Beneath the Surface

'A rich, dark and satisfying read about the complexities of modern family life. I adored it' Jane Fallon

The stunning new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Betrayals and The Good Girl

After a chaotic childhood, Grace Vermuyden is determined her own daughters will fulfil the dreams denied to her. Lilly is everyone's golden girl, the popular, clever daughter she never had to worry about. So when she mysteriously collapses in class, Grace's carefully ordered world begins to unravel.

Dark rumours swirl around their tight-knit community on the edge of the Fens as everyone comes up with their own theories about what happened. Consumed with paranoia, and faced with increasing evidence that Lilly has been leading a secret life, Grace starts to search for clues.

Left to her own devices, ten-year-old Mia develops some wild theories of her own that have unforeseen and devastating consequences for the people she loves most.

Beneath the Surface explores the weight of the past upon the present, the burden of keeping secrets and what happens when children get caught in the undercurrents of adult relationships.

'Neill describes human dysfunction with such compelling empathy ... richly tense and deeply satisfying. I didn't want to finish!' Hilary Boyd, author of The Anniversary

'With her trademark dark humour and incisive observations of family life, Neill takes the reader on a fascinating, moving and intelligent journey to the truth' Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of No Further Questions

'Beautifully told with great suspense' Rachel Hore, bestselling author of The Memory Garden

Praise for Fiona Neill:

'A novel made for heated book club debates' Stylist

'Vivid and insightful' Guardian

'No one writes about modern family with more truth or authenticity than Fiona Neill' Lisa Jewell