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Under Your Skin
When Kyle’s wife Hannah goes missing, the whole town is out in force to try to find her. One person knows where she is. One person is keeping a secret.
Detective Inspector Simon Peters and Detective Kerry Lawlor have been brought in to investigate the case but Hannah has left no traces and Kyle has no clues.
Local Belfast resident Julia Matthews joins the #FindHannah campaign and becomes friendly with Kyle, sympathising with his tragedy. As Julia becomes more involved in the case than she bargained for, she begins to uncover more secrets than the Police ever could. Julia was only trying to help but has she become drawn into a web of mystery that she can’t escape?
Detective Inspector Simon Peters and Detective Kerry Lawlor have been brought in to investigate the case but Hannah has left no traces and Kyle has no clues.
Local Belfast resident Julia Matthews joins the #FindHannah campaign and becomes friendly with Kyle, sympathising with his tragedy. As Julia becomes more involved in the case than she bargained for, she begins to uncover more secrets than the Police ever could. Julia was only trying to help but has she become drawn into a web of mystery that she can’t escape?
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2020
453 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Rose McClelland
9 books113 followersOut of your Head is Rose McClelland’s fifth novel and her second psychological thriller.
Her previous novel Under Your Skin became an Amazon No. 1 Bestseller in the UK and USA/ Canada. It also won Best Books of 2020 in Belfast Telegraph and with several online book bloggers.
Rose has also written two short plays which were performed in the Black Box theatre in Belfast. Find out more at: http://rosiesrag.blogspot.com
Her previous novel Under Your Skin became an Amazon No. 1 Bestseller in the UK and USA/ Canada. It also won Best Books of 2020 in Belfast Telegraph and with several online book bloggers.
Rose has also written two short plays which were performed in the Black Box theatre in Belfast. Find out more at: http://rosiesrag.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
July 28, 2020
Whilst this was a tense and dark read, the way the story is written with alternating chapters featuring the female characters, well it had me racing through the pages and I ended up reading it in two sittings.
Hannah, Kate and Kerry were my main stand out characters. They all brought something different to the table and it was good seeing their different personalities and getting to know them all better. The relationships between Kerry and her work partner as well as Kate and her boyfriend Guy, made for some interesting reading also. I don’t think there was any part that didn’t hold my interest and not have me turning those pages.
A story to do with domestic abuse is never going to be an easy one but the author has written it with sensitivity. My dislike for a certain character grew throughout the story and that is a sign of a good writer when they have their reader feeling emotion for the characters. It wasn’t just dislike I felt but empathy and outrage also.
Under Your Skin is certainly a story that will get under the readers. I was eager to find out just what had happened to Hannah and what secrets might be in store for me. I found the writing compelling and the relatively short chapters had me saying, “just one more”. Whilst this isn’t the author’s first novel, it is her first on the darker side and have to say she has shown real strength and can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
My thanks to the author for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Hannah, Kate and Kerry were my main stand out characters. They all brought something different to the table and it was good seeing their different personalities and getting to know them all better. The relationships between Kerry and her work partner as well as Kate and her boyfriend Guy, made for some interesting reading also. I don’t think there was any part that didn’t hold my interest and not have me turning those pages.
A story to do with domestic abuse is never going to be an easy one but the author has written it with sensitivity. My dislike for a certain character grew throughout the story and that is a sign of a good writer when they have their reader feeling emotion for the characters. It wasn’t just dislike I felt but empathy and outrage also.
Under Your Skin is certainly a story that will get under the readers. I was eager to find out just what had happened to Hannah and what secrets might be in store for me. I found the writing compelling and the relatively short chapters had me saying, “just one more”. Whilst this isn’t the author’s first novel, it is her first on the darker side and have to say she has shown real strength and can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
My thanks to the author for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 4, 2020
Hannah goes missing & husband is the number one suspect, of course. At first, you think he’s a decent guy, & is just worried about his missing wife. People grieve in different ways, so I don’t judge. Kyle goes off the rails into a level of awful behavior that you just know he had to have killed his wife.
Hannah’s chapters detail her life with Kyle & his abusive behavior leading up to her going missing & the events of the present day. Kyle, it turns out, it abusive & controlling in the relationship, which leads to Hannah drinking & hiding bottles of booze around the house.
We also get Julia’s point of view, aiding in the search for Hannah. She then becomes inappropriately close to Kyle, who’s wife has only been missing a few days? I hated Julia. Worst female character. But eventually, she wises up to the red flags being thrown all over the place by Kyle, and, pretty much solves the case on her own.
The cops are pretty much useless in the story. They question Kyle about Hannah’s disappearance, but they know nothing of Hannah’s previous hospital visits or anything that Julia is able to find out about with minimal investigation. I don’t quite understand how that’s possible. They don’t really provide any investigational insight into the story that we don’t already get from all the other characters involved.
What I Liked: This book is so Irish & I loved it every second of it. Read every line of dialogue with an Irish accent in my head, but I did have to google what “cuppa” means. But the plot was good & the character development was decent.
What I Didn’t Like: Not much, aside from the chapters from the police point of view. I didn’t think they added all that much to the story.
Under Your Skin was a highly entertaining & super fast read. I couldn’t put it down & I finished it in a few hours. Thank you to Booktamins for letting me be a stop on the tour!
You can find my full review here.
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Hannah’s chapters detail her life with Kyle & his abusive behavior leading up to her going missing & the events of the present day. Kyle, it turns out, it abusive & controlling in the relationship, which leads to Hannah drinking & hiding bottles of booze around the house.
We also get Julia’s point of view, aiding in the search for Hannah. She then becomes inappropriately close to Kyle, who’s wife has only been missing a few days? I hated Julia. Worst female character. But eventually, she wises up to the red flags being thrown all over the place by Kyle, and, pretty much solves the case on her own.
The cops are pretty much useless in the story. They question Kyle about Hannah’s disappearance, but they know nothing of Hannah’s previous hospital visits or anything that Julia is able to find out about with minimal investigation. I don’t quite understand how that’s possible. They don’t really provide any investigational insight into the story that we don’t already get from all the other characters involved.
What I Liked: This book is so Irish & I loved it every second of it. Read every line of dialogue with an Irish accent in my head, but I did have to google what “cuppa” means. But the plot was good & the character development was decent.
What I Didn’t Like: Not much, aside from the chapters from the police point of view. I didn’t think they added all that much to the story.
Under Your Skin was a highly entertaining & super fast read. I couldn’t put it down & I finished it in a few hours. Thank you to Booktamins for letting me be a stop on the tour!
You can find my full review here.
Stay Connected!
Blog
March 12, 2021
Under Your Skin was a fast paced book by Rose McClelland.
A good plot with lots of twists. I thought it could have been more biting. Overall, a good one but not a great one.
Recommend
A good plot with lots of twists. I thought it could have been more biting. Overall, a good one but not a great one.
Recommend
July 5, 2020
DI Simon Peters and DS Kerry Lawlor are answering a husband's call about his wife, who seems to be missing.
After talking to the husband, her work colleagues, friends, etc,, they find no clues. No one seems to know where she is, who would have abducted her. Someone has to know something. Her husband, perhaps, since he is automatically primary suspect?
Residents gather together to form searches, looking for anything that might give them some clues. Julia Matthews meets the husband and a friendship is quick to form. And then it becomes more than friendship. Would a grieving husband grow this attached to another woman so soon?
The longer Julia is involved, the more she grows to suspect that something isn't quite right.
The book is narrated by several characters .... the missing wife who wakes in a basement and tells about her life with her husband .... a work colleague who professes to know nothing, but does he? .... the police .... the husband's version of his life with his wife ... and the husband's new girlfriend.
The first part of the book was good .. suspenseful, mysterious. But then there are other parts that seem to have no bearing on the case. The female detective fantasizing about her married superior.... the work colleague and his girlfriend who won't agree to marry him .... seems like some things were just thrown in willy-nilly.
Many thanks to the author / Darkstroke / Netgalley for the digital copy of UNDER YOUR SKIN. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 27, 2020
This book is more than a thriller, it’s a microscopic look into domestic abuse and coercive control. How men can, at the start, be charm personified but gradually have swings of behaviour so you start to change your own behaviour to keep the peace. But be nice often enough so they don’t forget the man they fell in love with and excuse his behaviour. Societal pressure and the idea of the perfect life making many women kowtow to conform to certain expectations.
Narrated by multiple women throughout you see how all of them tick, from Hannah the missing woman, Julia helping with the search and Detective Kerry Lawlor. Julia was to me the most realistic representation of how a coercive man gets his claws in and just how easy it is. Even seemingly strong independent women can be reduced to a mere shadow of their former selves.
But how do Hannah and Julia connect? Is Kyle the worrying, dutiful husband he portrays himself to be? How does Kate the partner of Hannah’s work colleague Guy tie in to all of this? I had so many questions and was nicely surprised when all was revealed.
The pace was kept throughout and at only 225 pages this was a really fast read, the tension is held and my only complaint is I wanted more so I’m hoping we will see the return of Detective Kerry Lawlor.
Narrated by multiple women throughout you see how all of them tick, from Hannah the missing woman, Julia helping with the search and Detective Kerry Lawlor. Julia was to me the most realistic representation of how a coercive man gets his claws in and just how easy it is. Even seemingly strong independent women can be reduced to a mere shadow of their former selves.
But how do Hannah and Julia connect? Is Kyle the worrying, dutiful husband he portrays himself to be? How does Kate the partner of Hannah’s work colleague Guy tie in to all of this? I had so many questions and was nicely surprised when all was revealed.
The pace was kept throughout and at only 225 pages this was a really fast read, the tension is held and my only complaint is I wanted more so I’m hoping we will see the return of Detective Kerry Lawlor.
January 11, 2021
Hannah is missing , her husband Kyle reports this to the police & two detectives DI Simon & DS Kerry are assigned to lead the case , a social media trend of #findhannah begins and walks are arranged searching local ground.
Kyle is the prime suspect yet on one of the #findhannah walks he becomes close to Julia , Julia is a loner type and laps up all Kyle’s attention.
Hannah is in a basement and her chapters in the book go back and tell the story from when her & Kyle met , the wedding , the honeymoon etc
I found this a mediocre thriller. I finished it in one sitting as it’s only a short read but it but it didn’t really stand out for me.
Kyle is the prime suspect yet on one of the #findhannah walks he becomes close to Julia , Julia is a loner type and laps up all Kyle’s attention.
Hannah is in a basement and her chapters in the book go back and tell the story from when her & Kyle met , the wedding , the honeymoon etc
I found this a mediocre thriller. I finished it in one sitting as it’s only a short read but it but it didn’t really stand out for me.
June 30, 2020
You know that feeling when you start a new book - Apprehension mixed with a touch of excitement - and then as you read more you realise you’ve got something quite special in your hands? Well for me, this book was it!
I devoured, absorbed and ate up every last word this book had to offer. I simply could not put it down even when my eyelids were feeling heavy and my brain was going slushy after a long day.
Told from different perspectives (Hannah- the missing wife, Kyle - the doting husband, Julia - the obsessive bystander, Kerry & Simon - the investigating officers and Kate - the girlfriend of Hannah’s coworker) the reader is given a full 360 degree view of each situation. It makes you ask yourself: is the marriage what it appears to be? Are Julia’s intentions honest? What’s the true nature of Hannah and Guy’s friendship? Did Hannah leave? Who’s not telling the whole truth?
I loved all the twists and turns this book throws at you and the writing style was just so easy to read. All of the characters were well written and believable, so well in-fact that it felt like this one book was part of a series. The banter, the little quirks in their friendships - all leading towards an engrossing read.
For some reason I had it in my head that the ending would’ve been more of a cliffhanger. Perhaps more in line with Gone Girl? I enjoyed the ending that was given, but I think I surprised myself by expecting a different outcome. I’m not I totally understood the email about the rings?
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
I devoured, absorbed and ate up every last word this book had to offer. I simply could not put it down even when my eyelids were feeling heavy and my brain was going slushy after a long day.
Told from different perspectives (Hannah- the missing wife, Kyle - the doting husband, Julia - the obsessive bystander, Kerry & Simon - the investigating officers and Kate - the girlfriend of Hannah’s coworker) the reader is given a full 360 degree view of each situation. It makes you ask yourself: is the marriage what it appears to be? Are Julia’s intentions honest? What’s the true nature of Hannah and Guy’s friendship? Did Hannah leave? Who’s not telling the whole truth?
I loved all the twists and turns this book throws at you and the writing style was just so easy to read. All of the characters were well written and believable, so well in-fact that it felt like this one book was part of a series. The banter, the little quirks in their friendships - all leading towards an engrossing read.
For some reason I had it in my head that the ending would’ve been more of a cliffhanger. Perhaps more in line with Gone Girl? I enjoyed the ending that was given, but I think I surprised myself by expecting a different outcome. I’m not I totally understood the email about the rings?
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
September 11, 2020
Oh this was good! The type of read that sucks you in from the beginning and has you guessing who is up to what. The synopsis is all you need going into this one. It gives just enough to question everyone and everything until the reveal.
This is told from multiple POVs and I am glad McClelland includes the character name at the beginning of each chapter. What I enjoyed the most is the realistic feel of the scenarios in this book. It's not outlandish and the actions and inner dialogue of the characters is so easy to understand. Even when you're shaking your head at some of their decisions, in the back of your mind you know how possible this is. There's a few times some expletives popped out of my mouth towards a specific character while reading this. Pretty sure I amused the hubs with my rants too.
The chapters with the detectives left a little to be desired. I think I was more so disappointed with how they handled the case. I would've expected more from their scenes but it didn't take away from the premise or overall enjoyment of the novel. I was completely sucked into the psychological aspects of this read too. I was completely absorbed in Hannah's story and feel this is an excellent look into how many women view and handle situations like this. There are scenes of rape as well as mental and physical abuse hat should be noted.
I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a fast paced and absorbing psychological thriller. I did not want to put this one down. True rating is 4.5, rounded for Goodreads.
This is told from multiple POVs and I am glad McClelland includes the character name at the beginning of each chapter. What I enjoyed the most is the realistic feel of the scenarios in this book. It's not outlandish and the actions and inner dialogue of the characters is so easy to understand. Even when you're shaking your head at some of their decisions, in the back of your mind you know how possible this is. There's a few times some expletives popped out of my mouth towards a specific character while reading this. Pretty sure I amused the hubs with my rants too.
The chapters with the detectives left a little to be desired. I think I was more so disappointed with how they handled the case. I would've expected more from their scenes but it didn't take away from the premise or overall enjoyment of the novel. I was completely sucked into the psychological aspects of this read too. I was completely absorbed in Hannah's story and feel this is an excellent look into how many women view and handle situations like this. There are scenes of rape as well as mental and physical abuse hat should be noted.
I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a fast paced and absorbing psychological thriller. I did not want to put this one down. True rating is 4.5, rounded for Goodreads.
June 28, 2020
This book is really great. It has everything a great thriller must have, a disappearance, a deep investigation and a plot twist.
When Hannah disappears, Kyle, her husband, notifies her disappearance to the police, and they start investigating. But not only Hanna’s whereabouts will be revealed, but also a lot of dark secrets about almost everyone who knows Hannah or ir involved in the investigation.
I really liked that Rose tells us the story behind every character, because it gives us the whole picture, about why everyone behaves the way they do, and how Hanna’s relationships matter to the investigation.
Another thing that i found fascinating was how many times the author was able to throw us mini plot twists without overshadowing the main one.
Although we discover Hanna’s whereabouts after half of the book, the part that comes after discovering it, isn’t something that was wrote just to fill, but it’s something that has a meaning to the story.
For me, it was really hard to read about Kyle’s abusive behavior, because it was written really detailed, and it just broke my heart to realise that it’s something a lot of women suffer daily.
When Hannah disappears, Kyle, her husband, notifies her disappearance to the police, and they start investigating. But not only Hanna’s whereabouts will be revealed, but also a lot of dark secrets about almost everyone who knows Hannah or ir involved in the investigation.
I really liked that Rose tells us the story behind every character, because it gives us the whole picture, about why everyone behaves the way they do, and how Hanna’s relationships matter to the investigation.
Another thing that i found fascinating was how many times the author was able to throw us mini plot twists without overshadowing the main one.
Although we discover Hanna’s whereabouts after half of the book, the part that comes after discovering it, isn’t something that was wrote just to fill, but it’s something that has a meaning to the story.
For me, it was really hard to read about Kyle’s abusive behavior, because it was written really detailed, and it just broke my heart to realise that it’s something a lot of women suffer daily.
June 9, 2020
This is a rollercoaster of a read where you are certain you know what's happening one minute and then the next you're off pursuing a different line of enquiry. There are great dynamics between the characters so whilst it's a gripping page turner, at the same time all the people stay real; flawed and grounded. I devoured it.
June 30, 2020
'When Kyle’s wife Hannah goes missing, the whole town is out in force to try to find her. One person knows where she is. One person is keeping a secret.Detective Inspector Simon Peters and Detective Kerry Lawlor have been brought in to investigate the case but Hannah has left no traces and Kyle has no clues.'
I love novels set in a real location. My initial interest in Rose McClelland’s writing was sparked by her descriptions of Belfast. ‘Under Your Skin’ describes enticing cafés and restaurants, a vibrant night-life and the 'buzz' of a thriving economy. Beneath the warmth and vivacity of city life lies a dark and terrifying undercurrent of abuse and deadly fear. Through the voices of young women, who share the vulnerabilities of their age and gender, McClelland tells a story that will resonate widely. Strong and capable in their professional lives, emotionally and sexually Hannah, Julia and Kerry are fragile and dependent on the approval of their men. Achieving everything they believe is necessary for happiness, an expensive home, perfect children and social acceptability, depends on winning and keeping the approval of a man. This leaves them open to manipulation, exploitation and deathly danger, because all the power in the relationship may lie with someone who is rotten to his very core.
An atmosphere of youthful energy, with its enjoyment of the good things of life, is one of the charms of ‘Under Your Skin’. In spite of the psychological traumas they suffer, McClelland’s characters appreciate a fried breakfast, a bacon sandwich or a freshly baked scone. The descriptions of domestic interiors reveal a sensuous delight in decoration: the accessory that expresses the pleasure of being safe at home, the sofa designed for blissful napping, the thrill of owning collectable glassware.
'Local Belfast resident Julia Matthews joins the #FindHannah campaign and becomes friendly with Kyle, sympathising with his tragedy. As Julia becomes more involved in the case than she bargained for, she begins to uncover more secrets than the Police ever could. Julia was only trying to help, but has she become drawn into a web of mystery that she can’t escape?'
I love novels set in a real location. My initial interest in Rose McClelland’s writing was sparked by her descriptions of Belfast. ‘Under Your Skin’ describes enticing cafés and restaurants, a vibrant night-life and the 'buzz' of a thriving economy. Beneath the warmth and vivacity of city life lies a dark and terrifying undercurrent of abuse and deadly fear. Through the voices of young women, who share the vulnerabilities of their age and gender, McClelland tells a story that will resonate widely. Strong and capable in their professional lives, emotionally and sexually Hannah, Julia and Kerry are fragile and dependent on the approval of their men. Achieving everything they believe is necessary for happiness, an expensive home, perfect children and social acceptability, depends on winning and keeping the approval of a man. This leaves them open to manipulation, exploitation and deathly danger, because all the power in the relationship may lie with someone who is rotten to his very core.
An atmosphere of youthful energy, with its enjoyment of the good things of life, is one of the charms of ‘Under Your Skin’. In spite of the psychological traumas they suffer, McClelland’s characters appreciate a fried breakfast, a bacon sandwich or a freshly baked scone. The descriptions of domestic interiors reveal a sensuous delight in decoration: the accessory that expresses the pleasure of being safe at home, the sofa designed for blissful napping, the thrill of owning collectable glassware.
'Local Belfast resident Julia Matthews joins the #FindHannah campaign and becomes friendly with Kyle, sympathising with his tragedy. As Julia becomes more involved in the case than she bargained for, she begins to uncover more secrets than the Police ever could. Julia was only trying to help, but has she become drawn into a web of mystery that she can’t escape?'
September 6, 2020
To the outside world, Hannah and Kyle Greer are happily married. But when Kyle reports his wife missing, the disturbing truth beneath that shiny veneer is slowly revealed. A dark, twisted and affecting novel, Under Your Skin is an exploration of an abusive marriage and the secrets that hide behind closed doors.
At 272 pages this is a short book, but it's the author's gripping and atmospheric prose that made it one I devoured in just a few hours. It took me a little while to get used to the multiple narrators and how they each fit into the story, but once I did I was able to appreciate the varying perspectives that they brought to the story. All of those voices are female and the story ultimately is one of finding your inner strength and confidence. Each woman is written with authenticity. They are strong in their own way, yet filled with self-doubt and some are fractured and fragile. But they are all women you can imagine knowing and being friends with.
I loved Hannah's chapters. Though at first I felt like the terror I was expecting from her was missing, I quickly understood and came to have a lot of empathy for her. For the first half of the book, her chapters focus on the past and tell the story of her relationship with Kyle. As the truth about what she'd endured unfolded I began to understand why she felt a kind of relief at her situation. The other character I felt drawn to was Julia. Julia is a bit of a mess. She's isolating herself because of depression and gets involved in the search for Hannah to try and get out more like her therapist suggested, only to find herself caught up in Kyle's twisted web.
I loathed Kyle. He was spectacularly written and I especially liked that the author didn't give him a voice after the first chapter, instead making him someone we see only through the eyes of the other narrators. I think this was an inspired choice. It took some of his power and control away, something an abuser despises. And, though it's fiction, I did get a kick out of the fact he never got to gaslight the reader and have the influence a man like him would want.
Complex, dark, disturbing and told with raw honesty, Under Your Skin is an absorbing thriller that examines the truth of domestic abuse with authenticity and sensitivity.
At 272 pages this is a short book, but it's the author's gripping and atmospheric prose that made it one I devoured in just a few hours. It took me a little while to get used to the multiple narrators and how they each fit into the story, but once I did I was able to appreciate the varying perspectives that they brought to the story. All of those voices are female and the story ultimately is one of finding your inner strength and confidence. Each woman is written with authenticity. They are strong in their own way, yet filled with self-doubt and some are fractured and fragile. But they are all women you can imagine knowing and being friends with.
I loved Hannah's chapters. Though at first I felt like the terror I was expecting from her was missing, I quickly understood and came to have a lot of empathy for her. For the first half of the book, her chapters focus on the past and tell the story of her relationship with Kyle. As the truth about what she'd endured unfolded I began to understand why she felt a kind of relief at her situation. The other character I felt drawn to was Julia. Julia is a bit of a mess. She's isolating herself because of depression and gets involved in the search for Hannah to try and get out more like her therapist suggested, only to find herself caught up in Kyle's twisted web.
I loathed Kyle. He was spectacularly written and I especially liked that the author didn't give him a voice after the first chapter, instead making him someone we see only through the eyes of the other narrators. I think this was an inspired choice. It took some of his power and control away, something an abuser despises. And, though it's fiction, I did get a kick out of the fact he never got to gaslight the reader and have the influence a man like him would want.
Complex, dark, disturbing and told with raw honesty, Under Your Skin is an absorbing thriller that examines the truth of domestic abuse with authenticity and sensitivity.
July 28, 2020
This is a superb read. I felt as if it consumed me. We get several points of view in this story. Sometimes I find this confusing but the author wrote it in such a way I followed it easily enough. As we get the story with several points of view I felt as if I was watching it on tv.
Kyles wife Hannah goes missing. The police investigate and he starts a campaign to look for her. Julia a local helping in the search and Detective Kerry Lawlor also gives their view.
Lots of questions running through my head had me reading this in one sitting. Great storyline. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Kyles wife Hannah goes missing. The police investigate and he starts a campaign to look for her. Julia a local helping in the search and Detective Kerry Lawlor also gives their view.
Lots of questions running through my head had me reading this in one sitting. Great storyline. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 28, 2020
This is a dark story of mental abuse, manipulation and the extent some people will go to escape their lives.
We are led through this story from four different women. Hannah the main woman, Kerry the Police Officer, Julia and Kate and you aren’t sure how they fit at first and I loved that air of mystery. Be careful if you read some reviews on Goodreads because they tell you how it fits! The main focus is Hannah and her story, however, we see insights into all their lives and how they are all impacted by this fallout.
I had a feeling how things would play out and I wasn’t disappointed. The book was riveting to read and it does keep your interest throughout. The only thing I struggled with sometimes was how the characters spoke it made me cringe, but this is such a small thing to worry about if you look at the bigger picture of this book. I did also struggle with some of the actions and thoughts of 2 of the characters, I felt they were completely the wrong time to be having these thoughts but then you can’t control human nature which is very evident in this book. You can not control how people behave, you can not control what goes on behind closed doors and a big thing we are highlighted towards is you can not always control your situation. That is a scary situation to be in. This idea had me intrigued with this book, the blurb hints at the danger we are about to endure but I wasn’t sure how much darkness there would be in this tale.
It is a great book to have you question everything. Question what you would do in the situations presented, how would you react? To tell the story from 4 different seemingly unconnected women to get a fuller picture is really well done. We get to see things from out the outside as well as inside. However, this book is not all hearts and flowers. It is shocking in places, it is dark and it’s harrowing. It really does make you want to wrap people up in cotton wool and protect them from the world. What I think makes it harrowing more so, is the fact we see the everyday norm, the making of coffee, the making of dinner, and then bam we are hit with something. We question did that just happen, or is it a case of unreliable narrator?! Cleverly done!
We are led through this story from four different women. Hannah the main woman, Kerry the Police Officer, Julia and Kate and you aren’t sure how they fit at first and I loved that air of mystery. Be careful if you read some reviews on Goodreads because they tell you how it fits! The main focus is Hannah and her story, however, we see insights into all their lives and how they are all impacted by this fallout.
I had a feeling how things would play out and I wasn’t disappointed. The book was riveting to read and it does keep your interest throughout. The only thing I struggled with sometimes was how the characters spoke it made me cringe, but this is such a small thing to worry about if you look at the bigger picture of this book. I did also struggle with some of the actions and thoughts of 2 of the characters, I felt they were completely the wrong time to be having these thoughts but then you can’t control human nature which is very evident in this book. You can not control how people behave, you can not control what goes on behind closed doors and a big thing we are highlighted towards is you can not always control your situation. That is a scary situation to be in. This idea had me intrigued with this book, the blurb hints at the danger we are about to endure but I wasn’t sure how much darkness there would be in this tale.
It is a great book to have you question everything. Question what you would do in the situations presented, how would you react? To tell the story from 4 different seemingly unconnected women to get a fuller picture is really well done. We get to see things from out the outside as well as inside. However, this book is not all hearts and flowers. It is shocking in places, it is dark and it’s harrowing. It really does make you want to wrap people up in cotton wool and protect them from the world. What I think makes it harrowing more so, is the fact we see the everyday norm, the making of coffee, the making of dinner, and then bam we are hit with something. We question did that just happen, or is it a case of unreliable narrator?! Cleverly done!
August 9, 2020
What a delight! The truth is that I almost passed on requesting this book. Sure glad I gave it a try!
Hannah is Kyle's wife. At this point, she had been missing for 2 days. (Although Kyle initially tried to call the police at 12 hours).
The police case begins for missing Hannah; DI Simon Peters and DC Kerry Lawlor visit Kyle, first..
Hannah is in a basement somewhere. - but her pills and books somehow make it bearable. Also, she is quite happy to not have to "play at life". She has time to reminisce. Yet, now she additionally has time to think about how Kyle insists that she is depressed...
Julia, in therapy, needs to get out more. She joins the search party for Hannah It is then she meets Kyle...
The police now are procuring a search warrant to look deeply into Kyle's home. Just in case...
HIGHLY Recommend! A MUST Read!!!
Many Thanks to Cameron Publicity and NetGalley for a fast, great read.
Hannah is Kyle's wife. At this point, she had been missing for 2 days. (Although Kyle initially tried to call the police at 12 hours).
The police case begins for missing Hannah; DI Simon Peters and DC Kerry Lawlor visit Kyle, first..
Hannah is in a basement somewhere. - but her pills and books somehow make it bearable. Also, she is quite happy to not have to "play at life". She has time to reminisce. Yet, now she additionally has time to think about how Kyle insists that she is depressed...
Julia, in therapy, needs to get out more. She joins the search party for Hannah It is then she meets Kyle...
The police now are procuring a search warrant to look deeply into Kyle's home. Just in case...
HIGHLY Recommend! A MUST Read!!!
Many Thanks to Cameron Publicity and NetGalley for a fast, great read.
December 31, 2020
With time, I've come to expect a certain level of thrill from the books I read especially if they're presented as "a gripping thriller" or a psychological thriller. Unfortunately for me, this book didn't give me those thrills that I highly seek in a book. The story started off well but at a certain point and after numerous times when I thought "now comes the twist" the book instead got very predictable. The characters were good. I liked Kerry & Simon as characters & it would have been interesting to see nuances of the police work since the book was set in Belfast. however, this book was driven by Hannah & Julia. The plot sadly did not feel upto the mark of a psychological thriller.
Thank You Netgalley, Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd & Rose McClelland for an arc!
Thank You Netgalley, Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd & Rose McClelland for an arc!
June 21, 2020
First I want to tell you this : OMG this book is sooooo good. It kept me hooked till the end and I didn't want to stop reading. I really enjoyed it and had a great time reading this. I'm really happy that I received this book to review cause I have a lot of good things to say.
The characters are very good written and the writing style is easy to read. I love Hannah and Kate. I dislike Kyle and I dislike Julia in the beginning but reading further I changed my mind and I liked her.
This book has topics like : abuse, rape, mental abuse, fear, miscarriage and verbal abuse. So it was really a heavy read.
Would definitely recommend this book to the whole world!
The characters are very good written and the writing style is easy to read. I love Hannah and Kate. I dislike Kyle and I dislike Julia in the beginning but reading further I changed my mind and I liked her.
This book has topics like : abuse, rape, mental abuse, fear, miscarriage and verbal abuse. So it was really a heavy read.
Would definitely recommend this book to the whole world!
August 4, 2020
I was looking forward to reading this but unfortunately it just didn't float my boat. I'm not sure if I can put my finger on why exactly- nothing wrong with the writing, as a psychological thriller it had a decent plot - I guess this is just one of those misfit moments.
Honestly I found it to have nothing at all new to offer which is not unusual in this genre but also with apologies I just thought it was all a bit dull. Subjective obviously but it's my truth.
Honestly I found it to have nothing at all new to offer which is not unusual in this genre but also with apologies I just thought it was all a bit dull. Subjective obviously but it's my truth.
July 20, 2020
Oh my gosh, it really is a bit of magic when just a few pages into a novel that you concur that you have something quite special being shared with you. That is exactly what Under Your Skin is. The book community has been raving about this story but somehow, I just didn’t appreciate just how powerful and how much of an impact it would have upon me. I’m very wary of hyped books but in this case, the hype hasn’t been enough. This book crackles with electricity with every page turn.
Reading this story is a sound investment. It is medicine for your cerebral cortex. It’s worth the emotion and the dedication. The cover and the contents just scream out “read me.” It isn’t an easy book to read and rightly so, it shouldn’t be. The subject matter is hard and disturbing and there were parts were my blood pressure wanted to explode. Anger and upset were common emotions during my experience of reading Under Your Skin.
As I said previously, this book blew the socks off of me. Its unexpected unadulterated power shocked me. It brought out a passion in me that I didn’t wholly expect. The pace of the narrative felt like a train. It flew through me and left me reeling. It was outstandingly written, to the extent that I felt every ounce of pain and suffering the pages emitted.
Kyle’s wife is missing. He’s frantic and doesn’t know where she could be. He involves the police, but things don’t move as quickly as he’d like. The questions fly and the inevitable question of mental health surfaces. Was Hannah depressed or is something more sinister at play? Kyle, despite his worry for his wife, seems very hesitant to give anything away. Is he hiding something? Under Your Skin gave me serious Netflix feels – think of The Sinner series, or silent witness. I would love to see this on the small screen.
Rose McClelland’ skills at having me gasp in disbelief was first rate. I was a witness to unbelievable events, events that led me down a path that I never thought I’d have to step foot on again. The rotating multiple point-of-views worked well for various reasons. One, the author never makes it feel forced or unrealistic. The narratives a razor sharp and the balancing act is exquisitely nailed. She gives you just enough information, leaves just enough titbits to have that doubt creeping in in the corner of your mind.
My mind did double takes, and my loyalty shifted pretty quickly. Hannah’s point-of-view is one that quickly garners compassion and empathy. She has a heart of gold, but she has absolutely been dealt a shitty hand of cards. We get two sides of the same coin – past and present and we see the unravelling threads of Hannah’s life. It makes you look in the mirror and assess how you would feel in her shoes.
This book was inhaled and left me lying awake at 3am. The thoughts and the feelings left me reeling from an astounding work of art such as Under Your Skin.
Under Your Skin was so gripping I struggled immensely to put it down. It was hypnotically readable, and I wait on baited breath to see what this author releases next.
Reading this story is a sound investment. It is medicine for your cerebral cortex. It’s worth the emotion and the dedication. The cover and the contents just scream out “read me.” It isn’t an easy book to read and rightly so, it shouldn’t be. The subject matter is hard and disturbing and there were parts were my blood pressure wanted to explode. Anger and upset were common emotions during my experience of reading Under Your Skin.
As I said previously, this book blew the socks off of me. Its unexpected unadulterated power shocked me. It brought out a passion in me that I didn’t wholly expect. The pace of the narrative felt like a train. It flew through me and left me reeling. It was outstandingly written, to the extent that I felt every ounce of pain and suffering the pages emitted.
Kyle’s wife is missing. He’s frantic and doesn’t know where she could be. He involves the police, but things don’t move as quickly as he’d like. The questions fly and the inevitable question of mental health surfaces. Was Hannah depressed or is something more sinister at play? Kyle, despite his worry for his wife, seems very hesitant to give anything away. Is he hiding something? Under Your Skin gave me serious Netflix feels – think of The Sinner series, or silent witness. I would love to see this on the small screen.
Rose McClelland’ skills at having me gasp in disbelief was first rate. I was a witness to unbelievable events, events that led me down a path that I never thought I’d have to step foot on again. The rotating multiple point-of-views worked well for various reasons. One, the author never makes it feel forced or unrealistic. The narratives a razor sharp and the balancing act is exquisitely nailed. She gives you just enough information, leaves just enough titbits to have that doubt creeping in in the corner of your mind.
My mind did double takes, and my loyalty shifted pretty quickly. Hannah’s point-of-view is one that quickly garners compassion and empathy. She has a heart of gold, but she has absolutely been dealt a shitty hand of cards. We get two sides of the same coin – past and present and we see the unravelling threads of Hannah’s life. It makes you look in the mirror and assess how you would feel in her shoes.
This book was inhaled and left me lying awake at 3am. The thoughts and the feelings left me reeling from an astounding work of art such as Under Your Skin.
Under Your Skin was so gripping I struggled immensely to put it down. It was hypnotically readable, and I wait on baited breath to see what this author releases next.
September 26, 2020
**disclosure: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a review***
Trigger warnings: sexual abuse/rape, substance abuse, domestic abuse and mentions of self harm.
It has been a while since I have done this, and this not my usual genre...but here we go!
This story follows the case of a missing woman, Hannah Greer. She hasn't been seen in 48 hours and has apparently disappeared without a trace. What follows is a multiple-persoective journey through the eyes of family, friends, strangers and detectives all involved or tied to the case somehow. And what is revealed is darker than it initially seems on the surface.
Now....I enjoyed this, although I did enter it skeptically. I do not read or watch a lot of UK crime drama because of my work knowledge in that area. I often find myself constantly scoffing at the tv going "THAT NEVER HAPPENS. THAT WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED. WHAT EVEN IS THIS". So when I was contacted about reading and reviewing this book, I did hesitate initially because I knew that I would struggle to compartmentalise reality vs fiction. This would obviously be of no fault of the author at all because you tend to only know certain things about police work if you have actually worked as a police officer.
I found the story intense, and curious. I really wanted to know what had happened to Hannah and what the circumstances were. McClelland did a wonderful job of evoking sympathy for characters even as they made questionable choices or bad decisions (and of evoking rage with certain others, righty so!) The side characters were well written and fleshed out. The pacing of the story made it a quick read that I devoured in about 3 hours, I was hooked and I needed to know.
I do put the trigger warnings on, it is a dark book, with multiple incidents of rape/sexual assault, domestic abuse ...some more graphic than others which may be triggering or bothersome to some readers- so be mindful of that.
Otherwise? if you enjoy crime fiction, I do recommend that you give this one a try. I'll be adding the author to my "to watch" list and having a look at her previous works because I really did genuinely enjoy this!
Trigger warnings: sexual abuse/rape, substance abuse, domestic abuse and mentions of self harm.
It has been a while since I have done this, and this not my usual genre...but here we go!
This story follows the case of a missing woman, Hannah Greer. She hasn't been seen in 48 hours and has apparently disappeared without a trace. What follows is a multiple-persoective journey through the eyes of family, friends, strangers and detectives all involved or tied to the case somehow. And what is revealed is darker than it initially seems on the surface.
Now....I enjoyed this, although I did enter it skeptically. I do not read or watch a lot of UK crime drama because of my work knowledge in that area. I often find myself constantly scoffing at the tv going "THAT NEVER HAPPENS. THAT WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED. WHAT EVEN IS THIS". So when I was contacted about reading and reviewing this book, I did hesitate initially because I knew that I would struggle to compartmentalise reality vs fiction. This would obviously be of no fault of the author at all because you tend to only know certain things about police work if you have actually worked as a police officer.
I found the story intense, and curious. I really wanted to know what had happened to Hannah and what the circumstances were. McClelland did a wonderful job of evoking sympathy for characters even as they made questionable choices or bad decisions (and of evoking rage with certain others, righty so!) The side characters were well written and fleshed out. The pacing of the story made it a quick read that I devoured in about 3 hours, I was hooked and I needed to know.
I do put the trigger warnings on, it is a dark book, with multiple incidents of rape/sexual assault, domestic abuse ...some more graphic than others which may be triggering or bothersome to some readers- so be mindful of that.
Otherwise? if you enjoy crime fiction, I do recommend that you give this one a try. I'll be adding the author to my "to watch" list and having a look at her previous works because I really did genuinely enjoy this!
July 23, 2020
Under Your Skin by Rose McClelland is the story of three different women in three different conditions and what exactly it is that brings them together. Hannah is missing & her husband has filed a missing case. Julie meets Hannah's husband who organised the # FindHannah campaign and gets to know him better and Kerry the police officer becomes a part of the investigation to Find Hannah.
.
The book takes us through different experiences and the main characters of the book have a story to tell of their own.
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The book explores the temperament of the three women which pays attention to the detail where they come from.
.
Rose talks about a grave issue in her book and if after reading this line you think you have figuredout the story then you are wrong 😉
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The author has redefined the line "It's always the husband" and how the first page builds the story is what interested me the most.
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McClelland reminds us yet again how each one of us is flawed and why the route to escaping is not as easy as it sounds.
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Julie and Hannah have a story to tell which not only makes us realise the essence of the human in us but also how someone can under your skin and keep you on your toes all the time.
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The writers world is small and the writing doesn't take us too far but keeps us in an intimate circle to keep you engaged.
.
Some instances in the book for me escalated too fast and could have taken a little more time.
.
Under Your Skin is a graphic and detailed writing of the story and once you are in the story you realise that.
.
Don't miss out on this spine-chilling read and find out if Hannah was ever found.
.
.
The book takes us through different experiences and the main characters of the book have a story to tell of their own.
.
The book explores the temperament of the three women which pays attention to the detail where they come from.
.
Rose talks about a grave issue in her book and if after reading this line you think you have figuredout the story then you are wrong 😉
.
The author has redefined the line "It's always the husband" and how the first page builds the story is what interested me the most.
.
McClelland reminds us yet again how each one of us is flawed and why the route to escaping is not as easy as it sounds.
.
Julie and Hannah have a story to tell which not only makes us realise the essence of the human in us but also how someone can under your skin and keep you on your toes all the time.
.
The writers world is small and the writing doesn't take us too far but keeps us in an intimate circle to keep you engaged.
.
Some instances in the book for me escalated too fast and could have taken a little more time.
.
Under Your Skin is a graphic and detailed writing of the story and once you are in the story you realise that.
.
Don't miss out on this spine-chilling read and find out if Hannah was ever found.
.
July 10, 2020
Kyle and Hannah seem the perfect couple, their romance a whirlwind that quickly turns into marriage. One day Hannah doesn't return home and Kyle is beside himself. He calls the police but feels they aren't doing enough and ends up starting his own #findhannah campaign.
Julia sees the news and decides to pitch in and join the #findhannah campaign. During a search she meets Kyle and they quickly become friends. Julia soon learns secrets the police could only guess at as she becomes close to Kyle.
Where is Hannah? Who would want to hurt her? Will she be found in time?
This was a very quick read! I finished this in a few hours. This was well written and had me captivated throughout. I figured everything out pretty early on but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story. If you're looking for a good domestic drama that is quick and interesting this is a good one to get lost in.
I appreciate the author providing me with a copy of the book for a honest review. All views expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
Julia sees the news and decides to pitch in and join the #findhannah campaign. During a search she meets Kyle and they quickly become friends. Julia soon learns secrets the police could only guess at as she becomes close to Kyle.
Where is Hannah? Who would want to hurt her? Will she be found in time?
This was a very quick read! I finished this in a few hours. This was well written and had me captivated throughout. I figured everything out pretty early on but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story. If you're looking for a good domestic drama that is quick and interesting this is a good one to get lost in.
I appreciate the author providing me with a copy of the book for a honest review. All views expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
July 15, 2020
For McCelland who has only previously written chiclit books, she writes suspense novels like a pro!
In Under Your Skin we meet Kyle who has reported his wife (Hannah) as missing. As the police step up to start a search for Hannah, Kyle launch his own search using the hashtag #FindHannah to try and drum up some local support.
The story is told from differing points of view; Hanna, Kerry (the investigating officer), Kate (a local whose in invested in the #FindHannah campaign) and Julia (who is actively helping Kyle in his search for his wife).
We learn that Kyle's marriage was not all rosy. He was extremely controlling of his wife and Hannah was afraid of him.
I devoured this book - read it in a day. Every character is flawed. Hannah is no angel, she turns to drink to obliterate the fact that she hates her life. But yet I really felt for her and was rooting for her to be ok. On the flip side, I absolutely detested Kyle!
McClelland pulls some twists on you that you absolutley do not see coming. If you want a great read this summer, buy Under Your Skin. It's a smasher. I can't wait for McClelland's next offering!
In Under Your Skin we meet Kyle who has reported his wife (Hannah) as missing. As the police step up to start a search for Hannah, Kyle launch his own search using the hashtag #FindHannah to try and drum up some local support.
The story is told from differing points of view; Hanna, Kerry (the investigating officer), Kate (a local whose in invested in the #FindHannah campaign) and Julia (who is actively helping Kyle in his search for his wife).
We learn that Kyle's marriage was not all rosy. He was extremely controlling of his wife and Hannah was afraid of him.
I devoured this book - read it in a day. Every character is flawed. Hannah is no angel, she turns to drink to obliterate the fact that she hates her life. But yet I really felt for her and was rooting for her to be ok. On the flip side, I absolutely detested Kyle!
McClelland pulls some twists on you that you absolutley do not see coming. If you want a great read this summer, buy Under Your Skin. It's a smasher. I can't wait for McClelland's next offering!
September 1, 2020
I’m still buzzing about this book! Incredible! I’d heard so many great things about this one before I had the chance to review, so when the opportunity came up, I jumped at it.
This book has been a first for me – I bought the paperback before I’d even finished reading! It’s one of those stories that leaves you sitting in silence long after reading, coming to terms with everything you’ve just experienced. I’ve been in awe from start to finish, the plot is so unpredictable and the characters so believable and perfectly created. The author has stunned me with this book and I hope there will be many other thrillers to come. I can’t wait to check out more of her published work! I’d love to give this book more than five stars – times like this I wish the scale was bigger. I’d recommend this one to lovers of crime and thriller, but also those who love a heartfelt, emotional read too.
See my full review over on my blog: https://aquintillionwords.com/2020/09...
This book has been a first for me – I bought the paperback before I’d even finished reading! It’s one of those stories that leaves you sitting in silence long after reading, coming to terms with everything you’ve just experienced. I’ve been in awe from start to finish, the plot is so unpredictable and the characters so believable and perfectly created. The author has stunned me with this book and I hope there will be many other thrillers to come. I can’t wait to check out more of her published work! I’d love to give this book more than five stars – times like this I wish the scale was bigger. I’d recommend this one to lovers of crime and thriller, but also those who love a heartfelt, emotional read too.
See my full review over on my blog: https://aquintillionwords.com/2020/09...
July 23, 2020
I love Rose’s writing, her punchy dialogue, the raw honesty of her phrasing, and have enjoyed all her novels. This was a change in genre for her, and she has delivered another brilliant story. Kyle’s wife Hannah goes missing and from the off we know things aren’t what they seem with this couple and their complex relationship. It is dark, disturbing and gripping all in one and the subject matter and characters’ emotions were so cleverly and authentically portrayed, I could have almost been reading a true story. I love multi viewpoint tales and a great cast of secondary characters and their subplots add to the ongoing tension and drama. Go grab it. You won’t be disappointed.
November 10, 2020
Enjoyed this. It wasn't chockful of police cant or csi parlance, but its down-to-earth writing appealed to this reader. Told from several points of view, it is basically a story about a man who enjoys abusing women and the way he justifies his behaviour is fascinating. Made the reader wonder if other abusers think the same way--that the blame lies with the victims.
August 5, 2020
I recently made a journey to London by train. I was meant to have my husband’s company, but he was unwell and not able to travel, so I took Rose McClelland’s new novel, Under Your Skin with me. I was not disappointed.
Under Your Skin tells the story of the seemingly perfect couple, Kyle and Hannah. Of course there is no such thing as a perfect couple and when Hannah goes missing, the police suspect foul play by Kyle.
He is adamant he knows nothing of her whereabouts and even leads a campaign to find her. Their whole town comes out in force to try to find her. But one person knows where she is and that one person is keeping a secret. Hannah has left no traces and Kyle says he has no clues.
Local Belfast resident Julia Matthews joins the campaign to find Hannah and becomes friendly with Kyle because she sympathises with his plight. As Julia becomes more involved in the case, and Kyle, than she bargained for, she begins to uncover more secrets than the Police.
This mystery gets deeper and darker as the novel progresses and I was gripped by it. I did not see the twist coming and found the end of the novel satisfying and thrilling.
I think this book would make an excellent read for a book group. I enjoyed it very much and definitely recommend it.
The Author
“Under your skin” is Rose’s fourth novel. Her previous three novels were romantic fiction published by Crooked Cat. She has made the genre jump from “chick lit” to psychological thriller and is enjoying delving into a darker corner of her mind!
Rose has also written two short plays which were performed in the Black Box theatre in Belfast.
She discusses book reviews on her You Tube channel and writes theatre reviews for her blog.
She loves nothing more than curling up with her cats and a good book. She has two rescue cats – Toots, who is ginger with an inquisitive face and Soots, who is black and hops along on his 3 legs looking ever so cute.
Under Your Skin tells the story of the seemingly perfect couple, Kyle and Hannah. Of course there is no such thing as a perfect couple and when Hannah goes missing, the police suspect foul play by Kyle.
He is adamant he knows nothing of her whereabouts and even leads a campaign to find her. Their whole town comes out in force to try to find her. But one person knows where she is and that one person is keeping a secret. Hannah has left no traces and Kyle says he has no clues.
Local Belfast resident Julia Matthews joins the campaign to find Hannah and becomes friendly with Kyle because she sympathises with his plight. As Julia becomes more involved in the case, and Kyle, than she bargained for, she begins to uncover more secrets than the Police.
This mystery gets deeper and darker as the novel progresses and I was gripped by it. I did not see the twist coming and found the end of the novel satisfying and thrilling.
I think this book would make an excellent read for a book group. I enjoyed it very much and definitely recommend it.
The Author
“Under your skin” is Rose’s fourth novel. Her previous three novels were romantic fiction published by Crooked Cat. She has made the genre jump from “chick lit” to psychological thriller and is enjoying delving into a darker corner of her mind!
Rose has also written two short plays which were performed in the Black Box theatre in Belfast.
She discusses book reviews on her You Tube channel and writes theatre reviews for her blog.
She loves nothing more than curling up with her cats and a good book. She has two rescue cats – Toots, who is ginger with an inquisitive face and Soots, who is black and hops along on his 3 legs looking ever so cute.
June 23, 2020
Under your skin it's an amazing story full of surprises. Kept me hooked since page one. I highly recommend this book that you can read in one day! Thank you Rose !
July 22, 2020
Trigger warning: domestic violence, some sexual scenes and swear words
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have given Under Your Skin by Rose McClelland five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me engrossed right from the very start that I managed to read it within one day. I find mystery thrillers so fascinating and they always manage to draw me into the story, especially when authors, just like Rose McClelland, are extremely good at writing and able to keep the reader turning page after page of their book wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
This story is made up of multiple POVs, which if you’ve been reading my reviews for a while now will know that that’s one of my favourite narratives. I really liked putting the pieces together from reading over everyone’s POVs.
Julia was one of my least favourite characters. I found her very naive and sheltered, she was quite a pathetic character and I found myself rolling my eyes whenever she said or did something questionable. However, towards the end of the book I found a level of respect for her. Kyle Greer made my blood boil and he also scared me whenever he interacted with another character. Kyle is a very manipulative abuser, I found myself frowning at my book when his scenes of the book happened. Kerry was a really interesting police officer, I really enjoyed following her story in this book. Hannah. Kyle’s wife. Hannah is the character that this this story is based around and I really felt sorry for her. I connected with her somewhat, she was hopeful and brave but unfortunately she became victim to some horrible scenarios in this story.
This is one of my favourite passages from the book, not only because of McClelland’s beautiful writing which captures the passage perfectly but because I can totally relate to it as I’m a bit of a nosey person myself: I saw a young woman walk past the house. She was looking in, watching us. I understood her nosiness. I loved this time of day, when it was too light to close the blinds, but you still needed to put on a lamp. If you took a walk, it was too easy to cast a furtive glance into people’s homes, to catch a snapshot of their lives, to admire their décor and make stories about their lifestyles.
It was difficult to read parts of the book at times as there are few domestic violence and sexual scenes which can be uncomfortable to read over.
I would have to say the downside of my reading experience of Under Your Skin was the formatting of the book I received, the book missed out what seemed like a couple of lines which I’m hoping didn’t miss out anything too important.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this fast-paced mystery thriller and would definitely recommend you to pick it up today.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have given Under Your Skin by Rose McClelland five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me engrossed right from the very start that I managed to read it within one day. I find mystery thrillers so fascinating and they always manage to draw me into the story, especially when authors, just like Rose McClelland, are extremely good at writing and able to keep the reader turning page after page of their book wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
This story is made up of multiple POVs, which if you’ve been reading my reviews for a while now will know that that’s one of my favourite narratives. I really liked putting the pieces together from reading over everyone’s POVs.
Julia was one of my least favourite characters. I found her very naive and sheltered, she was quite a pathetic character and I found myself rolling my eyes whenever she said or did something questionable. However, towards the end of the book I found a level of respect for her. Kyle Greer made my blood boil and he also scared me whenever he interacted with another character. Kyle is a very manipulative abuser, I found myself frowning at my book when his scenes of the book happened. Kerry was a really interesting police officer, I really enjoyed following her story in this book. Hannah. Kyle’s wife. Hannah is the character that this this story is based around and I really felt sorry for her. I connected with her somewhat, she was hopeful and brave but unfortunately she became victim to some horrible scenarios in this story.
This is one of my favourite passages from the book, not only because of McClelland’s beautiful writing which captures the passage perfectly but because I can totally relate to it as I’m a bit of a nosey person myself: I saw a young woman walk past the house. She was looking in, watching us. I understood her nosiness. I loved this time of day, when it was too light to close the blinds, but you still needed to put on a lamp. If you took a walk, it was too easy to cast a furtive glance into people’s homes, to catch a snapshot of their lives, to admire their décor and make stories about their lifestyles.
It was difficult to read parts of the book at times as there are few domestic violence and sexual scenes which can be uncomfortable to read over.
I would have to say the downside of my reading experience of Under Your Skin was the formatting of the book I received, the book missed out what seemed like a couple of lines which I’m hoping didn’t miss out anything too important.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this fast-paced mystery thriller and would definitely recommend you to pick it up today.
July 23, 2020
Under Your Skin is a fast-paced thriller about the search to find a missing woman in Belfast. I was intrigued from the beginning and the author kept me guessing until the very end.
When the story begins, we find out that a woman named Hannah has gone missing. Her husband has called the police and is worried about trying to figure out where she could possibly be. Once the police are involved and the community starts to become involved in a #FindHannah search, secrets are unraveled. Nothing is at it seems and we are along for the whodunnit ride.
Rose McClelland wrote the story in multiple perspectives which added to the mystery and suspense of the disappearance. I enjoyed getting to see the perspective of each character featured because it helped me try and put the puzzle pieces together as if I was playing sleuth.
I give Under Your Skin 4 stars. It's an alluring thriller that makes you suspicious of the disappearance from the start. There are many twists that I didn't see coming. As the story progresses with each chapter, readers will realize that Hannah and Kyle's marriage wasn't as perfect as it may have seemed. The multiple POV's provide past and present backstories that are so interesting and key to the final reveal. This thriller is definitely worth the read!
When the story begins, we find out that a woman named Hannah has gone missing. Her husband has called the police and is worried about trying to figure out where she could possibly be. Once the police are involved and the community starts to become involved in a #FindHannah search, secrets are unraveled. Nothing is at it seems and we are along for the whodunnit ride.
Rose McClelland wrote the story in multiple perspectives which added to the mystery and suspense of the disappearance. I enjoyed getting to see the perspective of each character featured because it helped me try and put the puzzle pieces together as if I was playing sleuth.
I give Under Your Skin 4 stars. It's an alluring thriller that makes you suspicious of the disappearance from the start. There are many twists that I didn't see coming. As the story progresses with each chapter, readers will realize that Hannah and Kyle's marriage wasn't as perfect as it may have seemed. The multiple POV's provide past and present backstories that are so interesting and key to the final reveal. This thriller is definitely worth the read!
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