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youngeunpark87's review
5.0
I am absolutely amazed by author Laurel Hightower and her ability to bring some of the most amazing characters and storyline to life in her debut novel. Whispers in the Dark was a thrilling page turner that I could not put down! In a world where strong female protagonists are difficult to find, Laurel found an incredible, empathetic, and amazing female protagonist to frame the story and lend a powerful voice to the events that unfolded throughout this story. I also loved the amount of detail and meticulous research that went into the writing of this book - Laurel made sure that every detail would immerse the reader into the world in which she takes them. I am so glad that I read this book and would recommend this book to anyone who desires to read a great novel while also appreciating an incredible writing style.
aliaareadstoo's review
5.0
4.8⭐ to be exact!
Whispers In The Dark is about Rose McFarland, a Memphis S.W.A.T sniper who in her latest mission, shot one Charlie Akers, who turned out to be her half brother she never knew. From there, her family secrets that she tried to hide comes back crawling at her, and now the walls between the dead and the living are at stake.
- The premise of the story was really good, the writing was done well, it's a fast paced one and I really love how the author built each character gradually as they were all connected to one another somehow.
- I think that the romance in this book was a huge distraction. Like, Rose already had enough with her problems at work and at home. Who gives you right to mess with my Rose's head?!! But oh well, they redeemed themselves at the end of the story so it's kinda okay 🤣🤣🤣.
"The door is open. We can be whatever we want."
- The paranormal aspect in this book was quite convincing. I'm not a person who'd easily feel anxious when I know something terrible is going to happen to the characters in the book, but this book made me feel exactly that. My heart kept beating hard the moment I knew the danger was coming. What I thought as little things and unimportant, turned out to be major clues for Rose.
All in all, I really love this book! Rose is badass from the beginning till the end!
Whispers In The Dark is about Rose McFarland, a Memphis S.W.A.T sniper who in her latest mission, shot one Charlie Akers, who turned out to be her half brother she never knew. From there, her family secrets that she tried to hide comes back crawling at her, and now the walls between the dead and the living are at stake.
- The premise of the story was really good, the writing was done well, it's a fast paced one and I really love how the author built each character gradually as they were all connected to one another somehow.
- I think that the romance in this book was a huge distraction. Like, Rose already had enough with her problems at work and at home. Who gives you right to mess with my Rose's head?!! But oh well, they redeemed themselves at the end of the story so it's kinda okay 🤣🤣🤣.
"The door is open. We can be whatever we want."
- The paranormal aspect in this book was quite convincing. I'm not a person who'd easily feel anxious when I know something terrible is going to happen to the characters in the book, but this book made me feel exactly that. My heart kept beating hard the moment I knew the danger was coming. What I thought as little things and unimportant, turned out to be major clues for Rose.
All in all, I really love this book! Rose is badass from the beginning till the end!
bookslucyreads's review
4.0
This is a debut novel which mixes horror and thriller into something that worked really well. I liked the writing style and found it easy to follow, one thing I will say is that some of the chapters felt a little long while others were very short which felt strange when reading. The beginning was a little slow and I was waiting for something to happen and it did eventually.
The main character in this book is Sergeant Rose McFarland who is scared from a house fire when she was a child. She is a sniper for a swat team, is divorced and has two kids. I liked her character and I liked how it showed a separated family actually getting on. I enjoyed how she still trusted her ex-husband and how they still worked in a team. The main thing you need to know about Rose is that she can see spirits.
I really enjoyed the paranormal horror elements in the book. I enjoyed the creepy haunted atmosphere that surrounded Rose. I liked how there were suspicious and mysterious things happening. I enjoyed the slow build of a haunting and how it affected the characters in different ways.
Overall this was a sun paranormal read that I would highly recommend if you want a haunting read.
The main character in this book is Sergeant Rose McFarland who is scared from a house fire when she was a child. She is a sniper for a swat team, is divorced and has two kids. I liked her character and I liked how it showed a separated family actually getting on. I enjoyed how she still trusted her ex-husband and how they still worked in a team. The main thing you need to know about Rose is that she can see spirits.
I really enjoyed the paranormal horror elements in the book. I enjoyed the creepy haunted atmosphere that surrounded Rose. I liked how there were suspicious and mysterious things happening. I enjoyed the slow build of a haunting and how it affected the characters in different ways.
Overall this was a sun paranormal read that I would highly recommend if you want a haunting read.
spookishmommy's review
4.0
First of all, I cannot believe this is a debut novel. Laurel has a gift for writing, that's for sure. From the very first page, I was enthralled.
Second, can I be Rose when I grow up? What a badass, empowering lead character! I loved her. Rose is a SWAT sniper - she's smart, tough and can handle anything thrown her way but she does have secrets. She also gets a big surprise thrown her way which challenges everything she believes in.
Whispers in the Dark was creepy AF and I loved how there were so many layers to this horror story. Mixing supernatural with real life horror elements - this book had all my favorite tropes.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Second, can I be Rose when I grow up? What a badass, empowering lead character! I loved her. Rose is a SWAT sniper - she's smart, tough and can handle anything thrown her way but she does have secrets. She also gets a big surprise thrown her way which challenges everything she believes in.
Whispers in the Dark was creepy AF and I loved how there were so many layers to this horror story. Mixing supernatural with real life horror elements - this book had all my favorite tropes.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!
andibrotten's review
5.0
From the first chapter, this book had a hold of me. I am usually wary of paranormal books because I believe in ghosts and sometimes they hit too close to home especially the ones based on true stories. However, this book was a unique and fresh take on ghosts and how they affect the main character’s life from a child all the way to being an adult working as a sniper for the SWAT team. The relationships and characters in this book seem so real you are rooting for them the whole way through the book. I take that back not all the characters. The ghosts and ghostly monsters in this book really make you want them to die a fiery death. And, there is a lot of fire in this story. As a new mom, there were points the suspense regarding Rose's kids made me have to put it down for a minute just to take a breath. The author did such a good job. As a believer in ghosts, I hope that my son never comes up to me saying he’s seeing ghosts! I don't want to spoil anything for you, but I highly recommend this book.
This review is my own as a reader and purchaser of this book.
This review is my own as a reader and purchaser of this book.
booksonhermind's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm very new to the horror genre so this isn't what I expected. It just felt more Supernatural than scary but I still really enjoyed my time with the characters and seeing everything unfold.
thereadingchemist's review
4.0
If you’re still looking for that chilling read this spooky season then stop right there and pick up Whispers in the Dark . This is definitely one of those books that will send chills up and down your spine and make you think twice before going into dark spaces alone.
The story follows the life of Rose McFarland, a sniper for Memphis’ S.W.A.T team. Rose is a badass female protagonist. She’s damn good at her job, and when she’s not using her expert marksman skills, she’s co-parenting her two kids with her ex-husband Sam. That being said, Rose comes with a lot of flaws. She has a haunting past filled with scars stemming from the physical and emotional abuse that she suffered at the hands of her father as well as a mother who despises her very existence. Ever since Rose was a child, she has had the ability to hear and see dark beings that are something only from nightmares. I’ll be honest, with everything that Rose has been subjected to, I am surprised she’s not a raging alcoholic or committed to a psych ward.
Rose was under the impression that those dark days were behind her….that is until she murdered Charlie Akers. Now the whispers and the things that lurk in the shadows are back. To make matters worse, Rose’s four year old son Tommy can hear and see them as well. Now Rose must solve the mystery surrounding Charlie Akers in order to protect her loved ones once for a all.
I definitely was blown away by Laurel Hightower’s debut novel. I loved that this book encompassed more than one genre; dipping into both thriller/mystery as well as horror. I loved how atmospheric this book was as well. There were definitely plenty of goosebump moments and peering over my shoulder just in case. Overall, Whispers in the Dark is a fantastic read, and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
Thank you to Shannon at R&R Book Tours for the tour invite as well as providing an ebook for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
The story follows the life of Rose McFarland, a sniper for Memphis’ S.W.A.T team. Rose is a badass female protagonist. She’s damn good at her job, and when she’s not using her expert marksman skills, she’s co-parenting her two kids with her ex-husband Sam. That being said, Rose comes with a lot of flaws. She has a haunting past filled with scars stemming from the physical and emotional abuse that she suffered at the hands of her father as well as a mother who despises her very existence. Ever since Rose was a child, she has had the ability to hear and see dark beings that are something only from nightmares. I’ll be honest, with everything that Rose has been subjected to, I am surprised she’s not a raging alcoholic or committed to a psych ward.
Rose was under the impression that those dark days were behind her….that is until she murdered Charlie Akers. Now the whispers and the things that lurk in the shadows are back. To make matters worse, Rose’s four year old son Tommy can hear and see them as well. Now Rose must solve the mystery surrounding Charlie Akers in order to protect her loved ones once for a all.
I definitely was blown away by Laurel Hightower’s debut novel. I loved that this book encompassed more than one genre; dipping into both thriller/mystery as well as horror. I loved how atmospheric this book was as well. There were definitely plenty of goosebump moments and peering over my shoulder just in case. Overall, Whispers in the Dark is a fantastic read, and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
Thank you to Shannon at R&R Book Tours for the tour invite as well as providing an ebook for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
plumreads__s's review
5.0
"Bad-ass female protagonist, spooky storyline and vivid imagery, a brilliant selection of ingredients for this scintillating horror novel."
Read my full review here!
https://www.scifiandscary.com/whispers-in-the-dark-review/
Read my full review here!
https://www.scifiandscary.com/whispers-in-the-dark-review/