I have been a huge fan of Robotham since I was a high school English teacher and we had an "outside reading" requirement that "allowed" students to read books of their choice and do a "book-talk" with me (20% of their grade). I adored talking one-on-one with kids about books they chose and when I had several who liked "dark and brooding" mysteries, I turned them on to Robotham. Hooked!! And now I've returned to his novels and love them just as much as I did then. Cyrus is a forensic psychologist who works with the police and has taken in 21-year-old Evie after a violent past. The latest case involves murder, his ex-con brother, and so many more colorful characters. Robotham's subtle humor always makes me chuckle and I loved every page of this novel!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope she writes more! I am totally hooked!

Loved loved loved this third installment of the Cyrus Haven story! Another masterful written book from one of my favorite authors..
So much more is relieved about Evie as well.
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy of this book.

Cyrus and Evie are back again and I couldn't be happier. I really just love this series. <b>Lying Beside You</b> is book #3 in the Cyrus Haven series, and while you can read it as a standalone for the current story, I highly recommend starting with the first book if you want to have a good understanding of the key characters.

When a man is murdered and his daughter goes missing, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven must help figure out what happened to Maya Kirk. Then one night while Evie is working at a bar in Nottingham, another woman goes missing after leaving the bar with Evie as the only witness. Is there something linking these two cases? As if Cyrus and Evie don't have enough going on, add into the mix Cyrus's brother Elias getting a trial release from Rampton Psychiatric Hospital, 20 years after murdering his entire family except for Cyrus, and he is coming to stay with Evie and Cyrus.

Although Evie is a very flawed character and likes to rock the boat, I am very fond of her, and her inner dialogue and snark had me laughing out loud at times. I have enjoyed watching the manner in which Cyrus and Evie's relationship has grown with each book, and how we learn a little bit more about them. This was another page turner from Michael Robotham. The only bad thing is now I have to wait for the next book in the series. 5 stars.

Lying Beside You
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 2/14/23
Author: Michael Robotham
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 352
Goodreads Rating: 4.46

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Scribner and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Two days after Elias’ nineteenth birthday, he killed our parents and twin sisters because he heard voices in his head. As a boy, Cyrus Haven survived a family massacre and slowly pieced his life back together. Now, after almost twenty years, his brother is applying to be released from a secure psychiatric hospital—and Cyrus is expected to forgive Elias and welcome him home. When a man is murdered and his daughter disappears, Cyrus is called in to profile the killer and help piece together Maya Kirk’s last hours. Police believe she was drugged and driven away from the same bar where Evie is working. Soon, a second victim is taken, and Evie is the only person who glimpsed the man behind the wheel. But there’s a problem. Only two people believe her. One is Cyrus.

My Thoughts: This book no. 3 in Cyrus Haven and the first book from this author for me. This book works both ways, as part of a series, and as a standalone. I had no issues keeping up and not confusing characters/facts. Robotham is a very talented writer, he knows how to draw you in and keep you in by delivering the plot in may twists and turns. The book is narrated in a dual POV by Cyrus and Evie, from their perspectives. Cyrus and Evie are flawed, complicated, and traumatized, however, their relationship works. The characters were executed flawlessly, they had layers of depth, mystery, some a little creepy, and just brilliantly written. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, twisty, dark, and kept you engaged for the entire story. This book does not publish until next year, but you need to put this gripping, fast paced, page turning thriller on your TBR and preorder!

I’ve yet to read a Michael Robotham book that I haven’t loved. Forensic Psychologist Cyrus Haven and his former patient, “adopted daughter” Evie Cormac are back in the third installment of the series “Lying Beside You.”
Cyrus is called to help on the case of a murdered father/kidnapped daughter while juggling his older brother being partially released from a mental ward for the long ago murder of Haven’s family.
It’s a compelling mystery and character study.

Another fantastic installment of the Cyrus Haven series. I love how the author weaves the story with hints & clues along with deeper understanding of Evie & Cyrus. You hope they will solve the crime as much as you hope they start to find forgiveness & compassion for themselves.

Book three of the Cyrus Haven series.
I loved both previous works but was somewhat nervous heading into this one. Having read so many books in between the releases, I had little memory of the previous. No worries. The highly talented Michael Robotham gave me just enough to tickle my brain and it all came rushing back to me.

So you may be wondering if this can be read as a stand-alone? Most definitely yes!.💁🏻‍♀️. But this series is outstanding! I strongly suggest going back and starting with book one, Good Girl Bad Girl.

Evie has settled comfortably into Cyrus’ home, as promised she is going to school (though she hates it.) She recently got a job, (also hates it) and finally bought a mini car she calls “mouse” (which she loves)! 🤣

Cyrus’ brother is up for release from the state hospital where he’s been remanded to for over 20 years. The questions are obvious.
◉Will he be released to Cyrus?
◉Does Cyrus even want him home?

Cyrus has his hands full dealing with his personal struggles revolving around his brother. But certain things just can’t wait. The police need him to help them profile a killer who left a father fatally beaten, a daughter abducted. Is Cyrus able to put his personal life aside long enough to help identify a killer?

I absolutely adored Cyrus and Evie. Two very human, flawed characters drawn to each-other. Like peanut butter and jelly! I can’t imagine one without the other.

Michael Robotham did it again! An absolute five-star read!

A buddy read with Susanne!

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner

What a great book. I couldn’t put it down and found every page unraveled more of the mystery. Well written and excellent character development. I learned to love some of the characters and really felt as if I knew them in real life. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series.

A phenomenal read. Complex and deep, both characters and story. This author has clear talent. I also had no idea this is technically part of a series bit it can easily stand on its own.

This book keeps you guessing until the very end! I Twists and turns galore- and just when you think you have it figured out....another twist is headed your way.

I have loved Cyrus since the beginning, but in this book Mitch and Elias had my heart. I literally sobbed for Elias in this book. Michael Robotham has a way of making his reader feel for his characters. I was incredibly invested in the story and felt deeply for the negative things that happened to my favorite characters. Just when I thought Joe, from Robotham’s other series, was my book boyfriend…here comes fit, tattooed Cyrus that gets my blood pumping and gives me the fanny flutters! I hope his next book comes out soon!

I am so happy to be back in Cyrus Haven's world! I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of Lying Beside You and I had to practice some serious self-control before diving in. I went back and re-read When She Was Good (book #2), since it had been almost two years and I forgot more than I'd like to admit. While I thoroughly enjoyed my second helping of WSWG, I didn't necessarily need the refresher. Lying Beside You is different than the previous two books and Evie's history isn't as central to the plot. I adore Evie’s character and I liked this change of pace. It felt like she was starting to grow up and find herself while still getting in Cyrus' way and "helping" him solve crimes. Don’t worry, she’s hasn't outgrown the snark!

I suppose you could technically read this book as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a few reasons. Mainly because the first two books in the series are phenomenal and deserve to be read. But, I also think you would miss out on the wholesome and endearing relationship between Cyrus and Evie and you wouldn’t have the same appreciation for Evie as a character without understanding her heartbreaking story.

I honestly can’t recommend this series enough. Michael Robotham is one of my favorite crime writers and I love his books. At one point, I thought Lying Beside You might be a little too predictable but I’m pleased to report all my predictions were wrong and this one earned five glowing stars from me.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader.

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Robotham, one of my go to authors, knocks it out of the park with "Lying Beside You", the third installment of the Cyrus Haven/Evie Cormack series!

I am a big fan of Robotham and will read anything he writes! Synopsis, what synopsis ? I don't need one to know that I want to read the book! The character development is fantastic and Robotham weaves a very suspenseful tale that keeps you guessing and turning the pages. Both of these characters have tragic pasts. Cyrus' family was killed when he was a child by his brother Elias who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and Evie has a tragic past all of her own, read it to find out. Cyrus is now a forensic psychologist who works with the police to profile criminals. I find this so intriguing.

I hope there is much more to come with this series, I cannot wait for the next one! This book has mystery and suspense mixed with some police procedural and mental illness. Highly recommend!

A big thank you to SCRIBNER and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book, greatly appreciated!

Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac are back for the 3rd installment of the Cyrus Haven series!

Cyrus Haven is a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler who often works with the police on cases that involve mentally disturbed criminals. When this book opens, Cyrus is attending a court session where it is to be decided if his brother, Elias, is mentally sound enough to be released from Rampton Secure Psychiatric Hospital where he has lived for the last 20 years after killing Cyrus’s mom, dad, and twin sisters. Elias has paranoid schizophrenia and it is believed that he is well enough to start venturing back out into society. This decision causes anxiety for Cyrus because although he believes he has forgiven his brother for his actions 20 years ago, he is not certain that he trusts Elias after all this time.

Evie Cormac has been living in Cyrus’s home for a year now and is trying to make something of her life purely for the benefit of Cyrus. If it were up to Evie, she would be happy to live a simple life with her dog Poppy but she cares very much what Cyrus thinks of her and wants to make him proud. Evie is attending school and gets a job at a cocktail bar. Evie has a special gift of telling if people are lying or being truthful and when she meets Mitch Coates, a handyman hired by Cyrus who has been serving time for a violent crime, she becomes determined to help him and gets herself into some trouble along the way.

Cyrus is called to a crime scene by his old friend, Detective Lenny Pavel. A disabled man with a brain injury has been brutally murdered and his daughter and primary caregiver, Maya, is now missing. As Cyrus and detectives dive into Maya’s last hours, they find that the case has much more complicated than meets the eye.

The story is told alternately from the point of view of Cyrus and Evie. I enjoyed both points of view equally! Both characters are fascinating and have been through so much in their lives. The dynamic of Cyrus and Evie’s relationship is very complex but charming and I’m glad that they found each other and were able to build a life together, even if it might not be an easy relationship all the time. The narrative is fast-paced and will keep you reading to see what happens next! I have read every book that Michael Robotham has written and I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next :)

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great thriller! Cyrus is an investigator and also the older brother of Elias, a schizophrenic younger brother who slaughtered his family. Well-written, taut, and highly inventive.

From the first timeI read a Michael Robotham suspense novel, I appreciated his masterful work: His character development, plotting, and description all blend to give the reader so much more than just the solving of a crime.

I read Robotham’s three “Cyrus Haven” books in order, and I recommend it for those wanting to best understand Cyrus and Evie. Learning firsthand of their tragic backgrounds and their history together gives the reader a much richer experience in Lying Beside Me rather than simply relying on snippets of facts and memories imbedded in the novel.

The plot develops with one dead woman and two missing shortly after, under similar circumstances. The cast of suspects and investigators is sizable, but the skillful writing keeps readers engaged as the clues and connections stack up.

I received an advance digital copy of Lying Beside Me thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The book is available for purchase in the US on February 14, 2023. Another satisfying Robotham installment.
4.5 stars

I have heard Michael Robotham's books praised many times but I have never read any of his books until now. Wow. What I have been missing! I adore Evie and Cyrus. Especially, Evie.

The plot was very good and obviously so is the writing. There wasn't one dull page let alone chapter. I cannot recommend this any more higher.

I've immediately started righting the wrong of not reading Mr. Robotham's other books. Starting of course with the first two Cyrus and Evie books. My quite large tbr pile will just have to stay at its current height. Evie is in my blood.

Michael Robotham is consistently excellent and this latest installment is no different. A recommended purchase for collections where suspense is popular.

Oh how I love Cyrus and Evie!! Add in the release of Elias, and Lying Beside You moved to the top of my list. I should say I have been impatiently waiting for the next Michael Robotham book, so it wasn’t a big surprise.
Not wanting to give any spoilers, but Cyrus’s newest case indirectly involves Evie. Add in the release of Elias, who will be staying with Cyrus and Evie, and you have the setting for a great suspense story.