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dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Murder
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy crap this book was CHILLING. A serial killer who goes after kids is always going to be especially horrific, but North did an incredible job building up the anxiety as you realize the real horror of the situation at the same time as the characters do. There’s a really interesting supernatural element to the story (or, is there?) but by and large it is, unfortunately, an entirely plausible story which makes it all the more terrifying. At the end of one chapter in particular, my heart was beating out of my chest! No book has ever scared me like this one did.
There are also several reveals throughout the course of the story. Though a couple seemed a little obvious to me, there was one specific one where my jaw very literally, almost comically, DROPPED.
There are also deeper tones to The Whisper Man. Beyond the thrills and the horror, the story examines the complexity of father-son relationships from multiple, vastly different angles. It also does a great job of portraying the on-going battle of addition recovery (specifically alcoholism, but I think the portrayal would translate well to any addiction) and what the daily struggle to remain sober can look like for many.
I am giving this book five stars because, at the end of the day, it has accomplished what no book ever REALLY has and legitimately scared me, so it feels deserved; but I don’t think I would say it’s perfect. Listen, I award my stars how I want to. Deal with it!
The story jumps between five different points of view, which can be a little confusing at times, especially when you’re not always immediately sure whose point of view you’re reading. One point of view is Jake’s, and it did occur to me as I was reading that I don’t think North accounted for how differently a child might think and process these situations. There was a point when it was acknowledged that Jake had a better grasp on vocabulary than most other kids his age, which I think was a way of addressing this disparity, but it felt a little off to me. I also felt like the book had a slower start. While the first chapter gets your blood pumping, it slows down pretty considerably and for quite a few chapters after that. It’s all important story building, but the first third of the book or so is a little slow. Still, the chapters are short (often 3-4 pages!) so it is an easy one to binge and get through pretty quick!
If you have children or kiddos that you love in your life, keep in mind that this one is going to be a tough and terrifying read, but it is still really good and I absolutely recommend it. It’s one that is going to sit with me… probably forever.
If you have children or kiddos that you love in your life, keep in mind that this one is going to be a tough and terrifying read, but it is still really good and I absolutely recommend it. It’s one that is going to sit with me… probably forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Sexism, Terminal illness, Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Physical abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You know a book is special when you have to force yourself to put it down because you’re on vacation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Over the years, I told Joe there was no such thing as monsters. I’m sorry I lied.”
This was a great thriller. A bit slow to get started but then really takes off with some great twists. I didn’t like our main protagonist at first but he has a great character arc. I became fully invested. It also had a serious creep and spook factor about it. Ugh that ending was so intense.
I don’t recommend on audio. Read too dull/rote.
This was a great thriller. A bit slow to get started but then really takes off with some great twists. I didn’t like our main protagonist at first but he has a great character arc. I became fully invested. It also had a serious creep and spook factor about it. Ugh that ending was so intense.
I don’t recommend on audio. Read too dull/rote.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol
Minor: Stalking
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve got mixed feelings on this one. It was just so gloomy and depressing throughout, and that ending was truly awful. I also was relatively confused throughout this book, and a lot of the plot points didn’t really make a lot of sense to me or I felt like I didn’t buy into how the plot points connected because it felt too convenient. That being said, the book did keep my attention and I was intrigued by the mystery element to see how everything unfurled. I do read a lot of thrillers and horrors so I’m used to gruesome, disturbing content, but this one was a tough read due to the content and has a lot regarding death, grieving and harm to children. I really don’t think I’d recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Kidnapping