The Whisper Man by Alex North is a chiller about a kidnapper who abducts children after he whispers to them through the window.
The Whisper Man
After the tragic death of his wife, Tom thinks moving to a small town for a fresh start will help his withdrawn son, Jake. Only Tom doesn’t know that the place he’s chosen for their new start is home of the Whisper Man, a child abductor from nearly thirty years ago.
And the Whisper Man may have returned…
A Ghost or No?
I want to get right into this. The reader immediately discovers Jake is talking to a little girl that no one else can see. The first thought is that she is a ghost, but later evidence would suggest she might be a coping mechanism for his mother’s death. So which is it?
By my definition, this mystery book was a chiller, a thriller with some paranormal elements. As a Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo fan, stumbling upon his sub-genre of books was a happy coincidence. As such, I’d love to believe the little girl is a ghost.
But not all the evidence points in that direction, and that makes this book extra twisty.
The Characters
I love Pete. I’ll buy all the other characters, but I would put Pete on my Christmas card list. Here is finally a look at the very real and possible consequences of brutal police work. Pete is an alcoholic who sits with a bottle every single day. Every. Day. That is his struggle. The bottle and a picture of everything he lost when he uncovered the Whisper Man thirty years before. This is naked and raw characterization, and it is felt.
Additionally, I loved how the author presented Tom’s own struggles through the use of Tom’s occupation. He’s a stalled writer, and he uses his manuscript to exhibit his pain. It truly is a brilliant use of characterization.
Atmosphere
A chiller would not be a chiller without atmosphere, and North brings it in spades. I love when an author goes all out on the setting. The town is called Featherbank, and already I’m on edge. The name itself suggests a carefree demeanor, a stark juxtaposition to the horrors of the Whisper Man.
The house into which they move is so well detailed the reader can’t help but immediately be wary.
Final Thoughts
It’s obvious why The Whisper Man by Alex North is such a staple in this genre, and it was absolutely a chilling read. If you are a fan of mysteries with a paranormal bent, don’t miss The Whisper Man.
