I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this, but wow! I really enjoyed reading this and could not put it down. I really loved Evies' personality and how she coped with her upbringing, I really felt for her. I so badly want to find out who is after Evie and why ( Although I think I have an idea why ).

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.

A unique story line with a central character, a psychiatrist, who has been asked to investigate two differing situations.
A young woman with a horrific background but no identification who must be evaluated to verify if she can live in society.
A young woman with an extensive community background and a promising future is found murdered in compromising circumstances.
Michael Robotham has developed the characters so you feel as if they are your neighbors and you're shocked when you read their stories in the paper! You have an immediate interest in the outcome and just can't believe it when you figure out which one is the good girl and which one is the bad girl!

4 stars

This was my second book by Michael Robotham and I enjoyed it immensely more than the first. This book is a police procedural, but not in the predictable way. It is more of a character study.

There are 2 story lines running in parallel; the murder of Jodie Sheehan and who is Evie? I have to say, I really enjoyed the Evie story much more than I cared about who killed Jodie. I found her fascinating and I was riveted by her relationship with Cyrus.

There are quite a few surprises, some twists predictable, some not. But the whole story came together very nicely in what I would consider a slow burn. With the added character development and the domestic drama, this book held my interest long after I would put it down.

I highly recommend this book for fans of crime fiction and suspense.

Thank you to Scribner for my copy of this book via NetGalley

Near the beginning of this book the author makes a remark about the tabloid press being obsessed with prurient details of a crime. That’s a little hypocritical since this entire book is comprised of prurient details. Still, it manages to be a very dull police procedural. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven is asked to question the teenaged Evie Cormac. Coincidentally, each has a violent history. When Cyrus was 13 his parents and sisters were murdered by his brother. When she was a child, Evie was found hiding in the house of her murdered captor. She has never revealed her name, age or details of her abduction. Now, Cyrus and Evie improbably link up in the investigation of the rape and murder of a teenaged figure skater. Clearly, there is a lot of prurient detail to be had in these 3 criminal situations. The story was very slow moving, but I made it to the 56% point and realized that I just didn’t care any more. I skipped to the end, which leaves the possibility for a sequel. This book wasn’t for me. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Michael Robotham is back with a fascinating, character-driven thriller with GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL.

We meet forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven who is called in to evaluate a girl with a secret past. A girl uncertain of her age and without a family. A girl who survived horrific circumstances as a child. Evie Cormac has been living in a child’s home but is desperate to be free. Cyrus must figure out if she’s ready.

But Evie is a trouble maker with a special kind of skill—she knows when someone is lying. To Cyrus, she’s fascinating and not just because he’s written about people like her: human lie detectors. Beneath a veil of rudeness, occasional violence and general orneriness, there’s a smart, skilled but very broken girl… and she’s all alone in the world.

Before long, Cyrus takes a chance on Evie—the girl with no past—while he investigates the murder of another girl, one who kept dangerous secrets.

The lives of the two girls, and Cyrus’ own past, will tangle in ways unforeseen before the climatic finale of this superb thriller.

Robotham (THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS) delivers a narrative with intriguing, brilliantly nuanced characters. His balance between suspense and heart is masterful, his pacing flawless. Both Cyrus and Evie are fascinating, multilayered people we’ve only just begun to know. Cyrus is no stranger to trauma himself and he can relate to Evie in a way few others can. Evie is such a compelling character, danger and heartbreak shaping her largely still unknown story.

I loved seeing their relationship evolve—some of the moments between them were incredibly poignant. Robotham seems to have set up the beginnings of a fabulous new series, or at least I hope so, as these characters (and their stories) beg to be told.

Well crafted, emotionally charged and relentlessly tense, GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL is the kind of book impossible to put down.

This book is basically not my type of reading. I could not finish it. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read it. The opinions about the book are strictly mine and nobody else's.

I read the synopsis of this book and was very excited to read it. It definitely had some good crime elements and was essentially two stories in one. The story of Jodie who was found murdered, and the story of Evie who was found living in feral conditions and has been living in a psychiatric hospital for the past 6 years. Cyrus investigates Jodie's death and pieces things together with Evie, the teen he has taken into his home to foster. I really liked the two perspective story telling and felt the story had a strong and intriguing beginning that hooked me right away. Some parts were a little slower, specifically around Cyrus gathering evidence for Jodie's murder, but it did not hinder my interest in continuing to read. I enjoyed the ending!

🚔👮 BOOK REVIEW 👮🚔
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Who loves murder mysteries with brilliant crime/police procedural work? If you do this is the book for you! 🚔 🙋‍♀️
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When the body of Jodie Sheenan, figure skater and future Olympic hopeful, is discovered murdered with signs of sexual misconduct the town is shock. As Lenny, the lead detective, and Cyrus Haven, a forensic psychologist, work together on the case they discover things at first glance are not as they always seem, and the more they dig they more they uncover. .
This story was fascinating as it truly contained two stories in one. The story of a child, Evie Cormac, who Cyrus decides to foster and help as she has a tragic past that she is trying to heal from, and the current murder investigation. .
Cyrus takes the starring role in this story! He projects the bad boy image with his tattoos and buff physique but under that exterior is a heart of gold full of empathy and compassion for others. His own haunted past seemed to amplify his need to help others and he knows just how to approach those in need gradually to earn their love and trust. 💗
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I definitely recommend this one, full of twist turns, and rolled out in a well-paced manner reminiscent of CSI and similar crime drama shows. If you love crime shows like that you will LOVE this book as they truly follow the evidence to find the killer.

I enjoyed this book a lot. A smart novel in the thriller genre, it kept me interested and guessing. I liked how there were alternate points of view and the characters were well-drawn. Would definitely recommend as a smart mystery/thriller.

This should be at the top of the list for anyone looking for their next binge read.

Michael Robotham constructs a narrative that gives readers a look at what happens when the ghosts of the past return to haunt the lives of those living in the present.

GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL swirls through startling plot twists as seen through the duo perspectives of forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, a teen aged girl who possesses a unique talent and whose past is a giant question mark. By opening doors into the dark secrets lurking in his characters’ pasts, Robotham manages to keep the reader enthralled in this symbiotic relationship.
When an up and coming figure skater, Jodie Sheehan, is found murdered Haven is called upon to assist in catching the killer, and while fingers point in multiple directions, it is difficult to discern which direction is the right one.

Possessing a talent for crafting individuals who often make questionable decisions, Robotham manages to make us care about these people, some because they have been wronged and are attempting to cope with the hand life has dealt them and others whose motives are hidden below the surface and therefore not readily apparent.

The book’s finale leaves enough questions unanswered to guarantee a second foray into the lives of Cyrus and Evie. I look forward to it.

A girl is discovered hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a terrible crime. Half-starved and filthy, she won’t tell anyone her name, or her age, or where she came from. Maybe she is twelve, maybe fifteen. She doesn’t appear in any missing persons file, and her DNA can’t be matched to an identity. Six years later, still unidentified, she is living in a secure children’s home with a new name, Evie Cormac. When she initiates a court case demanding the right to be released as an adult, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven must determine if Evie is ready to go free. But she is unlike anyone he’s ever met—fascinating and dangerous in equal measure. Evie knows when someone is lying, and no one around her is telling the truth.

This book had me hooked from the first page! I usually avoid books that are hyped up, but this one totally delivered. a page turner for sure

Robotham is off to a great start with his fist book in the Cyrus Haven series!!!

A young woman who knows when someone is lying or telling the truth, a forensic psychologist with a painful past, a murdered high school ice skating champion are all it takes for Robotham to knock it out of the ballpark!

Forensic Psychologist has his hands full. He had been asked by a friend to meet Evie Cormac, formerly dubbed “Angel Face," by the media. She was found as a child, filthy, small for her age, in deplorable conditions after having horrible things happen to her. No one knows her name, her exact age, or who her biological parents were. Evie wants to be released from the secured facility she lives in but first she must be appear and present her case in court.

High School ice skating champion, Jodie Sheehan is found murdered and once again Cyrus Haven is called in to assist the police in the investigation. Cyrus is the link between the two girls - one with a secret past and one who was robbed of her future.

This was a fast read that had me from the very first page. I found the plot to be gripping and was riveted to the pages. The characters are complicated, flawed and oh-so likable and endearing. As the story progresses the tension grows as does the suspect list. This was a smart psychological thriller that was original and read like a breath of fresh air.

If the story doesn't suck you in, the full realized complicated characters will. I look forward to reading more about them in the next book in the series. This one's a keeper folks, give it a read and see for yourselves.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I want to start by saying I’ve really enjoyed Michael Robotham’s books in the past, Say You’re Sorry and The Wreckage were both excellent thrillers. This one, unfortunately, was just ok for me. ⠀⠀
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For the first half of the book I was into the story despite the pace being slower than I would’ve liked. We meet Cyrus, a psychologist with his own traumatic past who helps the police in their criminal investigations and Evie, a troubled girl with no known identity who’s in the care of the state and who also has a disturbing past as well as being somewhat of a human lie detector. Couple these characters with the subplot of a murdered girl named Jodie and really this should’ve been a winning combination for me. Plus, this author excels at nuanced, layered characters who draw you in and feel real so I was very invested in both Cyrus and Evie. ⠀⠀
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However, it took me an ENTIRE week to finish this! This was unusual for me but I just wasn’t dying to pick it up and then when I did the pace after the first half seemed to move at a glacial rate and I felt like I was reading things I’d already read but in a different way. Also, I felt much more invested in the mystery of Evie than I did about who killed Jodie. In the end, an average read for me but there’s plenty of five star reviews out there so be sure to check out some other opinions

Good Girl, Bad Girl is my first read by author Michael Robotham. It looks like I am in the minority on this one.

The blurb got my attention. "Evie knows when someone is lying, and no one around her is telling the truth.". What a cool super power to have. I was hoping this would be the focus of the story but unfortunately that was not the case. In fact, there was not much detail explaining her "gift" and how she knows when someone is lying. And honestly, this skill of hers wasn't really needed in this story.

I didn't connect with any of the characters. Also, when you have 2 storylines, they normally come together at the end. I felt the 2 coincidentally came together. Instead of answering some back story, the ending left more unanswered questions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for a copy of Michael Robotham's "Good Girl, Bad Girl" in exchange of an honest review.

I have read many books by Michael Robotham and always loved his novels. This one is superb also. It centers around a Forensic Psychologist named Cyrus Haven. The other important person in this book is a girl named Evie Cormac. also called "Angel Face' and she has been living in a care home since she was found hiding in a home with a dead body where police feel she was held captive. She is now trying to be released. At the same time, a girl named Jodie Sheehan's body is found in a park. So Cyrus is between these two cases. Evie is not your normal girl and as the book progresses Cyrus Haven and Evie form a bond and she is quite intelligent. The book is slow going at first but as you keep reading the author keeps on increasing the suspense and the relationship that evolves between Evie and Cryus and how they help each other and with the case involving Josie's death. I highly recommend this book. It was outstanding as all his books are. I received this book from net galley as an ARC for an honest review. Thank you net galley for this ARC. (less)

The beginning was a bit slow for me and the writing was a little hard to get into, but about halfway through I got sucked into the plot and I’m eager to see more of the evolving relationship between doctor and patient/foster parent and child. I’m also anxious to find out how things resolve themselves in regards to the mystery.

Are you tired of the same old thriller, with the same old story line? (You know the one I'm talking about: unreliable female narrator with a drinking problem that gets herself in a pickle.) Then, I have a book for you!

This story follows a couple of main characters: Evie is a young girl that was found hiding in a room after a terrible crime. Cyrus is a criminal psychologist who is called to investigate a murder. They work together to outsmart a criminal and survive. This story completely captivated me, and I was completely hooked! The way the story was written had me wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. This was a refreshing thriller that renewed my faith in the genre. I would definitely recommend this book if you love a good thriller or need a change of pace!

Five big stars!!

Not since The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo's Mikael Blomkvist have I connected with a detective in a series like this one. Cyrus Haven has all the right qualities to be an excellent detective in a series of books, and yet he isn't a detective at all; he's a forensic pathologist. He is called on to evaluate victims of crimes, but he does more than that-he gets personally involved. I really loved the way this guy worked with Evie, the damaged teenager looking to move past her abuse into adulthood. They have a connection and eventually discover that they both need the other.

In a concurrent storyline, Cyrus is helping to solve a missing persons case and the search for the perpetrator adds to the building suspense. He knows everyone is hiding something but he can't figure out what. Then he discovers that Evie has a gift which allows her to see when somone is lying. Can he in good faith use her gift to help him?

I love crime fiction! It's like watching an episode of Law & Order SVU. A case is presented, they work to solve a puzzle, and the end has a satisfying resolution. What makes this book special is that it has heart. I want to spend more time with Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac. Robotham has created a compelling duo with potential star quality! It doesn't get better than that.

Jul 29, 2019 · edit
really liked it

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the advance digital galley of Good Girl, Bad Girl.

Cyrus finds himself in the middle of fostering a young woman with a horrible past and investigating murder. He has got a lot going on, but his new foster child may have a gift. One that may help him do his job as a criminal psychologist.

This book is so good. I could not stop reading it. It's just one of those books that you cant put down.

Each character has personality. The story moves without any lulls. There is action and drama and just the right about of wit.

I did guess the ending. But, I still liked the way it was done.

I will definitely be picking up the next one in this series when it is released.

Cyrus is a character that I look forward to reading more of.

Good Girl, Bad Girl is my first novel by Michael Robotham and it was a very good book. I found it to be more of a slow burning character driven novel. This book features two main characters Cyrus Haven a psychologist and Evie Comac, a young girl that Cyrus takes in as a foster child. I really found Evie to be a unique and interesting character. I really find Evie’s back story quite interesting and I would have loved it if the author had written more information about her backstory. Evie was dubbed “Angel Face” when she was discovered hiding in a home where she was police believe she was held captive for years. Evie is a complex character – she’s a bit sassy but seems to be very intelligent. She either doesn’t remember what happened in her past or refuses to talk about it. I understand that this is the start of a series so maybe in subsequent books we’ll learn more about it.