I was given this book in exchange for a review.

I don't think I've read any of Sibel Hodge's books previously, so when I was offered to read this, I jumped at the chance to see what all the fuss was about this author. I wasn't disappointed I can tell you.

This book made me think of what the pharmaceutical companies are really like (for what I've read in the news and seen on the news). I guessed a couple of bits from the story, but was surprised at some other bits. I found the main character very likeable in a weird sense due to the way she was chasing this story but not for the reasons you would of thought.

If you love intriguing books with a twist, then you have to read Beneath The Surface. It's so intriguing and has the facts as much as you can see, that it's unreal.

From the outset this book was no great mystery; as each character was introduced I found it obvious what their role in the storyline would be. However that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
With a nursing background and having a chronic condition that relies on the very newly licensed wonder drugs at the centre of this book it was a fascinating and terrifying read.
Credible characters and a dramatic but believable storyline told with compassion and a fair amount of factually accurate detail.

Very good mystery with lots of action and twists but I think it is a bit unfair to the drug industry. In the US it takes almost 10 years for drug to get market approval and there are 3 phases of research that must be completed with FDA reviewing the raw data. They do site inspections!

Sibel Hodge is fast becoming one of my favorites. From her first book "Look Behind You" to "Untouchable and now "Beneath the Surface", I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. 4.5 stars rounded up.

This book starts off with the main character Holly outside of her old friend's house where a brutal murder took place. Her friend Jess and her husband have been murdered and their own teenage son Dean is believed to be the one that killed them before killing himself. Knowing Dean when he was young, makes Holly start wondering what could have happened to him in his life to make him commit such an atrocious act. As a journalist, but really just for herself because Jess was her good friend many years before, Holly starts to dig for answers.

A great story with a an obvious amount of research by the author, this book makes you think of how dependent we have all become to anti-depressants and how the pharmaceutical companies take complete advantage of that dependency.

For me, this story did start to get bogged down with a little too much in depth detail about Caprixanine, the anti-depressant that Dean was prescribed shortly before the murders during her conversation with Daniel. Once you get past that however, the story really picks up and I was tearing through the pages. This was a great book, very well written and engaging! I can't wait for her next book! A huge thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity of reading an advanced copy of this book, always greatly appreciated.








Samejo

Jun 03, 2017 Samejo rated it really liked it

A gripping book from the start. The subject matter regarding big companies was very well researched and of great interest.

Holly Gold has returned to live in her hometown working on the local newspaper. Her friend Jess and husband Stephen have been murdered by their teenage son Dean, who has then committed suicide. Holly investigates on behalf of the family's remaining relative, Jess' mother Barbara.
Another fantastic book from Sibel Hodge. Writing that is fast paced and truly addictive. This is one rollercoaster of a ride and had me hooked from the beginning.
One to recommend. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Holly is a reporter for a paper but not a very good one. She cares to much about the people she is writing the stories about. She certainly isn't one of the pushy ones that we tend to expect in the television shows and crime novels. She is determined though to help Barbara the mum of her dead friend find out why a normal teenage boy would suddenly turn round and kill his own family.

This is one of those conspiracy type stories. It reminded me of a cross between Erin Brockovitch and Enemy Of The State as Holly discovers something that links a sudden speight of suicides in the area. Only problem is, is that Holly has been trying to cope with something that has happened and no one seems to be able to take her seriously. 

I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book. The build up of tension and suspense was just agonising. It was so hard to see Holly fighting for justice and struggling to get any further forward and for people to believe her. It is very much a David and Goliath story of one woman's fight against something way bigger than her. If you love a nail biting read that will have you on the edge of your seat then this is the book for you.

Another brilliant read from the author.

An amazing story that takes you on a twisting rude that you won't want to end . A completely breathtaking book

Beneath the Surface is the epidomy of a suspenseful thriller. I love when a book has those jaw dropping moments, twists with characters you don't expect ,and a story line that has you on the edge of your seat .A teenager shoots and kills both his parents, then takes his own life. Everyone is shocked. Dean was a good student, had many friends, and was a good son. What would make him turn and commit such a terrible crime? Holly was Jess's best friend growing up and although they went their separate ways when Dean was 6, she cannot believe he would be capable of killing his parents. Holly is a reporter for Ashfield Post and goes to her boss to ask if she can write the story since she knows the family. Her boss is a guy's guy and tells her no, so she set's out to get the details on her own. When a second teenager commits suicide just day's later, Holly discovers the horrible truth that links these two together. As details of what really caused these teens to end their lives are revealed, Holly will stop nothing short then jeopardizing her own safety to clear Dean's name. Beneth the Surface hooked me to Sibel Hodge's writing style, and I will defintley be reading her other book, Look Behind You.

An interesting plot about drug companies and the drugs they promote whether they are approved/healthy or not. A young journalist tries to figure out why young people taking a certain anti-depressant are committing suicide.

Great book! Looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!

This book was a easy page turner with a decent amount of suspense. What I thought started out as a thriller turned more into a medical thriller which I am not a fan of and don't read but I still enjoyed this book.

gripping read. Tension is present throughout and things are not as they may seem.

It's a scary thought that some of these things do happen.....

Sibel Hodge is an author that I can't but eagerly await her "latest book" I just know I'm in for a fabulous read, I can always be assured of this. She's one of my top psychological thriller writers.

From the very first book I read written by this author I was hooked.

I find her books well worth waiting for.

I'm surprised at each different plot, different theme, realistic characters in her book, how she feeds life, breath and emotion into each.

When I started this book I knew I wouldn't be able to do much else. I'd want to sit and read it all.

The female lead is a strong woman, the author also lets her readers in to her vulnerability too to make her more human. Emotional. So we can find sympathy.

The way the story starts grabs you in its net and that's where you wriggle around in your seat reading this.
Enjoying the plot.

There are deaths, unexplained suicides. She has a lead, like a hunter, she goes after her prey.

I loved the topical theme within this plot. It gave me something to think about in reality too.
This is newsworthy stuff!

Secrets
Money
Lies

Who is to be trusted.

The families who suffered in this domino effect I really felt for.

My review will become clearer once you've read the book.

I thank the author. I thank Thomas & Mercer via Net Galley for my copy.

What on earth is happening in Holly Gold’s small town. A rash of murder suicides is sweeping the peaceful little neighborhood, with seemingly well s=adjusted teen committing unthinkable atrocities. Holly sets out to try to find out what’s happening, but her questions raise the ire of someone who doesn’t want the truth revealed. A creepy look at what’s behind the white picket fences of suburbia

A fantastic story that makes you rethink how addicted we are to medicines and how the pharmaceutical companies take advantage of that. A story that keeps you engaged and addresses the above issue through a gripping story.

When Dean Hudson wipes out his family and then completes suicide, Holly Gold, family friend and journalist, is determined to discover what lay beneath such a heinous crime. Her investigations uncover a number of suicides and what appears to be a major cover up to hide the truth. How far will those behind the truth go to protect their secrets and who can Holly really trust as it becomes clear that someone is determined to silence her one way or another!

With a cast of unreliable narrators it is no wonder that Holly Gold is left feeling as though she is going insane. However, she is a determined little cookie and her determination and quest for the truth results in a focused and engaging character for the reader to cheer on! As I read, I just did not know who to trust on Holly's behalf, there were so many little clues and red herrings that I was left trusting no one but Holly and her sister Zoe.

I will say nothing about the subject covered as I don't want to give away any spoilers, but "Beneath the Surface" provides a controversial, yet compelling plot line kept me engrossed from start to finish. I started off believing that this would be a book about teenage angst and the phenomenon of suicide clusters, yet it went way deeper than that and left me thinking about cover ups and scandals within our country's most respected institutions. It is a plot that will leave the reader with more questions than answers and for me, this definitely works as it is a plot designed to provoke thought as opposed to one intended to provide solutions.

Wow, once again Sibel Hodge has turned my head completely inside out and caused me to question everything round about me! Beneath the Surface clearly set out to question the morals and validity behind some of the largest institutions in our country and for me, Sibel Hodge, achieved this 100 times over with a candid and thought-provoking narrative that will leave you pondering long after you turn the last page. It paints an in-depth and well researched picture of lies, deceit and cover ups and proves once again that Sibel Hodge is in a class of her own when it comes to writing about subject matters based on the truth.

A gripping book from the start. The subject matter regarding drug companies was very well researched and of great interest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only is it an edge of your seat, nail biting story but also a real eye opener. Fantastic.