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Der flüsternde Abgrund
Callum Haffenden hatte sich geschworen, nie wieder nach Granite Creek zurückzukehren, dorthin, wo der australische Regenwald auf ein zerklüftetes Felsenmeer trifft, The Boulders, in dem immer mal wieder Leute, oft Kinder, den Tod finden ‒ in die Tiefe gestürzt, angeblich verlockt durch ein unheimliches Flüstern.
Doch dreißig Jahre nach einem Unfall, der sein Leben erschüttert hat, kehrt er wieder in seine Heimatstadt zurück, denn ein Mann ist im Regenwald verschwunden, den er für seinen Sohn hält, und als dessen Leiche bei den berüchtigten Felsbrocken auftaucht, vermutet Callum ein Verbrechen.
Bei seiner Suche nach Antworten kommt auch das jahrzehntealte Geheimnis zweier verschwundener Mädchen ans Licht, und in einer Stadt von der Größe Granite Creeks hat jeder etwas zu verbergen. Bald häufen sich die Verdächtigen ...
Doch dreißig Jahre nach einem Unfall, der sein Leben erschüttert hat, kehrt er wieder in seine Heimatstadt zurück, denn ein Mann ist im Regenwald verschwunden, den er für seinen Sohn hält, und als dessen Leiche bei den berüchtigten Felsbrocken auftaucht, vermutet Callum ein Verbrechen.
Bei seiner Suche nach Antworten kommt auch das jahrzehntealte Geheimnis zweier verschwundener Mädchen ans Licht, und in einer Stadt von der Größe Granite Creeks hat jeder etwas zu verbergen. Bald häufen sich die Verdächtigen ...
371 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2022
29 people are currently reading
963 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Lando
2 books52 followersVeronica Lando is an Australian author who won the 2021 Banjo Prize for her then unpublished crime fiction manuscript, The Whispering. She brings a fresh twist to the genre and has been described as an unmissable new voice on the Australian crime fiction scene.
As a child, Veronica grew up above her parents’ Melbourne bookshop, living and breathing other people’s stories. Now, as an adult she resides in Townsville, Queensland, and enjoys using the uniquely wild and sometimes dangerous landscapes of the far north to shape her stories.
As a child, Veronica grew up above her parents’ Melbourne bookshop, living and breathing other people’s stories. Now, as an adult she resides in Townsville, Queensland, and enjoys using the uniquely wild and sometimes dangerous landscapes of the far north to shape her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this slow-burn set in a small town in Queensland, Australia, with dramatic and mysterious rain forest and granite cliffs which are the scene of many a tragic event. A mature man, Calum, returns to his town because of yet another fatal accident and begins his own private investigation. Being offered flashbacks together with present time events, we learn about his teenage years and secrets he has been harbouring. It turns out he is not the only one.
Perfect narration by Mr Tredinnick adds to this atmospheric thriller and if you are looking for a book with twists and turns at a slow yet rewarding pace, this is the book for you. A promising debut and I hope to read Ms Lando's next book.
*A big thank-you to Veronica Lando, Bolinda Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
Perfect narration by Mr Tredinnick adds to this atmospheric thriller and if you are looking for a book with twists and turns at a slow yet rewarding pace, this is the book for you. A promising debut and I hope to read Ms Lando's next book.
*A big thank-you to Veronica Lando, Bolinda Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
September 8, 2022
Veronica Lando appears to have mastered the art of misdirection in this expertly told small-town mystery. The fact that the book cover sports a gold label proclaiming the book the winner of the 2021 Banjo Prize for Fiction alerted me that there was something special in store and that’s how it turned out.
The story is set in the Far North Queensland town of Granite Creek as Callum Haffenden makes his return, very much against his better judgement. He’s ostensibly there to help in the search for local firefighter Lachie Wyatt. But the immediate burning question is, why did he travel all the way from Hobart to do so? He hasn’t been back to Granite Creek for 30 years and, judging by the attitude from some of the locals, he’s not exactly welcomed back into the fold.
Almost immediately we are given the stark impression that the rainforest that borders the town holds an insidious hidden danger. The Whispering refers to a tonal undercurrent that apparently lures people in, only to become lost and confused. And then there’s the granite boulders lying at the base of a cliff and the location of more than just a few deaths over the years. The suggestion is that this natural formation may represent the true danger in the story.
But there is so much more going on within the town of Granite Creek. And it’s been going on for more than 30 years.
From the initial missing person search, we begin to understand in greater depth Callum’s real reason for being there. And what we discover is a bitter and tragic past that becomes compelling as it slowly unfolds. The author does a remarkable job of gradually telling Callum’s story by unravelling his past as he comes to terms with his return to Granite Creek.
From one jaw-dropping revelation to the next we are put through the emotional wringer. While helping to solve the present-day mystery, Callum also unpicks the truth behind events from decades earlier.
The story managed to continue to build with intensity, drawing me in just as the Whispering supposedly draws the unsuspecting hiker to the deadly drop to the boulders below.
What an outstanding debut this is, excellent character development combined with a well-constructed plot that benefited from the sure hand of an author who was aware exactly when and where to insert the next unexpected twist.
The story is set in the Far North Queensland town of Granite Creek as Callum Haffenden makes his return, very much against his better judgement. He’s ostensibly there to help in the search for local firefighter Lachie Wyatt. But the immediate burning question is, why did he travel all the way from Hobart to do so? He hasn’t been back to Granite Creek for 30 years and, judging by the attitude from some of the locals, he’s not exactly welcomed back into the fold.
Almost immediately we are given the stark impression that the rainforest that borders the town holds an insidious hidden danger. The Whispering refers to a tonal undercurrent that apparently lures people in, only to become lost and confused. And then there’s the granite boulders lying at the base of a cliff and the location of more than just a few deaths over the years. The suggestion is that this natural formation may represent the true danger in the story.
But there is so much more going on within the town of Granite Creek. And it’s been going on for more than 30 years.
From the initial missing person search, we begin to understand in greater depth Callum’s real reason for being there. And what we discover is a bitter and tragic past that becomes compelling as it slowly unfolds. The author does a remarkable job of gradually telling Callum’s story by unravelling his past as he comes to terms with his return to Granite Creek.
From one jaw-dropping revelation to the next we are put through the emotional wringer. While helping to solve the present-day mystery, Callum also unpicks the truth behind events from decades earlier.
The story managed to continue to build with intensity, drawing me in just as the Whispering supposedly draws the unsuspecting hiker to the deadly drop to the boulders below.
What an outstanding debut this is, excellent character development combined with a well-constructed plot that benefited from the sure hand of an author who was aware exactly when and where to insert the next unexpected twist.
November 18, 2022
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The Whispering by Veronica Lando. (2022).
Callum swore he'd never return to Granite Creek but 30 years after a life-shattering accident, he's thrust back. When a man goes missing in the rainforest the past resurfaces, breathing new life into the previous tragedies of two girls lost, 17 years apart. In a town where it's easiest to turn a blind eye, the guilt runs deep. In his search for answers, Callum fights to keep his feet on the trail as he battles the deafening call of the rainforest. After all, everyone knows that the worst things in the rainforest are those unseen.
This is a fantastic debut novel for the author and it's easy to see why it won the 2021 Banjo Prize for Fiction. The storyline is very absorbing, with two timelines complementing each other nicely to create a tension filled read. Both time periods are narrated by lead character Callum who feels connected to the rainforest and wants to solve the mystery of the missing man in the present. Callum is a flawed man who has long-lasting consequences from an incident in the rainforest years ago, which he can't quite remember the circumstances of. The local town is a classic small-town where residents know more than they admit to and turn blind eyes to things they shouldn't.
Overall: happily recommend this absorbing read for any fans of the crime/mystery genre.
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The Whispering by Veronica Lando. (2022).
Callum swore he'd never return to Granite Creek but 30 years after a life-shattering accident, he's thrust back. When a man goes missing in the rainforest the past resurfaces, breathing new life into the previous tragedies of two girls lost, 17 years apart. In a town where it's easiest to turn a blind eye, the guilt runs deep. In his search for answers, Callum fights to keep his feet on the trail as he battles the deafening call of the rainforest. After all, everyone knows that the worst things in the rainforest are those unseen.
This is a fantastic debut novel for the author and it's easy to see why it won the 2021 Banjo Prize for Fiction. The storyline is very absorbing, with two timelines complementing each other nicely to create a tension filled read. Both time periods are narrated by lead character Callum who feels connected to the rainforest and wants to solve the mystery of the missing man in the present. Callum is a flawed man who has long-lasting consequences from an incident in the rainforest years ago, which he can't quite remember the circumstances of. The local town is a classic small-town where residents know more than they admit to and turn blind eyes to things they shouldn't.
Overall: happily recommend this absorbing read for any fans of the crime/mystery genre.
July 17, 2022
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4.5 stars
‘There’s nothing to it. The whispering is folklore. A legend that kids say to frighten each other, or cruel parents tell to keep their children from falling to their deaths.’
With a gold seal winner badge on the alluring front cover of The Whispering by Veronica Lando, this 2021 Banjo Prize recipient immediately caught my eye. A quintessential Aussie crime noir, The Whispering is a tale of the past, secrets, homecoming, tragedy and conjecture. It was a thrilling slice of local crime fiction.
The Whispering sees the return of a former local resident named Callum Haffenden, who comes back to his old home town of Granite Creek in the wake of a tragic mystery. This devastating new case reignites old memories for Callum. Three decades ago Callum was tragically touched by a terrible accident. As Callum tries to bury the past and the pain that accompanies his previous life in Granite Creek, memories continue to bubble to the surface. As old tragedies are reawakened, suspicions are yet again raised in the local community. Callum makes it his priority and mission to finally expose the truth. But Callum underestimates the power and grip of the rainforest. Will Callum find the answers he needs?
A new entry into the Australian crime noir genre, The Whispering is a masterful debut from Townsville based author Veronica Lando. This one seemed to have a firm grip on me from the start to the finish. I highly recommend picking this debut novel up if you are open to Australian crime thriller novels.
With a vividly portrayed atmosphere, that pervades every moment of the book, The Whispering is a deeply situational text. I’m not very familiar with the tropical rainforest area depicted in this book, but thanks to the author’s descriptive prose, I could imagine this setting incredibly well. As my mind and imagination went into overdrive, so did my sense of unease. The location base of The Whispering is steeped in suspicion, tension, fretfulness, turmoil and anxiety. The setting seems to go hand in hand with the narrative, making The Whispering a top notch read. I certainly enjoyed the stirring tension that pervades this novel.
Lando’s lead is an excellent character and I gravitated towards this figure from the early moments of the novel, right through to the dramatic close. A man with an inherent drive to get to the truth, I greatly admired Callum’s tough resolve. I also found Callum’s past history in regards to his family and acquaintances interesting to uncover. The folk of Granite Creek are a fantastic conglomeration and I saw them as a very solid representation of a community feeling the impact of such long standing tragedy. Lando interrogates this aspect of her novel at all points, making the community tension aspect a true highlight of this novel.
The mystery element in The Whispering is a slow burn which worked well in my eyes. The pace is set to a constant beat with some great acceleration towards the end of the novel as the book winds to its highly anticipated conclusion. Tying into some underlying themes around rumour, gossip, reporting, folklore, policing, regret and disability makes Veronica Lando’s debut a liberal slice of Australian crime fiction. The Whispering will ensure you keep your eyes open for the duration, it’s an all consuming read!
Any praise you see or hear about The Whispering is warranted, congratulations to Veronica Lando on a noteworthy debut.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
4.5 stars
‘There’s nothing to it. The whispering is folklore. A legend that kids say to frighten each other, or cruel parents tell to keep their children from falling to their deaths.’
With a gold seal winner badge on the alluring front cover of The Whispering by Veronica Lando, this 2021 Banjo Prize recipient immediately caught my eye. A quintessential Aussie crime noir, The Whispering is a tale of the past, secrets, homecoming, tragedy and conjecture. It was a thrilling slice of local crime fiction.
The Whispering sees the return of a former local resident named Callum Haffenden, who comes back to his old home town of Granite Creek in the wake of a tragic mystery. This devastating new case reignites old memories for Callum. Three decades ago Callum was tragically touched by a terrible accident. As Callum tries to bury the past and the pain that accompanies his previous life in Granite Creek, memories continue to bubble to the surface. As old tragedies are reawakened, suspicions are yet again raised in the local community. Callum makes it his priority and mission to finally expose the truth. But Callum underestimates the power and grip of the rainforest. Will Callum find the answers he needs?
A new entry into the Australian crime noir genre, The Whispering is a masterful debut from Townsville based author Veronica Lando. This one seemed to have a firm grip on me from the start to the finish. I highly recommend picking this debut novel up if you are open to Australian crime thriller novels.
With a vividly portrayed atmosphere, that pervades every moment of the book, The Whispering is a deeply situational text. I’m not very familiar with the tropical rainforest area depicted in this book, but thanks to the author’s descriptive prose, I could imagine this setting incredibly well. As my mind and imagination went into overdrive, so did my sense of unease. The location base of The Whispering is steeped in suspicion, tension, fretfulness, turmoil and anxiety. The setting seems to go hand in hand with the narrative, making The Whispering a top notch read. I certainly enjoyed the stirring tension that pervades this novel.
Lando’s lead is an excellent character and I gravitated towards this figure from the early moments of the novel, right through to the dramatic close. A man with an inherent drive to get to the truth, I greatly admired Callum’s tough resolve. I also found Callum’s past history in regards to his family and acquaintances interesting to uncover. The folk of Granite Creek are a fantastic conglomeration and I saw them as a very solid representation of a community feeling the impact of such long standing tragedy. Lando interrogates this aspect of her novel at all points, making the community tension aspect a true highlight of this novel.
The mystery element in The Whispering is a slow burn which worked well in my eyes. The pace is set to a constant beat with some great acceleration towards the end of the novel as the book winds to its highly anticipated conclusion. Tying into some underlying themes around rumour, gossip, reporting, folklore, policing, regret and disability makes Veronica Lando’s debut a liberal slice of Australian crime fiction. The Whispering will ensure you keep your eyes open for the duration, it’s an all consuming read!
Any praise you see or hear about The Whispering is warranted, congratulations to Veronica Lando on a noteworthy debut.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
April 17, 2023
Wow! What a journey!
There’s something about the Australian bush that seduces, draws you in. Remember Picnic at Hanging Rock? The bush whispers, beckons!
This novel reflects that drawing in quality, that edge of something not quite seen. The children of the town had been warned about the rainforest and the granite boulders. Yet they all went there, with a jingling friendship bracelet tied around their wrist. To save themselves from the siren song of the land?
Callum Haffenden heads north when he hears the son of a childhood friend had slipped off the rocks and died—slipped or suicide?
Callum has his own fraught time with the rocks and the forest. Not that he remembers the last time. That’s when he lost part of his leg. He still can’t remember what happened. He does remember flashes of color, of bird calls, and the smaller track to the boulders that’s largely covered over now.
He returns and whisps of memories disturb him, confuse him.
Meanwhile he’s not welcome in the town. Someone slashes his trues and trashes his motel room.
All the time a cyclone is building. The atmospheric tensions mirror the town’s tensions.
There’s heaps of nudges and references to the psyche of those who live here.
Told in a series of flashbacks between thirty years ago and today, this is a fascinating, almost gothic, Australian noir mystery that won’t leave your memory for days.
There’s something about the Australian bush that seduces, draws you in. Remember Picnic at Hanging Rock? The bush whispers, beckons!
This novel reflects that drawing in quality, that edge of something not quite seen. The children of the town had been warned about the rainforest and the granite boulders. Yet they all went there, with a jingling friendship bracelet tied around their wrist. To save themselves from the siren song of the land?
Callum Haffenden heads north when he hears the son of a childhood friend had slipped off the rocks and died—slipped or suicide?
Callum has his own fraught time with the rocks and the forest. Not that he remembers the last time. That’s when he lost part of his leg. He still can’t remember what happened. He does remember flashes of color, of bird calls, and the smaller track to the boulders that’s largely covered over now.
He returns and whisps of memories disturb him, confuse him.
Meanwhile he’s not welcome in the town. Someone slashes his trues and trashes his motel room.
All the time a cyclone is building. The atmospheric tensions mirror the town’s tensions.
There’s heaps of nudges and references to the psyche of those who live here.
Told in a series of flashbacks between thirty years ago and today, this is a fascinating, almost gothic, Australian noir mystery that won’t leave your memory for days.
July 21, 2022
I just checked and I’ve read 14 x five star reads this year already. The Whispering has been (so far) my favourite.
Callum is a journalist who returns to the hometown of his youth when a local firefighter, Lachie, goes missing in the nearby rainforest. After Cal joins the SES and his best friend, Eddy (who is the local police officer), in the search, he begins to compare the present day event to an accident he, Eddy and Lachie’s parents were involved in 30 years ago. Of course, as these things go, this leads him to remain in town to investigate further.
I loved Cal. He was a really flawed hero who you instantly wanted to cheer on anyway. I also found liked most of the supporting characters, even when they were acting suspicious. I'm not too precious to admit I imagined The Whispering as a movie the entire time I read, which I took as a sign of strong characterisation and a setting which popped from the page. The Whispering’s Far North Queensland rainforest setting is almost another character with the constant rain, humidity, heat, and threat of a cyclone adding to the book’s stifling tension. I live in the Far North and can vouch that Lando’s depiction of the area and its weather is quite accurate.
There’s many topical themes in the book, all added with a deft touch, including domestic violence, racism, sexual harassment, date rape and PTSD.
It’s difficult to explain but there was just something about The Whispering which dragged me into the story and, even though I read the book very quickly and was eager to finish, I also wanted it to go on for longer and suffered a touch of book hangover afterwards.
It reminded me at times of Jane Harper’s The Dry so if you’re a fan of that, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Obviously 5 out of 5 and highly recommend.
Callum is a journalist who returns to the hometown of his youth when a local firefighter, Lachie, goes missing in the nearby rainforest. After Cal joins the SES and his best friend, Eddy (who is the local police officer), in the search, he begins to compare the present day event to an accident he, Eddy and Lachie’s parents were involved in 30 years ago. Of course, as these things go, this leads him to remain in town to investigate further.
I loved Cal. He was a really flawed hero who you instantly wanted to cheer on anyway. I also found liked most of the supporting characters, even when they were acting suspicious. I'm not too precious to admit I imagined The Whispering as a movie the entire time I read, which I took as a sign of strong characterisation and a setting which popped from the page. The Whispering’s Far North Queensland rainforest setting is almost another character with the constant rain, humidity, heat, and threat of a cyclone adding to the book’s stifling tension. I live in the Far North and can vouch that Lando’s depiction of the area and its weather is quite accurate.
There’s many topical themes in the book, all added with a deft touch, including domestic violence, racism, sexual harassment, date rape and PTSD.
It’s difficult to explain but there was just something about The Whispering which dragged me into the story and, even though I read the book very quickly and was eager to finish, I also wanted it to go on for longer and suffered a touch of book hangover afterwards.
It reminded me at times of Jane Harper’s The Dry so if you’re a fan of that, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Obviously 5 out of 5 and highly recommend.
October 13, 2022
If you love your thriller with a slight spicing of the supernatural, then THE WHISPERING should definitely be on your list (disclaimer: for those of you who love a good dose of spook, this may be a bit too mild). As an added bonus, it also features a delicious small town Australian setting in a remote region just as a cyclone is about to hit. With all those elements adding tension, this story was a definite must-read for me.
Callum Haffenden is an investigative journalist who – just like thousands of mystery protagonists before him – falls into the trap of returning to his old hometown to help with the investigation into the mysterious death of one of his childhood friend’s son. OF course, Callum has plenty of his own secrets and demons, and we will learn in the course of the book why not many people are excited to welcome him back into their fold.
I mentioned a supernatural element, which was one of the main reasons I was instantly drawn to the premise of the book. In the vein of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, a cluster of boulders in the vicinity of the town has been the cause of many a local legend, and linked to the disappearance and death of a few locals in the rainforest. Amongst the town’s children, it is well known that the “whispering” may lure you to your death, so they have taken to wearing small friendship bracelets with bells to drown out the boulders’ siren song. I won’t give any more away, because this was one of the best aspects of the book, albeit one I thought could have used a bit more to create a spookier vibe (I am not easily spooked these days, so it takes a bit to raise my goosebumps).
I was very quickly drawn into the story, even though I thought that aspects of it could have been edited a bit more to move the story along at a better pace. I also had a few issues with credibility, for example the fact that if you’ve been an amputee for 30 years, you would have adapted much better to living with this reality than Callum has. A few other things grated a bit, but all in all the mystery central to the story kept me reading eagerly to find out the answers. Mostly, I loved the remote atmospheric setting, despite the fact that this must have been the slowest ever cyclone to approach a town and the worst prepared locals ever in Australia, flitting about the countryside despite the storm and the flooding (I have been through several natural disasters and believe me, you would not merrily drive around as a Cat 5 cyclone hits your town). Oh, to be able to suspend disbelief!
But don’t listen to my moaning. THE WHISPERING will appeal to readers who love a remote atmospheric setting and a small-town mystery where everyone has something to hide. There were quite a few surprises in store and the premise of the mysterious boulders was most intriguing. Just like a strange mix between PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK and THE DRY, THE WHISPERING is a worthy recipient of the 2021 Banjo Prize.
3.5 stars
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Callum Haffenden is an investigative journalist who – just like thousands of mystery protagonists before him – falls into the trap of returning to his old hometown to help with the investigation into the mysterious death of one of his childhood friend’s son. OF course, Callum has plenty of his own secrets and demons, and we will learn in the course of the book why not many people are excited to welcome him back into their fold.
I mentioned a supernatural element, which was one of the main reasons I was instantly drawn to the premise of the book. In the vein of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, a cluster of boulders in the vicinity of the town has been the cause of many a local legend, and linked to the disappearance and death of a few locals in the rainforest. Amongst the town’s children, it is well known that the “whispering” may lure you to your death, so they have taken to wearing small friendship bracelets with bells to drown out the boulders’ siren song. I won’t give any more away, because this was one of the best aspects of the book, albeit one I thought could have used a bit more to create a spookier vibe (I am not easily spooked these days, so it takes a bit to raise my goosebumps).
I was very quickly drawn into the story, even though I thought that aspects of it could have been edited a bit more to move the story along at a better pace. I also had a few issues with credibility, for example the fact that if you’ve been an amputee for 30 years, you would have adapted much better to living with this reality than Callum has. A few other things grated a bit, but all in all the mystery central to the story kept me reading eagerly to find out the answers. Mostly, I loved the remote atmospheric setting, despite the fact that this must have been the slowest ever cyclone to approach a town and the worst prepared locals ever in Australia, flitting about the countryside despite the storm and the flooding (I have been through several natural disasters and believe me, you would not merrily drive around as a Cat 5 cyclone hits your town). Oh, to be able to suspend disbelief!
But don’t listen to my moaning. THE WHISPERING will appeal to readers who love a remote atmospheric setting and a small-town mystery where everyone has something to hide. There were quite a few surprises in store and the premise of the mysterious boulders was most intriguing. Just like a strange mix between PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK and THE DRY, THE WHISPERING is a worthy recipient of the 2021 Banjo Prize.
3.5 stars
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July 13, 2022
My second jungle/rainforest book of 2022 and my second book in a row of atmospheric Australian mystery.
Journalist Callum Haffenden returns to his hometown that he left 30 years ago to help locate missing hiker Lachie Wyatt.
There is local talk of the Whispering Boulders, a natural rock formation that scares children into jumping from the cliffs to their deaths.
Just a story to scare children? Or does it have an element of truth? Everyone in the small town is harbouring a secret.
Read if you loved Forces of Nature by Jane Harper or anything by Chris Hammer. Read if you love Far North Queensland, Daintree Rainforest and spooky disappearance stories harking back to Picnic at Hanging Rock. Read if you liked Cedar Valley by Holly Throsby. Common elements include small town mystery, Australian weather events (cyclone), secrets, family drama, mortal peril
Journalist Callum Haffenden returns to his hometown that he left 30 years ago to help locate missing hiker Lachie Wyatt.
There is local talk of the Whispering Boulders, a natural rock formation that scares children into jumping from the cliffs to their deaths.
Just a story to scare children? Or does it have an element of truth? Everyone in the small town is harbouring a secret.
Read if you loved Forces of Nature by Jane Harper or anything by Chris Hammer. Read if you love Far North Queensland, Daintree Rainforest and spooky disappearance stories harking back to Picnic at Hanging Rock. Read if you liked Cedar Valley by Holly Throsby. Common elements include small town mystery, Australian weather events (cyclone), secrets, family drama, mortal peril
December 5, 2022
Oh my goodness, I thought I would love this book! It has most of of what I love about a mystery/thriller; small cast of characters, atmospheric, and a small town full of secrets. However, this one didn't get it done for me...
I think my main issue with this book was the pacing, there were parts of the book that felt repetitive and overly written, which slowed down the story and sucked me out of the atmosphere.
I figured out a few of the plot twists early on, they aren't particularly well hidden and this was a bit of a disappointment to me.
I wish the author had have dug deeper into the creepy "whispering" idea, as I think this was the best part of the book, but it was not developed enough...
Callum as a character is a bit annoying and I didn't really enjoy reading about him to be honest.
I think my main issue with this book was the pacing, there were parts of the book that felt repetitive and overly written, which slowed down the story and sucked me out of the atmosphere.
I figured out a few of the plot twists early on, they aren't particularly well hidden and this was a bit of a disappointment to me.
I wish the author had have dug deeper into the creepy "whispering" idea, as I think this was the best part of the book, but it was not developed enough...
Callum as a character is a bit annoying and I didn't really enjoy reading about him to be honest.
April 4, 2023
Aussie crime debut was a great start for this talented author. Lots of twists and turns with quite a few surprises. The writing was good. I chose to listen to this as an audiobook and thought David Tredinnic did a wonderful job and was perfect for this suspenseful tale. I do recommend it if you like mysteries.
Thanks Bolinda Audio via NetGalley.
Thanks Bolinda Audio via NetGalley.
September 16, 2022
This one gave me serious Jane Harper vibes. If you love her sense of place, small town mysteries and twists you will not see coming - then do yourself a favour and check out The Whispering by Veronica Lando. With only 162 ratings on Goodreads - this deserves a while lot more hype.
July 2, 2022
The Whispering by Veronica Lando is an absolutely amazing debut novel! It is so atmospheric, creepy and mysterious. It definitely has the WOW factor!
Set in Far North Queensland in a small town surrounded by tropical rainforests which are dark, deep and dank with moisture and humidity; heaving with mystery and omens of people hearing the rainforest whispering and falling from the boulders overlooking flowing water, this town has so many people with so many secrets that seem to be oozing out as the wet season hits with a possible cyclone on the way. Windy, wet, humid and hot. What a superb location for a crime mystery.
The main character Callum Haffenden returns to this town after thirty years after hearing of another death at the boulders. His family left the town after he had a life changing accident at the boulders and now he is back after another incident. His return stirs up a hornets nest and complications are rife for many of those in the town.
This is a great read that had me under its spell - the whispering….
Highly recommended read.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Publishers Australia via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheWhispering #Netgalley
Set in Far North Queensland in a small town surrounded by tropical rainforests which are dark, deep and dank with moisture and humidity; heaving with mystery and omens of people hearing the rainforest whispering and falling from the boulders overlooking flowing water, this town has so many people with so many secrets that seem to be oozing out as the wet season hits with a possible cyclone on the way. Windy, wet, humid and hot. What a superb location for a crime mystery.
The main character Callum Haffenden returns to this town after thirty years after hearing of another death at the boulders. His family left the town after he had a life changing accident at the boulders and now he is back after another incident. His return stirs up a hornets nest and complications are rife for many of those in the town.
This is a great read that had me under its spell - the whispering….
Highly recommended read.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Publishers Australia via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheWhispering #Netgalley
August 14, 2022
More of a 2.5 than a 3 unfortunately. Lots of repetition of the same descriptive words. The basic storyline was good but some of the characters felt very stereotypical and one dimensional. The way the storyline bounced back and forth was at times confusing and not necessary.
December 2, 2022
1.5 stars
In the minority here but I didn’t really enjoy this book. I was thinking about discontinuing at various points but somehow got through it.
I found the characters to not be very relatable and wasn’t emotionally invested. It was so plot driven and there was next to no character development. We were constantly reminded that Callum had his leg amputated and I felt like he became a caricature. Also I found how involved he was in the police investigation to be very unrealistic.
There were lots of twists in this book but I found them disappointing. There were a lot of opportunities to dive deep into some serious issues - eg childhood neglect for Pip, alcohol abuse, living with a disability or domestic violence - but the book only skimmed the surface.
I don’t think the tragedy of losing a loved one or having a loved one be missing was properly given weight either.
In the minority here but I didn’t really enjoy this book. I was thinking about discontinuing at various points but somehow got through it.
I found the characters to not be very relatable and wasn’t emotionally invested. It was so plot driven and there was next to no character development. We were constantly reminded that Callum had his leg amputated and I felt like he became a caricature. Also I found how involved he was in the police investigation to be very unrealistic.
There were lots of twists in this book but I found them disappointing. There were a lot of opportunities to dive deep into some serious issues - eg childhood neglect for Pip, alcohol abuse, living with a disability or domestic violence - but the book only skimmed the surface.
I don’t think the tragedy of losing a loved one or having a loved one be missing was properly given weight either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
Don’t you just love it when a book just sneaks up and surprises you? The Whispering by @veronicalandoauthor did just that!!
Set in Far North Queensland the book has such an atmospheric setting that you feel like you are right there experiencing the tropical weather with the humidity and the constant rain with a cyclone fast approaching.
The story begins with Callum Heffenden returning to Granite Creek 30 years after he left vowing never to return.
A local man has gone missing and memories of the past begin to resurface of another 2 girls lost. Callum is determined to find answers about what happened to the missing local Lachie and about what happened in the past, all the while battling the whispers of the rainforest.
The book is full of twists and turns as the story is told from the present and the past. Just when you think you can put the book down you are given a twist that makes you want to keep on reading and the twists and turns down end till the very last page. While reading this as part of a daily read-along it was so hard to stop reading this riveting Australian debut novel.
Veronica Lando, I cannot wait to be front and centre to pick up your next novel!
Thanks to @harpercollinsaustralia and @tandemcollectiveglobal for my gifted copy.
Set in Far North Queensland the book has such an atmospheric setting that you feel like you are right there experiencing the tropical weather with the humidity and the constant rain with a cyclone fast approaching.
The story begins with Callum Heffenden returning to Granite Creek 30 years after he left vowing never to return.
A local man has gone missing and memories of the past begin to resurface of another 2 girls lost. Callum is determined to find answers about what happened to the missing local Lachie and about what happened in the past, all the while battling the whispers of the rainforest.
The book is full of twists and turns as the story is told from the present and the past. Just when you think you can put the book down you are given a twist that makes you want to keep on reading and the twists and turns down end till the very last page. While reading this as part of a daily read-along it was so hard to stop reading this riveting Australian debut novel.
Veronica Lando, I cannot wait to be front and centre to pick up your next novel!
Thanks to @harpercollinsaustralia and @tandemcollectiveglobal for my gifted copy.
July 13, 2022
I've had an absolute ball reading this with others via The Tandem Collective. Thank you, Tandem, for organising & publisher for the copy of the book.
The novel opens with our protagonist, Callum Haffenden, returning (somewhat reluctantly) to Granite Creek. Despite his hesitation, he is implacably drawn to the latest missing person case in Granite Creek. Despite his dread of his past, of the whispering, he must, once and for all, discover the truth.
Gorgeous description of setting though somewhat creepy and uncomfortable but very atmospheric. It's a very clear picture of a grey world with unremitting drizzle (sometimes drenching!) combined with humidity-related sweat which lend the mystery ever more intriguing.
As Callum continued to dig in the current mystery, his mind is also slowly clearing up his murky memory of the past. Hand in hand along with secrets the townspeople carried and hid, Veronica Lando wove an intricate mystery replete with smokescreens and suspense. A powerful and thrilling read!
https://www.instagram.com/stories/hig...
The novel opens with our protagonist, Callum Haffenden, returning (somewhat reluctantly) to Granite Creek. Despite his hesitation, he is implacably drawn to the latest missing person case in Granite Creek. Despite his dread of his past, of the whispering, he must, once and for all, discover the truth.
Gorgeous description of setting though somewhat creepy and uncomfortable but very atmospheric. It's a very clear picture of a grey world with unremitting drizzle (sometimes drenching!) combined with humidity-related sweat which lend the mystery ever more intriguing.
As Callum continued to dig in the current mystery, his mind is also slowly clearing up his murky memory of the past. Hand in hand along with secrets the townspeople carried and hid, Veronica Lando wove an intricate mystery replete with smokescreens and suspense. A powerful and thrilling read!
https://www.instagram.com/stories/hig...
July 26, 2022
Force of Nature meets The Bluffs. THE WHISPERING gave me vibes of these brilliant mystery thrillers throughout, but this book was also something else entirely.
Set in a suffocating & volatile small town in the tropics of Far North Queensland, THE WHISPERING is an enthralling mystery with layers & twists that I didn’t see coming.
Luckily for this easily-scared reader, the overall plot wasn’t as spooky as the taglines suggested and I really enjoyed that this story leaned more towards a mystery that kept me guessing. The flashes to 30 years earlier really deepened the mystery & I cycled through several theories throughout the course of my reading.
I loved the setting of this book & the complexities of the characters. This is guaranteed to be a page-turner for fans of Aussie mysteries & thrillers!
A big thank you to the publisher who sent me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a suffocating & volatile small town in the tropics of Far North Queensland, THE WHISPERING is an enthralling mystery with layers & twists that I didn’t see coming.
Luckily for this easily-scared reader, the overall plot wasn’t as spooky as the taglines suggested and I really enjoyed that this story leaned more towards a mystery that kept me guessing. The flashes to 30 years earlier really deepened the mystery & I cycled through several theories throughout the course of my reading.
I loved the setting of this book & the complexities of the characters. This is guaranteed to be a page-turner for fans of Aussie mysteries & thrillers!
A big thank you to the publisher who sent me this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2022
There are many books left half read on my bedside table, this was definitely was not one of them! Absolutely couldn’t put it down! The intoxicating story and characters who pop off the page had me engaged from the get go. Some epic twists and turns along the way ensue in this stunningly crafted debut, dripping with the atmosphere of Far North Queensland. Will be recommending to all my friends and family. I cannot wait to see what Veronica has in store for us next!
August 29, 2022
It took nearly 250 pages for this book to get into some form of story, the first half seemingly went around in circles. Once the story unfolded it was a great and went down a path which I didn't expect. Just a shame it took so long. I felt like pulling the pin a few times throughout out of sheer frustration.
June 15, 2022
Wow, wow, wow 🤩
From start to finish you had me eating every word up and flipping pages like a crazy lady. I will never look at the boulders the same again 😬 Fantastic novel, highly recommend 👍
From start to finish you had me eating every word up and flipping pages like a crazy lady. I will never look at the boulders the same again 😬 Fantastic novel, highly recommend 👍
October 10, 2022
4.5⭐️ This book made you feel like you were right there in the forest.
Half ⭐️ deduction as it was a little slow in the middle
Half ⭐️ deduction as it was a little slow in the middle
February 16, 2023
2.5
Felt like a season of home and away. So many story lines.
The rainforest, cyclone setting is a setting for missing people, however the depth of this setting wasn't consistent and became superfluous.
The whispering was distracting and not well enough developed for the book to be titled after this.
Enough of a pace to keep you wanting to keep going, but afraid it wasn't my cup of tea.
Felt like a season of home and away. So many story lines.
The rainforest, cyclone setting is a setting for missing people, however the depth of this setting wasn't consistent and became superfluous.
The whispering was distracting and not well enough developed for the book to be titled after this.
Enough of a pace to keep you wanting to keep going, but afraid it wasn't my cup of tea.
March 9, 2025
2.5🌟, slow, no burn
August 1, 2022
If you are a regular reader of my reviews you may have realised I don't review anything less than three stars. Writing is just too much hard work so I prefer to remain silent on works that don't deserve, in my opinion, at least three. The Whispering just made it. I might be wrong. The judges of the Banjo prize obviously thought so, awarding the 2021 prize for an unpublished manuscript. Maybe it needed a bit more work from then, and I wonder if Harper Collins, having signed the winning manuscript, went to print a little too quickly.
Two things. Maybe it is three. Set as a sort of Rainforest Picnic at Hanging Rock there is an enticing poem 'The whispering will take your child, If you dare to look away...' enough to get me in. So the first trouble, without being too much of a spoiler, is to mention William Tyrell. Any Australian will know of the disappearance of William and the multi year inquest and police investigation. So there is a believability factor here that for me is about zero. Next, we learn early on that our main character has lost his leg in an accident, and it is hinted that this is in some way related to the Whispering Boulders. The particular circumstances are important near the end, and I will admit to knowing nothing about living with a missing leg/prosthesis, but the continual trouble he has? His pain is kind of irrelevant, the difficulty of getting about on a prosthesis is enough for the story. If I lost a leg I would not put up with twenty years of pain. I'd get a better doctor, better prosthesis. (maybe I'm wrong. If you live with a prosthesis let me know. Is this what you put up with? Surely medical science can do better?) Point being this repeated trouble is not part of the story and it generates a main character who is supposedly a sharp investigative journalist with no insight into himself, and we are constantly reminded of both his missing leg and the foul weather (the third niggle). Say it once, say it well, and let us move on with the story.
All in all, though, I did have to finish the book to know the ending, and the second half is better. This compares to a Linda Le Plante book I picked up next. I was camping in a hut in the forest and someone had left 'Deadly Intent' in the hut. I read the first half. It has none of the problems of 'The Whispering', but also none of the imagination. Somewhere between these two is the perfect crime book.
Two things. Maybe it is three. Set as a sort of Rainforest Picnic at Hanging Rock there is an enticing poem 'The whispering will take your child, If you dare to look away...' enough to get me in. So the first trouble, without being too much of a spoiler, is to mention William Tyrell. Any Australian will know of the disappearance of William and the multi year inquest and police investigation. So there is a believability factor here that for me is about zero. Next, we learn early on that our main character has lost his leg in an accident, and it is hinted that this is in some way related to the Whispering Boulders. The particular circumstances are important near the end, and I will admit to knowing nothing about living with a missing leg/prosthesis, but the continual trouble he has? His pain is kind of irrelevant, the difficulty of getting about on a prosthesis is enough for the story. If I lost a leg I would not put up with twenty years of pain. I'd get a better doctor, better prosthesis. (maybe I'm wrong. If you live with a prosthesis let me know. Is this what you put up with? Surely medical science can do better?) Point being this repeated trouble is not part of the story and it generates a main character who is supposedly a sharp investigative journalist with no insight into himself, and we are constantly reminded of both his missing leg and the foul weather (the third niggle). Say it once, say it well, and let us move on with the story.
All in all, though, I did have to finish the book to know the ending, and the second half is better. This compares to a Linda Le Plante book I picked up next. I was camping in a hut in the forest and someone had left 'Deadly Intent' in the hut. I read the first half. It has none of the problems of 'The Whispering', but also none of the imagination. Somewhere between these two is the perfect crime book.
August 20, 2022
Another great debut from an Aussie author. Aussie authors have been knocking it out of the park this year!
Callum Haffenden returned to Granite Creek after thirty years of avoiding it. He had a major life-altering accident at the Far North Queensland boulders; the same place where two girls, seventeen years apart, and now a local grown man went missing without a trace. All the locals had been warned about the whispering, and knew better than to step out of the rainforest trail to follow it.
The scenery was written masterfully in this one. The rainforest, the muddy footpath, the boulders, and the nature successfully gave me the claustrophobic setting needed. Callum as the main character was very interesting to follow. His struggles with his leg, his anxiety attacks and the whispering captivated me so much.
From the onset, this looked like a straightforward missing person mystery. But it wasn’t straightforward at all. The case and people’s relationships were complex and full of twists and turns. Shocking things were revealed every few chapters, I was hooked through and through. It was really hard to stop reading to do my daily chores!
I also had the privilege of reading this book together with a group of bookstagrammers for a readalong. It was really fun to listen to other readers’ perspectives, including the symbolisms scattered throughout the book via the birds and plants that made appearances. Not an outdoorsy person myself, this kind of details would’ve easily been lost on me.
To me personally, this was exactly how I liked my small town crime thriller written. I couldn’t fault anything in it. I will definitely read more books from Veronica Lando.
Thanks to Tandem Collective Global and Harper Collins Australia for this #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
See my bookstagram review.
Callum Haffenden returned to Granite Creek after thirty years of avoiding it. He had a major life-altering accident at the Far North Queensland boulders; the same place where two girls, seventeen years apart, and now a local grown man went missing without a trace. All the locals had been warned about the whispering, and knew better than to step out of the rainforest trail to follow it.
The scenery was written masterfully in this one. The rainforest, the muddy footpath, the boulders, and the nature successfully gave me the claustrophobic setting needed. Callum as the main character was very interesting to follow. His struggles with his leg, his anxiety attacks and the whispering captivated me so much.
From the onset, this looked like a straightforward missing person mystery. But it wasn’t straightforward at all. The case and people’s relationships were complex and full of twists and turns. Shocking things were revealed every few chapters, I was hooked through and through. It was really hard to stop reading to do my daily chores!
I also had the privilege of reading this book together with a group of bookstagrammers for a readalong. It was really fun to listen to other readers’ perspectives, including the symbolisms scattered throughout the book via the birds and plants that made appearances. Not an outdoorsy person myself, this kind of details would’ve easily been lost on me.
To me personally, this was exactly how I liked my small town crime thriller written. I couldn’t fault anything in it. I will definitely read more books from Veronica Lando.
Thanks to Tandem Collective Global and Harper Collins Australia for this #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
See my bookstagram review.
June 26, 2022
This is a brilliant debut novel from a major new talent in the Australian crime writing genre. All the secrets of a small town in Far North Queensland pull you into the plot and drag you towards the climax as if you’ve heard the ‘Whispering’ yourself. Loads of tension, wild weather, and complicated characters make for a riveting read. Tropical Queensland and cassowaries are woefully underrepresented in the world of fiction, so this is a most welcome addition. I look forward to meeting the irrepressible investigative journalist and frustrated detective Callum Haffenden again.
September 14, 2022
Is it just me or is the description of his "missing leg giving a stab" really annoying after a while. Yes, we understand the poor man is suffering, his limb is missing, it must be really bad being an amputee etc. but do we need to hear this every other sentence? I haven't finished it as yet, but the incredibly copious amount of times this is mentioned is really turning me off.
November 28, 2022
I wanted to love this book, but I struggled with the way key information was withheld from the reader so it could be revealed later as a "twist".
December 18, 2022
where was the editing in this book!? The continual descriptives relating to “the stump” & “the wet” were unnecessary & tiresome!
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