The Whistling - Book Review

 

The Whistling

by Rebecca Netley

What is it about:

Alone in the world, Elspeth Swansome has taken the position of nanny to a family on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea. Her charge, Mary, is a troubled child. Distracted and secretive, she hasn't uttered a word since the sudden death of her twin, William—just days after their former nanny disappeared.

With Mary defiantly silent, Elspeth turns to the islanders. But no one will speak of what happened to William. Just as no one can explain the hypnotic lullabies sung in empty corridors. Nor the strange dolls that appear in abandoned rooms.

Nor the faint whistling that comes in the night...

As winter draws in and passage to the mainland becomes impossible, Elspeth finds herself trapped.

But is this house haunted by the ghosts of the past?

OR THE SECRETS OF THE LIVING..?

What did I think of it:

*warning: spoilery*

This sounded like it might be a cool creepy read, so I started on it as soon as I got it.

Yeah...

First there was the writing and the lead character. The writing felt forced and dated, as if the author tried to write in a style that did't fit them. And I didn't like Elspeth. She's self-absorbed and has a feeling of superiority in my opinion. I wasn't surprised when one of the maids didn't like her after they first met, even though Elspeth was.

But I was curious about the story, so I read on.

It never got creepy or scary for me, at times I was bored, but still I continued to see where it all would lead...

To get an ending that made no sense to me at all. It's probably all clever and smart and what not, but I didn't pick up this book for red herring switcheroos, I picked it up for creepiness.

All in all a disappointing read.

Why should you read it:

Maybe you like "clever" ghostly thrillers.