The Whisper Man is one of those reads that I didn't even slow down to take notes or mark quotes for my review; I blew through at record speed, finishing this one within a single sitting. I couldn't put it down until I had every last detail of the case solved! I'll be honest, based on the synopsis I was bracing myself for a Silence of the Lambs wannabe: a devilishly charismatic serial killer sitting in prison who will only talk to a particular detective about a case involving another serial killer sounds all too familiar, but please believe me when I tell you that this is where the similarities end and the unique aspects of the plot begin. Also, I know that this appears on the surface to be another run-of-the-mill police procedural, but it is so much more than that. Gather round, friends, and let's chat about this stunning debut for a moment.
There are a lot of individual threads running loose throughout the course of the story, but the good news is that most of them converge towards the end of the novel, which makes for some satisfying twists and emotional reunions. I'm going to tiptoe around specifics, because there's a delicate balance of reeling you in and not giving anything away when it comes to this terrifying tale, and I'd hate to be the one to ruin your experience with The Whisper Man. This is a story about the abductions and murders of many children, for sure, but it's so much deeper than that. We also have an exposition on grief, from multiple characters on many levels, and how that grief can affect our daily actions, our thought process, and how we connect with those who need us most. It's also an alert to how our actions have a ripple affect to those around us, and can alter the course of our local history.
I think I'll leave the summing up there, but I do feel it worth mentioning that, although I guessed the who was behind the second batch of murders, there were many twists I didn't see coming sprinkled throughout the book, and this was way more satisfying than one big twist at the end that ultimately ends up being a Hail Mary. I'm so pleased to see that the Russo brothers are adapting this for film, as I think they'll give this story the proper attention it deserves in making the film more than just a gory tale. Highly recommended to readers who don't mind graphic violence and are looking for that next thriller that they won't be able to put down.
There are a lot of individual threads running loose throughout the course of the story, but the good news is that most of them converge towards the end of the novel, which makes for some satisfying twists and emotional reunions. I'm going to tiptoe around specifics, because there's a delicate balance of reeling you in and not giving anything away when it comes to this terrifying tale, and I'd hate to be the one to ruin your experience with The Whisper Man. This is a story about the abductions and murders of many children, for sure, but it's so much deeper than that. We also have an exposition on grief, from multiple characters on many levels, and how that grief can affect our daily actions, our thought process, and how we connect with those who need us most. It's also an alert to how our actions have a ripple affect to those around us, and can alter the course of our local history.
I think I'll leave the summing up there, but I do feel it worth mentioning that, although I guessed the who was behind the second batch of murders, there were many twists I didn't see coming sprinkled throughout the book, and this was way more satisfying than one big twist at the end that ultimately ends up being a Hail Mary. I'm so pleased to see that the Russo brothers are adapting this for film, as I think they'll give this story the proper attention it deserves in making the film more than just a gory tale. Highly recommended to readers who don't mind graphic violence and are looking for that next thriller that they won't be able to put down.