The Whisper Man by Alex North #Thriller #BookReview

“POIGNANT AND TERRIFYING”
—Entertainment Weekly

“SUPERB”
—Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review

“BRILLIANT… will satisfy readers of Thomas Harris and Stephen King.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of a father and son caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town.

After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. Featherbank.

But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed “The Whisper Man,” for he would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night.

Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter’s crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. Now, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must find the boy before it is too late, even if that means Pete has to revisit his great foe in prison: The Whisper Man.

And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window…

Biography

Alex North was born in Leeds, England, where he now lives with his wife and son. 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.” Alex North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name. 

My Review

A lights-on thriller you won’t soon forget!

After the sudden death of his wife, author Tom Kennedy decides he and his son need a fresh start. An internet search turns up a strange, quirky-looking house that young Jake insists they should buy. Soon, the two are ensconced in their new home in a new town, but they don’t realise until it’s too late, there’s a predator on the loose- a serial killer.

When a six-year-old boy goes missing on his way home, the Featherbank police have their hands full- because this isn’t the first time. Detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis are determined to find the missing child and catch the monster haunting their streets- even if Pete has to face his past, and The Whisper Man.

This book had me so freaked out, but I couldn’t stop reading!

There’s an eerie poem Jake learns from his ‘make-believe friend’ that plays a large part in the story.

"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 windows 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 don’t want to give too much away other than to say this is a haunting, terrifying, creepy psychological thriller but it’s the poignant, family first underlying plotline that kept me reading.

I give The Whisper Man 5+ lovely kisses- A story you won’t forget!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Celadon books for giving me the opportunity to read this story.