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."

Critic reviews

"Proves Robotham's a writer of the highest class who can create terror from the commonplace and crush the breath out of you."—The Daily Mail (UK)

"A disquieting, often moving, dissection of the layers of hipocrisy that protect the wicked."—The Times (UK)

Praise for THE WRECKAGE (2011):

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

Praise for SHATTER (2009):

"The most suspenseful book I read all year."—Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly

"Terrific...a classic 'wrong man' thriller that puts its hero in hot water, then raises the Fahrenheit to a fever pitch....Robotham not only builds the suspense masterfully but tops it off with a stunning twist."—People

"Pleasantly creepy....Plotted with precision and narrated with real intelligence."—The New York Times Book Review

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…

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.