SHATTER

Yawn, yet another psychological thriller…not.   Shatter is a well-written, and enticing story that drew me in from the first paragraph.  Robotham’s restraining and knowledgeable hand meant that the story developed at just the right pace and kept me from turning off the bedside light. 

Joseph O’Loughlin’s a psychologist with a twist, or should I say shake?   Joe has Parkinson’s Disease which is a clever substitution for the usual mental flaws and hangups of other lead characters with physical ones. Otherwise, he has the lot: a beautiful and intelligent wife, wonderful children and an interesting, if not low-key career – that is until he witnesses a woman inexplicably and mysteriously jump from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol.  The plot moves easily yet grippingly from there, involving him, somewhat reluctantly, into the police investigation and yet another similarly odd death and possible suicide attempt. 

Joe’s personality means that he gets drawn into the investigation, much against his wife’s wishes.  He calls on his old, but maverick, friend Vincent Ruiz, to help and between them they persuade the police that these deaths were not just unusual suicides. The plot travels mainly around the streets of Bristol and the West Country, and involves lots of interesting but very relevant to the plot technical information about how mobile phone signals work. We see the effect of the investigation on Joe’s relationship with his possibly unfaithful wife, until it eventually involves Joe’s own family as the target. 

Although Robotham falls back on familiar stereotypes to build the supporting roles:  the lesbian leader of the police investigation, to the saturnine but faithful friend and the nymphet runaway child, his inclusion of some genuine psychological theories provides really fascinating insights about the motives and characters of many of the characters, as well as some of the bit players. 

Overall, Shatter is a really entertaining book, with a strong central story and character, and well-drawn supporting cast.  It seems that Robotham might just have left the door open for future match between the two opponents, or is my newly acquired psychological knowledge not up to scratch…well shall see!

Read Michael’s article on writing SHATTER