What do you think?
Rate this book
The Voices
In the scorching summer of 1976—the hottest on record—Christopher Norton, his wife Laura and their young daughter Faye settle into their new home in north London.
The faded glory of the Victorian house is the perfect place for Norton, a composer of film soundtracks, to build a recording studio of his own. But soon in the long, oppressively hot nights, Laura begins to hear something through the crackle of the baby monitor. First, a knocking sound. Then come the voices.
For Norton, the voices mark an exciting opportunity. Putting his work aside, he begins the project of a lifetime—a grand symphony incorporating the voices—and becomes increasingly obsessed with one voice in particular. Someone who is determined to make themselves heard . . .
The faded glory of the Victorian house is the perfect place for Norton, a composer of film soundtracks, to build a recording studio of his own. But soon in the long, oppressively hot nights, Laura begins to hear something through the crackle of the baby monitor. First, a knocking sound. Then come the voices.
For Norton, the voices mark an exciting opportunity. Putting his work aside, he begins the project of a lifetime—a grand symphony incorporating the voices—and becomes increasingly obsessed with one voice in particular. Someone who is determined to make themselves heard . . .
376 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
41 people are currently reading
2302 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
May 28, 2014
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
To some, The Voices is going to be just another haunted house ghost story. To others, it will be one of the most terrifying books you’ll ever read. I’ll admit I came very close to not reading this, simply because the novel’s description made it sound much too scary. As a parent of a toddler, I had a feeling this one might cut to close for comfort and give me nightmares. But true to form, in the end I just couldn’t resist a good horror.
The year is 1976, the hottest summer in the United Kingdom since records began, and Christopher Norton and his wife Laura and baby girl Faye had just moved into their a grand old Victorian era home in the desirable neighborhood of Hampstead. A composer by trade, Christopher spends much of his time in his attic studio recording music, and before long he starts to hear strange voices on his tapes. Around the same time, Laura beings to notice knocking sounds from the baby monitor and baby Faye seemingly to babble at something unseen…
Haunted houses have long been a horror fan favorite, and whether you love it or hate it, they’re here to stay. The reason why certain tropes tend to stick around is because they’re so effective – if you can’t feel safe in your own home, then where can you? – and though I’ve read plenty of books and seen many more movies based around this idea, I don’t seem to be tired of it yet. It’s interesting because the narrative structure of The Voices actually reminds me so much of watching a movie, with regards to the use of familiar themes or the way particular events have a very cinematic quality to them. The book is also intensely atmospheric, heightening the creep factor and delicious sense of dread.
In truth, The Voices is a rather uncomplicated novel. But the author, being a clinical psychologist, knows just what to say to make you squirm. Tallis builds his story around a very believable, very flawed couple, giving them a depth of emotion not often found in characters in this genre. Christopher and Laura might not be parents of the year, but their thoughts and reactions towards the strange happenings in their house are so realistic you just can’t help but feel a connection. There were a couple scenes that really shook me up, because 1) they involved a baby, and 2) I know how awful it feels to worry for your child. There were things here straight out of my worst nightmare.
But the haunting is also just one single aspect of The Voices, a piece of a larger story with a complex web of relationship dynamics. I liked that there was more substance to this novel than just the horror elements, and in fact, my only complaint is that these minor plot threads weren’t more cohesive and connected to the overall picture. There were a lot of other things going on with Christopher and Laura’s lives outside their creepy old house, and while I got the feeling they were all relevant to the story, I just couldn’t figure out how. A little more direction would have probably made for a tidier conclusion, but I was still overall very impressed at the well-roundedness of the novel.
If you’re in the mood for a good ghost story or a classic haunting, The Voices is a very good choice. It’s one of the more memorable and chilling horror novels I’ve read of this type, and a genuinely freaked me out in more than a couple instances.
To some, The Voices is going to be just another haunted house ghost story. To others, it will be one of the most terrifying books you’ll ever read. I’ll admit I came very close to not reading this, simply because the novel’s description made it sound much too scary. As a parent of a toddler, I had a feeling this one might cut to close for comfort and give me nightmares. But true to form, in the end I just couldn’t resist a good horror.
The year is 1976, the hottest summer in the United Kingdom since records began, and Christopher Norton and his wife Laura and baby girl Faye had just moved into their a grand old Victorian era home in the desirable neighborhood of Hampstead. A composer by trade, Christopher spends much of his time in his attic studio recording music, and before long he starts to hear strange voices on his tapes. Around the same time, Laura beings to notice knocking sounds from the baby monitor and baby Faye seemingly to babble at something unseen…
Haunted houses have long been a horror fan favorite, and whether you love it or hate it, they’re here to stay. The reason why certain tropes tend to stick around is because they’re so effective – if you can’t feel safe in your own home, then where can you? – and though I’ve read plenty of books and seen many more movies based around this idea, I don’t seem to be tired of it yet. It’s interesting because the narrative structure of The Voices actually reminds me so much of watching a movie, with regards to the use of familiar themes or the way particular events have a very cinematic quality to them. The book is also intensely atmospheric, heightening the creep factor and delicious sense of dread.
In truth, The Voices is a rather uncomplicated novel. But the author, being a clinical psychologist, knows just what to say to make you squirm. Tallis builds his story around a very believable, very flawed couple, giving them a depth of emotion not often found in characters in this genre. Christopher and Laura might not be parents of the year, but their thoughts and reactions towards the strange happenings in their house are so realistic you just can’t help but feel a connection. There were a couple scenes that really shook me up, because 1) they involved a baby, and 2) I know how awful it feels to worry for your child. There were things here straight out of my worst nightmare.
But the haunting is also just one single aspect of The Voices, a piece of a larger story with a complex web of relationship dynamics. I liked that there was more substance to this novel than just the horror elements, and in fact, my only complaint is that these minor plot threads weren’t more cohesive and connected to the overall picture. There were a lot of other things going on with Christopher and Laura’s lives outside their creepy old house, and while I got the feeling they were all relevant to the story, I just couldn’t figure out how. A little more direction would have probably made for a tidier conclusion, but I was still overall very impressed at the well-roundedness of the novel.
If you’re in the mood for a good ghost story or a classic haunting, The Voices is a very good choice. It’s one of the more memorable and chilling horror novels I’ve read of this type, and a genuinely freaked me out in more than a couple instances.
May 14, 2014
I love a good paranormal story but this is not one of them.
Set back in the very hot summer of 1976 the spooky house is bought and renovated by a young couple.
The guy is into music and sets up a sound studio.. his job is music for films.
The girl who was a model has her baby.. all nice and cosy up to now.
Then mumble voices on the sound studio tapes and on the baby monitor.
Guy thinks "great make music to dead peoples voices"!
Girl thinks.. "oh my baby is in danger"!
The story then falls apart for me...but everyone has their own paranormal tastes.
I like my horror stories to make a little sense.
Set back in the very hot summer of 1976 the spooky house is bought and renovated by a young couple.
The guy is into music and sets up a sound studio.. his job is music for films.
The girl who was a model has her baby.. all nice and cosy up to now.
Then mumble voices on the sound studio tapes and on the baby monitor.
Guy thinks "great make music to dead peoples voices"!
Girl thinks.. "oh my baby is in danger"!
The story then falls apart for me...but everyone has their own paranormal tastes.
I like my horror stories to make a little sense.
December 6, 2014
3.5 what a fine story teller Tallis is as he has proved with his Liebermann series. This is a stand alone, about a house, a couple and their young infant. From the beginning things are just not right with the house, husband and wife concealing many of the events from the other. Not horrifically scary but insidiously creepy. As the husband learns of the magician who had owned the house previously, the wife slowly deteriorates.
The last half of the book takes a turn I was not expecting and the ending was a complete surprise, a terrible one. Again Tallis does not hold our hand in providing the answers but leaves the reader to figure out their own conclusion as to what happened.
ARC from publisher.
The last half of the book takes a turn I was not expecting and the ending was a complete surprise, a terrible one. Again Tallis does not hold our hand in providing the answers but leaves the reader to figure out their own conclusion as to what happened.
ARC from publisher.
June 6, 2014
Disappointing.. thought the story initially was good but yet the writer seemed to loose the momentum of the plot and be drawn into unnecessary side stories which added nothing to the main story.
April 28, 2015
Okay... Well... I don't know what to say. This succeeded on some levels but failed on others. I was rapt but the ending doesn't make any sense. No, no, you don't get away with giving such a vague ending. There was no explanation at all. No reasons why. We're not told what happens to Laura either and why them? That makes no sense either.
But this is horror that kept me rapt for much of this book so I gave it three stars. Decent horror, all in all, is really hard to find these days.
But this is horror that kept me rapt for much of this book so I gave it three stars. Decent horror, all in all, is really hard to find these days.
June 26, 2014
Oh my God! Where to start....
First off spotted this in my local bookshop and sounding like my thing, bought it. Worst thing i ever did! What drivel! It's my policy to not put other people's work down but this didn't just suck! It made me flippin' angry! None of the characters are likable, but you do start to feel for Laura and Faye for having a pig like Christopher in their lives!
The supernatural was more of a background story and i found it long winded and it droned on and on about useless things, we didn't need to know.
All in All this is the worst book I've ever read and wouldn't recommend it or the author!
First off spotted this in my local bookshop and sounding like my thing, bought it. Worst thing i ever did! What drivel! It's my policy to not put other people's work down but this didn't just suck! It made me flippin' angry! None of the characters are likable, but you do start to feel for Laura and Faye for having a pig like Christopher in their lives!
The supernatural was more of a background story and i found it long winded and it droned on and on about useless things, we didn't need to know.
All in All this is the worst book I've ever read and wouldn't recommend it or the author!
December 30, 2014
Continuing in the fine vein he set up in The Sleep Room, Tallis invests various modern periods with the true spirit of the Gothic - seventies London here. Always a compelling scientific angle in his stories, matched by enigmatic suggestions of the supernatural. One of the best modern writers of horror novels in my book.
February 16, 2015
I have to say this novel is highly suspenseful and mysterious. It certainly falls into the "quiet horror" subgenre, which I like very much. Personally though, I found Tallis' style of writing, his formal narrative distance of "storytelling" failed to go deep enough for me. As a reader, I like to be inside the skin of the characters and feel their fears and emotions with them on the page. With Chris and Laura, I felt more like an observer, watching from the outside as they struggled through their marriage problems, the supernatural events, and trying to protect their baby daughter Faye. I read this book in two sittings, so it does grab you and move fast despite the subplots that didn't quite gel for me. I disagree that this is a ghost story. This is EVIL that goes beyond hauntings. Lots of themes here: infidelity, feminism, mental illness, the power of evil, magic, isolation, drugs. As for the ending, OMG, very disturbing. And I confess to being very unhappy with it. This was my first time reading F.R. Tallis. I'm glad I tried him out.
April 21, 2017
This probably would have been a 4 star review if it weren't for the ending. I feel like I was left with a lot of unanswered questions...
April 23, 2021
Congratulations to The Voices for being the worst book I’ve read since 2019!
Nothing HAPPENS until there’s TWO AND A HALF HOURS LEFT. Everything until that point is filler, except for the ghost voices on the tapes. The husband moans about his former model wife being depressed and fat and cheats on her, and works on his big special composition.
NOTHING is explained. Why even write the book if you aren’t going to FINISH it?
There was a Victorian magician who’s big trick was making children disappear on stage. Someone finds progress pictures of a sad Victorian child completely fading into nothingness. Research on the magician says he used to live in the house, and was a pretty shitty guy. Nothing—literally nothing—becomes of this information. The husband hears the ghost of the magician CALLING FOR THE HUSBANDS BABY, saying she will be his, and hears other ghosts saying YO STOP DOING THIS ITS DANGEROUS and guess what. The baby vanishes and is presumably stolen by the ghost. The baby’s corpse is found in a hidden cellar at the veeeery end.
Why did the magician choose children? How did his magic work? Why is his ghost so powerful, and how did he whisk away a physical baby? What did he do to her in the cellar, and why?
Well, if you want to know, don’t fucking read this book, because it sure as shit won’t tell you.
All the characters are garbage with the exception of Laura and Susan. There’s so much casual misogyny it borders on parody. The husband goes on a “NOT ALL MEN” rant to his wife who is like “ok ur right” UGHHH.
This book is neither horror nor thriller. The 'horror' amounts to the sound of rattling chains, some ghostly voices, and a dead baby. There is no thrill. The most anticipatory part is waiting for something to actually fucking happen, and it simply doesn't.
Looking at the authors profile, I’m not surprised he’s an academic, because the writing is dryer than Ben Shapiro’s wife. Dryer than the desert. Reading this book is like eating a fistful of hot sand: it fucking sucks and I don’t recommend it.
Nothing HAPPENS until there’s TWO AND A HALF HOURS LEFT. Everything until that point is filler, except for the ghost voices on the tapes. The husband moans about his former model wife being depressed and fat and cheats on her, and works on his big special composition.
NOTHING is explained. Why even write the book if you aren’t going to FINISH it?
There was a Victorian magician who’s big trick was making children disappear on stage. Someone finds progress pictures of a sad Victorian child completely fading into nothingness. Research on the magician says he used to live in the house, and was a pretty shitty guy. Nothing—literally nothing—becomes of this information. The husband hears the ghost of the magician CALLING FOR THE HUSBANDS BABY, saying she will be his, and hears other ghosts saying YO STOP DOING THIS ITS DANGEROUS and guess what. The baby vanishes and is presumably stolen by the ghost. The baby’s corpse is found in a hidden cellar at the veeeery end.
Why did the magician choose children? How did his magic work? Why is his ghost so powerful, and how did he whisk away a physical baby? What did he do to her in the cellar, and why?
Well, if you want to know, don’t fucking read this book, because it sure as shit won’t tell you.
All the characters are garbage with the exception of Laura and Susan. There’s so much casual misogyny it borders on parody. The husband goes on a “NOT ALL MEN” rant to his wife who is like “ok ur right” UGHHH.
This book is neither horror nor thriller. The 'horror' amounts to the sound of rattling chains, some ghostly voices, and a dead baby. There is no thrill. The most anticipatory part is waiting for something to actually fucking happen, and it simply doesn't.
Looking at the authors profile, I’m not surprised he’s an academic, because the writing is dryer than Ben Shapiro’s wife. Dryer than the desert. Reading this book is like eating a fistful of hot sand: it fucking sucks and I don’t recommend it.
December 31, 2014
Uses imagery and atmosphere to evoke an insidious foreboding that the reader feels long before it's acknowledged on a conscious level.
The Voices was the very definition of what I think of as psychological horror. The majority of the story's pages were devoted to its characters' inner thoughts, relationships with one another, and ins and outs of their careers. Accordingly, the pace, although consistent, was quite slow. Not as slow as a sloth, more a snail's pace. I'm a huge fan of the slow-burn style of horror, yet the numerous descriptions of how sound equipment worked tested my patience.
Given that the story was told in chronological order, each chapter a new week or a new month, and that the big climax happened during August 1976, around page 281 of the total 374-page novel, I have to assume Tallis wanted to explore marriage, parenting and ambition more than he wanted to tell a "ghost story." I definitely would've preferred this novel start at page 281 then went on from there for 300 pages, because the story of Edward Maybury was far more compelling, to me, than the deteriorating marriages of a bunch of narcissists. Seriously, what's to like about Christopher or Laura?!
All in all, not bad, but I would only recommend this one to extremely patient readers of psychological horror.
3 stars
The Voices was the very definition of what I think of as psychological horror. The majority of the story's pages were devoted to its characters' inner thoughts, relationships with one another, and ins and outs of their careers. Accordingly, the pace, although consistent, was quite slow. Not as slow as a sloth, more a snail's pace. I'm a huge fan of the slow-burn style of horror, yet the numerous descriptions of how sound equipment worked tested my patience.
Given that the story was told in chronological order, each chapter a new week or a new month, and that the big climax happened during August 1976, around page 281 of the total 374-page novel, I have to assume Tallis wanted to explore marriage, parenting and ambition more than he wanted to tell a "ghost story." I definitely would've preferred this novel start at page 281 then went on from there for 300 pages, because the story of Edward Maybury was far more compelling, to me, than the deteriorating marriages of a bunch of narcissists. Seriously, what's to like about Christopher or Laura?!
All in all, not bad, but I would only recommend this one to extremely patient readers of psychological horror.
3 stars
March 17, 2015
Well, this was a huge waste of my time.
The author clearly thinks that replacing words with their thesaurus counterparts constitutes good writing. It doesn't. I enjoy reading, but the amount of unnecessarily complicated words really threw me off. I don't mind high language, in fact I enjoy it, but not when a simple word would do the job twice as well!
The plot left a lot to be desired. Nothing really happened until the end, and that was very 'wham, bam, thank you, Ma'am'. The characters are flat and unlikable. The ending predictable.
Nothing was 'wrapped up' or explained, it just left unanswerable questions.
That's it. A dull and lifeless review for a dull and lifeless book. I'd skip it if I were you.
The author clearly thinks that replacing words with their thesaurus counterparts constitutes good writing. It doesn't. I enjoy reading, but the amount of unnecessarily complicated words really threw me off. I don't mind high language, in fact I enjoy it, but not when a simple word would do the job twice as well!
The plot left a lot to be desired. Nothing really happened until the end, and that was very 'wham, bam, thank you, Ma'am'. The characters are flat and unlikable. The ending predictable.
Nothing was 'wrapped up' or explained, it just left unanswerable questions.
That's it. A dull and lifeless review for a dull and lifeless book. I'd skip it if I were you.
November 18, 2021
I'm reading the first chapter this book I found this book to be pretty terrible it was boring had a slow story and the characters were not interesting. I'm currently writing my first book and I hope to get it published and compared to my book that I am writing this book is very dull and boring not to mention slow
July 16, 2024
Creepy, atmospheric, easy read!
August 5, 2014
Clunky exposition, ham-handed anvilicious lead up, awkward dialogue and actual spelling mistakes, this would have benefited from much more vigorous editing.
The only cringing I did was in response to the writing.
The only cringing I did was in response to the writing.
September 5, 2018
SPOILERS!
What I love about British horror, especially from the seventies, is the slow build and the offhand remarks and actions of the characters that can be quite chilling; much US horror tends to rush the scary parts and beats one over the head with its gore and message (if there is one; does not apply to T&A horror).
The Voices is an odd book: it is good but not much in it is great. There are some things that happen that don't lead anywhere (Christopher's affair), and some things that aren't cleared up (the dirty shoes of Simon and Christopher). And I never got to know the little girl very well, so didn't feel anxious about the danger she was in. And the ending is a little confusing. At first I thought maybe the mother is nuts and killed the girl, but then remembered that the stairs were obstructed by the garden and had just been uncovered. (I listened to this on audio while doing other tasks and realize thinking back that when I hear a story, I tend to miss details.) If the supernatural killed the girl, did we need to "see" the gory details? I just assumed Christopher and his daughter were "absorbed" into the house a la Jack Torrence in The Shining.
What I love about British horror, especially from the seventies, is the slow build and the offhand remarks and actions of the characters that can be quite chilling; much US horror tends to rush the scary parts and beats one over the head with its gore and message (if there is one; does not apply to T&A horror).
The Voices is an odd book: it is good but not much in it is great. There are some things that happen that don't lead anywhere (Christopher's affair), and some things that aren't cleared up (the dirty shoes of Simon and Christopher). And I never got to know the little girl very well, so didn't feel anxious about the danger she was in. And the ending is a little confusing. At first I thought maybe the mother is nuts and killed the girl, but then remembered that the stairs were obstructed by the garden and had just been uncovered. (I listened to this on audio while doing other tasks and realize thinking back that when I hear a story, I tend to miss details.) If the supernatural killed the girl, did we need to "see" the gory details? I just assumed Christopher and his daughter were "absorbed" into the house a la Jack Torrence in The Shining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2021
Just because something takes place in the 70's, doesn't mean it has to read like it. I couldn't even make it past the first chapter, but I did skim through the rest of the book, finding that things only begin to happen halfway through. Not worth it.
Also,,, did we need to know the couple's activities in bed? Was that necessary? (I'll give a hint: no) It was pointless and just weird.
The way the wife is described: very two-dimensional and *the only thing that could be bothered to be mentioned was that she was pregnant, as it took every other paragraph to remind you*. It was altogether an experience I wish I didn't have. I wish that I was made temporarily illiterate upon picking this up. It was very uncomfortable.
Also,,, did we need to know the couple's activities in bed? Was that necessary? (I'll give a hint: no) It was pointless and just weird.
The way the wife is described: very two-dimensional and *the only thing that could be bothered to be mentioned was that she was pregnant, as it took every other paragraph to remind you*. It was altogether an experience I wish I didn't have. I wish that I was made temporarily illiterate upon picking this up. It was very uncomfortable.
July 26, 2019
A musician and his family move into an old house. Recording a soundtrack, the tape begins to pick up strange voices which shouldn't be there... it's all good material for a new experimental composition, until one voice claims the family's young daughter for himself. Set in the seventies, The Voices has that patient, slow burn classic horror sheen. It doesn't stretch the boundaries of the genre, but it delivers with some good chilling moments and a suitably grisly finale.
February 13, 2023
2 stars--it was OK.
This book really captures a moment in time--England in a suffocatingly hot 70s summer. I liked the cultural and financial unrest lurking behind this story. I even checked the pub date at one point, thinking this might have actually been written in the 70s, since the author portrays the era so well!
However, I found the plot to be meandering, depressing, and vague. I don't think it was wrapped up well and I wondered if the author just lost steam. Too many pointless tangents and no satisfying resolution to the main story.
This book really captures a moment in time--England in a suffocatingly hot 70s summer. I liked the cultural and financial unrest lurking behind this story. I even checked the pub date at one point, thinking this might have actually been written in the 70s, since the author portrays the era so well!
However, I found the plot to be meandering, depressing, and vague. I don't think it was wrapped up well and I wondered if the author just lost steam. Too many pointless tangents and no satisfying resolution to the main story.
January 18, 2015
This book was reviewed on Dark Matter Zine; for more reviews, interviews and articles, go to Dark Matter Zine. Alternatively, this link is just to Dark Matter Zine's reviews.
A review by C J Dee
It’s the summer of 1976 in London and it is sweltering. Christopher Norton has just moved into a brand new home with his wife Laura and baby daughter Faye. At first the family is happy in their new home but strange things begin to happen. Then come the voices. The voices of those who were but are no longer …
When I first read the blurb for this novel, I told Nalini it was a book that I needed in my life. I tell her this about most books that sound deliciously spooky, so I was thrilled when it arrived to be reviewed. My enthusiasm was well rewarded because The Voices downright gave me the heebie jeebies.
The Voices has a very interesting plot. Has the “family move into a new house and get harassed by spirits” thing been done? Of course it has. Does Tallis’s novel give it some chilling new twists? You betcha!
One of the things I loved about The Voices was the interesting plot twists the author has managed to entwine. Some of the routes Tallis takes his readers down were so unexpected that they caught me completely unaware.
What made The Voices even more enticing was the period it was set in, the 1970s. The 1970s are not so far removed from modern times to disassociate the reader but still leave the characters without the convenience of modern technology. Although in this case a mobile phone might just add to their problems as the spirits use electronic devices to communicate.
The time period also allows for other plot devices that simply wouldn't be accepted as the norm in today’s society. Blatant and unabashed male chauvinism abounds in The Voices but not because the men are bad people, they are just products of their time. As a result, Laura won’t speak up about her concerns for fear of sounding hysterical and is meek in the face of an authority figure who infers that her concerns are all in her head. These points sound like they would detract from the quality of The Voices, but in fact they only add to it. As with the helplessness of not having modern technology during a crisis, not having anyone listen to or really acknowledge Laura’s concerns only adds to the suspense. I wanted the budding feminist to be more persistent throughout The Voices, to stand up for herself and her fears, but it just wasn’t in her.
The diversity of characters in The Voices was fascinating and impressive. Weaved throughout the ghost story are narratives on homosexuality, infidelity, mental illness, obsession and feminism. This is done in such a way that it comes together in harmony.
If you enjoy movies like The Conjuring, Paranormal Activity, or Poltergeist and want to read something with a similar vibe, I would recommend starting with The Voices .
A review by C J Dee
It’s the summer of 1976 in London and it is sweltering. Christopher Norton has just moved into a brand new home with his wife Laura and baby daughter Faye. At first the family is happy in their new home but strange things begin to happen. Then come the voices. The voices of those who were but are no longer …
When I first read the blurb for this novel, I told Nalini it was a book that I needed in my life. I tell her this about most books that sound deliciously spooky, so I was thrilled when it arrived to be reviewed. My enthusiasm was well rewarded because The Voices downright gave me the heebie jeebies.
The Voices has a very interesting plot. Has the “family move into a new house and get harassed by spirits” thing been done? Of course it has. Does Tallis’s novel give it some chilling new twists? You betcha!
One of the things I loved about The Voices was the interesting plot twists the author has managed to entwine. Some of the routes Tallis takes his readers down were so unexpected that they caught me completely unaware.
What made The Voices even more enticing was the period it was set in, the 1970s. The 1970s are not so far removed from modern times to disassociate the reader but still leave the characters without the convenience of modern technology. Although in this case a mobile phone might just add to their problems as the spirits use electronic devices to communicate.
The time period also allows for other plot devices that simply wouldn't be accepted as the norm in today’s society. Blatant and unabashed male chauvinism abounds in The Voices but not because the men are bad people, they are just products of their time. As a result, Laura won’t speak up about her concerns for fear of sounding hysterical and is meek in the face of an authority figure who infers that her concerns are all in her head. These points sound like they would detract from the quality of The Voices, but in fact they only add to it. As with the helplessness of not having modern technology during a crisis, not having anyone listen to or really acknowledge Laura’s concerns only adds to the suspense. I wanted the budding feminist to be more persistent throughout The Voices, to stand up for herself and her fears, but it just wasn’t in her.
The diversity of characters in The Voices was fascinating and impressive. Weaved throughout the ghost story are narratives on homosexuality, infidelity, mental illness, obsession and feminism. This is done in such a way that it comes together in harmony.
If you enjoy movies like The Conjuring, Paranormal Activity, or Poltergeist and want to read something with a similar vibe, I would recommend starting with The Voices .
December 31, 2015
If you’re in the mood for a good paranormal thriller, this isn’t it. This book is a VERY watered down version of the movie ‘White Noise’ with Michael Keaton. Except, the movie was sooo much better.
May Contain Some Spoilers
95% of the book revolves around dull, self-center characters muddling through life. The wife, miserable about the mistakes she made in her youth, becomes depressed and self-absorbed. The husband is either consumed with his work or desperately trying to have sex with his wife – who keeps refusing him. He goes for long walks alone and she lays on the couch reading books all day. Small tidbits of action occur when he hears snippets of voices in his music recordings; then it’s back to mundane day-to-day life which goes nowhere. Way too many character/event/side-stories are added then promptly ended adding to the flat, meandering storyline.
The writing itself was extremely stiff and formal. “…the subtle accords that make intimacy possible had not been fully restored, and he was uncomfortable going abroad without having first recalibrated their affections.” I’m not afraid of vocabulary words; but the author’s excessive use of them left the writing feeling choppy and rigid. There was absolutely no ‘flow’ from event to event making it extremely difficult to connect with any of the characters. The only character that I cared about was the poor baby that neither parent cared about until something happened to her.
The only real action/thriller part of the book happened in the last 5%. It was ‘bam, bam, bam, the end.’ The ‘discover’ at the very end was tasteless and unnecessary; in my opinion, it ruined an already terrible book.
I don’t recommend this book.
May Contain Some Spoilers
95% of the book revolves around dull, self-center characters muddling through life. The wife, miserable about the mistakes she made in her youth, becomes depressed and self-absorbed. The husband is either consumed with his work or desperately trying to have sex with his wife – who keeps refusing him. He goes for long walks alone and she lays on the couch reading books all day. Small tidbits of action occur when he hears snippets of voices in his music recordings; then it’s back to mundane day-to-day life which goes nowhere. Way too many character/event/side-stories are added then promptly ended adding to the flat, meandering storyline.
The writing itself was extremely stiff and formal. “…the subtle accords that make intimacy possible had not been fully restored, and he was uncomfortable going abroad without having first recalibrated their affections.” I’m not afraid of vocabulary words; but the author’s excessive use of them left the writing feeling choppy and rigid. There was absolutely no ‘flow’ from event to event making it extremely difficult to connect with any of the characters. The only character that I cared about was the poor baby that neither parent cared about until something happened to her.
The only real action/thriller part of the book happened in the last 5%. It was ‘bam, bam, bam, the end.’ The ‘discover’ at the very end was tasteless and unnecessary; in my opinion, it ruined an already terrible book.
I don’t recommend this book.
June 6, 2017
In the 1970's, Christopher and pregnant Laura move into an interesting old house in London. Christopher writes music for films, and converts a room in the house into a recording studio. While Laura raises their young daughter Faye and grows distant, Christopher finds strange voices on his recordings, voices in many languages, both male and female. The voices inspire him to create original work. When Laura hears the voices, however, she becomes alarmed and fearful for their daughter - she believes one of the voices is calling to their daughter, and she begins to hear the voices through the baby monitor, too. Are the voices simply radio interference, or are they the voices of the dead?
The story moves along slowly - there are really only a handful of incidents with the voices. It's amazing though how subtly the voices infiltrate and affect the lives of Christopher and Laura. Christopher becomes engrossed in his music, and Laura is clearly reading feminist literature and becoming upset at the way her concerns are brushed off. There were enough interesting events and details about the history of the house that I didn't mind listening, although I only felt creeped out by the very ending - . A good atmospheric read if you're looking for something a little bit gothic in tone.
The story moves along slowly - there are really only a handful of incidents with the voices. It's amazing though how subtly the voices infiltrate and affect the lives of Christopher and Laura. Christopher becomes engrossed in his music, and Laura is clearly reading feminist literature and becoming upset at the way her concerns are brushed off. There were enough interesting events and details about the history of the house that I didn't mind listening, although I only felt creeped out by the very ending - . A good atmospheric read if you're looking for something a little bit gothic in tone.
July 17, 2014
It takes me a lot to pick up a book by a new author however from reading the back cover F.R. Tallis 'The Voices' proved quite promising.
It started off fairly well with subtle spooky happenings in an old Victorian house which definitely set the climax ready for something big and scary however I noticed further into the book a lot of things that were mentioned e.g. Laura's estranged relationship with her parents, the wind-up monkey toy and the clanking of the chains were left unexplored, their purpose in the book then proved completely pointless. The ending as pointed out by others was extremely abrupt and we are left asking questions, usually this is a good thing to entice us to want more but in this case I was just glad to finish the book.
It started off fairly well with subtle spooky happenings in an old Victorian house which definitely set the climax ready for something big and scary however I noticed further into the book a lot of things that were mentioned e.g. Laura's estranged relationship with her parents, the wind-up monkey toy and the clanking of the chains were left unexplored, their purpose in the book then proved completely pointless. The ending as pointed out by others was extremely abrupt and we are left asking questions, usually this is a good thing to entice us to want more but in this case I was just glad to finish the book.
June 9, 2015
Excellent and chilling story about an English couple and their young daughter who move into a (haunted?) house in the countryside in the 1970s and experience what may be supernatural events. Christopher, a composer, tapes what he believes are ghostly voices as he prepares to write his movie score and decides to incorporate them into a big master work. Big mistake! As his wife drifts away from him and their young daughter appears to be talking to someone they can't see, the family is definitely moving in a dangerous direction. Really creepy (except for the vague ending)! I kept thinking that this would make a GREAT movie.
June 18, 2015
Haunting.
That's about the only word i have for this book. I got frustrated at some points in the book by how slow it was going, i just wanted something to happen already. But, looking back now that i have read the whole book, it was brilliantly written. The ending was horrifying. I could have guessed, of course, that that room was going to be what they would stumble up on but reading it, seeing it in writing made me cry, honestly. I felt so sorry for Laura, and Christopher of course and poor, poor Faye.
I will definitely check out more books of F.R. Tallis, amazing book!
That's about the only word i have for this book. I got frustrated at some points in the book by how slow it was going, i just wanted something to happen already. But, looking back now that i have read the whole book, it was brilliantly written. The ending was horrifying. I could have guessed, of course, that that room was going to be what they would stumble up on but reading it, seeing it in writing made me cry, honestly. I felt so sorry for Laura, and Christopher of course and poor, poor Faye.
I will definitely check out more books of F.R. Tallis, amazing book!
December 27, 2017
House with a history renovated by successful parents of an infant daughter...atmospheric, supernatural thriller that provides no easy answers and no pat conclusions. Loved it!
June 22, 2021
Wow! I really don't know where to start. So many things about this book were awful. Not even worth a star. I'll take a breath and dive in.
It's set in 1976 (the heatwave year). Why, I'm not sure, and it has no bearing on the story. Why set it then?
None of the characters are likeable. You care nothing for them, thus there is no tension. In fact the book is exceedingly boring. I don't know if the author intends that or he's of the same character as those he creates here.
The author thinks they're a serious writer. They do this by sprinkling in very clever, long, intellectual words. The problem is they don't fit with the rest of the writing. It jars. You always know you're reading fiction by a sub-standard writer... therefore you're never sucked into the story.... such as it is.
I say such as it is because there really isn't a story. Nothing is explained. Nothing is revealed. It's like the author had an idea one day and got 30 pages in and thought "I don't know what to do". It really is that bad.
You have to suspend disbelief far too much. It's laughable, and I was unable to do so. The main example is when 'the voices' start in the baby's nursery. The protagonist (a fading avant garde music composer) hears them, and starts communicating with them via his tapes. Some messages are warnings. Some are malevolent. What does he do? Records them to use in his new composition. Even his own baby's screams. Yep... you better believe it. I didn't.
Any tension is lost because the author needs to showcase his extreme knowledge of music recording in the 70s, and while the supposedly scary stuff is going on, he's describing how rge recording takes place. In intimate detail. Like a text book. Yawn! If only he'd worked as hard on establishing believable, likeable characters and speech.
Even the end is boring. OK... they find what they find... but how did it happen? Why? Nothing is explained... and what is sad is... you just do not care.
Utter... UTTER... pretentious bilge. Dross. An author to avoid.
I'm currently making a note of whogave this more than 2 stars, so I can avoid their reviews, as anyone who was scared by this would be scared by the Noddy books, and anyone who actually likes or recommends it... well... I shudder to think. Now THAT'S scary!
It's set in 1976 (the heatwave year). Why, I'm not sure, and it has no bearing on the story. Why set it then?
None of the characters are likeable. You care nothing for them, thus there is no tension. In fact the book is exceedingly boring. I don't know if the author intends that or he's of the same character as those he creates here.
The author thinks they're a serious writer. They do this by sprinkling in very clever, long, intellectual words. The problem is they don't fit with the rest of the writing. It jars. You always know you're reading fiction by a sub-standard writer... therefore you're never sucked into the story.... such as it is.
I say such as it is because there really isn't a story. Nothing is explained. Nothing is revealed. It's like the author had an idea one day and got 30 pages in and thought "I don't know what to do". It really is that bad.
You have to suspend disbelief far too much. It's laughable, and I was unable to do so. The main example is when 'the voices' start in the baby's nursery. The protagonist (a fading avant garde music composer) hears them, and starts communicating with them via his tapes. Some messages are warnings. Some are malevolent. What does he do? Records them to use in his new composition. Even his own baby's screams. Yep... you better believe it. I didn't.
Any tension is lost because the author needs to showcase his extreme knowledge of music recording in the 70s, and while the supposedly scary stuff is going on, he's describing how rge recording takes place. In intimate detail. Like a text book. Yawn! If only he'd worked as hard on establishing believable, likeable characters and speech.
Even the end is boring. OK... they find what they find... but how did it happen? Why? Nothing is explained... and what is sad is... you just do not care.
Utter... UTTER... pretentious bilge. Dross. An author to avoid.
I'm currently making a note of whogave this more than 2 stars, so I can avoid their reviews, as anyone who was scared by this would be scared by the Noddy books, and anyone who actually likes or recommends it... well... I shudder to think. Now THAT'S scary!
June 13, 2022
Nothing but stupid. Sometimes I forget about that I was reading a book about GHOST cause all I read was cheating, cheating and cheating (I feel like Christopher is a kind of man who’s looking forwards to wet his “noodle” by his best friend’s wife) yea I said what I said. I tried to give a one star but I admit that the last two to three chapters are cool so I’ll go with two stars. And the book is written my male so yes..but Hey! no offense
June 18, 2018
Subtle ghost story that slowly and relentlessly builds a sense of dread over the course of an eerily hot London summer in the ‘70s. Masterfully written to produce an inevitable and unavoidable sorrow. Chilling.
I won’t forget this one.
Highly recommended - I have read scores and scores of ghost stories, and few have haunted me as this one has.
I won’t forget this one.
Highly recommended - I have read scores and scores of ghost stories, and few have haunted me as this one has.
October 4, 2024
I did not like Christopher at all. And the ending is left open ended with an assumption of who the body in the cellar is. It felt very... Weak. The author has our male character go on a tangent of all women go crazy after giving birth (even 18 months ago? (Which is the reaction of Christopher's wife, when he goes on his crazy women tangent)) and it felt very poorly written.
The only part I enjoyed was the ending, because it actually had my interest. The sad thing is...the ending takes place three years after the events of the book. So really, we have to have it open ended because it would have to be another book (please sir do not write a sequel)
The only part I enjoyed was the ending, because it actually had my interest. The sad thing is...the ending takes place three years after the events of the book. So really, we have to have it open ended because it would have to be another book (please sir do not write a sequel)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews