The White Crow: A Philomena McCarthy Novel

London Metropolitan Police constable Philomena McCarthy returns in Robotham’s rip-roaring sequel to When You Are Mine. When Philomena and her partner catch a glimpse of a barefoot child hiding in a yard in a posh neighborhood, they take the girl to her home and find her mother murdered. A few miles away, a jewelry store is robbed and the owner is forced to put on a suicide vest before the assailants escape. After one of Philomena’s colleagues frees him, the store owner asks about his wife, who turns out to be the dead woman Philomena discovered, and the action kicks into high gear. As Philomena, despite her low rank, is drawn deeper into the investigation, evidence emerges that her criminal father—who insists he’s gone straight with a legit property development firm—is connected to the jewelry store robbery. Soon, she’s forced to decide whether to protect her career or her family. Robotham nimbly balances Philomena’s psychological stresses with vigorous action and sharp dialogue. The plot is sleek and elegant, with interlocking story lines that culminate in a big, bloody finale. Readers will be sold on the prospect of another Philomena McCarthy mystery even before they put this one down. Agent: Richard S. Pine, InkWell Management. (July)