The White Crow
- Judith D Collins
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 21
By: Michael Robotham
Philomena McCarthy #2
Narrator: Katy Sobey
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9781668031025
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: 07/01/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
“No one does suspense better.”
—Stephen King
Ambitious young London police officer Philomena McCarthy returns in this propulsive thriller by the author of When You Are Mine.
Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds to become a young officer with the Metropolitan Police despite her father and her uncles being notorious London gangsters.
On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child, covered in blood, who says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.
These two events collide and threaten Philomena’s career, her new marriage, and her life. In too deep, and falling further, Phil must decide who she can trust—her family or her colleagues—and on what side of the thin blue line she wants to live.
Told in real time from multiple points of view, The White Crow is filled with almost unbearable suspense—a page-turning tour de force that shows Robotham at the top of his game.
My Review
Michael Robotham (favorite author) returns following When You Are Mine, (5 stars) his popular Detective Philomena McCarthy series, with #2, THE WHITE CROW.
Fans will delight in the engrossing follow-up, catching up with the ambitious and tenacious young Philomena McCarthy who has defied all odds becoming a young police officer with the Metropolitan Police despite her father and uncles being London gangsters. (even though you will love them and they will never change). But they do love family.
She upholds the law. Her family breaks it.
This quote, 'You don't stop being a predator by acting like prey,' encapsulates the central theme of the book, highlighting the complex nature of crime and justice that Philomena navigates.
About...
Set in London, as we met McCarthy in the first book, when she was 11 years old, she was injured in a bus terrorist bombing and knew she wanted to be a cop like the one on the bus that day long ago. She was her hero.
We also met Henry in the previous book, now Philomena's partner (she 29) married a year and he (31) is ready for a family but she wants to put that off for a while as she enjoys her career.
In the present, on patrol one night with Coop, Philomena finds a barefoot child, Daisy, covered in blood, who says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.
These two events collide and threaten Philomena’s career, her new marriage, and her life. Phil must decide who she can trust—her family or her colleagues—and on what side of the line she wants to live.
My thoughts...
I have been a long time avid fan of Aussie's best, Michael Robotham for many years and have read all his books. I was delighted when I learned we would get a follow up book as I enjoyed WHEN YOU ARE MINE and meeting this fascinating protagonist, Philomena while she tries to balance her work, her gangster family, loyalties, and her personal life while caught in the middle of both sides of the law.
Philomena and her new husband, firefighter, Henry intended to take a break for a trip to Paris, but both the jewelry heist and murder of Daisy's mother forced them to cancel.
From Daisy's heartbreaking story to Phil's father, Edward McCarthy (we met in the last book) is having issues with his business thinking someone is taking over, the book is filled with heart-pounding suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
THE WHITE CROW is brilliantly written cop procedural/crime thriller by a pro with compelling characters, emotionally charged, intense suspense, and a fast-paced action that will place Philomena and Henry's life in danger. You'll find yourself deeply invested in their journey.
As referenced in the acknowledgements, the author created Philomena McCarthy in When You are Mine, as a standalone but like he and his fans, fell in love with Phil, and her father, giving the feel of classic old gangsters you will fall for.
As always, Robotham combines his keen investigative reporting skills with his skill for creating characters placed in real-life scenarios and pushes them to the limits, exploring moral dilemmas, family loyalties, with humor and grit, keeping fans fully invested and engaged in the story.
If you have not read Michael Robotham’s books, get started. He lands on my top books each year and he has an incredible backlist. This would make a super entertaining book to movie or TV series.
While THE WHITE CROW can be read as a standalone, I would encourage you to read the first book where you get to meet all the characters and this will enhance your reading experience.
I really like the AU cover of the white crow which signifies a person who is a misfit, an oddball, or someone who stands out from the norm. This can be in a positive or negative way, but often has a positive connotation, representing someone unique or exceptional.
A powerful and compelling story, the author is always at the top of his game and in a class all his own. As I have said before in previous reviews, the author never disappoints. His writing is superb, action-packed with strong characterization, and enough humor to keep you entertained. His skill is truly admirable.
He writes of strong women and conflicts between personal and professional and full of emotion. He is one of my favorite authors eagerly awaiting the next masterpiece. Captivating and engrossing, I hope there is a #3!
Even though I adore his standalones and series—I am missing Joe O’Loughin! PS Another all-time favorite of Robotham is, LIFE OR DEATH - highly impressive and still sits on the front shelf of my bookcase.
Recs...
Robotham is a top crime writer, and fans of cop procedurals, and fans of Robotham, Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner, and Lisa Unger will devour the gritty THE WHITE CROW (and the series)—my "go-to" author for smart crime thrillers with heart.
Special thanks to Scribner for a gifted advanced reading copy via NetGalley for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 1, 2025
About the Author
Michael Robotham is a former investigative journalist whose bestselling psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages. He has twice won a Ned Kelly Award for Australia’s best crime novel, for Lost in 2005 and Shatter in 2008. His recent novels include When She Was Good, winner of the UK’s Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for best thriller; The Secrets She Keeps; Good Girl, Bad Girl; When You Are Mine; Lying Beside You; Storm Child; and The White Crow. After living and writing all over the world, Robotham settled his family in Sydney, Australia. WEBSITE
