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Joseph O'Loughlin #8
Close Your Eyes
I close my eyes and feel my heart begin racing
Someone is coming
They're going to find me
A mother and her teenage daughter are found brutally murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other left lying like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Reluctantly, clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, calling himself the 'Mindhunter', trading on Joe's name, has jeopardised the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.
With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discover links between these murders to a series of brutal attacks where the men and women are choked unconscious and the letter 'A' is carved into their foreheads.
As the case becomes ever more complex, nothing is quite what it seems and soon Joe's fate, and that of those closest to him, become intertwined with a merciless, unpredictable killer . . .
Someone is coming
They're going to find me
A mother and her teenage daughter are found brutally murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other left lying like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Reluctantly, clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, calling himself the 'Mindhunter', trading on Joe's name, has jeopardised the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.
With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discover links between these murders to a series of brutal attacks where the men and women are choked unconscious and the letter 'A' is carved into their foreheads.
As the case becomes ever more complex, nothing is quite what it seems and soon Joe's fate, and that of those closest to him, become intertwined with a merciless, unpredictable killer . . .
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
542 people are currently reading
4872 people want to read
About the author
Michael Robotham
53 books7,306 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 829 reviews
July 11, 2021
This is book 8 of the Joseph O’Loughlan series. And once again Michael Robotham has delivered another great addition to his very popular series.
As always Joe, a clinical psychologist is drawn into a police investigation despite promising his estranged wife he was done with that line of work. But Joe was left no choice. His reputation is on the line.
And once Joe commits to something, there is no turning back. Both professionally and personally.
Joe is one of the strongest and most vulnerable characters I have come across. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. And though that has become a big part of his life he refuses to let it beat him.
What’s important to Joe is his family. He is a devoted father to both his daughters. And he has never stopped loving his wife, even through their separation. Will we see a reconciliation?
No spoilers here.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator does an amazing job with bringing Joe to life.
A buddy read with Susanne of a series we both love. Up next…The Other Wife!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
As always Joe, a clinical psychologist is drawn into a police investigation despite promising his estranged wife he was done with that line of work. But Joe was left no choice. His reputation is on the line.
And once Joe commits to something, there is no turning back. Both professionally and personally.
Joe is one of the strongest and most vulnerable characters I have come across. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. And though that has become a big part of his life he refuses to let it beat him.
What’s important to Joe is his family. He is a devoted father to both his daughters. And he has never stopped loving his wife, even through their separation. Will we see a reconciliation?
No spoilers here.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator does an amazing job with bringing Joe to life.
A buddy read with Susanne of a series we both love. Up next…The Other Wife!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
February 6, 2017
With credit to Michael Robotham, Joe O'Loughlin has taken over my life. Through eight books, I've been with him every step of the way. I have loved the journey!
This book, which is the most current to date, is the best of the series. The case that Joe and Ruiz are helping with is intricate and the clues are given logically. Joe's personal life is finally showing improvement. The friendship between Joe and Ruiz is stronger than ever. Joe's older daughter, now 18, has matured and is much less snarky than before. Detectives Ronnie Cray and Monk are now my old friends as well, and I really like Monk in this book.
Robotham is very strong in portraying human emotions and relationships. He makes me feel what his characters are feeling. I even felt like I was there in the woods with the lightening, thunder, wind and rain. The last 15% of this book was very, very emotional.
I recently learned that Robotham's next book is a standalone. I do have his previous three standalones to read and look forward to comparing them to the strengths of this series. But now I'm left wondering (for what, another year at least?!) what the hell he has next in store for Joe.
This book, which is the most current to date, is the best of the series. The case that Joe and Ruiz are helping with is intricate and the clues are given logically. Joe's personal life is finally showing improvement. The friendship between Joe and Ruiz is stronger than ever. Joe's older daughter, now 18, has matured and is much less snarky than before. Detectives Ronnie Cray and Monk are now my old friends as well, and I really like Monk in this book.
Robotham is very strong in portraying human emotions and relationships. He makes me feel what his characters are feeling. I even felt like I was there in the woods with the lightening, thunder, wind and rain. The last 15% of this book was very, very emotional.
I recently learned that Robotham's next book is a standalone. I do have his previous three standalones to read and look forward to comparing them to the strengths of this series. But now I'm left wondering (for what, another year at least?!) what the hell he has next in store for Joe.
September 30, 2017
"Close your Eyes" is the 8th book in the Joseph O'Loughlin series and this is the first I have read in this series. Joe O'Loughlin is a clinical psychologist with Parkinson who is estranged from his wife and two daughters. But they are still on friendly terms.
In this book, Joe is called in to help the police with a murder case where Milo Coleman a former student of his called the "Mindhunter” has used Joe's name to worm himself into the case and jeopardized the investigation by leaking details to the press. Joe also has some family problem when he learned that his estranged wife is in need of an operation...
For me when I read a book are there two things that are important; I need a good story, but I also need good human characters with flaws. The books I have the least chance of connecting to are those with very flat characters or characters that are superhuman, there is nothing they can't do. I like characters that are flawed, that shows weaknesses, that are not perfect. For me, one thing that really appealed with this story was that Joe O'Loughlin has Parkinson. And, he has a problematic home situation and a problem with saying no when the police ask for help. The case in the book is interesting, and it was nice to see it from the perspective of a clinical psychologist and not a police. The case in the book is interesting, and it was nice to see it from the perspective of a clinical psychologist and not a police. A mother and her daughter are found murdered and it seems that it has a connection to several attacks previous made on people. Now Joe and the police just have to find what lines the cases together,
Michael Robotham has created a very interesting character and this book is well written and I was so engrossed with the story that my plan to read the ending of the book, the last 20% of it the day after since it was late and I was tired, but I just couldn't stop reading and I did guess correctly (around the end) who the perpetrator was, but that didn't make the ending less nerve-racking and I'm not a crier when it comes to books, but the ending has me in bits with tears in my eyes.
Do I recommend this book? Oh yes, I recommend it but read from the beginning. I want to read from the beginning, but I also know what happens in book eight and that will make the previous seven books a bit sadder to read.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In this book, Joe is called in to help the police with a murder case where Milo Coleman a former student of his called the "Mindhunter” has used Joe's name to worm himself into the case and jeopardized the investigation by leaking details to the press. Joe also has some family problem when he learned that his estranged wife is in need of an operation...
For me when I read a book are there two things that are important; I need a good story, but I also need good human characters with flaws. The books I have the least chance of connecting to are those with very flat characters or characters that are superhuman, there is nothing they can't do. I like characters that are flawed, that shows weaknesses, that are not perfect. For me, one thing that really appealed with this story was that Joe O'Loughlin has Parkinson. And, he has a problematic home situation and a problem with saying no when the police ask for help. The case in the book is interesting, and it was nice to see it from the perspective of a clinical psychologist and not a police. The case in the book is interesting, and it was nice to see it from the perspective of a clinical psychologist and not a police. A mother and her daughter are found murdered and it seems that it has a connection to several attacks previous made on people. Now Joe and the police just have to find what lines the cases together,
Michael Robotham has created a very interesting character and this book is well written and I was so engrossed with the story that my plan to read the ending of the book, the last 20% of it the day after since it was late and I was tired, but I just couldn't stop reading and I did guess correctly (around the end) who the perpetrator was, but that didn't make the ending less nerve-racking and I'm not a crier when it comes to books, but the ending has me in bits with tears in my eyes.
Do I recommend this book? Oh yes, I recommend it but read from the beginning. I want to read from the beginning, but I also know what happens in book eight and that will make the previous seven books a bit sadder to read.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 10, 2015
Michael Robotham is one of the top thriller writers in Australia and he's appreciated all around the world, even by the likes of Stephen King.
I was lucky enough to interview him a few years ago when he released Say You're Sorry, a book that you just cannot put down once you read the first page. He's a lovely guy and very entertaining to listen to if you ever get a chance to hear him speak.
I don't normally go to writers' talks, but on Sept 10 2013, Michael was talking at a local library, so I grabbed the book crazy neighbor and off we went. Michael was brilliant. And guess what? He walks in & recognizes me from my reviews & the interview from the year before, walks straight up to me & gives me a kiss & a hug. He gets 5/5 for being a great guy.
In the interview we did a few years ago, Michael mentioned his wife wouldn't allow him to finish writing about his criminal psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin until he had resolved O'Loughlin's relationship with his estranged wife. In this, his eighth novel with his unusual protagonist, he finally does bring their relationship to a surprising resolution. You'll have to read to the very end, though, to discover what it is.
In between you will read a very strong thriller with a mystery that I doubt you'll solve until the author wants you to know. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing right until the end, but with strong characters who feel like real people, then this is the book for you. Even if you haven't read Michael's previous O'Loughlin novels, you will still enjoy this. However, why don't you treat yourself and start at the beginning. You'll lose a lot of sleep and your fingers will be burning as you turn pages, but that will be a good thing.
Here's a link to the interview: http://www.susanmaywriter.com/2015/09... I've moved it over to my current website from its previous home, which I don't update anymore.
The book was given to me by Hachette Australia for an honest review.
I was lucky enough to interview him a few years ago when he released Say You're Sorry, a book that you just cannot put down once you read the first page. He's a lovely guy and very entertaining to listen to if you ever get a chance to hear him speak.
I don't normally go to writers' talks, but on Sept 10 2013, Michael was talking at a local library, so I grabbed the book crazy neighbor and off we went. Michael was brilliant. And guess what? He walks in & recognizes me from my reviews & the interview from the year before, walks straight up to me & gives me a kiss & a hug. He gets 5/5 for being a great guy.
In the interview we did a few years ago, Michael mentioned his wife wouldn't allow him to finish writing about his criminal psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin until he had resolved O'Loughlin's relationship with his estranged wife. In this, his eighth novel with his unusual protagonist, he finally does bring their relationship to a surprising resolution. You'll have to read to the very end, though, to discover what it is.
In between you will read a very strong thriller with a mystery that I doubt you'll solve until the author wants you to know. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing right until the end, but with strong characters who feel like real people, then this is the book for you. Even if you haven't read Michael's previous O'Loughlin novels, you will still enjoy this. However, why don't you treat yourself and start at the beginning. You'll lose a lot of sleep and your fingers will be burning as you turn pages, but that will be a good thing.
Here's a link to the interview: http://www.susanmaywriter.com/2015/09... I've moved it over to my current website from its previous home, which I don't update anymore.
The book was given to me by Hachette Australia for an honest review.
January 9, 2018
One of the most dramatic endings to a book that I have read in a long time. Everything happened at once and the stress level was off the planet! Wow. Anyway settle down now and write the review.......
I do love this series altogether. Joseph O'Loughlin is an unusual hero, not young or good looking or outstanding in any way. In fact he is middle aged and has Parkinson's disease. However he has an amazing brain and extraordinary abilities as a psychologist and when he starts analysing individuals he sounds like Sherlock Holmes.
In Close Your Eyes Joe is very much involved in family issues but still allows himself to be dragged into assisting the police with a particularly difficult murder case. Of course he gets over involved and even drags his family into the whole mess. He has great difficulty saying no and walking away when he really should.
I thought that this was a brilliant book and one of his best. There were lots of crimes, lots of possible perpetrators and a bit of a surprise as to who the murderer really was. There was another surprise at the end too which needed a couple of tissues. I am not sure where the author is going with that one but we will see. Soon I hope!
I do love this series altogether. Joseph O'Loughlin is an unusual hero, not young or good looking or outstanding in any way. In fact he is middle aged and has Parkinson's disease. However he has an amazing brain and extraordinary abilities as a psychologist and when he starts analysing individuals he sounds like Sherlock Holmes.
In Close Your Eyes Joe is very much involved in family issues but still allows himself to be dragged into assisting the police with a particularly difficult murder case. Of course he gets over involved and even drags his family into the whole mess. He has great difficulty saying no and walking away when he really should.
I thought that this was a brilliant book and one of his best. There were lots of crimes, lots of possible perpetrators and a bit of a surprise as to who the murderer really was. There was another surprise at the end too which needed a couple of tissues. I am not sure where the author is going with that one but we will see. Soon I hope!
March 20, 2016
Joseph O'Laughlin is a clinical psychologist who has helped the police many times with profiling murderers. He also has Parkinson disease and takes medication to control his symptoms. When a women and her daughter are found murdered in their farmhouse, he is reluctantly drawn into the case.
Love this character, he is tough, vulnerable, flawed, intelligent and very much in love with his estranged wife, is wonderful with his two daughters. Another series I have followed from the beginning and love the wonderful mix of the personal with the details of the investigation. Love the glimpses into the special insights of Joe's mind. The end of this book was the stuff the term "holding my breath" was made for. Something else also happens that will change the tenor of the next book in this series, something I will admit to not liking very much.
Love this character, he is tough, vulnerable, flawed, intelligent and very much in love with his estranged wife, is wonderful with his two daughters. Another series I have followed from the beginning and love the wonderful mix of the personal with the details of the investigation. Love the glimpses into the special insights of Joe's mind. The end of this book was the stuff the term "holding my breath" was made for. Something else also happens that will change the tenor of the next book in this series, something I will admit to not liking very much.
July 7, 2018
This was another excellent thriller in the Joe O'Loughlin series by the talented Mr Robotham. I love the way he has allowed Joe to evolve through the series. It's not just the crime that is central to the the novel but Joe himself and his life and family. Joe is now retired and getting used to sharing his life with Mr Parkinson, as he calls his disease. He seems to have made peace with himself and his broken marriage and when his ex wife invites him to move back into the house to spend the summer with her and the children before their eldest daughter Charlie leaves home for University, he jumps at the chance.
However, his hopes of a peaceful family summer are derailed when a mother and daughter are brutally murdered in a lonely farmhouse. The police have almost too many suspects to focus on and not a clue about motive so decide to ask Joe out of retirement to once more use his pyschologist's insight to see if he can narrow down the field and find a reason for the killings. While Joe and his friend retired detective Vincent Ruiz are following up the data collected by the police, an escalating series of attacks on men and women are puzzling police and might or might not be linked to the farmhouse deaths.
There are so many possible suspects in this thriller that even though there is an occasional first person narrative from the attacker, it's still impossible to work out who is the guilty person. The suspense escalates as Joe gets closer to the truth and the attacker worries about being caught until the eventual gripping climax. The heart wrenching ending was one I did not expect and one I felt Joe did not deserve after all he's been through. Can't wait to see what Mr Robotham has in store for us in his next book!
However, his hopes of a peaceful family summer are derailed when a mother and daughter are brutally murdered in a lonely farmhouse. The police have almost too many suspects to focus on and not a clue about motive so decide to ask Joe out of retirement to once more use his pyschologist's insight to see if he can narrow down the field and find a reason for the killings. While Joe and his friend retired detective Vincent Ruiz are following up the data collected by the police, an escalating series of attacks on men and women are puzzling police and might or might not be linked to the farmhouse deaths.
There are so many possible suspects in this thriller that even though there is an occasional first person narrative from the attacker, it's still impossible to work out who is the guilty person. The suspense escalates as Joe gets closer to the truth and the attacker worries about being caught until the eventual gripping climax. The heart wrenching ending was one I did not expect and one I felt Joe did not deserve after all he's been through. Can't wait to see what Mr Robotham has in store for us in his next book!
August 15, 2015
Michael Robotham, where have you been all my life? This is the first time I have read a book by him, and I absolutely LOVED it. I can’t believe it is the 8th in a series that I knew nothing about but at least I now have the pleasure of a back catalogue to look forward to. Having said that, don’t let the fact that it is the 8th in the series put you off – this book can most certainly be read as a standalone. You do find out the history you need to know, but it doesn’t infringe on the story here.
Clinical Psychologist Joe O’Loughlin is called in to help investigate when a mother and daughter are found murdered in their farmhouse. Can his insight help the police catch the killer? It is a fantastic plot with plenty of suspects and I begrudged every second I spent away from reading it. First one suspect appears, then another and another and another, or was I right with my first guess? Or my second or my third? It really does keep you guessing. It is told mostly from Joe’s point of view but we also see into the mind of the killer. From those segments we piece together the killer’s history, the events that led to the present day but not the killer’s identity until very near the end.
We also get a really good glimpse into Joe’s home life, with his estranged wife Julianne and daughters Charlie and Emma. I loved these sections and the way the author really brought me right into the heart of the family. I felt as if I knew them and really bonded with them in a literary way.
The story moves at a cracking pace right the way to an ending that totally blew me away. A fantastic read and one not to be missed. Many thanks to the publishers, via Netgalley, for the review copy.
Clinical Psychologist Joe O’Loughlin is called in to help investigate when a mother and daughter are found murdered in their farmhouse. Can his insight help the police catch the killer? It is a fantastic plot with plenty of suspects and I begrudged every second I spent away from reading it. First one suspect appears, then another and another and another, or was I right with my first guess? Or my second or my third? It really does keep you guessing. It is told mostly from Joe’s point of view but we also see into the mind of the killer. From those segments we piece together the killer’s history, the events that led to the present day but not the killer’s identity until very near the end.
We also get a really good glimpse into Joe’s home life, with his estranged wife Julianne and daughters Charlie and Emma. I loved these sections and the way the author really brought me right into the heart of the family. I felt as if I knew them and really bonded with them in a literary way.
The story moves at a cracking pace right the way to an ending that totally blew me away. A fantastic read and one not to be missed. Many thanks to the publishers, via Netgalley, for the review copy.
August 3, 2025
5★
" 'I'm not here to argue with you. I want you to make this better.'
'How?'
'Review the case. Look at the statements and decision-making. Tell us what we've missed.'
'Are there any suspects?'
'Too many,' she grunts. 'The local community thinks we've cocked this up. Tempers are starting to fray. There's a public meeting tonight. I want you to be there.'
'Why me?'
'Let's call it a show of friendship.'
'That's not my definition of friendship.' "
No, it most definitely is not. Professor Joe O'Loughlin's work with the police, helping to profile killers using his skills as a clinical psychologist, has put him in a world of trouble with his estranged wife, Julianne, for whom his torch still burns brightly. She can't deal with the dangers of murder investigations that have spilled over into their own family life.
He and Julianne are still friendly and share their two girls amicably and regularly. In fact, she has recently suggested he could spend the summer with them – he in a separate room, of course. This has fanned the flames of his torch (sorry – Robotham would never stoop to this kind of prose) and he has sworn off all murder cases.
But Detective Chief Superintendent Ronnie Cray sees Joe as the only light in a very dark crowd of suspects. A mother and 18-year-old daughter have been found murdered at their farmhouse near Clevedon, England. The daughter is resting peacefully in her bed with her teddy bear, but her mother has been viciously slashed with blood and candles and markings on the wall.
Joe's eldest daughter is the same age, and Ronnie knows Joe's capabilities. The police have been working with a guy who calls himself the Mindhunter and says he's a forensic psychologist who studied with Joe. This guy wants to be a reality TV star. Wherever he goes, he brings cameras, and he shares everything with the public, keeping nothing confidential, so they sacked him
Joe reluctantly visits the crime scene and goes to the public meeting. The community centre is crowded, people are worried and angry, firing questions off, annoyed with the answers, and then the public introduce 'their' own expert, none other than the Mindhunter!
"That’s when I see Milo. Dressed in skinny jeans, open-necked shirt and blue blazer, he’s not the same callow youth I remember from university. The cheap haircuts and math-nerd glasses have been replaced by designer stubble and blue contact lenses. Although always an assertive figure, he now seems to have refined his body language and become more than the sum of his parts."
He takes over the meeting, reveals more details (a pentagram was painted on the wall in blood), which stirs people into asking about satanic killings. DCS Cray leaves as he gets started, but Joe waits to see Milo.
Milo asks did he see 'the show' (the public meeting) and tells Joe this is a younger man's game. He knows Joe has Parkinson's. He need not compete with Milo.
" ‘I’m not competing with you.’
‘Exactly. I’m a forensic psychologist. You’re a clinical psychologist. You stick to treating phobias and OCD and I’ll handle the sharp end.’
‘You have no idea what you’re doing.’
‘Sure I do. I’m making money out of something you couldn’t. I’m a professional profiler. You’re an amateur. Have you ever been paid for profiling?’
‘That’s not the point.’
‘I think it is. I think you’re jealous. I also think you’re old. Go home. Take a pill. Leave this to me.’
I should ignore him, I should walk away, but stiff-upper-lip stoicism and turning the other cheek won’t put Milo back in his box. He is dangerous and delusional and he has jeopardised a murder hunt by treating it like some sort of intellectual parlour game or Agatha Christie puzzle."
Meanwhile, Joe is anxious to immerse himself in family life as much as Julianne will accept. He still hopes for a window of opportunity, and his daughters are doing their best to engineer some sort of return to 'before'. He has called his old friend, Vincent Ruiz, a detective, now retired, to help out. It was great to see the pair back together.
Joe narrates the story, but every so often, Robotham inserts short chapters in italics that are first-person narration by the killer. This should give us a head start on the investigation, shouldn't it? Well, you'd think so, but I never figure it out.
I always look forward to Joe's insights as to what people's motivations and triggers are and how they are likely to drop hints and clues – obviously without meaning to – that give themselves away. For example, when Milo was being so bright and clever and dismissive after the meeting, telling the old man to get out of the picture, Joe finally snaps inside.
"‘How often are you seeing a therapist?’ I ask.
Milo’s mouth opens but he doesn’t speak.
‘That little thing you do - clenching and unclenching your fist - you were counting to five and telling yourself to breathe. Someone taught you to do that to relieve stress — a therapist or a psychologist. What makes you anxious, Milo?
. . .
— a woman, standing near the back. She was filming you. You wanted a record of tonight so you can replay it later. Watch yourself. Pick up any mistakes. Or maybe you get a sexual charge out of seeing yourself on stage.’
Milo’s eyes slightly glaze over and colour flushes into his cheeks. He wants to hit me. Maybe I’m the bully."
No, Joe's not a bully, but he is struggling - with the case and with his 18-year-old daughter, Charlie, who insists she come along because she wants to be a psychologist and Julianne wants him to talk her out of it as a career. She can be his driver. Yeah, right. That sounds harmless. (It isn't.)
It looks like several old cases could be linked to this, and new instances are turning up of women being choked and the letter "A" being cut into their foreheads. Of course Joe and Charlie (and Ruiz) end up in danger and of course I had no idea who the killer was.
Robotham has said that what he wants is to make his readers care. He does. I do. But I also know I can't trust him to spare everyone he's made me care about.
It's another great read from a favourite author. And he promises he's working on a book set in Australia – AT LAST!
p.s. I had the audio but didn't listen. Happy just reading this one.
" 'I'm not here to argue with you. I want you to make this better.'
'How?'
'Review the case. Look at the statements and decision-making. Tell us what we've missed.'
'Are there any suspects?'
'Too many,' she grunts. 'The local community thinks we've cocked this up. Tempers are starting to fray. There's a public meeting tonight. I want you to be there.'
'Why me?'
'Let's call it a show of friendship.'
'That's not my definition of friendship.' "
No, it most definitely is not. Professor Joe O'Loughlin's work with the police, helping to profile killers using his skills as a clinical psychologist, has put him in a world of trouble with his estranged wife, Julianne, for whom his torch still burns brightly. She can't deal with the dangers of murder investigations that have spilled over into their own family life.
He and Julianne are still friendly and share their two girls amicably and regularly. In fact, she has recently suggested he could spend the summer with them – he in a separate room, of course. This has fanned the flames of his torch (sorry – Robotham would never stoop to this kind of prose) and he has sworn off all murder cases.
But Detective Chief Superintendent Ronnie Cray sees Joe as the only light in a very dark crowd of suspects. A mother and 18-year-old daughter have been found murdered at their farmhouse near Clevedon, England. The daughter is resting peacefully in her bed with her teddy bear, but her mother has been viciously slashed with blood and candles and markings on the wall.
Joe's eldest daughter is the same age, and Ronnie knows Joe's capabilities. The police have been working with a guy who calls himself the Mindhunter and says he's a forensic psychologist who studied with Joe. This guy wants to be a reality TV star. Wherever he goes, he brings cameras, and he shares everything with the public, keeping nothing confidential, so they sacked him
Joe reluctantly visits the crime scene and goes to the public meeting. The community centre is crowded, people are worried and angry, firing questions off, annoyed with the answers, and then the public introduce 'their' own expert, none other than the Mindhunter!
"That’s when I see Milo. Dressed in skinny jeans, open-necked shirt and blue blazer, he’s not the same callow youth I remember from university. The cheap haircuts and math-nerd glasses have been replaced by designer stubble and blue contact lenses. Although always an assertive figure, he now seems to have refined his body language and become more than the sum of his parts."
He takes over the meeting, reveals more details (a pentagram was painted on the wall in blood), which stirs people into asking about satanic killings. DCS Cray leaves as he gets started, but Joe waits to see Milo.
Milo asks did he see 'the show' (the public meeting) and tells Joe this is a younger man's game. He knows Joe has Parkinson's. He need not compete with Milo.
" ‘I’m not competing with you.’
‘Exactly. I’m a forensic psychologist. You’re a clinical psychologist. You stick to treating phobias and OCD and I’ll handle the sharp end.’
‘You have no idea what you’re doing.’
‘Sure I do. I’m making money out of something you couldn’t. I’m a professional profiler. You’re an amateur. Have you ever been paid for profiling?’
‘That’s not the point.’
‘I think it is. I think you’re jealous. I also think you’re old. Go home. Take a pill. Leave this to me.’
I should ignore him, I should walk away, but stiff-upper-lip stoicism and turning the other cheek won’t put Milo back in his box. He is dangerous and delusional and he has jeopardised a murder hunt by treating it like some sort of intellectual parlour game or Agatha Christie puzzle."
Meanwhile, Joe is anxious to immerse himself in family life as much as Julianne will accept. He still hopes for a window of opportunity, and his daughters are doing their best to engineer some sort of return to 'before'. He has called his old friend, Vincent Ruiz, a detective, now retired, to help out. It was great to see the pair back together.
Joe narrates the story, but every so often, Robotham inserts short chapters in italics that are first-person narration by the killer. This should give us a head start on the investigation, shouldn't it? Well, you'd think so, but I never figure it out.
I always look forward to Joe's insights as to what people's motivations and triggers are and how they are likely to drop hints and clues – obviously without meaning to – that give themselves away. For example, when Milo was being so bright and clever and dismissive after the meeting, telling the old man to get out of the picture, Joe finally snaps inside.
"‘How often are you seeing a therapist?’ I ask.
Milo’s mouth opens but he doesn’t speak.
‘That little thing you do - clenching and unclenching your fist - you were counting to five and telling yourself to breathe. Someone taught you to do that to relieve stress — a therapist or a psychologist. What makes you anxious, Milo?
. . .
— a woman, standing near the back. She was filming you. You wanted a record of tonight so you can replay it later. Watch yourself. Pick up any mistakes. Or maybe you get a sexual charge out of seeing yourself on stage.’
Milo’s eyes slightly glaze over and colour flushes into his cheeks. He wants to hit me. Maybe I’m the bully."
No, Joe's not a bully, but he is struggling - with the case and with his 18-year-old daughter, Charlie, who insists she come along because she wants to be a psychologist and Julianne wants him to talk her out of it as a career. She can be his driver. Yeah, right. That sounds harmless. (It isn't.)
It looks like several old cases could be linked to this, and new instances are turning up of women being choked and the letter "A" being cut into their foreheads. Of course Joe and Charlie (and Ruiz) end up in danger and of course I had no idea who the killer was.
Robotham has said that what he wants is to make his readers care. He does. I do. But I also know I can't trust him to spare everyone he's made me care about.
It's another great read from a favourite author. And he promises he's working on a book set in Australia – AT LAST!
p.s. I had the audio but didn't listen. Happy just reading this one.
November 22, 2025
EXCERPT: My phone is vibrating. I fish it out of my pocket and glance at the screen. Veronica Cray is calling me. I put the phone away.
'You should get that,' says Julianne.
'It can wait.'
My phone vibrates again. Same caller ID. It won't be good news. It never is when it comes from a detective chief superintendent in charge of a serious crime squad. She won't be calling to say I've inherited a fortune or picked a six-horse accumulator or won the Nobel Peace Prize.
ABOUT 'CLOSE YOUR EYES': I close my eyes and feel my heart begin racing
Someone is coming
They're going to find me
A mother and her teenage daughter are found brutally murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other left lying like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Reluctantly, clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, calling himself the 'Mindhunter', trading on Joe's name, has jeopardised the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.
With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discover links between these murders to a series of brutal attacks where the men and women are choked unconscious and the letter 'A' is carved into their foreheads.
As the case becomes ever more complex, nothing is quite what it seems and soon Joe's fate, and that of those closest to him, become intertwined with a merciless, unpredictable killer . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Pick up any book by Australian author Michael Robotham and you're guaranteed a riveting read. Close Your Eyes takes this one step further - Joe is already dealing with a major situation in his personal life when he is reluctantly drawn into assisting the police with a case where a mother and daughter have been murdered.
I like Joe. He's not young and handsome. He's worn around the edges and has Parkinson's. But his mind is sharp, and he has great instincts. I like Joe's family, fractured though it might be. I like his estranged wife, Julianne, and his daughters, Charlie and Emma. Charlie has ambitions to be a forensic psychologist, something neither Joe nor Julianne are happy about. She plays an important role in this book.
There are a lot of different crimes featured in Close Your Eyes and an everchanging spectrum of suspects to begin with. The resolution was one which surprised me yet was immensely satisfying.
I love this series and am looking forward to reading the next. It is worth noting that although Close Your Eyes is #8 in the Joesph O'Loughlin series, it is easily read as a stand alone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#CloseYourEyes @michaelrobotham
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 in 1979 and became a cadet journalist on an afternoon newspaper in Sydney.
For the next fourteen years he worked for newspapers 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.
Michael writes in what his daughters' refer to as his 'cabana of cruelty' on Sydney's northern beaches where he slaves away daily to cater to their every expensive whim. Where is the justice?
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'You should get that,' says Julianne.
'It can wait.'
My phone vibrates again. Same caller ID. It won't be good news. It never is when it comes from a detective chief superintendent in charge of a serious crime squad. She won't be calling to say I've inherited a fortune or picked a six-horse accumulator or won the Nobel Peace Prize.
ABOUT 'CLOSE YOUR EYES': I close my eyes and feel my heart begin racing
Someone is coming
They're going to find me
A mother and her teenage daughter are found brutally murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other left lying like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Reluctantly, clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, calling himself the 'Mindhunter', trading on Joe's name, has jeopardised the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.
With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discover links between these murders to a series of brutal attacks where the men and women are choked unconscious and the letter 'A' is carved into their foreheads.
As the case becomes ever more complex, nothing is quite what it seems and soon Joe's fate, and that of those closest to him, become intertwined with a merciless, unpredictable killer . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Pick up any book by Australian author Michael Robotham and you're guaranteed a riveting read. Close Your Eyes takes this one step further - Joe is already dealing with a major situation in his personal life when he is reluctantly drawn into assisting the police with a case where a mother and daughter have been murdered.
I like Joe. He's not young and handsome. He's worn around the edges and has Parkinson's. But his mind is sharp, and he has great instincts. I like Joe's family, fractured though it might be. I like his estranged wife, Julianne, and his daughters, Charlie and Emma. Charlie has ambitions to be a forensic psychologist, something neither Joe nor Julianne are happy about. She plays an important role in this book.
There are a lot of different crimes featured in Close Your Eyes and an everchanging spectrum of suspects to begin with. The resolution was one which surprised me yet was immensely satisfying.
I love this series and am looking forward to reading the next. It is worth noting that although Close Your Eyes is #8 in the Joesph O'Loughlin series, it is easily read as a stand alone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#CloseYourEyes @michaelrobotham
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 in 1979 and became a cadet journalist on an afternoon newspaper in Sydney.
For the next fourteen years he worked for newspapers 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.
Michael writes in what his daughters' refer to as his 'cabana of cruelty' on Sydney's northern beaches where he slaves away daily to cater to their every expensive whim. Where is the justice?
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 28, 2015
4.5★s
When Chief Superintendent Veronica Cray called Professor Joseph O’Loughlin to help with the investigation into the brutal murders of a mother and daughter, he had no idea what lay ahead. But driving to the remote farmhouse to meet her, he was already wishing he’d declined the “invitation”. Joe was a clinical psychologist and was often asked to help the police – he had trouble refusing as he was drawn to helping the victims; to finding the killers.
Separated from his wife Julianne for the past six years, Joe nevertheless kept in contact because of his daughters. He didn’t see as much of teenage Charlie and the younger Emma as he would have liked, but with him living in London and Julianne and the girls in a village in the country, it was a little difficult. So when Julianne asked him to visit for the holidays so the girls could see more of him he was quietly pleased, though a little hesitant to hold out hope…
Working with Cray and his friend ex-policeman Vincent Ruiz, the case became much more complex with each passing day. And when a link was found between the murders and attacks, both recent and past, the suspects immediately multiplied. Theories were formed then discarded – suspects were questioned and alibis proven. But it seemed there was someone out there who was always one step ahead. And the media were baying for blood. As the danger intensified and more attacks occurred, it seemed the killer was escalating. Was the threat of violence heading for Joe? Did he know too much? Would he be the next one to be silenced?
I thoroughly enjoyed Close Your Eyes by Aussie author Michael Robotham. The first half was a little slower than the second half, but that part made up for it in spades! And the ending! I certainly didn’t expect that! A gritty, suspense filled novel by a master crime writer, I have no hesitation in recommending Close Your Eyes very highly.
With thanks to The Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
When Chief Superintendent Veronica Cray called Professor Joseph O’Loughlin to help with the investigation into the brutal murders of a mother and daughter, he had no idea what lay ahead. But driving to the remote farmhouse to meet her, he was already wishing he’d declined the “invitation”. Joe was a clinical psychologist and was often asked to help the police – he had trouble refusing as he was drawn to helping the victims; to finding the killers.
Separated from his wife Julianne for the past six years, Joe nevertheless kept in contact because of his daughters. He didn’t see as much of teenage Charlie and the younger Emma as he would have liked, but with him living in London and Julianne and the girls in a village in the country, it was a little difficult. So when Julianne asked him to visit for the holidays so the girls could see more of him he was quietly pleased, though a little hesitant to hold out hope…
Working with Cray and his friend ex-policeman Vincent Ruiz, the case became much more complex with each passing day. And when a link was found between the murders and attacks, both recent and past, the suspects immediately multiplied. Theories were formed then discarded – suspects were questioned and alibis proven. But it seemed there was someone out there who was always one step ahead. And the media were baying for blood. As the danger intensified and more attacks occurred, it seemed the killer was escalating. Was the threat of violence heading for Joe? Did he know too much? Would he be the next one to be silenced?
I thoroughly enjoyed Close Your Eyes by Aussie author Michael Robotham. The first half was a little slower than the second half, but that part made up for it in spades! And the ending! I certainly didn’t expect that! A gritty, suspense filled novel by a master crime writer, I have no hesitation in recommending Close Your Eyes very highly.
With thanks to The Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
July 10, 2021
Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
I love Joseph O’Loughlin dearly and I always have. I simply can’t help it.
This is why, when Kaceey asked me to read the remainder of this series with her, I jumped at the chance, even though I had previously read this book and knew what would happen at the end. Joseph O’Loughlin has my heart and thankfully, Kaceey likes him too!
Complex, courageous, fallible, funny, kind, and caring, logical, self-aware, and extremely vulnerable, Joe is a man who loves his family desperately. Separated from his wife Julianne, he holds out hope for their reconciliation.
Far from perfect, he admits it. Joe has made a lot of mistakes and has paid for them dearly. Suffering from Parkinson's, he makes the best of every day.
It is his perseverance, strength, wit, and his love for his family that makes me love him so.
As a Clinical Psychologist, Joseph O'Loughlin is a profiler who works with the police to hunt down killers. This time, a mother and daughter are brutally killed in their farmhouse and it’s up to Joe to try and figure out who did it.
A game of cat and mouse that becomes personal.
A pulse-pounding thriller that ratchets up the suspense.
A shocking end that changes everything and one that I remembered every second of from my first go-round and which, frankly, I despised. Nevertheless, I adored diving back into the life of Joseph O’Loughlin, in “Close Your Eyes” and am anxious to see what’s next.
A buddy listen with Ms. Kaceey, which I’m so glad we finally got to.
Posted on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
I love Joseph O’Loughlin dearly and I always have. I simply can’t help it.
This is why, when Kaceey asked me to read the remainder of this series with her, I jumped at the chance, even though I had previously read this book and knew what would happen at the end. Joseph O’Loughlin has my heart and thankfully, Kaceey likes him too!
Complex, courageous, fallible, funny, kind, and caring, logical, self-aware, and extremely vulnerable, Joe is a man who loves his family desperately. Separated from his wife Julianne, he holds out hope for their reconciliation.
Far from perfect, he admits it. Joe has made a lot of mistakes and has paid for them dearly. Suffering from Parkinson's, he makes the best of every day.
It is his perseverance, strength, wit, and his love for his family that makes me love him so.
As a Clinical Psychologist, Joseph O'Loughlin is a profiler who works with the police to hunt down killers. This time, a mother and daughter are brutally killed in their farmhouse and it’s up to Joe to try and figure out who did it.
A game of cat and mouse that becomes personal.
A pulse-pounding thriller that ratchets up the suspense.
A shocking end that changes everything and one that I remembered every second of from my first go-round and which, frankly, I despised. Nevertheless, I adored diving back into the life of Joseph O’Loughlin, in “Close Your Eyes” and am anxious to see what’s next.
A buddy listen with Ms. Kaceey, which I’m so glad we finally got to.
Posted on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
December 29, 2016
Simply brilliant, the best book I've read this year and a clear five star read.
Maybe it's because I've read this series almost back to back, but I feel I know Robotham's characters as if they are real people that I've spent actual time with. As such, I feel invested in them, care for them, and fear for them. Boy does Robotham manipulate that investment.
In many ways this book is more than a psychological thriller; it sends your emotions all over the place; not saying to much there, as I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone. As for the plot and conclusion, it could have gone in one of many directions. There are so many possible suspects, and it turned out not to be the one I thought it would be.
Highly recommended, as have been all the other Robotham books that I've read. Can't wait for the next.
Maybe it's because I've read this series almost back to back, but I feel I know Robotham's characters as if they are real people that I've spent actual time with. As such, I feel invested in them, care for them, and fear for them. Boy does Robotham manipulate that investment.
In many ways this book is more than a psychological thriller; it sends your emotions all over the place; not saying to much there, as I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone. As for the plot and conclusion, it could have gone in one of many directions. There are so many possible suspects, and it turned out not to be the one I thought it would be.
Highly recommended, as have been all the other Robotham books that I've read. Can't wait for the next.
March 9, 2021
This has been 1 of my favorite series ever!! & this was 1 of the best! (Although I think I may feel that way after each book! Such a good series..) But I wanted to stop here just to say that if you’re interested, please start at the beginning. In general this series has a lot of human behavior & relationships, so you’ll enjoy them so much more if you read in order.. But this 1 especially takes certain turns that you really shouldn’t read before you’ve read the others. Oh man, I only have 1 left.. I hope there are more in the works!!♥️
August 25, 2015
I was really excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. It took me on such an emotional journey!
Joe is asked to go over a case involving a mother and daughter being murdered. He calls on Ruiz, a retired detective, to assist him. Other attacks on both women and men are also occurring at the same time, and these may or may not be connected to the murders. While this is happening, Joe is invited back into the family home to stay with Julianne (ex-wife) and his daughters. This novel deals with both a criminal investigation as well as Joe's personal life and his hopes and dreams for the future. It is told primarily from Joe's perspective, however we do get small insights into the perpetrators mind and what he is up to. It was thrilling, well paced and full of suspense. I didn't catch on to who the killer was until it was revealed, in fact I was convinced it someone else the whole way through! I love Joe's character and his relationship with his family and how he manages his Parkinson's Disease. The one small issue I had with the book was keeping up with all the potential suspects and people involved in the investigation. I kept getting confused with names and who everyone was related to. This may be more my issue than the actual story as I did have a lot going on outside my reading time. It didn't stop me from enjoying the book though. My rating is 4.5 stars and I highly recommend!
Joe is asked to go over a case involving a mother and daughter being murdered. He calls on Ruiz, a retired detective, to assist him. Other attacks on both women and men are also occurring at the same time, and these may or may not be connected to the murders. While this is happening, Joe is invited back into the family home to stay with Julianne (ex-wife) and his daughters. This novel deals with both a criminal investigation as well as Joe's personal life and his hopes and dreams for the future. It is told primarily from Joe's perspective, however we do get small insights into the perpetrators mind and what he is up to. It was thrilling, well paced and full of suspense. I didn't catch on to who the killer was until it was revealed, in fact I was convinced it someone else the whole way through! I love Joe's character and his relationship with his family and how he manages his Parkinson's Disease. The one small issue I had with the book was keeping up with all the potential suspects and people involved in the investigation. I kept getting confused with names and who everyone was related to. This may be more my issue than the actual story as I did have a lot going on outside my reading time. It didn't stop me from enjoying the book though. My rating is 4.5 stars and I highly recommend!
December 22, 2018
When I borrowed this, I had no idea it was #8 in a series I knew nothing about. I liked the cover and this author. But I think Robotham did a great job getting me up to speed on the characters and their pasts. And they have all been very busy by the sounds of it; much in books 1-7 might entice me to read them... someday.
But I really enjoyed this one a lot. The family dynamics and occupation of Joseph O'Loughlin as a clinical psychologist who helps solve crimes all make him a very interesting guy. Very smart too. A good mystery that had lots of action. So much that at one point Joe was needed at not one but two family emergencies. How to decide who needs you most and then the repercussions of that decision.
But I really enjoyed this one a lot. The family dynamics and occupation of Joseph O'Loughlin as a clinical psychologist who helps solve crimes all make him a very interesting guy. Very smart too. A good mystery that had lots of action. So much that at one point Joe was needed at not one but two family emergencies. How to decide who needs you most and then the repercussions of that decision.
July 5, 2015
I've been a fan of the Joe O'Loughlin books from the start so this one could not come soon enough for me - and as usual it was blinking fantastic.
I've got a huge book crush on Joe, clinical psychologist and sometime consultant to the police, who fights Parkinson's disease and family issues, he is a terrific series protagonist alongside his occasional sidekick Ruiz (who has plenty of stories of his own)
In this instalment a double murder at a farmhouse has Veronica (Ronnie) Cray determined to utilise Joe's skills - he reluctantly gets involved whilst at the same time trying to repair his marriage under very difficult circumstances. Adding to the issues, a glory seeking ex student of Joe's may have already irreparably damaged the investigation and meanwhile women are being attacked, choked and branded.
I think what I love most about these is the gloriously intricate crime elements all mixed up with the equally intricate personal lives of the series main cast - one element often informing and driving the other - there is great depth of perception to the tales overall which make them huge page turners.
One moment you are caught up with Joe's personal life and desperate to find out how it all pans out for him, next moment BAM you are in the middle of a twisty turny psychological thriller that is always cleverly constructed and difficult to unravel. Close Your Eyes is no exception - both the crime being investigated and Joe's ever more fascinating family life will hold you enthralled.
For me the strength of this one was Joe's relationship with daughter Charlie - Charlie, I really hope, will one day star in an offshoot from this series all by herself, I find her sympathetic and eminently readable and would love to see her out on her own. Some difficult times ahead not only for her but for all of them gave this book an added pull, that little x factor that takes a crime novel out of the standard and into the addictive, must read category. Beautifully done.
Everything about Close Your Eyes is excellent - the character development, the mystery, all of it. I thought it was a fantastic addition to the series, perhaps even my favourite one so far and when it comes to Crime this series has to be up there with the best of them.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
I've got a huge book crush on Joe, clinical psychologist and sometime consultant to the police, who fights Parkinson's disease and family issues, he is a terrific series protagonist alongside his occasional sidekick Ruiz (who has plenty of stories of his own)
In this instalment a double murder at a farmhouse has Veronica (Ronnie) Cray determined to utilise Joe's skills - he reluctantly gets involved whilst at the same time trying to repair his marriage under very difficult circumstances. Adding to the issues, a glory seeking ex student of Joe's may have already irreparably damaged the investigation and meanwhile women are being attacked, choked and branded.
I think what I love most about these is the gloriously intricate crime elements all mixed up with the equally intricate personal lives of the series main cast - one element often informing and driving the other - there is great depth of perception to the tales overall which make them huge page turners.
One moment you are caught up with Joe's personal life and desperate to find out how it all pans out for him, next moment BAM you are in the middle of a twisty turny psychological thriller that is always cleverly constructed and difficult to unravel. Close Your Eyes is no exception - both the crime being investigated and Joe's ever more fascinating family life will hold you enthralled.
For me the strength of this one was Joe's relationship with daughter Charlie - Charlie, I really hope, will one day star in an offshoot from this series all by herself, I find her sympathetic and eminently readable and would love to see her out on her own. Some difficult times ahead not only for her but for all of them gave this book an added pull, that little x factor that takes a crime novel out of the standard and into the addictive, must read category. Beautifully done.
Everything about Close Your Eyes is excellent - the character development, the mystery, all of it. I thought it was a fantastic addition to the series, perhaps even my favourite one so far and when it comes to Crime this series has to be up there with the best of them.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
May 17, 2020
Close Your Eyes is book 8 in the Joe O'Laughlin series, this series has everything you need to enjoy it book after book you've got the loveable rough round the edges characters, the gory pacy thrilling storyline's, a bit of dark humour and some heartbreak too 👍
This one I found to have the same setting as book 7 ( farm house, dead bodies) which is why it's a 4 🌟 but it definitely doesn't lack in anything.
It's full of OH MY GOD moments, heart pounding situations with also some unbelievable twists and an ending you just didn't see coming.
I'm definitely recommending this and every other one in the series 📖
This one I found to have the same setting as book 7 ( farm house, dead bodies) which is why it's a 4 🌟 but it definitely doesn't lack in anything.
It's full of OH MY GOD moments, heart pounding situations with also some unbelievable twists and an ending you just didn't see coming.
I'm definitely recommending this and every other one in the series 📖
June 4, 2019
This story has some terrific elements in it. Set in a remote area of England, a psychologist assists detectives in profiling a killer, who some citizens believe may be a serial killer. The psychologist isn't sure what to believe. While his former protege, tries to capitalize on one particular crime by sensationalizing a murder of a mother and her 18 year old daughter, his officious attempts puts him and others in harms way. Soon, the psychologist has his own family to worry about as well as potential victims.
The psychologist is an empathetic lead character, he narrates much of the story and narrows done a large number of suspects by reviewing and reconsidering the clues as new details appear. We also have a secret narrator, one who has experienced a significant, some may even call it a mortifying trauma at a young age. As the novel progresses, this second voice adds an additional depth to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the little tidbits the psychologist identifies as his search for the killer escalates, much like a hungry person would feel relief as they came upon the additional bread crumbs left by Hansel and Gretel. The suspense gradually intensified with each chapter. The family aspects of the psychologist's thought life influence him in subtle ways to big but much more towards the end. This feature adds depth to the story and greater empathy toward his characterization.
I found the end believable and not altogether surprising, but satisfying nonetheless. I found this much more realistic that shows that identify a criminal in forty minutes. The psychologist more like a Colombo character (though there is no true similarity). By the time I was midway through, I went to the author's page to scope out more of his published stories, for a future "fix". Though it was slightly graphic it was not horror (which I avoid) so if you like horror this is not for you. Suspenseful and mysterious is a much more fitting label.
The psychologist is an empathetic lead character, he narrates much of the story and narrows done a large number of suspects by reviewing and reconsidering the clues as new details appear. We also have a secret narrator, one who has experienced a significant, some may even call it a mortifying trauma at a young age. As the novel progresses, this second voice adds an additional depth to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the little tidbits the psychologist identifies as his search for the killer escalates, much like a hungry person would feel relief as they came upon the additional bread crumbs left by Hansel and Gretel. The suspense gradually intensified with each chapter. The family aspects of the psychologist's thought life influence him in subtle ways to big but much more towards the end. This feature adds depth to the story and greater empathy toward his characterization.
I found the end believable and not altogether surprising, but satisfying nonetheless. I found this much more realistic that shows that identify a criminal in forty minutes. The psychologist more like a Colombo character (though there is no true similarity). By the time I was midway through, I went to the author's page to scope out more of his published stories, for a future "fix". Though it was slightly graphic it was not horror (which I avoid) so if you like horror this is not for you. Suspenseful and mysterious is a much more fitting label.
January 19, 2019
Number 8 in the Joe O’Loughlin series.
What a ripper of a tale.
I’ve just finished and I’m exhausted. Hardly do you ever read and ending to a book that leaves you completely gob smacked, this will.
Prof Joe O’Loughlin is one sorry individual. He’s got Parkinson’s disease, his wife kicked him out a few years back but he still carries that torch with so much hope of reconciliation. Out of the blue Joe is invited to spend a summer vacation with his wife and his two daughters. Joe’s world is suddenly full of sunshine. But this ray of light is the herald of something much darker.
Joe is forever saying “never again” when it comes to being involved in police cases but when the police phone and say that they really, really need his help Joe just can’t help himself.
People of mixed gender are somehow rendered unconscious and when they awake they find that the letter A has been carved on their foreheads. Most survive this ordeal but on one occasion a mother and daughter are killed with the mother’s death being particularly gruesome.
Joe’s job is to get inside the head of the killer and figure out what drives this killer.
Before Joe gets to the end of this case both of his daughter’s lives and his own will be in jeopardy.
A box of tissues is not normally a prerequisite when reading a thriller but you just might find that you will need a tissue before you’re done with Close Your Eyes.
A great read and highly recommended.
5/5 stars.
August 10, 2019
Another excellent book by Michael Robotham. I love this series. The writing style is such that I feel like I am a part of the characters lives. I care about them and want to spend time with them. I love the character of Joseph O’Loughlin and his friend Vincent Ruiz and the bond they share. Joe is very sharp and quick-witted and I find myself looking forward to and cheering him on at the times when he brings people down a notch with his intelligence and his words. This story is a fast paced, heart pounding murder mystery. I didn’t want it to end but at the same time was desperate to find out how it would end.
July 4, 2018
My favorite Australian author, Michael Robotham returns following his sensational (2015) standalone, Life or Death, landing on my Top 10 Books of 2015, with CLOSE YOUR EYES (Joseph O'Loughlin #8).
Top 50 Books of 2016!
A complex case, a former student, his sidekick detective, brutal murders, a sinister ruthless killer threatening and stalking his own family, a possibility of rekindled love, plus more tragedy in store for our favorite clinical psychologist, Joe and (Mr. Parkinson). His most emotional yet!
First, Robotham has the best dry humor, witty and sarcastic “down and dirty” one-liners, ever! "As smooth as silk" combining compelling characters, wit, family, domestic suspense, crime, detective, and psychological thriller in one page-turner. The King of “psychology, crime, and human dynamics."
Second, I always pre-order the audio, narrator Sean Barrett “IS” Joe. The perfect voice for Joe. I have come to imagine him as the character. (Robotham, O’Loughin, and Barrett) what a collaboration! (Similar to US Connelly, Bosch, Welliver).
If you are not familiar with the series: Joseph O’Loughlin is a kindhearted psychologist with a flawed family life and a sense of dry humor as he struggles with “Mr. Parkinson” (early onset). O’Loughlin works beside Vincent Ruiz, a hard-drinking tough-talking homicide detective. Lost (#2) and The Wreckage (#5) featuring Ruiz and O’Loughlin playing a minor role in each. The series is set in London, England.
Joe is getting close to retirement, while continuing to struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, taking a toll on his physical and mental state.
He is delighted his ex-wife (Julianne) has invited him to move back into the house to spend the summer with her, Charlie, and Emma (his girls), before Charlie heads off for University. Julianne is having some upcoming surgery and he is helping out with girls. He has hopes they can work on their relationship—he would love nothing more than a reconciliation.
Disrupting his family time, he is called on a case. A brutal murder of a beautiful woman and daughter in a farmhouse near Bristol. Elizabeth (mother) was stabbed brutally, multiple times.
The investigation leads into a sexual fetish of having sex in public. The detective wants to solve and close the case. As usual, the cops have no leads. Joe comes out of retirement to offer a psychologist viewpoint with the retired sidekick, detective Vincent Ruiz. Fans will enjoy catching up with the duo. More attacks and other murders, which may or may not be connected. A twist with a former student of Joe's, leaking information to the press. Lots of juicy scandal.
We hear from the evil twisted killer mixed in with some poignant personal drama with Joe. As he gets closer to the truth and the identity of the killer, Charlie becomes involved, and other personal tragedies take front and center. Poor Joe. In a race against time, Joe is frantic, and fears for his girls--he has to get to them before the killer. Intense, fast-action, suspense! In the past, this has proved tragic, and Joe has to ensure his family is safe. To protect.
Expertly plotted, gripping and unpredictable!
Readers will revisit some nostalgic emotional moments and scenes, from earlier times with the couple and family, before their marriage fell apart, and Mr. Parkinson came into their lives. Quite memorable—the love is still there to the present day, as they face together with some pending health issues. He wants to be a good father and husband. He wants a second chance. Is it too late?
Charlie, Joe’s daughter (witty and strong), wants to become a forensic psychologist, with a strong desire to interject herself in Joe’s case (plus she is highly skilled). Joe's attempts to divert her; however, unsuccessful. She is independent and strong-willed.
I enjoy Robotham’s writing (a long-time fan), his expertise of blending the darkness and light, the strong and weak. Michael Robotham, Michael Connelly (US), and Karin Slaughter (US) these three authors excel in this area: interweaving the two sides of the coin.
Somewhat of a cliffhanger. Readers will be anxious, awaiting the next installment. Hoping we are going to continue to see more father/daughter action, and possibly the series working into more Charlie, taking over the role (new series), with dad becoming more of a consultant until his time. (will be sad to see him go.) Joe has evolved into his character and coming full circle. Hoping we will see more series to follow.
The duo strongly reminds me of Michael Connelly’s father/daughter character: Bosch series: (Harry Bosh-LAPD detective, daughter-Maddie, and ex-wife Eleanor). More than you know after you finish reading this installment. Robotham’s Joe O'Loughlin’s Charlie has informed her father she is going into the field of forensic psychology. Similarly, Connelly’s Maddie wants to be involved in forensics and detective work. Both highly intuitive young women. Fathers are protecting their daughters.
Fans will be pleased with CLOSE YOUR EYES. With strong interweaving storylines, a book within a book. I recently read an online interview with the author, and he mentions while writing he has three words pinned next to his writing space: “Make Them Care.” He credits his personal relationships with his daughter. This makes his work truly genuine-- you do care about the characters—you become invested in them—and why we keep coming back for more!
If you read Life or Death, sure it has to be difficult as an author to switch gears and go back to a series after such a powerful standalone. Never fear fans; a different book, powerful, moving--each unique. Fans, some major happenings here, so do not miss #8!
We can only hope in the US we will get a Michael Robotham Amazon Prime Series or TV series, based on Joseph O'Loughlin. Small or Big screen—just give us something. Can you imagine the cast? Definite binge-watch. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
BTW: I particularly liked the “going out for ice cream” analogy, instead of eating what’s in your own freezer. Those nasty cheating husbands . . .
From Publisher’s Weekly: All Crime Is Psychological: Michael Robotham Feb 19, 2016 “Close Your Eyes showcases O’Loughlin’s brilliance but also his vulnerability, revealing the two blind spots in his inventory—he cannot understand the woman he loves and he cannot analyze himself. His greatest strength is his abiding weakness because truly believable heroes need a tragic flaw.” Read More
From Kirkus Reviews April 13, 2016 Jordan Foster has done a nice profile for Kirkus Reviews in the US. Interview with Michael Robotham and Close Your Eyes.
“I think at heart I’m a reluctant crime writer,” says Michael Robotham, the Australian-born Edgar Award-nominated author of 11 such crime novels. “I love the genre and I know that crime is necessary (you can’t have a crime novel without one), but my true passion is creating compelling characters with nuanced lives and emotional entanglements.” Read More.
JDCMustReadBooks
Do not miss his latest The Secrets She Keeps 5 Stars + (Coming July 11, 2017)!
Top 50 Books of 2016!
A complex case, a former student, his sidekick detective, brutal murders, a sinister ruthless killer threatening and stalking his own family, a possibility of rekindled love, plus more tragedy in store for our favorite clinical psychologist, Joe and (Mr. Parkinson). His most emotional yet!
First, Robotham has the best dry humor, witty and sarcastic “down and dirty” one-liners, ever! "As smooth as silk" combining compelling characters, wit, family, domestic suspense, crime, detective, and psychological thriller in one page-turner. The King of “psychology, crime, and human dynamics."
Second, I always pre-order the audio, narrator Sean Barrett “IS” Joe. The perfect voice for Joe. I have come to imagine him as the character. (Robotham, O’Loughin, and Barrett) what a collaboration! (Similar to US Connelly, Bosch, Welliver).
If you are not familiar with the series: Joseph O’Loughlin is a kindhearted psychologist with a flawed family life and a sense of dry humor as he struggles with “Mr. Parkinson” (early onset). O’Loughlin works beside Vincent Ruiz, a hard-drinking tough-talking homicide detective. Lost (#2) and The Wreckage (#5) featuring Ruiz and O’Loughlin playing a minor role in each. The series is set in London, England.
Joe is getting close to retirement, while continuing to struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, taking a toll on his physical and mental state.
He is delighted his ex-wife (Julianne) has invited him to move back into the house to spend the summer with her, Charlie, and Emma (his girls), before Charlie heads off for University. Julianne is having some upcoming surgery and he is helping out with girls. He has hopes they can work on their relationship—he would love nothing more than a reconciliation.
Disrupting his family time, he is called on a case. A brutal murder of a beautiful woman and daughter in a farmhouse near Bristol. Elizabeth (mother) was stabbed brutally, multiple times.
The investigation leads into a sexual fetish of having sex in public. The detective wants to solve and close the case. As usual, the cops have no leads. Joe comes out of retirement to offer a psychologist viewpoint with the retired sidekick, detective Vincent Ruiz. Fans will enjoy catching up with the duo. More attacks and other murders, which may or may not be connected. A twist with a former student of Joe's, leaking information to the press. Lots of juicy scandal.
We hear from the evil twisted killer mixed in with some poignant personal drama with Joe. As he gets closer to the truth and the identity of the killer, Charlie becomes involved, and other personal tragedies take front and center. Poor Joe. In a race against time, Joe is frantic, and fears for his girls--he has to get to them before the killer. Intense, fast-action, suspense! In the past, this has proved tragic, and Joe has to ensure his family is safe. To protect.
Expertly plotted, gripping and unpredictable!
Readers will revisit some nostalgic emotional moments and scenes, from earlier times with the couple and family, before their marriage fell apart, and Mr. Parkinson came into their lives. Quite memorable—the love is still there to the present day, as they face together with some pending health issues. He wants to be a good father and husband. He wants a second chance. Is it too late?
Charlie, Joe’s daughter (witty and strong), wants to become a forensic psychologist, with a strong desire to interject herself in Joe’s case (plus she is highly skilled). Joe's attempts to divert her; however, unsuccessful. She is independent and strong-willed.
I enjoy Robotham’s writing (a long-time fan), his expertise of blending the darkness and light, the strong and weak. Michael Robotham, Michael Connelly (US), and Karin Slaughter (US) these three authors excel in this area: interweaving the two sides of the coin.
Somewhat of a cliffhanger. Readers will be anxious, awaiting the next installment. Hoping we are going to continue to see more father/daughter action, and possibly the series working into more Charlie, taking over the role (new series), with dad becoming more of a consultant until his time. (will be sad to see him go.) Joe has evolved into his character and coming full circle. Hoping we will see more series to follow.
The duo strongly reminds me of Michael Connelly’s father/daughter character: Bosch series: (Harry Bosh-LAPD detective, daughter-Maddie, and ex-wife Eleanor). More than you know after you finish reading this installment. Robotham’s Joe O'Loughlin’s Charlie has informed her father she is going into the field of forensic psychology. Similarly, Connelly’s Maddie wants to be involved in forensics and detective work. Both highly intuitive young women. Fathers are protecting their daughters.
Fans will be pleased with CLOSE YOUR EYES. With strong interweaving storylines, a book within a book. I recently read an online interview with the author, and he mentions while writing he has three words pinned next to his writing space: “Make Them Care.” He credits his personal relationships with his daughter. This makes his work truly genuine-- you do care about the characters—you become invested in them—and why we keep coming back for more!
If you read Life or Death, sure it has to be difficult as an author to switch gears and go back to a series after such a powerful standalone. Never fear fans; a different book, powerful, moving--each unique. Fans, some major happenings here, so do not miss #8!
We can only hope in the US we will get a Michael Robotham Amazon Prime Series or TV series, based on Joseph O'Loughlin. Small or Big screen—just give us something. Can you imagine the cast? Definite binge-watch. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
BTW: I particularly liked the “going out for ice cream” analogy, instead of eating what’s in your own freezer. Those nasty cheating husbands . . .
From Publisher’s Weekly: All Crime Is Psychological: Michael Robotham Feb 19, 2016 “Close Your Eyes showcases O’Loughlin’s brilliance but also his vulnerability, revealing the two blind spots in his inventory—he cannot understand the woman he loves and he cannot analyze himself. His greatest strength is his abiding weakness because truly believable heroes need a tragic flaw.” Read More
From Kirkus Reviews April 13, 2016 Jordan Foster has done a nice profile for Kirkus Reviews in the US. Interview with Michael Robotham and Close Your Eyes.
“I think at heart I’m a reluctant crime writer,” says Michael Robotham, the Australian-born Edgar Award-nominated author of 11 such crime novels. “I love the genre and I know that crime is necessary (you can’t have a crime novel without one), but my true passion is creating compelling characters with nuanced lives and emotional entanglements.” Read More.
JDCMustReadBooks
Do not miss his latest The Secrets She Keeps 5 Stars + (Coming July 11, 2017)!
November 20, 2015
Close Your Eyes is the 8th book in the Joseph O'Loughlin series by Michael Robotham. Having read and enjoyed all the previous books in the series I was eagerly looking forward to this novel and I was not let down.
Psychologist Joseph O'Loughlin is asked by his friend Chief Superintendent Ronnie Cray to help the Police with the investigation into the brutal murder of mother and daughter. Although Joseph is reluctant to get involved he finds it difficult not to and is it is not long before he is up to his neck.
I actually enjoyed this one more than the previous ones and found the extra interest of his family a huge plus for this excellent series. All the ingredients of both a good thriller and a successful series are included and with the added familiarity of the characters that comes with reading several books in a series this is an excellent read.
Can't get enough of both this series and the author in general but unfortunately I will have to wait for the next release.
Psychologist Joseph O'Loughlin is asked by his friend Chief Superintendent Ronnie Cray to help the Police with the investigation into the brutal murder of mother and daughter. Although Joseph is reluctant to get involved he finds it difficult not to and is it is not long before he is up to his neck.
I actually enjoyed this one more than the previous ones and found the extra interest of his family a huge plus for this excellent series. All the ingredients of both a good thriller and a successful series are included and with the added familiarity of the characters that comes with reading several books in a series this is an excellent read.
Can't get enough of both this series and the author in general but unfortunately I will have to wait for the next release.
August 21, 2020
Another great book by Michael Robotham, my new favorite author. This might be the best in the Joe O'Loughlin series. I have read them all (I started on book 9, not realizing it was a part of a series) and I end here on book 8. I also said book 7 was the best so I guess they get better and better at the end of the series.
It was a great crime thriller/mystery, but also covered a lot of Joe's marriage, his relationship with his daughters, and his history with his estranged wife. I always love the character development in addition to the action.
It was a great crime thriller/mystery, but also covered a lot of Joe's marriage, his relationship with his daughters, and his history with his estranged wife. I always love the character development in addition to the action.
January 8, 2017
Having read all of Michael Robotham's previous novels I always have high expectations of his latest work.....and he always delivers. With Close Your Eyes, his series of stories featuring psychologist Joe O'Loughin continues to mix cracking dialogue, tense situations & incredibly believable characters. He consistantly proves that he is one of the best crime writers in the world.
November 8, 2020
I do love the "Joe" books and it's a while since I read one. I found that Shatter was one that has stayed with me for a long time now and I would still call it the best in this series that I've read so far. However... This is without question the next best. Shatter has a strong psychological dimension to it. This one is simply human and is very very good indeed. Hopefully I'll get to another of these soon!
March 21, 2023
Another solid book by this author, a great series and one left to complete the 9.
June 14, 2020
A solid 4 star read and I added a star for a great series. If you haven't picked up this series yet, I suggest that you start with book 1 and then keep on going. If you like police procedure type books, then this is a series for you - !
August 6, 2015
I really enjoyed Michael Robotham's 2014 stand-alone thriller, Life or Death. I admitted at the time I had been struggling with his series featuring psychologist Joe O'Loughlin, so the change gave me the respite I was looking for.
However Robotham's latest (and the eighth in the Joe O'Loughlin series), Close Your Eyes sees a return to the Joe I thought I once knew.
Joe's engagement with his family felt familiar and real—and he seemed less self-absorbed and selfish than I'd decided he was becoming. Perhaps Robotham's written him that way on purpose... indicating (back with his family) is where he's himself the most. Who knows...
The book's well written and consistently paced. We're in the perpetrator's mind in snippets throughout the novel, so privy to why they're doing what they're doing and what they're planning.
And... just a hint—there's a major plot twist in this book, so if you're a fan of the series you REALLY don't want to miss this one!
Read the full review on my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
However Robotham's latest (and the eighth in the Joe O'Loughlin series), Close Your Eyes sees a return to the Joe I thought I once knew.
Joe's engagement with his family felt familiar and real—and he seemed less self-absorbed and selfish than I'd decided he was becoming. Perhaps Robotham's written him that way on purpose... indicating (back with his family) is where he's himself the most. Who knows...
The book's well written and consistently paced. We're in the perpetrator's mind in snippets throughout the novel, so privy to why they're doing what they're doing and what they're planning.
And... just a hint—there's a major plot twist in this book, so if you're a fan of the series you REALLY don't want to miss this one!
Read the full review on my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
September 28, 2015
Another outstanding psychological thriller - the 8th in the Joe O'Loughlin series of books. As usual, an outstanding plot with the perpertrator only becoming apparent in the last few pages. And, as if an outstanding level of intrigue, suspense, a brilliant plot and compelling characters isn't enough, Michael Robotham completely blows the lid off with an unforseen personal blindside to Joe O'Loughlin in the last couple of pages. Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster. I certainly didn't see that coming, and I can't wait to read the next Joe O'Loughlin thriller to see how things pan out!
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