At first glance of this book, I thought that it was going to be a horror story. I myself am not into supernatural horror stories so I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a crime novel and realistic horror story all wrapped up in one. Alex North's debut crime novel is to say the least impressive!
It begins with the story of Tom and his son Jake. Tom's wife has recently died and he is bent on starting fresh with his son Jake. He decides on the town of Featherbank where Jake is drawn to an eerie house. Tom likes to think of the house as having character but we find out that the house used to be the "scary house" and that many kids proved their bravery by just being near it. Featherbank is also the home of the story of the Whisper Man. Over 20 years ago the Whisper Man kidnapped and murdered 5 local boys in the small town of Featherbank. Frank Carter is the Whisper Man, who is now incarcerated.
In comes DI Pete Willis. The Whisper Man loves to play mind games with him. One of his victim's bodies was never found and he likes to hold it over Pete's head. It has become a game and Pete has become obsessed with the case. Shortly before Tom and Jake move to Featherbank another boy goes missing and the case seems strangely similar to the missing boys of the Whisper Man. How can that be possible though? He is in prison?
Jake begins acting strangely. He has an invisible friend that only he can see and one night hears whispering at his window. Could he be the next victim?
I loved the characters of Tom, Jake, and Pete and how realistic they were. Each chapter was told from a different character's point of view and it really helped to see what was going on in each of their minds. It was also necessary in piecing together all of the intricate parts of the plot. There were many surprises along the way! It is much more than a horror story or crime novel. It is also a novel about fathers and sons, moving forward in life, and forgiveness. Thank you to @CeladonBooks #TheWhisperMan for the ARC!
It begins with the story of Tom and his son Jake. Tom's wife has recently died and he is bent on starting fresh with his son Jake. He decides on the town of Featherbank where Jake is drawn to an eerie house. Tom likes to think of the house as having character but we find out that the house used to be the "scary house" and that many kids proved their bravery by just being near it. Featherbank is also the home of the story of the Whisper Man. Over 20 years ago the Whisper Man kidnapped and murdered 5 local boys in the small town of Featherbank. Frank Carter is the Whisper Man, who is now incarcerated.
In comes DI Pete Willis. The Whisper Man loves to play mind games with him. One of his victim's bodies was never found and he likes to hold it over Pete's head. It has become a game and Pete has become obsessed with the case. Shortly before Tom and Jake move to Featherbank another boy goes missing and the case seems strangely similar to the missing boys of the Whisper Man. How can that be possible though? He is in prison?
Jake begins acting strangely. He has an invisible friend that only he can see and one night hears whispering at his window. Could he be the next victim?
I loved the characters of Tom, Jake, and Pete and how realistic they were. Each chapter was told from a different character's point of view and it really helped to see what was going on in each of their minds. It was also necessary in piecing together all of the intricate parts of the plot. There were many surprises along the way! It is much more than a horror story or crime novel. It is also a novel about fathers and sons, moving forward in life, and forgiveness. Thank you to @CeladonBooks #TheWhisperMan for the ARC!