Michael Robotham was inspired to write The Suspect because of a story Margaret Humphreys told him when he was working with her on Empty Cradles. She wondered if she was doing the ‘right thing’ by removing a newborn from his mother at birth. An 8-year-old boy, who adores his father, is no longer able to see him because an array of professionals decide—incorrectly—that the father has been sexually abusing his son. The father’s life is ruined, and he kills himself.

When he becomes an adult, the boy is determined that those who caused this situation should pay for what happened. If he can’t get to the person directly, he’ll do so indirectly via loved ones.