Under Currents

Synopsis

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Every town has its ugly little secrets...

From the outside, the house in Lakeview Terrace looks perfect and the Bigelows seem like the perfect family: the respected surgeon father, the glamorous, devoted mother and two beautiful children. A perfect family, in a perfect house living their perfect lives.

But perfect surfaces can hide dark undercurrents and behind closed doors lies a very different story. Teenager Zane and his younger sister, Britt, are terrorised by their violent father and dysfunctional mother. Too afraid to speak out, Zane does his best to protect his sister and counts the days until they can finally be free.

One dark, brutal night when their father's temper takes a horrifying turn for the worse, the perfect façade is exposed for the lie it is and Zane and Britt manage to escape. With the help of their beloved aunt, they rebuild their lives a day at a time, creating new families and putting their past behind them. But a childhood like that can cast a shadow the length of a lifetime. Can Zane and Britt ever be free of their past? Or will those dark undercurrents rise to the surface, forcing them to fight for their lives once again...

'If you're after the perfect pick-me-up, take-me-away-from-the-world read, then she's your woman'
The Guardian

'Nora Roberts is, quite simply, a one-woman phenomenon'
Heat

'I love Nora Roberts'
Stephen King

Summary

Chapter 1: The Perfect Storm

* Summary: Introduces the main characters, Maggie Barry and Rachel Maddow, and the events leading up to the BP oil spill in 2010.
* Real example: Timeline of the events leading up to the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

Chapter 2: The Anatomy of a Blowout

* Summary: Explains the technical aspects of the oil spill, including the equipment failures and human errors that caused the blowout.
* Real example: Diagram of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, showing the location of the blowout preventer.

Chapter 3: The First Responders

* Summary: Depicts the heroic efforts of the first responders who fought the fire and oil spill, often at great personal risk.
* Real example: Account of the Coast Guard's rescue of survivors from the Deepwater Horizon.

Chapter 4: The Spill's Impact on the Gulf

* Summary: Documents the devastating environmental consequences of the oil spill, including the destruction of marine life and the contamination of coastal areas.
* Real example: Photographs of oiled wildlife and damaged ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.

Chapter 5: The Role of the Justice System

* Summary: Explores the legal and criminal investigations into the oil spill, including the indictments brought against BP and other involved companies.
* Real example: Excerpts from court documents detailing the charges against BP and its employees.

Chapter 6: The Aftermath and Legacy

* Summary: Discusses the long-term impacts of the oil spill, including the economic and social challenges faced by affected communities.
* Real example: Report on the effects of the oil spill on the fishing industry and tourism in the Gulf Coast.

Chapter 7: The Lessons Learned

* Summary: Examines the lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, including the need for improved safety regulations and oversight of oil drilling operations.
* Real example: Summary of the recommendations made by the National Commission on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Chapter 8: The Broader Context

* Summary: Places the BP oil spill within the larger context of the environmental risks associated with offshore oil drilling and the global energy crisis.
* Real example: Statistics on the number of offshore oil spills worldwide and their potential consequences.

Chapter 9: The Future of Offshore Oil

* Summary: Discusses the complex future of offshore oil drilling, weighing its potential economic benefits against the environmental risks.
* Real example: Analysis of the differing perspectives on offshore oil drilling held by industry leaders, environmentalists, and policymakers.