I devoured The Whisper Man by Alex North in one weekend. I started on a Friday night, and then I just didn’t want to stop. When I finally did, I had to take several deep breaths, then shake my head to clear away the intense, mesmerizing world I’d gladly lost myself in for hours on end.
The Whisper Man eff’d me up
Every cliché you hear about a good thriller should be applied to The Whisper Man— because it actually deserves these accolades. “Heart-pounding.” “Pulse-racing.” “Unputdownable.” “Page-turning.” “Bone-chillingly terrifying.”
So many books have these phrases tied to them, and most of the time, my reaction to what I read is just “meh.” However, The Whisper Man got to me. Seriously got to me. We all know that I love scary stories steeped in the supernatural. They give me a little thrill, but they don’t scare me the way The Whisper Man does.
Because what really freaks me out is humanity, and how incredibly depraved it can become. North’s story is a carefully crafted blend of true crime and the paranormal that brilliantly illustrates how what’s happening in the real world can be far more terrifying than anything otherworldly.
What I loved about The Whisper Man
The Whisper Man had me hooked from the very first page, and it kept me riveted until the very last. It’s gripping, incredibly tense, and full of many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Not much surprises me anymore in terms of plot points; The Whisper Man did. Each reveal brings a new level of “Holy shit!” and, while you’re eager to see where the story goes, you’re also a little afraid to find out.
I love that the story is told through different character viewpoints, including that of “The Whisper Man.” His narrative, which only pops up every so often, makes your skin crawl. I don’t know how many hours of Making a Murderer and Mindhunter the author had to watch to so effectively mimic a serial killer’s demented brain, but it sure paid off. The villains of this book are repulsive, menacing, and downright blood-curdling.
In contrast, you become very attached to the other characters in The Whisper Man: single dad Tom, who’s mourning the sudden loss of his wife and struggling with taking care of his son Jake, who’s just this side of different but incredibly loving and full of potential; young and hungry detective Amanda, who’s tirelessly trying to solve a case so no more children are hurt; and veteran detective Pete, who’s struggling with his own inner demons while trying to bring closure to a case from over 20 years ago. You see all of their POVs, bringing you in closer to the story and allowing you to see it from all sides. You can’t help but become emotionally invested in their fates, which lie in the hands of The Whisper Man.
Should you read The Whisper Man?
If you’re up for an exhilarating thriller filled with palpable suspense, you definitely shouldn’t miss The Whisper Man. It’s one of the best books I’ve read all year.
However: anxious parents, be warned. If you already have fears of child abduction, do NOT read this book. It will give you nightmares until your kids go off to college…which will then reawaken once you have grandkids.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for The Whisper Man?
Be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Pumpkin Swirl Brownies!
Wow!! This sounds so good and terrifying!! I could definitely get into this. Child abductions? Whoa. I will probably be stressed the whole time but I’m a masochist and love reading books that stress me the hell out.
Definitely going to read this one of these days! No soon. Remind me!😉
Hi Lauren! This was absolutely an intense read–but I could not put it down!! You have to be in the mood for this kind of read, I think. There’s a follow-up book (The Shadows) that is supposed to be really good, too!
I loved this book, and I have his new one waiting to be read! I actually felt a bit sorry for the guilty party, to begin with anyway, but then you see the darker, nasty side coming out in them, and you realise there’s no hope for them. But then the end, when they revert to childhood again… made me really think about the “sins of the father”, and how they can be passed on. A really good story!
Hi Nicola!! I hear ya — I definitely felt a little sorry, but, as you said…they’re too far gone after a point. It does make you wonder what could have been prevented, though, with a better upbringing. All while being terrifying, it’s also really thought-provoking! I need to read the new book, too. 2021 TBR list!