When I first picked up the Whisper Man I had no idea about the book except for the cover. The cover and title sure scared me and I have put off reading this in fear my imagination can get the best of me. I was wrong and this was not the case at all; not because I am wearing my big girl pants, but the story is actually a poignant dark mystery, and a well written British crime drama and a suspenseful thriller.

Tom Kennedy and his son Jake move to Featherbank after his wife’s sudden death, to get a fresh start. However, death follows them by Tom discovering the body of an unsolved murder of a child in their new home, and a recent child abduction and murder in their new town.

I loved this book very much. Once I started, there was no putting this down. This book is the best cure for anyone in a reading slump! It had the right amount of mystery, suspense and hair raising moments. Alex North’s writing is brilliant. The characters all had depth and complexity that is interweaved into the story with no loose ends. It is also a story about how a family navigates loss weather death or separation and how love and family are the ties that bind.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the advanced ecopy of this book.

5 plus stars! This was truly a thrilling, chilling, twisted, shocking, and disturbing book, which I could not put down! I love the darker books, and this one did an amazing job at really creeping me out! A must read for my fellow dark thriller lovers!
Will be sure to buzz it up!

I stumbled upon this book by accident and had the opportunity to read this story early and I was captivated from the beginning. This thriller is presented to us from different POV's which I didn't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. This was a fast paced story that forever kept me on edge. Mr. North makes it hard for you to do anything else while you are reading/listening to this story. Absolutely a must read/listen for all those who enjoy a good thriller. I can not wait to read more from Mr. North.

I wavered on rating this. It was VERY good. Creepy, dark and frightening. It did start off sort of slow, but I got over that as I began to really feel the atmosphere and the dread. This book is also a book about family. One family consists of a single Dad who is trying to forge a connection with his young son after the death of his wife and the boys Mother. The other family has a Father and his legacy of evil. Overall, a great read, just a little slow in parts. Look forward to the movie!

We have here a familiar setup, popular in today's thriller genre. A single parent, still grieving, moves with his 7-year-old son, also grieving, to a new town and having not done enough due diligence, finds himself in a creepy house in a town where another small boy has gone missing. There is a lot of originality in style here -- multiple shifting from first to third person, and different POV's. Also, some fine writing ("So many of them seemed to be lost in the noise of existence, all but sleepwalking through their lives ...".)

But I was unsure at some of the choices -- is there a supernatural force at work? Not made clear or fully realized. There was also a lot of repetition of detail, which slowed the pace considerably. Of course, with all the cheering following this novel around, it might just be me -- I seldom pick up thrillers with empty swings, forlorn single sneakers, or mournful teddy bears on the covers. This one has none of those, but might have small polo shirts featuring Minecraft logos.

The Whisper Man by Alex North is a psychological thriller. 

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Celadon Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Tom Kennedy and his son Jake move to a new house, to a new town called Featherbank.  A new start for both of them after Tom's wife dies.  A place to heal.  Perhaps Tom will be able to write again, maybe move on, maybe develop a better relationship with his son. Perhaps Jake will start really talking to his father,  make real friends, leave his imaginary ones behind.   Instead they find themselves in a town with a dark past, living in the towns "scary" house, with both real and imagined dangers, and it looks like Jake may be the next victim of "The Whisper Man".

Detective Inspector Pete Willis is on the hunt again.  He has never truly recovered from the last missing boy case, two decades ago.  He found four of the five boys, all dead, and their killer, Frank Carter is in prison.  But he never found the body of Tony Smith and the guilt stayed with him.  Now it is starting all again.  It looks like The Whisper Man is back, or at least someone imitating him.  A boy is missing, and all the signs point to Frank Carter, or to an accomplice.

 
My Opinions:  

WOW, this book grabbed me from the beginning, and held me tight.

It is about the relationship between fathers and sons,  their insecurities and overall feelings of inadequacy (real and imagined), and its about their strengths.  It is about bravery and persistence, and love.  It's about letting go of the past and moving on.   It is also about fears....oh, and it's about the boogeyman...the one that could be under the bed, or in your closet, or at your bedroom window...the one you hear whispering.

I loved the story being told in different perspectives, in particular that of Jake.  He is such a serious child.  I just love his character.

The suspense builds wonderfully, and the edge-of-the-seat element is evident throughout.  The book has a creepy/supernatural/horror type vibe, which is more a feeling than it is substantial details.  This book is really well-written.

Highly recommend this book.  It's a quick read, probably because I didn't want to set it down.

Jake is an adorable elementary school boy who suffered a terrible tragedy—he found his mother dead at the bottom of the stairs of their old house. He also doesn’t fit in with the other seven-year-olds, because of his love of drawing battles, and his imaginary friend he’d rather spend recess with, a little girl in a strange dress with her hair always swept to one side.
His father Tom had an imaginary friend also as a child, Mister Night, who would comfort him after his alcoholic father left him and his mother. But this imaginary friend has an eerie quality, and seems to be telling Jake strange things he wouldn't otherwise know, including a frightening rhyme about someone called the Whisper Man, who waits outside children's windows at night, beckoning them to open the window. Tom is still reeling from the recent loss of his wife, Rebecca, who was so much better at handling Jake and his issues, and Tom isn't sure who to trust, or even what to write about anymore. He's hit a mental block as a writer and father.
DI Amanda has been put as the head on a new strange case of a disappearing boy, strange because it echoes a case from 20 years ago, and the murderer has been locked away all these years. The specialist from that case, Pete, is still haunted by the one boy they were never able to find, and every hear he is taunted by the man in the cell, who hints at clues but never gives anything away, well, anything obvious. The two weary detectives must try to find the missing, outcast boy before the worst can happen to him.
But there is a terrifying killer out there who thinks he is helping these boys who appear unloved by their families. He thinks he is saving them and giving them a better life with him, unless they upset him. Then, well, who knows what he'll do.
This book is a brilliant, twisty, frightening murder mystery that appears as part ghost story as well, with a few hints of tragedy. Perfect for fans of crime fiction, psychological fiction, or those who want to understand the mind of a kidnapper or serial killer. It's unusual turns and creative ethereal elements will keep you in suspense until the last chapters.

4.5! I was craving for a thriller like this one for a while now. Ruthless serial killer that whispers victims names? Yes. Children abduction. Yes. Running through the pages like crazy to know what happens. Yes! The hype is very real around this one. It was a creepy story and the plot was very well built, however the ending felt maybe a little bit rushed for me... Regardless, I highly recommend it if your also craving a really good thriller!

Tom Kennedy’s wife passed away suddenly and he believes nothing will help is son, Jake, more in recovering from this tragedy than making a fresh start. They are on the hunt for a new beginning in the town of Featherbank. What they find behind the walls of their strange looking new home are a series of horrors that no family should have to face. When Jake starts to tell his father about the boy in the floor and a man is found lingering on their property, Tom can no longer brush these strange instances aside.

The town of Featherbank has a dark history. Twenty years ago a serial killer abducted and murdered five young boys. Known as The Whisper Man, Frank Carter went undiscovered for a time, luring his victims from their beds by whispering at their windows in the night. It seems someone is out to bring the memories of The Whisper Man back to present day. A young boy has recently vanished. Detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must revisit the town’s history and open up old wounds in order to protect the citizens around them. As Jake starts to report whispers at his window, the reality that the Kennedy family might be the killer’s next target comes to light.

You know how there are books that get hyped, but don’t necessarily live up to the rumors? We’ve all been there, right? Well THE WHISPER MAN is not that book! This is a book that deserves every single ounce of praise it has received and more!

I’m a massive fan of authors including the use of folklore in their crime fiction stories. I think it adds an element that connects the reader to their childhood and hearing scary stories and wondering if they were real. Even if you’ve never been in that position, you’ve likely seen a movie or watched a TV show with that focus and can relate to how unsettling folklore can be. THE WHISPER MAN hones in on the tale of a serial killer using the same title. He was known for abducting and subsequently killing young boys after luring them into his grip by whispering at their windows. Haven’t you ever thought you heard something in the middle of the night and been creeped out? Scared to get out of bed and see what made the noise? No? Maybe I’m too jumpy, but the idea of someone whispering at my window creeps me out to no end!

It seems that the town of Featherbank is not done with the lore of The Whisper Man. Either the man they imprisoned for these crimes did not do them or someone is acting as a copycat, which is where the crime fiction elements of this story pick up. Detectives Pete Willis and Amanda Beck are on two sides of this case. Pete has history with the original case and the imprisoned killer, Frank Carter. Amanda sees how the case haunts Pete and is weary, but committed to catching this potential copycat before they can reach the heights of the original crimes. I appreciate that North added several layers to these detectives, which allowed the reader to connect with their inner struggles and understand where they are coming from while investigating, instead of just using them to drive the direction of the plot.

Character building is something that North truly flourishes in demonstrating within the pages of THE WHISPER MAN. When I first started the story I wasn’t sure how the characters connected or where the story was headed, but what I was sure of was my interest in the characters. North has created well-rounded and engaging characters that use their quirks and their worries to ultimately draw the reader into them. You want to know why Tom doesn’t think he’s the greatest father, why Pete obsessively works out, and why Jack carries a packet of “special things”. The level of detail surrounding each character solidifies the reader’s interest and bond to each of them. This level of writing gives a book that you may assume at face value is solely a work of crime fiction, but in reality contains a much deeper message.

If there is one book that you choose to decide to be a part of the hype train for this year, I urge you to make it THE WHISPER MAN. I think what you’ll find is not only a creepy tale, but a story with heart and soul. This book is one that you’re going to want to talk to everyone about!

Disclosure: A huge thank you to Celadon Books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Holy #thrillergoals, batman! As a writer currently working on a thriller -- and a reader who has read a LOT of thrillers in the past two years, I've thought a lot about crafting a good thriller. It's rare to find a story pieced together as perfectly as Alex North has done with The Whisper Man, with just the right mix of creepy, suspenseful, twisted, and meaningful.

This is a story about haunted houses and the monster in the night who steals away your children. But it's also about vicious cycles and trust, loss and healing, hope, and what it means to be a parent. The Whisper Man is so much more than a police procedural. I loved the depth and richness to the story's themes as well as how everything played out.

I read this with two of my thriller reading buddies and we all loved it! It's not particularly diverse, but otherwise I quite enjoyed everything about this story.

Thank you Celadon Books via Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars!


(Review posted to Goodreads & Amazon on release day. Also shared to IG stories & Bookish First.)

There is nothing that I love more than a true psychological thriller, one that gets into your head and won't let go. That is exactly what I found in The Whisper Man by Alex North.

Let me first say that the cover art is one of my all time favorites. I had to read this book just for the cover alone and it definitely is representative of the horror within.
Tom and his son Jake have suffered the loss of their wife and mother. As a result, Jake - a very sensitive child - is having nightmares about the house in which she died. The pair move to a new village and into a home that others call "the scary house" but Jake insists is his very favorite. Tom decides the house has character, not terror, within its walls. He was wrong. In their small, sleepy village there once was a child killer, currently behind bars, Now another person is abducting children. Will Jake be the next victim of The Whisper Man?

This very easily could have been a run-of-the-mill child abduction book but it is so much more than that. The character development was superb throughout, even with minor characters who only appear infrequently such as Jake's teacher. These characters draw you into their lives so that you become part of the story itself. And what a story it is! This is a very scary, creepy book. It is on the scale of Stephen King's earlier works and reminded me why I originally read horror/thrillers. It turns out to be more psychological than horror but, wow, you do not know that until the very last chapter of the book. And yes, I am being deliberately evasive about the story line because part of the joy of reading this book was going into it blind and not knowing the real from the psychological terror. I want that for you as well.

This is a must-read book for anyone who loves horror, thrillers, psychological suspense or simply a really well told story! It is in my Top Ten favorites for this year and I highly recommend it.

It is publication day for The Whisper Man so run, don't walk, to your nearest bookseller and get it today. Thank you to #Netgalley, #CeledonBooks and @writer_north for my copy of this terrific book!

This is a great edge-of-your-seat read, and recommend reading in the evening hours for a little extra spine-tingle. The writing is excellent and I found that I couldn't put the book down. The book is about a young child with an imaginary friend that is trying to cope with the loss of his mother and develop a better relationship with a father who is also very lost after the death of his wife. They relocate to a new (very creepy) house and are suddenly thrown into the middle of an investigation involving missing and murdered children. There are twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout, and it comes together so very well at the end. I highly recommend this book to thriller fans that are looking for something a little spooky to read this Fall/Halloween season. I give this a 10 out of 10 rating.

I was totally blown away by this novel. It was the perfect amount of suspense and thrill mixed together and I found myself scared to go to sleep at night. I love a good suspense novel, but this one really made you question going to sleep at night and I loved that. The characters were complex and I really enjoyed their relationships with each other. The story line was totally unique in a world where suspense novels seem to run together. The Whisper Man will definitely stand out in m memory for quiet some time and I will be recommending this one to everyone this summer and fall. Thank you to NetGalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Tom and his young son Jake desperately need a fresh start. Tom is barely functioning as the sudden death of his wife, Rebecca has left Jake motherless and Tom overwhelmed. Tom tries to be a good father, but he just doesn't know how to move beyond his grief and be there for his sensitive son, who was always much closer to his mother. Tom decides to move to Featherbank and a new house, one that is not overrun with memories of Rebecca. He hopes that this will be a positive first step in improving his relationship with his son and that the two of them will heal together.

But there is more to Featherbank and the house they chose than Tom knows. 20 years ago, Frank Carter, known as The Whisper Man, murdered 5 young boys. DI Pete Willis was responsible for apprehending him and yet he still struggles with guilt for not bringing his final victim home. Though currently incarcerated for his crimes, a boy has recently disappeared and signs are pointing to The Whisper Man.DI Willis is pulled into this latest case, and he spends time with Frank Carter, hoping to discover the connection between the past and the present crimes.
Could he have had an unknown accomplice or could this be a copycat crime? Tom is sure that he and Jake are safe, but Jake's imaginary friend seems to know quite a bit about how The Whisper Man can get into your house and maybe Jake is already in his sights.

“If you leave a door half-open, soon you'll hear the whispers spoken.
If you play outside alone, soon you won't be going home.
If your window's left unlatched, you'll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you're lonely, sad, and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you. “

I've seen this book described as a thriller, a horror story, and an edge of your seat read. It is all of those things, but it is also so much more. The power of grief, the power of love, the chance to start again, the chance to make amends, as well as the long arm of evil are all told in this hard to put down book. The author does a wonderful job of keeping the fear of The Whisper Man alive while telling a heartbreaking story of a father, determined to build a new life with his son, who unwittingly walks into a nightmare. An entertaining read and one that only makes me wonder what Alex North will write next. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.

I received a DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley.

Oh my goodness what a debut Alex North!!

Wow... was this creepingly (if that's even a word haha) satisfying in every way! I'm a huge fan of scary and creepy reads and I have to say that North definitely got me a in a few spots in this book.

This is told from multiple POV and we witness the hunt to find a child abductor and killer. This reminded me a bit of sixth sense feel with the darkness and ghosty feel.

Shhh did you hear that? I thought I heard a whisper ;).

I don't want to ruin any of the plot for you... but hands down a fun and creepy tale this was!

Thanks so much to Celadon and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 8/20/19
Published to GR: 8/19/19

4 stars!!

“The Whisper Man” wins the award for the creepiest thriller I’ve ever read! I didn’t find this one to be extremely fast-paced (some parts even dragged a little since I wasn’t super attached to the characters) but wow did it give me chills. I really enjoyed the story and the creepy elements the author mixed in, with layers of different viewpoints and a tense story-line throughout the novel. However, it took me a bit to get past the “troubled detective haunted by a previous case” cliche and get connected to the story-line. This is an impressive debut that will keep you awake at night! Thank you to Bookish First, NetGalley, and Celadon Books for this free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! Publish date 8/20/19.

This book was riveting from beginning to end! I flew through the pages as North creates a spooky atmosphere that envelops the reader from the very first page. I cared deeply for the main characters and despised the villains. I love how North decided to switch perspectives often. This kept the pacing cruising while also keeping the reader guessing when it came to the twists. I will say there were a few scenes that I thought could have been tweak just a bit to pack the ultimate emotional punch but overall thought this novel was well done.

I put this book down at 16% - I am bored and have zero interest in continuing. The characters are flat, the mystery is uninteresting, and I just can't bring myself to keep going. I've seen a lot of great feedback on this one, but it's definitely not working for me.

"It always ends where it starts.”

WOW! What a spook-fest! I love thrillers and I was very curious about 'The Whisper Man' which really is a combination of psychological thriller, mystery and a touch of the supernatural. The writing is superb and the alternating POV's were expertly handled. This is a very nuanced and slow-building story, with the added emotions of father-son relationships.

A small town in Britain is being terrorized once again by the sudden disappearance of a young child. Years before, a notorious kidnapper named Frank Carter - known as "The Whisper Man" - was convicted of similar crimes and imprisoned. How could the same thing be happening all over again? Is Frank Carter somehow responsible or connected to the recent disappearance? The police are taunted by Carter as they race against the clock to save the missing child.

Parallel to the police investigation is the story of Tom Kennedy, a recent widower who moved into a house with his young son Jake. Jake is a troubled child and Tom and Jake have a very strained relationship. The author deftly deals with this very relationship in a very touching manner. Jake is a sensitive and imaginative child who also hears voices in the night and has an imaginary friend. How is their story connected to The Whisper Man?

“If you leave a door half open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken.”

I loved this book and enjoyed the shocking twists in the story. 'The Whisper Man' was outside of my usual reading genre and I enjoyed every minute! Alex North is a gifted writer and deserves all the accolades. Even as I'm writing this review, I am still thinking about the unsettling ending. I found the story, even though dark and disturbing, to be gripping. 'The Whisper Man' will make a fabulous movie!

Suspenseful and riveting, The Whisper Man builds methodically to a terrifying pitch. Would recommend for fans of true crime and increasingly popular crime podcasts.