October 2020 Standalone BOTM - The Whisper Man, by Alex North

[Alaina]

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...

[☘Misericordia☘]

I think I'll take this one up!

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

1-35 (view spoiler)[Oh man is Jake really also doing these creepy voices? Like a multiple personality situation or maybe it’s not a made up voice 🤷🏼‍♀️ Wonder how this connects to the whisper man story and how did jake even learn that rhyme? Wonder if there will be a copycat situation. (hide spoiler)]
36-50 (view spoiler)[Wow he asked Pete, his dad to watch Jake? I mean how weird he doesn’t even know the guy anymore and kind of hates him for his own childhood. I imagine tonight will be the night the whisper man strikes too 😱 (hide spoiler)]
51-66 (view spoiler)[Holy crap how did Tom figure it out so quickly and easily lol. Thank god, especially as he saved his son getting hurt by this psycho. (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[This was good. Maybe not as scary or spooky as I was hoping for. There were also quite a bit of coincidental moments going on that together just take away from the story. Such as Toms wife having a history with the town and spooky house as well as Tom’s long lost father being part of the case. In the end I’m glad Jake was saved and Tom wasnt secerly injured as well. Hopefully this will bring the two together now more than ever and they can have the relationship tom never had with Pete, his dad. (hide spoiler)]

[Marissa]

Part One (view spoiler)[
I find children imaginary friends to be kind of creepy, so I would definitely be weirded out by Jake's friend. I understand, though, that it might be coping mechanism since his mother died. However, this book is leading me to believe that that might not be the case. (hide spoiler)]
Part Two (view spoiler)[
Ugh I always find it creepy when a book gives you the killer's POV. I also want to know what is up with Jake's "imaginary friend." Is she real or just a figment of his imagination? How does he know about certain things that she told him if she is just made up?
That last chapter, though, WTF? There was literally a guy trying to convince Jake to unlock his house in order to probably KIDNAP him!! That was so close! (hide spoiler)]
Part Three (view spoiler)[
Ah so that is how these characters are all related! I was wondering if they were going to overlap the police with Tom and Jake with just the missing children or for something earlier. I didn't expect Pete to be Tom's father! Anyway, it would be horrible to find a body at your new house. I am not sure I could go back there! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I'm sooooooooooo behind on my physicals! I will definitely dive into this over the weekend!

[Marissa]

Part Four (view spoiler)[
I am not sure I would have my estranged father who I haven't spoken to in years babysit my kid like Tom did with Jake. He didn't have a good relationship with his dad, and he knew that Pete was a recovered alcoholic, but Tom has no idea how he has been recently. It just seemed like a bad idea… (hide spoiler)]
Part Five (view spoiler)[
It is so creepy getting the POV of Francis! Reading about him rationalizing his actions was both intriguing and scary. I really enjoyed this section of the book, though, because it was the most fast-paced. I wish that Francis was someone that we had seen earlier in the book, though, instead of a more "outside" character. I like being able to guess who the bad guy is, but I can't do that when they aren't really in the story. (hide spoiler)]
Part Six (view spoiler)[
It was sad that abuse led to more abuse. Francis wasn't able to rise above the trauma he faced as a child and end the cycle.
Overall, this was a decent book, although I felt like it was a little long at times. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[ OK, now it is getting freaky! Did Jake's ghosts lead him here as bait in order to flush out the new Whisper Man? I'm still a little surprised that they ended up in this creepy house - who lets a 7 year old choose? I do feel for Tom though, he's trying so hard to connect with Jake and it just isn't happening. (hide spoiler)]
Part 3 - (view spoiler)[ aw, I actually do hope that Pete gets a 2nd chance with his family. Seems like he has been beating himself up for the last couple of decades. He could use something to look forward to. I am glad that he is Tom's father. For a little while there I was thinking Tom was Frank's kid and didn't know it. (hide spoiler)]
Part 4 - (view spoiler)[ Ok, I was a little mad at Tom for going on a date in the first place. I mean he KNOWS that there is likely a killer still out there that KNOWS where he lives, etc. I'm trying hard to not think of him as a typical guy thinking with his johnson, but it's crossed my mind. Please tell me that this was Jake's plan all along and he is going to sick some ghosts on the killer or something. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - wow. (view spoiler)[ First, I am super sad that Pete didn't make it. I really wanted him to have his 2nd chance. I am glad that Tom and Jake are communicating better, and I'm not really surprised that Jake is still talking to ghosts. I never really doubted that it was a real ability of his sensitive nature. As for Francis and Frank - ick! Francis's POV was messed up! The way he claimed to want to love these boys and to take care of them, but in the next breathe preparing for them to be "returned" - super creepy! And I don't know what to think about that last scene with Frank. I guess Frank always wanted to kill his son and now has the chance? But if so, wouldn't Frank finally want to see the face instead of having it covered with the shirt? Maybe I read too much into that theory. (hide spoiler)] I liked the book and thought it was well done.