Michael Robotham Books in Order: Complete Series and Standalone Guide

Michael Robotham is an Australian crime and psychological thriller writer best known for creating psychologically complex characters and tightly constructed mysteries. His debut novel, The Suspect, introduced psychologist Joe O’Loughlin and also began a sequence that would eventually run for nine books. His later Cyrus Haven novels introduced forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and the enigmatic Evie Cormac.

His bibliography is slightly more complicated than a simple series list. Some of his early books sit outside the main series, while When You Are Mine began as a standalone before Robotham decided that its central character, police officer Philomena McCarthy, deserved another story. The White Crow subsequently became the second Philomena McCarthy novel.

Michael Robotham Books in Series Order

Joe O’Loughlin Series

The Joe O’Loughlin books follow clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin as he becomes involved in increasingly dangerous criminal investigations. Vincent Ruiz, a retired detective, is also an important recurring character in the series.

1. The Suspect (2004)

Joe O’Loughlin is drawn into a murder investigation after the body of a young woman is discovered, and his psychological expertise makes him an unexpected part of the case. It introduces the central character and the world of the series.

2. Lost (2005)

A young boy disappears, and Joe becomes involved in the search. The case grows increasingly disturbing as the investigation exposes secrets that go far beyond an ordinary missing-person case.

Lost has also been published under the title The Drowning Man in some markets.

3. Shatter (2008)

A woman is found standing on a bridge, apparently preparing to jump, and Joe becomes involved in trying to understand what has brought her there. The investigation soon reveals a deeply disturbing psychological threat.

In some editions, Shatter has been published as The Sleep of Reason.

4. Bleed for Me (2010)

Joe becomes involved when a teenage girl disappears and a convicted sex offender is released from prison. The investigation forces him to confront questions about guilt, revenge, and the reliability of appearances.

5. The Wreckage (2011)

Joe and Ruiz become entangled in a dangerous investigation involving international crime and the aftermath of war. The story expands the scope of the series while keeping its psychological focus.

6. Say You’re Sorry (2012)

Two teenage girls disappear while traveling through Europe, and Joe becomes involved in the search for them. The investigation becomes a race against time as the possibility of a serial predator emerges.

7. Watching You (2013)

Joe becomes involved in a case surrounding a murdered woman and a man who appears to know more than he admits. The story explores obsession, surveillance, and the dangers of believing that you truly know someone.

8. Close Your Eyes (2015)

Joe returns to investigate a brutal crime involving a young woman and her family. His personal life is also becoming increasingly complicated, making this an important later installment in his character arc.

9. The Other Wife (2018)

Joe is pulled into a mystery surrounding his father-in-law after discovering disturbing information about the man’s private life. The investigation becomes deeply personal and brings the Joe O’Loughlin series to its ninth book.

Joe O’Loughlin reading order:
The Suspect → Lost → Shatter → Bleed for Me → The Wreckage → Say You’re Sorry → Watching You → Close Your Eyes → The Other Wife

Cyrus Haven Series

The Cyrus Haven series introduces forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, a mysterious young woman with an extraordinary ability to detect lies.

1. Good Girl, Bad Girl (2019)

Cyrus Haven is asked to assess Evie Cormac, a teenage girl who was found hiding in a secret room where a man had been murdered. Evie’s mysterious past becomes increasingly important as Cyrus tries to understand who she really is.

2. When She Was Good (2020)

Cyrus and Evie return in a case involving a murdered family and a missing teenager. As Cyrus investigates, Evie’s unusual ability to recognize lies becomes increasingly significant.

3. Lying Beside You (2022)

Cyrus and Evie face a new investigation involving a family tragedy, while the secrets surrounding the people closest to them begin to surface.

4. Storm Child (2024)

Cyrus and Evie return for the fourth installment, with Evie’s past becoming central to the story. Robotham has described this as the fourth Cyrus Haven book and said that he gave Evie most of the answers about her past while providing what he considered a hopeful ending.

Cyrus Haven reading order:
Good Girl, Bad Girl → When She Was Good → Lying Beside You → Storm Child

The author has said that he is not currently certain whether there will be another Cyrus Haven novel, although he deliberately left some loose ends that could potentially be explored later.

Philomena McCarthy Series

Philomena McCarthy is a London police officer whose complicated family background puts her in an unusual position. Her father and uncles are notorious East End criminals, while Philomena has chosen a career in law enforcement.

1. When You Are Mine (2021)

Police constable Philomena McCarthy becomes involved with Tempe Brown, a woman whose domestic abuse case leads Phil into increasingly dangerous territory. Philomena’s relationship with her criminal family adds another layer to the story.

Robotham originally considered When You Are Mine a standalone novel. He later decided that Philomena and her family had enough potential for another story, turning it into the beginning of a series.

2. The White Crow (2025)

Philomena discovers a child wandering alone and becomes involved in a violent investigation involving a prominent jeweller, explosives, and her own criminal family. The case places her professional life and family loyalties directly against each other.

Philomena McCarthy reading order:
When You Are Mine → The White Crow

Robotham has said he is working on another Philomena story, although it did not yet have a title when he discussed it on his official website.

Michael Robotham Standalone Novels

Robotham’s standalone novels can be read independently and do not require following one of his series.

The Night Ferry (2007)

A thriller involving former detective Vincent Ruiz and a dangerous investigation connected to human trafficking. Although it sits outside the numbered Joe O’Loughlin sequence, Ruiz connects it to Robotham’s wider fictional world.

Bombproof (2008)

A fast-moving thriller involving a man caught up in a dangerous conspiracy. It is a standalone story rather than part of one of Robotham’s numbered series.

Life or Death (2014)

A prisoner disappears just before his scheduled release, creating a mystery around why someone who was finally about to walk free would choose to escape. The novel won the CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel.

The Secrets She Keeps (2017)

Two women from very different circumstances become connected through a secret that threatens to destroy both their lives. The novel alternates between their perspectives and gradually reveals what each woman is hiding.

Michael Robotham’s Upcoming Novel

Tell Me Something True (2026)

Tell Me Something True is a departure from Robotham’s established crime-series structure. It is a coming-of-age story, love story, mystery, and tragedy set in a small Australian country town.

The novel has an unusual history: Robotham began writing it when he was 22 and kept the manuscript for roughly forty years before rewriting and reimagining it for publication. He describes it as his 20th novel.

Because international publication dates differ, readers may see different 2026 release dates depending on their country and edition. It should be treated as upcoming as of September 18, 2026, rather than as a currently published novel.

Michael Robotham Books by Publication Order

If you want to read Robotham’s fiction in the order the novels were originally published, this is the simplest chronological list:

*Upcoming as of September 18, 2026. Publication dates vary by market.

Should You Read Michael Robotham’s Books in Order?

For the three series, yes, publication order is the clearest approach. The Joe O’Loughlin books contain recurring characters and ongoing personal developments, while the Cyrus Haven books progressively reveal Evie Cormac’s history. Robotham himself has described the four Cyrus Haven books as a connected arc in which more of Evie’s story is revealed with each installment.

The Philomena McCarthy books should also be read in order. The White Crow builds on the character and family introduced in When You Are Mine.

The standalone novels, however, can be read whenever you like.

Where Should You Start With Michael Robotham?

Start with The Suspect for the longest-running series

If you want the classic Michael Robotham experience and a nine-book character arc, The Suspect is the natural starting point.

Start with Good Girl, Bad Girl for Cyrus Haven

If you prefer psychological mystery built around an unusual central character, Good Girl, Bad Girl introduces Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac from the beginning.

Start with When You Are Mine for Philomena McCarthy

Readers interested in police crime fiction, family loyalty, and London gangster connections can begin with When You Are Mine.

Choose a standalone for a shorter commitment

The Secrets She Keeps is a particularly straightforward way to experience Robotham’s psychological-thriller style without committing to a series.

What Makes Michael Robotham’s Books Different?

Robotham’s novels frequently combine crime investigation with psychology and character-driven suspense. His protagonists are often dealing with personal problems at the same time they are trying to understand a crime.

That approach is particularly visible in the three major series:

• Joe O’Loughlin: clinical psychology, crime investigation, and a long-running personal story
• Cyrus Haven: forensic psychology, murder investigations, and the mystery surrounding Evie Cormac
• Philomena McCarthy: policing, organized crime, family loyalty, and divided identity

The author has said that his interest in psychology was one of the reasons he created Joe O’Loughlin, rather than setting out specifically to become a crime writer.

About Michael Robotham

Michael Robotham is an Australian crime writer whose fiction has been translated into 25 languages and published in more than 50 countries. Before becoming a novelist, he worked as a journalist and later as a ghostwriter for autobiographies.

His debut novel, The Suspect, was published in 2004. Since then, he has written psychological thrillers across several connected series as well as standalone novels. His official bibliography currently lists Tell Me Something True alongside his published novels, with the book described as his 20th novel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Michael Robotham books are there?

Michael Robotham has 19 published novels as of September 18, 2026, with Tell Me Something True announced as his 20th novel and upcoming in 2026. His published fiction consists of nine Joe O’Loughlin books, four Cyrus Haven books, two Philomena McCarthy books, and four standalone novels.

What is the first Michael Robotham book?

The Suspect, published in 2004, was Michael Robotham’s first novel and the first Joe O’Loughlin book.

What order should I read the Joe O’Loughlin books?

Read them as follows: The Suspect, Lost, Shatter, Bleed for Me, The Wreckage, Say You’re Sorry, Watching You, Close Your Eyes, and The Other Wife.

What order should I read the Cyrus Haven books?

The Cyrus Haven series should be read in this order: Good Girl, Bad Girl, When She Was Good, Lying Beside You, and Storm Child.

What order should I read the Philomena McCarthy books?

Start with When You Are Mine, followed by The White Crow. Although When You Are Mine was initially conceived as a standalone, Robotham later expanded Philomena McCarthy’s story into a series.

Is The Night Ferry part of the Joe O’Loughlin series?

No. The Night Ferry is generally listed as a standalone novel, although it features Vincent Ruiz, a recurring character who is also important in the Joe O’Loughlin books. It can therefore be read independently.

Is The White Crow a sequel?

Yes. The White Crow is the second Philomena McCarthy novel and follows When You Are Mine. Robotham originally conceived When You Are Mine as a standalone before deciding that Philomena and her family had more stories to tell.

Is Tell Me Something True part of a series?

No. Tell Me Something True is a standalone novel. Robotham describes it as a coming-of-age story, love story, mystery, and tragedy set in an Australian country town.

Will there be another Cyrus Haven book?

There is currently no confirmed fifth Cyrus Haven novel. Robotham has said that the four-book story gave Evie Cormac most of the answers about her past and that he is unsure whether he will return to the characters, although he has left some loose ends.

Final Thoughts

Michael Robotham’s bibliography is easiest to understand when the three series are kept separate. The nine Joe O’Loughlin books offer his longest-running detective and psychological-thriller arc, the four Cyrus Haven novels focus on Cyrus and the mysterious Evie Cormac, and the Philomena McCarthy books combine police work with the complications of her criminal family.

For a first-time reader, The Suspect provides the earliest introduction to Robotham’s fiction, while Good Girl, Bad Girl offers a fresh starting point with Cyrus Haven and Evie. Readers who prefer self-contained psychological thrillers can choose from The Night Ferry, Bombproof, Life or Death, or The Secrets She Keeps without committing to a series.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.