First Sentence: "Which one is she?" I ask, leaning
closer to the observation window.
Six years after
self-named Evie Comac was found hiding in a secret room, the institution where
she is living asks psychologist Cyrus Haven to determine whether she can be
released to live on her own. No one
knows, nor has she said, who she really is or what she has experienced, but a
determination must be made. Cyrus has a
history of his own with which he must deal, but his job also calls upon him to
help investigate the murder of Jodie Sheehan, a popular, talented high-school
figure skater. Tasked with these
two cases, and his own issues, it is up to Cyrus to do what is right Evie and
find justice for Jodie.
Unusual, quirky
characters can be intriguing when they are well-written yet still realistic. Robotham accomplishes that, and much
more. He begins with the very intriguing
premise that some few people are "truth wizards," that they can
intuitively know whether someone is lying.
That Evie, who is also defined as being--"…dyslexic. Antisocial.
Aggressive"-- is one such person adds a dimension beyond everything
through which she has been and compels one to want to know more. Cyrus, too, has a past beyond imaging. That the author puts these two emotionally
damaged characters together demonstrates the strength of the human spirit and
determination to survive. Both
characters are unique and fascinating.
Nothing about either of them is what one would expect.
It's a pleasure when
something causes one to stop and consider--"When I run, my thoughts become
clearer. When I run, I imagine that I'm
keeping pace with a planet that turns too quickly for me." Rather than slow down the flow of the story, it
adds depth and richness to it.
The story does
alternate between the two lead characters.
Being inside Evie's mind can be painful to read, and all the more so for
knowing there are real children who feel as she does about herself. The descriptions of deaths are brutal but
done in a way that is factual and not gratuitous or salacious. Even so, Robotham
finds the perfect way to inject just a bit of wry humor—"'Who found her?' 'A
woman walking her dog.' Why is it always someone walking a dog?"
The investigation
into Jodie's death takes one down a very twisted path filled with
surprises. The only slight criticism is
that the resolution seemed over the top.
What one can truly appreciate is that, even at the end, both Evie and
Cyrus remain enigmatic.
"Good Girl, Bad Girl" is a strong, character-driven story. It is very well-written and filled with well-done twists. One rather hopes this is the start of a new series. Even if it's not, this is a book, and characters, which stay with one long after closing the cover.
GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL
(PsySusp-Cyrus Haven-England-Contemp) – VG+
Robotham, Michael - Standalone
Scribner,
July 2019
Posts
I do like Robotham's work very much, so it's good to know you enjoyed this. And it sounds like a strong plot with interesting characters. I have to admit, I really wish Robotham wouldn't write in the present tense. I dislike that a lot. Still, he's very talented, and I'm not surprised the book has stayed with you.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny; I rarely think about in which tense they're writing. That said, I find I do like the present tense. :)
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