Review: The Other Wife by Michael Robotham

When Michael Robotham won the prestigious Gold Dagger Award for his novel Life or Death the world discovered something many of us already knew, Robotham is one of the finest crime novelists on the planet. Whether writing standalone novels or novels centered on his recurring character, clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin, Robotham grips the reader from the first page to the last. 

Robotham’s new novel, The Other Wife stars Joe O’Loughlin and, in my opinion, is his best book yet. I just did not want to stop reading. So when life got in the way, and I had to put the novel down, my mind returned to the story and I found excuses to pick it up again.

The thing about Robotham is that he writes fast moving, page turning thrillers while somehow managing to retain the rich characterisation he’s now famous for. We know all of his characters so well, whether they are main characters or walk on roles. Joe’s daughters are wonderful creations and his struggle to look after them in trying times is very relatable.

The Other Wife is an incredibly complex story, one which cannot be easily summarized without giving too much away. So I won’t try. However, I will say that Joe’s whole family are deeply involved in this story and nothing Joe has ever known will be the same again. This is a game changer novel that is guaranteed to please longtime fans, but would also serve as a great introduction to Joe O’Loughlin for new readers.

The beauty of this series is that the novels can be read with enjoyment in any order. I certainly haven’t played by the rules when reading them. These books are so rewarding in and of themselves. The only mark against The Other Wife that I can think of is the suggestion in the Afterword that this might be the last Joe O’Loughlin novel. Say it ain’t so, Michael, say it ain’t so!

Buy The Other Wife by Michael Robotham here.