The Evil Beneath
AJ Waines, 2013
CreateSpace
444 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781490303543
Summary
The Evil Beneath is a Psychological Thriller by debut UK author, AJ Waines. It is set in London, with the River Thames taking a central role and has a strong female lead.
Impulsive and intrepid psychotherapist, Juliet Grey, can’t resist responding to an anonymous text message telling her to go to Hammersmith Bridge at dawn. But it isn’t simply the dead body in the water that disturbs her, it’s the way something uniquely personal to Juliet has been left on the corpse.
Another obscure message—another London bridge—and Juliet finds herself caught up with a serial killer, who leaves personal mementos instead of collecting trophies. Teaming up with local detective, DCI Brad Madison, Juliet strives to find out why she has been targeted and how it’s connected to the accident that killed her brother, nineteen years ago.
Can Juliet use her knowledge of the human psyche to get inside the mind of the killer, before another body is found under a bridge? And how long before Juliet herself becomes the next target? (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—November 15, 1959
• Where—Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, UK
• Education—Diploma, (Psychotherapy), Univeristy
of East London; M.A. (Music), Reading University;
• Currently—lives in Southampton, England
AJ Waines is a Crime Fiction Writer, specialising in Psychological Thrillers. She draws on over fifteen years of experience as a Psychotherapist, including work with clients from high security prisons. This exclusive and privileged role has given her a rare insight into abnormal psychology. She is interested in writing about the extraordinary dilemmas and traumas ordinary people often have to face—particularly "crimes of passion," hidden motives, family secrets and moral dilemmas. (From the author's website.)
Book Reviews
(Five Stars) AJ Waines first novel is an explosion of thrills a rollercoaster of a read that will have you second guessing yourself throughout the book. A Clever and well thought-out plot a mix of interesting characters, you’ll be thinking it is him; no it is not, yes it is.
Goodreads - Member review
Discussion Questions
1. The title of the novel refers initially to the foul murders of women found under London bridges. How else does this idea surface throughout the book and why do you think Alison chose it as the title?
2. Why do you think the killer leaves the corpses in places where they could easily be found?
3. How important is the setting to the novel? Could it have been set anywhere?
4. How does Juliet Grey’s character develop as the story moves on? Is she the same person at the ends as she is at the beginning? What shifts have occurred for her?
5. Why is this book a Psychological Thriller and not simply a crime novel?
6. What are the central themes of the book? Do you think Juliet acts rationally to events that occur? Could she have done more to prevent the murders?
7. What is the motive of the killer? How much do you sympathise with the killer, and do you feel as though Alison would like you to sympathise with that person?
8. Did the book challenge your assumptions about any issues? Such as psychotherapy, Asperger’s, bullying, retribution, grief? Did reading the book help you understand any issues better?
9. What are the arguments for a psychotherapist seeing clients in their own home? Does it matter that she is female? What are the risks involved? How can these be overcome?
10. There are several twists and revelations in the novel? What came as the biggest shock?
(Questions provided courtesy of the author.)