February 20 Main Read - The Whisper Man, by Alex North

[Erunyauve]

I've already finished this and quite liked it. I'm looking forward to discussing this one.

For our group rating, I gave it four stars in my review - the writing is excellent, and the characters could stand alone without the mystery (the mystery plot gives it a bit more urgency, however).

[Chris]

Had to switch from reading it at night to morning because I was finding it unsettling. Now up to part 5. It is engrossing and I want to finish it, but I’m not sure I could ever say I like it in the conventional sense.

[Bridget]

Christina wrote: "Had to switch from reading it at night to morning because I was finding it unsettling. Now up to part 5. It is engrossing and I want to finish it, but I’m not sure I could ever say I like it in the..."

Totally agree that it is very unsettling - on my first night starting this I had nightmares!

[Erunyauve]

I was thinking that if I'd read this as a teenager, I probably would have been tempted to sleep with the light on! The author does a good job making it terrifying without getting into the details of what was done to the children - Pete's horror itself is sufficient to tell us that the Whisper Man is a monster.

[Pat]

Bridget wrote: "Totally agree that it is very unsettling - on my first night starting this I had nightmares! "

After reading that three people found this book "unsettling," I thought it might be too emotionally intense for me. Though it gave you nightmares when you began reading it, you ended by writing positively about it. What took you from nightmares to enjoying the read?

[Bridget]

Pat wrote: "Bridget wrote: "Totally agree that it is very unsettling - on my first night starting this I had nightmares! "

After reading that three people found this book "unsettling," I thought it might be t..."

The characters mainly, especially Pete and Jake. Although they all had their flaws and their various problems, I still felt for them and wanted to know where the story would be taking them.

[Pat]

Bridget wrote: "Pat wrote: "Bridget wrote: "Totally agree that it is very unsettling - on my first night starting this I had nightmares! "

After reading that three people found this book "unsettling," I thought i..."

You're a brave reader, Bridget! It's good to know that the characters in this book are well-written enough, human enough, so you could get past your initial nightmares to enjoy the book. Thanks for your insight.

[Beth]

Finished this one quite quickly as it was a good read! The author did a good job of keeping up the suspense, mixing the past with the present. Pop

[Brian]

Loved it, kept me guessing right until the end. Characters were well developed and believable.