Review: facinating and fantastic!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 18, 2012
Another breathtaking story by an incredible author who has once again exceeded all expectations, by producing something that is truly remarkable and memorable. Grabbing my attention instantly I was drawn into the most original storyline, which like his previous work `Shades of Grey' combines intense action and drama with distinctive characters. Candid, strait to the point the author combines an openness in his style of writing that is honest when revealing to all the harsh realities of life and the world that we live in.The narration is split into two parts where you observe the main character of Hugh alongside two police officers, until ultimately the connecting segments join together in the most dramatic climax of an astonishing ending. I found the character of Hugh extremely fascinating and intriguing, as his dual personality was one that mesmerized and made me want to read on to find out more. This individual was a complex being whose emotions seemed to rule his life, his actions and reactions in situations shaping and defining the entire storyline. One minute he was the amiable, unremarkable guy and the next he was a being full of rage, anger and hidden emotion that stemmed from an incident in his past. Grief can last a lifetime, it can resurface and change our personalities as it clouds ones mind with intense feeling and confusion. Love, lust and anger were expressed within this unique character that had lost direction within his life and purpose thus living out his days with instinctive, natural course whilst slowly increasing memory loss clouded his thoughts. As episodes of rage became more regular the results of his actions became more serious, until the truth of what lay inside Hugh was exposed and the faade uncovered.The cast of characters from the ambitious police officer Claire to her colleague Robert, to the victim's mother Jane Meadows and Abigail the young girl whose judgment was sorely wrong regarding the man whose disguise was so well crafted. This tale reminded me of a quote from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre where one is asked `...someone so unspectacular and inconspicuous from the outside could hide a beast within'. It can be so easy to trust, to assume and to judge on outer appearances without knowing what is inside someone's very soul where a black heart could be found.Gripping, fast-paced action and intense drama made this story utterly brilliant that was spine chilling as it left me with hundreds of questions in my mind. Loosing myself within the characters stories and trying to put together all the pieces of the puzzle, I was left in suspense as I continued to read wanting to know more about these remarkable individuals and how it would end. There is an sincerity to the thought-provoking poignancy within this tale as you grasp the true meaning and messages that are hidden, but also a frankness when discussing certain aspects within life that one can relate to in part. The colloquial language although not slang was conversational making one feel as if the reader was speaking to you directly, as if you the reader are a witness to this epic saga.Michael Cargill is an accomplished author who has once again produced something highly readable and distinctive. His work is poignant, touching and emotive in places but also truth-drawing in which you are able to understand, connecting to the narrative in the modern day. Underneath is a book that you could compare to many works in which you have to look beneath the surface and the obvious to see what lies beneath, making this not only a great story but also one that delves deeper. Highly readable that evokes the twenty-first century many readers will find themselves being touched by something that is original, where captivating twists and turns will leave you wanting to read more. Similarly to the main character this book probes ones own curiosity as you travel on the most exciting rollercoaster of a ride that delights as much as it astonishes.