Do I like scary stories? YES! Do I like horror movies? NO! This character driven plot was everything I know my kiddos and husband would love to watch. Creepy, fast paced, and kept me worried about the what was going to happen to everyone.
20 years ago Frank Carter whispered to little boys through their windows and convinced them to follow him. Then the Whisper Man beat and killed the children leaving them close to where they were abducted. Frank has been imprisoned but the town of Featherbank still feels the loss two decades later. Now a copycat (or accomplice?) started abducting boys again.
Told from multiple POVs including detectives and widower Tom and his son Jake. Tom's wife died a year ago and Jake found her at the bottom of the stairs. Getting away from their haunted memories the two guys moved away to the town of Featherbank just in time for a new boy to go missing. Jake has an imaginary friend that he often talks to because its hard for him to communicate with others. Now he's hearing whispers from his window but no one believes him.
I really don't think the setting was Halloween but I think its a perfect book to read in the fall because it gives me similar vibes as The Missing Season by Gillian French (see my review HERE https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2750983855?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1 ) complete with new kid + small town + spooky nursery rhyme + urban legend. LOVED everything about this book.
I liked that we got different POVs. A frustrated dad grieving his wife, trying to be a single parent and connect to his kid. So much love. Also the son, wanting to give his dad what he wants but not understanding how to do that. Wanting to fit in but not understanding the new culture. Wanting to be brave, and stand up for himself, and make new friends, and start over. I feel like I could connect with all the characters on different levels. Cop that made mistakes in his past that he can't get over. Constantly vigilant so the same things don't happen again. Being a female and trying to prove she has what it takes to be the lead detective. Everyone was so well written!
I don't think the whodunit part was so strong a plot as the intermingling character relationships and the untangling motivations behind their decisions. People are complicated. The ending was great though. The killer's motivation... I get it... don't we all fall victim to things that happened in the past effecting the present some times?
20 years ago Frank Carter whispered to little boys through their windows and convinced them to follow him. Then the Whisper Man beat and killed the children leaving them close to where they were abducted. Frank has been imprisoned but the town of Featherbank still feels the loss two decades later. Now a copycat (or accomplice?) started abducting boys again.
Told from multiple POVs including detectives and widower Tom and his son Jake. Tom's wife died a year ago and Jake found her at the bottom of the stairs. Getting away from their haunted memories the two guys moved away to the town of Featherbank just in time for a new boy to go missing. Jake has an imaginary friend that he often talks to because its hard for him to communicate with others. Now he's hearing whispers from his window but no one believes him.
I really don't think the setting was Halloween but I think its a perfect book to read in the fall because it gives me similar vibes as The Missing Season by Gillian French (see my review HERE https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2750983855?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1 ) complete with new kid + small town + spooky nursery rhyme + urban legend. LOVED everything about this book.
I liked that we got different POVs. A frustrated dad grieving his wife, trying to be a single parent and connect to his kid. So much love. Also the son, wanting to give his dad what he wants but not understanding how to do that. Wanting to fit in but not understanding the new culture. Wanting to be brave, and stand up for himself, and make new friends, and start over. I feel like I could connect with all the characters on different levels. Cop that made mistakes in his past that he can't get over. Constantly vigilant so the same things don't happen again. Being a female and trying to prove she has what it takes to be the lead detective. Everyone was so well written!
I don't think the whodunit part was so strong a plot as the intermingling character relationships and the untangling motivations behind their decisions. People are complicated. The ending was great though. The killer's motivation... I get it... don't we all fall victim to things that happened in the past effecting the present some times?