caligurlreads's review against another edition
3.0
I'd give this book a solid 3.5!
It was creepy for a psychological thriller, but it started out too slow for me. I felt like it didn't really pick up for me until the last 35% of the book. But I stuck it out.
Hugh is an emotionally disturbed man. Throughout much of the book, he wanders through the streets and at times doesn't even remember why he is here he is, what he is doing or how he has the food he has in his fridge. WEIRD! He meets a girl on the train and likes her. Gives her his number and is surprised when she actually calls. His mood swings are off the charts. But this girl does something to him. She can even see the subtle changes in his moods.
I think what Michael Cargill created for Hugh's character was great. I just think the overall start to the story was a little slow.
Thank you for the opportunity, Michael!
It was creepy for a psychological thriller, but it started out too slow for me. I felt like it didn't really pick up for me until the last 35% of the book. But I stuck it out.
Hugh is an emotionally disturbed man. Throughout much of the book, he wanders through the streets and at times doesn't even remember why he is here he is, what he is doing or how he has the food he has in his fridge. WEIRD! He meets a girl on the train and likes her. Gives her his number and is surprised when she actually calls. His mood swings are off the charts. But this girl does something to him. She can even see the subtle changes in his moods.
I think what Michael Cargill created for Hugh's character was great. I just think the overall start to the story was a little slow.
Thank you for the opportunity, Michael!
jrbee's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fairly short read, and an easy one too.
This story is cleverly written, it's rare that you can follow a character, get inside their head, dislike them intensely and then be completely surprised by a revelation that completely explains why they are the way they are.
Hats off to Michael for his clever character portrayals.
I recommend this to those that like crime, thrillers and interesting characters.
This story is cleverly written, it's rare that you can follow a character, get inside their head, dislike them intensely and then be completely surprised by a revelation that completely explains why they are the way they are.
Hats off to Michael for his clever character portrayals.
I recommend this to those that like crime, thrillers and interesting characters.
notsarahconnor's review against another edition
4.0
(This book was sent to me by the author and does not bias my review in any way)
I’ve been excited to read Underneath since I discovered it’s existence in a Goodreads giveaway. When I found out I’d won, I quickly went on Goodreads to see what the book was about. The back of the book however gave little detail as to what the story was about, though it hinted to something sinister, mysterious, and suspenseful. I enjoy reading about all these things so I was happy to have the book coming my way! Thankfully I was not disappointed, Underneath was so much more than I expected it to be!
The cover’s lovely and really works for the story. A cloudy shadow behind a closed door. It makes the reader try to piece together what this image has to do with the story and urges the reader to open the book and find out for themselves!
Underneath is funny, addicting, and most of all disturbing. I found myself reading this at work hoping I could finish the next chapter before a patron asked to take out a book (I came to no such luck).
Underneath is told in third person following two (basically three) characters, the killer and the police. I found myself sickened and deeply disturbed when reading the narrations of Hugh, the killer, I think Cargill excelled in writing this character making the reader fear for what he may do next and eagerly awaiting when the police would finally step in! Cargill also wrote the officer’s, Clare and Robert, narration well, especially the fun they have when on a break or not on duty. It was nice to read about cops as workers instead of the intimidating forces of the law. Don’t get me wrong, these police still did force the law, but it was nice to see the two different sides, with co-workers and on-the-job.
While Underneath is a fantastic novel I would have liked a bit more detail on the character’s lives. While the reader gets some background on Hugh’s childhood and some background on Clare and Robert in school together the reader is often left with questions. I would have liked some memories/flashbacks on Hugh in his teens, possibly exploring whether he was always a psychopath or whether he became one. I would have liked to see why Clare and Robert wanted to become police officers, what instances in their life made them pursue this career.
Though it’s a short book it is well worth the read! Underneath keeps reader’s on their toes as they eagerly await for both dynamically different characters to finally meet!
I’ve been excited to read Underneath since I discovered it’s existence in a Goodreads giveaway. When I found out I’d won, I quickly went on Goodreads to see what the book was about. The back of the book however gave little detail as to what the story was about, though it hinted to something sinister, mysterious, and suspenseful. I enjoy reading about all these things so I was happy to have the book coming my way! Thankfully I was not disappointed, Underneath was so much more than I expected it to be!
The cover’s lovely and really works for the story. A cloudy shadow behind a closed door. It makes the reader try to piece together what this image has to do with the story and urges the reader to open the book and find out for themselves!
Underneath is funny, addicting, and most of all disturbing. I found myself reading this at work hoping I could finish the next chapter before a patron asked to take out a book (I came to no such luck).
Underneath is told in third person following two (basically three) characters, the killer and the police. I found myself sickened and deeply disturbed when reading the narrations of Hugh, the killer, I think Cargill excelled in writing this character making the reader fear for what he may do next and eagerly awaiting when the police would finally step in! Cargill also wrote the officer’s, Clare and Robert, narration well, especially the fun they have when on a break or not on duty. It was nice to read about cops as workers instead of the intimidating forces of the law. Don’t get me wrong, these police still did force the law, but it was nice to see the two different sides, with co-workers and on-the-job.
While Underneath is a fantastic novel I would have liked a bit more detail on the character’s lives. While the reader gets some background on Hugh’s childhood and some background on Clare and Robert in school together the reader is often left with questions. I would have liked some memories/flashbacks on Hugh in his teens, possibly exploring whether he was always a psychopath or whether he became one. I would have liked to see why Clare and Robert wanted to become police officers, what instances in their life made them pursue this career.
Though it’s a short book it is well worth the read! Underneath keeps reader’s on their toes as they eagerly await for both dynamically different characters to finally meet!
avoraciousreader68's review
4.0
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
From Goodreads:
Look at the person sitting just across from you. It doesn't matter whether they’re a loved one, a friend, or a complete stranger.
Now look at their face. Are they happy? Are they sad? Or are they angry? Can you even tell?
How well do you actually know the people closest to you?
Have you ever seen the real person that lies just underneath what you see...?
This is a pretty strange story. Hugh, the main dude, is totally unlikeable. I mean, he’s really an asshole. Yikes. There is absolutely nothing to like about him. I’m serious. He is interesting though. Weird, I know.
Robert and Clare are two police officers who are unintentionally following Hugh around. They’re answering disturbance calls about Hugh, but they don’t know who he is or even that these calls are all about the same guy.
The parallel stories are what’s interesting about this tale. As much as I hate Hugh, I kept reading to see if Clare and Robert ever catch up to him. And I have to say the ending is…wow!
From Goodreads:
Look at the person sitting just across from you. It doesn't matter whether they’re a loved one, a friend, or a complete stranger.
Now look at their face. Are they happy? Are they sad? Or are they angry? Can you even tell?
How well do you actually know the people closest to you?
Have you ever seen the real person that lies just underneath what you see...?
This is a pretty strange story. Hugh, the main dude, is totally unlikeable. I mean, he’s really an asshole. Yikes. There is absolutely nothing to like about him. I’m serious. He is interesting though. Weird, I know.
Robert and Clare are two police officers who are unintentionally following Hugh around. They’re answering disturbance calls about Hugh, but they don’t know who he is or even that these calls are all about the same guy.
The parallel stories are what’s interesting about this tale. As much as I hate Hugh, I kept reading to see if Clare and Robert ever catch up to him. And I have to say the ending is…wow!
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