Book Review | The Whisper Man by Alex North

The Whisper Man by Alex North
Published by: June 13th, 2019 on Celadon Books
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Pages: 355
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased

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Summary (from Goodreads): In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of a father and son caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town.

After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. Featherbank.

But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed “The Whisper Man,” for he would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night.

Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter’s crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. Now, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must find the boy before it is too late, even if that means Pete has to revisit his great foe in prison: The Whisper Man.

And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window…

Review: Note: I read along as I listed to the audiobook and loved that it was narrated by Christoper Eccelston. It made the experience fun.

Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a miss for me. I was so excited to pick it up when I heard about it. It seemed so spooky and true-crime/serial killer-esque. This fell flat from my expectations and might not have been marketed very well.

I found the plot to be quite slow, a bit predictable, and didn’t have the “I need to keep reading” factor that I’m drawn into with thrillers. I wasn’t connected with any of the characters and the actions of all the relationships with the main character felt unrealistic.

Most the of the exciting parts happen in the last two parts of the book (5 and 6) and drew me in enough to keep reading and find out whodunnit (at least it has a conclusion!). I’ve read a few reviews on Goodreads and a lot of people were saying that this was so scary and I don’t think I read the same book or could see it portrayed in that light.

This is my first book from Alex North and a miss from me but I won’t stop it from picking up a future book that North writes.

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