Beneath the Fear by Sheila Rawlings
Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense
Read: 10th February 2021
Amazon
Published: 6th October 2020
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
Spoilt and indulged since childhood, Samantha Copeland believes bad things only happen to other people. However, after witnessing her husband’s murder during a bank robbery in Oxford, that illusion is cruelly shattered.
Traumatised by the experience, Sam eventually retreats to the Cornish coast, where she hopes to heal her fragile state of mind. Unfortunately, instead of the peace she so desperately craves, she soon finds her vulnerability tested to breaking point by a series of unnerving and unexplained incidents.
However, after meeting her enigmatic neighbour, Tony Walker, and local handyman, Nathan Scott, Sam soon discovers the worst is yet to come.
MY REVIEW:
I am excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Sheila Rawlings' gripping thriller BENEATH THE FEAR.
So what initially drew me to this book was its Cornwall setting. I love books set in what must be the most beautiful and rugged county in Britain. It adds to that sense of foreboding in thrillers as its landscape can be largely unforgiving, particularly in the grip of fog and blustery weather. With no guard rails on the picturesque clifftops, at least in these books ('cause let's face it, it detracts from the breathtaking landscape), one wrong move could see you tumble over the cliff edge to the rocks below. Despite not knowing what to expect, having never read this author before, I knew I would be in for a treat simply because it was set in Cornwall.
Opening with a Prologue that promises something sinister is afoot, BENEATH THE FEAR then takes us to Oxford and a date in time that our protagonist, Samantha Copeland, will never forget. It was a chilly November afternoon in 2018 when Sam, used to getting her own way, coerced hubby Stephen into a walk to blow to cobwebs away before he needed to complete a couple of paintings for his exhibition for the coming week. Sam was bored and wanted to get out of the flat so she used all her womanly charms that she knew Stephen was powerless to resist. Naturally he succumbed as she knew he would and after a few minutes of fresh air Stephen admitted to Sam that she was right - the walk was just what he needed.
Neither of them paid too much attention to the van that was parked outside Lloyds Bank as they crossed the street. Neither did they give heed to the car that pulled up across the road. It was only when the masked men began shouting at the security guard of the van, aiming a gun at him, did they notice what was happening. Stephen pulled Sam to the ground as bullets were fired and the rest became a blur.
In that moment, Sam's life changed forever.
Four months later, Sam was still blaming herself for Stephen's tragic death. If she hadn't coerced him, pleaded with him and wanted her own selfish way...then her husband, her soul mate, the love of her life would still be here. Instead, she was alone and despite her parents' best efforts to help her, Sam spiraled into a deep depression. Traumatised by her experience, she made a decision to retreat to a holiday cottage owned by her godmother on the Cornish coast, against her parents' fervent wishes. But Sam felt she needed this time alone to heal and come to terms with her loss.
Upon moving into the cottage, she reconnects with childhood friend Suzy - her godmother's daughter who manages the two holiday cottages - and who lives in nearby St Austell. And Sam discovers it is nice to have a friendly face around so far from home. Before long, Sam settles in to life in her remote cottage, enjoying walks on the beach and on the clifftops, and even a visit to the local village.
But then strange things start to happen, unnerving Sam in her new and relaxed environment. She begins to get the feeling of being watched. She notices a car following her. A figure watches her from a distance that looks startlingly like Stephen. And then there is the rose left on her pillow...just the way Stephen used to. And the smell of his cologne envelops the cottage. Added to that, Sam is plagued by dreams of drowning and her husband reaching out to her. But it's not until the shed door wakes her one night in the fierce winds, banging on its hinges, that she decides to confide in Suzy. But if she had thought her friend would be supportive, she was mistaken. Suzy immediately dismissed her claims as hallucinations although she did promise to get the shed door fixed.
And that is when Sam first meets local handyman Nathan Scott, who is tasked with not only fixing the shed door, but weeding the garden, clearing the yard and painting the cottage. So as Nathan becomes a fixture, Sam soon finds his presence comforting. The two often share a coffee together and Nathan's boyish smile soon relaxes her.
And then Tony Walker moves into the other cottage across the lane. A political journalist, he has escaped to the Cornish climes for peace and inspiration for the book he intends to write. But his attentions soon become more firmly fixed on Sam rather than writing. He soon takes it upon himself to take Sam under his wing and protect her from harm...to the point of controlling. Nathan and Tony hate each other at first sight, although Sam grows used to both men's company...albeit separately. Tony doesn't trust Nathan and Nathan doesn't trust Tony. So what is it each man is hiding?
Sam, on the other hand, just wants peace and quiet to heal her fragile mind and from losing her husband. But when the unnerving incidents continue, Sam is sure something - or someone - sinister is behind them...but no one seems to believe her. Suzy dismisses her thoughts, Tony disregards them and Nathan placates her.
Can Sam trust any of them? Or is she truly losing her mind?
With the appropriate sense of foreboding, BENEATH THE FEAR is an addictive read from start to finish. It is engaging, gripping and thoroughly enjoyable. There are some good twists that make for compelling reading. I did sort of work out what was happening...but not to its full extent. That's what made it even more delicious.
And the Cornish accent!! I love the Cornish accent! It's such a delight! I felt like I was watching Poldark every time Nathan spoke. You could feel the warmth in his words. The characters were well developed and made for interesting reading. And I love the short snappy chapters, which is always a big plus for me!
Overall, BENEATH THE FEAR is a well written addictive read that had me flipping pages into the night. An easy style to read, I look forward to more of Sheila Rawlings in the future.
Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers.
I would like to thank #SheilaRawlings and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #BeneathTheFear in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Born in Bexleyheath, Kent and educated at the prestigious Bexley Technical High School for Girls, Sheila originally trained as a graphic designer at Medway College of Art and Design (now the University of Creative Arts – part of Kent University). After graduating from college with a diploma in visual communication, she worked as a graphic designer for two mail order companies, designing and producing their catalogues. Wanting something more challenging, she then worked for several years as a graphic designer and production manager for a magazine publisher. During that time, she also assisted their PR and marketing department, designing exhibition stands for various clients.
It was while working with journalists she eventually rekindled her childhood love of reading and storytelling, prompting her to write her own novels. Sheila now lives in South London with her husband, Martin.
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