Member Reviews

I am a big fan of K L Slater having read and enjoyed a few of her previous books and yet again this one did not disappoint. This is a domestic/psychological thriller packed full of suspense. I was hooked throughout and thought the twist at the end was great. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

When we meet Janey, she is still reeling from her now deceased mother’s revelations a few months earlier. Her life is okay but lacks excitement. It all changes when her husband Isaac gets a new job. Suddenly, she is thrown into a new setting – a bigger house, more money, which means she can relax a little about the issue, and a new school for her son. If it is never easy to fit in, and Janey feels like an outsider for a while, the hype clique soon takes her under their wing and Janey’s life keeps on changing… But you can change your hair, your address, and do your best, the past is never far, and sometimes the present simply is an illusion…

I felt for Janey. From the snippets we get about her past, she hasn’t led an easy life and her mother always warned her about getting close to people. It doesn’t come naturally to her to keep friends. When she moves to her new house and once the excitement fades away, she realizes it’s a brand new world and she must find her new place here. Being stared at, hearing whispered remarks, all of this doesn’t help feel comfortable and she soon becomes lonely, especially as her husband, who had promised this move would mean more family time, is actually quite busy!

With patience and resilience, Janey manages to befriend Tania, who seems to be the area’s Queen Bee. Eager to create a new and better life for herself and her family, Janey gets closer to Tania and the group… and even shares her deepest secret.

Only she has no idea she is far from the only one having secrets in her street!

K.L. Slater has created a place I never want to live in, haha! I really enjoyed following Janey and discovering more about her. I recognized myself in her urge to be accepted. Her development as a character grows as the tension builds and I love the idea that despite the dark corners, she manages to find herself and be more confident to face the truths awaiting her. I knew things didn’t add up, and was so frustrated (in a good way!) as nothing seemed to make sense to me or Janey. The little things that nagged us both didn’t feel related but I should have known better. After all, I was reading a book by the queen of unforseeable twists! Actually, more than a big shocking ending, I experienced Little Whisper as an earthquake. A clear and solid foundation, then a few small warning shakes. Holes began to appear, and suddenly as I neared the ending, I felt the ground give way under the characters’ feet.

Little Whisper is an entertaining thriller with secrets and threats all around for a claustrophobic read!

Was this review helpful?

Starting a book by K.L. Slater, in this case my fifth, is always a good moment as I know I'll be in for a real treat.

Little Whispers begins shortly after Janey Markham loses her mother for whom she'd been a carer. She, her husband Isaac and their young son Rowan, have been struggling to make ends meet since she stopped working as a teaching assistant. But now, things are looking up: Isaac has landed a new job with a very good pay packet and the Markam's are moving to West Bridgford, England, the smartest address in a desirable suburban town. There is however a blot on the landscape - just before her mother passed away, she revealed a dark secret to her daughter, and one that totally changed Janey's outlook of her world. As she and her family settle into their new life at Buckingham Crescent, Jane hopes to keep her terrible secret under wraps. Worried that she’ll be excluded by the inner circle of local mothers, Janey is thrilled when she meets Tanya, the kind of woman she has always looked up to. Tanya takes Janey under her wing, but when a tipsy evening ends with Janey revealing her closely guarded shocking secret, she can only pray that Tanya will keep it to herself because after all, she is a trustworthy and reliable friend...isn't she?

The abundant twists and misdirections in Little Whispers was bamboozling! K.L. Slater's writing style was as delightful as ever, leaving me no clues as to what was coming next, helping to maintain the high levels of intrigue. Throughout this dark and devious tale the author cannily continued to plant doubts, so I was struggling to figure out the truth from the lies. With no disappointments, this was a cleverly plotted page-turner and its brisk pace soon led up to an exciting and explosive conclusion. Harboured secrets, mistrust, deceit, gossip, betrayal, blackmail, jealousy and selfishness all had a place in this fabulous and compulsive thriller.

A stupendous tale that blew me away, I totally recommend Little Whispers and I'm already looking forward to K.L. Slater's next offering! Well worth 5 shiny stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Oooh what a fantastic tale of secrets and lies…. Janey Markham has moved house with her husband Isaac and son Rowan into Buckingham Crescent, hopeful for the change in address after caring for her mother during her illness (and having to deal with a horrific secret her mother told her on her deathbed) but also to put her marriage and family back on track.

She doesn’t think she will fit in with the super model moms that seem to litter the area, however, when she meets Tanya at the school, another resident of Buckingham Crescent, she is seem enveloped into the Buckingham “Wives” Club. As Janey and Tanya get closer, one afternoon after sharing a bottle of bubbly in Tanya’s hot tub, Janey’s lips were loose from the alcohol and the buzz of friendship and she spilled the secret her mother had told her…. What has she done?

Things seem to spiral from there…. Secrets and lies coming to the forefront, what exactly has Janey stumbled upon in Buckingham Crescent?

This book was fascinating, it draws you in, you want to delve into the lives of each and every person on Buckingham Crescent, each with their own secrets to bear but I loved the fact that we didn’t have a clue right up to the end what Janey’s big secret was, full of twists and turns, you won’t know who to trust and your mind will be whirring as to where it will go next…. Another great psychological read from K.L. Slater.

Was this review helpful?

Janey and her family are coming up in the world. Her husband got a huge promotion, but they have to move ... the new company is throwing in a much larger house in a posh neighborhood and where the schools are much better for their son. It doesn't hurt that Janey was a teacher and may have an opportunity to teach again.

She's not sure she will fit in with the glamorous other school moms, but she is willing to give it a shot. It doesn't take long before she has new friends ... Tanya, Edie and Ky.

In a weak moment, over a bottle .. or two .. of wine, Janey tells Tanya her deepest, darkest secret that no one knows other than her husband. Little does she realize that this one action will come back to haunt her in a huge way.

The best secrets are the most twisted.

Janey's husband has grown distant and she worries he may be having an affair. Never would she have imagined anything worse.

Guaranteed to keep the reader riveted to each and every page, this thriller is well written with several twists and turns that lead to a shocking conclusion. Nothing is at is seems.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Another read to put you on the edge of your seat! Janey Markham has moved house with her husband Isaac and son Rowan.Isaac has a new job and he promises not only is this more money which they desperately need but that he will be able have more family time- something again that was lacking. We know Janey holds a secret told to her by her mother the day before she died “which changes everything” but not what it is. Janey soon finds the shiny new house isn’t anywhere near as glamorous as others in the road and the yummy mummies have their own clique. Isaacs hours are getting longer and longer. Is this all work? We have the occasional chapters about a girl being taken and then held against her will when en route to a friend. Janey gets in with the clique but in doing so alienates a lady she was getting friendly with as the clique says she is delusional. I quite liked Janey but had that suspicion about her. There is that wonderful air of tension and the wanting to turn and turn and turn to find out more. A very clever premise and one that threw me- just as I like! Twists and turns are abundant to keep you on your toes! Another brilliant read that kept me hooked from K.L Slater and I look forward to the next one.
(amazon done- misfits farm)

Was this review helpful?

All the spiteful, elitist moms, twists and turns. Overhanging secrets, elitist moms, things going wrong at every corner. This book was a great read that I'll be recommending to friends that enjoy all different genres. I've never read books by this author, but will be seeking out others.

Was this review helpful?

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

Trust is a difficult thing and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Janey has been taking care of her mother and on her death bed she tells Janey a horrific secret. But soon Janey and her hubby are moving to a better address where she can relax after taking care of her mother for so long. Janey soon meets Tanya and they become fast friends… or are they? When Janey tells the secret to Tanya she realizes she has made a mistake. Because of all the people she trusted Tanya should not have been one.

I will say that I thought this book was a bit slow. It just spent a bit too much time before the move but once the move happened and Janey was in the new neighborhood the story picked up.

I liked that we didn’t know the secret throughout the book. We were guessing and trying to figure it out while reading.

I can’t recall reading other books but Slater but this will not be my last one.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐊.𝐋. 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

As of late, my luck with thrillers hasn’t been the greatest but my luck has turned around!

After her husband is offered a job he just can’t refuse, Janey and Isaac move their family to Buckingham Crescent. At first, Janey isn’t sure she’ll fit into the upper-class clique of moms, but soon she forms a friendship with the queen bee, Tanya. Janey feels confident that she’s taking a step forward, away from her haunted past but after spilling her darkest secret to Tanya, things take a turn for the worst. In 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬, Janey quickly learns that not all things that glitter are gold.

This was an entertaining read that kept me turning the pages, topped off with a twist that clicked everything into place. I couldn’t put it down and despite my many attempts at guessing the twist, I failed. My only complaint is that I would have loved more details related to the juicy twist! It would have been the icing on top of a very tasty cake!

Friends in need of a thriller, grab 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 when it hits shelves tomorrow, May 21st!

Was this review helpful?

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Little Whispers’ by K.L. Slater in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and enjoyed two of Slater’s recent novels and so welcomed the opportunity to read her latest domestic noir.

I won’t say too much about the plot as I do feel it best to approach this kind of thriller ‘cold’. As the title and cover art suggests, gossip, the little whispers in the right (or wrong) ears, plays a big part.

Its lead character, Janey Markham is excited to be moving with her husband and young son into Buckingham Crescent, a smart address in Nottingham. Janey is concerned that the glossy local mummies will exclude her as she isn’t wearing posh outfits on the school run.

Then the yummiest mummy of all, Tanya, takes Janey under her wing. She becomes so comfortable with Tanya that one day after some afternoon drinking, she confides in Tanya sharing her mother’s deathbed secret. Yet is her new best friend to be trusted? Given the nature of this novel I am sure that you can answer that question.

‘Little Whispers’ was a highly engaging novel that as advertised proved impossible to put down. It had great twists and was a very satisfying read. I do feel that Slater is an author who has established herself as a leading light in this popular sub genre of psychological thrillers/domestic noirs.

Great summer escapism.

Was this review helpful?

First I want to thank K.L Slater, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

WOW!! K.L. Slater’s latest book Little Whispers totally reminded me of the prime time soap opera Desperate Housewives!! Another must read book filled with tons of secrets, suspense, major twists and turns, and even some shocking moments!

K.L. Slater does focus on some very important topics in her latest book. Some might trigger some readers. These topics are childhood bullying, suicide, and criminal activity.

This book hooked me right from the beginning as Janey’s Mom was dying and had a deathbed confession. Throughout the book it was kept a secret. Eventually it was intertwined with the other stories. But the not knowing what it was made the book more interesting.

K.L. Slater wowed me with her character selections, their personalities, their roles in the book, etc. Each one was totally different and unique and brought something very special to the book.

I had a huge soft spot for Janey and Issac’s Son Rowan who pulled on my heartstrings big time. For a little guy he was brave to go through all the changes he did.

The title of the book and the graphics of the book cover was spot on to the theme of the book! Kudos to the Graphic Designers on this aspect.

Was this review helpful?

I immensely enjoyed this ARC of Little Whispers by KL Slater! Thank you NetGalley for sharing this opportunity with me!

The absolute roller coaster that the main character Janey goes through in this book is so utterly frustrating, in the best way. The authors adeptness at pulling readers in with character development is remarkable, and made me feel as if i had a genuine connection with the characters. I ran the gamut of emotions with this book, anger, sadness, peace, and utter panic... what more could you ask for in a book?! An excellent plot line, with great characters, and an ending that will knock your socks off!

Was this review helpful?

K L. Slater never stops impressing her readers. Her 12th book Little Whispers is a gem that goes perfectly with the rest of her books. Her new book revolves around friendship, secrets and trust.

Janey Markham lost her mother, Irene, a few months back. Before she died, she revealed a tragic secret to her daughter. Those secrets unsettled her and her husband Isaac. Amid this, her solace was Isaac’s new job. His recent job change will pay for a new house and pluck them out of their financial crisis.
With hope and love, Janey and Isaac along with their son Rowan move to the posh neighbourhood of Buckingham Crescent in Nottinghamshire. Only when she reaches there, things are a little different from her expectations.
Tanya, Edie and Ky are close friends and are famous Buckingham Moms. With time Janey becomes a part of the group. Merely in the urge to fit in, she changes. And one fine afternoon she spills her secret that was weighing on her. That secret can now become a weapon and might be used against her. She is unaware of people and their enigmas. Nothing is as it seems!!!

There is no mishmash of characters. Tanya, Edie and Ky are major ones and a few of them are supporting roles. Irene raised Janey with simplicity and values. Irene told her as a child (snippet of a dialogue).

“….my advice is to watch what you say, because, at some time in the future, people will use it against you….”

She tries most of her life to not delve into secrets and she doesn’t have many friends either. Matters, however, change for her once she moves into this neighbourhood. She has morphed into a gossip mum. There is a gradual change in her character. Janey is an ok character. She appeared sensible in the start, but then she blabbers a lot as the chapters progress.

Alternating between an unknown character and Janey, the chapters blindsides the reader with twists and turns. As the book evolves, we understand the depth of the secret (even though as a reader, you will know about it towards the end). Slater did a magnificent job of keeping the reader hooked to the narrative. I can sense something is amiss, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

K L. Slater has once again weaved a great psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.

My rating is 4 stars.
Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I’m always looking forward to reading the authors new books and this story was suspenseful and quite an interesting read.
I’m very reserved when I meet new people and I always try to keep to myself. This book was a page-turner and I enjoyed how the author introduced the characters and their friendship.
Some people are like an open book and don’t think of others as having an ulterior motive to hurt them.
This is the case here when a woman makes new friends and confides her deepest secrets to them.
It’s suspenseful with many twists and turns, some very predictable but some unexpected moments as well.
I’m a big fan of the author stories and this one didn’t disappoint.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 - I’m a bit ambivalent about this one. When Janey Markham’s husband, Isaac, tells her he has been offered a new job with many benefits, more time at home and almost double the pay - it sounds too good to be true. And when that happens, it usually is. But Janey knows that money is tight and Isaac seems so pleased with the opportunity that they embrace the change..

Soon Janey, Isaac and son, Rowan, are installed in a swank, large home in a posh neighbourhood and life seems perfect. Of course it never is. The cracks soon start to show. Janey has to work at becoming accepted by the other “Buckingham mums” and Isaac spends even more time at work than before. By the halfway point you are sure there is something fishy going on but you can’t quite put your finger on what.

At the same time Janey is still dealing with the terrible secret her mother finally divulged, literally on her deathbed, just a couple of months ago. This secret, which is not hard to guess, is doled out in tiny morsels throughout the book. While the writing was very good and Janey was a credible chief protagonist (I’m not so sure about some of the others) and she wasn’t whiny or too stupid to live, the story didn’t have quite the drama or pace I would have liked. Enjoyable but not memorable. If you’re a fan of character driven domestic noir and/or K.L. Slater this should be right up your alley.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book I've read by the author and unfortunately I have the same issues with this book as I did the first. I found the main character to be annoyingly naive, the conversations mundane, and the plot simply far-fetched and ridiculous. The characters felt over-the-top and dated in their silver velvet track suits and animal print kaftans and were not relatable. The build-up to the climax was slow and confusing and the twists in the end were very anti-climatic. I'm sure there will be plenty of people that enjoy this book but unfortunately this author's style is not for me.

Was this review helpful?

I just couldn't get behind this. It was billed as a psychological thriller but it read like a soap opera that tried to turn into a thriller in the last 1/5 of the book. Janey was kind of an idiot. She didn't even know what her own husband did for a living. It was one time when I realized that I wouldn't want to know some peoples' innermost thoughts. It would make me lose faith in the intelligence of the human race. And then BOOM it was over. And the secret had nothing to do with anything.

Was this review helpful?

K L Slater is one author whose books I download without even reading the blurb.

That said I must admit I really struggled with this one. At 50% I almost gave up. I just couldn't warm to the characters and I didn't really care what happened to them. But because I know her writing I pushed on.

Then I got to around 70% and boom the story really started! There was twists and turns you couldn't see coming and I was hooked. I raced to the end and it was well worth the wait.

Was this review helpful?

I really do love the writing style of K L Slater. Unfortunately for me that’s where the praise for this book ends.

The first half was very slow and long. There was so much information about their new house and new school. It seemed to take so many chapters just to introduce us to Janeys new friend group and her somewhat toxic relationship with them all.

There was a second narrative of a girl in trouble. This narrative was captivating, but because it was so infrequent I found that I forgot about it. I kept waiting for it to be tied in and it kept me questioning about it it had something to do with the past, or something to do with the present.

The last 25% of the book was packed with information and it was as if nothing, and everything was happening all at once. I felt like the explanation of the details of the book was rushed and too complex for the book. Unfortunately not a fan of this one.

Was this review helpful?

After her husband, Isaac, gets a new, better-paying job, Janey Markham moves to Buckingham Crescent, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in their new town. She quickly learns which are the moms to become friends with when dropping her son off a school. Edie, Tanya, and Kyoko are the moms everyone envies and wants to be included with. Janey gets included in their group, but is being friends with them as good as it seemed it would be or will it get her into trouble?

Little Whispers is about moms who gossip, but there’s a lot more to it. It had all the makings of a great thriller, but it just fell flat for me. It was a slow build, but it never picked up or had me on the edge of my seat. I honestly found it quite predictable. I didn’t see everything coming, but figured out who the bad guy was early on.

There was a secondary mystery throughout the book set in the past which I did actually enjoy. I can’t say more without giving anything away, but I would have liked the past story to be connected to the main story somehow.

I’ve read two other books by K.L. Slater and really enjoyed them. This one just wasn’t for me though.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?