Bleed for Me (Joe O'Loughlin Book 4)

The book kept me reading it. It kept the right pace and great anticapation. I like this author and cannot wait to read the next boo

I've said before that Michael Robotham is the next big thing--an Australian who writes about England with authority. In one novel he studies the rivers and sewers beneath London, an incredible tour de force. One problem (noted by other reviewers) is that Robotham is truly an international writer, with books that appeal to all but are not published everywhere. Just remember--Amazon UK and British booksellers charge modest shipping fees; don't hesitate to get former Robotham novels that way. His next book, coming out in June, is a Vincent Ruiz novel, published by Mulholland, Little Brown's new crime imprint. Perhaps that means he's found an American publisher for the long haul. Let's hope so, because he's an A list writer.Bleed for Me is a Joe O'Loughlin book, with an extended appearance by Vincent Ruiz. O'Loughlin is a psychologist living in Bath, teaching part-time. He is afflicted by Parkinson's and his marriage has disintegrated. Ruiz is a retired copper from the Met. He and O'Loughlin's paths crossed in the past and they make an exceptional team, the one blunt and physical, the other more cerebral and frail.In Bleed for Me Joe's daughter's best friend has been accused of murdering her father. She appears to be the victim of abuse, perhaps at the hands of her father, perhaps at the hands of a charismatic but unctuous teacher. Simultaneously, Joe's wife Julianne is translating (literally) at the trial of three skinhead types, accused of firebombing the home of a family of asylum seekers. As Joe investigates, it appears that the cases are related, principally because of the appearance of a prison-tear-tattooed thug called 'the crying man'.This is a long book, but the pages fly by, even though much of the plot is character-driven and the atmospherics are very textured. Robotham combines the British (Val McDermid, e.g.) tendency toward more leisurely narratives, filled with description and undergirded by a strong sense of place with the more urgent ethos of the American crime and suspense novel. While that appears to be a contradiction, readers of Robotham will know what I mean. He manages to capitalize on the strengths of each narrative style.While the plot of Bleed for Me is complex, the narrative is easy to follow, the characters are clearly differentiated and the ending is very satisfying, though the mood is somber and world-weary. This is top crime fiction. If you have not yet discovered Michael Robotham, prepare for a wonderful experience.

My first Joe O’Loughlin book, on the heels of a text from my daughter, who usually lets her 6 yr old daughter pick a book out from the library for “mommy to read”. I’m sure she was imagining herself running like the girl on the cover of Bleed For Me.I don’t know how we’ve missed these books! Joe’s wife wants independence from Joe; Joe’s early-teen daughter wants independence from her parents; she also wants her baby sister to give her privacy; her best friend is sexually advanced, she cuts herself, has daddy issues and an emotionally absent mom; she also has an aggressive older brother, and a sister who was put permanently in a wheelchair by a boy that beat her when she put popcorn on his head.Joe is in the beginning years of Parkinson’s, so he doesn’t really see patients, but teaches at the local college; he is also asked to “help” on a murder investigation by police. However, I wondered all through the book why they asked for his help, because they treated his conclusions like opinions and his opinions like superstitions.Luckily, Joe has friends. He has friends, because he’s only mildly narcissistic (for a highly intelligent, successful man), just a trifle depressed about his failing health-marriage-family-career-future (like most of themselves, the Irish); and he’s humble. His life is far from perfect and he struggles for that balance between happiness and fruitfulness. He works hard to not judge others, even as he loses his temper, like anyone else (without a degree in psychology) who should know how to CONTROL HIMSELF.I really look forward Joe’s growth in life, but first, I have to catch up and see how he got this far!

Michael Robotham never fails to please. Joe is one of the best, most human characters ever created in the genre.

I discovered the Joseph O'Loughlin series when I received a daily e-mail regarding bargain Kindle books. It was for the fourth book by Michael Robotham, Shatter. I have now gone back and read the first book, Suspect; the second book, Lost, the third book (which really isn't about Joe), The Night Freight. All were good books because this author is a fantastic writer. He has a style of writing that holds your interest throughout all of his books. My only suggestion, is that folks might want to read his earlier books before this one. While the books can stand alone, I am recommending to all my friends that they read them in order (maybe skipping The Night Ferry) because once you read one of his books, I think you may just fall in love with his style of writing, like I did. To date, there are 7 books. I have not read the sixth book, The Wreckage, yet (because it isn't about Joe either), but I have read his latest "Say You're Sorry". I truly enjoyed all six books. and am looking forward to reading more of his books in this series.

Separated but not estranged from his wife Joe is protective of his daughters and becomes involved with one of the best friend children, a self damaging child accused of murdering her father. A trial of bigots interspursrd on the complex plot makes this tale worth trading. The author is a refreshing change to the mystery genre.

I’ve been catching up on this series having enjoyed the first book. I had been quite disturbed by some of the casually racist and misogynistic commentary, particularly from the main character, in the last two books and by the underlying whiff of misogyny in the way most of the female characters were portrayed, which left me feeling as though I’d been slightly slimed, but decided to plough on & see if things improved. But then I got to Ruiz & Joe in Edinburgh in this book. The slew of anti-Scottish propaganda (Scots pay for things from all the English taxes, do we. 🙄) did it for me. I won’t be buying another book from this author.

I have read all the books leading up to this and some of the author’s other books, but the use of American terminology is quite jarring when the book is set in the UK. Fender for bumper, yard for garden and lots of others, but I had to stop reading when I got to the description of cruelty to a dog. It made my stomach churn and was totally unnecessary and gratuitous. I’ll find a different author to read

I have read a few of Robatham's novels and find some of them very difficult. I have never known a character get attacked so many times when their role is not an active one, and as for being arrested for murder ... I certainly wouldn't use him as a psychologist.

Fast paced crime drama which was good but not as Watching You by the author, now that one had me well and truly gripped. This one did but not as much so. Loved the way in which Joe tries to deal with events but also shows a sympathetic nature towards people too and his own health condition comes in to play showing he also has issues to deal with to. But will they hamper him in his mission to find out the real culprit? The person responsible, did not see that coming at all. Yes know I read 6 before 4 but got 6 earlier and had to read it along with Shatter thinking that with those two being the best so far I have read by the author. Still going to read the previous ones too as enjoying his writing style.

Michael Robotham is an author I have recently discovered and I am devouring his books. Can't get enough. Great characters, great storyline.