The Whisper Man

The thing I love the most about this book is its incredible pacing. While it's not nearly as complex as the mystery in my previous recommendation, and the final twist is not as shocking as Shutter Island, it is a book that you pick up on a whim and get hooked so fast that you want to read the entire story in one sitting.

It wastes no time setting up its mysteries, and its dual narrative keeps the reader coming back. To me, it reads like a detective story crossed with a “beach read,” a quick and effective story… show more.

I bought this book when it first came out because it was a “staff pick” at my local independent bookstore, and boy, did it not disappoint, so I am going to make it my “staff pic” here. There’s nothing better than a personal recommendation, right?

This book has it all: a sensitive, grieving male protagonist with a dead wife, a woman who may or may not be dangerous, and a creepy kid who may or may not be communicating with ghosts. All this! AND murder! It also pulls off a marvelous point-of-view trick that sticks the landing in a way… show more.

Don’t read this if you were ever afraid of being alone when you were a kid. If I had read this novel late into the night, I would’ve been calling the police when the fridge hummed.

The poem reminded me of wendigo stories and all the crazy urban legends I believed growing up. Who likes hearing whispers from someone unknown anyway? The atmosphere is so realistic, and the suspense kept my brain churning with fear.

Then there’s the characterization. I wanted to reach through the book and scream at the father and son, “Look out! Pay attention!” Honestly, I had… show more.

Much like Thomas Harris, I find Alex North’s writing to be intoxicating. The way he constructs sentences that can actually create a tangible mood through the page is a true gift. This book is a slow burn mystery and I loved every page. Although not a direct influence as our books came out around the same time, my third thriller reminds me of that same slow and methodical pace that sets the mood and draws the reader in. His writing is brilliant and creepy and all the things that make reading scary books fun. I can’t recommend this one enough.