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The House of Whispers
After the death of his estranged mother, Jimmy Manning returns to his hometown of Broadoaks for the first time in twenty years. He hasn't come back to pay his respects, but to make sure she is finally gone for good. That, and the fact he’s inherited the family home he hasn’t set foot in since he was sixteen. With his older brother, Jason, missing, and his younger brother, Thomas, the permanent resident of a mental facility, the arrangements all fall on Jimmy.
He would like nothing more than for the house to be gutted and burned down, but when he experiences strange goings on, he wonders if it's his emotions getting the better of him, or if something paranormal is happening in the house that caused him so much misery.
Then he hears it. The Whisper. Dig.
Jimmy has a decision to make. Turn and leave like he did twenty years ago, or listen to the whisper and trawl through the chaos of his youth to discover the demons buried there.
Fans of “The Burning Girls” by C.J. Tudor and “The Haunting of Ashburn House” by Darcy Coates will enjoy “The House of Whispers” by Tom Carter.
He would like nothing more than for the house to be gutted and burned down, but when he experiences strange goings on, he wonders if it's his emotions getting the better of him, or if something paranormal is happening in the house that caused him so much misery.
Then he hears it. The Whisper. Dig.
Jimmy has a decision to make. Turn and leave like he did twenty years ago, or listen to the whisper and trawl through the chaos of his youth to discover the demons buried there.
Fans of “The Burning Girls” by C.J. Tudor and “The Haunting of Ashburn House” by Darcy Coates will enjoy “The House of Whispers” by Tom Carter.
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Published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 21, 2026
Twenty years after running away from a traumatic childhood at the hands of his mother and the town priest, Jimmy returns to lay his mother to rest. At the edge of town looms his childhood home, memories of blood and sacrifice. And within the house, the whispers start, one word repeated: Dig.
This is a classic ghost story with a modern twist done correctly. Jimmy’s trauma, fear, grief, and terror are all deeply ingrained in the story, and you can feel the isolation and atmosphere underneath your skin as you read.
With moments that will make you genuinely uncomfortable, this is an incredibly tense read which will satisfy any lover of thrillers and horror. The religious aspects of the story make for a truly harrowing and unsettling story, off-set with heartwarming relationships that temper the grief and hurt.
The small town location adds a brilliant element to the story in that it creates a cult-like community which deepens the feeling of isolation and loss. The world-building in this story is something to be admired, and I was completely drawn in.
With some Easter eggs thrown in to The Doctor Will See You Now, I really appreciated the tying together of Tom’s universe.
Powerful imagery, realistic dialogue with some dark humour thrown in, and clever use of dual timeline scenes ensure that The House of Whispers is as haunting as the house itself, as well as being witty and thrilling. A gut-wrenching climax ensures that the story is rounded off perfectly, leaving you as a reader questioning everything even as the whispers grow quiet. This story will stay with me.
Ultimately, this book has been on my wish list since it was announced, and it exceeded my every expectation. A book that I couldn’t put down, this is a sophisticated small-town haunted house story that is wholly unique. I would tip my hat to Tom Carter if I was wearing one. A highly underrated author, this is a must-read and I look forward to seeing Tom receive the praise he deserves.
This is a classic ghost story with a modern twist done correctly. Jimmy’s trauma, fear, grief, and terror are all deeply ingrained in the story, and you can feel the isolation and atmosphere underneath your skin as you read.
With moments that will make you genuinely uncomfortable, this is an incredibly tense read which will satisfy any lover of thrillers and horror. The religious aspects of the story make for a truly harrowing and unsettling story, off-set with heartwarming relationships that temper the grief and hurt.
The small town location adds a brilliant element to the story in that it creates a cult-like community which deepens the feeling of isolation and loss. The world-building in this story is something to be admired, and I was completely drawn in.
With some Easter eggs thrown in to The Doctor Will See You Now, I really appreciated the tying together of Tom’s universe.
Powerful imagery, realistic dialogue with some dark humour thrown in, and clever use of dual timeline scenes ensure that The House of Whispers is as haunting as the house itself, as well as being witty and thrilling. A gut-wrenching climax ensures that the story is rounded off perfectly, leaving you as a reader questioning everything even as the whispers grow quiet. This story will stay with me.
Ultimately, this book has been on my wish list since it was announced, and it exceeded my every expectation. A book that I couldn’t put down, this is a sophisticated small-town haunted house story that is wholly unique. I would tip my hat to Tom Carter if I was wearing one. A highly underrated author, this is a must-read and I look forward to seeing Tom receive the praise he deserves.
June 16, 2025
Ooh I do love a good creepy house story! This one reminded me of SKs writing style. Lots of description and side stories which did mean I had to fight to stay focused at times.
But the premise and overall tone of the story was spot on. Creepy. Exciting. And the ending was brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
But the premise and overall tone of the story was spot on. Creepy. Exciting. And the ending was brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
May 14, 2026
The House Of Whispers by Tom Carter
🌟🌟🌟💫
A gripping horror story. Not my usual go to, but was happy to read.
The story is based around Jimmy who sees his brother being tortured by the local priest, with his mothers permission. As soon as Jimmy turns 16, he runs away. He only returns when his mother passes away. Set in a small American village, Jimmy struggles to revisit past memories and horrors. His best friend Carly is the only one who is pleased to see him.
The house holds disturbing secrets and Jimmy knows everyone of them
🌟🌟🌟💫
A gripping horror story. Not my usual go to, but was happy to read.
The story is based around Jimmy who sees his brother being tortured by the local priest, with his mothers permission. As soon as Jimmy turns 16, he runs away. He only returns when his mother passes away. Set in a small American village, Jimmy struggles to revisit past memories and horrors. His best friend Carly is the only one who is pleased to see him.
The house holds disturbing secrets and Jimmy knows everyone of them
May 13, 2026
I really do not know where to start with this one, the first few chapter set the tone for such a gripping and creepy story. You could genuinely feel the pain that Jimmy goes through, from childhood to adulthood.
I could not put this book down and Tom Carter continues to deliver time and time again. As a reader of all of Tom's books so far, I get so excited when I see he has another book coming out and I will be first in line for the next. No spoilers from me, but get this book if you are a supernatural/horror fan.
I could not put this book down and Tom Carter continues to deliver time and time again. As a reader of all of Tom's books so far, I get so excited when I see he has another book coming out and I will be first in line for the next. No spoilers from me, but get this book if you are a supernatural/horror fan.
June 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I don’t think I’ll find the right words to review this book and do it justice, but I’ll give it a whirl!
If I started this early enough in the day I would have read this in one sitting. I couldn’t read fast enough.
I needed to know what happened next but equally didn’t want it to end.
The horror elements had me wanting to sleep with the lights on and had me so on edge that the slightest noise in my house made me jump. 🫣
I loved the dual timeline, Jimmy’s backstory, Jimmy and Carly and their relationship… everything. The pace of the book was just right. The haunting horror story was perfectly balanced with Jimmy and Carly’s relationship and their care for one another. 🥹
My heart broke for Jimmy as you learn more about his childhood and what he endured but I loved how Carly always made him feel safe.
Tom’s writing keeps you fully engaged and wanting to find out more, and the way the characters are written with so much depth has you deeply care for them.
I have a handful of auto-buy authors; where they could write anything and I would RUN to read it, and it’s safe to say, Tom is now on that list. 👏🏻
✨
Twenty years after running away, Jimmy Manning finds himself back in his hometown following the death of his estranged mother. He’s inherited his childhood home, the house coated in bad memories, trauma and the place respond for the nightmares that still haunt Jimmy.
Finding himself standing in the home he hasn’t stepped foot in since he was 16, Jimmy wonders if the strange goings on are just his mind playing tricks on him, or whether something more sinister is happening inside the house. Something telling him to dig.
⭐️
If you love haunted house, ghost story, past trauma and books that make you want to sleep with a light on, then I urge you to read this. 💫
I don’t think I’ll find the right words to review this book and do it justice, but I’ll give it a whirl!
If I started this early enough in the day I would have read this in one sitting. I couldn’t read fast enough.
I needed to know what happened next but equally didn’t want it to end.
The horror elements had me wanting to sleep with the lights on and had me so on edge that the slightest noise in my house made me jump. 🫣
I loved the dual timeline, Jimmy’s backstory, Jimmy and Carly and their relationship… everything. The pace of the book was just right. The haunting horror story was perfectly balanced with Jimmy and Carly’s relationship and their care for one another. 🥹
My heart broke for Jimmy as you learn more about his childhood and what he endured but I loved how Carly always made him feel safe.
Tom’s writing keeps you fully engaged and wanting to find out more, and the way the characters are written with so much depth has you deeply care for them.
I have a handful of auto-buy authors; where they could write anything and I would RUN to read it, and it’s safe to say, Tom is now on that list. 👏🏻
✨
Twenty years after running away, Jimmy Manning finds himself back in his hometown following the death of his estranged mother. He’s inherited his childhood home, the house coated in bad memories, trauma and the place respond for the nightmares that still haunt Jimmy.
Finding himself standing in the home he hasn’t stepped foot in since he was 16, Jimmy wonders if the strange goings on are just his mind playing tricks on him, or whether something more sinister is happening inside the house. Something telling him to dig.
⭐️
If you love haunted house, ghost story, past trauma and books that make you want to sleep with a light on, then I urge you to read this. 💫
May 17, 2026
Here is my review for The House Of Whispers by Tom Carter
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this brilliant story which had me hooked right from the very start of the book. The house sounded scary. Jimmy Manning returned to his hometown of Broadoaks for his estranged mother’s funeral, although it was just to make sure she was dead. He had inherited his old home which he left when he was aged sixteen. His older brother Jason is missing and his younger brother Thomas is a permanent resident of a mental facility. When Jimmy visits the house, he feels like he's being watched but he doesn't see anything watching him. He would love for the house to burn down but he hears the whisper. This is a brilliantly written story that I just couldn’t put down. It was superbly plotted and extremely well thought out. This author is a terrific writer and I just love reading his books which don’t disappoint when you read them. There is a lot of detail and it is really descriptive. I can’t wait to read his next book.
Blurb :
Some houses keep secrets. This one whispers them.
After the death of his estranged mother, Jimmy Manning returns to his hometown of Broadoaks for the first time in twenty years. He hasn't come back to pay his respects, but to make sure she is finally gone for good. That, and the fact he’s inherited the family home he hasn’t set foot in since he was sixteen. With his older brother, Jason, missing, and his younger brother, Thomas, the permanent resident of a mental facility, the arrangements all fall on Jimmy.
He would like nothing more than for the house to be gutted and burned down, but when he experiences strange goings on, he wonders if it's his emotions getting the better of him, or if something paranormal is happening in the house that caused him so much misery.
Then he hears it. The Whisper. Dig.
Jimmy has a decision to make. Turn and leave like he did twenty years ago, or listen to the whisper and trawl through the chaos of his youth to discover the demons buried there.
Fans of “The Burning Girls” by C.J. Tudor and “The Haunting of Ashburn House” by Darcy Coates will enjoy “The House of Whispers” by Tom Carter.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this brilliant story which had me hooked right from the very start of the book. The house sounded scary. Jimmy Manning returned to his hometown of Broadoaks for his estranged mother’s funeral, although it was just to make sure she was dead. He had inherited his old home which he left when he was aged sixteen. His older brother Jason is missing and his younger brother Thomas is a permanent resident of a mental facility. When Jimmy visits the house, he feels like he's being watched but he doesn't see anything watching him. He would love for the house to burn down but he hears the whisper. This is a brilliantly written story that I just couldn’t put down. It was superbly plotted and extremely well thought out. This author is a terrific writer and I just love reading his books which don’t disappoint when you read them. There is a lot of detail and it is really descriptive. I can’t wait to read his next book.
Blurb :
Some houses keep secrets. This one whispers them.
After the death of his estranged mother, Jimmy Manning returns to his hometown of Broadoaks for the first time in twenty years. He hasn't come back to pay his respects, but to make sure she is finally gone for good. That, and the fact he’s inherited the family home he hasn’t set foot in since he was sixteen. With his older brother, Jason, missing, and his younger brother, Thomas, the permanent resident of a mental facility, the arrangements all fall on Jimmy.
He would like nothing more than for the house to be gutted and burned down, but when he experiences strange goings on, he wonders if it's his emotions getting the better of him, or if something paranormal is happening in the house that caused him so much misery.
Then he hears it. The Whisper. Dig.
Jimmy has a decision to make. Turn and leave like he did twenty years ago, or listen to the whisper and trawl through the chaos of his youth to discover the demons buried there.
Fans of “The Burning Girls” by C.J. Tudor and “The Haunting of Ashburn House” by Darcy Coates will enjoy “The House of Whispers” by Tom Carter.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Although I expected a scary ghost story, the book went full into religious horror, and that proved to be exactly the direction this complex and multi-layered tale demanded. I was not at all disappointed. In fact, I found the ending extremely disturbing, powerful and thought-provoking.
The story figures a romance author who managed to escape his abusive mother when he turned sixteen - realizing the religiously motivated rule-bound life she'd imposed on him all those years was nothing but a lie born of fanaticism and delusion. By that time, he'd already lost his older brother, after a failed exorcism forced on him by the mother and the priest who kept feeding her delusions; but he had to leave behind his younger brother, unable as a teen to put an end to their mother's hateful and sadistic behavior towards them both. When she dies, many years later, the author comes back home to deal with the repercussions. The small town he grew up in considers the mother a saint, so he's immediately treated as the son who betrayed his family. And then he steps into the house he spent his childhood in, and the most unsettling happenings begin. The house is definitely haunted; but apparently, so is the son.
There's more than a hint of romance in the story: the guy reconnects with an old friend, who works as a journalist and has a soft spot for him and his brothers. She proves to be a strong female character, a smart and capable woman who always knows how to act in any situation. She's essentially driving the plot forward when the complications pile up and it's time for some much needed revelations.
The ending stunned me. Perhaps I should have seen it coming, since the book did not always approach religion as a sort of boogeyman, but as a foundational structure grounding one's life as well. It gave me chills to see an appraisal of religiously motivated pathological behavior as bold and honest as the one in the ending of this book. Highly recommend!
The story figures a romance author who managed to escape his abusive mother when he turned sixteen - realizing the religiously motivated rule-bound life she'd imposed on him all those years was nothing but a lie born of fanaticism and delusion. By that time, he'd already lost his older brother, after a failed exorcism forced on him by the mother and the priest who kept feeding her delusions; but he had to leave behind his younger brother, unable as a teen to put an end to their mother's hateful and sadistic behavior towards them both. When she dies, many years later, the author comes back home to deal with the repercussions. The small town he grew up in considers the mother a saint, so he's immediately treated as the son who betrayed his family. And then he steps into the house he spent his childhood in, and the most unsettling happenings begin. The house is definitely haunted; but apparently, so is the son.
There's more than a hint of romance in the story: the guy reconnects with an old friend, who works as a journalist and has a soft spot for him and his brothers. She proves to be a strong female character, a smart and capable woman who always knows how to act in any situation. She's essentially driving the plot forward when the complications pile up and it's time for some much needed revelations.
The ending stunned me. Perhaps I should have seen it coming, since the book did not always approach religion as a sort of boogeyman, but as a foundational structure grounding one's life as well. It gave me chills to see an appraisal of religiously motivated pathological behavior as bold and honest as the one in the ending of this book. Highly recommend!
June 7, 2026
Some haunted house stories rely on cheap scares. The House of Whispers by Tom Carter goes for something far more unsettling. It digs into grief, trauma, family damage, and the kind of memories that never stay buried. This book creeped me out, but what really stayed with me was the emotional weight behind every revelation.
Jimmy Manning is not your typical horror protagonist. He’s angry, damaged, and carrying twenty years of unresolved pain when he returns to Broadoaks after his mother’s death. The family home is less a setting and more a living wound. Every room feels poisoned by the past. Carter absolutely nails that oppressive atmosphere where you constantly feel like something terrible has already happened and something worse is still waiting underneath it.
What I loved most was how the paranormal elements never overshadowed the human story. The whispers, the strange happenings, and the command to “Dig” all work because they are deeply tied to Jimmy’s fractured family history. His missing brother Jason, his institutionalised brother Thomas, and the horrors buried inside that house create tension that feels personal rather than theatrical.
The pacing deserves praise, too. The story burns slowly at first, letting the dread settle in properly, but once the secrets start surfacing, it becomes impossible to stop reading. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery. I kept thinking I understood where it was heading, and the book kept proving me wrong.
Fans of gothic horror and psychological thrillers will eat this up. Carter makes the story feel dark, intimate, and deeply unsettling without relying on over-the-top gore or constant jump scares. The horror here comes from family secrets, buried trauma, and a house that refuses to let the past stay silent.
This is the kind of horror novel that gets under your skin quietly and stays there long after the final page.
An easy 5 stars from me. Dark, tense, atmospheric, and genuinely hard to put down.
Jimmy Manning is not your typical horror protagonist. He’s angry, damaged, and carrying twenty years of unresolved pain when he returns to Broadoaks after his mother’s death. The family home is less a setting and more a living wound. Every room feels poisoned by the past. Carter absolutely nails that oppressive atmosphere where you constantly feel like something terrible has already happened and something worse is still waiting underneath it.
What I loved most was how the paranormal elements never overshadowed the human story. The whispers, the strange happenings, and the command to “Dig” all work because they are deeply tied to Jimmy’s fractured family history. His missing brother Jason, his institutionalised brother Thomas, and the horrors buried inside that house create tension that feels personal rather than theatrical.
The pacing deserves praise, too. The story burns slowly at first, letting the dread settle in properly, but once the secrets start surfacing, it becomes impossible to stop reading. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery. I kept thinking I understood where it was heading, and the book kept proving me wrong.
Fans of gothic horror and psychological thrillers will eat this up. Carter makes the story feel dark, intimate, and deeply unsettling without relying on over-the-top gore or constant jump scares. The horror here comes from family secrets, buried trauma, and a house that refuses to let the past stay silent.
This is the kind of horror novel that gets under your skin quietly and stays there long after the final page.
An easy 5 stars from me. Dark, tense, atmospheric, and genuinely hard to put down.
July 4, 2026
Review by Irwin Ashish Coelho
3.5/5 🌟
I love overcast weather with just the right amount of rain, when it's a drizzle and not a downpour that floods Pumpwell now and then. I started this book when the weather outside complemented the theme of this book; it was gloomy. However, the sun has been shining brilliantly over the last few days, and it has not really fallen in line with the book's theme: horror. The setting of this novel is ideal for a haunted house tale. It's the English countryside, where grey skies dominate and it drizzles perpetually.
Jimmy is returning, after 20 years, to take ownership of his spooky large house that has been passed down to him by his mother after her death. However, malevolence reeks everywhere in this house, in every room and in its imposing structure. Something evil took place two decades ago that made Jimmy vouch never to return to this place. He had to abandon his two brothers, Jason and Thomas, and escape for his life to be as far away from his mother as possible. Why did Jimmy make that decision and what is the nature of evil brewing in this house? Throw in the local priest into this setting, and things get even spookier.
The book has romance, including some illicit love, and plenty of intrigue, horror and mystery. The author builds up sufficient tension for a grand ending, but the pacing of that tension is snail-like slow. The book, currently at 503 pages, could easily have been shortened to 275 pages. The ending, which is absolutely horrifying, gets some brownie points; if not for that unexpected ending, I would have given this 2.5 stars.
3.5/5 🌟
I love overcast weather with just the right amount of rain, when it's a drizzle and not a downpour that floods Pumpwell now and then. I started this book when the weather outside complemented the theme of this book; it was gloomy. However, the sun has been shining brilliantly over the last few days, and it has not really fallen in line with the book's theme: horror. The setting of this novel is ideal for a haunted house tale. It's the English countryside, where grey skies dominate and it drizzles perpetually.
Jimmy is returning, after 20 years, to take ownership of his spooky large house that has been passed down to him by his mother after her death. However, malevolence reeks everywhere in this house, in every room and in its imposing structure. Something evil took place two decades ago that made Jimmy vouch never to return to this place. He had to abandon his two brothers, Jason and Thomas, and escape for his life to be as far away from his mother as possible. Why did Jimmy make that decision and what is the nature of evil brewing in this house? Throw in the local priest into this setting, and things get even spookier.
The book has romance, including some illicit love, and plenty of intrigue, horror and mystery. The author builds up sufficient tension for a grand ending, but the pacing of that tension is snail-like slow. The book, currently at 503 pages, could easily have been shortened to 275 pages. The ending, which is absolutely horrifying, gets some brownie points; if not for that unexpected ending, I would have given this 2.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I raced through The House of Whispers, finding myself totally drawn in from page one and eager to discover the secrets buried deep inside Jimmy’s childhood home.
The dual timeline format works brilliantly, allowing us to understand Jimmy’s chilling family history, alongside the man he has become, as events unfold following his mother’s death.
His relationship from childhood to adulthood with Carly is captivating, and both characters are written with such emotional depth.
The book deals with many themes, all with sensitivity and authority - guilt, regret, complicated family relationships, religious households, and prejudice.
Jimmy is a standout main character, I connected with him instantly, and I guarantee you will be immersed in his horrifying tale. The effect his past trauma has had on his life, the vulnerability and malleability of him as a child, and how his perspectives and beliefs change as he must face his demons as a grown man.
The story is beautifully crafted. Pacey, but not at the expense of character depth. Thoroughly gripping and scary, and often harrowing, with plenty of shocks and surprises to keep you turning the pages long into the night.
Tom Carter is an author to watch! Highly recommended!
The dual timeline format works brilliantly, allowing us to understand Jimmy’s chilling family history, alongside the man he has become, as events unfold following his mother’s death.
His relationship from childhood to adulthood with Carly is captivating, and both characters are written with such emotional depth.
The book deals with many themes, all with sensitivity and authority - guilt, regret, complicated family relationships, religious households, and prejudice.
Jimmy is a standout main character, I connected with him instantly, and I guarantee you will be immersed in his horrifying tale. The effect his past trauma has had on his life, the vulnerability and malleability of him as a child, and how his perspectives and beliefs change as he must face his demons as a grown man.
The story is beautifully crafted. Pacey, but not at the expense of character depth. Thoroughly gripping and scary, and often harrowing, with plenty of shocks and surprises to keep you turning the pages long into the night.
Tom Carter is an author to watch! Highly recommended!
May 12, 2026
When I say this is a traditional ghost story I mean that in the best possible way. Carter manages to perfect the traditional creepy house and haunted narrative, he offers a few nice twists and turns along the way. I have to say I adored the way the narrative builds in tension and atmosphere. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and waiting to find out what will happen next. The protagonist, Jimmy, was brilliantly crafted. He felt real and was so layered much like the story. I did enjoy there are different aspects to the narrative, including a touch of romance which was nice for Jimmy to get a bit of a break. The ending was just top tier for a horror/ghost story and I adored every second of it. If you love a good atmospheric read then this is one you cannot afford to miss. It keeps you hooked, offers twists, turns and atmosphere right until the last sentence.
May 15, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
From the start, I found this quite a sombre read. I found the author wrote in a way that resonated with me; the writing was quite hard-hitting and raw, but that made me take notice. I wanted to know Jimmy's entire story, and see him confront the demons from his past.
Jimmy was a protagonist that I liked; I also liked Carly as a character and appreciated the bond between them, even if it was something that only they could truly understand.
The whole time I was reading, I found myself very focused on the emotions of the characters and what they felt, which made this an intense read in some ways. It was very much a page turner though, and quite a chilling read.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
From the start, I found this quite a sombre read. I found the author wrote in a way that resonated with me; the writing was quite hard-hitting and raw, but that made me take notice. I wanted to know Jimmy's entire story, and see him confront the demons from his past.
Jimmy was a protagonist that I liked; I also liked Carly as a character and appreciated the bond between them, even if it was something that only they could truly understand.
The whole time I was reading, I found myself very focused on the emotions of the characters and what they felt, which made this an intense read in some ways. It was very much a page turner though, and quite a chilling read.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
Review of advance copy
My first introduction to Carter's writing was when I read (and five star rated) Swish. I didn't think he could top that, but then I read this...
I love a good haunted house horror, however I wasn't expecting the darkness of the depths this one took me to. It was uncomfortable to read in places, and a constant feeling of unease creeping under my skin added to the atmosphere which remained long after reading.
Jimmy's family home fast became a character in its own right, an entity shrouded in secrets and lies that harbored the most heinous of crimes.
And then there's the ending...I knew there was something but I was not expecting it to be that!
Did I enjoy the book? Absolutely! Now excuse me while I go scrape my jaw off the floor!
I love a good haunted house horror, however I wasn't expecting the darkness of the depths this one took me to. It was uncomfortable to read in places, and a constant feeling of unease creeping under my skin added to the atmosphere which remained long after reading.
Jimmy's family home fast became a character in its own right, an entity shrouded in secrets and lies that harbored the most heinous of crimes.
And then there's the ending...I knew there was something but I was not expecting it to be that!
Did I enjoy the book? Absolutely! Now excuse me while I go scrape my jaw off the floor!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Some of the most impactful horror stories are slow burn, atmospheric tales. This novel fits into that criteria flawlessly!
Jimmy returns home for the first time since he ran away as a child to lay his mother to rest. Not only does he have to confront all of the local townsfolk he left behind but he also has to answer to the ghosts of his past.
The House of Whispers will grab you from the start and not let go. Although I have never been to the UK I could practically feel the damp and cold that was portrayed in this rural English town. Throw in a mix of religious zealots with supernatural elements and you've got yourself quite the mystery to unravel.
Highly recommend!
Jimmy returns home for the first time since he ran away as a child to lay his mother to rest. Not only does he have to confront all of the local townsfolk he left behind but he also has to answer to the ghosts of his past.
The House of Whispers will grab you from the start and not let go. Although I have never been to the UK I could practically feel the damp and cold that was portrayed in this rural English town. Throw in a mix of religious zealots with supernatural elements and you've got yourself quite the mystery to unravel.
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I stayed up until 2am finishing The House of Whispers and it did not disappoint. The ending was not what I was expecting and I'm still processing all my feelings about it.
It was a really atmospheric read that mixed small English town vibes and haunted house so well. There were strong descriptions, dark humour, and dialogue throughout that made me really feel for Jimmy. I was genuinely creeped out in places, and the religious trauma was very unsettling.
Read on for trigger warnings
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This is horror that doesn't pull its punches. Trigger warnings include (but are not limited to) homophobia, religious trauma, blood, grief, and mental health.
It was a really atmospheric read that mixed small English town vibes and haunted house so well. There were strong descriptions, dark humour, and dialogue throughout that made me really feel for Jimmy. I was genuinely creeped out in places, and the religious trauma was very unsettling.
Read on for trigger warnings
.
.
.
.
.
.
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This is horror that doesn't pull its punches. Trigger warnings include (but are not limited to) homophobia, religious trauma, blood, grief, and mental health.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fans of Darcy Coates, gather round…
Jimmy Manning is haunted by his past. After running away from an abusive home at sixteen, Jimmy seems to have his life together, but when his mother dies and wills him the house he's so desperately tried to leave in the past, the ghosts he's tried to bury rear their ugly heads. Mystery, love story, and revenge tale, all cocooned in a healthy dose of spookiness, House of Whispers has it all. Carter's down-to-earth writing style, accompanied by a heart-wrenching narrative, will allow you to fall into the pages and get swept up by the story.
Jimmy Manning is haunted by his past. After running away from an abusive home at sixteen, Jimmy seems to have his life together, but when his mother dies and wills him the house he's so desperately tried to leave in the past, the ghosts he's tried to bury rear their ugly heads. Mystery, love story, and revenge tale, all cocooned in a healthy dose of spookiness, House of Whispers has it all. Carter's down-to-earth writing style, accompanied by a heart-wrenching narrative, will allow you to fall into the pages and get swept up by the story.
May 14, 2026
This was so good, I couldn’t put it down. It was so creepy and the small town setting added to this.
I love a haunted house read but this was so much more than that. It wasn’t just the sense of unease the whole way through knowing something was going to happen, there were some much darker themes too.
Jimmy returns to his home town after 20 years. He reconnects with his childhood best friend Carly, I really liked their friendship and how she helps him try to battle with his past.
I’m still not over the ending. Highly recommend this one!
I love a haunted house read but this was so much more than that. It wasn’t just the sense of unease the whole way through knowing something was going to happen, there were some much darker themes too.
Jimmy returns to his home town after 20 years. He reconnects with his childhood best friend Carly, I really liked their friendship and how she helps him try to battle with his past.
I’m still not over the ending. Highly recommend this one!
May 17, 2026
There were plenty of twists and surprises in this story and add in a paranormal aspect. Some horrible things happened to a lot of people, especially Jimmy. Running away from home only to return to deal with his inheritance, Jimmy had to deal with his past. Carly gave him some support and went through a lot of the experiences with him. I did not expect the ending, and it left me wanting to know a little more. Overall, an intense story which kept me turning pages.
I received a copy through Rowan Publishing, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy through Rowan Publishing, and this is my unsolicited review.
May 16, 2026
A creepy and compelling read, with an eerie cover I started reading and couldn’t stop!
The horrors Jimmy saw as a child start the story and then he returns to his family home as an adult after his mother’s death.
This was a page turner for sure! I wanted to know what was going to happen and with some twists and secrets discovered I really couldn’t put this down.
A 5 star read for me loved it, atmospheric and chilling.
The horrors Jimmy saw as a child start the story and then he returns to his family home as an adult after his mother’s death.
This was a page turner for sure! I wanted to know what was going to happen and with some twists and secrets discovered I really couldn’t put this down.
A 5 star read for me loved it, atmospheric and chilling.
May 26, 2026
Rating: 3,5
If you love a spooky, psychological horror book, this one’s for you!
I found the very first chapter almost the most shocking, which kept me excited for what was to come. However, the tension dipped a bit after that. Throughout the book, you slowly uncover what happened 25 years ago together with Jimmy and Carly. I loved their friendship.
The author did a very good job portraying Jimmy reliving his trauma. You really sympathise with him, hoping he finds the closure he’s looking for. I liked the variety of chapters in the present, and sometimes a chapter from the past where Jimmy is still a boy. At times, I felt like the reader knew more than the Main Character. Which made a reveal less of a twist when the MC found out about that too.
The ending was a bit predictable apart from one shocking element. I still really enjoyed the book throughout!
If you love a spooky, psychological horror book, this one’s for you!
I found the very first chapter almost the most shocking, which kept me excited for what was to come. However, the tension dipped a bit after that. Throughout the book, you slowly uncover what happened 25 years ago together with Jimmy and Carly. I loved their friendship.
The author did a very good job portraying Jimmy reliving his trauma. You really sympathise with him, hoping he finds the closure he’s looking for. I liked the variety of chapters in the present, and sometimes a chapter from the past where Jimmy is still a boy. At times, I felt like the reader knew more than the Main Character. Which made a reveal less of a twist when the MC found out about that too.
The ending was a bit predictable apart from one shocking element. I still really enjoyed the book throughout!
May 16, 2026
The House of Whispers by Tom Carter.
This was a good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I read this in 3 sittings. I liked the writing style and the story. I did feel for Jimmy. The pain he went through. This is the second book I've read by this author. I do recommend this book.
This was a good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I read this in 3 sittings. I liked the writing style and the story. I did feel for Jimmy. The pain he went through. This is the second book I've read by this author. I do recommend this book.
May 22, 2026
Loved this book. Very creepy and atmospheric. The twists and turns kept me gripped to the last page. This is my third time reading books from Tom Carter and I love his writing style. Will definitely keep my eye out for more of his books in the future.
June 2, 2026
DNF 125 pages in. I was hooked at first by the exorcism but it's taking forever for anything to really happen. Feels over written and I'm just bored
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jimmy returns home after the death of his estranged mother, but he hasn't come home to pay his respects but to deal with the house that he inherited and the demons of his past
I absolutely loved how this book started and just got better. It's a super creepy ghost story with other elements mixed in. If you're looking for something creepy that you can't put down, then this is definitely it. You won't be disappointed.
I absolutely loved how this book started and just got better. It's a super creepy ghost story with other elements mixed in. If you're looking for something creepy that you can't put down, then this is definitely it. You won't be disappointed.
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