Scan barcode
jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
In 1860, Elspeth Swansome goes to a remote Scottish island to take on a job as a nanny to 9 year old Mary who has not spoken since the death of her twin brother a few months earlier. Mary lives with her aunt in a creepy and somewhat isolated home and Elspeth hears strange noises at night. People on the island are not terribly friendly and are also reluctant to tell her how Mary's twin brother died or what happened to Mary's previous nanny.
It's an atmospheric and somewhat creepy read BUT it moves at a glacial pace and the characters felt underdeveloped. It's billed as a ghost story but it's not really clear for a very long time if there is a supernatural element or not and there are a lot of red herrings along the way about what is going on. I was fairly underwhelmed and disappointed by this one.
It's an atmospheric and somewhat creepy read BUT it moves at a glacial pace and the characters felt underdeveloped. It's billed as a ghost story but it's not really clear for a very long time if there is a supernatural element or not and there are a lot of red herrings along the way about what is going on. I was fairly underwhelmed and disappointed by this one.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
2.0
Meh, this one seemed to have such creep potential but ultimately I felt the story was uninteresting and I really struggled to get into it. Just okay as an audiobook - I found myself getting distracted quite often while listening. Perhaps this would have been better as a physical read?? Just not the one for me I'm afraid. Fans of haunted house slow burn thrillers may like it more than I did though.
laura_c_'s review against another edition
4.0
The book sort of starts off Act 1 by ticking boxes on the generic horror checklist. Nothing strictly wrong with this but ultimately neither the setting, nor the final reveal are terribly original. Nevertheless, it definitely gets spooky as the plot speeds up through Act 2 and turns into something more satisfying. I'm not sure if there's a good reason it took so long to get the village gossip to reach this point but the scene setting in Act 1 was okay if slow. I am doubly pleased because starting off I did think it might be another 'The Boy' scenario (ie. Creepy Victorian child living in the walls). Nice autumn-y story, well-paced.
nickymaund's review against another edition
2.0
I was really looking forward to diving into this spooky tale, which hits the stands in time for hallowe’en. This is a slow burning read (for me it felt a little too slow) as you follow newly appointed nanny Elspeth, who’s joining the traumatise household at Iskar following multiple bereavements, and something not quite right.
Netley takes her time in setting out the story, letting the spooky goings-on play out, portraying Elspeth’s backstory for Elspeth and that of her young charge, Mary. You definitely feel that Iskar is a character in its own right, especially as it’s crumbling into neglect, dilapidation and decay. - despite efforts to the contrary.
Whilst I didn’t see the twist/big reveal at the end, and although it did pique my interest, it sadly wasn’t enough to really pull me in.
Netley takes her time in setting out the story, letting the spooky goings-on play out, portraying Elspeth’s backstory for Elspeth and that of her young charge, Mary. You definitely feel that Iskar is a character in its own right, especially as it’s crumbling into neglect, dilapidation and decay. - despite efforts to the contrary.
Whilst I didn’t see the twist/big reveal at the end, and although it did pique my interest, it sadly wasn’t enough to really pull me in.
auroraw31's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sabrinaslivingliterature's review against another edition
5.0
So what I knew going in is this is about Elspeth who goes to be a nanny on a remote Scottish island for a little girl who has not spoken since her brother died. I enjoyed reading it in this way because this is exactly what our main character is aware of at the start of the book! Absolutely loved this book! Amazingly creepy gave me a similar feeling to The Haunting of Hill House. The ominous feeling to the house and the steady rise of dread is so well done. I loved the twists and turns and it truly left me guessing until the reveal was just around the corner. I will definitely be reading more by this author!
mynameisjack's review against another edition
4.0
The Whistling is a moody, atmospheric horror with tons of gripping and tense moments. It's very reminiscent of Susan Hill's The Woman in Black in that it's a period horror set in a remote area.
While it wasnt outright terrifying, it had a lot of unsettling moments and fills you with subtle dread which is arguably more frightening then the more 'in your face' horror you sometimes come across.
I'm definitely going to read more horror this year.
While it wasnt outright terrifying, it had a lot of unsettling moments and fills you with subtle dread which is arguably more frightening then the more 'in your face' horror you sometimes come across.
I'm definitely going to read more horror this year.