Perfect for anyone looking for a thriller with creep-factor!
🦋 Book Review - The Whisper Man by Alex North 🦋
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My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars
The story opens on a kidnapping of a young boy in the town of Featherbank. A safe area, this crime draws attention due to its similarities to a string of kidnap-murders of school boys that occurred 20 years prior. These crimes were at the hand of an infamous serial killer, dubbed by media as the “Whisper Man”, due to an MO of luring his victims by whispering into their windows. To authorities, including detectives Pete and Amanda, the Whisper Man is now Frank Carter, an inmate serving life in prison. With Carter locked up, the question shifts to who’s responsible: an old accomplice, a copycat, or something even more vile? On the heels of this crime, newly-widowed Tom Kennedy and his reserved son Jake move to the resident ‘scary house’ in town, where they become entangled in the case in more ways than one.
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This book alternates viewpoints, with Tom’s account in 1st person, and other characters’ from the 3rd. This structure was unique and works well during the novel’s build. I found myself most connected to the story as told by Tom and seen from Jake’s perspective. Some of the chapters on police/detective work were procedural and served to fill plot gaps as opposed to augmenting the story and character development.
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While I enjoyed this book and see why it appeals to many readers, I did not love it. Maybe my expectations preceded me, or perhaps coming fresh off a 5-star read, it was hard to fully immerse myself and get hooked. Although North’s story was fast-paced and drew me in at first, my urge to pick up the book diminished as pages passed. Without revealing too much, the plot felt unrealistic at points and a slow burn in certain areas. All that in mind, I did appreciate the originality and how it genuinely spooked me (which is hard for a book to do)!
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Despite this being a so-so for me, I am still eager to check out Alex North’a new release this summer!
⠀
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars
The story opens on a kidnapping of a young boy in the town of Featherbank. A safe area, this crime draws attention due to its similarities to a string of kidnap-murders of school boys that occurred 20 years prior. These crimes were at the hand of an infamous serial killer, dubbed by media as the “Whisper Man”, due to an MO of luring his victims by whispering into their windows. To authorities, including detectives Pete and Amanda, the Whisper Man is now Frank Carter, an inmate serving life in prison. With Carter locked up, the question shifts to who’s responsible: an old accomplice, a copycat, or something even more vile? On the heels of this crime, newly-widowed Tom Kennedy and his reserved son Jake move to the resident ‘scary house’ in town, where they become entangled in the case in more ways than one.
⠀
This book alternates viewpoints, with Tom’s account in 1st person, and other characters’ from the 3rd. This structure was unique and works well during the novel’s build. I found myself most connected to the story as told by Tom and seen from Jake’s perspective. Some of the chapters on police/detective work were procedural and served to fill plot gaps as opposed to augmenting the story and character development.
⠀
While I enjoyed this book and see why it appeals to many readers, I did not love it. Maybe my expectations preceded me, or perhaps coming fresh off a 5-star read, it was hard to fully immerse myself and get hooked. Although North’s story was fast-paced and drew me in at first, my urge to pick up the book diminished as pages passed. Without revealing too much, the plot felt unrealistic at points and a slow burn in certain areas. All that in mind, I did appreciate the originality and how it genuinely spooked me (which is hard for a book to do)!
⠀
Despite this being a so-so for me, I am still eager to check out Alex North’a new release this summer!