Online reviews
The last third or so of the book was especially engrossing. There are some great twists and, following the kidnapping, Steve gradually becomes more enraged and unhinged. The ending was also dramatic and satisfying; due to his psychological state, Steve begins to hallucinate people from both his past and present – whether dead or alive – and that was fascinating to see from his perspective. Judith Rowe, ReadandReview
Would I recommend this book – yes I would. It is not a book that you can say is enjoyable (unless you enjoy being creeped out) but one that sends shivers up your spine and stays with you after reading. Irene Waters
A gripping tale in which the protagonist gradually unravels - leading to chilling consequences. The characterisation is very well done and the setting comes alive. Clare Stevens
I never came to like the narrator, but I did reluctantly come to understand him. A tense and creepy read. Dorothy Winsor
Whoa. Seriously weird. Seriously brilliant. Emma Williams
It is a real page turner with a wonderful twist towards the end .… Goodwin's previous life as a clinical psychologist has given her a great understanding of, and ability to explain how, our childhood relationships can stay with us for a long time and impact upon the later relationships that we make. Annette on Amazon
This novel is disturbing and chilling, dealing with two damaged people who should never have got together. A gripping tale and beautifully written. ReadingWriter on Amazon
This novel had me gripped from the start, then the tension slowly built up to the final, shocking scenes - I wasn't expecting that ending at all! This is an edgy, sometimes dark novel, but Goodwin's mastery of language glows in the dark. For me, the pace of the story was just right, and the twists of the plot kept me riveted. I read it in one sitting, and if you're wavering, I recommend you sit down and treat yourself to this superb read. JKF on Amazon
I must say this book made an indelible impression on me too. It’s claustrophobic and unsettling, complex and rather uncomfortable to read – and I really relished every moment of the experience. The room in the cellar – initially a retreat from the world over a Christmas of an unexpected new relationship, later something totally different – haunted my thoughts as I read, and for a considerable time thereafter. Anne Williams, Being Anne Reading
Told from Steve’s point of view, with flashbacks to a dysfunctional family and unhappy childhood, the story paints the picture of a vulnerable mind and how little it can take to tip one over the edge. Hints at future events kept me reading to find out what would happen, how, and with whom. The unexpected twists at the end surprised me … Though dark in outlook, it is an intriguing read. If you enjoy delving into the complexities of the mind, this book is for you. Norah Colvin on Amazon
At first, Steve appears to be just an ordinary happy go lucky guy, but as his layers are carefully peeled away, his sinister side slowly comes to the surface, surprising not only the reader, but Steve himself. Underneath, gives a chilling insight into the impact childhood experiences have on the fully grown adult. S. A. Edward on Amazon
As dark as the cover and compelling... I just wanted to keep on reading … to find out what happened next. The build up was managed very well. I was desperate for Steve to be found out, to be uncovered … I really enjoyed this novel. For me it was exactly the right book at the right time. Odaline on Amazon
a dark and twisted psychological thriller that is sure to give you the chills Linda, Books of All Kinds
This was a quick read as once I started, I was well and genuinely drawn in and hooked. Both Steve and Liesel were well formed characters, but Steve even more so as there were parts that flashbacked to his disturbing childhood. There was a really clever twist that shocked me and ramped up the intensity as well and this was an overall really absorbing read. Amy, Novel Gossip
This book was so good, and oh my gosh creepy. One of my biggest fears while dating was that a perfectly normal looking man could be a creep in disguise … The writing was so dark, intense, and gripping, that I just could not put it down. Tracy, The Pages in Between
Dark, twisted and compelling, Underneath is filled with tension and intrigue. I found it so intriguing that I read it in a few days … we really got to see inside Steve's head, however uncomfortable that was at times, but I was left … with a bit of a question mark at the end. I wasn't sure what was real and what was in Steve's head, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, I just have to dust off my imagination and make up my own mind. Michelle, The Book Magnet
I read this book with a sense of foreboding that the author delivered beautifully. There was always that apprehension and a feeling that something bad was going to happen, and this had me glued to my Kindle, my day lost in this menacing novel. Sophie, Book Drunk
It is so skilfully written that the reader doesn't notice the misdirections and then has to challenge their own assumptions … Intelligent, insightful writing which takes you beneath the surface of life in many, many ways. Marianne, Books, Life and Everything
This is a book to make you wonder, to ponder. How on earth would someone get to the point Steve gets to, if not a classic psychopath? It’s obvious and yet it’s opaque too. I think I will be unpicking this for a while yet. I really suggest you read it and make up your own mind; you won’t be disappointed. Geoff Le Pard, TanGental
It's a novel I'd highly recommend for Book Clubs. There's much to discuss about Steve's life and his relationship with women - is his travelling part of an un-rooted feeling? is he permanently searching for home? is his girlfriend unreasonable in her demands, and would they have lived happily ever after if she hadn't been? Mary, Our Book Reviews Online
Underneath is a psychological thriller that goes to some pretty dark places and I loved the sense of foreboding that builds up. We know from the very beginning that Steve will end up using his cellar as a kind of jail and the journey leading him to do so kept me enthralled … I really liked the detailed and thoughtful approach. Goodwin takes her time in revealing Steve's truth and, for me, this worked well. Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits
I would say that this is a good but slow burn sort of read … The writing is good, very detailed and well thought out, but the timeline or lack thereof did leave me a little confused at times. With no chapters, this book is broken into six parts which jump between present day and past events. The shifting timeline did make it hard to keep track of events but I do think this worked here, adding a questioning sense of whether events happened as we perceived. Kate, The Quiet Knitterer
My favourite sections of the book were the flashbacks to Steve’s childhood and his interactions with his family as an adult. They cover some pivotal moments in his life; some important and shocking, and others that helped shape him as a person more subtly. From each it was his emotional experience of the events that was significant; helping to build a picture of how his adult life turned out the way it did. Emma, Mrs Red’s Reviews
This was a good read, ... interesting, especially the ending. It makes you wonder what actually happened and whether your interpretation of the book was real or not. In that sense, it was cleverly written. Rachel Poli
Would I recommend this book – yes I would. It is not a book that you can say is enjoyable (unless you enjoy being creeped out) but one that sends shivers up your spine and stays with you after reading. Irene Waters
A gripping tale in which the protagonist gradually unravels - leading to chilling consequences. The characterisation is very well done and the setting comes alive. Clare Stevens
I never came to like the narrator, but I did reluctantly come to understand him. A tense and creepy read. Dorothy Winsor
Whoa. Seriously weird. Seriously brilliant. Emma Williams
It is a real page turner with a wonderful twist towards the end .… Goodwin's previous life as a clinical psychologist has given her a great understanding of, and ability to explain how, our childhood relationships can stay with us for a long time and impact upon the later relationships that we make. Annette on Amazon
This novel is disturbing and chilling, dealing with two damaged people who should never have got together. A gripping tale and beautifully written. ReadingWriter on Amazon
This novel had me gripped from the start, then the tension slowly built up to the final, shocking scenes - I wasn't expecting that ending at all! This is an edgy, sometimes dark novel, but Goodwin's mastery of language glows in the dark. For me, the pace of the story was just right, and the twists of the plot kept me riveted. I read it in one sitting, and if you're wavering, I recommend you sit down and treat yourself to this superb read. JKF on Amazon
I must say this book made an indelible impression on me too. It’s claustrophobic and unsettling, complex and rather uncomfortable to read – and I really relished every moment of the experience. The room in the cellar – initially a retreat from the world over a Christmas of an unexpected new relationship, later something totally different – haunted my thoughts as I read, and for a considerable time thereafter. Anne Williams, Being Anne Reading
Told from Steve’s point of view, with flashbacks to a dysfunctional family and unhappy childhood, the story paints the picture of a vulnerable mind and how little it can take to tip one over the edge. Hints at future events kept me reading to find out what would happen, how, and with whom. The unexpected twists at the end surprised me … Though dark in outlook, it is an intriguing read. If you enjoy delving into the complexities of the mind, this book is for you. Norah Colvin on Amazon
At first, Steve appears to be just an ordinary happy go lucky guy, but as his layers are carefully peeled away, his sinister side slowly comes to the surface, surprising not only the reader, but Steve himself. Underneath, gives a chilling insight into the impact childhood experiences have on the fully grown adult. S. A. Edward on Amazon
As dark as the cover and compelling... I just wanted to keep on reading … to find out what happened next. The build up was managed very well. I was desperate for Steve to be found out, to be uncovered … I really enjoyed this novel. For me it was exactly the right book at the right time. Odaline on Amazon
a dark and twisted psychological thriller that is sure to give you the chills Linda, Books of All Kinds
This was a quick read as once I started, I was well and genuinely drawn in and hooked. Both Steve and Liesel were well formed characters, but Steve even more so as there were parts that flashbacked to his disturbing childhood. There was a really clever twist that shocked me and ramped up the intensity as well and this was an overall really absorbing read. Amy, Novel Gossip
This book was so good, and oh my gosh creepy. One of my biggest fears while dating was that a perfectly normal looking man could be a creep in disguise … The writing was so dark, intense, and gripping, that I just could not put it down. Tracy, The Pages in Between
Dark, twisted and compelling, Underneath is filled with tension and intrigue. I found it so intriguing that I read it in a few days … we really got to see inside Steve's head, however uncomfortable that was at times, but I was left … with a bit of a question mark at the end. I wasn't sure what was real and what was in Steve's head, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, I just have to dust off my imagination and make up my own mind. Michelle, The Book Magnet
I read this book with a sense of foreboding that the author delivered beautifully. There was always that apprehension and a feeling that something bad was going to happen, and this had me glued to my Kindle, my day lost in this menacing novel. Sophie, Book Drunk
It is so skilfully written that the reader doesn't notice the misdirections and then has to challenge their own assumptions … Intelligent, insightful writing which takes you beneath the surface of life in many, many ways. Marianne, Books, Life and Everything
This is a book to make you wonder, to ponder. How on earth would someone get to the point Steve gets to, if not a classic psychopath? It’s obvious and yet it’s opaque too. I think I will be unpicking this for a while yet. I really suggest you read it and make up your own mind; you won’t be disappointed. Geoff Le Pard, TanGental
It's a novel I'd highly recommend for Book Clubs. There's much to discuss about Steve's life and his relationship with women - is his travelling part of an un-rooted feeling? is he permanently searching for home? is his girlfriend unreasonable in her demands, and would they have lived happily ever after if she hadn't been? Mary, Our Book Reviews Online
Underneath is a psychological thriller that goes to some pretty dark places and I loved the sense of foreboding that builds up. We know from the very beginning that Steve will end up using his cellar as a kind of jail and the journey leading him to do so kept me enthralled … I really liked the detailed and thoughtful approach. Goodwin takes her time in revealing Steve's truth and, for me, this worked well. Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits
I would say that this is a good but slow burn sort of read … The writing is good, very detailed and well thought out, but the timeline or lack thereof did leave me a little confused at times. With no chapters, this book is broken into six parts which jump between present day and past events. The shifting timeline did make it hard to keep track of events but I do think this worked here, adding a questioning sense of whether events happened as we perceived. Kate, The Quiet Knitterer
My favourite sections of the book were the flashbacks to Steve’s childhood and his interactions with his family as an adult. They cover some pivotal moments in his life; some important and shocking, and others that helped shape him as a person more subtly. From each it was his emotional experience of the events that was significant; helping to build a picture of how his adult life turned out the way it did. Emma, Mrs Red’s Reviews
This was a good read, ... interesting, especially the ending. It makes you wonder what actually happened and whether your interpretation of the book was real or not. In that sense, it was cleverly written. Rachel Poli
Advance endorsements
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A dark and disturbing tale of a man who appears ordinary on the surface, but is deeply damaged. Clever and chilling; [Underneath] is a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.
– Sanjida Kay, author of Bone by Bone and The Stolen Child [Underneath] is a compelling, insightful and brave novel of doomed, twisted romance driven by a sustained and unsettling voice. – Ashley Stokes, author of The Syllabus of Errors It's a quiet novel that gradually unpicks the past to discover what lies behind the protagonist’s façade. Obviously drawing on her experience as a clinical psychologist, Anne Goodwin takes what could have been a dry case study and builds it into a compelling read.
– Mary Mayfield, Our Book Reviews Intelligent, insightful writing which takes you beneath the surface of life in many, many ways. – Pamela Robertson, Books, Life and Everything Anne Goodwin turns to the dark side in her new novel, Underneath. Dark, twisted and compelling, Underneath is filled with tension and intrigue. – Michelle, The Book Magnet Paperback ISBN: 978-1-908600-57-8 eBook ISBN: 978-1-908600-58-5 |
