Close Your Eyes

Clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin aids police in investigating the brutal murder of a mother and her teenage daughter in their farmhouse. When the mother's grief counseling notes are discovered, they point to dark secrets within the small town of Bingham. As Joe digs deeper into the case alongside Detective Inspector Vince Ruiz, he must balance the investigation with his deteriorating health and strained family relationships. The search for answers leads them through a web of lies involving multiple families in the community. Meanwhile, another mother and daughter are reported missing, creating urgency as Joe races to find connections between the cases. He questions whether someone within the victims' inner circle could be responsible for these acts of violence. The novel explores themes of trust, deception, and the complex bonds between parents and children. It raises questions about how well we truly know those closest to us, and what people are capable of when protecting their secrets.

Readers describe Close Your Eyes as a taut psychological thriller with strong character development. Many highlight the complex dynamic between psychologist Joe O'Loughlin and detective Vincent Ruiz. Likes: - Authentic portrayal of a protagonist with Parkinson's disease - Well-paced plot with multiple credible suspects - Natural dialogue and relationships - Satisfying conclusion that ties plot threads together Dislikes: - Some found the first 100 pages slow - A few readers thought the killer's identity became obvious - Several mentioned difficulty keeping track of numerous characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (14,900 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,200 ratings) One reader noted: "The father-daughter relationship feels genuine rather than manufactured for drama." Another wrote: "The Parkinson's details add depth without dominating the story." Critics specifically praised Robotham's ability to maintain tension through misdirection while delivering a believable resolution.

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Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney A radio presenter wakes up in a hospital unable to move or speak, trying to piece together the events that led to her condition.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris A woman's seemingly perfect marriage masks a dark reality of psychological manipulation and control.

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson An amnesiac woman who loses her memory each night works to uncover the truth about her past and her marriage.

🔍 "Close Your Eyes" is Robotham's second book featuring clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin as the main character, though it's the eighth book in the series chronologically. 🌟 The author, Michael Robotham, worked as a journalist for 14 years before becoming a ghostwriter, penning 15 bestselling autobiographies for celebrities before writing his own novels. 🏆 The novel won the CWA Gold Dagger Award in 2016, one of the most prestigious awards in crime fiction. 💭 Robotham drew inspiration for the psychological elements in the book from his own experience with Parkinson's disease, which he shares with his protagonist Joe O'Loughlin. 🔍 The book deals with mother-daughter relationships and features a parallel storyline between the protagonist's relationship with his daughter and the murder investigation of a mother-daughter pair.