Suspect
written by Michael Robotham
www.ink2quill.com

“Suspect” is a crime, mystery, medical drama, thriller novel written by Michael Robotham. It´s his first novel and many have called it a huge success. It´s well written with characters the reader cares about weaved into a very good story. In many ways “Suspect” is an undiscovered gem with far too little internet presence and far too little recognition even though it´s fantastic.

Check out the websites below to find a copy:

Michael Robotham books

Michael Robotham Barnes and Noble

Michael Robotham audible books

The story takes place in London and is about the psychiatrist Joseph O´Loughlin. He is diagnosed with Parkinson´s Disease at the same time one of his patients, a woman named Catherine McBride, is brutally murdered. The tension in the story continues to increase as Joseph becomes the main suspect and is under investigation by detective Ruiz. He stands to lose everything he cares about including his freedom, marriage and family as the disease makes life harder and harder for him.

I usually don´t gravitate toward crime novels but the element of Parkinsons first caught my eye and sucked me in. I also liked the simple way Joseph navigated his life. It´s a simple story that grows more and more complex and threatens to swallow Joseph and his family whole. He has so much to live for but is struck with a debilitating, degenerative disease. This bothered me and sucked me right into the story. Add a murder investigation with Joseph somehow at the center of it and you have the story of someone fighting to keep their life from unraveling.

His unexpected bouts of bradykinesia are unsettling. There are times when he is stuck in bed, unable to get out and has to will himself out of bed. There is a part in the story where Joe is researching a suspicious patient and while he walks through the library his leg locks up and he has to swing it forward in order to keep walking. “Every so often my leg locks up and swings forward as though in a splint.” . I really feel for him.

I also loved the relationship Joe has with his parents. They are decent people who are very supportive and loving. I especially loved the conversation Joe had with his father about his career choice later in the story. Apparently Joe´s father wanted to study behavioral science, psychology but his grandfather put pressure on him to become a surgeon. So he did. Joe´s grandfather threatened to cut off his father of any help if he became a psychologist. So Joe´s father did as he was told and was given all the opportunities to succeed. I see a father´s pride of his son in that revelation. They´re good people.

The way I see it, Joe´s job does present certain dangers because some of the people he deals with are very damaged. Some of his patients are even criminals. For example years earlier he was falsely accused of sexual harassment by the murder victim, Catherine McBride, and it is that false accusation that contributed to his present day troubles.

The story turns very dismal as Joe is forced to investigate the past of a very troubled and dangerous patient. He questions people from his patient’s past and unsavory people linked to this patient´s life. The more he digs the more dirt he finds and believe me when I say it gets dirty. He does all this while battling the debilitative effects of his condition and dodging the determined detective Ruiz, who is convinced of his guilt. All seems lost for the likeable Joseph O´Loughlin.

I want to also mention that this is a well written book and I´m not stating the obvious here because many popular authors don´t necessarily write well. I won´t mention names but having a good story idea or good imagination doesn´t automatically make you a good writer. This is a really good read with a main character that is easy to relate to. Put this on your reading list folks.

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