Barclay goes even darker than usual, delving into the supernatural in a story very reminiscent of Stephen King (who loved the book). This novel is truly twisted, unpredictable and suspenseful. I liked it better than any King I’ve read. Creative art as a curse, innocuous toys becoming evil and a child with creepy habits are tropes of the genre, but Barclay gives them life. I liked Annie a lot. She’s having a hard year but she’s still trying to give her son Charlie a better life. I’m not a fan of children in fiction, and Charlie kept making the worst decisions every possible moment, but I was still rooting for him. The other important character is the Chief of Police of the town of Lucknow, where we know something horrible happened. It is not immediately obvious how both stories intertwine, but I was equally invested in both parts. The tension only increases as the chapters fly by, and I thought the ending was amazing. The whole book was excellent. Five toots for this.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/William Morrow.

3.5 stars

Whew this was a creepy and very chilling read. I enjoyed the dual points of view and the Stephen King-type horror writing. It’s a very clever story, and I quite enjoyed it.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Over the years I have read several Linwood Barclay books, and have enjoyed them quite a bit. Whistle though was a little harder for me to get into and enjoy. It was also the first time I picked up a Barclay book and started reading what I would consider more horror than thriller/mystery. In the end, I did like the book, but it took maybe close to 3/4 of the book for me to actually look forward to figuring out what was going on in the story. Overall, for me this was an enjoyable slow burn horror story. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for a digital arc of this title.

As a long-time fan of Linwood Barclay’s thrillers, I have always looked forward to his new releases. However, Whistle was a big disappointment for me, as it veered into territory I wasn’t expecting—horror. I’ve enjoyed every one of his books in the past.The plot centers around a mysterious event, and while Barclay certainly knows how to build tension, the supernatural elements felt like a significant departure from the kind of grounded, edge-of-your-seat thrillers I’ve come to expect from him. In the end, Whistle wasn’t my cup of tea, but it’s still a well-crafted book for those who enjoy supernatural suspense.
I'm hoping Lincoln Barclay returns to his more traditional books that he writes.
Thanks NetGally for advance copy.

This is my first foray into the author's work and I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the reading opportunity. I'm a huge fan of horror so I was looking forward to reading Whistle.
The book begins with the character Annie and her family tragedy that prompts her leaving NYC for rural New York. The story then abruptly shifts to a small town in Vermont, with all new characters,and suspicious deaths. At first it's not clear how the two stories connect and if they are even happening concurrently. If you trust the author, you'll find that eventually the stories intertwine and everything is revealed. The ending felt a bit rushed but the stories wrapped up to a cohesive ending.

wow thank you so so much for this arc. this was my 2nd book by this author and i really enjoyed it. this was a creepy supernatural story about a possessed train and it's creator Mr. choo.i really hope we get more from linwood barclay in the horror genre.

Upon discovering a forgotten train set in a locked shed on their new property, Charlie's excitement turns into a catalyst for chilling events. Annie’s initial delight in seeing her son happy quickly gives way to unease as strange occurrences haunt their household. The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense, enhanced by eerie sounds and anomalies that disrupt their attempts to heal. The author skillfully builds suspense, creating a palpable sense of dread that implies something sinister lurks beneath the surface.

Annie's artistic journey is particularly striking, as her sketches begin to reveal a dark character that has no place in the children's stories she once cherished. This transformation serves as a metaphor for her grief and the way it distorts her reality. A compelling quote from the book encapsulates this theme: “Grief can warp the mind in ways it never should, pulling us into our darkest nightmares.” This line poignantly reflects Annie's struggles as she grapples with the fragility of her mental state while trying to protect Charlie from the darkness creeping into their lives.

*Whistle* is a gripping blend of psychological tension and supernatural elements, keeping readers engaged and on edge throughout. The character development is strong, particularly Annie's evolution from a grieving widow to a woman on the brink of unraveling. The small-town setting, combined with the eerie undertones of the narrative, enhances the story's chilling ambiance and makes for a thoroughly immersive reading experience.

With its intriguing plot and exploration of grief's haunting aftermath, *Whistle* is a captivating read that will resonate with fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural fiction alike. This novel not only entertains but also delves into the complexities of how loss can manifest in unexpected and terrifying ways, leaving readers reflecting on the fine line between reality and nightmare long after the last page is turned.

Linwood Barclay is a must read anytime and everytime! Except this time he has added a supernatural element and I am sold!! Unputdownable I tell you! His books are a fantastic ride that keep me on the edge of my seat every time!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advance Copy!

Whistle by Linwood Barclay scared the absolute hell out of me. I’m talking check-the-dark-corners-of-my-room level fear. It’s got that perfect small-town horror vibe—where something as innocent as a toy train turns into nope, absolutely not. The pacing is tight, the tension is relentless, and by the end, I was questioning every weird noise in my house. If you like Stephen King-style nightmares with a side of “why did I read this before bed?”—this one’s a must. Easy 5/5.

This was my time reading this author and his first time writing Supernatural Fiction 😊

Annie and her son move to a small town to escape the life they have in New York- two back to back events factor their move. But when they arrive to the small town, it gets much worse. Charlie, Annie's son, finds a train set in a shed behind their rental home. He sleep walks in the middle of the night, walking miles away. The sound of a train comes out of nowhere even when there aren't any trains that run through the small town. That's all I'm going to say without giving too much away!

There was a Bentley Little feel to this read. Surreal, creepy, off putting.

Thank you to @netgalley for sending me a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was very eerie, atmospheric, and creepy. I've never read anything like this before, it was certainly different.

This follows Charlie and his mom Annie in the present, along with the town they are staying in where people are mysteriously coming up missing. There are some past pov's as well. The pacing was pretty good, there were a few times I felt the book was a bit slow but overall it was good.

Linwood Barclay ventures into supernatural horror with Whistle, delivering a chilling and gripping story that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Known for his suspenseful thrillers, Barclay seamlessly blends eerie, otherworldly horror with his signature fast-paced storytelling, making this novel an instant standout.

The story follows Annie Blunt, a children’s book author and illustrator who, after enduring a tragic year, moves to a quiet town in upstate New York with her son, Charlie. Their fresh start quickly takes a sinister turn when Charlie discovers an old train set in a locked shed on their property. At first, it seems like a harmless relic—until Annie starts hearing phantom train whistles in the dead of night, and strange occurrences begin to spiral around them. Worse, Annie finds herself uncontrollably drawing an unsettling figure that doesn’t belong in any children’s book. As the mystery deepens, it becomes clear that something far darker is at play, tied to a world beyond comprehension.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Barclay masterfully builds suspense, layering dread through eerie sounds, uncanny visions, and a growing sense of isolation. The horror is both psychological and supernatural, making the reader question what’s real and what’s a manifestation of grief and trauma. Annie is a compelling protagonist—flawed, strong, and relatable in her struggle to protect her son while battling the unknown. The Sliver, the sinister force at the heart of the mystery, is a truly haunting creation, and its lore is fascinating.

The pacing is excellent, with well-timed reveals and tension that escalates to a thrilling climax. Unlike many horror novels that falter in their endings, Whistle delivers a satisfying and well-earned conclusion, leaving just enough mystery to linger in the reader’s mind.

This was my first Linwood Barclay book, and it certainly won’t be my last. The writing is sharp, the concept is fresh, and the execution is flawless. Whether more stories will be set in this eerie universe remains to be seen, but if they are, I’ll be first in line. Whistle is a must-read for horror and thriller fans alike—highly recommended!

Thanks to Wm. Morrow & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really like Linwood Barclay and have read most of his stuff. This one is a departure from his more recent work, and a bit of a throwback to his early stuff, which can be more supernatural in tone. Not sure if this exactly worked, though.

The plot: Annie is a recently-widowed children's book author. The previous year, her book inspired a small child to believe he could fly, resulting in his death. Then, Annie's husband died in an accident. Now, in an effort to make Annie take a mental break (and possibly jog her creative spark, dormant since the child's death), her editor entices her to rent a house upstate. where she and her kid can take it easy.

Everything is mostly OK until the kid, Charlie, finds some old toy trains in a Tide box in the locked shed outside the house. Then, weird things start to happen.

Not sure if this one worked for me. It's an interesting concept, and I certainly didn't hate it. Annie is a bit prickly, and it was difficult for me to get into her as a character. Charlie is like any other little boy. Barclay does a good job of ramping up the dread, <spoiler>and the details of what is occurring in what turns out to be the past are unsettling, but intriguing, and by far the best part of the plot</spoiler>. Lots of Stephen King territory being trod here, and Barclay even thanks SK and admits he had the man himself read a draft.

I would usually give LB 4 stars, so let's call this one 3.5, rounded down. Linwood, please return to Promise Falls, TYSM.

A departure from Barclay's usual style had this horror fan grinning with appreciation. I've enjoyed previous titles from his backlist, but one of the advantages of loving many genres is being able to enjoy the surprise of an author changing lanes. As horror goes this is the sort that takes an ordinary situation and introduces a supernatural element to give readers a front row seat to watch all hell break loose. It's my favorite kind because by grounding the setting and characters it makes it easy to envision the big scares. Not to mention experience the spook factor when the atmosphere jumps from business as usual to chilling.

Famed children's author Annie moves out of the city with her son Charlie following professional woes and the death of her husband. Their new existence is more isolated and what begins as an opportunity for a much-needed reset becomes marred by strange occurrences. Charlie begins to have vivid dreams and sleepwalking. He feels a pull to investigate an old shed on the property where he finds an old train set. Annie keeps hearing unexplained sounds and drawing a character that has no place in children's books.

Why are they hearing a train whistle when the local railroad is defunct?

The skillful foreshadowing, solid plot, swift pace and fleshed out characters made for a page turning read. Creepy vibes saturate this story in a most thrilling way. Fans of Stephen King are going to want to grab this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.

Okay, Whistle seriously got under my skin. It starts off with pure sadness—Annie and Charlie just trying to rebuild their lives—but then it shifts into something much, much darker. A random train set? Cool. A forgotten train set hidden away in a locked shed that maybe shouldn’t have been found? Yeah, NOPE. 🚂😳

The way this book builds tension is so good. Strange sounds at night, Annie drawing something horrifying without realizing it, that eerie small-town vibe where you know something isn’t right… I felt just as paranoid as she did. And Charlie being so obsessed with that train set? Straight-up chilling.

It’s definitely a slow burn, so if you want non-stop action, this might not be for you. But if you love books that make you question reality and creep you out bit by bit, you’ll love this one. The ending leaves a few things unanswered, but honestly? That just made it scarier.

If you like eerie, psychological horror with a side of grief-fueled madness, grab this ASAP. Just… maybe don’t play with any old toys you find in locked sheds. 😬🚂🔥

This was definitely different from what I'm used to by Linwood Barclay. The story was great and suspenseful. It also was terrifying and kept me up a good part of the night. The character development was excellent like always. I definitely look forward to seeing more horror work from this author! A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc!

Extremely reminiscent of Stephen King, Linwood Barclay's "Whistle" is a solid attempt at a supernatural thriller. While I never found it particularly frightening, there were some solid suspenseful portions, and it kept me hooked until the end. This is the first book I've read of Barclay's, and I found his narration style and characterization interesting. How rooted a lot of the story was in reality only made the supernatural parts feel more...well, supernatural! It was a nice contrast.

Structurally, not everything came together as neatly as it could have. It felt a little unsettling when we skipped from different timelines, trying to figure out how everyone was connected. I also felt a bit cheated that the book's summary primarily focuses on Annie and her son, but a huge portion of the book focuses on other things. It all came together in the end, but as it was building up to the ending, I was wondering how it'd all connect. There were a few other personal hang ups, but it's nothing would particularly impact the story overall.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whistle by Linwood Barclay had such a great premise and summary that I was stoked when I was able to get an early read on this. However, after finishing this story, I was overall disappointed. The story has two timelines telling the story and both story lines were less than thrilling. I kept having to force myself back to the story to finish this. I was desperately hoping for something to happen but even the ending was terribly disappointing. I liked how the story was written and the characters were fully fleshed out and 3 dimensional (except for our villian). This novel was lulling me to sleep and not even a train whistle would wake me up.

This is a slow burn supernatural thriller set in a small town. Annie Blunt and her son Charlie are looking for a fresh start. But their new home has a strange surprise - a creepy old tran set hidden in the shed.

They assume it's just an interesting antique but then odd things start happening. The train seems to have a mind of its own, and Charlie starts having unsettling visions that don't really feel like visions at all. They start to realize this strange train, with no nearby train tracks, is connected to the town's dark past.

I really enjoyed this one. It's very creepy and suspenseful the whole way through. Thank you William Morrow and netgalley for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes May 20th!

Not what expected from Barclay, but holy....

I am a huge fan of Barclay and love that he is mixing up his style. Where he ever came up with this idea.....WOW.

If you ever thought your toys were watching you, this goes beyond. When a small boy grieves his Dad, plays with a toy train and tries to ride his bike to a small town that was destroyed in a train explosion almost 3 decades earlier.....the dots to connect.

Highly recommend!