Reviews

Volání mrtvých by Rebecca Netley

sprout_monster's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Maybe I'm just a stupid American, but isn't there a difference between Scottish-Englush and British-English? Why does a story that takes place in Scotland with assumedly Scottish characters not have Scottish-English in it whatsoever? Feels wrong. 
Also the book was super slow and was more of a murder mystery than a supernatural horror which was really annoying for me since I was looking for horror. I like to jump into books based on their title, genre, cover, and lack of certain content warnings so that also contributed to the let down feeling of this book. I thought the book would be about hearing a whistle and then like immediately dying and that's not even close.
But in the end I did like the plot and the ending (like the last 100 pages), but wouldn't call it horror.

bookmotel's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Dull. DNF

amgalvin's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Buddy read with Leigh. Was a bit cheese and kinda predictable 

aliyyah's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Love a good old ghost story.

booksinderry's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

dgrhms's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

louxcy's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

fatalamelia's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

helenstoreygird's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

yandichih's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.5

“Some souls are made to be dark.” She studied me with something like pity. “The world gives birth to both the viper and the lamb, and there are churches for each.”

Rating: 3.5 stars.

'The Whistling' by Rebecca Netley introduces readers to Elspeth Swansome, a young woman from Edinburgh, who becomes a nanny on the fictional Scottish island of Skealthsea. Tasked with caring for the mute Mary, who has endured the tragic loss of her mother and brother, Elspeth discovers unsettling occurrences within Mrs. Gillies' household at Iskar. The novel delves into the mysteries surrounding the eerie atmosphere of the island and the unnatural events that unfold.

One aspect of the book that resonated with me was its moderate pacing. Netley strikes a delicate balance, neither rushing nor lagging, which effectively amplifies the book's haunting atmosphere. Moreover, the incorporation of witchcraft elements added depth to the narrative, piquing my interest and enhancing the overall intrigue.

However, there were aspects that left me with mixed feelings. While I found the pacing suitable, I couldn't help but notice moments of repetition and simplicity throughout the narrative. Scenes often felt redundant, cycling through familiar settings and scenarios with little variation. Additionally, some plot developments proved predictable, diminishing the impact of potential surprises. Despite hoping for a significant revelation, the conclusion followed a foreseeable path, failing to deliver a substantial twist.

In conclusion, 'The Whistling' offers a chilling tale with a commendable pace and an intriguing touch of witchcraft. However, the predictability of certain plot elements and repetitive scenes may leave readers longing for a more varied and unexpected narrative. Despite its shortcomings, the novel delivers an atmospheric experience that fans of supernatural mysteries may find intriguing.

CW: Child death, murder, vomit.