saintghost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Stalking
Minor: Violence
megelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
For the first half, or even two thirds, of this book, I was absolutely obsessed with it and thought it might end up being a five-star read. The atmosphere created is incredible - so so creepy and unsettling - and the premise is super intriguing. I loved getting to know the characters, even though for the most part they weren't particularly likeable, and I found myself feeling equal parts terrified and heartbroken, which is a sure sign of a great thriller. There are some great twists and turns, and there's one plot twist in particular which absolutely floored me and which is just so, so brilliantly done.
However, for me, this book unfortunately started to go downhill a bit in the last third or so. There's such great build-up, and I liked the concept of what ends up being revealed, but it's just revealed far too early and too simply and it just meant that so much of the great tension that had been developing was gone. There are also a few unanswered questions left by the end. There's one thing that happens towards the end of the book which did shock me, but when it came to the main 'Whisper Man' plotline, I did feel ultimately a bit let down.
I was therefore a bit conflicted when deciding on my rating, but ultimately I still feel it deserves a high rating just because of how much the earlier part of the book got under my skin and how brilliant one of the earlier twists was, and also because of the way it deals with some of its themes. There are really great conversations about generational trauma, grief, addiction, and memory, and about some of the psychology behind crime and policing, and I also loved the way it explores and looks at fatherhood and father-son relationships. And overall, while I did feel disappointed by the conclusion of the central mystery, I was still left feeling haunted and uneasy and, above all, sad. It's definitely a book that hits you in the gut and makes you think; I just wish the actual main thriller plotline had been better-executed.
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Blood
mysterymom46's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Confinement, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Bullying
bxnnny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Graphic: Stalking, Child death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
weatherd's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Child deathmandysbookcollection's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief
cardanrry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
chupacobbruh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
fernyfh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Moderate: Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
ebb_and_flow's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Confinement, Drug use, Cancer, Gore, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders