Underwater

by Julia McDermott

After years of guilt over a long-ago tragedy, Candace Morgan is finally poised for success. The CEO of her own women’s shapewear company, she’s about to launch a new swimsuit line—and make a fortune. When she is guilted into loaning her brother a huge sum of money for real estate, she believes she’s simply fulfilling a family promise. In reality, she’s enabling a devious sociopath…and now, she’s roped into the renovation from hell.

For years, Monty Carawan has envied his sister’s wealth. Spiteful and self-centered, he’s convinced that her success came at the expense of his own future. But when the housing market plunges and Candace attempts to disentangle herself from Monty’s mess, her brother’s malicious streak brings the family tension to a dangerous boiling point.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2013

About the author

Julia McDermott's short story "The Riverfest" is included in crime stories anthology DOWN TO THE RIVER, published by Down & Out Books. Her upcoming novel, a mystery/thriller to be published by Red Adept Publishing, is drawn from her story. She is also the author of two suspense novels, a romance, and a work of creative nonfiction, awarded Finalist, 2016 Georgia Author of the Year.
Julia graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and spent her junior year in the south of France. When not writing or reading, she enjoys ballroom dancing, walking on the beach, traveling in France with her husband, and binge watching French and British murder mystery series. She lives in Florida and loves football, the UNC Tar Heels, most kinds of art, and all things French.

Reviews

[Beatrice · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 25%

I just couldn't get into the story and not my cup of tea. I'm sorry. :|

[Lynxie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Underwater really was too slow to start and the little momentum it built about 2/3 of the way in, just couldn't redeem the slow plodding pace.

Candace is our main female lead, and for once she was reasonably intelligent, a successful business woman and confident in herself... except when it came to dealing with her slime ball of a brother, Monty.

The sad thing is, Candace was too snobby and bitchy, she was too used to the finer things in life and I felt she had little depth to her character. I couldn't get close enough to her to like her, or feel anything for her. While what Monty was doing was horrible, I just couldn't connect.

Monty was an all round manipulative and sleazy character... which was a good thing, but the problem was, he was so horrible I felt nothing for him either. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing to have a character the reader hates, what happens at the end really was an anti-climax after so much manipulation and general horribleness on Monty's part.

Overall, the story had way too much day-to-day minutiae that it almost felt like I was at work. The reading became a chore and that's really a bad sign. Where three paragraphs were taken to describe the communications between Candace and her team of staff, really could have been explained in two sentences with the same result.

I won't rush to read anything else by the author, this was just too slow and too shallow for my tastes.

A few things I noticed:
20% - ...make him a (delete a) more of a...
25% - ...that she was (delete was) wouldn't be gifting...
58% - ...want to pay for more(delete more) any more work...

**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Tia Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started Underwater I couldn't put it down! The characters are well developed as a lifelong feud between brother and sister turns sinister. Page after page I longed for Candace's jet setting life and loathed Monty for his entitled attitude. I will agree that Monty's character could have had at least one redeeming quality to make him more realistic but as a whole, I highly recommend Underwater.

[Bookschatter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I simply could not get into this one until two thirds into it.
 
All of the characters were far too self absorbed and selfish - no exception and no redeeming qualities at any point, no matter how much they tried.
 
The story itself could have been more interesting and engaging if it had been written from the point of view of Helen, and the events that unfold once she finds out the truth about her husband.

[James Huskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the glitzy world of fashion, and the movers-n-shakers that build it. But all that glitters is not gold or sequins, as you go beneath the surface into a private world of guilt, blackmail and betrayal. McDermott weaves the plot with finesse, crafting a high stakes world and well-heeled characters teetering on the edge. You'll be gasping for air as you're pulled Underwater.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

After years of guilt over a long-ago tragedy, Candace Morgan is finally poised for success. The CEO of her own women’s shapewear company, she’s about to launch a new swimsuit line—and make a fortune. When she is guilted into loaning her brother a huge sum of money for real estate, she believes she’s simply fulfilling a family promise. In reality, she’s enabling a devious sociopath…and now, she’s roped into the renovation from hell.
For years, Monty Carawan has envied his sister’s wealth. Spiteful and self-centered, he’s convinced that her success came at the expense of his own future. But when the housing market plunges and Candace attempts to disentangle herself from Monty’s mess, her brother’s malicious streak brings the family tension to a dangerous boiling point.

Sadly, this was a book that I just couldn't get into. The story dragged for the first half (at least) and by the time it actually got to what may have been described as "interesting", I had completely lost interest.

I am leaving this as a two-star rating as I hate leaving only one...


Paul
ARH

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be highly predictable and over-described/hyped by the description. I found myself being able to skim it due to its lightness and even with that, it dragged on.

Reviewed for publisher via Netgalley.

[Brittany Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WON THIS BOOK FREE FROM GOODREADS FIRSTREADS GIVEAWAYS!

I am happy to say that this novel has sparked a new goal for newyears. This year instead of making the oh lose ten pounds and keep it off pledge, I am instead going to read ten fiction novels. This is a big thing for me because usually I read fantasy, paranormal, YA, and romance. Usually I find fictional books trivial and boring.
This one had my adrenaline pumping and my heart in my stomach for the better part of the novel. The author also has some extremely diverse characters in this book. Although she was only mentioned a couple of times there is a vegan character along with her breatharian friends. The latter, kind of freaked me out even though the author barely hit upon them.
The book was a wonderful page turner and capable of making a person paranoid while reading. I enjoyed the main character and her sister in law the most as far as characters go but I would like to see another book about Helen finding her own happiness in more detail. Anyway I would recommend this book for anyone but I think it would make a wonderful vacation book or a very nice gift.

[Carrie-Anne O'Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

McDermott weaves a truly disturbing tale of money, greed, abuse and ultimately madness in "Underwater." Portraying a strong female lead with business acumen and confidence to put any male lead to shame, she also projects an underlying guilt for events in her past. Her younger brother, Monty, is every inch a narcissistic, egotistical and maniacal user and abuser. He blames her not only for her success his lack of success. In a twisted plot to extort money and control from his sister, his wife and young daughter are caught in his twisted web of deceit.
In his bid to obtain that which does not belong to him, Monty, loses everything important to his life and ultimately loses himself.
Plot twists and turns keep you turning the pages to find out what is next. Not to mention, have a detailed knowledge of how to design and market swimsuits and all manner of ladies undergarments.
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Marycarol Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underwater by Julia McDermott is a fast paced page turner of a suspense novel that kept me up for two nights. I literally only put down the book when I absolutely had to (husband, kids, job, etc). The characters were so relatable and well developed that I was drawn into their world and began to care about what happened to them. Definitely a sign of good story-telling. Atlanta readers get the extra treat of a story set in their own backyards - lots of familiar places are mentioned.
Great second effort by a new author. I am looking forward to Ms McDermott's next novel.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was good and the author did a fine job of maintaining suspense, even though there was no murder to be solved. She handled point-of-view shifts well, giving the reader a balanced insight into the minds of the different characters. I commend her for tackling Monty's thought process, although it was a little too obvious that the narrator disagreed with him. Still,most of us have known people that selfish. The ending was satisfying.

[Lorelei Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a little hard for me to get into.

1) not my usual choice of story a little hard to say much when it's not my norm.

2) I would of liked to bash Monty. What a prick.

the story was well written and probably very real and the characters were brought to life. You wanted to shake some sense into Candace and beat the life out of Monty.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5-4 stars*
*Review to come*

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is fast paced and was a quick and enjoyable read (or listen!). I enjoyed getting to know all the characters - they were all well-developed. Some were likable. Some were not so likeable - but that is the point. Each character has a backstory that helps to explain a bit about them and their actions. Enjoy!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fairly good.

Kind of dragged out and repetitive, and really corny-especially the way Rob talked to Candace. I still enjoyed reading the story though and simply skimmed over the inane parts.

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dialogue was annoyingly stilted and unnatural. Much of the book consists of the characters' obsessive mental ruminations. Characters are unrealistically perfect or 1 dimensional.

[Susan Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underwater

Very good! Many emotions surfaced while reading. Personally I was very happy with the ending. Highly recommend reading, will be checking Ms. McDermotts other novels.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waster your time NOT with this book. If you choose to read it however, I can understand why: it's a rich example on how NOT to write a book, how to NOT give most of your characters an arc and how toxic it is to get bogged down in useless details. As a reader you may have to brace for a lot of tell, tell, tell, tell, tell and almost no show. So be prepared for heavy exposition (even in the dialogues).

There are more things wrong with this book than I can list in one paragraph - spoilers ahead.

The book's 3 main characters are:
1) Candance, successful career woman who launched a successful undergarment line and is about to launch a swimsuit line. She is vain and changes her mind every other chapter. She's rich. She has a rich fiancee that is great in bed, supportive and (bonus) never disagrees with her. Candance tried to take care of her dead-beat brother, but she eventually stops financing him (which she should have). At the end of the story she presumably learned to forgive herself. Nope, she actually learned to absolve herself of guilt (but I don't think she knows the difference). You're lead to believe in the beginning she may be hiding a secret about her mother's death. The only secret was that she was a poor driver and didn't take care of her car. She's guilty of her mother's death all right, but it was an accident in bad weather conditions.
At the beginning at the book she is rich and happy. At the end of the book she is richer and happier.
Was I supposed to care for this character? At first I thought she was a caricature. Now that I finished the book I fear the author may have intended her as a serious character.
In conclusion: Candance has just the type of character arc I want to explore when I turn my brain off...actually no, not even with my brain off I couldn't enjoy this.

2) Monty Carraway. An adulterating sloth with an inflated ego. I guess you can claim his character arc is that he becomes more aggressive throughout the book - so that he can be killed without remorse or repercussions by the only character to have a proper arc in the book...

that being...

3) Helen, Monty's wife. She is an insecure woman who finds her voice and strength throughout the book. I would have enjoyed the book more maybe if Helen were the main character and Candance only a secondary one. However, while she found her strength she also lost credibility. The author believes that a woman giving birth to twins who die within 5 minutes needs about 1 week to 'get over it'. Or that 8 months after she lost 2 newborns, her husband tried to drown her and she had to smash his head open to defend herself, she would have thoughts about how she lost the baby weight. Thoughts that come to her while she is getting ready to go for a date with the new loving man in her life. A man who loves her like he should, we are told. Because we cannot possibly be shown how he treats her, we can't feel his caresses, experience his patience, listen to his voice or witness his longing yet polite gaze. We need to be told in 2 paragraphs max and that's it.

But we have space and time for 1 page (no dialogue) in which a character wonders if she should accept a facebook invite from a relative of her boyfriend. Spoiler - she does!
Let's not talk about how the author considers that 8 month gestated babies don't have developed lungs (hint: premature babies born after 7 months pf gestation were sometimes able to survive even before hospitals; think they would have if their lungs were not ready?)
I would give this book 0.5 stars, but sadly the option doesn't exist. Do yourself a favor and find another book on your shelf to waste your time when bored.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 out of 5 stars -- Candace Morgan, wealthy CEO of SlimZ, a company that makes shapewear, is living the dream -- she has a fabulous fiance and is about to reveal her latest development, SwimZ, in the fall shows. Unfortunately, there is a nightmare in her life and it's her brother, Monty. He's trying to extort her over a house she loaned him money to buy and renovate and is making her life miserable with his demands. Not only is Monty spoiled and lazy, he is a lying sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants from his sister. Although Candace has been generous in the past, she's ready to cut him off. Monty gets more desperate to keep his secrets and obtain more money to support himself in the style he feels he deserves. Candace must stop Monty before he destroys her company, her reputation and his own wife and daughter.

This was an engaging read that kept my interest though I didn't really connect with any of the one-dimensional characters. The descriptions and details often read like an episode of the lives of the rich and famous. The dialog often didn't ring true, such as when fiance Rob uses the word "miscreant" several times to describe Monty. Candace is supposedly motivated to help her brother because of guilt, but that is never fully developed and she just ends up seeming a bit weak, instead of giving and generous, for all her business acumen. And definitely, I would never want to work for Candace, certainly too much of a micro-manager and extremely demanding! Regardless, the narrative zings along to a happily ever after conclusion despite some real tragedy that is fairly quickly glossed over. Fans of domestic drama and contemporary women's fiction would probably like this for a beach read, while traveling, or during commute.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the e-book ARC to review.

[Aspasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candace Morgan has it all: lots of wealth, the perfect boyfriend, beautiful houses and a successful shapewear company. The one thing that keeps her from enjoying life to the fullest? Her moocher, psychologically disturbed brother, Monty. Although Candace is a successful and driven woman, guilt haunts her over an accident that happened when she and Monty were teenagers. An accident that ripped her family apart. Monty uses Candace's guilt to continually extort money from her instead of working a real job and providing for his family. In the novel, Monty and his family are living in a carriage house while Monty is supposed to be renovating a house that was financed by Candace. But instead of using Candace's money wisely, Monty is a selfish jerk that uses the money to support a hidden, second life.

Monty's wife, Helen, is also successful as a graphic designer but marriage to Monty is no paradise for her. Monty is verbally abusive to Helen, and over the years Helen has become isolated and fearful.
Monty acts even more erratic and threatening when Candace threatens to cut him off and she follows through legally. Unfortunately, Helen is caught in the middle between her husband and her sister-in-law. The ever-sneaky Monty hatches a plan to disrupt Candace's company and her bottom line. Will Candace be underwater (financially) forever?

You can read more of my reviews at my blog: www.thesouthernbookworm.blogspot.com

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for free through Goodreads First Reads.

I'm not so sure how to describe this book. The first half, plus a few more chapters, were...boring? I only continued reading because it was well written and I saw the potential for it to go somewhere. So I kept reading, and waiting, reading and waiting...then BAM something interesting finally happened and it was great! I just wish there was more throughout the book that kept me interested.

[Tjitske · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hardly ever rate books below 3 stars. I was even doubting to give it one but that would mean I didn't finish the book which I did. The story is shallow, the characters are shallow and boring, no surprising plot or some exciting twists and turns. It just goes on and on about money issues between sister and brother. Sorry for the author, but there really wasn't anything I liked about this book, other than the fact that I managed to finish it.

[Margaret Batchelder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read, somehow I thought it was a mystery.

I liked it, plot was repetitive, in that several situations were repeated too often. ie accident, house on Arcadia, it became redundant and too obviously a "canned" plot.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good thriller

For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/underw... and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[Greg Strom · Rating 2 out of 5]

so very repetitive and predictable, didn't like a single character

[Monique Lung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.