Of soulful tragedies and modern-day demons

Master of psychological thrillers, Robotham brings back his most popular protagonist, forensic psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin

And then he got a reply to his tweet…” says a father in a spooky voice holding a lit torch to his face in a dark room. His two children listen with rapt attention as he continues, “… But he had zero followers!” The children, scared, go, “OOOOOHHHHH…!” A while ago, Cyanide and Happiness released this comic under the header, “Ghost stories have changed since I was a kid”.

‘Close Your Eyes’ is a modern-day psychological/crime thriller that can be summed up as, “Crime novels have changed since I was a kid”. Michael Robotham brings back his most popular protagonist, forensic psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin in Joe’s eighth story.

Set amidst references of Miley Cyrus twerking, children watching ‘Frozen’ on loop and a world of 3D mapping of crime scenes, the book is ideal for the millennial crowd, who can relate well to the breezy, dismissive language and present-day sensationlising of personal tragedies by the media and society.

Chief Superintendent Veronica Cray calls Professor Joseph O’Loughlin to help with the investigation into the brutal murders of a mother and daughter. Joe, who was often asked to help the police, always had trouble refusing cases like these; he was drawn to helping the victims; to finding the killers.

He calls on Ruiz, a retired detective and his friend, to assist him. Other attacks on both women and men are also occurring at the same time in which the killer carves an ‘A’ on the foreheads of his victims, chokes them instead of strangling and dips their fingertips in bleach—his signature. It soon becomes clear to Joe that these crimes are connected to the double murder.

Working with Cray and Ruiz, the case became much more complex with each passing day. Theories are formed then discarded–suspects questioned and alibis proven. For readers who enjoy thrillers that keep one guessing right until the end, but with strong characters who feel like real people, then this is the book to read.

While this is happening, Joe is invited back into the family home to stay with Julianne (who had separated from him earlier) and his two daughters, Charlie and Emma.

Narrated primarily in Joe’s voice, there are parts from the killer’s perspective, too. He is your average criminal, who comes from a home where domestic abuse is an everyday occurrence, where women are blamed for anything wrong happening in a man’s life and beaten daily as children watch; the women cheat, they lie and they “die in a car accident while performing oral sex to another man”. One child grows up to become a killer believing that he is providing a “service” to the society by ridding it of women, who have had a slip in their married life.

Although the book can be read as a standalone, the intricate details of Joe’s personal lives have little significance to the story. Why is Emma (his youngest) behaving like the way she is? What difference does it make to the story if his wife, Julianne is diagnosed with cancer? Questions, such as these, will only make sense if one has read the other seven Joe O’Loughlin books. Otherwise, Joe’s personal life remains distant and references to earlier tragedies will not make the requisite impact.

Needless to say, Joe is a likeable character. He has a wonderful sense of humanity and a brilliant mind. His unique insight into human behaviour unlocks secrets of the mind with compassion and empathy. Personal tragedy has struck closer to home in ‘Close Your Eyes’ for Joe and his family. For fans of Joe O’Loughlin it will be interesting to see what the award-winning crime novelist brings next for the beloved psychologist.

By:Asra Ghouse