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David Cavanaugh #1
Undertow
"If two people have a conversation heard by only those two, did the conversation actually take place?"
Following an alleged conversation between respected attorney Rayna Martin and teenager Christina Haynes during a boating trip at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, one of them is dead, the other arrested for their murder.
Boston lawyer David Cavanaugh faces his toughest case to date as what appears to be a tragic but blameless accident turns into something else entirely.
With the victim's father one of the most powerful politicians in the US Senate and the Assistant District Attorney prepared to put his personal ambition ahead of legal justice, David finds that his most dangerous battle is taking place outside the court room.
Lies, deception, blackmail, threats... and finally the precision of an assassin's bullet combine to create a shocking finale in this exciting debut from Australian author Sydney Bauer.
Following an alleged conversation between respected attorney Rayna Martin and teenager Christina Haynes during a boating trip at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, one of them is dead, the other arrested for their murder.
Boston lawyer David Cavanaugh faces his toughest case to date as what appears to be a tragic but blameless accident turns into something else entirely.
With the victim's father one of the most powerful politicians in the US Senate and the Assistant District Attorney prepared to put his personal ambition ahead of legal justice, David finds that his most dangerous battle is taking place outside the court room.
Lies, deception, blackmail, threats... and finally the precision of an assassin's bullet combine to create a shocking finale in this exciting debut from Australian author Sydney Bauer.
600 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
16 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Bauer
11 books31 followersSydney Bauer (Kimberly Scott) is the author of the crime series featuring Boston based criminal attorney David Cavanagh. Her debut novel Undertow, also the first novel in the series, was published in 2006 and won the Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for the best crime novel by an Australian Woman.
Sydney's background is in journalism and television. While studying for a Communications degree in the 1980s she worked as a copy girl at a major Australian newspaper and then secured a cadetship that led to a position as a crime, legal and courts reporter. She eventually moved on to become a features editor for an young women's magazine before finally changing direction completely and moving to television.
Sydney's background is in journalism and television. While studying for a Communications degree in the 1980s she worked as a copy girl at a major Australian newspaper and then secured a cadetship that led to a position as a crime, legal and courts reporter. She eventually moved on to become a features editor for an young women's magazine before finally changing direction completely and moving to television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 25, 2011
We're all used to hearing about lawyers playing "the race card", but in Undertow, the typical scenario is reversed. Attorney Rayna Martin, who fights for the rights of the disadvantaged, sponsors a boating party for her daughter Keesha's 16th birthday. Only three girls have been invited, and only one, Christina Haynes is white. Christina is the daughter of high powered U.S. senator, and when she drowns, Ms. Martin is accused of murdering her, abandoning Christina so she could rescue the three Afro-American girls.
Because the reader knows from the get-go that this was a tragic accident, all the suspense comes from the legal maneuvers of the Assistant DA and the defense counsel. Senator Haynes brings all of his awesome influence to bear to make certain that Rayna Martin pays the price for the death of his daughter. The underdog is David Cavanaugh, the defense attorney who has no doubt that Rayna is innocent, but who has very scant hard evidence to counter the prosecution's incessant onslaught.
This novel, not surprisingly, has its strengths and weaknesses. Among its strengths is the race card reversal, with the person of color accused of racial prejudice. It was interesting to see how life's prosaic events could be twisted to reflect racism rather than altruism. Among the weaker features, some of the characters are "types", i.e, the idealistic young lawyer, the corrupt politician, the child who rejects her parents' hypocrisy. Also, like many of the entries in this genre, the resolution of this case depends upon some pretty incredible twists. Nevertheless, author Bauer manages very well to create a cliff-hanger of a novel, in which the reader roots whole-heartedly for the good guys against the irredeemable bad guys. Sometimes you need a victory like this one, you know what I mean?
Because the reader knows from the get-go that this was a tragic accident, all the suspense comes from the legal maneuvers of the Assistant DA and the defense counsel. Senator Haynes brings all of his awesome influence to bear to make certain that Rayna Martin pays the price for the death of his daughter. The underdog is David Cavanaugh, the defense attorney who has no doubt that Rayna is innocent, but who has very scant hard evidence to counter the prosecution's incessant onslaught.
This novel, not surprisingly, has its strengths and weaknesses. Among its strengths is the race card reversal, with the person of color accused of racial prejudice. It was interesting to see how life's prosaic events could be twisted to reflect racism rather than altruism. Among the weaker features, some of the characters are "types", i.e, the idealistic young lawyer, the corrupt politician, the child who rejects her parents' hypocrisy. Also, like many of the entries in this genre, the resolution of this case depends upon some pretty incredible twists. Nevertheless, author Bauer manages very well to create a cliff-hanger of a novel, in which the reader roots whole-heartedly for the good guys against the irredeemable bad guys. Sometimes you need a victory like this one, you know what I mean?
February 21, 2024
Undertow by Sydney Bauer. The first in the David Cavanaugh crime series and debut novel for this writer. A tragedy occurs, a young life is lost and the parents want someone to pay. Corruption as well as twists and turns are revealed as we progress toward and throughout the trial of single mother Rayna Martin. I was rooting for the defence and getting angry at every bribe and blackmail that got in the way, so I was definitely invested in the story. Some characters seemed a little cliche or stereotyped at times, but I possibly noticed this because I generally enjoy stories with strong and independent females leads rather than supporting roles that pander to the males (which I felt a number of times throughout). But the characters were engaging and likeable (the ones that were meant to be!). I'm interested to see what happens next in David Cavanaugh's world and looking forward to #2 in the series.
July 23, 2018
My second book of Sydney Bauer but I understand this is her first publication. The court scenes are always a joy to read.
July 15, 2017
The main claim of the defense in this 'courtroom' novel seems to be that the drowning was no ones fault. I do disagree with this premise. Leaving a teenager to 'float' while you take a boat to rescue others who are supposed to be in trouble is just stupid. At the least you could throw a life jacket or preserver. Considering how dense a move this was I really never cared what happened.
August 3, 2025
First read of this author. Purchased this book at a garage sale while on a weekend "getaway".
Awesome, best dollar spent in years. Nearly 20 years old this book still reflects what goes on today; self serving politics and the corruption it breeds through law enforcement and legal procedures; racism, entitlement, just behavior one sees every day and it's sickening -- reality 20+ years later.
The author writes a legal drama as well as J. Grisham, S. Turrow. Investigation and pursuit of case equal to M. Connelly. A darn good read. Need to find her next book.
Awesome, best dollar spent in years. Nearly 20 years old this book still reflects what goes on today; self serving politics and the corruption it breeds through law enforcement and legal procedures; racism, entitlement, just behavior one sees every day and it's sickening -- reality 20+ years later.
The author writes a legal drama as well as J. Grisham, S. Turrow. Investigation and pursuit of case equal to M. Connelly. A darn good read. Need to find her next book.
July 7, 2017
The writing was good and the story moved along at a good pace, but, it was more a novel about racism and bigotry than it was about political power. I may have enjoyed it more if that was the type of novel I was looking for, but it wasn't what I was looking for, and the bigots in the novel were almost too much of a caricature for me to really buy into the whole story.
December 7, 2024
2.5 stars
Too many characters
Author spent a lot of time giving too many backstory which took away from the main plot.
I finished the book out of mere curiosity of the ending and not necessarily because I was enjoying the book.
Too many characters
Author spent a lot of time giving too many backstory which took away from the main plot.
I finished the book out of mere curiosity of the ending and not necessarily because I was enjoying the book.
March 17, 2018
I am excited to see there are more thrillers written by this author. It was a definite page turner!
December 21, 2020
A Boston mystery with a surprise ending
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December 20, 2021It cost me $2 at the op shop. A legal thriller which has prospects.
There are a few characters who you like to throttle. I am sure they will get their just deserts in the fullness of time.
There are a few characters who you like to throttle. I am sure they will get their just deserts in the fullness of time.
September 24, 2023
This book was very suspenseful, edge of your seat and very realistic settings. I thought the author was spot on and did her homework.
December 10, 2023
I must have enjoyed it because as soon as I finished it I was looking for the next book in the series.
July 8, 2022
Fantastic book!
September 20, 2008
Tom Bradshaw is the perfect Vice-Presidential candidate. He had a difficult time in college, but overcame drug addiction and now leads the fight against illegal drugs. The nation is stunned when he is found dead in a hotel room of an apparent self-administered drug overdose after being clean for over twenty years. Just as the public is coming to terms with the death of the much-respected politician, it is announced that it wasn’t an accidental death, but murder.
Police very quickly charge Stuart Montgomery with Bradshaw’s murder. Montgomery is Bradshaw’s doctor and is touted as one of the front-runners for Surgeon General should there be a change of administration in the upcoming election. The pair have had a falling out and the evidence points to Montgomery. Attorney David Cavanaugh has never liked Montgomery. He is arrogant and pompous and more than that, he is the reason David’s ex-wife left him all those years ago. When Cavanaugh is asked to represent Montgomery at his murder trial, he hesitates. He doesn’t want to have emotions of the past dredged up again, and there is his current partner, Sara to consider. Despite his misgivings Cavanaugh accepts and quickly discovers that there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. He begins to uncovers a conspiracy that reaches far and wide in the halls of power, putting his life and those around him in danger.
Sydney Bauer’s first book, UNDERTOW was a fast paced thriller and GOSPEL is promoted in the same way. It doesn’t seem to have quite the same pace and I think it suffers for that. The first couple of chapters introduce a so many characters that I found it confusing for quite a while. Bauer’s use of adjectives seemed at times a little unnecessary: ‘She took two of the upturned glasses standing on the crisp white towel on the black marble counter and poured them both a drink before gliding across the room, extending her long slender arm and handing him his water.’ It was a very minor detail. She gave him a glass of water would have sufficed. I found numerous examples of this. These unnecessary descriptions detracted from the pace of the book considerably. When a book is 487 pages long, details like this can become annoying.
Most of the plot was predictable. There were a few very clever little twists, but they didn’t arrive until after 400 pages and seemed to come too late. A large part of the ending involved a dramatic overblown court scene. “’Cavanaugh is a liar,’ he yelled, his voice rising over an astonished crowd. ‘A simple-minded show pony who, in his desperation to win exoneration for his murderous client, has rallied this group of geriatrics, has-beens, teenagers and drug addicts in a pathetic attempt to sully my good name,’”. Speeches like this abounded and I felt that any resemblance to a real courtroom situation was purely coincidental.
It’s a shame that GOSPEL was so overdone because there was a good idea in the basic plot premise.
Police very quickly charge Stuart Montgomery with Bradshaw’s murder. Montgomery is Bradshaw’s doctor and is touted as one of the front-runners for Surgeon General should there be a change of administration in the upcoming election. The pair have had a falling out and the evidence points to Montgomery. Attorney David Cavanaugh has never liked Montgomery. He is arrogant and pompous and more than that, he is the reason David’s ex-wife left him all those years ago. When Cavanaugh is asked to represent Montgomery at his murder trial, he hesitates. He doesn’t want to have emotions of the past dredged up again, and there is his current partner, Sara to consider. Despite his misgivings Cavanaugh accepts and quickly discovers that there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. He begins to uncovers a conspiracy that reaches far and wide in the halls of power, putting his life and those around him in danger.
Sydney Bauer’s first book, UNDERTOW was a fast paced thriller and GOSPEL is promoted in the same way. It doesn’t seem to have quite the same pace and I think it suffers for that. The first couple of chapters introduce a so many characters that I found it confusing for quite a while. Bauer’s use of adjectives seemed at times a little unnecessary: ‘She took two of the upturned glasses standing on the crisp white towel on the black marble counter and poured them both a drink before gliding across the room, extending her long slender arm and handing him his water.’ It was a very minor detail. She gave him a glass of water would have sufficed. I found numerous examples of this. These unnecessary descriptions detracted from the pace of the book considerably. When a book is 487 pages long, details like this can become annoying.
Most of the plot was predictable. There were a few very clever little twists, but they didn’t arrive until after 400 pages and seemed to come too late. A large part of the ending involved a dramatic overblown court scene. “’Cavanaugh is a liar,’ he yelled, his voice rising over an astonished crowd. ‘A simple-minded show pony who, in his desperation to win exoneration for his murderous client, has rallied this group of geriatrics, has-beens, teenagers and drug addicts in a pathetic attempt to sully my good name,’”. Speeches like this abounded and I felt that any resemblance to a real courtroom situation was purely coincidental.
It’s a shame that GOSPEL was so overdone because there was a good idea in the basic plot premise.
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May 27, 2009Undertow, by Sydney Bauer, narrated by Bill Ten Eyck, produced by Bolinda Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Rayna Martin is a respected civil rights attorney with a daughter, Kecia. For Kecia’s birthday she was taking them out on the big boat, and Kecia and her three friends, Francie, Christina, and and a third girl, (name forgotten.) Christina was White and the other three were Black. Christina had said she wouldn’t be able to come, and then had shown up looking very troubled. Rayna believed that her father, Senator Hayes, would not want his daughter socializing with Black teenagers, but Christina herself was a wonderful girl. The four girls shoved off in a rowboat. Suddenly, Rayna realized they were out of sight. She was just getting ready to put the boat in gear and look for them when Christina showed up swimming up to the boat looking scared. She said the boat had capsized, that Francie was having cramps and Kecia was trying to hold her head up. Rayna told Christina to go to the ladder and climb on but Christina said she would be just fine waiting there, that she was an excellent swimmer, and that the girls needed her attention immediately. Rayna found the three girls, loaded them on the boat, scolded them for getting out of her view, and then they couldn’t find Christina. Her body was found. A case was brought against Rayna, first arguing negligent homicide for letting the teenagers out on their own boat and not watching them, but later changed to murder 2 as the prosecution tried to make a case that Rayna let Christina die to save the Black teenagers and didn’t save her because she was White. This is a wonderful book, full of courtroom drama, family passions gone awry, ambition and greed, and a defense attorney working against all odds to get Raynaoff of a false murder charge. Bauer is from Australia, but, like Robotham, he isn’t writing about Australia at least in this book, which takes place in Boston. A very good book and well narrated too.
Rayna Martin is a respected civil rights attorney with a daughter, Kecia. For Kecia’s birthday she was taking them out on the big boat, and Kecia and her three friends, Francie, Christina, and and a third girl, (name forgotten.) Christina was White and the other three were Black. Christina had said she wouldn’t be able to come, and then had shown up looking very troubled. Rayna believed that her father, Senator Hayes, would not want his daughter socializing with Black teenagers, but Christina herself was a wonderful girl. The four girls shoved off in a rowboat. Suddenly, Rayna realized they were out of sight. She was just getting ready to put the boat in gear and look for them when Christina showed up swimming up to the boat looking scared. She said the boat had capsized, that Francie was having cramps and Kecia was trying to hold her head up. Rayna told Christina to go to the ladder and climb on but Christina said she would be just fine waiting there, that she was an excellent swimmer, and that the girls needed her attention immediately. Rayna found the three girls, loaded them on the boat, scolded them for getting out of her view, and then they couldn’t find Christina. Her body was found. A case was brought against Rayna, first arguing negligent homicide for letting the teenagers out on their own boat and not watching them, but later changed to murder 2 as the prosecution tried to make a case that Rayna let Christina die to save the Black teenagers and didn’t save her because she was White. This is a wonderful book, full of courtroom drama, family passions gone awry, ambition and greed, and a defense attorney working against all odds to get Raynaoff of a false murder charge. Bauer is from Australia, but, like Robotham, he isn’t writing about Australia at least in this book, which takes place in Boston. A very good book and well narrated too.
June 28, 2010
I was pleasantly surprised by this, since I had never heard of the author before. Bauer has given us a story of hatred and bigotry gone seriously awry, but with a twist. It’s not often you hear a story of a black person being accused of a hate crime, especially a well-respected female lawyer who’s also a single mom. Overall, the story moves well and is mostly believable, but the climax of the trial was way way over the top. The theatrics employed would never be allowed in a real courtroom, and the judge grew very liberal about what was and wasn’t relevant, seemingly to satisfy his own curiosity. On the plus side, I didn’t expect the final twist, yet it fit perfectly into the story. I was able to pick up that the author is not American (she’s Australian); a few phrases that aren’t used here, like "in hospital", snuck through.
I do have one teensy complaint about the audio production. It is absolutely rife with stereotypically bad Boston accents. Only select characters had the accent, regardless of if they’ve lived in Boston their whole life or not. Could’ve been toned down a bit.
I do have one teensy complaint about the audio production. It is absolutely rife with stereotypically bad Boston accents. Only select characters had the accent, regardless of if they’ve lived in Boston their whole life or not. Could’ve been toned down a bit.
January 4, 2015
Absolutely awesome debut book from Sydney Bauer. She has certainly got me hooked in as an author. Compelling from start to finish.
Synopsis:
Christina Haynes is the teenage daughter of a popular US Senator, and when she drowns moments after a conversation at sea with her best friend’s mother, Boston Lawyer David Cavanaugh faces his toughest case to date.
What appears to be a straightforward, tragic accident in the waters off Cape Ann Massachusetts, turns into something else entirely as Rayna Martin, a respected African-American attorney, is charged with her murder.
With the victim’s father one of the most powerful politicians in the country and the Assistant District Attorney prepared to put his personal ambition ahead of legal justice, David soon discovers that his most dangerous battle is taking place outside the court room.
SO RECOMMENDED. I dont give 5 stars to just any book.
Synopsis:
Christina Haynes is the teenage daughter of a popular US Senator, and when she drowns moments after a conversation at sea with her best friend’s mother, Boston Lawyer David Cavanaugh faces his toughest case to date.
What appears to be a straightforward, tragic accident in the waters off Cape Ann Massachusetts, turns into something else entirely as Rayna Martin, a respected African-American attorney, is charged with her murder.
With the victim’s father one of the most powerful politicians in the country and the Assistant District Attorney prepared to put his personal ambition ahead of legal justice, David soon discovers that his most dangerous battle is taking place outside the court room.
SO RECOMMENDED. I dont give 5 stars to just any book.
December 6, 2015
I really wanted to like this book, because the underlying crime and trial sounded fascinating. Unfortunately, I couldn't handle any more, and threw in the towel after about a third of the story. The author's insistence on over-describing characters, clothing, scenery and back story was ridiculous. The sickeningly slick main character was a cheap James Bond with commitment issues and little personality. I desperately wish Rayna had been the lead. I wish I had been able to imagine the four girls on the boat, instead of being given detailed descriptions of what they looked like and were wearing. I wish I could have learned about a character through the arc of the story, rather than being given a page long summary of their traits and history. I wish the author had executed the details of the novel better, however the synopsis's great potential remains unfulfilled.
January 18, 2016
Undertow is another great work from Sydney Bauer. What commences as a simple teenage part quickly changes the lives of many people after one of the girls drowns while the other three are rescued. Then we see racial bigotry, conspiracies, attempted murder, black mail of several types and a surprise ending.
I listened to the audio CD version and while my wife was not impressed with Bill Ten Eyck character voices I thought he painted a wonderful picture of all characters in this book, especially assistant district attorney Katz, with his voice.
Undertow is Sydney Bauer 19s debut thriller and is an equal to Matter of Trust. I hope Move to Strike is as good. If Ms Bauer can continue producing works such as Undertow and Matter of Trust, she will become, at the very least, my favourite Australian author.
I listened to the audio CD version and while my wife was not impressed with Bill Ten Eyck character voices I thought he painted a wonderful picture of all characters in this book, especially assistant district attorney Katz, with his voice.
Undertow is Sydney Bauer 19s debut thriller and is an equal to Matter of Trust. I hope Move to Strike is as good. If Ms Bauer can continue producing works such as Undertow and Matter of Trust, she will become, at the very least, my favourite Australian author.
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August 24, 2011Teesha's turning 17 and to celebrate in sytle her mother Rayna Martin, rents a boat to take Teesha and her three best friends Francie, Mariah (who are African American working class )and Christina (who is White and a member of a Boston Brahim's family) on a boating day in the waters off Cape Ann, Massachusetts . Tragedy happens and Christina drowns.
Christina's father is Senator Rudoph Haynes a very powerful man and he is so outraged by his daughters drowning that he is trying with bribrary and threats to have Rayna who is a respected African-American attorney, held without bail and tried for murder.
A definate 5 star books
May 13, 2016
Three stars for the story. One star for the writing. If something -- whatever it is, character, event, action, anything -- warrants an adjective, a description, a modifier, it gets at least three of them. It's bad enough when it's really just a trio of synonyms, but it's even worse it's a trio of synonymous adjectival phrases. It's almost like an oratorical call and response, but without the lyricism or power. I don't know if this habit would be as annoying if I was reading Bauer in print. I know it's annoying when it's an audiobook. Especially when the narrator feels the need to overdramatize all of it.
November 17, 2011
This book taught me a truth about humans, that to feel better, we always find someone or something to blame. We cannot easily accept things that are happening to us especially the unfortunate ones.
This book helped me reflect on myself and I realized that to be truly happy I need to accept things no matter how hard it is. Because accepting is the first step to letting go and when we truly let go, we would feel better and realize that there are many things in life that wold really make us happy, we just have to see them.
All in all, I really liked it!
This book helped me reflect on myself and I realized that to be truly happy I need to accept things no matter how hard it is. Because accepting is the first step to letting go and when we truly let go, we would feel better and realize that there are many things in life that wold really make us happy, we just have to see them.
All in all, I really liked it!
June 9, 2008
I was not really sure about this Aussie writer, but I will definitely be reading her again in the future. Basic plot: four teenage girls at a sailing b-day party. Mom leaves them for a minute. One girl drowns. Dead girl is daughter of famous Senator. Dead girl is white. The other girls are black. Great storyline (creative). Tons of action. Twists and turns will keep you guessing right to the very end. Scariest part: this could totally happen!
October 28, 2008
Power corrupts. That is the message of this book and power fueled by hate corrupts completely. This was a interesting first time out for Sydney Bauer. I found it interesting that this Australian writer should pick Boston and a US Senator for her story. Although I did see part of the ending coming, it was still well written and I would be willing to read a second book should Bauer put one out.
April 11, 2010
When Senator Haynes's daughter dies in a tragic boating accident while in the care of her friend's mother, a trial begins and undercurrent of hate and bigotry arise. I did eventually get involved in the story and wanted to know the outcome,but overall I felt like there were too many characters, too many surprise revelations, and not enough engaging writing. I finished it more out of a sense of obligation than an actual desire to keep reading.
August 6, 2011
A good legal thriller. A young white girl dies in a boating accident and the black woman who was in charge of her daughter's birthday party which the girl was attending is charged with second degree murder. Politics and revenge take the lead as a pair of lawyers try to save an innocent woman from prison while her daughter is in the hospital after being shot. The pace picks up by the end, leaving you breathless as the stakes are raised.
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August 27, 2008Four best friends celebrate a birthday on a small boat. One drowns and the mother of one of the girls is charged with murder. The drown girl was rich and white and her dad an evil senator. the other girls are black. It was an accident. An ankle bracelet got caught up in fishing nets. The senator uses his power to threaten and buy off people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2012
Well written book, a courtroom drama about bigotry, that has good characterizations, plays on the emotions well, and the good guy wins. This would rate a much higher rating if only it made any kind of logical sense, if it just had some relationship with the real world. Oh well, Ms. Braun writes very well and she might put it together to write some really good books in the future.
April 7, 2008
Great debut novel by an author!!!! This was a Grisham-like page turner and I couldn't put it down. I finished it in just a few days. It was an excellent book and I look forward to reading more by this author!
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June 13, 2009I am subbing full time in a fifth grade classroom (the regular teacher fractured his skull playing rugby) and so my attention is ... fragmented, to say the least. I think a murder mystery will fit the bill through this next week.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews