Underneath

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 liked the depiction of his burgeoning relationship with Liesel who is a great character and, even though the story is told from Steve's perspective, I felt I ended up knowing her even better than him. The flashbacks to Steve childhood add depth and helped me to understand his later actions. Goodwin does a good job of presenting a child's understanding the world as he sees it and of his interpretation of traumatic events. These vintage scenes particularly appealed to my imagination. I also enjoyed the family dynamic, dysfunctional as it was, but with, I think, universally recognisable sibling rivalries and allegiances.

Underneath is a slow burn so might not appeal to readers who prefer an action thriller, but I really liked the detailed and thoughtful approach. Goodwin takes her time in revealing Steve's truth and, for me, this worked well.