Review: The Whisper Man by Alex North

Title: The Whisper Man by Alex North
Publisher: Celadon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

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:

The Whisper Man by Alex North is a spine-chilling, atmospheric mystery.

Twenty years ago, the idyllic town of Featherbank was rocked by a series of kidnappings. Detective Inspector Pete Willis is consumed with solving the disappearances of the  five little boys who are missing.  His tenacious investigation eventually leads to the discovery of the bodies of four of the young boys. Local man Frank Carter is arrested and convicted of the murders but he still refuses to divulge the location of his fifth and final victim, Toby Smith. Pete remains convinced Frank was working with an accomplice and he has never given up hoping he will find Toby.

In the present, Featherbank is once again shaken by the disappearance of six year old Neil Spencer. Although not officially working the case, Pete joins Detective Inspector Amanda Beck in the search for the missing boy.  With absolutely no clues or leads, the case soon goes cold. However, after Neil’s mother tells Amanda that Neil heard someone whispering to him before he vanished, Pete is assigned to the investigation. Visiting Frank in prison, Pete hopes the convicted killer will provide information that will help find Neil.  Will Pete finally learn the identity of Frank’s suspected accomplice?

Recently widowed and still grieving, author Tom Kennedy hopes moving to Featherbank will help both him and his seven year old son Jake recover from their loss. Young Jake is a sensitive little boy who enjoys solitary pursuits.  Jake is excited about their new home, but Tom feels an overwhelming sense of dread as they settle into their new lives.  Tom’s fears immediately come to fruition when Jake begins hearing whispers in the night.  Can he prevent his son from becoming The Whisper Man’s next victim?

The Whisper Man is a mesmerizing mystery with an overwhelmingly eerie storyline. Tom’s relationship with Jake is fraught but there is no doubt he fiercely loves his son. Jake is a fascinating little boy who is creative and relies on his imaginary friend to protect him.  With stunning twists, startling turns and a humdinger of a bombshell, Alex North brings this suspenseful mystery to a pulse-pounding conclusion. I  thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this masterfully-plotted, clever novel.

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