Wow, this book was not what I expected at all - with a title like 'The Whispering Dead' and a dark, vaguely Blair Witch'y cover, I thought I was in a for darkly twisted story. And this is a dark story but nowhere near as scary as I thought it would be. The main character is introduced in a great way and I liked the progression she makes through the novel - some more answers for her background would have been appreciated but, as this seems the first in a new series, i'm assuming these will come with time. The only issue I have is how accepting everyone in this small community is being of a stranger appearing and being accommodated so well with no questions asked really - almost too good to be true....but maybe that's going to be explained why in a further novel...

Long story short, a good ghost story which piques your interest and does leave you gasping for more. Now, if only that more were here now I could recommend an extra star...!

Keira wakes up on the forest floor, and she can’t remember anything, but she does know there are people chasing her. She seeks refuge in the house of a pastor, and while trying to regain her memory, and heal from apparent wounds, she convalesces in a small cottage on the edge of the town’s cemetery, where she befriends a stray cat and, a ghost? Keira is determined to help lay this soul to rest while also trying to solve her own mystery. Along the way, she befriends some locals and makes a place for herself.

I would call this horror, and I wouldn’t call it mystery, but more literary fiction with elements from both of these genres. For a ghost story, it’s got a bit of an easy pace, and I appreciated the mystery of Keira’s origins as she tried to solve the mystery of the ghost she sees. I also liked that Coates wraps it up well while leaving the possibility for follow ups. I’d read more if it became a series.

This one isn’t out until May, but if you’re looking for something atmospheric in the meantime, Coates has written several books, most of which are now on my TBR.

Darcy Coates delivers another amazing story in this latest title, THE WHISPERING DEAD! This is a pretty spooky ghost story and delivers all the subtle scares and atmospheric vibes. The memory loss trope does not always work, but I find that Coates created a great character and premise and was able to thrive on using it in her story. Actually, I rather enjoyed most of the characters in this one which is something that does not always happen. I am excited that this is just the first in a series, too! There were a few loose ends, but now that all makes sense knowing there will be more books with more time to explain and expand! Coates is so great!

Keira wakes up in the forest and has no idea where she is and how she got there. People are looking for her and she has no idea why and unexplained injuries....She has mysteries to solve that involve dead people that keep trying to communicate with her. She saw something she shouldn't have seen, there are a spooky manor and a cemetery, and quirky conspiracy-theory believing friends, a wonderful keeper and helper, and love interest dropped out of med school doctor. There's a town bully, a Boo Radley, a maybe magical cat, and secret martial arts abilities? This was so amazing until the ending. Coates leaves us hanging on certain information like the package in Castaway. How dare you?

It was fast-paced and so spooky. I loved it so much. I just hate not to have all the answers. Too many loose ends at the end. It has to be a series now, right?

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC for an honest review.

Oh, I struggled with my rating on this one. Literally, my head was like: 3? 4? 3? 4? Maybe 4? No, 3.

See, it’s a very entertaining and easy breezy read. It’s kind of Horror-Lite. It’s got its spooky bits that do give a bit of a chill. Light gruesomeness, but not too much. Lots of buddy-humor. Remarkably light and leaves you smiling.

On a scale of Shirley Jackson to Edward Lee, it’s…R.L. Stine.

And I *almost* gave it four stars for sheer entertainment value and the fact that I do want to read the next book.

But…

It has about 800,000,000 loose ends! This is the 1st book in the series and it’s all set up for the next books. We get one solution to a tiny mystery, but every other loose end in the book is not only left open, but the author throws some new ones in! There are some books that leave you satisfied, like you just finished a good meal. This one? It’s like the waiter took your order, but never brought your food.

I worry about the next book. As I said above, I do want to read it. But I’m really afraid that it’s going to end with more loose ends, no solutions, and then I’m going to be kind of mad I read it. I’m both a masochist and an optimist. I’ll try the next one, but I’ll be expecting and hoping for much more!

*ARC Provided via Net Galley