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Bombproof
A kinetic standalone from "first class storyteller" Michael Robotham (San Francisco Chronicle). Sami Macbeth is not a master criminal. He's not even a minor one. He's not a jewel thief. He's not a safe-cracker. He's not an expert in explosives. Sami plays guitar and wants to be a rock god but keeps getting sidetracked by unforeseen circumstances. Fifty-four hours ago Sami was released from prison. Thirty-six hours ago he slept with the woman of his dreams at the Savoy. An hour ago his train blew up. Now he's carrying a rucksack through London's West End and has turned himself into the most wanted terrorist in the country. Fast, funny, hip and violent, Bombproof is a non-stop adventure full of unforgettable characters and a heartwarming hero -- Sami Macbeth -- a man with the uncanny ability to turn a desperate situation into a hopeless one.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
427 people are currently reading
2089 people want to read
About the author
Michael Robotham
53 books7,233 followersTwo-times Gold Dagger winner (2015 and 2020), twice Edgar best novel finalist (2016 and 2020) and winner of the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (2021), Michael Robotham was born in Australia in November 1960 and grew up in small country towns that had more dogs than people and more flies than dogs. He escaped became a cadet journalist on an afternoon newspaper in Sydney.
For the next fourteen years he worked for newspapers and magazines in Australia, Europe, Africa and America. As a senior feature writer for the UK’s Mail on Sunday he was among the first people to view the letters and diaries of Czar Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra, unearthed in the Moscow State Archives in 1991. He also gained access to Stalin’s Hitler files, which had been missing for nearly fifty years until a cleaner stumbled upon a cardboard box that had been misplaced and misfiled.
In 1993 he quit journalism to become a ghostwriter, collaborating with politicians, pop stars, psychologists, adventurers and showbusiness personalities to write their autobiographies. Twelve of these non-fiction titles have been bestsellers with combined sales of more than 2 million copies.
His first novel 'THE SUSPECT', a psychological thriller, was chosen by the world’s largest consortium of book clubs as only the fifth “International Book of the Month”, making it the top recommendation to 28 million book club members in fifteen countries.
Since then, Michael's psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages and his Joe O'Loughlin series is are currently in development for TV by World Productions. A six-part TV series based upon his standalone novel THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS was aired on BBC1 in 2020, and a second series begins filming in 2021.
Michael lives in Sydney with his wife and a diminishing number of dependent daughters.
For the next fourteen years he worked for newspapers and magazines in Australia, Europe, Africa and America. As a senior feature writer for the UK’s Mail on Sunday he was among the first people to view the letters and diaries of Czar Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra, unearthed in the Moscow State Archives in 1991. He also gained access to Stalin’s Hitler files, which had been missing for nearly fifty years until a cleaner stumbled upon a cardboard box that had been misplaced and misfiled.
In 1993 he quit journalism to become a ghostwriter, collaborating with politicians, pop stars, psychologists, adventurers and showbusiness personalities to write their autobiographies. Twelve of these non-fiction titles have been bestsellers with combined sales of more than 2 million copies.
His first novel 'THE SUSPECT', a psychological thriller, was chosen by the world’s largest consortium of book clubs as only the fifth “International Book of the Month”, making it the top recommendation to 28 million book club members in fifteen countries.
Since then, Michael's psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages and his Joe O'Loughlin series is are currently in development for TV by World Productions. A six-part TV series based upon his standalone novel THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS was aired on BBC1 in 2020, and a second series begins filming in 2021.
Michael lives in Sydney with his wife and a diminishing number of dependent daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
July 28, 2016
A Gripping Page Turner!
A real page turner with nonstop action. Michael Robotham has a real flare for snappy, intelligent writing. His characters are fascinating, along with a gripping story which will keep the reader enthralled right to the end. One of the best books I’ve read this year and highly recommended. Definitely not to be missed.
A real page turner with nonstop action. Michael Robotham has a real flare for snappy, intelligent writing. His characters are fascinating, along with a gripping story which will keep the reader enthralled right to the end. One of the best books I’ve read this year and highly recommended. Definitely not to be missed.
February 25, 2017
Michael Robotham continues his winning streak with me!
Sami Macbeth is a budding musician until he's in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he gets out of prison, he only wants to be with his sister and start a new life. Other people have different plans for him.
Retired Detective Ruiz plays a part in this book, but the main characters are Sami, Ray Garza, and Tony Murphy. Characterization is again very strong in this book, and Robotham's writing style has a natural flow. When the tension amps up, I have to remind myself to read slower and take it all in.
I just love Michael Robotham's books!
Sami Macbeth is a budding musician until he's in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he gets out of prison, he only wants to be with his sister and start a new life. Other people have different plans for him.
Retired Detective Ruiz plays a part in this book, but the main characters are Sami, Ray Garza, and Tony Murphy. Characterization is again very strong in this book, and Robotham's writing style has a natural flow. When the tension amps up, I have to remind myself to read slower and take it all in.
I just love Michael Robotham's books!
July 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The author has created a delightful main character in Sami McBeth. He is smart but lacking in common sense and is the unluckiest person you could ever meet. And yet at the same time some kind of fate is looking after him - just!
The story was action packed and often very tense but at the same time there was a lot of humour both in the snappy dialogue and in the way life deals with Sami. Very well done!
The story was action packed and often very tense but at the same time there was a lot of humour both in the snappy dialogue and in the way life deals with Sami. Very well done!
July 30, 2016
Sami has a knack of being in the right place at the wrong time and always seems to dig himself deeper into trouble. All he really wants is to become a rock god and look after his younger sister. But Nadia is missing and every move to find her puts him deeper and deeper in trouble.
Bombproof is a gritty, coarse and satirical story of London’s criminal underbelly and how an ordinary guy, who just wanted to play guitar, brought them unstuck.
Robotham has mixed a colourful, well developed cast of characters with a storyline that will make you squirm and hold your breath leading up to an adrenalin pumping finish.
Bombproof is a gritty, coarse and satirical story of London’s criminal underbelly and how an ordinary guy, who just wanted to play guitar, brought them unstuck.
Robotham has mixed a colourful, well developed cast of characters with a storyline that will make you squirm and hold your breath leading up to an adrenalin pumping finish.
November 3, 2022
This is the second standalone book from this author although Vincent Ruiz’s appears in the book as a retired Detective Inspector.
A very easy read with quick chapters coming fast and furious. This is more of a light hearted read and rather comical a bit like Richard Osman but more adult rated with toilet humour and stereotypical built characters and dialogue. Did not quite enjoy this one as much as the other books I’ve read from this author but just enjoyed enough to give it an average rating.
A very easy read with quick chapters coming fast and furious. This is more of a light hearted read and rather comical a bit like Richard Osman but more adult rated with toilet humour and stereotypical built characters and dialogue. Did not quite enjoy this one as much as the other books I’ve read from this author but just enjoyed enough to give it an average rating.
September 10, 2021
Sami MacBeth, as it is said many times in the book, has to be the unluckiest person alive.
Within 24 hours of being released from prison, for a crime he did not commit, he looks to be on a fast track straight back there. But with so many people wanting him dead, he may not be lucky enough to survive that long.
Although not part of a series, the book does feature a now retired Vincent Ruiz from the Joseph O'Loughlin series.
It is a very violent book, some graphic scenes, torture, rape and drug addiction. As usual though it is interspersed with laugh out loud moments that make this authors books so enjoyable.
Within 24 hours of being released from prison, for a crime he did not commit, he looks to be on a fast track straight back there. But with so many people wanting him dead, he may not be lucky enough to survive that long.
Although not part of a series, the book does feature a now retired Vincent Ruiz from the Joseph O'Loughlin series.
It is a very violent book, some graphic scenes, torture, rape and drug addiction. As usual though it is interspersed with laugh out loud moments that make this authors books so enjoyable.
January 5, 2018
I have to admit that as far as I am concerned Michael Robotham can do no wrong. So I was keen to start Bombproof. I was doubly pleased when I saw that one of my favourite characters ex DI Ruiz was the main player from past books. So, book in hand I settles down for an entertaining read. I was not dissapointed.
Every turn of the page brings new drama and excitement.
Ruiz has lost none of his dry humour nor is he interested in being politically correct. This mix of high adrenaline action and laugh out loud humour is an irresistible combination.
The main character is,one, Sami McBeth who is a front runner for the Murphy's Law Award, if it can go wrong it will go wrong, and you wont believe just how wrong things will get for Sami.
This come with an unqualified recommendation. 5 star great.
Every turn of the page brings new drama and excitement.
Ruiz has lost none of his dry humour nor is he interested in being politically correct. This mix of high adrenaline action and laugh out loud humour is an irresistible combination.
The main character is,one, Sami McBeth who is a front runner for the Murphy's Law Award, if it can go wrong it will go wrong, and you wont believe just how wrong things will get for Sami.
This come with an unqualified recommendation. 5 star great.
August 30, 2017
Addictive thriller. Fast paced, great story and new/familiar characters. It was a little over the top in some places but it was great for escapism. Ex con ( or is he) gets released from prison and just wants to find his sister. He gets caught up with terrorist plots, organised crime, armed robbery and drug busts. Great if you want a fun thrill ride of a novel.
February 12, 2017
A great book with great characters. Despite reading a few of the books out of order – this being one of his earlier works – Robotham hasn't disappointed me yet.
December 31, 2020
Bombproof by Australian writer Michael Robotham is another eventful, gritty and intriguing reading. I have enjoyed all of this author's books, including this one, but I have to admit it wasn't one of my favorites and I don't really know why. However, saying that I think it is worth reading, and the fans of this author are sure to like it. Recommended.
September 20, 2017
“Bombproof” opens to an explosion on the London underground. Sami Macbeth emerges from the debris out onto the street where the city is in lockdown. There was an explosion earlier and the mobile phone network has been shut down. He needs a payphone to contact Tony Murphy. To explain. Trying to avoid the police as he relives the past three days in his mind...
Vincent Ruiz is a retired detective. It’s his birthday and every year he gets a card from Ray Garza, a millionaire who made his money by selling luxury goods stripped out of Kuwait and abandoned in the desert during the first Gulf War. Years earlier he brutalised a young woman in a drug-fueled frenzy but she committed suicide before testifying against him. Since then Garza has bought his way to respectability, but he has a feckless son, Ray Garza Junior.
Sami is a walking accident. An innocent. He wants to be a rock legend and plays air guitar but when the van pulled up at the service station and the roadie legged it away from the police, only to be rundown by a truck, Sami was arrested for possession of stolen goods. His legal counsel advised him to plead guilty and he went down for three years, surviving prison due to his “kudos” among the villains for pulling the Hampstead job. On the eve of his release a young man is held in the adjoining cell, arrested for possession of cocaine and discharging a firearm at police, ranting on how his rich daddy will get him off.
Sami is freed on parole but his sister Nadia is not there to meet him. He avoids a car waiting there and catches the bus. Nadia’s flat has been leased to someone else. A barman where she works occasionally tells him she has been keeping company with sleazebag Toby Streak, a villain who drives a sports car, seduces beautiful young woman under the guise of getting them modelling or film roles and grooms them as prostitutes. He lays in wait for Streak, confronts him outside a bar, gets the better of him in a scuffle and Streak reveals he on-sold Nadia to gangland identity Tony Murphy. The next day Sami blurts out his story to his probation officer, Miranda, how he was set up and is now looking for his sister. She gives him a number to ring if he can’t find Nadia; that of her ex-husband, Vincent Ruiz.
He gets a text of an address in the East End, run by a Rastafarian named Puffa. Sami is beaten up, comes around tied to a chair and sees Nadia there dancing for Puffa as he lights a tube with crack cocaine for her to inhale. Then Puffa is beaten up and Sami is thrown in the boot of a car, taken before Tony Murphy. Murphy has a job on and needs a safe cracker, so is using Nadia as a bargaining chip. Sami knows nothing about explosives but to save himself and Nadia he “wings” it. The target is the evidence room at the Old Bailey. Sami blows open the strongroom door, taking half the upstairs floor with it and he and the muscle escape with the evidence Murphy wants. They make their getaway, swapping bags as Sami is struggling with the weight, take the underground and ka-boom!
Now Sami is on the run. He was captured by CCTV footage at the Old Bailey and is believed to be a terrorist carrying a bomb, and that he converted to Islam in prison. He holds up in Chinese restaurant and with police shooters in place, a negotiator calls him…
Robotham has taken recent events in London on alert for terrorist attacks, mixed with gangland violence and a twist of “Pythonesque” absurdity to produce an edge of the seat noir thriller with laugh out loud one-liners. The language used by the villains is realistically coarse, but the violence constrained to the dead victims rather than graphically depicted.
One of the funniest books I have read. Highly recommended.
Vincent Ruiz is a retired detective. It’s his birthday and every year he gets a card from Ray Garza, a millionaire who made his money by selling luxury goods stripped out of Kuwait and abandoned in the desert during the first Gulf War. Years earlier he brutalised a young woman in a drug-fueled frenzy but she committed suicide before testifying against him. Since then Garza has bought his way to respectability, but he has a feckless son, Ray Garza Junior.
Sami is a walking accident. An innocent. He wants to be a rock legend and plays air guitar but when the van pulled up at the service station and the roadie legged it away from the police, only to be rundown by a truck, Sami was arrested for possession of stolen goods. His legal counsel advised him to plead guilty and he went down for three years, surviving prison due to his “kudos” among the villains for pulling the Hampstead job. On the eve of his release a young man is held in the adjoining cell, arrested for possession of cocaine and discharging a firearm at police, ranting on how his rich daddy will get him off.
Sami is freed on parole but his sister Nadia is not there to meet him. He avoids a car waiting there and catches the bus. Nadia’s flat has been leased to someone else. A barman where she works occasionally tells him she has been keeping company with sleazebag Toby Streak, a villain who drives a sports car, seduces beautiful young woman under the guise of getting them modelling or film roles and grooms them as prostitutes. He lays in wait for Streak, confronts him outside a bar, gets the better of him in a scuffle and Streak reveals he on-sold Nadia to gangland identity Tony Murphy. The next day Sami blurts out his story to his probation officer, Miranda, how he was set up and is now looking for his sister. She gives him a number to ring if he can’t find Nadia; that of her ex-husband, Vincent Ruiz.
He gets a text of an address in the East End, run by a Rastafarian named Puffa. Sami is beaten up, comes around tied to a chair and sees Nadia there dancing for Puffa as he lights a tube with crack cocaine for her to inhale. Then Puffa is beaten up and Sami is thrown in the boot of a car, taken before Tony Murphy. Murphy has a job on and needs a safe cracker, so is using Nadia as a bargaining chip. Sami knows nothing about explosives but to save himself and Nadia he “wings” it. The target is the evidence room at the Old Bailey. Sami blows open the strongroom door, taking half the upstairs floor with it and he and the muscle escape with the evidence Murphy wants. They make their getaway, swapping bags as Sami is struggling with the weight, take the underground and ka-boom!
Now Sami is on the run. He was captured by CCTV footage at the Old Bailey and is believed to be a terrorist carrying a bomb, and that he converted to Islam in prison. He holds up in Chinese restaurant and with police shooters in place, a negotiator calls him…
Robotham has taken recent events in London on alert for terrorist attacks, mixed with gangland violence and a twist of “Pythonesque” absurdity to produce an edge of the seat noir thriller with laugh out loud one-liners. The language used by the villains is realistically coarse, but the violence constrained to the dead victims rather than graphically depicted.
One of the funniest books I have read. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2016
Sami MacBeth is making a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's served 3 years in goal for a crime he didn't do just because he was found sitting in a van full of stolen jewels that he didn't know were there. Now out of goal he's trying to find his younger sister and rebuild his life, but has been caught in a dangerous and intricate net woven by two gangs of criminals. Somehow whatever Sami does, he only seems to make things worse and it looks like nothing can save him from either a long prison sentence or a violent death.
Fast paced with frequent bursts of violence, the story is often funny and almost farcical as Sami digs himself deeper into trouble. It highlights the paranoia and fear that can develop in a society following a terrorist attack such as the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005 and can escalate a heist gone wrong into a suspected terrorist attack and total city lockdown.
Fast paced with frequent bursts of violence, the story is often funny and almost farcical as Sami digs himself deeper into trouble. It highlights the paranoia and fear that can develop in a society following a terrorist attack such as the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005 and can escalate a heist gone wrong into a suspected terrorist attack and total city lockdown.
October 31, 2013
Taking a little break from Sandford. This is excellent!
The ending was just a tiny bit last-minute-contrived for me, but in general it was a very good read.
The ending was just a tiny bit last-minute-contrived for me, but in general it was a very good read.
September 1, 2014
This is the story of Londoner Sami MacBeth, who is spectacularly unlucky in life. He is an intelligent, compassionate young man, at whom Fate throws bucket-loads of misfortune. Despite a terrible family background, Sami has a deep attachment to his sister Nadia, who herself has had lots of misfortune visit her. His devotion to Nadia is what keeps him going during nearly 3 years in prison, and what sets him on the path of his latest spate of disastrous happenings.
On the eve of his parole from 'the Scrubs', Nadia has disappeared. Hoping to live with her until he could get back on his feet, Sami can't find her when he gets out, and goes in search of her. This leads him very quickly into the seamy criminal underbelly of London, and we are introduced to a colourful array of pimps, corrupt cops, musclemen, drug dealers, nightclub owners and seemingly respectable businessmen who are really gun-runners and drug lords running prostitution rackets and all sorts of associated nefarious activities.
Within 48 hours of his release Sami is brandishing a gun and holding four people hostage in a Chinese restaurant in Soho. This incident is at the centre of a rather tangled web of intrigue which is visited on Sami by forces totally beyond his control. He is 'an innocent abroad' and he gets sucked into the evil machinations of some very bad men without realising what he's dealing with. He staggers from one terrible situation to another, clinging tenaciously to his goal of being reunited with his beloved sister. She too is enmeshed in this grimy underworld, another victim of ruthless men who manipulate others to save their fortunes, their reputations and their own lives in what becomes a bloody power struggle. Into this nasty underworld limps the familiar figure of Vincent Ruiz, retired detective, sometime private eye, and ex-husband of Miranda Wallace, Sami's parole officer.
The story starts off fairly slowly, as we get to know a little of Sami and reasons for his dedication to Nadia, then the narrative turns quite complicated, as all the baddies show their true colours and the body count begins to rise. There's not a great deal of character development, and characters like Nadia are rather sketchy, which is a shame, given her significance to Sami. Ruiz, who appears in a number of Michael Robotham's novels, is somewhat incidental to the plot, rather than a key player. In my mind this was a disappointment, as I wanted Vincent to be the hero.
The final quarter of the book picks up momentum and speeds towards a cracking pacy finale. So, after a slow and rather confusing start, this book began to grow on me. I loved the climax in which the fate of certain characters was determined, getting their just deserts. As things emerge, it is Sami himself who is both his own worst enemy and his own salvation.
On the eve of his parole from 'the Scrubs', Nadia has disappeared. Hoping to live with her until he could get back on his feet, Sami can't find her when he gets out, and goes in search of her. This leads him very quickly into the seamy criminal underbelly of London, and we are introduced to a colourful array of pimps, corrupt cops, musclemen, drug dealers, nightclub owners and seemingly respectable businessmen who are really gun-runners and drug lords running prostitution rackets and all sorts of associated nefarious activities.
Within 48 hours of his release Sami is brandishing a gun and holding four people hostage in a Chinese restaurant in Soho. This incident is at the centre of a rather tangled web of intrigue which is visited on Sami by forces totally beyond his control. He is 'an innocent abroad' and he gets sucked into the evil machinations of some very bad men without realising what he's dealing with. He staggers from one terrible situation to another, clinging tenaciously to his goal of being reunited with his beloved sister. She too is enmeshed in this grimy underworld, another victim of ruthless men who manipulate others to save their fortunes, their reputations and their own lives in what becomes a bloody power struggle. Into this nasty underworld limps the familiar figure of Vincent Ruiz, retired detective, sometime private eye, and ex-husband of Miranda Wallace, Sami's parole officer.
The story starts off fairly slowly, as we get to know a little of Sami and reasons for his dedication to Nadia, then the narrative turns quite complicated, as all the baddies show their true colours and the body count begins to rise. There's not a great deal of character development, and characters like Nadia are rather sketchy, which is a shame, given her significance to Sami. Ruiz, who appears in a number of Michael Robotham's novels, is somewhat incidental to the plot, rather than a key player. In my mind this was a disappointment, as I wanted Vincent to be the hero.
The final quarter of the book picks up momentum and speeds towards a cracking pacy finale. So, after a slow and rather confusing start, this book began to grow on me. I loved the climax in which the fate of certain characters was determined, getting their just deserts. As things emerge, it is Sami himself who is both his own worst enemy and his own salvation.
January 20, 2016
Loved the action. Laughed at the humour. Mused at how unlucky one guy can be. Wondered how he was going to survive, and marvelled at the solution. You can't go wrong with Michael Robotham.
July 24, 2016
A stand alone novel by Michael Robotham that is a fast paced, action filled novel.
I am a big fan of Michael Robotham's series of books featuring psychiatrist Joseph O'Loughlin and although I did enjoy this book is was not quite up there to his usual standard.
This book is a different from his other works in that it is a light read that is easy to follow with a straight forward plot. Not quite 4 stars.
I am a big fan of Michael Robotham's series of books featuring psychiatrist Joseph O'Loughlin and although I did enjoy this book is was not quite up there to his usual standard.
This book is a different from his other works in that it is a light read that is easy to follow with a straight forward plot. Not quite 4 stars.
May 24, 2013
Hang on to the edge of your page, because this is one helluva ride.
Robotham’s books need to come with a health-warning: inclined to induce insomnia. I read Bombproof in one sitting, staying up to watch the sun sneak through the blinds and hear the birds begin to bloody well sing. Serves me right for starting it so late at night. A shorter novel than some of Robotham’s others, it’s also an incredibly fast-paced book that follows the extraordinary mis-adventures of the gorgeously named Sami Macbeth, the “unluckiest person” in the world. Not a criminal, not a terrorist and certainly not a murderer, poor Sami is mistaken for all three and faces the hefty and deadly consequences of such labels.
Falling into one scrape after another, Sami finds himself embroiled in a plot to sabotage evidence in a major case. When his involvement goes horribly wrong, resulting in the blowing up of a passenger train in the London underground and the grisly death of his accomplice, Sami find himself being hunted by the entire metropolitan police, the criminal elements in the city and his face plastered all over the media.
With nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, Sami turns to the one person who can help: *sound the trumpets*. Enter, stage right, Vincent Ruiz. Grizzled, retired and with better things to do than hunt a terrorist loser, there’s nonetheless something about Sami that appeals to Vincent. Maybe it’s his underdog status, maybe it’s the fact all the poor bastard wants to do is find his sister, or maybe it’s because despite the best minds in the business being focused on capturing Sami, they appear to have missed the most important clues of all…
A great read that really pulls no punches when exposing the role of the media in constructing heroes and villains, Bombproof is for those who love a terrific crime tale, a swift and spine-chilling thriller and /or are fans of Robotham’s work or , like me, all three. No doubt, Bombproof is an explosive read(Sorry, terrible, but I couldn’t resist).
Robotham’s books need to come with a health-warning: inclined to induce insomnia. I read Bombproof in one sitting, staying up to watch the sun sneak through the blinds and hear the birds begin to bloody well sing. Serves me right for starting it so late at night. A shorter novel than some of Robotham’s others, it’s also an incredibly fast-paced book that follows the extraordinary mis-adventures of the gorgeously named Sami Macbeth, the “unluckiest person” in the world. Not a criminal, not a terrorist and certainly not a murderer, poor Sami is mistaken for all three and faces the hefty and deadly consequences of such labels.
Falling into one scrape after another, Sami finds himself embroiled in a plot to sabotage evidence in a major case. When his involvement goes horribly wrong, resulting in the blowing up of a passenger train in the London underground and the grisly death of his accomplice, Sami find himself being hunted by the entire metropolitan police, the criminal elements in the city and his face plastered all over the media.
With nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, Sami turns to the one person who can help: *sound the trumpets*. Enter, stage right, Vincent Ruiz. Grizzled, retired and with better things to do than hunt a terrorist loser, there’s nonetheless something about Sami that appeals to Vincent. Maybe it’s his underdog status, maybe it’s the fact all the poor bastard wants to do is find his sister, or maybe it’s because despite the best minds in the business being focused on capturing Sami, they appear to have missed the most important clues of all…
A great read that really pulls no punches when exposing the role of the media in constructing heroes and villains, Bombproof is for those who love a terrific crime tale, a swift and spine-chilling thriller and /or are fans of Robotham’s work or , like me, all three. No doubt, Bombproof is an explosive read(Sorry, terrible, but I couldn’t resist).
August 22, 2017
'Bombproof' is a bit of a departure from Michael Robotham's typical thriller. It's a little more light hearted in a way and some of the action crosses the line into 'huh?' territory, but otherwise it's a fine thriller and a tightly plotted story.
Sami, the main character, is both the luckiest and unluckiest guy around. He's thrown into prison for something he didn't do (unlucky), but he's given credit by the other criminals inside for the safe-cracking caper that they thought he did (lucky) so they leave him alone. On his release he discovers his devoted sister has been kidnapped, he uncovers who has her (some really bad dudes, unlucky again), and begins to negotiate for her release. Unfortunately for him, they want him to help another bad guy break into a safe at the London criminal court to steal evidence, even though he has no idea how to do it. The team inadvertently blows up the entire area with an explosive he didn't know how to use. On their escape, the duo gets on an underground train where Sami's partner jiggles his bag with the remaining explosive a little too much, causing the train car to blow up. Sami survives (lucky!) but becomes a fugitive when he's spotted on CCTV leaving the scene (unlucky). However, in his rucksack he retained some of the spoils of his burglary that he can use for leverage later (lucky again).
Subplots abound, and they're woven into the main story seamlessly. The remainder of the story involves Sami's attempts to remain out of the grips of the police, his interactions with various criminals who are after him and each other, his attempts to locate and free his sister, his love interest, and so on.
The writing is fine, a little simpler than other Robotham novels I've read, and the action moves quickly. Retired detective Ruiz, who has a large role in several other of his books, is a pretty significant character in this one but Joe O'Loughlin, my favorite Robotham guy, unfortunately does not. Otherwise, Bombproof is definitely a worthwhile read!
Sami, the main character, is both the luckiest and unluckiest guy around. He's thrown into prison for something he didn't do (unlucky), but he's given credit by the other criminals inside for the safe-cracking caper that they thought he did (lucky) so they leave him alone. On his release he discovers his devoted sister has been kidnapped, he uncovers who has her (some really bad dudes, unlucky again), and begins to negotiate for her release. Unfortunately for him, they want him to help another bad guy break into a safe at the London criminal court to steal evidence, even though he has no idea how to do it. The team inadvertently blows up the entire area with an explosive he didn't know how to use. On their escape, the duo gets on an underground train where Sami's partner jiggles his bag with the remaining explosive a little too much, causing the train car to blow up. Sami survives (lucky!) but becomes a fugitive when he's spotted on CCTV leaving the scene (unlucky). However, in his rucksack he retained some of the spoils of his burglary that he can use for leverage later (lucky again).
Subplots abound, and they're woven into the main story seamlessly. The remainder of the story involves Sami's attempts to remain out of the grips of the police, his interactions with various criminals who are after him and each other, his attempts to locate and free his sister, his love interest, and so on.
The writing is fine, a little simpler than other Robotham novels I've read, and the action moves quickly. Retired detective Ruiz, who has a large role in several other of his books, is a pretty significant character in this one but Joe O'Loughlin, my favorite Robotham guy, unfortunately does not. Otherwise, Bombproof is definitely a worthwhile read!
December 17, 2024
Bombproof is a stand alone novel by Australian author Michael Robotham, best known for his crime thriller series featuring London psychiatrist, Joseph O'Loughlin. First published in 2008, Mulholland Books has chosen to release this novel in the US in e-format.
Fast paced and action packed this thriller is a quick, entertaining read. The plot is fairly simple as the unlikely hero, Sami Macbeth, is caught between a rock and a hard place. Blackmailed by a drug lord, Tony Murphy, hunted by society criminal kingpin, Garza, with the entire metropolitan police force chasing him across London, Sami has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Though frequently violent and often crude, Bombproof is also unexpectedly funny at times, as Sami's life spins out of control.
Sami is such a likeable character, all he wants is to find his younger sister, Nadia and start over, but he is dogged by a talent to 'turn a desperate situation into a hopeless one'. He reaches out to retired detective, Vincent Ruiz who has some sympathy for the kid, and no love for Garza, helping eventually to untangle the mess Sami is embroiled in.
Bombproof is a quick, entertaining read with a visual storyline that would make a great action flick. Though it's quite different from Robotham's usual crime thriller fiction it is a fun departure for this bestselling author.
Fast paced and action packed this thriller is a quick, entertaining read. The plot is fairly simple as the unlikely hero, Sami Macbeth, is caught between a rock and a hard place. Blackmailed by a drug lord, Tony Murphy, hunted by society criminal kingpin, Garza, with the entire metropolitan police force chasing him across London, Sami has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Though frequently violent and often crude, Bombproof is also unexpectedly funny at times, as Sami's life spins out of control.
Sami is such a likeable character, all he wants is to find his younger sister, Nadia and start over, but he is dogged by a talent to 'turn a desperate situation into a hopeless one'. He reaches out to retired detective, Vincent Ruiz who has some sympathy for the kid, and no love for Garza, helping eventually to untangle the mess Sami is embroiled in.
Bombproof is a quick, entertaining read with a visual storyline that would make a great action flick. Though it's quite different from Robotham's usual crime thriller fiction it is a fun departure for this bestselling author.
August 22, 2020
This is the first time I’ve felt compelled to write a review. I’ve never rated a book less than 3 stars, but I give this book 1 star. The characters are ridiculous, the plot full of holes, the characters keep spouting wise cracks that sound like they’ve come from an amateur stand up comedy routine, and I don’t think any sentence had more than 5 words. I’m not sure how this book was published. I’ve read other books by this author that were good. This one wasn’t.
December 8, 2010
I've always been a fan of Michael Robotham's work. Filled with non-stop action, diabolical plots, colourful and three-dimensional characters, his novels are really difficult to put down. Bombproof was all of this.
Robotham was a journalist and ghost writer before taking up fiction writing. It was a long journey but he does not look back.
"I thought journalism would be a great career for a would-be writer, but soon discovered that you're a journalist for 24 hours a day, always chasing your next story. Journalism took me around the world and I witnessed some amazing things, but in many ways it is a young person's profession - particularly covering conflicts and wars.
"I finally summoned up the courage to quit my job as a feature writer on a British national paper. Ghostwriting was the next step.
"I was a ghostwriter for 10 years and collaborated on 15 autobiographies for all sorts of people ranging from pop stars, such as Gerri Halliwell of Spice Girls fame, to politicians as well as special forces soldiers and sporting greats."
Bombproof is violent, fast and a non-stop thriller.
It is peopled with amazing and sometimes unforgettable characters.
Inspired by the London terror attacks and the subsequent shooting of Charles de Menezes, an innocent man, Robotham says: "Bombproof was inspired by the hysteria and paranoia created by the Charles de Menezes shooting in London after the terrible May 7 bombings.
"These were dark days in London, but as so often happens, people overreact and jump at shadows, surrendering personal freedoms and in many ways allowing the terrorists to win because they change the way they live."
In the novel, Sami Macbeth has got to be the most unlucky person in the world. He's a man with the uncanny ability to turn a desperate situation into a completely hopeless one.
And it is for this reason that I couldn't put this book down - I just needed to know that this hapless individual would survive the ordeal of being Sami Macbeth.
Sami is not a master criminal, but everyone, including the most dangerous criminals in London, believes he is the best jewel thief, a safe-cracker and an expert in explosives.
Sami just loves music. He dreams only of being a rock star and keeping his younger sister, Nadia, safe.
But his plans are constantly scuppered by unforeseen circumstances that always see him coming out the loser in a big way.
He is released from prison after doing time for a daring crime he did not commit, that earns him hero status among the most notorious criminals in London.
As soon as the prison gates shut behind him, he is confronted by a few suspicious-looking thugs that he narrowly avoids.
That's about his only lucky break in the novel and throughout the rest of the book I just waited for him to die. In fact he manages to work himself so deeply into trouble towards the end, that this seems to be the most humane solution to this rather likeable character's problems.
The London underworld is a dark and complex one and Sami is pulled right into the heart of it.
When the underworld collides with the world of terror, the consequences for everyone can only be dire.
Like De Menezes, Sami is largely a tragic victim of circumstance and mass hysteria.
Robotham offers a striking analysis of society and the authorities and their response to the London attacks.
Bombproof is an indictment of a society as a whole that jumps to conclusions, especially with the current paranoia and preoccupation with terrorism.
"I remember being in London and New York soon after the London bombings. There was a lot of racial profiling going on, when it came to searching young men on the underground systems.
"I began wondering what would happen if you happened to be carrying a rucksack through a city, which contained something illegal. Not a bomb, but still something you couldn't reveal," he says.
"Later we also had a case in Australia where a young Indian doctor working in a Queensland hospital was arrested and held under anti-terrorism laws because one of his distant cousins was loosely linked to an attempted bombing in London.
"This poor guy was later cleared completely, but suffered a media and political lynching. The Australian government is yet to issue an apology to him.
"(Bombproof) is in one sense a satire, but I don't want anyone to think I'm making fun of such a serious subject," stresses Robotham.
"I hope I'm holding up a mirror to society that exaggerates and also provokes people to think a little about how lucky we are to live in the first world."
The book deals with these issues with sensitivity, insight and empathy. It is a refreshing and honest take on an issue that most governments justify and refuse to apologise for.
However, I did have a rather surprising gripe with the novel as a whole. One of the reasons I've always enjoyed Robotham's novels is that he has the most amazing and inspirational female characters who often take on lead roles.
In Bombproof, however, the women are rather disappointing and quite weak.
From Sami's heroin-addicted sister who is the ultimate victim and barely says two words even when she is sober and clean, to Sami's love interest, Kate, who is left standing on a street corner, to the wife of criminal-turned-respectable businessman, Ray Garza, who is a spoilt, rich madam, and to the female law officers, Robotham treats his female characters rather simplistically.
One gets the feeling they are just there to make the men in their lives look really good or really evil.
I was left with many unanswered questions about the important women in Sami's life. I wanted to know if and how Nadia and Kate turned out, how they moved on, how there lives changed and so on.
Robotham brings the stories of his male characters to perfect closure, but not so his female characters.
His response to this is that perhaps I've read too much into the novel.
"I set out to write a very very fast-paced book, something that was funny, violent, sexy and super-charged, something Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino might film," he says.
"Yes, the book lacks strong female characters. And yes, the women are generally portrayed as victims.
"This is partly a reflection on the setting and subject matter. Gangland London. Drug trafficking. Prostitution. Corrupt cops. Prisons.
"I love writing female characters, but for Bombproof I chose to concentrate on Sami Macbeth, a man who hadn't really seen any women for five years."
I accept this argument and see the point.
But I've decided to reserve judgment on this issue - until I've read his next novel.
Robotham was a journalist and ghost writer before taking up fiction writing. It was a long journey but he does not look back.
"I thought journalism would be a great career for a would-be writer, but soon discovered that you're a journalist for 24 hours a day, always chasing your next story. Journalism took me around the world and I witnessed some amazing things, but in many ways it is a young person's profession - particularly covering conflicts and wars.
"I finally summoned up the courage to quit my job as a feature writer on a British national paper. Ghostwriting was the next step.
"I was a ghostwriter for 10 years and collaborated on 15 autobiographies for all sorts of people ranging from pop stars, such as Gerri Halliwell of Spice Girls fame, to politicians as well as special forces soldiers and sporting greats."
Bombproof is violent, fast and a non-stop thriller.
It is peopled with amazing and sometimes unforgettable characters.
Inspired by the London terror attacks and the subsequent shooting of Charles de Menezes, an innocent man, Robotham says: "Bombproof was inspired by the hysteria and paranoia created by the Charles de Menezes shooting in London after the terrible May 7 bombings.
"These were dark days in London, but as so often happens, people overreact and jump at shadows, surrendering personal freedoms and in many ways allowing the terrorists to win because they change the way they live."
In the novel, Sami Macbeth has got to be the most unlucky person in the world. He's a man with the uncanny ability to turn a desperate situation into a completely hopeless one.
And it is for this reason that I couldn't put this book down - I just needed to know that this hapless individual would survive the ordeal of being Sami Macbeth.
Sami is not a master criminal, but everyone, including the most dangerous criminals in London, believes he is the best jewel thief, a safe-cracker and an expert in explosives.
Sami just loves music. He dreams only of being a rock star and keeping his younger sister, Nadia, safe.
But his plans are constantly scuppered by unforeseen circumstances that always see him coming out the loser in a big way.
He is released from prison after doing time for a daring crime he did not commit, that earns him hero status among the most notorious criminals in London.
As soon as the prison gates shut behind him, he is confronted by a few suspicious-looking thugs that he narrowly avoids.
That's about his only lucky break in the novel and throughout the rest of the book I just waited for him to die. In fact he manages to work himself so deeply into trouble towards the end, that this seems to be the most humane solution to this rather likeable character's problems.
The London underworld is a dark and complex one and Sami is pulled right into the heart of it.
When the underworld collides with the world of terror, the consequences for everyone can only be dire.
Like De Menezes, Sami is largely a tragic victim of circumstance and mass hysteria.
Robotham offers a striking analysis of society and the authorities and their response to the London attacks.
Bombproof is an indictment of a society as a whole that jumps to conclusions, especially with the current paranoia and preoccupation with terrorism.
"I remember being in London and New York soon after the London bombings. There was a lot of racial profiling going on, when it came to searching young men on the underground systems.
"I began wondering what would happen if you happened to be carrying a rucksack through a city, which contained something illegal. Not a bomb, but still something you couldn't reveal," he says.
"Later we also had a case in Australia where a young Indian doctor working in a Queensland hospital was arrested and held under anti-terrorism laws because one of his distant cousins was loosely linked to an attempted bombing in London.
"This poor guy was later cleared completely, but suffered a media and political lynching. The Australian government is yet to issue an apology to him.
"(Bombproof) is in one sense a satire, but I don't want anyone to think I'm making fun of such a serious subject," stresses Robotham.
"I hope I'm holding up a mirror to society that exaggerates and also provokes people to think a little about how lucky we are to live in the first world."
The book deals with these issues with sensitivity, insight and empathy. It is a refreshing and honest take on an issue that most governments justify and refuse to apologise for.
However, I did have a rather surprising gripe with the novel as a whole. One of the reasons I've always enjoyed Robotham's novels is that he has the most amazing and inspirational female characters who often take on lead roles.
In Bombproof, however, the women are rather disappointing and quite weak.
From Sami's heroin-addicted sister who is the ultimate victim and barely says two words even when she is sober and clean, to Sami's love interest, Kate, who is left standing on a street corner, to the wife of criminal-turned-respectable businessman, Ray Garza, who is a spoilt, rich madam, and to the female law officers, Robotham treats his female characters rather simplistically.
One gets the feeling they are just there to make the men in their lives look really good or really evil.
I was left with many unanswered questions about the important women in Sami's life. I wanted to know if and how Nadia and Kate turned out, how they moved on, how there lives changed and so on.
Robotham brings the stories of his male characters to perfect closure, but not so his female characters.
His response to this is that perhaps I've read too much into the novel.
"I set out to write a very very fast-paced book, something that was funny, violent, sexy and super-charged, something Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino might film," he says.
"Yes, the book lacks strong female characters. And yes, the women are generally portrayed as victims.
"This is partly a reflection on the setting and subject matter. Gangland London. Drug trafficking. Prostitution. Corrupt cops. Prisons.
"I love writing female characters, but for Bombproof I chose to concentrate on Sami Macbeth, a man who hadn't really seen any women for five years."
I accept this argument and see the point.
But I've decided to reserve judgment on this issue - until I've read his next novel.
dnf
March 8, 2024I’m sorry, Robotham. I love Joe and Cyrus, but I can’t do this gangster type shit tonight…… or ever 😳
March 9, 2025
'I had a guitar[...] a Gibson Fender' - worthy of a point deduction.
April 11, 2024
Great book as usual.
May 4, 2024
3.5 stars
Fast paced, action packed thriller about a guy with the worst (and, in some ways, the best) luck ever caught between various dangerous and devious parties while trying to rescue his sister.
They based some of the story around the terrorist bombing of the London Underground, which gave it a realistic feel. A good holiday read if you enjoy this kind of thing.
Fast paced, action packed thriller about a guy with the worst (and, in some ways, the best) luck ever caught between various dangerous and devious parties while trying to rescue his sister.
They based some of the story around the terrorist bombing of the London Underground, which gave it a realistic feel. A good holiday read if you enjoy this kind of thing.
May 19, 2024
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Rarely, I find a book that is so bad I break my own rule and I don't finish it. Bombproof was so poorly written that I just couldn't take it. I had to stop.
Sami Macbeth was in a van crash with a fellow Roadie - inside the van police find stolen gems and he was off to jail. While inside, his sister gets tangled with criminals and a human trafficking ring. When released, he searches for her, meeting up with the mob Kingpin and a cop who can't let the Kingpin go. Skip to his escaping through London's West End with a backpack full of explosives. By this time I was so bored I stopped. Usually girls getting caught in prostitution and sold to criminal masterminds can lead to some excitement, but this was so badly written.
He went there. He did this. It read more like the outline than a finished story, telling me instead of bringing me into the action.
"Friday afternoon. Quarter to six. Ruiz presses the doorbell. Watches Miranda appear behind the frosted glass. The door opens. She smiles. Kisses both his cheeks. 'I brought flowers', he says. She looks great. She always does. Not just for a woman of her age but for any woman. Any age".
It goes on like this throughout, supposedly so exciting there isn't time to write an engaging sentence.
"Sami tries the nearest door. Locked. Looks for a fire escape. Nothing. The kitchen door is still open. He throws himself inside. Slams the door. Bolts it shut. Topples a metal shelf".
And then the reader goes to sleep.
Michael Robotham was a journalist and ghostwriter of many celebrity and political autobiographies - and has authored several thrillers, his books called "compulsively readable". I've persevered through some bad novels, but this goes beyond a dull sentence - it wasn't worth reading.
I was at a book sale. Found this book. Tried to read it. Couldn't read it. Left it. Stinks.
Rarely, I find a book that is so bad I break my own rule and I don't finish it. Bombproof was so poorly written that I just couldn't take it. I had to stop.
Sami Macbeth was in a van crash with a fellow Roadie - inside the van police find stolen gems and he was off to jail. While inside, his sister gets tangled with criminals and a human trafficking ring. When released, he searches for her, meeting up with the mob Kingpin and a cop who can't let the Kingpin go. Skip to his escaping through London's West End with a backpack full of explosives. By this time I was so bored I stopped. Usually girls getting caught in prostitution and sold to criminal masterminds can lead to some excitement, but this was so badly written.
He went there. He did this. It read more like the outline than a finished story, telling me instead of bringing me into the action.
"Friday afternoon. Quarter to six. Ruiz presses the doorbell. Watches Miranda appear behind the frosted glass. The door opens. She smiles. Kisses both his cheeks. 'I brought flowers', he says. She looks great. She always does. Not just for a woman of her age but for any woman. Any age".
It goes on like this throughout, supposedly so exciting there isn't time to write an engaging sentence.
"Sami tries the nearest door. Locked. Looks for a fire escape. Nothing. The kitchen door is still open. He throws himself inside. Slams the door. Bolts it shut. Topples a metal shelf".
And then the reader goes to sleep.
Michael Robotham was a journalist and ghostwriter of many celebrity and political autobiographies - and has authored several thrillers, his books called "compulsively readable". I've persevered through some bad novels, but this goes beyond a dull sentence - it wasn't worth reading.
I was at a book sale. Found this book. Tried to read it. Couldn't read it. Left it. Stinks.
June 1, 2015
Bombproof was a fast-paced thriller with a reluctant hero who seriously just wanted all this *&$#%@ to be over with. The plot is detailed and well executed. There were only two spots through the story where I had trouble, and it was because it slowed down too much that I lost track of what was going on.
The end seemed a little abrupt, and I’m still not sure if I like it (though honestly it ended the only way it could have ended… and maybe that’s why I didn’t find it awesome or amazing). All in all it was an enjoyable fast-paced read with great characters and a very good plot. It wasn’t the most thrilling thriller I’ve ever read, but I would definitely read another book by Rotbotham again.
The narrator had a very deep gravely voice that I liked a lot, but it was hard to focus on at times. He did read at a good pace.
Content/Recommendation: Drugs, sex, alcohol, violence, and language. 17+
The end seemed a little abrupt, and I’m still not sure if I like it (though honestly it ended the only way it could have ended… and maybe that’s why I didn’t find it awesome or amazing). All in all it was an enjoyable fast-paced read with great characters and a very good plot. It wasn’t the most thrilling thriller I’ve ever read, but I would definitely read another book by Rotbotham again.
The narrator had a very deep gravely voice that I liked a lot, but it was hard to focus on at times. He did read at a good pace.
Content/Recommendation: Drugs, sex, alcohol, violence, and language. 17+
June 11, 2017
Writing gets better towards the end, characters and motivations do not. I liked the short, snappy sentences and there were a couple of good passages. The restaurant scene was probably the best part of the book.
Didn't think highly of any of the characters. Sami is apparently unlucky and smart, but all I see is somebody who makes bad decisions (sans the hostage situation) and isn't that bright when it comes to his sister. Nadia's side of things is a black hole (no suitable conclusion for her either). Ruiz is a grumpy ex-cop, a cliche in almost every way. Mobsters are forgettable. Lucy the best character and the only one I wanted to read more about.
Ending was wrapped up far too quickly and not even in a satisfying way. Had no problem putting the book down and forgetting about it, even when it got the most interesting.
Didn't think highly of any of the characters. Sami is apparently unlucky and smart, but all I see is somebody who makes bad decisions (sans the hostage situation) and isn't that bright when it comes to his sister. Nadia's side of things is a black hole (no suitable conclusion for her either). Ruiz is a grumpy ex-cop, a cliche in almost every way. Mobsters are forgettable. Lucy the best character and the only one I wanted to read more about.
Ending was wrapped up far too quickly and not even in a satisfying way. Had no problem putting the book down and forgetting about it, even when it got the most interesting.
September 6, 2015
Okay so I finished this book in a matter of hours, it was so much fun I couldn't put it down. All the stars are aligned for this one: fantastic, fast-paced story about the unluckiest guy who luckily has half a brain and maybe a guardian angel watching over him; great writing and wide array of unforgettable characters, not to mention that it's always great to see Vincent Ruiz. Michael Robotham is in a class by himself. Looking forward to getting my hands on another one of his books soon.
November 11, 2015
A grade A thriller that had great characters (Sami MacBeth a man so unlucky that he can turn any "desperate situation into a hopeless one" and Vincent Ruiz my favorite recurring character from this author), a fast and furious plot with clever writing, and excellent narration on the audio version by Sean Barrett.
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