The Whisper Man

I usually write notes as I'm reading books but I ended up with a blank page whilst reading The Whisper Man because to write notes would have meant that I had to tear my eyes away from the page and I was completely incapable of doing so. The prologue is a letter to Jake from his father, Tom, about what happened in Featherbank...like a hungry fish I gulped at this tasty worm on a hook - I just had to know what happened in the innocently named town of Featherbank.

I read The Whisper Man in one day and felt rather aggrieved that I had to put it down to do such tiresome tasks as eat and use the facilities, so there was no way I was putting it down to go to sleep. Everything is completely perfect about this book; the storyline, the characters, the setting and the pacing. I was as scared as I was intrigued and I knew it was a good book when I experienced my Cinderella emotion of not wanting it to finish yet simultaneously needing to find out what happens at the end.

Jake completely stole my show more heart in this book; he is grieving for his mother, Rebecca, and has imaginary friends which help him to cope. Tom, as a single father is naturally disturbed by this, especially when he hears one of the imaginary friends talk back. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end several times whilst reading this book; it's scarily creepy in addition to being a disturbing story about missing children over several years. As the layers are peeled away we eventually unearth the rotten black heart of Featherbank, so put on your speed reading glasses to find out the truth!

I was pretty creeped out a lot of the time at the whispering at the windows and I totally blame sneaking a peek at Salem's Lot on TV when I was an impressionable 4 year old. I still can't sleep with a crack in the curtains so the thought of a monster at the window literally covered me in goosebumps every time it was mentioned. It's giving me goosebumps just thinking about something at the window and even though the special effects of the 70's are pretty non-existent I'm actually creeping myself out right now.

A lot of books these days are cleverly marketed and labelled 'the best', 'the biggest', 'the most disturbing' or 'the most gripping' but in the case of The Whisper Man you can definitely BELIEVE THE HYPE! This book is AMAZING! It is the most chilling, disturbing and scarily creepy crime novel I have ever read. If you only read one book this year, make it The Whisper Man - you won't regret reading it but you'll definitely regret missing it.

I'm not in the least surprised to learn that The Whisper Man has been snapped up by Hollywood and I can't wait to see it on the big screen, even though it might creep me out more than Salem's Lot did 40 years earlier. Bring on the creepfest!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. show less

Ooh! This is a good one! Well crafted with little twists along the way, this novel keeps the reader guessing to the end. It's a look at how we deal with trauma and loss and how we listen to others (or not). It's also about the things that haunt us and how sometimes the difference between "real" and "imaginary" isn't all that clear (and maybe doesn't even matter).

The Whisper Man by Alex North is a 2019 Celadon Books publication.

Unsettling, spine-tingling, and emotionally charged thriller!

After the untimely death of his wife, Tom Kennedy feels like a fresh start in a new location, might help him and his young son, Jake, move forward from their grief and begin the healing process. But almost immediately after moving to Featherbank, a new set of problems presents themselves. Jake has trouble adjusting to his new school, just as another boy Jake’s age goes missing. The child’s disappearance prompts concerns that another serial killer is on the loose in Featherbank- one with the same MO as the dreaded ‘Whisper Man’ who murdered five people twenty years ago. The case becomes personal for Tom and Jake when Jake begins having nightmares, claiming he can hear someone whispering to him at his window….

Meanwhile, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis are working overtime to find this missing boy before another child disappears…

I’ve been show more avoiding hyped up thrillers, books that everyone is reading, and mostly gushing over, because my experience with these situations has taught me a few hard lessons- mainly, don’t buy into the hype, because I’m only setting myself up for a big disappointment. But, earlier this year, another book by this same publisher became a huge sleeper hit, and although I was highly skeptical, I caved and checked the book out the library. Well, much to my surprise, the book was very good. So, when ‘The Whisper Man’ started to generate a little buzz, I decided to jump on board the already crowded train, just see if lightning might strike twice… And lo and behold, it did!!

But, to be honest, when one gets right down to the nitty and the gritty, this book is basically another thriller with a serial killer trope. However, what sets it apart from so many other cookie-cutter novels in this category, is the characterizations, and the author’s ability to explore the real psychology behind the character’s actions, without compromising the intensity of the real terror one feels while reading this book. The story is packed with strange, creepy, atmospheric vibes, promising Tom and Jake are being threatened by true evil.

While the mystery is compelling, and the atmosphere is thick and heavy, the author takes a story of horror and dread, and adds in a deeper, more complex angle- a topic that isn’t explored often enough in general fiction, much less in a thriller- the dynamics of the father-son relationship.

The story is very masculine, with the few female characters being suspect, bland, or not very nice-like Jake’s teacher, for example. I never bristled though, because the male leads are portrayed as flawed, burdened, troubled, and vulnerable, and the book never once veered off into an alpha male, testosterone driven story.

From start to finish this is a well written, intense, highly suspenseful thriller- but it is also smart and profound, ending not only with extreme, exhilarating relief, as I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding- 😉, but also on a note of redemptive satisfaction.

Overall, this is another winner for Celadon Books, but as a reader, I’m super excited about Alex North! If this is his debut novel, I wonder how much his talent will develop over time.

5 stars show less

This book left me a changed person! I have always been the cautious type: scared of my own shadow, yet strong in ways that people would not imagine, like hearing gunshots in my neighborhood and trying to run down a suspicious group of children in the road to demand answers. But this book plays and preys on my worst fears that when I am alone and vulnerable, unable to sleep in the dark, the question: Am I really safe? OH, BOY! Trying not to give any spoilers, but ghosts that reveal information, people with demons in their past, a flat out demon in real life, and a traumatized boy who ends up being a demon, too, provides a lot of thriller moments in this book. This is the first book I have ever read by Alex North. I now understand the fascination with his books. I think the disclaimer should be made if you are too fragile, sensitive, scared of the dark, you might either want to read this early in the day, small blocks of reading, or not at all. For people who LOVE to be scared to show more death and love constant drama, THIS IS YOUR BOOK! It has made me more sympathetic of the roles of detectives and private investigators who not only see nightmarish things in the line of duty but how much of sadness and burden it is when a crime is not quickly resolved. I know for a fact that I will never look at butterflies the same way again. And all the "whispering" in the story still freaks me out. It wasn't only The Whisper Man or schoolyard children repeating the Whisper Man chant that added to the suspense. This book had umpteen thriller moments. No matter where you stopped and started, the suspense kept on and on. I liked the way the loose ends of the story were all tied up in the end, but I have never read an ENDING that was yet another CLIMAX of the book! And it is overwhelming the many emotions I as the reader felt as disgust, fear, hate, the satisfaction that justice was served, but sometimes feeling guilty because if the past hadn't been so horrible, the present wouldn't have been so horrible. A special shoutout to the character that was fascinated with death, caught up in the storyline, but not really part of it. He was creepy! His obsession with death made my skin crawl! Alex North has a talent for weaving random images in the story that usually bring smiles to people, and turning them into something sinister, like art murals. I bet I could go back and re-read this book several times and see something in a different light, or pick up on something that was a clue that I had missed the first time. This book would be perfect for a book club, as I think most would WANT to talk about it after reading it. It provides interesting and provocative discussion. I have a few questions in my mind: Did Detective Pete really think that his own father hugged him in the end? Also, was The Whisper Man a pedophile, or possibly an abused boy who just cracked into abnormality? To me, those were the only 2 questions in the end that bothered me. show less

The Whisper Man is one of the big hitters of 2019 and rightly so. It's a cracking good crime thriller.

Tom Kennedy is a recent widower. He's struggling with his 7 year old son, Jake. His wife always said they were too alike and maybe that's why Tom can't get through to Jake. He decides a fresh start in a new house and a new village is what's needed and they move to a house known locally as 'the scary house'. Hmmm, perhaps warning bells ought to have sounded!

This is a village where 15 years ago a serial killer stalked young boys. He was known as The Whisper Man. All well and good except it's happening again and now Jake is hearing whispers himself.

Ooh-er! I think I was expecting something a bit more supernatural with this book and whilst there is a little of that, it's much more of a crime thriller. We hear from Tom and Jake, but also from a police officer, DI Pete Willis, who was involved with the original case and who is now called upon to help with what is happening currently. show more This enables us to see matters unfold from different directions: from the viewpoint of a father who is already struggling and who is now fearing for his son's safety; and from the viewpoint of a man who thought the nightmare was over, although he's never been able to put it completely behind him, and who now realises the threat is back.

The whole Whisper Man thing is very creepy and the idea of a predator like that being at large is pretty scary. I have to say that I didn't find the story as scary as I expected, but I did find it compelling reading. There's a theme of fathers and sons running through it and how the relationships between them can affect them. I thought this was really cleverly executed.

I really liked Tom. He's written in a very sympathetic way and his grief is palpable. I loved Jake too, with his very grown up way of speaking and quiet manner. All the characters are very well drawn in fact.

The Whisper Man is a gripping story. I was very impressed by the way various strands of the story that I didn't even realise existed were then brought together. There were quite a few 'ohhhh' moments for me, ones I didn't see coming. It's a brilliant read. show less

It took me awhile to get my hands on a digital copy of this book. The wait list at the library was longgggg. I had to wait twice, in fact. Covid19 had things so crazy at my job that when I finally got to the top of the list to check out the book I missed the deadline to do so.....and had to wait again. But that's ok....I waited on the audio version the second time. I can listen to an audio book anywhere even when work and homelife is a bit unsettled and chaotic.

This was a suspenseful story well worth waiting for -- twice! :)


If you leave a door half open, you'll hear the whisper spoken.
If you play outside alone soon you won 't be going home.
If your Windows left unlatched, you'll hear him tapping at the glass.
If your lonely, sad, and blue, the whisper man will come for you.


A playground sing-song telling the story of a local murder still haunts Featherbank when Tom Kennedy and his young son move there to start over. After losing his wife, Tom wants them to have a new life, to begin show more again, to get past her death. But it's not that easy.....Jake is talking to people who aren't there. And....a little boy disappears. The murderer from all those years ago is in prison....so is a new killer starting up the kidnapping and murders of children all over again?

There really isn't anything new here....jaded, grieving and exhausted former detective moves to a new town to start over....only to end up embroiled in a case. And Jake, reeling from the death of his mother sees people that others do not, making it difficult for him to fit in at a new school. It's been done before....BUT....Alex North tells this suspenseful tale perfectly! I was engrossed in the story from start to finish.

I listened to the audio book version of this story. I wanted to read the first novel before I moved on to North's newest book, The Shadows. Narrated by Christopher Eccleston, the audio is just over 9.5 hours long. I love Eccleston as an actor on screen, but I have to be honest and say I did not enjoy his performance as a book narrator. His tone is often flat, verging on monotone. I love the accent....but he just didn't seem to put much umph into his reading performance. The story was captivating enough to keep me listening, even though I really didn't like Eccleston's narration. This is just my personal opinion/preference -- others might feel differently about his performance. For me -- it just didn't work.

I love the front cover art for this book! Publishers hire such talented artists!

Great book! I have The Shadows on audio all ready to go! Can't wait to see what new creepiness Alex North has lurking in wait for me! show less

The sense of dread sizzles off the page in this taut thriller. You see, Tom's son is afraid of monsters, but he tells the boy that they don't exist.

And now he's sorry that he lied...

It all starts when Tom Kennedy suddenly loses his wife, and needing a fresh start, moves to Featherbank with his son Jake. But the town holds a dark secret—it’s the hunting ground of a serial killer known as the Whisper Man. And now another boy has gone missing....

Alex North’s The Whisper Man didn’t meet my expectations—and that is actually a really good thing.

I started out wanting to read it because I enjoy crime thrillers and the horror genre in general, but the subject matter of this one is tricky—a serial killer targeting little boys. I was worried that what I’d be reading would soon devolve into something beyond just the macabre and could take a turn for the worst into the exploitative.

But The Whisper Man proves that a reader’s imagination can still be the best part of making a book show more chills-inducing and creepy. North handles his subject with such a gentle hand; instead of being gratuitous, he writes only so much to give you an idea what’s going on, and then lets you fill in the rest. And never once did I feel short changed. There’s plenty opportunity for heart-stopping twists.

There’s also a lot of heart and emotional complexity, mostly owed to the interactions among Tom, Jake, and DI Pete Willis. And though North employs multiple POV’s over the course of the book, all feel satisfying and fleshed out. The writing here is excellent.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing this review copy. I would definitely recommend this one—it didn’t meet my expectations, it exceeded them fully. I will certainly be on the lookout for more of North's work in the future. show less

The Whisper Man is an eerie thriller of the most frightening kind with the search for a serial killer who preys on children. Tom Kennedy and his son Jake are mourning the loss of Rebecca, Tom’s wife, Jakes’ mother. Their home is haunted by her presence, so they move to a new home in Featherbank. It is a slightly scary house, but Jake fixated on it when they were browsing possible homes and Tom is determined to help Jake move past his grief and his imaginary friend.

Peter Ellis is a retired cop who captured an infamous serial child killer twenty years earlier in Featherbank. Four of the five victims were found, but he is obsessed with finding the fifth. When a young boy is kidnapped, he consults with the current investigation, even going to prison to seek information from the man he captured so long ago.

No sooner do Tom and Jake move in than strange things happen. There are unexplained creaks and groans. Jake’s conversations with imaginary figures are more frightening and he show more seems to be seeing and hearing something paranormal, drawing butterflies he has not had the opportunity to see, for example.

I am very cautious about child jeopardy books. I have personal rules about how graphic and prurient they can be. I am pleased that The Whisper Man does not draw near the line between creating tension and authorial respect for childhood. This is a book that builds all the tension you can bear without making you feel bad for reading it.

It is also scrupulously fair. All the information you need is there and not because of the killer’s point of view. It is there for people to figure out if only people shared the information they had and could put it together. Even better, despite Jake’s seeming prescience and supernatural abilities, North offers a naturalistic worldview. I also loved the examination of history and memory when Tom and Pete meet and find not just common ground but common history.

The Whisper Man is an excellent thriller. It is fair by Detective Club rules and written with humanity and compassion.

The Whisper Man will be released on August 20th. I received an e-galley for review through NetGalley.

The Whisper Man at Celedon Books
Alex North on Twitter

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/07/31/9781250317995/ show less

“Over the years, I told you so many times that there was nothing to be afraid of. That there was no such thing as monsters. I’m sorry that I lied.”

“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 is left unlatched, you’ll hear him taping at the glass. If you’re lonely, sad and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you.”

This was gripping from the start and I initially had a number of theories that could have lead in any direction. The outcome remained uncertain for quite some time, which added to the suspense, with the supernatural element increasing the creep factor. I do enjoy how these eerie thrillers are always set in idyllic, sleepy villages, often appearing to be more dangerous than the big city.

This was an enjoyable and pacey read, the type of book that would be converted into a mini-series or movie. I wouldn't say this was uber-scary, but then having read Stephen show more King and Dean Koontz at a very early age (oops), I don't scare easily. For me, the ending was a tad anti-climactic and weak, hence the 4 stars. show less

This was an amazing read. I couldn’t put it down. I ignored a weekend of homework because finishing this book was all I could think about, and I might regret that later tonight when I’m up late citing technical references, but I don’t even care!!!! #noragrets

Alex North is my new boo. My husband probably won’t like that, but he will live. For a debut thriller, Mr. North has got it going on. Wanna stay awake looking around in the dark when you hear your house creep, want to stop dead in your tracks in the dark when you hear the wind whispering through the trees and almost piss your bed? Y’all need a weekend read? One of those books that makes you want to stay in bed, or at 2 in the morning talk yourself into one more chapter even though you have to get up and feed the chickens at 5 am? Heck, let those bitches starve. Read it now!!!!!!

Spoilers below

But seriously, this is a great read. I couldn’t wait to find out if Jake was a budding psychic, or if his house was haunted. show more Was there something really supernatural going on, or was it a case of a rampant overactive imagination by a very creative little human? While I may have guessed who done it, it still had be guessing a bit as to how and why and will it stop in time!!! It kinda chaps my ass that Frank Carter still got his way in the end, but such is life! The best books leave you satisfied, yet disappointed. show less

Oh, what a great, creepy premise. Is the house haunted? Is Jake seeing things that are only in his head? Or are they real? Is there a killer about? The listener is never quite sure. North does a great job of keeping us guessing as the book progresses. North introduces events into the narrative that changed my thinking as it built momentum. The whodunit was one I didn't seen coming - and I always appreciate that. But for this listener, it was all about the journey and the uncertainty. Great listen!

And here's a fun fact: "The Whisper Man was inspired by North's own little boy, who mentioned one day that he was playing with "the boy in the floor."

Christopher Eccleston does a fantastic job or narrating. He has such a rich, sonorous, expressive voice - it's wonderful to listen to. He does a great job catching the tone of the book with his voice. And his reading of The Whisper Man rhyme gave me goosebumps.

While reading this I couldn't help but think of The Shining as well as Silence of the Lambs. Well written and paced to perfection this is creepy, engaging and evocative. To quote the poem," 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 is left unlatched, you'll hear him tapping at the glass. If you're lonely, sad and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you..."

This tells the story in a nutshell though the father son relationship elements play into it with an unusual twist. Highly recommend this to those who enjoy creepy books!

I like my thrillers to be grounded in realism, which is a tough standard, because how many international conspiracies can be foiled? I mean, why do the bad guys even keep trying? And then there are mysteries... I love them but I'm always disappointed when I figure out who did it before the author does, or, worse (my opinion only) when it turns out that an element of the supernatural is involved. So when I realized The Whisper Man held plot points that were not grounded in reality, I was ready to set it aside. I literally thought I would read to the end of the chapter, and pick up something else. And then that chapter ended with a single line that pulled me into the rest of the book.

I am on record as accepting the idea that dogs might be able to reincarnate, so I cannot complain about the supernatural elements of this novel. And, I will assure you, they don't get in the way, these hints that there is something beyond what we see with our own eyes. You can literally explain away what show more I will call, for want of a better term, "ghosts."

This is a multiple POV, intriguing, twisty mystery/thriller, earning four stars only because I did find the beginning too heavily invested in the supernatural. But hang with it, it's worth the ride. show less

Best thriller I've read in quite some time!
The Whisper Man is an engrossing, ominous read. In other words, a dark and creepy thriller...what more could you possibly want?

Twenty years ago, serial killer Frank Carter - nicknamed "The Whisper Man" on account of luring his victims out by whispering at their windows at night - was convicted for the murder of 4 children and put away for life. There was a 5th child that was unfortunately, never found which continues to haunt Detective Pete Willis to this day.
Now, another young boy has gone missing and his disappearance is unnervingly similar to Frank's crimes.
In need of a fresh start, Tom and his son Jake have relocated to Featherbank only to find themselves in the middle of the search for a serial killer. Since the death of his wife Tom has been having trouble connecting with Jake and is dismayed to find that Jake's imaginary friend appears to have followed them on their move. It isn't long before Jake begins reciting a rhyme about the show more Whisper man and Tom hears Jake whispering only this time, he says it's the boy in the floor...

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.

With enough twists and turns that serve to amp up the suspense, I had a hard time putting this down. Not only do we have a spine-tingling, edge of your seat thriller, this book has a heavy focus on father-son relationships and the characters are all very well-developed.

I loved this so much that even though I had finished reading it a day or so before the books release, I picked up the audiobook and gave that a listen as well. I was not disappointed - I also happen to love Christopher Eccleston from his Doctor Who days so of course I adored his narration.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

Wow!! I am seriously impressed with "The Whisper Man" I couldn't put this down I was that invested in the unfolding storyline.
I also understand this is a debut author so that's even more outstanding.
The main focus of this story was Tom Kennedy and his son Jake.
After the death of his wife Tom now a single parent moves his young son into the town of featherbank for a fresh start.
twenty years previous Frank Carter had terrorised this area abducting and murdering young boys he was monikered the whisper man.
now a new little boy is missing and policeman Pete Willis who handled the previous case back in the day is pulled back into the current ongoing investigation.
So this was told in dual POV Tom and Pete.
It was full of twists and turns a cleverly woven mystery that was hard to put down.
Part police procedural, supernatural and Crime Thriller this was in a class all of its own.
I especially liked the way this combined the riveting and at times eerie storyline with the everydays of normal show more life and the deeper issues of addiction and how this can affect the family.
The way this cleverly manages to weave all the loose threads into a coherent end-game just outstanding.
This was for me a five star read all the way.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Whisper Man.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com show less

The disappearance of young Neil Spencer seems a little too familiar to DI Pete Willis, who remains tortured by the missing body of a child from one of his cases decades prior. The Whisper Man, by Alex North (the author's name is an alias), is a new thriller that combines elements of the classic copycat serial killer storyline with an added hint of the paranormal. Even though he managed to capture the murderous "Whisper Man," Willis can't escape the guilt he feels for being unable to get closure. His attempts to get the convicted killer to reveal the location of his last victim only allows the murderer to torment him and reinforces Willis' sense of failure. His internal struggles and continuous battle against the addictions that cost him everything make Willis a layered and realistic character. In a parallel story arc, Jake is a contemplative and creative boy whose imaginary friends seem to be more ghostly and tragic than typical playmates. Tom, his novelist father, moves them to show more Featherbank after the accidental death of Jake's mother. This ineffective attempt is meant to help them both heal by removing themselves from the site of their painful memories. Their new house is deeply connected to the old Whisper Man case, however, and they soon become the target of a new killer whose MO is a mirror of the original. With a crafty imprisoned psychopath with inside knowledge and a misunderstood child/medium, the uncanny coincidences in this thrilling book may be a bit too reminiscent of plotlines from the Silence of the Lambs and "The Sixth Sense." Still, North's novel contains twists and reveals that remain surprisingly fresh, shocking and effective. The interior glimpse of the murderer's mind is cleverly portrayed, and the characters are well-written and genuine. With weighty themes including the "sins of the father", the destructive effects of addiction and abandonment, and redemption through forgiveness and selflessness, The Whisper Man manages to be an above average offering in an otherwise overcrowded genre.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. show less

Initially, and indeed throughout until the last twenty to thirty pages, the author implanted and slowly turned the screw on the reader's fears: missing children, discovering a dead family member, emotional and physical torture, a monstrous kidnapper taunting the police from his prison cell, and the anguish of father-son relationships gone awry. It has it *all*, and I was riveted from the get-go. Couldn't read this late at night due to the very vivid imagery of an unknown man whispering through an unlocked window. Simply thinking about it gives me the shivers.

However, a reasonably plotted and tautly paced story completely succumbed to the worst of all tropes: everybody else knew more than the police and acted in a more competent manner. Misguided? Definitely, but they got the job done. The final scenes infuriated me because they would *never* happen in real life, not even if all went sideways due to ineptitude or by design. The outcome was a cheap solution designed to shock, not show more reward the audience. For shame. This was easily a four to four-point-five effort until it fell apart, and so I must give a three star rating. More's the pity. show less

Sometimes pre-publication hype sets expectations too high, and that's the case for me with this book. I did like it, but it wasn't the 'creepy, intense thriller' that I anticipated.

The pace is a slow burn. We have quite a bit of emotional drama, though it's often repetitious and so I didn't feel a building of intensity. The characters felt stagnant and, consequently, so did I.

For me, this book feels more like a police procedural than a thriller. I figured out the whodunit early on. I kept hoping for something unexpected and chilling to happen, but for the most part it doesn't stray from the formulaic serial killer novel. Terrifying, yes, in the sense that any killer who preys on children is terrifying.

The supernatural aspect isn't fully developed or resolved, though I think this is an intentional tactic to shroud the story in mystery.

Maybe I'm jaded by too many thrillers and too much true crime. The writing is definitely engaging. It's a good story. It's just not the chilling show more thriller I expected.

*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.* show less

[b:The Whisper Man|41940236|The Whisper Man|Alex North|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541864083l/41940236._SY75_.jpg|63202631]
Do Not Read in Bed but Definitely Read it!
Thank you to NetGalley for my digital arc of this standout novel. I have never read a book that has given me the creeps while I enjoy it as much as this has. The story has such a scare and spook factor Alex North is a genius with words. The story surrounds Tom and his son Jake. In the tale
Tom and his young son Jake, move into a sleepy village in search of a new start after the death of Tom's wife. But Tom moves into a place called Featherbank and he moves there because his son picked out a strange house from the internet. Featherbank has a dark past where, fifteen years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five young boys. The killer was finally caught and put behind bars. He is known locally as The Whisper Man. Shortly after Tom and Jake move in another boy goes missing show more and the whispers begin again. If you are thinking the original Whisper Man…. Frank Carter is the Whisper Man, incarcerated in prison, reveling in his notoriety and reputation, playing mind games with 56-year-old DI Pete Willis, the man who caught him. Despite the emotional cost, Pete has persevered through the years, visiting Carter in prison, in the hope of a clue to where the body of a victim, young Tony Smith, can be recovered so his grieving parents can at least achieve a small measure of peace. I loved that Tom is a struggling writer in this novel and that the fractured relationship with his seven-year-old son makes this even creeper. Tom’s wife Rebecca was the one that was close to Jake and while trying to navigate a new life in a new town just adds to the story.

While Alex North’s Goodreads page states that this is his debut novel his writing style will make fans quickly. Alex North's writing is addictive, hooking the reader immediately, with its themes of fathers and their challenging relationships with their sons, grief, and loss, amidst a background of a child killer running rampant in the town it is a perfect read. There are twists and turns and well-written characters that make this easily a one day read. Five Whispery Stars! I cannot wait to see what his 2020 project is going to be like. show less

There are chills and goose bumps aplenty in this one. It is just begging to be made into a movie or a TV series. The plot is unique, brilliantly written and made to grab and hold on to the reader until the very end. The ghost story junkie in me looks for the paranormal and supernatural element so I’m happy to say that there are some of those in this story. A little girl that may or may not be real… but she knows and sees things and then relays them to Jake, The house adds to the ghostly effect with its very name. The townspeople call it “The Scary House”. Aside from the supernatural, it is also a story of fathers and sons and all the complexities that make up the fabric of life. If I am reading the bio correctly...this is the first novel that this author has written as Alex North but not the first novel that he has written. I can't find any other info on him other than he has written before under a different name. I certainly hope he writes more like this one.

The Whisper Man by Alex North is one of those books that captures your attention instantly and stays in your mind long after the last page is turned. Tom Kennedy and his seven-year-old son Jake move to the English small town of Featherbank to start a new life after the sudden death of Tom's wife. It was in Featherbank that, twenty years before, a psychopath had abducted and killed five young boys. Detective Pete Willis did not rest until Frank Carter was arrested and jailed forever for these horrible crimes. Carter was called the Whisper Man because the parents of the victims reported that their children had said that a man was whispering outside their bedroom window before the abductions. Now, after all this time, another boy disappears and his mother mentions that her son had said he heard a man whispering outside the window. Detectives Pete Willis and Amanda Beck believe that the perpetrator must be an accomplice of the Whisper Man. And then, little Jake Kennedy hears whispers show more in the night! This book is more than creepy: what makes it shine is the sensitive way the author develops the relationships. This is not your average scary tale. So turn up the lights and close your curtains and sink into something you will not soon forget. Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. show less

Reeling from the sudden death of his wife, Rebecca, Tom Kennedy and his young son, Jake, move into a new home. But the town of Featherbank has a dark past, thanks to Frank Carter, a serial killer known as The Whisper Man. Carter, who abducted and murdered five young boys, would lure his victims by whispering outside their windows at night.

As Tom and Jake move into their new home, a young boy vanishes in a manner similar to the modus operandi of the now-incarcerated Frank Carter. This re-ignites rumors . . . and fears . . . that Carter had had an accomplice during his reign of terror.

Detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis hunt for the boy, hoping to find him alive; in hopes of some information, Pete visits The Whisper Man in prison. But any information he may extract might be too late . . . Jake hears a whisper at his bedroom window.

Dark, grim, and unsettling, this British crime drama grabs readers from the first page and weaves its creepy spell as the intriguing story unfolds. An show more underlying feeling of dread and an ever-building sense of foreboding pervades the telling of the tale. The plot is complex, filled with unexpected surprises guaranteed to haunt readers with its suspenseful mystery. Well-developed, nuanced characters take turns serving as narrator; over the course of the story Pete Willis, Amanda Beck, Tom Kennedy, Jake Kennedy, and The Whisper Man move the story forward. Readers will find it difficult to set this chilling narrative aside before turning the final page.

Recommended. show less

I absolutely loved this book. It grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. It was full of dark and twisty moments and details, and at one point, I literally had chills up and down my spine because of the imagery in one scene. I can't wait to read more by Alex North, who is officially a buy everything author for me now. I enjoy his writing style and getting completely lost and absorbed in the worlds he creates. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller.

It's full of little moments that stick in your head, and refuse to let go. As the mystery unwinds and the truth starts to come to light, I was alternately horrified and heartbroken. There are so many layers to unpack in this book, and it's thoroughly satisfying to do so.

Alex North has crafted a tightly suspenseful thriller in his debut novel The Whisper Man. The story follows three main perspectives: Tom Kennedy, a recently widowed father trying to find a new start for him and his troubled son Jack; Pete Willis, a detective haunted by crimes of the past; and a mysterious, insidious voice who whispers to children in the dark shortly before they disappear from their homes.

I have seen The Whisper Man categorized as both a thriller and a mystery; however, I think the mystery of who is abducting the children is perhaps the weakest part of the story and the red herrings felt somewhat obvious. Instead, I think the strength of the novel lies in its atmosphere and its unsettling insights into the mind of a deeply disturbed individual.

69 books this year... that is almost 2 books a week people and this one...

This one!!

Up on the top 5 list for sure.

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.

Imagine...being a little boy and knowing this little rhyme; speaking to a little girl that no one else can see or talk to, but you.
A father and son move to a new home to get away from the past and living memories of when their wife/mother was still alive. Now that she is dead, they want to be able to learn how to move on. The father, Tom, finds a new home, A scary home that kids would dare each other to go into the garden, in a city that holds a dark past.

5 young boys have gone missing 20 years ago, all of their bodies found but one. Frank Carter is to blame for the horror of this town. His name to show more “fame” is The Whisper Man.
Carter is in prison, away from children forever. So, tell us why another one had gone missing that resembles his abductions from so long ago?
Pete Willis is back on the case, being haunted if the memories. Pete Willis is also the only visitor that Frank Carter has had in twenty years. Can he be able to figure out what had happened to this current boy missing before his body is found? Can he prevent any other boys from going missing?


This book is a terrifying debut! Gave me so many chills that multiple times I needed to close the book and watch a few minutes of Friends to bring laughter back to my life.

This book also shows how relationships can be with fathers and sons. It shows sadness but learning how to grow and overcome and to reunite.

So many twists throughout that kept me on my toes!! And the little girl in this...!!!!!! Eek!

Amazing book. Bravo and well done Mr. North! show less

4.5⭐⁠⠀
If you need some chills and thrills this novel delivers!
A very quick read under 2 days for me, I felt the creep factor- North writes effortlessly and a few of the scenes (?) were so smooth in execution I could out myself in the action and feel the hairs on my neck raise.
⠀
After the sudden death of his wife Tom Kennedy decides to make a fresh start in a new town with his son Jake.
Unfortunately, their “fresh start” lands them in the middle of a two decade old web of a serial killer- the Whisper Man.
20 years ago Frank Carter haunted the little town, whispering in windows and abducting boys. He is locked behind bars and the town is safe once again. Until a littleI’m boy goes missing- and his mother reports he heard whispering a few nights before he disappeared ....
....Now Jake is also hearing a whispering at the window....
⠀
I struggled between a 4.5 and a 5 for this one and ultimately decided to not let hype push me- there were a few loose ends I really need show more tied up otherwise this was perfect. It’s full of suspense and very creepy- might not be scary enough for big thrill seekers- it’s a subtle chill factor imo, not a book I would read home alone.
I was also very impressed with the generational cycle issues woven into this story and I hope once more people have read this that we can talk openly about these themes with spoiling!

Full review on my blog! ⠀www.readwithwine.com
⠀
A big thank you to Celadon and Goodreads for the copy of The Whisper Man! show less

'If you leave a door half open, you'll hear the whisper spoken.
If you play outside alone soon you won 't be going home.
If your Windows left unlatched, you'll hear him tapping at the glass.
If your lonely, sad, and blue, the whisper man will come for you.”

The Whisper Man by Alex North is a creepy serial killer/ psychological thriller. Tom Kennedy is a widower with a young son. They move to the small town of Featherbank, hoping for a fresh start. But Featherbank is full of secrets, as Tom is about to find out.

This book switches between first and third person, depending on who the focus is. It made for an interesting difference. Tom is the only one in first person and it makes for a great dynamic with the other characters. Tom is a writer, though he's been stuck since his wife's unexpected death. And he feels inadequate to raising his son alone. Sadly, Jake feels he's a burden to his father. They just don't know how to communicate with one another, and each is still grieving. show more

Jake is an unusual boy. He talks to an 'imaginary friend', a young girl who often shows when he is stressed. Tom is concerned for his son. Jake tends to be withdrawn and shy. He likes to draw, but his drawings are often bizarre. Then he begins hearing a man's voice…

The initial 'Whisper Man' serial killer case was fascinating to read about. The reason behind the copycat murders of present day threw me for a loop. North has great insight into mechanisms of abnormal psychology. Everything made sense in the end, but the lead up to it was just 'wow'! Same applies with the girl Jake sees, and the revelation of her identity. That was touching, and it also left it open to the possibility of the truly supernatural. Not gonna lie, I thought she was a murder victim.

The family closure Tom found with his own father was touching, as was the redemption his father found for the transgressions of Tom's childhood. I also really loved Pete, the detective who caught the first Whisper Man, and is now assisting on the copycat case. He seems so sad, especially with his ritual with the alcohol. He tests himself, and passes those tests, no matter how hard it is. There was an unexpected death too, that left me asea. Not gonna spoil it, but it was my favourite character. I seem good at picking faves that end up dying… Whyyyyyyy??

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Celadon Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for the Manhattan Book Review. show less

I know this gets said a lot in reviews and it is a huge cliché but I couldn’t stop reading this book! I started reading at 6pm and it is now 6am so it kept me going right through the night so enraptured that I didn’t even notice the night slipping away. I don’t get spooked easily but tonight I was glad of the company of my massive hound dog and I’m pretty sure if I had heard my letterbox rattling I might well gained more grey hairs than I already have!

I’ve not read such a genuinely chilling book like this for a long time, there are so many elements its hard to know where to begin. There is definitely a touch of the supernatural added to the mix of sadistic serial killer but so real that it was those bits that had me reading with the lights on!

The only comparisons I can make are Silence of the Lambs crossed with The Sixth Sense and Nightmare on Elm Street all combined but so so much better!

‘If you leave a door half open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken. If you show more 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.’

That was what brought back memories of my childhood, watching Nightmare on Elm Street for the first time and hearing that Freddy Krueger rhyme – ‘One Two Freddie’s coming for you’ and the chills that caused and this one did the same, except now I am considerably a lot older!

Jake is 100% the star of the show, his character is brilliantly portrayed and you cant help but feel for the poor lad, and then there is ‘The Whisper Man’ an abhorrent fascinating character that is all to real, as is the notoriety that these killers receive.

This is an outstanding debut novel of the highest order, a psychological thriller that is in a league of its own that will truly chill you to the bone.

A book that you seriously don’t want to miss this! #TheWhisperMan

The Whisper Man will be published on 13 June 2019

Huge thanks to the author Alex North, publishers Penguin UK – Michael Joseph and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.

https://debbiesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/the-whisper-man-by-alex-nort... show less

Looking at the cover for The Whisper Man by Alex North, I anticipated a nail biting, spine tingling suspense thriller, and I was not disappointed.

As I get to know Jake, Tom Kennedy’s son, better, I can tell he will be a special child. And his dad… Jake and Tom’s relationship is realistic, their feelings and struggles as they try to put their life back together are sad, yet hopeful.

They both need a fresh start after the loss, a new town, a new house. The house called to Jake and I wondered why. It had personality, but is there more to the story? Alex North’s description of the house makes me feel as if it is alive, waiting for the right people to come home.

I am trying to figure out what is going on with Jake, but Alex North keeps me in the dark. When I find out, I love it. I wonder why I didn’t think of that. I love when, in hindsight, things are so obvious, yet an author strings me along, making me wonder.

The killer…The Whisper Man…is s creepy because of the ease with show more which he lures the children in.

Pete, the lead investigator, has a history with The Whisper Man. I quickly came to care for this flawed character. He’s not a young hunk, but he does go to the gym and works hard at keeping himself in shape. He keeps his mind and his body occupied. He can also whip up a delicious meal.

At 70%…Hmmm… Got my imagination going with the dialogue and Jake’s thoughts. There has been a subtle threat of danger lurking on every page and I am waiting…sometimes the waiting and the ideas of what is to come is worse than what really happens. Will that be the case?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Whisper Man by Alex North.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com show less

Recently widowed Tom decides that a fresh start for him and his son Jake is best so they move to the village of Featherbank. Jake is a troubled boy who has imaginary friends rather than real ones but he is keen to move so Tom buys a small house in the village. Although the setting for a series of child murders many years ago, Featherbank appears to be a nice place to bring up child. That is until another child goes missing and suddenly for the police it is a race against time.
I found this book quite difficult to review as it creates several different and contrary feeling in me. There is no doubt that North can plot a story and write in a way that leaves the reader wanting more. However I also felt that this book tried just a little too hard. There are so many sub-genres here - slightly supernatural, serial killer reborn, estranged family, cliched cop with a drink problem - that I just started getting annoyed. Maybe if North simplified his ideas the book might have been more show more successful for me. Having said that I appear to be in the minority as the book has sold lots and garnered excellent reviews. show less

I have been looking forward to reading The Whisper Man by Alex North for months... and I’m happy to report that it did not disappoint! This book was amazing... disturbing and suspenseful... but utterly amazing! The writing was superb, the characters were very realistic and well-developed, and the plot moved along at a fast page-turning pace. And as with any thriller, there was a plot/character twist but I guarantee that you won’t see it coming or be able to figure out “whodunnit.”

I don’t get scared easily but I love to psych myself out and I was able to do so from the very first page of this book. The opening page included this creepy passage:

“It’s not going to be easy, and I need to start with an apology. Because over the years I’ve told you many times that there’s no such thing as monsters.

I’m sorry that I lied.”

This book has been classified as Horror, but it isn’t really horror in the classic sense. It’s more of a psychological thriller with a touch show more of horror. At the same time, it’s better than most typical psychological thrillers out there.

Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t wait to see what else Mr. North has up his sleeve!

Thank you BookishFirst and Celadon Books 🦋📚 show less

Oh my god what a great book this is!!! Read it all holding my breath and feeling creeped out the whole time.
Tom and his son Jake move to Featherbank after loosing his wife. They are both looking to move on in a new place; but little do they know that 15 years ago, a serial killer abducted and killed 5 little boys in Featherbank.
All is well until Jake starts to hear whispers, which is the exact way all the abductions took place 15 years ago.
Told with heartbreaking honesty and amazing detail to make your spine crawl, The Whisper Man is not to be read in the dark hours.
Just freaking amazing. Can’t wait to see what Alex North gives us next.

The best thrillers for me are those where you cannot tell from the outset whether the principal characters will survive the ordeal presented by the book more or less intact, either physically or psychologically. The author has to make us feel connected to the characters, to want them to come through safely - but at the same time to allow for the possibility that they may not.

I think having an innocent child in the mix makes this harder, since really, what kind of book (other than in the horror genre) ends with a sweet kid falling prey to an evil villain? In that case, there has to be more than one adult protagonist so that we have plenty of characters and options to worry about and mull over.

And Alex North does a good job at that, with a series of slow reveals about true identities and relationships, and an ongoing question as to whether certain events might be truly supernatural in nature. That's one of the strengths of the book, setting up situations that are seemingly show more inexplicable in any other way than otherworldly intervention. The ending is interesting, in that there is a conventional conclusion (which I found a bit weak), followed by a final scene that is far more interesting.

I'd say [b:The Whisper Man|41940236|The Whisper Man|Alex North|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541864083l/41940236._SY75_.jpg|63202631] is an above average thriller, especially on the grounds of tight plotting. Good editing could probably have reduced that length by 10% without harming the story, but compared with much of the bloat we see these days, that's not bad.

FWIW, I don't think the narrator added anything to the audiobook. There was a certain blunt coarseness to his voice that was a bit (IMO) inconsistent with the main character, who is supposed to be creative and troubled, and was once a sensitive child. Oh well. I doubt that anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers will be disappointed with this. show less

Tom and his son Jake move into a cottage for a new start. The cottage has always had a bit of a reputation for being scary. Meanwhile in the village a boy has been taken with similarities to crimes committed years ago, but the person responsible is still in prison.

I enjoyed this book. However I do always find it hard to read when there is crimes against children. I really wanted to read this book however as I had heard good things about it.

The story is mainly a crime thriller with a little bit of a supernatural element to it. I was expecting the story to be a ghostie one but it is mainly thriller.

The story follows Tom and Jake as they try to settle in their new house. The story is interesting enough with a little surprise half way through.

Not really a lot more I can say as with thrillers saying too much can give the whole plot away. The story was an easy read with a satisfying end. I enjoyed the book and will read more by the author.

4.5 stars.

The Whisper Man by Alex North is a spine-chilling, atmospheric mystery.

Twenty years ago, the idyllic town of Featherbank was rocked by a series of kidnappings. Detective Inspector Pete Willis is consumed with solving the disappearances of the five little boys who are missing. His tenacious investigation eventually leads to the discovery of the bodies of four of the young boys. Local man Frank Carter is arrested and convicted of the murders but he still refuses to divulge the location of his fifth and final victim, Toby Smith. Pete remains convinced Frank was working with an accomplice and he has never given up hoping he will find Toby.

In the present, Featherbank is once again shaken by the disappearance of six year old Neil Spencer. Although not officially working the case, Pete joins Detective Inspector Amanda Beck in the search for the missing boy. With absolutely no clues or leads, the case soon goes cold. However, after Neil's mother tells Amanda that Neil heard show more someone whispering to him before he vanished, Pete is assigned to the investigation. Visiting Frank in prison, Pete hopes the convicted killer will provide information that will help find Neil. Will Pete finally learn the identity of Frank's suspected accomplice?

Recently widowed and still grieving, author Tom Kennedy hopes moving to Featherbank will help both him and his seven year old son Jake recover from their loss. Young Jake is a sensitive little boy who enjoys solitary pursuits. Jake is excited about their new home, but Tom feels an overwhelming sense of dread as they settle into their new lives. Tom's fears immediately come to fruition when Jake begins hearing whispers in the night. Can he prevent his son from becoming The Whisper Man's next victim?

The Whisper Man is a mesmerizing mystery with an overwhelmingly eerie storyline. Tom's relationship with Jake is fraught but there is no doubt he fiercely loves his son. Jake is a fascinating little boy who is creative and relies on his imaginary friend to protect him. With stunning twists, startling turns and a humdinger of a bombshell, Alex North brings this suspenseful mystery to a pulse-pounding conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this masterfully-plotted, clever novel. show less

If I wanted to get specific I would probably give this a 3.75 star. I agree with the criticism that the ending is a bit anti-climatic but overall I was freaked out enough by this that I think it deserves a good score.

Nothing will ever top the spooky vibes I got by reading [b:The Shining|12977531|The Shining (The Shining, #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333576785l/12977531._SY75_.jpg|849585] at my kitchen counter while school was canceled because of Hurricane Irma so the weather outside was absolutely awful. It's not even fair to compare anything else to that. But this still managed to make me very spooked while I was listening to the audiobook, which is still an accomplishment.

One weird thing about listening to the audiobook while I read along was that the audiobook used British terms for things, like torch instead of flashlight, but the kindle version switched all those to the American term. It's always weird for me when I show more notice those things because it still seems weird to me that those get changed for different markets but that's probably just something I care about.

On to the actual story, the focus on this is definitely on father-son relationships that are somewhat unhealthy or just developing in various ways. I liked these different dynamics as a framing for the story. I liked the character of Jake the best. I almost always like the child characters in more horror stories and that was the case here. I liked Jake's relationship with his dad. I'm mostly a romance reader because I like a happy ending and a lot of horror and thriller books have more melancholic endings but I did mostly liked how it wrapped up here.

I do wish that this had focused entirely on the father-son dynamics. There was a woman who was a love interest and one woman who was a police officer. These characters, especially the police officer, who had chapters from her perspective, were super underdeveloped and flat. The narrative would have been stronger if they just weren't part of the story.

There were definitely some questions left unanswered for me by the end. I feel like things were quite a few things that were set up and then just mostly irrelevant to the ending. I don't think everything needs to be tied into the ending but there were a few things regarding motive and history that I wanted clear answers to.

I would definitely read more from this author. I think his other book is more of a straight-up horror novel and I think I would be interested in reading that. show less

A Good One!

Well my daughter did it again. She picked out The Whisper Man as a gift for me, and it was such an enjoyable read! It’s sort of strange to say that given the subject matter of the book is child abduction and the serial murders of children (no, that’s not a spoiler). It did take me a few chapters to get used to the switching from first to third person, but by the last quarter of the novel everything had come together perfectly. I had never read Alex North before and but there were enough “mate”s in the book along with a few other hints, to guess the author hails from down under. Aside from this, the story could have been set anywhere. The book is more than just a typical serial killer thriller. It explores the father-son relationship from several different angles and generations. In the end this exploration was well developed and satisfying. I think I’ll give Alex North another spin soon!

4.5 Creepy in the extreme. British thriller set in the fictional small town of Featherbank where a young boy has just disappeared. Neil Spencer was walking home between his alcoholic parents' homes when his whereabouts were last known. As the case unfolds, it begins to resemble a case twenty years ago that DI Pete Willis broke: Frank Carter was arrested for abduction and death of a handful of young boys, but one's remains were never found. This has haunted him: "...the small broken frame that had once supported and held a human being, along with all the inherent possibilities of what it might become." (204) Carter is still in jail, so who is the copycat? Why now? Willis and DI Amanda Beck are determined to have a good outcome for Neil and to prevent other boys from being taken. Another such potential "loner" kid is Jake Kennedy. He and single Dad, Tom have just moved to Featherbank to make a fresh start after the death of Mom/wife Rebecca a year earlier. Jake is very imaginative, show more withdrawn and timid, in need of grief counseling, probably. Tom has a hard time understanding and relating to him and ends up more frustrated than anything. When Jake starts talking to imaginary people in the new house and acting up at his new school and repeating a sinister rhyme about the Whisper Man: "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." (304), it's clear the plot lines are going to converge, but how they do and what surprises emerge are really well done. It is a great blend of real-life scary and supernatural spooky, and attests to human goodness' ability to fight off evil. show less

This is definitely an unsettling, creepy, and atmospheric story with a tinge of folklore.
It is extremely well written and I had a hard time putting it down. The author has a way of slowly building suspense and even though I knew where the story was heading, I wanted to read it in the author's own words.
I can't say that I really liked any of the main characters aside from Jake but the storyline and writing are exceptional. It gave me vibes of Silence of the Lambs.

3 1/2 stars. The first half of THE WHISPER MAN rated 3 stars, the second half 4.

The mystery in this book is good. Tom Kennedy and his young son Jake are learning how best to live since Rebecca, Tom’s wife and Jake’s mother, died. So they decide to move to a house that will not remind them of Rebecca, especially Jake’s memory of his mother's body at the bottom of the stairs. It is their move to that particular house that involves them in the mystery of the whisper man.

In the city where Tom and Jake have moved, the whisper man has taken the lives of several young boys. The body of one of the boys killed 20 years ago has never been found.

The whisper man of the 20-year-old crimes has been found and is now in prison. But he seems to have had an accomplice, although he will not say so or indicate who it is. Is this other whisper man now coming for Jake?

Even though this mystery is good, I did not find it spooky, as other reviewers have, and the first half of THE WHISPER MAN is not show more thrilling and too easy to put down. Mysteries and thrillers should be unputdownable books. show less

Suspenseful and chilling; The Whisper Man will leave readers unsettled and cautious in their own homes. I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated brilliantly by British actor, Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) and I would definitely recommend that to anyone who enjoys listening to audio. Tom and his young son Jake move to a new house after the unexpected death of his wife. They're hoping for a fresh start but, soon the whispers start coming. A little boy Jake's age has disappeared and it bears a strong resemblance to the Whisper Man serial killer that murdered young boys two decades prior. Was there an accomplice? Is Jake in danger? The suspense builds quickly and things only become darker. Creepy and wonderful!

I had read so many early positive reviews for this one, I was afraid it wouldn't live it up to the hype. While this wasn't quite a 5 star, unbelievably awesome read for me, it was still a very solid story and I would totally read another book by the author in the future.

Tom Kennedy's wife died recently and he thinks moving to a different house in a different town with his young son, Jake, is a good idea. Unfortunately, the town has an unfortunate history as twenty years ago, five residents were abducted and murdered. Frank Carter, aka The Whisper Man, was convicted and sent to prison for the horrible crimes. He supposedly lured his victims by whispering outside of their windows. Fast forward to the present and another boy has vanished and detectives think there might be some type of link to this case and the crimes of The Whisper Man. While the search is on for the missing boy, poor Jake hears a whisper at his window. *cue the creepy music

So the story definitely has a creepy and show more horror like vibe because the whole Whisper Man stuff is pretty disturbing. Right from the get go you get hooked on the story because not only do you want to find out what happened to the missing child but you are also concerned for Jake. The story follows several characters including Jake, his father, and a few of the detectives, and that coupled with the short chapters help it move along at a nice pace. I wouldn't say this is a book filled with twists and turns but instead feels like good, old-fashioned storytelling which is refreshing given so many current writers just try too hard at coming up with these over the top stories but neglect to fine tune basic elements. The Whisper Man might not have had anything that wowed me, but it definitely is a solid story and one that I can easily recommend.

Thank you to BookishFirst and Celadon Books for sending me an advance copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion. show less

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.

Tom Kennedy is a novelist who has not written much in the ten months since his wife, Rebecca, suddenly passed away. Adding to Tom's misery is the fact that he has difficulty communicating with his only child, seven-year-old, Jake. The boy is imaginative and loves art, but he is a loner, can be sullen, and is still healing after losing the mother he adored. In an effort to start fresh, Tom buys an odd-looking house in a place called Featherbank which, it turns out, is probably not the best choice for this depressed pair. Jake enrolls in school, but his odd behavior (he speaks to imaginary friends) and lack of social skills make him the target of bullies. As if this is not upsetting enough, this town is notorious for being the site where a serial killer, Frank Carson, kidnapped and killed five boys twenty year earlier. Only four of the bodies were recovered. Frank, who is in prison, is an unrepentant sadist who is proud of his macabre crimes.

“The Whisper Man,” by Alex North, show more sticks closely to the conventions of its genre. A six-year-old, Neil Spencer, walks home from school alone, and disappears before he reaches his destination; the aforementioned serial killer, Frank Carson, seems to know more than he is willing to reveal to the authorities; and fifty-six-year-old DI Pete Willis, a recovering alcoholic, has disturbing memories that gives him no peace. Tom Kennedy, meanwhile, is trying to earn Jake's trust so that they can attempt to rebuild their broken family.

Alas, the book's pace is sluggish, the revelations are foreshadowed before they are divulged, and the predictable conclusion is disappointingly flat. In addition, this work of fiction has a supernatural element that is never fully developed. "The Whisper Man" lacks the suspense, depth, and originality that might have made it a memorable thriller. Still, Alex North effectively and poignantly conveys the idea that the failure of fathers to bond in a wholesome manner with their sons can have long-lasting and tragic consequences. show less

Tom Kennedy and his son, Jake are moving to a new town a year after the death of Jake's mother. Tom allows Jake to choose the house, but regrets it immediately when he sees how spooky their new house is. Tom and Jake have had lots of trouble communicating, but Tom hopes that the move will give them a fresh start. The town that they move into has a storied history; Featherbank was the site of the death of four young boys 20 years before, but even though the man the press called "The Whisper Man" who had killed the boys is in jail, another boy from the town has gone missing. DI Amanda Beck has been assigned to the new case, but because of his involvement in the first investigation, DI Pete Willis has been brought in on the case. Pete doesn't want to be part of the investigation because "The Whisper Man" case has haunted him for years, but he doesn't have much choice because they need help from the original "Whisper Man," and he will talk with no one but Pete.

The Whisper Man is really show more two stories that intersect making one book. The mystery of the missing boy takes center stage, but there are also themes of survival after loss and the relationships between fathers and sons. Overall, The Whisper Man is a good, suspenseful thriller made stronger by the themes included in the story. show less

What a debut book! This was a BOTM selection and I'm so glad I chose it.

Tom and his 7 year old son, Jake, move to Featherbank to escape the sadness of their previous house after Tom's wife (Jake's mom) passes away suddenly. Several years earlier, a young boy was kidnapped in Featherbank by the Whisper Man, who whispers outside the home of the victim to lure them out. The Whisper Man is caught and in jail serving his sentence.

Shortly after Tom and Jake move there, another young boy is abducted. Did The Whisper Man have an accomplice or is this a copycat? Detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis are investigating the newest abduction but Pete is still haunted by an earlier case involving The Whisper Man because one of the boys' bodies has never been found.

And then Jake starts talking to an imaginary friend who tells him a poem about The Whisper Man and then Jake starts hearing whispering outside his window.....

“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 should have loved this - but I set the wrong expectations. I was looking for a creepy, more horror driven book. This is not that - much more a mystery and thriller. The tagging is perfect and it's completely my fault for going in with different expectations. So I've settled my rating on 3 stars.

It's actually a good mystery - full of twists and turns. I thought a few connections were a bit too....convenient, but all in all, it was interesting and I like the way it turned out (even if it did give me shivers at the end).

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Tom Kennedy thinks that life in a new town would be the best thing for himself and his son after he tragically loses his wife. What Tom wasn't aware of is that twenty years previously, there was a serial killer who murdered five little boys. He was caught, and the town was safe.

Now that Tom moves into a new house, his son Jake suddenly has an imaginary friend and also begins to hear things like whispering. As a matter of fact, the killer from before was called "The Whisper Man". This alerts detectives to the decades old case. At the time, it was wondered if he had an accomplice. Then, a little boy disappears. Was there someone else involved in the previous murders? Is he active now? What is Jake hearing? Lastly, are Tom and Jake safe? It is questions like this that has just about everyone on edge.

Although I had this book for review as an ARC, because I didn't get a chance to read it until after it was released, I listened to it as an audiobook. So, imagine an show more intense, creepy tale. The safety of young Jake, and the other missing child, is critical. But, to listen to the whispering, well, the hairs on my arms raised quite a bit. What is more, is I could not listen to it at night! But, boy, was this book well-done!

This thriller is as close to horror as I can take. Yeah, I am a chicken! Despite that, this book was really compelling. Difficult to put down (unless I was scared out of my wits, lol). The varying POVs made this book even better. Alex North may be new to me, but no doubt I will be back for more.

Many thanks to Celadon Books and to Edelweiss for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. show less

The Whisper Man is a serial killer from twenty years ago who murdered five young boys in a small town.. But he's in prison now right? So then who is responsible for this new murder?

You will burn through this book! You can't put it down and it's over before you're ready. All the characters are well developed and fully fleshed out. The plot maintains a creepy suspense throughout that will have you double checking your doors and closing your blinds. Alex North's writing is good, the atmosphere is creepy, and the pacing doesn't slow. A few twists I wasn't expecting were even thrown in. The Whisper Man echoes some of the greats, but is fresh and creative enough to deserve its own spot in the genre.

There were definitely some creepy/suspenseful moments here, but The Whisper Man is hampered by a seeming inability to decide if it wants to be a suspense thriller or a more introspective novel about the damage fathers do to their sons. While its certainly not impossible for a book to do both, the author needs to really commit in a way that North seemed unwilling to do.

The ending of this book was unexpected and gut wrenching. I read an advance copy please don't change it.

This was a well written smooth read. The interactions between characters grew and became both more sensible and more intriguing as they went along in the story.
Loved it.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing me an ARC of this book to review. This review is not in any way influenced by the author or publisher.

“The Whisper Man” is Alex North’s first suspense/thriller novel. There are some disturbing themes in it.

Set in the UK, “The Whisper Man”, has several alternating points of view (POV) – Tom Kennedy, his son Jake, Detective Inspector (DI) Pete Willis. It even takes a POV of the kidnapper and killer. The story is told over six parts.

The book gets its name from the nickname of a serial child kidnapper/killer called the “Whisper Man” due to the fact he would stalk his victims and whisper at their windows prior to their abduction.

The book begins with the abduction of a child – Neil Spencer, just like the ones some 20 years before. And, DI Willis has some experience there – he was the one who put “The Whisper Man” away, also known as Frank Carter. Spencer volunteers in the search for Neil, to no avail. Willis is also show more haunted by the fact that the body of one of Carter’s victims was never found. It cost him his marriage and his own child.

The man who haunts and taunts Pete is the one man who can assist the DI. Carter speaks more or less in riddles, but ones that Pete usually figures out or should.

As that is going on, Tom Kennedy (a recent widower) decides that he and his son Jake need a fresh start. Interestingly it is Jake who picks the house in Featherbank after seeing it online. And, Tom hopes that once they move, his son’s imaginary friend (a little girl) will go away. Jake starts off at the new school in the yellow zone with his behavior.

But, weird things begin to happen to Tom – his son talks about a boy in the floor, butterflies, and then there is the strange rhyme. Jakes claims to have learned the rhyme from his imaginary friend:

“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.”

Tom has no idea what it means or how Jake could’ve learned it.

After a near break-in, Tom investigates his garage and makes a gruesome discovery – one that connects with his own past and the past of DI Willis.

Jake starts hearing “whispers”. Tom already feels inadequate as a parent and wonders what, if anything, he can do to right the course. Tom will also have to come to grips with his relationship with his father.

At the heart of this novel, there is an underlying tone of the father-son dynamics and relationships.

I was surprised by Tom’s father as well as who Jake’s imaginary friend turns out to be. The new killer wasn’t much of a surprise. After reading it, it was almost a given as to who it was. It did make sense and kept the story connected.

I found the storyline to be a cross between “Silence of the Lambs” with a hint of the Slender Man Urban Legend. This book is terrifying, riveting, and a page-turner. It was an interesting read and managed to keep my attention from beginning to end. It was hard not to want to skip ahead to see the outcome.

For those who enjoyed “Silence of the Lambs” or movies/books of that genre – I would recommend the book. For those triggered by child abductions, child murder, serial killers – I wouldn’t recommend this book. show less

Wow! The last 120 pages I couldn't / wouldn't put down. That's not to say the rest of the book wasn't just as good, but I was intent on finishing this. A serial child abductor/killer, caught and put behind bars for 20 years. The cop that put him away still haunted by the child that is still missing. A father and son, who in the wake of the loss of the wife/mother, try to start over. A new disappearance of a child. How do all of storylines connect? That is what had me on the edge of my seat. Although I am not sure how I feel about the last chapter, mixed emotions for sure, this was a great read. I am only rating this as 4-stars because of that last chapter. Not that there was anything wrong with it. The ending can be interpreted a couple ways and that is where I am hung up.

I enjoyed this book and would definitely describe it as a page turner. I did find some parts repetitive (being told information twice is a pet peeve of mine, especially when I feel it has not added to the development of anything) and the story was fairly predictable. I did enjoy the focus on fathers and sons, and the exploration of emotion in childrearing.

This novel is extremely well written and absolutely thrilling in its structure. I loved every single part of the creeping tension and the not knowing things. And since this is a debut novel, I must say, “well done!” to the author.

Christopher Eccleston is the narrator for the audiobook, and being a huge Doctor Who fan, I jumped at that chance. I’d never listened to him narrate a novel before.
Well Christopher is an amazing actor, but he narrates novels like the kind of parent reading a bedtime story to his kids, who hates ‘doing the voices’, so he refuses to. That can be ok some times, and sucky on others. There was a couple times where two people would be having a conversation and there wasn’t any.... ‘Bob said, “___________”, and then Jane said, “_______”.’ So it was difficult to tell who said what, to whom, and if there were both people talking or just one. Maybe that’s nitpicking to you, but as someone who listens to audiobooks as the main form of show more consumption, it can get confusing.
But other than this, Christopher’s melodious voice was a balm to this weary listener. His narrating faults, though slight, did nothing to detract from this listener’s enjoyment for long, or many times.

Weird trivia about the novel: The Whisper Man was inspired by North's own little boy, who mentioned one day that he was playing with "the boy in the floor." (This was posted on the author’s about section, here in fb).

4 stars, and highly recommended to all. show less

3.5 Stars

An intriguing and satisfying thriller which was chilling and atmospheric and really well written.

A great read for the winter nights as this is a creepy and chilling tale.

Still devastated after the loss of his wife, Tom Kennedy and his young son Jake move to the sleepy village of Featherbank and looking to make a fresh start.
But this is a community with a dark past as Fifteen years previously a twisted serial killer abducted and murdered five young boys, The Killer was known as the Whisper man. As Jake and Tom settle into their new lives, the disappearance of another young boy comes back to haunt the community.

A book with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested some I bought into and others I had a little more difficultly believing.
However, I did like the story and the characters were well drawn and this was one of those novels that keeps you guessing right to the end.

My thanks to Penguinr and randomhouse for the opportunity to read this one in return show more for an honest review show less

I wish he could have ratcheted up the tension one more click and expanded the stories of some of the characters to make it overall more compelling, but I really enjoyed this mystery. It oozes of atmosphere and would probably be more enjoyable closer to Halloween. Not that I would classify it as horror, but there is plenty of creepiness in it. I'm looking forward to his future books.

Tom and his son, Jake are making a new start after the death of Tom’s wife. With no family, they only have each other. A new start with a new school and new friends and a new house should be exactly what they need to ease the pain of the past they are both haunted by. But this isn’t the start Tom had wanted. It’s a rough go for Jake at his new school. And it’s an ugly house. A strange house. The scary house all the kids in the town fear is haunted.
And then there are strange occurrences that prevent Tom from the new start he was picturing. Things that go bump and creak in the night. Strangers lurking the property. The nightmares. And who is Jake speaking to when no one is there?
There is stories in the town about “the whisper man”. Was he real or just an urban legend from some child murders years ago. Until another boy disappears. And it starts again. The sounds and the fear that the Whisper Man is real. And he’s back.
This book is the debut of Alex North. And what a show more debut! This book is gripping. And creepy. And so good! I dare anyone to read it at night. Every sound gives you a jolt as you dig further and further into the story you can’t and don’t want to put down.
The main characters are endearing and you can’t help but feeling like they are people you know and being invested in what happens to them. There’s a couple of surprise reveals in store as the story continues to spook us. I love a spooky story that can scare me a little without graphic horror and this story managed to have me listening for creaks in my own house while not painting a bloody picture of the whole story.
I would love to see this book made into a movie.
I will be waiting anxiously for another book from this gifted author.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this book by receiving a free copy in exchange for an honest review. show less

I had seen this book on plenty of TBRs and several book vlogs and suggestion videos, and so once I read the brief synopsis I felt like this book would be something I would like to read, especially since Fall and Halloween are coming. I was able to get it quite quickly at my local public library and started reading it as soon as I got it. I read through the first half --almost-- very fast and was really loving the story and then it just fell flat for me. I have had a lot going on this past week including a very traumatic experience, so perhaps my reading was affected by that, but I am not sure. Regardless, I finished this book a few days ago and I did sort of enjoy how it was tied up.

This book begins with a letter from a father to his son. In the letter, the father apologizes for monsters and it offers a resolution to events in their past which become the focus on the book. The father Tom Kennedy, and his son Jake are moving to a different city after the death of their wife/mother show more Rebecca. Tom is a writer and is stuck in a writing rut while Jake can't get the traumatic imagery of his dead mother out of this mind. They settle on a weird-looking house in the quiet town of Featherbank. Little do they know, 20 years earlier this quiet town was the scene of a set of gruesome murders and The Whisper Man who was known for whispering into the windows of his victims. Jake is a very imaginative boy with childhood trauma and a packet of special things that he carries around with him at all times. Throughout the story, events make it seem like The Whisper Man may be back, although he was put behind bars years ago. Another young boy has gone missing, while a cold case is still open from 20 years ago.

I don't want to give too much away here because there are a lot of things that happen and a lot of plot twists that are paced throughout the book. The part that I really struggled with in this book was the pacing....actually. It was difficult for me to realize it as I was reading, but this book is nicely even when it comes to events and it unfolds well. Perhaps I was just too eager to find out what was happening. Also, there is a nice mix of supernatural and natural events that come together to make a really interesting story and add some flair to this murder mystery/thriller. I enjoyed how this was obviously a human story, but it didn't leave out elements that are beyond our control. I also liked how there wasn't an overload of details and elements related to the supernatural at the beginning or the ending, but they seemed to be distributed.

I really loved the connection between father and child; I feel like this isn't a story that is written often or thought about. Usually, we hear or read about a mother or woman's intuition about a child versus a father's or a man's. This story really turns that upside down and focuses on the father-son/child bond but doesn't just throw out the connection to the mother. It also uses a lot of details about the emotional bond between a father and his children. Again, this isn't something that we are used to reading about or even viewed as similar to a mother's. If this story was centered around a mother and her child, we would probably expect whatever happens rather than being surprised when it comes to a father and child. I liked reading this alternate telling, although it should be normalized. I was really surprised at the end when some things are revealed and loved that tie up and connection. I felt like that plot twist was well done, and not expected by me at all.

Overall, this was a really interesting story to read. I haven't read a proper murder/serial killer thriller in a bit that I can remember, so it was a nice refreshing into a genre that I like to read but just forget about. I felt like the story was well done. Although there was a lag in the middle, it seemed like it picked back up just after and finished up nicely. The ending of this book, and what The Whisper Man says at the end was quite chilling. It is a little open-ended, so I am curious what the author meant to be understood in that scene.

This would be a great book to read around the spooky Halloween season because it is quite creepy and disturbing and has some really strong and frightening imagery at times. The story delves into the dark sides of human activity and the psyche while maintaining a core of humanity, love, and redemption. show less

This had good plot, and some fun tense moments, but the voices of the characters got muddled together for me, and I wasn't always sure who I was following. It's a good quick thriller though, with several different eras colliding as crimes are uncovered and repeated in present day.

One of the best audiobooks I listened to this year. I don't usually love mysteries, and this was can't put it down, sit up late at night to finish a chapter, recommend to every friend good. If LT offered a 6th star, this book would get it.

Thanks to Celadon Books for sending me a copy of this book!
This weekend, I was completely absorbed in The Whisper Man by Alex North. This book was equal parts chiller and thriller. Constantly turning the pages to see what would happen next, I couldn’t put it down. This story even reminded me a bit of Nightmare on Elm Street with its catchy, creepy rhyme. Don’t leave your door half-open!

One thing that struck me about The Whisper Man was the switch between first- and third-person narrative. I wouldn’t have thought I’d like it, but it really helped me to see the story from various viewpoints while focusing on Tom, one of the main characters.

The story also looped about and around, creating a confusing web, yet still connected in the end. I really liked seeing how the mystery unraveled.

Fabulous debut! This book really covered the gamut of all the really good stuff: creepy vibe, grief, loss, heartbreak, family dynamics, police procedure, prison life, sick and disgusting "hobbies", murder, kidnapping - did I mention the creepy vibe?? Seriously. it's really, really creepy. And it was a page turner, not just because of the great story line, but also the quick chapters and changing narrators (which normally really bother me) kept the pace up and the different perspectives kept me on my toes. And while there is child harming the author never goes into details, which I really appreciated. So glad to have read this. Thanks go to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

First book by Alex North and what a brilliant psychological thriller it has proved to be. The body of a child Neil Spencer is discovered his death bearing an uncanny resemblance to the murder of five children some years ago...but that is impossible as the killer Frank Carter is imprisoned. DI Pete Willis is the policeman in charge but he is haunted by his past failures and his daily struggle with alcoholism...."So drink then. You're worthless . Just do it. The urge was stronger than ever, but he could survive this. After all ,he had resisted the voice in the past"... There is not only a great story line but add to this a touch of the supernatural and characters that jump off the page then we have all the ingredients for a super exciting thriller. Many thanks to the good people of netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written. Highly recommended.

Alex North has written a suspenseful novel that centers around missing and murdered children. Tom Kennedy and his son, 7-year old Jake, are grieving the loss of their wife and mother in a new town in a house that seems to hold many secrets. I found the premise intriguing, but faltered at the supernatural elements. There is also a lot of police procedural in the book for those who like that element, which I don't. The ending isn't particularly surprising, but brings resolution to a father and son.

Wow!! I am seriously impressed with "The Whisper Man" I couldn't put this down I was that invested in the unfolding storyline.
I also understand this is a debut author so that's even more outstanding.
The main focus of this story was Tom Kennedy and his son Jake.
After the death of his wife Tom now a single parent moves his young son into the town of featherbank for a fresh start.
twenty years previous Frank Carter had terrorised this area abducting and murdering young boys he was monikered the whisper man.
now a new little boy is missing and policeman Pete Willis who handled the previous case back in the day is pulled back into the current ongoing investigation.
So this was told in dual POV Tom and Pete.
It was full of twists and turns a cleverly woven mystery that was hard to put down.
Part police procedural, supernatural and Crime Thriller this was in a class all of its own.
I especially liked the way this combined the riveting and at times eerie storyline with the everydays of normal show more life and the deeper issues of addiction and how this can affect the family.
The way this cleverly manages to weave all the loose threads into a coherent end-game just outstanding.
This was for me a five star read all the way.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Whisper Man.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com show less

The Whisper Man came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. In a very oversaturated thriller market, it can be hard to find a suspenseful book that feels unique and satisfying anymore. I was hesitant to read another so-so thriller but The Whisper Man was a pleasant reading surprise.

The characters are detailed and well written and the story is captivating and chilling. This book takes you on a suspenseful ride while also keeping you guessing until the very end. It's a race against time to solve a decades-old mystery that just might be happening again and it is full of twists and turns with a satisfying ending. If you love suspense and thrillers, you should definitely add this one to your reading list!

An outstanding new thriller for fans of Kathy Reichs and Thomas Harris. Dark and sinister with excellent character development, this story will keep you turning pages and shuddering in suspense ot the small hours. There's a killer on the loose and they're copying the killings by a convicted serial killer from 20 years ago, and the victims appear to be young boys around the age of 10. The interweaving narratives between the killer and our other characters (detectives/protagonist etc.) provides excellent depth and buy-in and sets you on a course for a truly creepy thriller.

This one was almost fantasy like, and I would say a guessing game as to who was more evil of the characters, even the boy gave me the creeps. Very good story telling and kept me guessing right to the end.

A creepy, interesting read. The characters were well developed and the plot hummed along nicely. The only thing that seemed a bit off to me was the pace, seemed a bit slow at the beginning and then rushed at the end. But overall, really enjoyable.

After the death of Tom Kennedy's wife, he decides to start fresh with his son Jake by moving to a new neighborhood and house. Little did Tom know the history of the town, where a serial killer killed 5 residents and was given the name The Whisper Man. As they Tom and Jake settle in a child goes missing and matches the methods of the Whisper Man. As detectives work on the case Jake starts to act strangely and then heats whispering from his window.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author Alex I think did really well on portraying the father and how he acts around everyone and his son especially when is comes to the traumatic experience they both faced. The book really made me feel that this was based on a ture story at certain parts because of how well it was told. My heart raced towards the end as I got to the end and then was filled with love and happiness. I truly recommend this book and am looking forward to read more of Alex's creations.

Ever since the death of Rebecca, Tom Kennedy’s wife, there has been endless and tiring stuff that he has to deal with as far as his son Jake is concerned.

It frustrates him furthermore when Jake seems to have some imaginary friends whom he talks with them so often!

In order to make things better and to have a fresh start, Tom and Jake decide to move to a new town, Featherbank, which unfortunately has its own dark past. It is said that a serial killer would whisper at his victims’ windows at night before abducting and killing them eventually.
The recent missing boy case brings back the mystery of “The Whisper Man”.

Meanwhile, Jake starts to act very strangely: he hears some whisperings, draws some spooky unexplainable pictures, talks about “the boy in the floor”…..

The suspense intensifies as one turns the pages till the end.

This is a very well-plotted thriller, interlaced with dark mysteries and harrowing entities.

Alex North is the master of writing such gripping and show more spine-chilling
suspenseful thriller! I am so looking forward to reading his future novels.

Thank you, Goodreads (for the win), Celadon Books and Alex North for giving me this unnerving and spooky yet enjoyable ride! #TheWhisperMan show less

Amazingly well-told story, I just didn't care for the ending. I wanted more horror but got thriller instead. Still a fantastic book!

This was very well done. This book got my attention after reading a few really favorable reviews. Once I looked a little further, I decided that this was my kind of book and decided that I needed to read it. This was a book that hooked me rather quickly and was rather hard to put down at times. I had a really good time with this story and am really glad that I decided to give it a try.

Tom is trying to move on with his life after the loss of his wife. It is now just him and his son, Jake, and Jake is not dealing with the loss very well. Tom decides that moving into a new house is the step they need. Meanwhile, a boy in town disappears and the details are incredibly similar to the events twenty years earlier when "The Whisper Man" terrorized the community.

I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I thought that the mystery was rather complex and I couldn't wait to see how all of the pieces would end up coming together. I was never exactly sure how things would work out and I found show more myself working along with the characters to try to piece things together. There were plenty of surprises and I enjoyed the fact that the book kept me guessing until the end.

I thought that the characters were well done. Tom and Jake were hurting from their loss at the start of the story. Most of the book is told from Tom's point of view and I really liked that we got to see his doubts and concerns. In addition, we also get to know some of the detectives working on the case. I didn't agree with everything that these characters did in the story but they seemed very real to me. They were flawed but trying to make their life better.

I thought that Christopher Eccleston did a great job with the narration of this book. I think that I enjoyed the book just a bit more because of his performance. He did a great job with the character voices and I thought that he was able to add a lot of emotion into his reading. He had a very pleasant voice that was easy to listen to for hours at a time.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. This was a very well done and rather complex mystery that grabbed my attention and didn't let go. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of Alex North's work in the future.

I received an advanced review copy of this book from Celadon Books via Bookish First and I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library. show less

I've had this book on my Amazon book list forever......I finally got it.....I wished I had read it sooner.

Perfect pacing, believable characters, spine tingling events, suspense.......its all here. The ending was dynamic!

Well done Mr North!! 5 🌟

This was pretty awesome...until it wasn’t. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it was that made me feel that way.
Well written and a high creepiness factor, I just wasn’t as impressed or scared as some readers appear to be. Although I predict great things from Alex North, this debut novel was just shy of exceptional for me.
But then I’ve never been published so who am I to say?

This was pretty awesome...until it wasn’t. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it was that made me feel that way.
Well written and a high creepiness factor, I just wasn’t as impressed or scared as some readers appear to be. Although I predict great things from Alex North, this debut novel was just shy of exceptional for me.
But then I’ve never been published so who am I to say?

I gave this a 5-star rating for being a real page-turner, characters that struggle with their inner demons (both protagonists and antagonists), and a storyline with some surprising twists. While it's a murder mystery it's also a psychological thriller.

There is some jumping back and forth in time but it worked for me given the storyline (a 25-year time span).

An easily-read thriller with a solid premise. After a one-two punch of cornball twists at its midpoint it ultimately finishes weaker than it started.

This was one of the scariest books I have read so far this year. After the death of his wife, Tom Kennedy and his young son Jake move to a new house in a new town for a fresh start. However, there are ghosts, both literal and figurative, that make this impossible. Without saying more, there are murders, kidnappings, violence, family drama and lots of action that builds to a complex ending that takes your breath away. I loved it!

I was sent this book by the publisher and it came with a card. When the card was opened a little girls voice sang,"

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.” —

So let's say I was creeped out before I even started reading the book. It was a very good read for Halloween, horror only because it was a real life killer who preyed on little boys. Luckily it wasn't very graphic, just scary because it could happen and has. The suspense is rather up incrementally, as one clue follows another.

So many ekemrnts, a police investigation, s cop who for twenty years has been haunted by his inability to find the body of the last missing boy. The killer in jail, why has another gone missing? A rather and son, whose mother and wife has recently died and is looking for a show more new start, and a new detective who will soon find herself haunted by a case that seems unlikely to be solved. Creepy and haunting, a good Halloween read. Shivers and chills, throughout the book.

ARC by Celadon. show less

This book was a nice quick read. While it took me getting a little ways into it before it completely grabbed me, it did manage to do so and once it did I couldn't put it down.
The Whisper Man is well written and has the nice little creepy aspect of the children's rhyme to warn of the boogey man and the added mystery of whether or not there's not only a real live boogey man in town but also potentially something supernatural.
While I did enjoy this book for the most part, there could have been a bit more added to the atmosphere and details of the big bad that's happening, though I completely understand why someone wouldn't want to write too many gory details, or read them for that matter, particularly when it comes to children.
It feels like this books needs a prequel, something to tell the original story and then you could maybe have a better feel for or appreciation of the current one.

** Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange show more for my honest review** show less

Widower Tom Kennedy moves into a "new" old home in a small town called Featherbank. His house has an unsavory reputation in the area that he is unaware of. It so happens that Tom's father Pete who he has been estranged from is on the local police department. The novel centers around local kids who either turned up missing of were killed in the past and the locals call the killer the Whisper Man as he contacts kids by whispering to them One man is already in jail for the crimes but now a new wave is starting up. This is a well written tense novel that I would highly recommend.

Amazing read! I was pulled in quickly and the book never let go, what a brilliant story. I loved the authors writing style. The story is gripping from start to finish and has an ending you won't see coming.

The Whisper Man
by Alex North
2019
Caledon / MacMillan
4.0 / 5.0

After Rebecca dies, her son, Jake and her husband, Tom, move to a new home. A new home..a new start, was their plan. The house they move into is strange. Jake becomes disruptive in his school classes and exhibits odd behavior he never has had before, like imaginary friends and drawing corpse butterflies. Whats really creepy about the house is it is in the area that children have been disappearing, by a man, it is found, that whispers at their window. This book has such creepy parts, flows so well, its horror is immersive and imaginative. I really enjoyed this

The best book I have read this year!
This is a debut book by Alex North
Warning: Don't read this book before you go to bed. You wont be able to sleep.
This book drew me in the very first page. A letter written to Jake from his father, and so the story begins.
This book was so intense and thrilling , gripping and somewhat disturbing.
I liked this book because it was a moving and heart breaking and creepy story.
The main characters where very likeable and very hate able.
This is truly a must read for any thriller, mystery reader and I would even tell everyone else to read it too.
I cannot wait to see what Alex North writes next

I might have to think about this rating for a little while. I liked it, but it wasn’t as intense or twisty as I was hoping for. It was more just really sad.

This book was so amazing, I loved every second. It was intense, upsetting, emotional and twisty. The characters were fantastic and the story itself was so well done, so meticulously planned out and executed. I really enjoyed the slow burn that ramped up to a spectacular climax. Definitely recommend 100%!

The Whisper Man is about Tom Kennedy and his son Jake. They have recently lost their wife/mom and are trying to heal. They move to Featherbank. A nice, quiet town even if their house may seem a little creepy. Unbeknownst to them, Featherbank used to be the home of serial killer Frank Carter, who was nicknamed, The Whisper Man. As soon as Tom & Jake move in, they find out about a little boy vanishing even though Frank Carter is locked up. Frank Carter reminds me of Hannibal Lector. He will only see Dective Pete Willis and always leaves him with cryptic clues. Pete must use clues from Frank to help solve the case with lead Detective Amanda Beck. There are several concerning and creepy things that happen to Jake and he even begins whispering.

This book is action packed, suspenseful and kept me guessing the whole time!

I really enjoyed the suspense in this book. I listened to it on my way to work as well, and it was hard to stop listening once I arrived. I wouldn’t call it an action-packed book, but it definitely had its thrilling moments, and it had other moments when I found myself wanting to scream at the characters. It was like I was watching a scary movie, I kept saying things like “Don’t do that!” like the characters could somehow hear me.

Visit my blog for the full review!


http://deesreadingtree.home.blog/2019/10/14/the-whisper-man/

This book has twists and turns and keeps you turning the pages from chapter one and beyond.

A boy goes missing and a detective is pulled back into the case after being involved with a similar case twenty years prior. Characters lives intertwine and everyone struggles with inner conflict as the author weaves this tale.

I received a copy of this book from Celadon and these are my own opinions. Stay up late reading this one and when you think you're too tired to read you won't be able to sleep as the pages sift through your conscience.

I had figured out the culprit early on but there were still some twists that surprised. Decent thriller that got better as it went along.

Read for f2f bookclub, May 2022 book. Written by Alex North, British author. Reportedly, Alex North is a pseudonym and the real person writing as Alex North is unknown. Goodreads reports that Alex North lives in Leeds and has written under a different name but does not tell us what that name is.

The story is a thriller of a serial killer but it is also about multigenerational victims that become targets for serial killers.

What I liked: it was entertaining, the end was better than the beginning.

What I did not like: it was a bit hard to keep things straight with jumping from character to character and back and forth in time. There was parts that I also did not feel were plausible.

I listened to the audible version which was nice with that British accent.

I can't help it, I am seduced by book covers - and I LOVED this one. The story was ok. Not bad, just not my genre of choice, so I can't really say if it was great or not. The ending... the very ending... was good. Otherwise, I just sort of though it was ok, but as I already said, not a genre I read much of.

Wow!!! So so so good!!! One of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I’m seriously so mad at myself for letting this book sit on my bookshelf for so long. I can not wait for his new book to come out. It’s definitely creepy for sure but being a parent myself this is my worst nightmare!! If you have not read this book then you are severely missing out!! You won’t be disappointed by this one.

Chills literally ran down my spine while reading this book. Nothing creeps me out more than whispers in the dark, especially a whisper so threatening, frightening, deadly.

A perfectly written nightmare.

This will definitely go on my list of favorites for the year. A great mix of creepy and mystery is always the way to win my heart.

Interesting story did not see the twists coming, but at the same time this pulled on my heart stings.

2.5 stars

Loved the short chapters, they were the perfect length!

This book was more murder mystery/thriller than the horror I was expecting.

I am not able to recommend this book, because of its overbearing masculinity. Author, main characters, etc. Also, prominent police presence from the second chapter. Since I am a bookseller in a justice-oriented store, and my blog is similarly themed, this book is not a good fit for either.