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Beneath the Surface
They’re on the run. Grace doesn’t know why but her father insists it's the only way. She’s clinging to her mantra: ‘Finish high school. Turn eighteen. Freedom.’
She’s almost there but now she’s wondering if she can survive that long. Her father has never been father of the year.
Since landing in Sydney, her recurring nightmares are coming hard and fast. A red suitcase. Thorns. A phone number she can’t remember. And blood. Way too much blood.
What does it all mean?
Her friendship with Lowell may be her lifeline. But there is risk in trusting someone. Life-altering risks.
If Grace only knew who she really was, and what the nightmares were trying to tell her.
What Readers are saying:
“Thrilling mind twists and adrenaline packed adventure that expresses the horror, humiliation and pain associated with domestic violence and the torment, guilt, shame and healing survivors move through…a heart wrenching, fabulous read!” - Agnes Allen.
“My best read all year! I simply couldn't put it down.” – Arzum Rizalar.
“I could not put this book down. It was sad but heartwarming at the same time. The characters are well developed and the twists and turns are amazing!” – Jill Moon.
“I haven’t stayed up this late reading a book for many years but I had to know what happened! No spoilers, but I will say the twist at the end was fabulous.” – Andie Casey.
“Though a bit harrowing at times, and purposefully written, it was a page turner.” – Chelle Collie.
“Heartbreaking...heartwarming...sad...joyful...overwhelming! I can't say enough about this book. I would give it six stars if I could.” – Vicki Waters.
She’s almost there but now she’s wondering if she can survive that long. Her father has never been father of the year.
Since landing in Sydney, her recurring nightmares are coming hard and fast. A red suitcase. Thorns. A phone number she can’t remember. And blood. Way too much blood.
What does it all mean?
Her friendship with Lowell may be her lifeline. But there is risk in trusting someone. Life-altering risks.
If Grace only knew who she really was, and what the nightmares were trying to tell her.
What Readers are saying:
“Thrilling mind twists and adrenaline packed adventure that expresses the horror, humiliation and pain associated with domestic violence and the torment, guilt, shame and healing survivors move through…a heart wrenching, fabulous read!” - Agnes Allen.
“My best read all year! I simply couldn't put it down.” – Arzum Rizalar.
“I could not put this book down. It was sad but heartwarming at the same time. The characters are well developed and the twists and turns are amazing!” – Jill Moon.
“I haven’t stayed up this late reading a book for many years but I had to know what happened! No spoilers, but I will say the twist at the end was fabulous.” – Andie Casey.
“Though a bit harrowing at times, and purposefully written, it was a page turner.” – Chelle Collie.
“Heartbreaking...heartwarming...sad...joyful...overwhelming! I can't say enough about this book. I would give it six stars if I could.” – Vicki Waters.
260 pages, ebook
First published September 28, 2021
About the author
Tara Marlow
5 books61 followersTara Marlow is a bestselling Australian author renowned for her work in suspense and women's fiction. After a two-decade corporate career in the United States and a subsequent stint as a travel writer, she now dedicates herself to crafting compelling narratives about women overcoming insurmountable challenges and discovering their true selves.
Visit Tara online at taramarlowauthor.com to sign up for her monthly newsletter.
You can find Tara here:
➜ WEBSITE: www.taramarlowauthor.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: www.thecrackpotwriter.com/newsletter/
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/taramarlowauthor
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/taramarlow.author/
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Visit Tara online at taramarlowauthor.com to sign up for her monthly newsletter.
You can find Tara here:
➜ WEBSITE: www.taramarlowauthor.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: www.thecrackpotwriter.com/newsletter/
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/taramarlowauthor
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/taramarlow.author/
➜ BOOKBUB: bookbub.com/profile/tara-marlow
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 1, 2022
‘Beneath the Surface’ is not an easy read given its confronting storyline, but a good one.
Tara Marlow offers the reader a ‘content warning’ from the outset. A wise start to a challenging novel.
She gives us Grace, a strong teenager who is forced to be independent since childhood. Grace endures and deals with family violence head on, and comes out the other side ‘bruised’ but determined. Along the way, Grace meets and learns to trust others.
The ever-present tension and violence can be overwhelming, but Marlow gives us hints that all will turn out well for her young heroine, and for that I was thankful
I also like the opening quote which sets up what world we are about to enter: “There are no secrets in life: just hidden truths that lie beneath the surface.” Michael C. Hall.
I struggled to fully define Grace, the protagonist, but the author’s interesting ‘Acknowledgements’ section at the end of her book helped me out with a declaration that she likes to write about ‘women with gumption’.
I had the privilege to meet Tara Marlow at the Tasmanian Indie Author Book Fair. Together with two other fiction novels, I came away from the fair with ‘Beneath the Surface’ and a smile.
Tara Marlow offers the reader a ‘content warning’ from the outset. A wise start to a challenging novel.
She gives us Grace, a strong teenager who is forced to be independent since childhood. Grace endures and deals with family violence head on, and comes out the other side ‘bruised’ but determined. Along the way, Grace meets and learns to trust others.
The ever-present tension and violence can be overwhelming, but Marlow gives us hints that all will turn out well for her young heroine, and for that I was thankful
I also like the opening quote which sets up what world we are about to enter: “There are no secrets in life: just hidden truths that lie beneath the surface.” Michael C. Hall.
I struggled to fully define Grace, the protagonist, but the author’s interesting ‘Acknowledgements’ section at the end of her book helped me out with a declaration that she likes to write about ‘women with gumption’.
I had the privilege to meet Tara Marlow at the Tasmanian Indie Author Book Fair. Together with two other fiction novels, I came away from the fair with ‘Beneath the Surface’ and a smile.
September 21, 2021
Un-put-down-able. I haven’t stayed up this late reading a book for many years but I had to know what happened! No spoilers, but I will say the twist at the end was fabulous. Do pay attention to the trigger warnings because the author does not shy away from the details, but the subject matter made it all the more thrilling. Highly recommend!
September 27, 2021
My best read all year! I simply couldn't put it down, I read the whole thing in a day. So well written with great imagery. I could almost feel the Sydney heat. The twist at the end seriously had me shaken. I had to go back and review to see all of the little clues I clearly missed along the way.
February 22, 2022
Great Read
Although sad and tough to imagine that these things happen, this book will keep you up late reading. Very well written.
Although sad and tough to imagine that these things happen, this book will keep you up late reading. Very well written.
October 1, 2021
I really enjoyed this suspense novel about Grace, a teen who's dealing with far more than any young person should have to. Over the course of the story, Grace learns a lot about who she is, but there's the ongoing mystery of who she *was* and what happened to bring her to this place in life. She's unsure who she can count on, besides herself, but to answer the questions she has, she'll have to take that risk. Is it worth it? Will she get answers? Well, of course (on both counts), but her journey to get to that place is what it's all about.
Overall, I definitely recommend this if you enjoy a good suspense novel. I'll be honest and say that generally I don't read YA novels or those where the main character is still a teen. (It's just been too long since I was a young adult and I struggle to relate.) In this case, Beneath the Surface doesn't read like a novel FOR teens, rather it is a thriller that happens to be ABOUT a teen. Some of the content is a bit heavy, but that's not to say it's unrealistic. Grace's story is sometimes difficult to read, but everything is handled with the care and attention that I've come to expect from this author.
Overall, I definitely recommend this if you enjoy a good suspense novel. I'll be honest and say that generally I don't read YA novels or those where the main character is still a teen. (It's just been too long since I was a young adult and I struggle to relate.) In this case, Beneath the Surface doesn't read like a novel FOR teens, rather it is a thriller that happens to be ABOUT a teen. Some of the content is a bit heavy, but that's not to say it's unrealistic. Grace's story is sometimes difficult to read, but everything is handled with the care and attention that I've come to expect from this author.
September 23, 2021
This was an amazing read and I finished it in one day. I commend the author for putting trigger warnings and subsequent numbers for helplines at the beginning of the book which makes them unmissable and easy to find. Books I have read before that touch/delve upon more triggering content usually put helpline numbers (if they put any at all) at the end of the book, which doesn't help anyone if they didn't flip to the end of the book because who flips to the end of a book before they are finished? Probably monsters because why would you want to spoil yourself before even starting the book!!! Anyway, this book does not glorify these sensitive topics which is a breath of fresh air compared to other books out there these days. I love that the potential romantic interest does not turn into a white knight situation and the relationship between the main character and her supportive friend is charming. I am usually not super into epilogues as I feel that they sometimes take away from the ending of the story but this book had a super sweet epilogue that had me smiling. Overall an amazing book and definitely worth reading :)
September 27, 2021
Unfortunately the lives of some women in society are hindered by violence, drugs and male selfishness. This is a story of a resourceful, hopeful, resilient young woman. Who's home life is destroyed by an event she only just remembers, one that slowly reveals itself in dreams. She is able to fall back on the love of friends and long lost family to overcome and prosper. Though a bit harrowing at times, and purposefully written, it was a page turner.
September 27, 2021
Heartbreaking...heartwarming...sad...joyful...overwhelming!
These are just some of the words to describe Beneath the Surface. It is the first book by Tara Marlow that I have read. She is such a good author and the book is so well-written. The warning that she gives the readers that there are possible triggers for some people is appreciated and definitely needed.
I can't say enough about this book. I would give it six stars if I could.
These are just some of the words to describe Beneath the Surface. It is the first book by Tara Marlow that I have read. She is such a good author and the book is so well-written. The warning that she gives the readers that there are possible triggers for some people is appreciated and definitely needed.
I can't say enough about this book. I would give it six stars if I could.
September 28, 2021
I could not put this book down. It was sad but heartwarming at the same time. The characters are well developed and the twists and turns are amazing!
September 23, 2021
this book was phenomenal! i won't give anything away, but i thought the story flowed incredibly well. and i love when there's a twist at the end that makes you go back through the book and go "oh yeah!!" as you connect all of the pieces. it's a short read but it leaves you saying "oh that was a fantastic end" while yearning for more. really well done and fantastic for an author writing in this genre for the first time.
April 14, 2022
What a roller-coaster! I read it in one sitting. I loved Grace and Howell and was struck by the sensitive way her relationship with her father was handled. The background and story progression were seamless. The pace made it impossible to put the book down. I predict great things for this novel.
March 5, 2022
In Beneath the Surface, Tara promises a gripping suspense and has certainly delivered on this. It’s a compelling story that hooked me in from the first few pages and wouldn’t let me go. I read it in one sitting, staying up til after midnight to finish it because I was completely invested in main character Grace getting the answers she was searching for. Putting down the book would’ve felt like abandoning her to the physical and emotional turmoil of her existence and I just couldn’t do that.
Which leads me to the trigger warnings the author has provided. They point to difficult subject matter at the outset, but the story has just the right amount of heart and hope to balance out the intensity.
It’s an emotional ride. I felt for Grace every second, and I was so grateful for Lowell - everyone needs a Lowell in their life! While I’m not usually one for thrillers, I soon forgot about the genre as I got lost in the story, oblivious to the outside world until I reached the last page with its satisfying ending.
Which leads me to the trigger warnings the author has provided. They point to difficult subject matter at the outset, but the story has just the right amount of heart and hope to balance out the intensity.
It’s an emotional ride. I felt for Grace every second, and I was so grateful for Lowell - everyone needs a Lowell in their life! While I’m not usually one for thrillers, I soon forgot about the genre as I got lost in the story, oblivious to the outside world until I reached the last page with its satisfying ending.
September 12, 2023
A short excerpt about a really dysfunctional family. Creepy. But enough to want to keep going. Because, wtf....
May 5, 2025
A heart rendering read.
Confronting subject matter which sadly is all too prevalent but well treated bt TM.
Set in Sydney, my hometown just added a little something.
Confronting subject matter which sadly is all too prevalent but well treated bt TM.
Set in Sydney, my hometown just added a little something.
May 21, 2024
The overall story arc is compelling and keeps the reader invested. There is some brutal stuff in here, so if you don’t want to read about physical & emotional violence, this may not be for you. The resolution is good from a story perspective but lacks the power it could have had if the protagonist and antagonist were face to face.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews