Le voci intorno a me

by Natalie Chandler, Sara Reggiani (Translator)

Da tre anni la psichiatra criminale Tamsin Shaw giace immobile in un letto d'ospedale, vittima di un terribile incidente le cui cause sono ancora ignote. Il limbo in cui si trova viene chiamato dai medici "stato vegetativo permanente". Non è in grado di aprire gli occhi né di muoversi ma, al contrario di quanto tutti credono, è cosciente e sente ogni rumore, suono, bisbiglio. Il marito, la migliore amica, l'infermiera, un collega... tutti le parlano, le raccontano i propri segreti. I momenti più commoventi, tuttavia, sono le visite di Elise, la figlia che portava in grembo all'epoca dello scontro, la figlia che non ha ancora mai visto. Fino a quando – a causa dell'assenza di miglioramenti – la direttrice della clinica propone ai familiari di "staccare la spina". Una decisione impossibile da prendere, che però potrebbe liberare la donna dalla sua prigionia e seppellire una volta per tutte la verità su quella tragica notte. E a qualcuno farebbe molto comodo... Per Tamsin avrà inizio una lotta contro il tempo per sbloccare i ricordi che ha rimosso e soprattutto uscire dal coma. Deve farlo per sua figlia, deve farlo prima che sia troppo tardi.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

360 pages, ebook

Published September 3, 2025

Reviews

[Yukki · Rating 5 out of 5]

La votazione massima deriva da una scrittura, e scrittrice, che ho amato! Semplice, magnetica, intrigante.
Ho divorato il libro in un paio di giorni, cosa non scontata per me tenendo conto anche del numero di pagine. È un libro -una storia, una narrazione- decisamente scorrevole.
Avvincente e incalzante con un ritmo che non ti dà tregua, è pieno di tensione. I segreti nelle vite dei protagonisti, correlati a quelli dei personaggi secondari in questo andirivieni tra presente e passato, si districano con calma ancorandoti a leggere e leggere ancora fino al coup de théâtre tanto sperato.
A proposito dell'epilogo, non mi aspettavo una grande dovizia di particolari -è scontato notando le pagine che si assottigliano con ancora tanti interrogativi- ma per onor del vero devo dire che mi sarebbe piaciuta non poco qualche pagina in più. Non sarebbe stato determinante, vero, ma sicuramente gradevole.

[Kyrah Rogerson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read The Voices - the plot sounded incredibly intriguing, with the idea of the fmc trapped in her own body, silently listening as those around her reveal their secrets. However, while the book had a strong start and an intriguing mystery at its core, I found the middle section too slow, which made it a struggle to keep going.

The pacing felt uneven; after an engaging opening, the momentum dipped significantly. I kept waiting for the tension to build, but much of the story felt drawn out, and I found myself losing interest at times. There were certainly moments of intrigue, and I appreciated the psychological depth of the fmc’s situation, but the execution didn’t quite deliver the suspense I was hoping for. By around 80% it started to pick up again however I was still left with some questions at the end. That said, readers who enjoy slow-burn thrillers with an unsettling atmosphere may still enjoy it.

*I am really grateful to have received this as an arc though😊*

[Karen Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 / 5.0

This was a real slog to finish, I found the first 90 pages to be a solid read, but it’s inconsistent pacing and horrible breaks in chapter to different perspectives and different times really throws the cohesiveness of the book to a point it just feels like reading an individual book per chapter. I’ve not read a book where the female lead is bed bound in a coma, it’s unique which I give credit to but I think the execution missed massively in this book. Honestly majority of the whole book I was confused on everything and it’s not until the last 50 pages where everything makes sense. You really have to stick with this book for it to click in the end. It’s a short read, but due to how slow some parts are it did feel like the book dragged on longer. Unfortunately this will be a book I will forget in the future as there wasn’t anything too memorable.

It’s a meh type of book, it’s alright could be a lot worse but definitely could be better

[Antonio Longo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Secondo me più che un thriller il libro oscilla tra una telenovela sudamericana da quattro soldi e una fiction trasmessa su Canale 5.
Ma dov'è il mistero? Dov'è l'intrigo?
Non c'è stato un singolo momento di suspance in 356 pagine
La risoluzione finale mi è sembrata non solo inverosimile (all'ennesima potenza) ma anche non-sense, oltre che gestita in modo penoso.
Un enorme spreco di tempo, direi 😅

[libri.di.jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

Quando i thriller sono veramente belli, e riflessivi, per quanto crudi.
'Le voci intorno a me' è stata davvero una lettura particolarmente claustrofobica, sia dal punto di vista mentale e fisico.
Un incubo vero e proprio. 🖤

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Voices" is a mesmerizing psychological thriller that skillfully weaves together family dynamics, justice, female rage, wealth, and revenge.

At the heart of the narrative lies Tamsin Shaw, a criminal psychiatrist trapped within the terrifying confines of a three-year coma. Though physically unresponsive, Tamsin's mind remains sharp, her consciousness a silent witness to the world around her.

Tamsin's unblinking gaze observes her husband, her closest friend, an ex-lover, a past patient, and her nurse, each harboring hidden agendas and dark mysteries. In this eerie state of suspended animation, she must grapple with the implications of their revelations and face a looming threat that lingers just beyond her reach.

Unpredictable twists and concealed intentions keep the suspense taut, as each chapter expertly unravels a thrilling mystery through Tamsin's unreliable lens.

The atmosphere is a claustrophobic crucible of tension, aptly reflecting Tamsin's inner turbulence. Chandler's evocative writing elicits unease and empathy in equal measure, drawing readers into Tamsin's chaotic world.

Crisp and engrossing, the prose carries a cerebral allure that relentlessly propels you through the pages. Although the pacing might feel frenzied at times, the reward is well worth the journey.

Chandler's exploration of themes such as female rage and justice is insightful and mind-opening, adding depth and resonance to the narrative.

The story manages to be both believable and mind-blowing at the same time, which is a great combination. The characters feel genuine, and the mystery keeps you guessing about what's real and what's not.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was engrossing and frustrating in equal measures. At times it was riveting, but there are large parts of this story that lose pace and it becomes very drawn out. It’s well written with great characters but let down by the execution. The author does a very good job of portraying Tam in her persistent vegetative state and that is where the strength in this book lies. Faults with this one but one I did want to read to its conclusion. Overall a satisfying 3⭐️ read

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tamsin Shaw is a criminal psychiatrist and has been laying unresponsive for the last few years after a car accident, however even though others think she will not recover, she can actually hear everything. Listening to the voices around her will she be able to discover hidden secrets?

I loved the sound of this one as it seemed unique and intriguing. After finishing I can say this was definitely a clever, compelling read. I was drawn in almost straight away, interested to see where it would go. There was a creepy, unsettling vibe throughout and lots of layers to untangle.

The characters were interesting and I liked how each of them were described and developed, relating to voices to Tamsin. Even though this was a good story, I did find that the pacing slowed down a lot by the middle part and I found myself not as interested in the story as I first was. Overall however this is certainly worth a read for those who enjoy multi layered, psychological thrillers. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Voices by Natalie Chandler is the story of Tamsin Shaw. A criminal psychiatrist who lies unresponsive in a hospital bed following a traumatic accident. Though she cannot move or speak, she is fully conscious—listening to the confessions, secrets, and lies of those who visit her: her husband, best friend, ex-boyfriend, a former patient, and a nurse.

Three years have past since Tamsin was in a car accident whilst heavily pregnant. Her daughter has been born, but Tamsin hasn’t woken up and now her husband is planning to withdraw her care on her 40th birthday.

Told through a dual timeline and an unreliable narrator, the reader is taken on an emotional journey with Tamsin as she struggles to make sense of what has happened to her.

Whilst this particularly storyline may not be original, I really enjoyed it and felt Tamsin’s voice was powerful, emotive and at times heart-breaking.

The horrifying idea of being stuck in an unresponsive body for almost 3 years, but able to hear everything around you was chilling and claustrophobic. The author has managed to make the reader feel all of Tamsin’s emotions, from rage to panic and confusion to desperation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to fans of character-driven psychological thrillers.

[Claire Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this arc.
Firstly the opening was wow! Pulled me straight in.
I personally love a book about a character in hospital in a coma able to hear what is happening around them .
For me personally after the first chapter up until 80% it was a slow burn.
It also felt a little predictable and due to that it took me a while to read as I didn't find myself desperate to pick it back up.
Overall good read but I could have done with a bit more drama

[Alice Gerini · Rating 2 out of 5]

L'idea era intrigantissima, ma ahimè lo stile troppo pesante, tanto che mi ha mandata in blocco per ben due volte.
Mi dispiace, ma lo vedo come un'occasione persa. Avevo aspettative troppo alte, forse è colpa mia!

[Giorgia Monti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Avevo aspettative molto alte, purtroppo completamente deluse. Scritto abbastanza bene, sebbene alcune parti siano molto lente e a mio parere poco funzionali alla storia. Ma soprattutto, estremamente scontato e completamente privo, a mio parere, di veri colpi di scena.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,8. L’idea era anche buona ma lo sviluppo della trama non mi ha soddisfatta

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three years ago, heavily pregnant Tamsin was in an awful car accident. Her daughter was born, but Tamsin was left in a permanent vegetative state. Unable to wake up, but able to hear everything around her, she starts to panic when she hears that her husband is planning to withdraw her care in a weeks time, the day she turns 40. She’s desperate to wake up and show them she's been here all along.

This was such a sad read at times. Told mostly from the POV of Tamsin, as she lies in a bed, listening to everyone around her as she becomes desperate to let them know she isn’t dead. It really made me think about what I would want my family to do if I was in this sort of situation. I honestly couldn’t imagine. In between, the story takes us back to before the accident. We follow Tamsin as she starts working as a therapist for a man accused of brutally raping several women. We soon discover the reasons for some of her actions, and why she finds her life is suddenly at risk. There were a few twists, and the tension was there all the way throughout.
I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.

[Amanda Bayliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by this author...definitely not my last. A psychological thriller that gripped me from the start with lots of twists and turns. And the ending....!!!

[Corinna Bucek · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE VOICES BY NATALIE CHANDLER.
Release date set for the 13th of February 2025.
This is my first book by Natalie.
I really enjoyed this book.
I found it to be a chilling psychological thriller and I felt so sorry for Tasmin.
Really good story and looking forward to reading more of her books.
Get it added to your TBR lists you won't regret it.

[Ceridwenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such good premises. Tamsin is stuck in an unresponsive body after a terrible accident. An alternate narrative between past and present weaves the mystery and creates an atmosphere that is really claustrophobic at times. It’s everyone’s nightmare to be at the complete mercy of your family, unable to voice anything, a mere body to everyone when your brain fully functions. It’s what really stands out for me in this book and I dreaded as much as I enjoyed those chapters. They were so well written that we could relate, surprisingly , to Tamsin’s fate.
It was an enjoyable thriller with a pacing that was at fault sometimes. Thee ending seemed especially rushed and even some clues or events were a bit too convenient for me.
I only regretted the cheating trope. Not exactly a spoiler since it's very early in the book (less than 20%) and it’s not written as a twist but it’s always the easy trope in that genre and
I'm really tired of it. Overall, it was a satisfying read!

[lastanzadisofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️
Ho divorato questo libro! Mi ha preso fin da subito!
Avevo letto “Ogni piccola bugia” della Feeney e avevo paura fosse simile, ma in realtà non lo ricordo bene quindi non posso assicurare. Posso solo dire che sull’altro avevo avuto riserve, mentre questo lo ritengo un libro degno di nota!
La narrazione è alternata tra il presente, in cui Tamsin è in stato vegetativo permanente, e il passato. Un passato che mano a mano ci spiega il presente, momento in cui i segreti vengono a galla davanti al suo letto d’ospedale. Tamsin sentiva tutto ma non poteva reagire a niente, motivo per cui le persone credevano non potessero sentirle. Mi sono quindi riuscita a calare in lei, nella sua frustrazione di essere lì e sapere tutto senza poter fare niente, questo aiutato dal fatto che i suoi capitoli sono narrati in prima persona. La scrittura è scorrevolissima, i dialoghi sono fatti benissimo e potevo immaginarmi le scene nitide davanti a me.
Il lavoro di Tamsin in quanto psichiatra criminale ha favorito la mia curiosità, poiché nel racconto ci sono riportate le scene di seduta psichiatrica che Tamsin ha condotto con un particolare paziente, protagonista di questa storia. Anche questi dialoghi erano fatti in modo eccellente, e più volte mi sono ritrovata a fare i complimenti all’autrice per la grande abilità che ha avuto.
La voglia di arrivare a snodare tutti i fili tesi di questa storia è permanente per tutto il racconto, rendendolo un page turner d’eccellenza! E la storia che l’autrice ha tessuto è pazzesca, disturbante, dolorosa e perfino commovente.
L’unica nota dolente per me è stato il finale, poiché l’epilogo è arrivato di botta, quando in realtà mi aspettavo/speravo di sapere qualcosa di più sulla vita dei personaggi a cui, per il grande modo in cui sono stati descritti, mi ero affezionata.
Spero proprio che tradurranno altri libri di questa bravissima autrice!

[SabryBookLover🩷🫶🏻 Sabrina Taddei · Rating 3 out of 5]

All’inizio parte bene, la storia è intrigante e l’idea di essere all’interno della testa di una persona in stato vegetativo, che però può sentire e avere pensiero proprio,è molto curioso🧐.
Nel corso della lettura però ho iniziato a storcere la bocca… troppi salti temporali che sembravano non voler arrivare a niente, per poi concluderli frettolosamente verso la fine..😐
Come se l’autrice avesse avuto fretta di concludere la storia.
Secondo me i continui salti temporali rallentavano la storia.
Si ok va bene metterli all’inizio per farti capire determinate cose ma.. ad un certo punto sarebbe stato corretto iniziare a collegarli al presente e diminuirli.. e invece li ho trovati fino alla fine.😮‍💨
Per non parlare del fatto che alcune risposte vengono già date nel presente e tante volte mi sono chiesta:”allora perché tornare indietro nel passato a scoprire cose che il lettore già sa?”.
Il finale.. si c’è un plot twist inaspettato ma… avrei voluto leggere qualche risoluzione in più delle vicende accadute nel libro stesso.
La trama era anche interessante, la storia poteva essere sviluppata e strutturata sicuramente molto meglio.

Il voto che darò a questa storia è perché la trama mi intrigava e la storia pure…solo il come è stato strutturato mi ha deluso🫤

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Manju Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read.
The Voices is a chilling psychological thriller that grips readers from its eerie opening line and doesn’t let go until the final revelation. The novel centers on Tamsin Shaw, a criminal psychiatrist who has been comatose for three years but remains terrifyingly aware of her surroundings. Unable to open her eyes or communicate, Tamsin listens intently to the people who visit her hospital room: her husband, best friend, ex-boyfriend, former patient, and nurse. Each of them harbors secrets, and one will go to deadly lengths to keep theirs hidden. Chandler masterfully builds tension, using Tamsin's immobile yet perceptive state to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. As Tamsin pieces together clues from conversations and interactions, the reader is pulled into her silent world, where every word and action takes on heightened significance. The unique narrative perspective—a protagonist trapped in her own body—adds a layer of vulnerability and urgency that sets this novel apart from traditional thrillers. The characters are well-drawn and complex, each carrying their own blend of guilt, fear, and motives. Chandler skillfully weaves their stories together, leaving readers to question who can be trusted. The psychological depth of the novel is compelling, especially as it explores themes of betrayal, manipulation, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The twists are expertly timed, and the pacing is relentless. As Tamsin races against time to understand the truth, the tension builds to a shocking climax that will leave readers reeling.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it’s not something I’d usually read but the synopsis on NetGalley intrigued me. I’m so glad I took the chance and decided to read it. The Voices is about Tamsin, an criminal psychiatrist who’s currently in a vegetative state, as she listens to her friends and family, unable to move or communicate, she learns that they’re all hiding secrets.

This book was a really fascinating read. You really got to feel what it would be like to be trapped by your own body, being able to hear and feel everything around you but completely unable to respond, move, or even open your eyes. It’s terrifying. On top of all this Tamsin had to endure hearing loved ones sharing their secrets and the frightening possibility that they might turn her machines off. The writing was addictive, I didn’t want to put the book down. I wanted to find out more about Tamsin and the people around her. The author cleverly revealed clues to the mystery through flashbacks and multiple POVs. The clues were revealed slowly and well paced, never enough to spoil the mysteries but with enough details that kept me entertained and gripped. And the moments when key revelations were revealed were done wonderfully, I felt like I should have seen them coming but I was still surprised.

I also loved the characters. None of them was truly good or bad (except for one character, but that’s a spoiler), they were all flawed people struggling with their own lives. It made the book more thought provoking and realistic. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Jen James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Tamsin Shaw, renowned criminal psychiatrist, is a resident, not a clinician, in Rushmore. A beautiful, small exclusive facility, for patients needing 24 hour nursing care. Tamsin is in a permanent vegetative state, following a devastating car accident 3 years ago. Many have written her off, making assumptions that none of her sharp intellect remains. Only Tamsin knows that she hears, understands and considers every single word, but is unable to respond, even in the smallest of ways.

The story is told in two timelines, before and now. Mostly from Tamsin’s perspective, but also from those closest to her. As I read, I had a sense that we were building quietly towards something, the explanation for the accident, but so much more too. There was a lot of tension bubbling away beneath the surface of all the characters, and their intricate relationships.

It’s unusual to find a protagonist in such a frustrating, isolated situation, but conversely, at no point did I feel her to be helpless. Her strength and intelligence shone through, which I admired and appreciated very much. Elise is such a wonderful character too.

Sometimes an intriguing synopsis doesn’t translate into a fabulous book, but The Voices definitely delivered an interesting and engaging read. This chilling 5⭐️ psychological thriller had me gripped, from the first page to the last. Natalie Chandler is a new author to me, but I will certainly look out for her writing in the future.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Voices - Wow! Just incredible! A completely immersive and mesmerising plot as we are led straight into the mind of Tamsin, a criminal psychologist who has been in a vegetative state for nearly three years, following a car accident. Everyone around her is unsure of how much she can hear, if anything, but Tamsin is very much awake and hears everything that is going on around her.

As her visitors speak to her, Tamsin is piecing together some twisted secrets, dark intentions and hidden agendas from her husband, her best friend, her nurse, her colleague/ex-lover and even the client she was working with at the time of her accident.

As the three year anniversary of her accident approaches and discussions about the possibility of withdrawing life support emerge, Tamsin is trapped in a claustrophobic existence, desperate to be able to reveal what she has pieced together in the confines of her mind.

Whilst this story is completely mind-blowing and the plot is intricately weaved, it is completely believable and the characters feel real and relatable.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Natalie Chandler and Harper North for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute standout in the psychological thriller genre! I was hooked from the very first page. The dual timelines and unreliable narrator, Tamsin Shaw, make this book incredibly gripping and unique. It’s rare to encounter a book told from this perspective, and Chandler absolutely nails it.

As the story unfolds and the tension builds, it’s fascinating to see how all the characters are connected to this massive, life-changing event. The twists and turns keep you guessing, and the payoff is so satisfying as the pieces come together. Tamsin's voice, even when she’s unable to speak, is one of the most intriguing narrators I’ve encountered in recent thrillers.

This was my first read by this author, and I can’t wait to explore more of her work in the future. The Voices is perfect for fans of suspense, mystery, and psychological thrillers. It ticks all the boxes, and I know anyone who picks it up will be completely satisfied. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper North for an arc in return for my honest review.

[Bzz Kolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HarperNorth for this eCopy to review

As I turned the final page of The Voices by Natalie Chandler, I felt a mix of satisfaction and lingering questions. The story focusses on Tamsin Shaw, a criminal psychiatrist trapped in her own body, unable to communicate but able to hear everything around her. The concept was both fascinating and chilling, drawing me in right from the start.

Tamsin's perspective, being in a vegetative state yet fully aware, was unique and added a layer of depth to the narrative. I found myself sympathizing with her plight and eager to unravel the mysteries surrounding her condition and the secrets of her visitors—her husband Jamie, best friend Lucia, ex-boyfriend, former patient Richard, and nurse Milena. Each character had their own secrets and motives, making me question their true intentions.

It’s a captivating read full of secrets and plot twists

[Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Voices combines two of my favourite things, dual timelines and an unreliable narrator - both done brilliantly!

The main charactered is Tamsin, who right from the start is in a unresponsive state following an horrific accident that kills her best friend’s husband, Whilst her visitors think she is only there in body, the reader knows that she is hearing everything and is privy to her thoughts. The storyline is told from various perspectives, both before the accident and in present time. Things are messy and everyone is hiding something.

The Voices is a fantastic psychological thriller that explores both criminality and justice through Tamsin’s job as well as family dynamics, The reader can also feel Tamsin’s frustration at not being able to make her body react at all to indicate that she’s still there, at times it felt very claustrophobic.

[rui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially a super slow read, took me a while to gain some sort of a momentum on the style of writing. Some parts were a tough read, some of the therapy sessions super snooze fest.

But overall, I must say credit has to be given where credit is due. Although it lowkey borders on abrupt, I truly had not anticipated the twist at all - the timeline merge truly surprised me. Not very fond of the way it ended though, a lot of loose strings untied. That I really mind, hence only the loss of one star. Some part of me was looking out for an unreliable narrator trope, and to be honest if I tried I could quote my annotations to prove me right.

Ultimately, truly enjoyed this book. I was sucked into the setting and the lore so much so that I got hooked and could not put the book down for the life of me. 4/5 ⭐️

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so very lucky to get the DRC of The Voices at the last minute as it is a fabulous book and one I would have hated to miss. I've not read anything by Natalie Chandler before but I'll certainly look up her other novels now. The story is captivating - a psychiatrist in a persistent vegetative state trying to work out her complicated story before her machinery is turned off. The descriptions of her surroundings (she couldn't see) were just perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns that seemed to crop up every time I turned the page and the ending was a cracker! Definitely 5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Zoe Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a deep, dark, chilling psychological thriller. This is literally the stuff of nightmares. Imagine being fully alert mentally, listening to everything and everyone around you but your body is in a vegetative state? Well that’s exactly what is happening to Tamsin. As she listens to her visitors talk to her but she is unable to respond and react she learns of secrets they have all been keeping, the husband, the best friend, the ex client, the carer, they are all harbouring secrets that play a role in why Tamsin finds herself still this way after three years.

This was a fab read that really explores the power of the mind, loyalty and relationships.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC.