Shatter

Description

A naked woman in red high-heeled shoes is perched on the edge of Clifton Suspension Bridge with her back pressed to the safety fence, weeping into a mobile phone. Clinical psychologist Joseph O'Loughlin is only feet away, desperately trying to talk her down. She whispers, 'you don't understand,' and jumps. Later, Joe has a visitor - the woman's teenage daughter, a runaway from boarding school. She refuses to believe that her mother would have jumped off the bridge - not only would she not commit suicide, she is terrified of heights. Joe wants to believe her, but what would drive a woman to such a desperate act? Whose voice? What evil?

Awards

Shortlisted for CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger 2008.

Reviews

'Shatter is a gripping journey into the weaknesses and strengths of the human psyche...it is the inevitablility of the plot's development that builds the tension and will have you turning the pages compulsively, desperate to get to the end, but not daring to miss a word' The Times 'Brilliant' Company 'Genuinely terrifying' Literary Review 'Robotham's restrained and knowledgeable method of writing means that the story develops at just the right pace' RTE Guide 'His most disturbing and powerful read to date' Shortlist 'Michael Robotham's outstanding debut The Suspect was so inventive and raw it caused a tremor of excitement among thriller fans. Now, three books in, and Robotham proves he is becoming a master at making the earth move' Daily Record

Author description

Before writing full-time, Michael Robotham was an investigative journalist in Britain, Australia and the US. He is the pseudonymous author of 10 best-selling non-fiction titles, involving prominent figures in the military, the arts, sport and science. He lives in Sydney with his wife and 3 daughters.