Bleed for Me

By: Michael Robotham

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

She's standing at the front door. Covered in blood. Is she the victim of a crime? Or the perpetrator?

A teenage girl - Sienna, a troubled friend of his daughter - comes to Joe O'Loughlin's door one night. She is terrorized, incoherent-and covered in blood. The police find Sienna's father, a celebrated former cop, murdered in the home he shared with Sienna. Tests confirm that it's his blood on Sienna. She says she remembers nothing.

Joe O'Loughlin is a psychologist with troubles of his own. His marriage is coming to an end and his daughter will barely speak to him. He tries to help Sienna, hoping that if he succeeds it will win back his daughter's affection. But Sienna is unreachable, unable to mourn her father's death or to explain it.

Investigators take aim at Sienna. O'Loughlin senses something different is happening, something subterranean and terrifying to Sienna. It may be something in her mind. Or it may be something real. Someone real. Someone capable of the most grim and gruesome murder, and willing to kill again if anyone gets too close.

His newest thriller is further evidence that Michael Robotham is, as David Baldacci has said, "the real deal - we only hope he will write faster."

©2012 Michael Robotham (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"This remarkable novel offers everything those 'literary' detective novelsought to but usually don't. This is crime fiction of the highest order." ( Booklist)

"A taut thriller....O'Loughlin continues to be an appealingly flawed hero." ( Publishers Weekly)

"One of the best novels to come out of the chaos of Iraq; a penetrating peek through the fog of war." (Nelson DeMille)

Darkly Sensitive

Joe O'laughlin s a powerful character - among crime fiction's most complex. Michael Robotham's given him the power to resonate, and Sean Barrett's provides an ensemble of voices to amplify Joe O'laughlin's emotional shimmer. Not since Will Patton introduced me to the early poetry of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux has a genre writer had this impact upon me.

This is the fourth book I've heard in the O'laughlin series and Robotham's grown in his plotting and characterization. Mating him with Barrett has helped. You should probably begin this epic with "Suspect" and work up to "Bleed For Me". I say 'probably' because the third book "Shatter" is almost essential to understanding the shape of the forces sculpting O'laughlin and his world. Some plotting holes in "Shatter" almost kept me from listening to "Bleed For Me." They are filled, however in this novel and the two spoon together to defuse the heroic tragedy of O'Laughlin's life.

I'll download "Say You're Sorry" tonight, but like a good wine, I'll leave it sitting for a while, listening instead to something else to relax my mind buds.

Savor this series.

Joe O'Loughlin lovable father, physiologist

What made the experience of listening to Bleed for Me the most enjoyable?

I was slowly drawn into the life of this family, disfunctional, sad and trying to find its way amidst the turmoil called LIFE!!!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked Joe O'Loughlin and Ruiz alot great strong male characters who you grow to like.

What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think listening to this book gave me time to image the scenery, the village where Joe lived. His home, his daughters while listening to Sean's reading

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moving moment would be when you realise that this predator has been preying on young women for a long long time

Any additional comments?

well worth the credits I used to buy this book, and a well written story. It is more English in writing styles than what I am used to listening too i.e American authors write in a more common style. If that even makes sense???

Good as always!

Well written, we'll read. What can I say?! I love Michael Robotham's books. Can't wait to start the next.

Mezmerizing

Where does Bleed for Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Upper 3rd

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, but close :)

Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett – was your favorite?

Joe O'Loughlin the psychologist/ investigator

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not what you expect-better.

Any additional comments?

Love Sean Barrett's work.

Pleasantly Surprised

What did you love best about Bleed for Me?

The story, characters and narration. I didn't know it was part of series until after I listened to it - very well written.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes - there was never a dull moment. As the story developed I was more and more hooked. And as I neared the end I still didn't know "who did it". Its always a good book for me if the author can keep me guessing.

Have you listened to any of Sean Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I can't wait to start the series from the beginning - the narration went along with the story very well.

Robotham continues to entice!

Where does Bleed for Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#4 of the 4 I have read so far. Only because I have to rate it. I continue to be glued to this series and don't want it to end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bleed for Me?

The beginning is always memorable because Robotham lays out hideous details of the story and subsequent solving of the mystery.

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

I feel he captured each and every accent quite well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy your first read just know you've got a great list of books to enjoy.

Love this author

Never disappointed with this author. Book moved well through the story effortlessly. Will read more…

Disappointed in how a character was dropped

I liked the story overall but clearly the author is not a dog owner. Theres a whole chapter one poor Gunsmoke who is tortured and murdered but stays alive until Joe comes home. NO ONE not the daughters ex wife Ruiz ever asks what happened to the dog. Its like he didn’t exist!!!! To this day we dont know who killed him and nobody cared. Disappointing

good solid 4 star book

good story, good narrator. I think it's my 3rd in the series, and I will get another

One of the best mystery writers I've read!

I've listened to the first four books in the series in quick succession - I just can't get enough! As an avid print reader and now voracious Audible listener (I haven't counted, but I'm sure I've listened to more than 100 books), this series is one of my favorites. Robothom is in my top 5 of mystery novelists (right in there with Camille Lackberg, Jussi Adler-Olsen and Louise Penny - although Tana French remains at the top of my list...). His richly (but subtly) developed characters are the foundation for Robotham's credible yet intricate plots. He has an uncanny ability to deliver just right amount of tension, suspense and levity - the interspersing of quintessentially dry British humor is perfection!

Often, I find that many mystery novelists excel at either character development or plot, but rarely both. Robotham is an exception. The characters reveal more of themselves each book, and none are stagnant - all seem to grow and develop over time. The complexity of the plot hinges on the complexity of the characters, and not on far-fetched story lines or withheld information common to lesser novelists. And even once you figure out "who done it," the tension/conflict/danger with the characters takes over and commands your rapt attention right through the end of the epilogue.

The narration is fabulous - even though there have been different performers, I have enjoyed them all and the interpretation of the characters has remained consistent. Sean Barrett, like the others, ably captures the spirit of each character and hits the pace just right.

Can't wait to listen to Book 5!