Reviews

The Whistling by Rebecca Netley

bookmotel's review

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1.0

Dull. DNF

amgalvin's review against another edition

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3.0

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

aliyyah's review

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

yandichih's review

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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. 

lauraxschiepers's review

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1.0

This book could have been 200 pages less but still the author decided to turn this into a 400 page thriller while there was no thrill at all.
200 pages in and I still knew nothing. The only thing that has happened was the moving of her slippers during the night