typical of crime fiction in favor of a slow-burning emotional intensity. The prose never calls attention to itself, yet beneath its simplicity lies remarkable precision. He allows tension to accumulate gradually, not merely through plot revelations but through emotional stakes. The reader becomes invested not just in uncovering truths, but in whether these battered characters can survive the crushing weight of other people’s perceptions.

What ultimately elevates Tell Me Something True is its refusal to simplify human nature. There are acts of kindness in the novel, certainly, but they exist alongside cowardice, prejudice, and vindictiveness. Robotham paints a world where redemption is elusive because society itself often resists allowing people to change. The title itself becomes quietly profound: to tell someone something true is an act of vulnerability, but truth alone may not be enough to free people from the narratives imposed upon them.

This is not merely a crime novel; it is a compassionate and unsettling study of how communities remember, punish, and deny mercy. Robotham has written a story filled with sorrow and grace, one that lingers long after the final page. Far from disappointing, the novel may indeed stand as one of his most mature and emotionally resonant achievements.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

[Alvina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am living with ghosts. Some are people, some are places and some are memories.

Tell Me Something True tells the story of Arlo, an ex-convict who returns to his small hometown of Yulara after spending twelve years in prison. Arlo was convicted as an accomplice to his brother Luke in the rape and murder of a young woman named Saxon.

His return is met with hostility. The townspeople are not only haunted by the crime that stained their community years ago, but they also fear that Arlo might commit similar crimes again. For Arlo, coming back to Yulara is far from easy. He has always maintained his innocence, and he firmly believes that Luke could never have harmed Saxon. In fact, Luke adored her. However, with his mother suffering from a stroke and medical bills piling up, Arlo returns to his old house with the intention of fixing it up and selling it.

As he settles back into town, Arlo begins to uncover long-buried secrets and finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew. If neither he nor Luke committed the crime, then who really hurt Saxon?

As a thriller fan, any new release from Michael Robotham immediately goes onto my wishlist. Whenever I read a book, I usually find myself collecting beautiful, memorable quotes to include in my posts and reviews. Strangely, I always struggle to do that with Robotham's novels.

The funny thing is, I don't even see that as a weakness. His stories are simply so compelling that they don't need poetic lines or quote worthy passages to capture a reader's attention. The narrative flows effortlessly, planting questions and mysteries along the way until, before you know it, you've reached the final page.

Tell Me Something True is no exception. The characters feel vivid and distinct. Saxon bursts off the page as an energetic, reckless, and stubborn young woman. Helen, another important character, comes across as more mature and emotionally measured, someone whose feelings don't spill over the way Saxon's often do. Arlo, shaped by years of hardship in prison, feels cautious and reserved. His words are carefully chosen, and his actions are equally deliberate.

The alternating dual timelines gradually reveal what truly happened all those years ago. The mystery kept me engaged from beginning to end, and for once, I managed to resist the temptation to sneak a look at the ending. The plot is well paced, coherent, and never feels disjointed.

This is a captivating thriller that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys mysteries centered around long buried secrets and past crimes.

And one more thing, Indonesia gets a mention in the story! As an Indonesian reader, I couldn't help feeling a little proud that our country was noticed by such a well known thriller author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

[Sylthrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arlo Hackett just got released from his 12 year prison sentence and is now back to the small town Yulara, his home town. Except he's not welcome there, the crime too violent, the victim too beloved, there's no coming back for him. He has nowhere else to go though, so now he's fixing up his mother's house to be able to leave.. But all those insults, all those stubs and threats and more, they push him to face something he couldn't for the past 12 years - what really happened back then.

This book was such a good read - very emotionally heavy, often very and simply brutal. A story that really might have happened, so raw and depressing, yet you can't stay away, you need to keep reading. The atmosphere was built up perfectly, the hatred Arlo faced almost everywhere he went, the distance people went to just make him leave.. This is a book that will have you just staring into space by the end.

There's two time lines - present day Arlo who just got released from prison, has no place to go and no one who missed him, he's facing his mother's health issues, her house that's slowly falling apart.. And even though he's just there to fix it, nothing could change what happened and it's obvious that his return made all those old wounds reopen. And then there is the past Arlo, who is living through everything that lead to him going to prison.
Arlo doesn't even consciously start doing it, but he slowly starts to unravel what really happened back then.. And mixed into that present day figuring out of the past, there's the past itself, being lived out. From the start you know what happened, why Arlo spent 12 years in prison and why people hate him for it still, that this can't be a happy story where everyone walks away with just enough time to solve things.. And yet this still broke my heart. For all of them.

There's a lot of layers to this story - a lot of people contributing without really meaning to, but all of their actions together lead to what you've got in the end. Which is why I think the ending is very fitting for this story - you can't fix the past and sometimes damage done is just too big to ever be fixed fully. All that you can do is make the best out of whatever situation.

There's not a lot you can say about this story without spoiling the plot, so this review is pretty vague - but the book is too good to have some of the surprises taken away before you've reached them. I really enjoyed it, even though it hurt. The writing was great all the way through, the pacing was perfect, even the jumps into the past were just placed right to really ensure you understand why people acted certain ways. All the reveals, thoughts.. I am glad I read this. Fantastic book.

Thank you Grove Atlantic and Atlantic Crime for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Robert Alexander Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Beautifully Crafted Story of Family, Guilt, and Small-Town Secrets

Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham is the kind of slow-burn novel that asks for patience, but rewards it with atmosphere, emotional weight, and a deeply convincing sense of place. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and I was immediately interested because of the cover and the premise. This is a very solid 4-star read for me, especially as someone who appreciates a slow burn when the payoff feels earned. The beginning is definitely slow, and for the first 20% I was not fully locked in. Once the book started to build momentum, though, I understood why Robotham took his time. The slower opening helped create the world, the history, and the emotional pressure behind everything that followed.

What worked best for me was the atmosphere and sense of place. I have been dealing with some eye issues, so I used text-to-speech and changed the voice to an Australian accent, which honestly made the whole experience feel even more immersive. It felt like I was being pulled into Yulara, into Oz, and into the rhythm of small-town life where everyone knows everyone, and the past never really stays buried. Robotham does a wonderful job making the town feel real, not just as a setting, but as a living part of the story. The world of Yulara, the people, the tension, and the complicated history of the town were all expertly crafted. This is an extremely slow burn, but once it gets going, it becomes fantastic.

The characters also gave the novel a lot of depth. Arlo and Luke reminded me, in some ways, of an Australian *Of Mice and Men*, with echoes of Lennie and George in their bond and the way the story explores loyalty, weakness, and protection. There was also something a little *Forrest Gump*-like in Arlo and Helen’s relationship, especially with the idea of a past love and a child he did not know about. Saxon was another highlight for me. She was vibrant, memorable, and her introduction came at exactly the right time in the story. She added so much through her interactions, her energy, and her outlook on life. Arlo’s mother also felt genuine, complicated, and human.

Overall, Tell Me Something True is a terrific read for people who enjoy slow burns, emotional mysteries, strong settings, family secrets, and stories where guilt and memory shape the lives of everyone involved. It starts slowly, but Robotham’s vivid Australian setting, complicated characters, and emotional mystery turn it into a beautifully crafted slow-burn read.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Michael Robotham, and Atlantic Grove / Atlantic Crime for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TellMeSomethingTrue #NetGalley

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Michael Robotham’s books because they’re smartly written, cleverly constructed, and packed with characters who feel real. Whether you love them or hate them, there usually isn’t much middle ground.

Robotham notes that Tell Me Something True began as an early manuscript that he recently returned to, and I think that shows. While the novel hooked me in right from the start, it didn’t feel quite as polished as his more recent work.

Arlo, whose point of view drives the story, returns home after serving twelve years in prison. As he tries to piece together what really happened before his incarceration—and clear his younger brother’s name—you can’t help but root for him. At the same time, there’s something slightly off about his characterization. The Arlo we meet in the opening scenes, particularly in his interactions with his therapist while in prison, feels very different from the man we see in flashbacks and in the present-day narrative. The Arlo we come to know is a genuinely decent person, making that initial portrayal feel oddly out of sync. It left me wondering whether Robotham originally intended him to be a darker, more morally ambiguous character and later changed course? Why was he such a dick in that exit interview?

Much of the novel follows Arlo as he revisits the events leading up to his imprisonment while navigating the escalating hostility of his small Australian hometown. With the help of a local attorney, he begins investigating the crime that changed everything: the rape and murder of Saxon, a beautiful young woman his family had taken in after she escaped abuse at the hands of her stepfather.

The Huckett family loves Saxon. The town’s feelings are more complicated. Unfortunately, Saxon suffers from some of the same inconsistency that affects Arlo. At times she is portrayed as vulnerable and sympathetic; at others, reckless and manipulative. By the end, I wasn’t entirely sure who Robotham wanted her to be.

As Arlo slowly uncovers the truth, we get to know his sweet but vulnerable younger brother Luke, his mother and the secrets she’s hiding, and his former girlfriend, who has secrets of her own. Robotham also does an excellent job creating a constant sense of unease. Arlo knows the town despises him, and there’s a lingering question throughout the novel: is he merely unwelcome, or is he genuinely in danger?

Tell Me Something True hooked me right away. While I don’t think it reaches the level of Robotham’s strongest novels, it’s still an absorbing mystery with a clever central premise and enough twists to keep the pages turning.

[Sharon Honeycutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the author's note at the end, I understand why this book reads as a departure from the Cyrus Haven series I read first. I say that in case you come to this as I did and are surprised at first by the tone and the characters.

Robotham is a talented writer, and this book is a testament to that. Some of his turns of phrase made me stop and reread them. Here are a few of my favorite lines:
"Darkness has eaten the living like a fairytale ogre, but I know that I'm not alone."
"His face is so pockmarked with acne scars that he looks like a chewed pencil."
"Her arms flailed helplessly, slapping at the surface, trying to breathe through her fingers."

My biggest struggle is Arlo's relationship with Helen. I don't want to include spoilers, but I wanted Robotham to give us more and helps us understand why it seemed like they were basically picking up where they left off. Why it seemed that Helen was almost obsessed with Arlo (still). It had been twelve years. Arlo had spent those years in prison. This is the biggest reason I'm not giving this book five stars. I really struggled to believe they would behave as they did in the story. When we discover what Helen has been hiding, this still doesn't help me with my problems with their relationship.

What Robotham does with a master's touch is create fully drawn characters you can see, hear, smell and touch. I cared about so many of them and was repulsed by some too. That's what I want in a story--characters I can't stop thinking about while I'm reading and that I'll carry around with me for a while after the book is done.

The question at the heart of story--who killed Saxon--kept me twisting and turning. I had guesses and was wrong every time. I like that in my suspense novels. Keep me guessing.

Saxon was such an interesting character. I'm not sure I liked her. Or maybe I liked her but I didn't trust her. Or maybe I felt sorry for her, full stop. I'm not sure.

I will say, that prologue is fantastic. Robotham takes you and places you in every footstep that Luke takes, making you feel the rain, the ache in his muscles, and his love for that girl.

I want to thank Michael Robotam, Grove Atlantic, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book in return for this honest review.

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arlo Hackett returns to the small town of Yulara after serving a twelve year prison sentence for guilty by association, after his brother Luke is charged with a shocking crime. He does not expect to be welcomed home with open arms and indeed, he receives much hostility and some violence as his return has opened old wounds. It’s clear the town wants him gone. However, this has the opposite effect and spurs him on to confront the truth of what really happens years ago as his belief grows that it’s not what the authorities say. Is he right??

Michael Robotham effortlessly pulls me into this novel and makes me really care about Arlo and his brother Luke’s truth, whatever that may be. It’s a devastatingly emotional rollercoaster of a read and makes me angry and sad in equal measure. The storytelling effortlessly goes from the past to the present day (2001) and incorporates many themes, including love, family, guilt and redemption. Arlo tells the story and he does so with bravery and honesty and the end result is heart aching, heartbreaking and extremely powerful.

The author has written many excellent books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading and I hesitate to suggest that this might be his best one yet. It just goes to show that sometimes leaving something for 20 years, as he did with the initial manuscript, can in fact lead to something quite incredible.

It’s beautifully written and very moving as well as being atmospheric. The characterisation is exemplary and I can picture them all with ease. I root for some and despise others. It brims with tension emanating from a small town that is determined not to forgive or forget but which has more than its fair share of secrets which is which it is grimly holding onto.

Overall, I know it’s early days (April 2026) and I’ve read some amazing books so far this year, but I think this will be in my top five. It’s absolutely fantastic and one I can highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group/Sphere for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Heather Trayfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Michael Robotham book, and it definitely won’t be my last. Thanks go to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for allowing me to review the ARC.

This is a mystery, but it’s also a story about family, forgiveness, love, and what happens when an entire town decides it already knows the truth. Arlo returns home after spending years in prison to find that the people around him haven’t forgotten, or forgiven.   

One of the things that frustrated me the most but also kept me emotionally invested was how cruel many of the townspeople were. The judgment, rumors, and anger aimed at him made me genuinely pissed off at times.

The characters were easy to either love or hate, which always makes a story more enjoyable for me. I felt protective of some of them, while others had me shaking my head. The emotional range in this book surprised me. I laughed, I got sad, I got angry, and I found myself rooting for certain characters even when things were impossible.

The only character that consistently drove me crazy was the male main character. There were so many strong, capable women throughout the story that his passiveness frustrated me more than once. I wanted him to stand up for himself and the people around him a lot sooner than he did.

There were sections that felt slower than others, but overall the story flowed well and kept me invested in finding out what really happened. The mystery unfolds steadily, and I enjoyed watching the pieces come together.

What really stood out to me was the setting. I’ve never lived in a town where everyone knows your business, and this book did a great job showing how suffocating that can be. Every mistake, rumor, and accusation seemed to follow these characters everywhere they went.

By the end, the truth finally comes out, and while I won’t spoil anything, I thought the payoff was worth the roller coaster of emotions.

Overall, Tell Me Something True is an emotional mystery with memorable characters, small-town drama, and enough heart to make you care deeply about what happens to everyone involved.

[Mugs & Manuscripts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham completely swept me away. I've been slowly making my way through his Joe O'Loughlin and Cyrus Haven series, so I already knew what an incredible storyteller he is. This standalone surprised me in a very good way. It's quieter, more intimate, and deeply emotional. From the first few pages, I was hooked, and by the end, I felt so connected to these characters that I wasn't ready to leave them behind.

At its heart, this is much more than a crime novel. It's a story about guilt, grief, responsibility, redemption, and the lasting ripple effects of violence, not just on the people directly involved, but on an entire community.

Twelve years after being sent to prison, Arlo Hackett returns to his hometown of Yulara. Although he has served his sentence, the town hasn't forgiven or forgotten. Branded by his connection to the horrific rape and murder of a young woman named Saxon, Arlo comes home determined to uncover what really happened all those years ago when his brother, Luke, was blamed for the crime.

I've never been to Australia, but Robotham brought Yulara to life so vividly that I felt like I was there. What really stood out to me, though, was how perfectly he captured the dynamics of a small town. Long memories. Quick judgments. Gossip that slowly becomes accepted as truth. People who are quick to condemn but much slower to forgive. Yet woven throughout all of that are quiet acts of kindness, compassion, and grace that gives the story its emotional heart.

Without question, Tell Me Something True is one of the best books I've read this year. It completely captured my heart, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time. If you've only read Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin or Cyrus Haven series, don't skip this one. It shows a different side of his writing, and for me, it's some of his very best work.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atlantic Crime, and Michael Robotham for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and what makes it all the more remarkable is that when I read the authors notes it is actually the first book he ever wrote but kept the manuscript in a drawer.
Arlo has been released from prison where he has spent the past 12 years after his brother Luke was found guilty of murdering a local girl, Saxon. Arlo was sentenced as an accomplice when Luke escaped but later died.
Upon his release Arlo has nowhere else to go so heads home to Yulara, a small town on Australia’s Great Southern Road. No one wants Arlo there and when he discovers his mother has had a stroke and is in a nursing home he decides to stay long enough to do up her house to sell so she can stay in the care home. The town thugs take it upon themselves to have a go at Arlo at every opportunity but all it does is make him question what really happened as he couldn’t for a minute think Luke had killed anyone.
Saxon had a fraught family life, her step dad was handy with his fists and being a bit of a town celebrity she knew no one would take her side. Saxon ends up living with Arlo, Luke and their mother where she flourishes. She has a musical gift and ends up playing the piano at the church services which leads to full pews as the townsfolk come to hear her play.
Luke is feeble minded having had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck at birth. He is a gentle giant who went out of his way not to hurt anything, stepping over snails and anthills and taking cheese to the wild mice that live in the hay barns. He loves Saxon, brings her flowers home each week and is hoping she will be his girlfriend. She is good to him and never says no but with Arlos help tries to make him understand she is more of a sister than a girlfriend.
The story weaves the past and present together beautifully, such great characters, setting and pace. Will be one of my books of the year.

#TellMeSomethingTrue. #Netgalley

[Matt Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell Me Something True is not the conventional thriller we’ve come to expect from Michael Robotham. Rather, it’s an exploration of how the attitudes of others can distort and ultimately damage identity. At its core lies the idea that a person can serve their punishment and yet remain irredeemable in the minds of others. For much of the novel, the reader is left asking what the central protagonist is truly guilty of — and, when the answer is finally revealed, how we ought to feel about it.
This clever authorial device, established early, forces us to confront questions about justice and the integrity of both the police and judicial systems. The eventual reveal surrounding the question of “what is he guilty of?” is beautifully framed and emotionally resonant.
The novel is less about crime itself than it is about reputation: the way relatively intimate — even claustrophobic — small communities construct their own histories and defend them vigorously, particularly those who inherit patriarchal authority and whose voices are least likely to be challenged. This aspect of the narrative feels both effective and deeply believable. Most readers will recognise the phenomenon of collective memory taking shape through repetition, reinforcement, and the quiet suppression of dissenting views.
Robotham’s prose is economical without ever feeling sparse. The character development is excellent, tension ebbs and flows naturally, and no scene feels overwritten or melodramatic. That restraint lends credibility to the novel’s central idea: that many of the people within it are trapped inside identities narrated for them by others.
Ultimately, the crimes themselves are secondary to the psychological and moral questions beneath them. Are people truly capable of reinvention once a community has decided who they are?
Above all, this is a ripping read — and an easy five stars from me

[Kerri Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel would be the best book I’ve read all year. 10-star read.
After reading his acknowledgements (which I hardly ever do) I was astonished to read that this novel was his very first manuscript that he had written, which was left sitting in his bottom draw for all these years. I loved that he was so excited and nervous about finally releasing this manuscript, which will be his 12th published novel. However, there was no need to be nervous, this novel certainly blew it out the park. Just like the author, I loved this book, I loved the characters (Arlo, Luke, Saxon and Helen) the Aussie slang used by Saxon brought back a lot of memories as I also grew up during this time. The characters were just so amazingly written in this book that I honestly felt like I had been transported back to my youth. And all those memories and feelings came flooding back, when I read things like Walkman’s, glory box, sunlight soap, Midnight oil, cold chisel and I cant forget the old Sandman. I love the setting, Wagga Wagga base hospital was where I did my RN training, and my last daughter was born. My eldest daughter lives in Goulburn and I used to holiday in Narooma and one of my favourite places is the war memorial in Canberra. So, the setting very similar to me.
But besides all that, this story had the most atmosphere plot that was well written and had been really brought it to life. The writing wasn’t over the top or farfetched. And the plot twists through the book were so believable. It was written in the Then / Now timeline that just gave the novel that depth within the storyline that provided the whole background, which made the whole story come together nicely. I honestly cannot articulate how the book made me feel. I felt so many emotions throughout this book; I felt the complete heartbreak of the characters to the laughter they all shared. Micheal really should be proud of this novel.

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly gentle book about a man, Arlo Hackett, who gets out of gaol for a crime he didn't commit and goes about finding out what really happened. It's set in the fictional town of Yulara, somewhere near Jugiong in NSW: "a waypoint on a long journey between somewhere and somewhere else." On parole, Arlo returns there because his mother lives there, knowing he "won't be welcome. Small towns are unforgiving places." This thread about the closed-mindedness of small towns runs throughout the novel: "The scandal of her pregnancy had already stained her reputation in Yulara, where hypocrisy was a transmittable disease that particularly infected the pious."

Interestingly, Arlo isn't consumed by revenge, but by a desire to understand what had happened to Saxon, and this desire draws you into caring about the story. It's not a redemption story. It does show that we drive recidivism because we don't really see prison as wiping the slate clean for those who commit crimes: "My life had been worthless in prison and nothing has changed since my release. I'm a coward, a pariah and a marked man." It's also critical of the Catholic Church and the way it makes the confessional into: "The coward's castle. The Catholic cop-out. Which allows people to go forth to sin again with a clean slate."

At a time when migrants are being demonised in Australia by Pauline Hanson, I really liked that this book emphasises the role migrants played in building Australia: "Mr Bertoli had grown up in Italy and emigrated to Australia in the 1950s, with thousands of other migrant labourers, who helped build the Snowy Hydro Scheme."

I would pick up another book by this writer after reading this one.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for sending me a copy to read.

[MecKenzie Upton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a small fictional Australian town, the story follows a man recently released from prison as long-buried secrets begin resurfacing. The town’s name is Yulara, which I researched as a real town, but it is based in a fictional town setting. Through multiple timelines (mid 1980s-2001), the novel slowly peels back layers of family, guilt, grief, and the choices that can alter lives forever. At its heart, it’s a heartbreaking story about love, loss, family, and the choices that shape us.

For me, the first 25% took some patience to get invested, but once the story found its rhythm, the plot and pace really picked up. I flew through the rest of the book and found myself constantly needing to know what happened next. The story is centered around the MMC Arlo, his brother Luke who has misunderstood disability from complications at birth, their family, and a girl named Saxon who comes into their family and lives. It is a tragic tale.

The ending left me feeling both satisfied and heartbroken. I was angry for some characters, deeply sympathetic toward others, and appreciated how the story challenged me to question assumptions without giving easy answers. I also had some struggles with some of the religious themes and thoughts centered in the issues with their Catholic Church.

If you enjoy:
🤍 Small-town mysteries
🤍 Multiple timelines
🤍 Family secrets
🤍 Character-driven suspense
🤍 Emotionally layered crime fiction
🤍 Book-Club thoughts

…this is one to keep on your radar.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Michael Robotham for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🗓️ Releases January 5, 2027.

TW: Rape, Murder (graphic), Domestic Violence, Abuse, Hate Crime, Ableism

[Terri | Twist & Doubt | Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Robotham has done it again.

I went into this expecting a gripping crime novel. I came away with something far more emotional.

Freshly released after serving twelve years in prison, Arlo Hackett returns to the small town that never forgave him. As the past slowly unravels, so too does everything he thought he knew about the events that destroyed so many lives.

This isn’t a thriller built on relentless twists or cheap surprises. Instead, Robotham patiently peels back layers of the past, allowing the truth to emerge piece by piece. Every revelation feels earned, and the story becomes less about who did it and more about the devastating ripple effects of guilt, loyalty, grief and the choices we make to protect the people we love.

The prose is simply stunning. I found myself stopping more than once to reread a sentence because it was so beautifully written. Robotham has an incredible ability to paint both people and places with just a few carefully chosen words, giving the novel a quiet, haunting atmosphere that lingers long after you’ve finished.

Arlo is a wonderfully complex protagonist. Flawed, compassionate and quietly selfless, he’s impossible not to root for, even as the town continues to judge him for a past he can never escape.

By the final pages, I realised this wasn’t the mystery that had captured me most - it was the people. Their relationships, their heartbreak, and the weight they’d been carrying for years.

Heartbreaking, thoughtful and utterly compelling, Tell Me Something True is another reminder of why Michael Robotham remains one of my favourite crime writers.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell Me Something True is the new novel by Michael Robotham that is one of the best books I have read this year. A haunting, emotional look at the “small-town justice” that thrives in the isolated waypoints of Australia’s Great Southern Road.

Arlo Hackett is returning to his hometown of Yulara after serving twelve years in prison. Arlo isn’t looking for forgiveness, he was sent away not for his own crime, but because he was found “guilty by association” when his brother, Luke, was charged with an unspeakable act.

The towns inhabitants are not going to forgive easily and the novel is full of tension. The town doesn’t just want Arlo to leave; they want him destroyed. Every insult and humiliation he endures becomes a catalyst, pushing him closer to the one thing the town wants to keep buried: the truth about what happened twelve years ago. This is a moving story that narrates Arlo’s internal struggle, haunted by memories of the people he loved and, more painfully, the ones he couldn’t save. Yulara is a place where the past isn’t just a memory, it’s a living, breathing entity that dictates who lives and who suffers.

This is a novel full of tension, emotion and plenty of atmosphere. A mystery that unravels to reveal what Arlo’s brother actually did, and why Arlo took the fall for it.

“Arlo Hackett went to prison to protect a memory, but he returned to Yulara to burn the lies to the ground.”
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Little Brown Books Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few writers deliver storytelling with the emotional force and unforgettable character work that this author does, and once again he proves why he remains at the top of his game. His latest novel follows Arlo Hackett, a man returning to a town that has never forgiven him, and the result is a deeply atmospheric, beautifully crafted narrative that held me completely spellbound. The portrait of Yulara, its simmering resentment, its long memories, its buried violence feels so vivid it practically breathes. Arlo’s journey through hostility, grief, and the unresolved shadows of his brother’s past is rendered with such compassion and nuance that it’s impossible not to be drawn into his world. The dual timelines, the emotional weight of family loyalty, and the slow unravelling of long‑hidden truths create a story that is powerful, haunting, and rich with tension.

What enriches the novel even further is the author’s extraordinary ability to build characters who linger long after the final page. Arlo’s voice is raw and honest, and his search for answers becomes a moving exploration of guilt, redemption, and the cost of collective judgment. The mystery unfolds with quiet precision rather than flashy twists, making the emotional revelations hit even harder. It’s a heartbreaking, atmospheric, and deeply human story, one that showcases the author at his absolute best. Another triumph, and a book that will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you to Netgalley and. the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Danna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell Me Something True is a thriller with a sad, dramatic frame. Arlo Hackett has spent a dozen years in prison and returned to his hometown. He’s not welcome. Arlo’s sentence might have been served in the eyes of the law, but it seems twelve years was not nearly long enough in the eyes of rural Yulara.

Through the course of Tell Me Something True, we learn why Arlo ended up in prison, even though it’s clear from the outset that the only thing he’s guilty of is loving his younger brother, the one convicted of committing the crime. Arlo’s brother is Luke, a developmentally delayed adult, now dead, who pled guilty to raping and killing Saxon Winacott, a teenage girl that the Hackett family took in.

The story takes twists and turns as Arlo works to uncover what really happened to Saxon and Luke’s role in her death.

Tell Me Something True is sad in a way that I’m not used to thrillers being. It is also very good. The characters are easy to like and root for (or in turn, loathe, when that’s the right angle). The writing is easy and good. There were a few quotes that really hit me. Overall, highly recommend. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“…to show that he ‘had a pair’. I have grown to hate terms like that because too many men mistake stupidity for bravery and aggression for masculinity.“

“‘He said that fair was a hair colour and a nice day and a maiden in a fairytale and a place where you shoot metal ducks and win a goldfish in a plastic bag.’”

“‘Why do Catholics feel guilty about everything except the truth?’”

[Sarah Stull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this ARC by NetGalley and its publisher Grove Atlantic in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is exquisite & its characters become family! Each Chapter became etched in my memory and my heart! This is what feeds a readers soul and I am truly honored to have been gifted its pages to feed mine!

Arlo and Luke are the sons every mother can only hope to bring into this world and the hand they have been dealt is not one of privilege but so filled with rewards of the heart and the kind that builds character and the best kind of men. “Tell me something true” is one that will stay with you forever and that you will remember fondly with the desire to read again and again just to bring the characters close once again.

This Michael Robotham novel was the first of his works that I’ve read and I and so glad that it was. You’ll understand why if you read the acknowledgments at the end and I encourage you to do just that. They make you appreciate and love the story all that much more!

So in closing, I highly recommend this book & I cant wait to have it’s physical pages as a part of my collection and I thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for allowing me to be among the first of its readers and I also Thank Michael Robotham for bringing it to publication after so much time for all to devour and inevitably love!

“Tell Me Something True” is a masterpiece and will live in color in my memory for always!

If only I had a pumpkin the size of a Ford Fiesta to send as a reward!!! 😉🥰🥰🥰

[David Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following a 12-year stint in prison, Arlo Hackett returns to his small hometown in Australia…ostensibly to care for his elderly mother who is struggling with Alzheimer’s. However, it’s clear early on that Arlo is actually there to find answers to the violent murder of a 17-year old girl, which resulted in his own prison sentence, as well as to the death of his autistic brother, who was blamed for the crime. Switching back and forth from the time of the crime a dozen years ago to the present day, the story also focuses on Arlo’s on-and-off again romantic involvement with a woman that he’s known since childhood.

All in all, Robotham’s gift for creating likeable and believable characters was definitely evident throughout the novel. For that matter, Arlo’s caring and protective nature for his large, gentle, and mentally challenged brother was quite touching, almost to the point that the story sometimes felt like an updated version of Steinbeck’s classic, “Of Mice and Men.” Even so, balancing off those moments of kindness and caring in the novel, the story also included the frightening and misogynistic attitudes towards women shown by several truly detestable characters. In any event, the book ended wth a very satisfying conclusion that did a wonderful job of tying up any loose ends.

While I would have opted to give this book a 4 ½ star rating, I’ve rounded upward to 5-stars. My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.