Michael, please, I beg you, remove all the C words from your book! It's the vilest, most disgusting word and each time broke the flow of the story. You're a wordsmith, and can surely choose words which don't give so much offence. I've met you twice before, in Newcastle, Australia, and couldn't imagine the word coming out of your mouth. The White Crow is a 5* read, but I can only give it a 4* rating because of the above. Thank you for your stories.. This is not a criticism but a request.

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Four years into the job, and police officer Philomena McCarthy was with her partner on a food run. It was the middle of the night, so food took away the boredom for the officers at the station. But as Philomena heard the urgent call for all units to head downtown, she saw a small child from the corner of her eye. Sending her partner to answer the urgent call, she searched for the child, who turned out to be a five year old girl, Daisy, with blood on her nightwear. When Daisy said she couldn't wake her mother, Philomena called it in and headed for the house. What she found was the beginning of all out war between the underbelly of London, which unfortunately included her father and uncles; well known as gangsters.

Philomena and her new husband, firefighter Henry, were meant to head to Paris for a small break, but both the jewellery heist and murder of Daisy's mother meant they had to cancel. Daisy had hold of Philomena's heart and seemed to trust her, whereas anyone else saw her scream and cry. Meanwhile Edward McCarthy, Philomena's father, was having trouble of his own with his businesses suffering vandalism and sabotage. Certain someone was out to take over his business, he had his brothers digging deeply. But this put Philomena in the sights of her colleagues...

The White Crow is the 2nd in the Philomena McCarthy series by Aussie author Michael Robotham after the first in the series was initially called a standalone. But fortunately for his readers, the author enjoyed writing Philomena's character, so decided to continue. A thoroughly entertaining, tension filled, gritty read - typical of the author's style - I loved the characters, especially Eddie's brothers (all bad guys, but loveable ones!!) Daragh made me laugh! All in all, a book I recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley & Hachette AU for my digital ARC to read and review.

What a great set-up for a crime novel - the ambitious investigating detective is the daughter of a well known crime family and can never quite shake off the association. The McCarthy family operates on the wrong side of the law but still come across as sympathetic characters who I’d hope to see more of in the future.

Although this is a sequel, I came to this book first and had no problems reading it as a stand-alone. White Crow is an engaging, pacy, character-driven thriller which is up there with the best of Robotham’s work.

My thanks to Hachette and Netgalley for an advance review copy.

This book was exceptional. I could not put it down and read it late into the night! I really love the McCarthy family and I look forward to more in the series. 5 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I was thrilled when I heard that there was going to be another book featuring Philomena McCarthy and her mob family. I loved When You Are Mine, the first book with the McCarthy family and The White Crow did not disappoint. Michael Robotham books never do. He is one of my favourite Australian crime authors and he should be yours too.

Philomena is looking forward to a mini break when she sees a young girl covered in blood wandering the streets of London in the middle of the night. She finds the girl and takes her home to discover that the girls mother has been murdered in a house invasion. Across town, her colleagues are called to a jewellery store robbery where the owner has been tied to a chair with a bomb strapped to his chest. Now tell me you don’t want to read this… I didn’t think so. So good right!

Working this case, Philomena is constantly having to block out her father, a notorious crime lord, and the rest of her family. She is still struggling to find that balance between her job and her family loyalties. This case really tests her morals and values as well as her relationship with her husband and workmates.

Just simply brilliant as always from such an incredible writer. Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for my advanced e arc and physical copy of this book to read. I really couldn’t get enough. Published in Australia on June 24th.

This is the second book in this series and sometimes second books do not live up to the first. In my opinion this one was another winner for Michael Robotham in the Philomena McCarthy series. I heard that there was only meant to originally be one book, but that Robotham enjoyed writing this character so much he came back for another round.

A tightly plotted sequel that moves along at an excellent pace, providing us with a fabulous richly layered story which builds and takes the reader on another dark and exciting journey. I think what I loved most about the book apart from a great unexpected plot was the development of Philomena’s character where the author allows us further into her world and get to know a lot more about her, both personally and professionally.

The case she becomes involved is well thought out by the author, offering up a story from the very darkest side of life while combining it with incredible human emotion and the combination of these two themes work brilliantly together. Great characterisation hit us from all sides and as much as I wanted to know how it was all going to resolve, I also did not want it to end.

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

This is an author who never writes a dud, maybe his career in journalism has honed his style, but he can write!
The White Crow sees the return of Philomena McCarthy, policewoman and daughter of renown gangster Eddie McCarthy.
One night while on duty Philomena sees a young girl out wandering the streets in her pjs and covered in blood. She says she cannot wake her mother. A few miles away a jeweller is found with his shop ransacked and a bomb strapped to his chest. He is the young girls father and the mother is located bound and dead in their home.
What seems to be a home invasion/jewellery heist gone wrong, soon appears that someone is out to ruin Eddie McCarthys hold on the crime scene and they are taking no prisoners. Philomena whom has a tenuous relationship with her father must choose which side to take, believe in her father or follow the rules of her job.
Excellent as always and I hope there is more about this character.

#TheWhiteCrow. #NetGalley

Michael Robotham could write a list of groceries & I’d probably rate it 5 stars - he’s just that good. He’s the master of edge-of-your-seat thrillers, & has yet to let me down with any of his books.

White Crow is the second book featuring Philomena McCarthy - it can be read as a stand alone, but the first book does provide some insight into her challenges balancing her life as a police officer, & the daughter of a gangster.

White crow starts with Phil on shift when she spots a little girl in the middle of the road in the middle of the night covered in blood. From there, expect lots of twists & turns, & Phil herself becoming entangled in a web of crime she’s tried so hard to remain free from.

Please give us more Philomena - she’s a national treasure that must be protected.

This book is fast-paced, emotionally layered thriller that pulls you in from the first page and never lets go. Centered around police constable Philomena “Phil” McCarthy, the story explores loyalty, justice, and the weight of personal history with razor-sharp tension.

Phil is as fierce and flawed as ever—driven by instinct, haunted by her past, and constantly toeing the line between right and wrong who feels both real and unpredictable. The writing is tight, the tone gritty, and the psychological edge keeps you guessing without needing constant action.

While a few moments feel familiar if you’re a seasoned thriller reader, the emotional stakes and character complexity more than make up for it.

This is a clever, character-driven thriller that balances suspense with heart. A gripping read from start to finish

I love the character of Phil McCarthy and the plot starts out to set a fast paced and heart pumping read. It begins with finding a young girl by herself and a jewellery robbery involving a bomb. The story is impossible to put down and the characters are hard hitting to forget. This is my first Phil novel but definitely not the last.

I always enjoy Michael Robotham’s books, but I think this is my favourite so far. I’m really enjoying Philomena McCarthy, and her navigation of life on the right side of the law, while her family sometimes skates a little close to the wrong side.
In this book, Philomena is trying to solve the mystery of the death of a woman in her home, while her husbands business was being robbed. There are plenty of potential suspects, including Philomena herself. The tension is maintained throughout the book, making for a great read.

love Michael's books there 's been a A jewellery shop burglary and a murder Philomena McCarthy is the second book full of action and tenison
while philomena solve it and is her dad involved
loved it

Philomena McCarthy is back in what I hope is the second book of her series. This book covers both her private and work life bringing both worlds together in a clever plot of east end gangsters and rich upper class families.

I loved this book. It was pure Michael Robotham at his best. Great characters, intriguing storylines and twists when you think everything has come together.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. It was an absolute joy.

The White Crow is the second installment of the Philomena McCarthy series and it is another thought-provoking psychological thriller. It can be read as a standalone. Philomena is a police officer who also happens to be the daughter of a crime boss. In this book, a mother has been murdered in a home hostage situation, and Philomena finds her very young daughter roaming alone in the dark. The woman’s husband, a jeweler, is found tied up in a break-in at his store. Robotham’s books are character-driven, layered and well paced. I am particularly impressed with his realistic character dialogues of children, as well as realistic family relationships. I highly recommend this book! With thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Australia and New Zealand. My opinions are my own. Susanh_bookreviews