meeklovestoread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book was fine. I saw it over the book/thriller side of the internet and everyone was raving about it. Saying how scary it was and how the twist was good and how this book messed with your head and whatnot. I enjoy a good thriller so I picked it up. And after finishing this book I'm so confused as to how anything was shocking. There were a few scary parts, but other than that I really didn't see how this book garner so much allure. Based on what I've heard I expected this book to be much scarier than what was actually presented so therefore I was highly disappointed when I got to the end and nothing crazy really happened. I also found it disappointing how this story centers around a copycat of the Whisper Man murders instead of just creating a story around the original homicides. Overall it was an okay book. I read it pretty quickly. If you're just starting to get into horror books and you don't like scary stuff at all then I recommend this one, because there wasn't really much spooky behavior going on. Oh and also what annoyed me the most was that the reader would get no warning of when POVs switched. So starting the chapters I would get confused on who's perspective we were in sometimes, so be prepared for that if you choose to read this.
Spoiler
Literally the kid gets abducted around the 75% page mark, around page 280, and then rescued about 40 pages later. And the killer being the son of the former killer is a very common twist that has been used a plethora of times so I'm surprised how many people claimed they were shocked by it. Also, I think the real mystery should've been how this kid is able to communicate with "spirits". It's low-key confirmed that he can talk to spirits considering he knew something only his dead grandfather could know. We never find out how or why this happens and are just supposed to roll with it. Also, that woman being a reporter the whole time still didn't sit right with me. Can't believe Tom went out with her after that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Alcohol, Grief, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Cancer, Cursing, and Bullying
inventingjasmine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"If you leave a door half-open, soon you'll hear the whispers spoken.
If you play outside alone, soon you won't be going home.
If your window's left unlatched, you'll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you're lonely, sad, and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you."
The Whisper Man is a well-paced, thrilling crime novel. Each person's narration brought to life the struggles, terror and internal conflict, which allows for good storytelling. The story was chilling, and I could not bear to read at night for fear of hearing whispers.
Tom Kennedy is trying to cope with his wife's sudden death, and, in doing so, he is trying to be a better father to his young son, Jake. Jake seems detached from others, seemingly talks to himself, and is unwilling to speak to his father. Every attempt Tom makes to understand his son is rejected or misconstrued, making the situation worse. They attempt to get a fresh start by moving to a suburban town, Featherbank, which, unbeknownst to Tom, is home to a serial killer named the "Whisper Man" 20 years ago. Now 20 years later, DI Amanda Beck is leading an investigation into a missing boy that resembles the killing profile of Whisper Man. DI Pete Willis, who caught the Whipster Man 20 years ago, is brought back into the investigation. The two work together to discover the mysterious circumstances of the case. If you're interested in the "detective haunted by his past" trope, this may be the book for you.
The real horror of the situation is from Tom and Jake's discoveries. Who was Jake whispering to? Was it fictive? Who was at the front door, fingers reaching through, asking to be let inside?
The only critique is that the finale and the characters' resolve ramp up too quickly, slightly abrupt. But overall, it was a very gripping read! 4.5 stars!
And remember to lock your doors before you read this book.
If you play outside alone, soon you won't be going home.
If your window's left unlatched, you'll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you're lonely, sad, and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you."
The Whisper Man is a well-paced, thrilling crime novel. Each person's narration brought to life the struggles, terror and internal conflict, which allows for good storytelling. The story was chilling, and I could not bear to read at night for fear of hearing whispers.
Tom Kennedy is trying to cope with his wife's sudden death, and, in doing so, he is trying to be a better father to his young son, Jake. Jake seems detached from others, seemingly talks to himself, and is unwilling to speak to his father. Every attempt Tom makes to understand his son is rejected or misconstrued, making the situation worse. They attempt to get a fresh start by moving to a suburban town, Featherbank, which, unbeknownst to Tom, is home to a serial killer named the "Whisper Man" 20 years ago. Now 20 years later, DI Amanda Beck is leading an investigation into a missing boy that resembles the killing profile of Whisper Man. DI Pete Willis, who caught the Whipster Man 20 years ago, is brought back into the investigation. The two work together to discover the mysterious circumstances of the case. If you're interested in the "detective haunted by his past" trope, this may be the book for you.
The real horror of the situation is from Tom and Jake's discoveries. Who was Jake whispering to? Was it fictive? Who was at the front door, fingers reaching through, asking to be let inside?
The only critique is that the finale and the characters' resolve ramp up too quickly, slightly abrupt. But overall, it was a very gripping read! 4.5 stars!
And remember to lock your doors before you read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Violence
sweetsygal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
ggcd1981's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Rating: 3.75 estrelas
Spoiler
TRIGER WARNING: Kidnapping, Death of child, Death of parent, Child abuse, Murder, Mentions of Alcoholism, Mentions of Domestic ViolenceThe whisper man foi indicado em uma das primeiras listas de recomendação de terror que li quando estava retornando a leitura. Só que não concordo que esta obra é terror. É na verdade um thriller que inicialmente passa uma ambiguidade de se existem elementos paranormais ou é apenas uma história de serial killer (SPOILER: É apenas um serial killer). Não sei se é adequado também chamar o livro de Mistério, pois os mistérios que existem (Quem é o assassino e porque mata) são revelados mais ou menos na metade do livro. A partir da revelação o foco da obra se torna encontrar a criança, Jake, que foi sequestrada.
É em geral um livro interessante, inclusive houve um momento um pouco assustador devido a narração (de Christopher Eccleston) do “boy under the floor”. A história mantém seu interesse, mas não posso dizer que ela atingiu seu potencial completo. A premissa de The whisper man é bastante interessante, mas a sensação que tive foi que o autor não queria cruzar a linha para que a história fosse mais Dark e honestamente mais realista (Desnecessário dizer que quando as vítimas nesse tipo de enredo são meninas MUITAS dessas linhas são comumente cruzadas). Ou seja, o autor manteve a história PG-13 e não cruzou a linha para o terror.
Gostei de como as relações de pai e filho, tanto de Tom Kennedy com seu filho Jake, quanto de Tom com seu Pai Pete foram retratadas. Não há muitos pontos ruins na obra. Acho que o mais frustrante para mim foi a sensação de que o autor tentou pegar leve na história quando esta poderia ter sido um terror. Da narração de Christopher Eccleston devo dizer que esta me deixou confusa, pois houveram momentos bons e momentos ruins. Eu ouviria uma narração dele novamente? Sim, mas não de um livro que eu esteja antecipando MUITO. Em resumo, gostei e estou feliz de ter lido, mas não é um destaque do gênero Mystery/Thriller. Dou nota 3.75 estrelas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
casslibraria's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Blood
blakethebookeater's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Murder, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse
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