In this breathtaking sequel to GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL, Michael Robotham brings back renowned forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and the mysterious Evie Cormac, also known as “Angel Face,” who previously was found hiding in a closet.

To this day, no one knows Evie’s real name or the secrets she keeps. She is a ward of the state and lives in a facility called Langford Hall. While not a prison, to her it often feels like one, and she never knows what is going to happen next. People in charge want to send her to another place with higher security, which leaves her in limbo. The powers that be disagree over what to do with her and how to handle her future. She barely trusts anyone and is therefore mostly on her own, making decisions out of pure fear.

"The architecture of the novel is rooted in alternating chapters from Evie’s and Cyrus’ points of view, giving readers first person accounts of the events, which makes for a compelling read."

Cyrus tries to convince Evie to confide in him but has no luck. She believes that if she tells him what she knows, they will be killed. At this point in the novel, readers are in the dark as well, which keeps the level of suspense tight throughout the narrative.

Evie has a special gift: She can tell when someone is lying. Nothing escapes her notice, and she is always on guard. Cyrus finds this phenomenon fascinating and has studied it in the past. However, his expertise brings him no closer to peeling back the psychological layers that she uses to shield herself.

Early on, Evie gets the opportunity to run off with Terry, who has a motorcycle and “turns her into a boy.” He cuts her hair, dyes it another color and dresses her in masculine clothes. They keep a low profile while riding away from anyone who might recognize them or look at them too closely. Sadly, he is tortured and killed, leaving Evie on her own again.

As the story unfolds, readers learn of several murders that have taken place in the recent past. Cyrus is consulting with the police about them, but helping Evie is his priority. He is frustrated by her silence but understands her enough not to push her too hard. She finds safe haven while on the run with a man named Marty, who owns a boat. He offers her a place to stay, and she trusts him enough to take him up on his invitation, albeit for a short time.

Robotham’s characters are well limned, and his plots are finely wrought without an extra word anywhere in his prose. In a 2012 interview with Crime Fiction Lover, he said, “Most of my books have involved women or girls in jeopardy. I draw upon my own worst nightmares --- dreams that involve my children being in danger: running, drowning, falling, calling to me, but I can’t reach them. These are common dreams for a father. I don’t enjoy such dreams, but I do like to explore relationships between fathers and daughters.”

This is precisely what Robotham does in WHEN SHE WAS GOOD. The architecture of the novel is rooted in alternating chapters from Evie’s and Cyrus’ points of view, giving readers first person accounts of the events, which makes for a compelling read.