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Undercurrent
Getting to know your neighbors can be murder in this psychological thriller from the author of The Woman at Number 19.
Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. They plan to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both.
Then Anna, who lives over the road and is bored of spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe, and events take a dark turn.
Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past, and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing.
What is Phoebe hiding and why are she and her husband so reclusive?
When Anna gets caught in a storm and is rescued by Phoebe the truth becomes apparent and Anna is thrown into danger.
Is there a difference between madness and evil?
Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. They plan to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both.
Then Anna, who lives over the road and is bored of spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe, and events take a dark turn.
Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past, and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing.
What is Phoebe hiding and why are she and her husband so reclusive?
When Anna gets caught in a storm and is rescued by Phoebe the truth becomes apparent and Anna is thrown into danger.
Is there a difference between madness and evil?
264 pages, ebook
First published March 28, 2017
325 people are currently reading
1311 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Baker
24 books338 followersJ. A. Baker was born and brought up in the North East of England.
When she's not writing and thinking up new and inventive ways of killing off her fictional characters, or looking after her young grandchildren, she can be found pottering around her garden with her madcap dog, Theo or in a coffee shop eating cake with her long suffering husband.
When she's not writing and thinking up new and inventive ways of killing off her fictional characters, or looking after her young grandchildren, she can be found pottering around her garden with her madcap dog, Theo or in a coffee shop eating cake with her long suffering husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 25, 2024
3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ October 7, 2023
Page Count ~ 264 (p+ 40 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 10 minutes
Narrator ~ Melanie Crawley
POV ~ single 1st & multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, suicide references, unreliable narrator
Previously published in 2017 as Undercurrents. I have no idea if any content has changed.
Phoebe has just moved into a new house right along some raging water near Anna. They sort of become friends, but Phoebe can’t shake the feeling that Anna looks just like her dead sister.
Phoebe is super unreliable, which made this a good psychological thriller that messed with my mind, isn’t that the best kind? It was a little slow to start, but after Anna goes missing the pace really picks up creating the suspense. Always thrilled when there’s a nice twist I wasn’t expecting, too. Overall, decent.
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
I would have preferred at least 2 narrators, but overall she did a fine job.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ October 7, 2023
Page Count ~ 264 (p+ 40 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 10 minutes
Narrator ~ Melanie Crawley
POV ~ single 1st & multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, suicide references, unreliable narrator
Previously published in 2017 as Undercurrents. I have no idea if any content has changed.
Phoebe has just moved into a new house right along some raging water near Anna. They sort of become friends, but Phoebe can’t shake the feeling that Anna looks just like her dead sister.
Phoebe is super unreliable, which made this a good psychological thriller that messed with my mind, isn’t that the best kind? It was a little slow to start, but after Anna goes missing the pace really picks up creating the suspense. Always thrilled when there’s a nice twist I wasn’t expecting, too. Overall, decent.
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
I would have preferred at least 2 narrators, but overall she did a fine job.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
December 13, 2024
I'm sorry, but I struggled through to 40% then thought 'I just can't do this anymore.'
I really disliked Phoebe, the main character. She is whiny and repetitive. The book dragged on, filled with irrelevant details that drove me up the wall.
When I seriously considered throwing my Kindle in the fishpond, I gave up.
To all the people who loved this book, I'm glad you loved it. It's just not for me.
I really disliked Phoebe, the main character. She is whiny and repetitive. The book dragged on, filled with irrelevant details that drove me up the wall.
When I seriously considered throwing my Kindle in the fishpond, I gave up.
To all the people who loved this book, I'm glad you loved it. It's just not for me.
June 2, 2024
3.5 RTC
September 23, 2023
This book was previously published as Undercurrent.
Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. They plan to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both. Anna across the road is bored of spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe, and events take a dark turn. Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past, and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing. What is Phoebe hiding, and why are she and her husband so reclusive?
Filled with tension, intrigue, and suspense, this is a descriptively written book. I found myself second guessing everything. It's also a cleverly written story. I was hooked from the prologue. The pace is steady. There were times when I was on the edge of my seat. There's something about Phoebe that makes you despise her from when we first meet her. The throwbacks to the past make this a harrowing read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JABaker for my ARC of #TheGirlInTheWater in exchange for an honest review.
Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. They plan to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both. Anna across the road is bored of spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe, and events take a dark turn. Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past, and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing. What is Phoebe hiding, and why are she and her husband so reclusive?
Filled with tension, intrigue, and suspense, this is a descriptively written book. I found myself second guessing everything. It's also a cleverly written story. I was hooked from the prologue. The pace is steady. There were times when I was on the edge of my seat. There's something about Phoebe that makes you despise her from when we first meet her. The throwbacks to the past make this a harrowing read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JABaker for my ARC of #TheGirlInTheWater in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2017
I was quite envious of Phoebe’s move to what is a very idyllic setting. The only off putting thing is walkers having the right of way past the end of the property, other than that though set out in the sticks with wonderful areas to walk around, it very much sounded like my dream home. Think Escape to the Country and you will get what I mean.
Sadly though it is apparent right from the start Phoebe has a lot on her plate. Her son lives abroad leaving Phoebe as the main carer for her disabled husband Martyn. Martyn is very much hard work and Phoebe certainly doesn’t have an easy time of it with his mood swings.
Anna is just your average neighbour. She is excited to have new neighbours and that hopefully she will make a new friend and have someone closer to home to talk to. She is someone you would be more than happy to have as a neighbour. Phoebe seems reluctant to start with on striking a friendship up but Anna is persistent with her efforts to become friends.
It’s hard to say to much about the story in fear of giving anything away. Undercurrent is very much a psychological thriller that without a doubt will have you on the edge of your seat. The build up of tension that I felt was unbelievable. It is definitely a page turner. Can not wait to read more by the author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Merged review:
I was quite envious of Phoebe’s move to what is a very idyllic setting. The only off putting thing is walkers having the right of way past the end of the property, other than that though set out in the sticks with wonderful areas to walk around, it very much sounded like my dream home. Think Escape to the Country and you will get what I mean.
Sadly though it is apparent right from the start Phoebe has a lot on her plate. Her son lives abroad leaving Phoebe as the main carer for her disabled husband Martyn. Martyn is very much hard work and Phoebe certainly doesn’t have an easy time of it with his mood swings.
Anna is just your average neighbour. She is excited to have new neighbours and that hopefully she will make a new friend and have someone closer to home to talk to. She is someone you would be more than happy to have as a neighbour. Phoebe seems reluctant to start with on striking a friendship up but Anna is persistent with her efforts to become friends.
It’s hard to say to much about the story in fear of giving anything away. Undercurrent is very much a psychological thriller that without a doubt will have you on the edge of your seat. The build up of tension that I felt was unbelievable. It is definitely a page turner. Can not wait to read more by the author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Sadly though it is apparent right from the start Phoebe has a lot on her plate. Her son lives abroad leaving Phoebe as the main carer for her disabled husband Martyn. Martyn is very much hard work and Phoebe certainly doesn’t have an easy time of it with his mood swings.
Anna is just your average neighbour. She is excited to have new neighbours and that hopefully she will make a new friend and have someone closer to home to talk to. She is someone you would be more than happy to have as a neighbour. Phoebe seems reluctant to start with on striking a friendship up but Anna is persistent with her efforts to become friends.
It’s hard to say to much about the story in fear of giving anything away. Undercurrent is very much a psychological thriller that without a doubt will have you on the edge of your seat. The build up of tension that I felt was unbelievable. It is definitely a page turner. Can not wait to read more by the author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Merged review:
I was quite envious of Phoebe’s move to what is a very idyllic setting. The only off putting thing is walkers having the right of way past the end of the property, other than that though set out in the sticks with wonderful areas to walk around, it very much sounded like my dream home. Think Escape to the Country and you will get what I mean.
Sadly though it is apparent right from the start Phoebe has a lot on her plate. Her son lives abroad leaving Phoebe as the main carer for her disabled husband Martyn. Martyn is very much hard work and Phoebe certainly doesn’t have an easy time of it with his mood swings.
Anna is just your average neighbour. She is excited to have new neighbours and that hopefully she will make a new friend and have someone closer to home to talk to. She is someone you would be more than happy to have as a neighbour. Phoebe seems reluctant to start with on striking a friendship up but Anna is persistent with her efforts to become friends.
It’s hard to say to much about the story in fear of giving anything away. Undercurrent is very much a psychological thriller that without a doubt will have you on the edge of your seat. The build up of tension that I felt was unbelievable. It is definitely a page turner. Can not wait to read more by the author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
April 12, 2017
I STRUGGLED with this book. It seemed to drag on with details for pages about nothing really. I find that I don't connect with books that have an unreliable narrator and if I read that it does, I back away. I am happy that so many people loved it but happy that I finished finally.
April 4, 2017
The prologue of this novel grabs you immediately and pulls you into the story. I'd describe the story as tense and atmospheric, holding your attention well. The pace is steady rather than having loads of things happening at once - and this enables you to get inside the minds of the characters, which for me is a plus.
An impressive debut novel.
An impressive debut novel.
April 4, 2017
I had heard an awful lot about this book from the blog tour that has taken place recently so that tagline is true, this IS the thriller everyone is talking about! Although saying that, this isn’t a “thriller” as such, but more of a slow burning , character driven suspense that keeps you on your toes with a select cast of interesting personalities-none of whom were particularly likeable!
I just loved the setting here and the use of the river that flowed through the narrative as pretty much the star of the show! It played its part well involving itself in the lives of all the characters past and present. And I actually found it comforting as I could practically hear it bubbling away as the book progressed, especially when Anna goes walking alongside it and ends up in trouble.
From the start I didn’t trust Phoebe or her husband and as their story opened up, I also started to get quite strong negative feelings about their son Tom. How could he just up and leave to get on with his life when it’s blatantly obvious that his parents aren’t coping? I really felt for Anna though as her life revolved around the family who were taking her for granted and she was living a life that wasn’t fulfilling her at all. The excitement of a new neighbour must have been difficult for her to resist without realising the dangers she is about to unleash. It’s certainly put me off taking a freshly baked cake around to anyone new to my neighbourhood (now that would lead to acts of violence as my baking is terrible!)
This is an enjoyable debut with a fabulous prologue that really creates a desire to invest yourself fully in the plot as it unfolds. I think many people will be shocked by the dark and rather disturbing undercurrent running throughout and, whilst it didn’t shock me quite as much as it has done others, I still found myself totally gripped enough to read it in one session.
I just loved the setting here and the use of the river that flowed through the narrative as pretty much the star of the show! It played its part well involving itself in the lives of all the characters past and present. And I actually found it comforting as I could practically hear it bubbling away as the book progressed, especially when Anna goes walking alongside it and ends up in trouble.
From the start I didn’t trust Phoebe or her husband and as their story opened up, I also started to get quite strong negative feelings about their son Tom. How could he just up and leave to get on with his life when it’s blatantly obvious that his parents aren’t coping? I really felt for Anna though as her life revolved around the family who were taking her for granted and she was living a life that wasn’t fulfilling her at all. The excitement of a new neighbour must have been difficult for her to resist without realising the dangers she is about to unleash. It’s certainly put me off taking a freshly baked cake around to anyone new to my neighbourhood (now that would lead to acts of violence as my baking is terrible!)
This is an enjoyable debut with a fabulous prologue that really creates a desire to invest yourself fully in the plot as it unfolds. I think many people will be shocked by the dark and rather disturbing undercurrent running throughout and, whilst it didn’t shock me quite as much as it has done others, I still found myself totally gripped enough to read it in one session.
February 5, 2018
Brilliant
A must read...clever...a well told story. Not what i normally would read, but highly recommend this superb thriller. I hope to read the next JA Baker.
A must read...clever...a well told story. Not what i normally would read, but highly recommend this superb thriller. I hope to read the next JA Baker.
March 30, 2017
Pure terror, desperation and fear that is what she felt. She wanted to be found but not be seen. Nothing was familiar, bleeding, battered and filthy, didn't mean anything to her because she was free and alive. What an opening, I was left with an open mouth, a racing heart and one of those knowing feelings that you get when you have that perfect read in your hands. And boy this was a little beauty!
The story then drops back 3 months as Phoebe and her disabled husband Martyn are moving into a village just outside of County Durham. It was meant be a new start for them both but since Martyn's accident things hadn't been the same. She knew in her mind that he wouldn't approve of the friendship she desperately wanted, so that she could feel some normality. Anna that lived across the street had brought over a cake as a welcome gift and Phoebe tried to protect her by closing the door and not inviting her in. She didn't want Martyn to waken up and ruin everything again. Phoebe was a nervous wreck but no matter what, she would always stick by Martyn. She was helpless, weak and unable to control the monster that now lived in the unsuspecting village.
Well this is just pure gold. It is page after page of tension that just doesn't dip, every knock at the door, every creak in the floor boards and every appearance of Martyn just ended up making me as much of a nervous wreck as Phoebe. Anna can feel that there is something wrong and is determined to offer the hand of friendship that she desperately seeks too in this little village. Phoebe just wishes that Anna would stop asking questions though and stop talking about the missing local woman. Perhaps making a friend isn't a good idea after all but Anna looks so much like the little sister Phoebe once had. This is a super book with only a small cast of characters that gets smaller the more you read. Fantastic!
The story then drops back 3 months as Phoebe and her disabled husband Martyn are moving into a village just outside of County Durham. It was meant be a new start for them both but since Martyn's accident things hadn't been the same. She knew in her mind that he wouldn't approve of the friendship she desperately wanted, so that she could feel some normality. Anna that lived across the street had brought over a cake as a welcome gift and Phoebe tried to protect her by closing the door and not inviting her in. She didn't want Martyn to waken up and ruin everything again. Phoebe was a nervous wreck but no matter what, she would always stick by Martyn. She was helpless, weak and unable to control the monster that now lived in the unsuspecting village.
Well this is just pure gold. It is page after page of tension that just doesn't dip, every knock at the door, every creak in the floor boards and every appearance of Martyn just ended up making me as much of a nervous wreck as Phoebe. Anna can feel that there is something wrong and is determined to offer the hand of friendship that she desperately seeks too in this little village. Phoebe just wishes that Anna would stop asking questions though and stop talking about the missing local woman. Perhaps making a friend isn't a good idea after all but Anna looks so much like the little sister Phoebe once had. This is a super book with only a small cast of characters that gets smaller the more you read. Fantastic!
March 28, 2017
From the very first sentence, this novel throws you into the action where the danger and fear are palpable. Phoebe is hoping that moving to the small idyllic village of Cogglestone with her disabled husband, Martyn, will mark a fresh start in their lives and that their turbulent past may be left behind them. Acting as Martyn's carer and dealing with his moods, Phoebe understands that her life will never be simple, but she hopes for some peace and solitude from the memories that haunt them both. Anna is excited when she realises that the new neighbours are around the same age as herself, and although Phoebe seems aloof and rude at times, Anne hopes that they can become close friends. Anna, who is a little lonely as her family seem to need her less and less, wants to help this fragile woman who seems to be carrying the world on her shoulders, and continues to offer friendship at every turn. But what does she really know about the couple who live across the road? And does she really want to find out the truth?
UNDERCURRENT by J.A. Baker is a chillingly gripping read that had me second-guessing myself ten times throughout. From the haunting throwbacks to the past, to the tense and suffocating atmosphere in the present, this harrowing tale sweeps easily and effortlessly from start to finish, like the ominous river that twists and turns in the background of this quiet village. UNDERCURRENT by J.A. Baker is a must-read for psychological crime fiction fans, and will make you view your neighbours in a whole new light!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Bloodhound Books
UNDERCURRENT by J.A. Baker is a chillingly gripping read that had me second-guessing myself ten times throughout. From the haunting throwbacks to the past, to the tense and suffocating atmosphere in the present, this harrowing tale sweeps easily and effortlessly from start to finish, like the ominous river that twists and turns in the background of this quiet village. UNDERCURRENT by J.A. Baker is a must-read for psychological crime fiction fans, and will make you view your neighbours in a whole new light!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Bloodhound Books
March 28, 2017
OMG! What a book! New neighbours have moved in across the road from Anna. Neighbours with a history. Nancy, a walker from a nearby village has gone missing a few days after they arrived. Anna’s brother Toby recognises the neighbour but can’t quite place her. Then Anna goes for a walk to watch the sunrise over the nearby river and she too can’t be found. We know the perpetrators from early on which to me is unusual, but this book still has that certain “je ne sais quoi” to keep you engrossed and turning the pages. This is very well written and you can picture the scenes quite easily. Anna is a character that you take to and feel for. A very gripping story well told. I look forward to more from this author.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
September 23, 2017
Some reviewers like to say that they 'spotted the twist' in the thrillers they read early on, but I don't want to do that - I want to be shocked and astonished, I want to be led gently along the wrong paths and rewarded by a big surprise at the end. J.A. Baker achieved all of this for me in 'Undercurrent' and I loved every minute.
Undercurrent is a very dark and atmospheric book - classic 'Northern Noir' if you like - and it does contain some disturbing physical and psychological violence, but it is also very readable and entertaining fiction. I'm already looking forward to Ms Baker's next novel.
Undercurrent is a very dark and atmospheric book - classic 'Northern Noir' if you like - and it does contain some disturbing physical and psychological violence, but it is also very readable and entertaining fiction. I'm already looking forward to Ms Baker's next novel.
September 20, 2017
Crikey! What a scorching debut from J.A. Baker. I saw lots of excitement on social media about Undercurrent on its release, so I didn't think twice about buying a copy for myself, although it is the curse of the blogger that books you buy tend to sit on your TBR pile a lot longer than they should. So I finally got round to picking up Undercurrent and couldn't put it down! I positively whizzed through it and loved every minute of it.
The prologue is one of those where you are shown a glimpse of the ending so you race through the rest of the book to find out what events led here. A woman is found stumbling beaten and bloody through the streets of York with no idea how she got there. Who is she and what happened to her? The story then starts with Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, moving into their new home in a small village in County Durham. Their new home sounds perfect, apart from the public right of way running alongside the river and right through their garden. With Martyn's volatile moods (due to his medication) and strangers crossing their path, I had the terrible feeling that anything could happen.
With it being a small village, one of the neighbours, Anna, tries to befriend Phoebe but doesn't get the welcome she expected. Phoebe seems very on edge and unfriendly but what Anna doesn't know is that she bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe's sister, Suzie, who drowned when she was a child. Despite the shaky start, Anna and Phoebe strike up a tentative friendship but then Anna goes missing...and she's not the first local woman to go missing whilst walking along the banks of the river. Has the river claimed yet another victim?
For quite a short book at 262 pages, Undercurrent sure packs a big punch with plenty of surprises in store. It's packed with tension and intrigue from start to finish as the icy tendrils of the river reach out to claim its victims. Looking back on it now, I really felt as if I could see inside the minds of some of the characters and it was a bit like going down the rabbit hole - we're all mad here! When madness meets obsession, the result can be deadly.
Don't wait as long as I did to read Undercurrent; if you have it in your TBR, bump it up the queue and if you don't have it in your queue, make sure you buy a copy - you really won't regret it. I can't wait for J.A. Baker's second novel, Her Dark Retreat, and I know for sure that it won't be hanging around in my TBR too long!
The prologue is one of those where you are shown a glimpse of the ending so you race through the rest of the book to find out what events led here. A woman is found stumbling beaten and bloody through the streets of York with no idea how she got there. Who is she and what happened to her? The story then starts with Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, moving into their new home in a small village in County Durham. Their new home sounds perfect, apart from the public right of way running alongside the river and right through their garden. With Martyn's volatile moods (due to his medication) and strangers crossing their path, I had the terrible feeling that anything could happen.
With it being a small village, one of the neighbours, Anna, tries to befriend Phoebe but doesn't get the welcome she expected. Phoebe seems very on edge and unfriendly but what Anna doesn't know is that she bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe's sister, Suzie, who drowned when she was a child. Despite the shaky start, Anna and Phoebe strike up a tentative friendship but then Anna goes missing...and she's not the first local woman to go missing whilst walking along the banks of the river. Has the river claimed yet another victim?
For quite a short book at 262 pages, Undercurrent sure packs a big punch with plenty of surprises in store. It's packed with tension and intrigue from start to finish as the icy tendrils of the river reach out to claim its victims. Looking back on it now, I really felt as if I could see inside the minds of some of the characters and it was a bit like going down the rabbit hole - we're all mad here! When madness meets obsession, the result can be deadly.
Don't wait as long as I did to read Undercurrent; if you have it in your TBR, bump it up the queue and if you don't have it in your queue, make sure you buy a copy - you really won't regret it. I can't wait for J.A. Baker's second novel, Her Dark Retreat, and I know for sure that it won't be hanging around in my TBR too long!
March 29, 2017
With a prologue called "The Escape" that is descriptively written with tension and you unsure as to whose point of view it is... it left with me with dread, horror and full of fascination as to what had happened prior to these events.
Without a pause, this tempted me to read on.
The book is then set to three months earlier. To find out what has happened to make the events in "The Escape" unfold.
J.A. Baker schemes and maneuverers the story forward in a chilling and effective way.
We are introduced to Phoebe and her disabled husband Martyn, as they move in to their new home opposite Anna.
Anna is looking for a new friendship with two growing boys and a husband she sometimes feels surplus to requirements and is seeking some female company.
All the way through this read I had an uncomfortable chill, Phoebe is an extremely complex character with her standoffish ways, she wasn't as warming to Anna, but with her home life you find out why.
I found Undercurrent to be a riveting read, and was absorbed in the characters and where the plot was heading...
An extremely gripping read that was bound in mystery and atmosphere. One book I highly recommend you to read. Set aside time, once you start you will be drawn in and find it difficult to put the book down.
Without a pause, this tempted me to read on.
The book is then set to three months earlier. To find out what has happened to make the events in "The Escape" unfold.
J.A. Baker schemes and maneuverers the story forward in a chilling and effective way.
We are introduced to Phoebe and her disabled husband Martyn, as they move in to their new home opposite Anna.
Anna is looking for a new friendship with two growing boys and a husband she sometimes feels surplus to requirements and is seeking some female company.
All the way through this read I had an uncomfortable chill, Phoebe is an extremely complex character with her standoffish ways, she wasn't as warming to Anna, but with her home life you find out why.
I found Undercurrent to be a riveting read, and was absorbed in the characters and where the plot was heading...
An extremely gripping read that was bound in mystery and atmosphere. One book I highly recommend you to read. Set aside time, once you start you will be drawn in and find it difficult to put the book down.
June 1, 2018
Really incredible book
I don't write about books because i don't want to be a spoiler so...
This book cannot be put down. It has a twist and by the time i figured it out there weren't very many pages left.
Love the book and looking for more books from this writer
I don't write about books because i don't want to be a spoiler so...
This book cannot be put down. It has a twist and by the time i figured it out there weren't very many pages left.
Love the book and looking for more books from this writer
May 19, 2017
Un-put-downable. I found this whole book mesmerising. If I could have read it all in one sitting, I would have. Highly recommended.
October 7, 2023
The first time I read a JA Baker book I was like OMG a new thriller rider and she’s awesome but… You haven’t seen anything yet if you want an awesome awesome thriller you need to read the girl in the water by J A Baker! Phoebe and Martin move to the house by the river with a public footpath in their backyard but Phoebe doesn’t mind she wanted it that way. Her neighbor across the street Anne is so excited to have someone living at the end of the lane but when she goes over to say hello Phoebe abruptly slams the door in her face and although Phoebe has a reason it still seems rude and not nice phoebe has been here in this village before but why, the reader doesn’t know it first and it makes the story even more intriguing she also has a troubled marriage because ever since Martin’s “accident “e. things haven’t been the same but with everything moved in it’s time to get on with life in her new home. But when A day walker named Nancy and her neighbor Anne goes missing Phoebe‘s concern for the missing woman and her husband Martin only grows but eventually her only in main concern will be Susie… Who is Susie… Read this crazy effing book! It seems every time I read a book by this author they just get better and better because I can honestly say this one was the best a truly intriguing story but keeps you on your toes although the plot for the most part lays out the story step-by-step but it wouldn’t be a Jay a baker book without the final twist and OMG is there a twist! As I said I love this authors books and after this one I cannot wait for the next she truly is a writer to be on the lookout for and I will definitely be doing that. I want to thank Boldwood books in NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
June 6, 2017
This would have been a good book, except for one thing.
The first chapter spoils the ending! It's one of those "teaser" or "hook" chapters, which basically takes something that happens later in the book (in this case, the end) and tacks it on the beginning so the book seems to start somewhere exciting. Then the book begins as normal.
I find these openings annoying and unnecessary at the best of times, but in this case it literally spoils the whole second half of the book!
There is a twist that isn't spoiled at the beginning, but was fairly easy to figure out. I figured it out before the characters did, so the big reveal there didn't do much for me.
There are also typos, missing small words and grammatical errors throughout. I could have overlooked that, and the easy to guess twist, because the writing style is really very good and the characters are well drawn. But how can I overlook that spoiler?
If you read this book, skip the very first chapter.
The first chapter spoils the ending! It's one of those "teaser" or "hook" chapters, which basically takes something that happens later in the book (in this case, the end) and tacks it on the beginning so the book seems to start somewhere exciting. Then the book begins as normal.
I find these openings annoying and unnecessary at the best of times, but in this case it literally spoils the whole second half of the book!
There is a twist that isn't spoiled at the beginning, but was fairly easy to figure out. I figured it out before the characters did, so the big reveal there didn't do much for me.
There are also typos, missing small words and grammatical errors throughout. I could have overlooked that, and the easy to guess twist, because the writing style is really very good and the characters are well drawn. But how can I overlook that spoiler?
If you read this book, skip the very first chapter.
January 14, 2019
Poorly written with many grammatical errors; needs a good editor. The writing doesn't flow naturally and is a struggle to read. The author doesn't do subtlety and allow the reader to make the connections, rather she bashes you over the head with it. I skipped many pages as there was far too much description about things that didn't matter to the story at all. There was a twist midway through the book that nearly got this review to 3 stars, but alas, the author just couldn't hold on.
Great premise, poor execution.
Great premise, poor execution.
September 13, 2023
I read a pre-publication ecopy of this book. It's a fast and exciting read. It is skillfully written, well paced, peopled with believable characters, and filled with unexpected twists. This writer is new to me, and I expect to look for more books by her.
March 29, 2017
Phoebe has come home to the village where she grew up. They have bought the house next door to her childhood home and she shares it with husband Martyn. He had a serious accident a couple of years ago and is now disabled. Their only son lives and works overseas.
Bored and lonely, their neighbour Anna is the mother of two teenage boys and wife to Mike. She feels fed up with the day to day family life and usual squabbles breaking out with her sons. Mike works long hours so it rarely home. She is delighted to have a neighbour and quickly bakes a cake and rushes round to say hello. The reception she receives is luke-warm, to put it mildly.
Freda who runs the village shop thinks that she recognises Phoebe, but can't place her. Anna feels somewhat rejected but having been told that Martyn is disabled and needs constant care, she backs off.
Gradually, the demons in Phoebe's house take hold.
A woman goes missing down by the river which is at the back of the house. No trace is ever fond.
Anna also goes missing after an evening walk.
Is Martyn dangerous as well as disabled? It beings to look that way. Madness in that house begins to escalate. The death of Phoebe's sister at 13 seems to have triggered something. Who was responsible?
A couple of things didn't ring true with me. If Phoebe had such a difficult childhood, why would you want to move back next door? Unless Phoebe has changed her name, why doesn't anyone recognise her?
Anna's brother, Toby, visits and thinks he recognises her but cannot remember where from. When he starts to investigate her he can picture an image of a deranged woman who caused havoc in his doctor's surgery.
Until it is almost too late.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Bloodhound Books for this opportunity.
Bored and lonely, their neighbour Anna is the mother of two teenage boys and wife to Mike. She feels fed up with the day to day family life and usual squabbles breaking out with her sons. Mike works long hours so it rarely home. She is delighted to have a neighbour and quickly bakes a cake and rushes round to say hello. The reception she receives is luke-warm, to put it mildly.
Freda who runs the village shop thinks that she recognises Phoebe, but can't place her. Anna feels somewhat rejected but having been told that Martyn is disabled and needs constant care, she backs off.
Gradually, the demons in Phoebe's house take hold.
A woman goes missing down by the river which is at the back of the house. No trace is ever fond.
Anna also goes missing after an evening walk.
Is Martyn dangerous as well as disabled? It beings to look that way. Madness in that house begins to escalate. The death of Phoebe's sister at 13 seems to have triggered something. Who was responsible?
A couple of things didn't ring true with me. If Phoebe had such a difficult childhood, why would you want to move back next door? Unless Phoebe has changed her name, why doesn't anyone recognise her?
Anna's brother, Toby, visits and thinks he recognises her but cannot remember where from. When he starts to investigate her he can picture an image of a deranged woman who caused havoc in his doctor's surgery.
Until it is almost too late.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Bloodhound Books for this opportunity.
August 6, 2017
The Undercurrent...is a chilling brilliant read with many twists in store.
Phoebe and her disabled husband move into a home by the sea..A beautiful big rambling house where Phoebe hopes to find quiet...Anna her neighbour ,a young mother of two boys tries to befriend Phoebe. Although Anna is happy she is a little lonely with her husband working so much..Phoebe though has a past ...and in this new home of hers nothing is quite as it seems...Then Nancy one of the villagers out for a walk by the river goes missing...There is no sign of her ,all the rescue teams are pulled in...People cannot believe what happened... they fear she may have fallen in the river ...Thirty years before there had been an accident at the same spot a young girl had drowned...Anna feels so sad for Nancy the missing woman..One night as her husband and the boys are out she decides to go for a walk by the river.. After starting out alright,the weather changes ..Anna ends up soaking, covered in mud and almost drowning .Terrified ,in shock and freezing cold ..she eventually finds her way almost home where she collapses shaking at Phoebe's back door....And so it begins the most terrifying few days of Anna's life... But what is going to happen next ..who took Anna and will she live to see her boys grow up..? This story is the story of a different kind of phsycopath...One whose mind is twisted , broken and disturbed.. Omg this story will make your heart race.... as you wander what is going to happen next...There are dark secrets and lies here...and murders that have been hidden...J.A.Baker is a new author for me...I found her storytelling dark...clever and chilling. A brilliant read..
Phoebe and her disabled husband move into a home by the sea..A beautiful big rambling house where Phoebe hopes to find quiet...Anna her neighbour ,a young mother of two boys tries to befriend Phoebe. Although Anna is happy she is a little lonely with her husband working so much..Phoebe though has a past ...and in this new home of hers nothing is quite as it seems...Then Nancy one of the villagers out for a walk by the river goes missing...There is no sign of her ,all the rescue teams are pulled in...People cannot believe what happened... they fear she may have fallen in the river ...Thirty years before there had been an accident at the same spot a young girl had drowned...Anna feels so sad for Nancy the missing woman..One night as her husband and the boys are out she decides to go for a walk by the river.. After starting out alright,the weather changes ..Anna ends up soaking, covered in mud and almost drowning .Terrified ,in shock and freezing cold ..she eventually finds her way almost home where she collapses shaking at Phoebe's back door....And so it begins the most terrifying few days of Anna's life... But what is going to happen next ..who took Anna and will she live to see her boys grow up..? This story is the story of a different kind of phsycopath...One whose mind is twisted , broken and disturbed.. Omg this story will make your heart race.... as you wander what is going to happen next...There are dark secrets and lies here...and murders that have been hidden...J.A.Baker is a new author for me...I found her storytelling dark...clever and chilling. A brilliant read..
April 7, 2017
When Phoebe moves into a quiet village with her disabled husband Martyn, the reader just gets a sense that all in the garden is not going to be rosy! Phoebe appears to have an ulterior motive for moving, one that is linked to her past. She is reluctant to get close to her neighbour, Anna, who seems desperate for company - #BadMove Anna, I was screaming at the pages...what a bad move! #Neighbours everyone loves good neighbours! But hell sometimes you just need to stay FAR AWAY!
Undercurrent opens with #TheEscape as a killer hook for readers and just grabs you by the throat before turning back in time to take you on the journey leading to the prologue, and what a twisted journey it is! A cleverly plotted novel which leaves the reader with the fear!
Oh Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe, what a dark horse she is! I disliked her from the start I'm afraid and with very good reason; what an unreliable narrator that lady is, a twisted character and the reader is wary of her from the beginning! Her husband, Martyn is clearly an instigator in what is happening and his character made me sway from anger to sympathy as the book progressed! Anna, their neighbour, was a bit of a wet blanket for me; I found myself getting frustrated at her throughout the book - oh for goodness sake woman I felt myself saying...stop trying to get so close to the neighbours!
Undercurrent explores the conflict between madness and evil as it becomes clear that all is not what it seems; can people be born evil or is it life experiences that turn people to acts of madness? In Undercurrent, it becomes apparent that experiences in the formative years along with relationship issues have led to current events.
Undercurrent is a dark, psychological thriller which unnerves the reader; it will have you questioning what is fact and what is fiction. I'm not going to lie, I did guess what was going on halfway through the book but this didn't detract from my enjoyment - I quite like being able to work things out - makes me feel like a #SuperSleuth! It left me with a wee fluttering of panic in my belly - let's just say I'm not going over to make friends with my new neighbours across the road anytime soon!
Undercurrent opens with #TheEscape as a killer hook for readers and just grabs you by the throat before turning back in time to take you on the journey leading to the prologue, and what a twisted journey it is! A cleverly plotted novel which leaves the reader with the fear!
Oh Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe, what a dark horse she is! I disliked her from the start I'm afraid and with very good reason; what an unreliable narrator that lady is, a twisted character and the reader is wary of her from the beginning! Her husband, Martyn is clearly an instigator in what is happening and his character made me sway from anger to sympathy as the book progressed! Anna, their neighbour, was a bit of a wet blanket for me; I found myself getting frustrated at her throughout the book - oh for goodness sake woman I felt myself saying...stop trying to get so close to the neighbours!
Undercurrent explores the conflict between madness and evil as it becomes clear that all is not what it seems; can people be born evil or is it life experiences that turn people to acts of madness? In Undercurrent, it becomes apparent that experiences in the formative years along with relationship issues have led to current events.
Undercurrent is a dark, psychological thriller which unnerves the reader; it will have you questioning what is fact and what is fiction. I'm not going to lie, I did guess what was going on halfway through the book but this didn't detract from my enjoyment - I quite like being able to work things out - makes me feel like a #SuperSleuth! It left me with a wee fluttering of panic in my belly - let's just say I'm not going over to make friends with my new neighbours across the road anytime soon!
July 18, 2017
Curling up with a hard copy of J A Baker's "Undercurrent" is one of those absolute summer pleasures I will look back on with nostalgia--a total treat.
I never thought I'd say that about a novel so dark, but it was a fascinating and gripping read. The fact that we are able to both despise and sympathize with the main victim and villain at various points makes this tale even more horrific. I also thought I'd never thought I'd say I love a book written in the present tense--the latest publishing fad, which I hate. To me, present-tense novels usually read like narration and don't involve me emotionally, but this one was the exception. J A Baker obviously chose her tense preference, and the decision to flip between first and third person, with great skill. The effect is a careful, slow building to the appalling climax--a situation you never want to find yourself in (and never expect to).
That being said, it's not off-the-charts horrific or horribly depressing and, for a horror/suspense novel, has a happier ending than some. By the time it concluded, I felt relieved at the outcome for both parties.
"Undercurrents" is the perfect introduction to horror/suspense for those who, like me, do not like unadulterated nastiness for the sake of nastiness. The true horror comes in the fact that both villain and victims are three-dimensional people.
I never thought I'd say that about a novel so dark, but it was a fascinating and gripping read. The fact that we are able to both despise and sympathize with the main victim and villain at various points makes this tale even more horrific. I also thought I'd never thought I'd say I love a book written in the present tense--the latest publishing fad, which I hate. To me, present-tense novels usually read like narration and don't involve me emotionally, but this one was the exception. J A Baker obviously chose her tense preference, and the decision to flip between first and third person, with great skill. The effect is a careful, slow building to the appalling climax--a situation you never want to find yourself in (and never expect to).
That being said, it's not off-the-charts horrific or horribly depressing and, for a horror/suspense novel, has a happier ending than some. By the time it concluded, I felt relieved at the outcome for both parties.
"Undercurrents" is the perfect introduction to horror/suspense for those who, like me, do not like unadulterated nastiness for the sake of nastiness. The true horror comes in the fact that both villain and victims are three-dimensional people.
January 8, 2018
Inticing!
Undercurrent by J. A. Baker is a psychological thriller that will leave you breathless!
Pheobe has had a hard life since the death of her sister Suzie. When she meets Anna she is always mistaken her for Suzie. In her warped mind Suzie has come back from the dead to be with her. But her disabled husband Martyn doesn't want anyone in the house. Be prepared for a wild ride with many twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the end of the book! I highly recommend reading this book!
Undercurrent by J. A. Baker is a psychological thriller that will leave you breathless!
Pheobe has had a hard life since the death of her sister Suzie. When she meets Anna she is always mistaken her for Suzie. In her warped mind Suzie has come back from the dead to be with her. But her disabled husband Martyn doesn't want anyone in the house. Be prepared for a wild ride with many twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the end of the book! I highly recommend reading this book!
July 13, 2022
This darkly satisfying thriller had me hooked from the start. The moment that Phoebe moves back to the village of her upbringing, it’s evident that her motives go way beyond nostalgia. As a friendship of sorts is kindled between her & close neighbour Anna, there are sinister undercurrents at play, all revolving around the pull of the river that runs at the rear of Phoebe’s property. Twisted, unpredictable & a real page turner, this novel has put J.A. Baker firmly on my list of favourite authors.
April 24, 2017
This is the kind of book that if too much is said you could easily give the story away, or what there is of it. For the first half of the book I was quite enthralled but for me the second half seemed to progress downhill. It became too unbelievable and over the top that I found myself skimming the pages which is not a great sign. I feel I may be in the minority here but it just did not work for me and I did not enjoy it.
October 26, 2025
This was everything I like my psych thrillers to be. Great development of the characters but they weren't too much to cause me to lose interest in them. Suspenseful and this one really had me wondering where it was going. Fun for me to not figure out how it was going to end, until... Pretty close to the end. So fun and good.
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