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The Whispering
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26When the walls start to talk, the façade of Cadie’s perfect life―including the man who swore to protect her―begins to crumble in this tense psychological thriller.
Cadie McIntyre thinks Wright Manor will heal her. Perched above the dark New England coastline, her fiancé’s ancestral estate is grand, remote, and nothing like the chaos she’s fled. And Oliver Wright, the brilliant doctor who saved her life once, has vowed to keep her safe forever.
But the longer Cadie spends behind its locked doors, the more the house seems to breathe around her. Hallways shift, shadows linger, and whispers curl through the walls, warning her of family secrets buried for generations. And soon, her betrothed’s tender concern starts to look a whole lot like control.
As Cadie’s world narrows to the manor’s suffocating rooms, she must decide whether Oliver is her savior or her captor. Because someone―or something―in this place wants her quiet, compliant, and very much alone.
From USA Today–bestselling author L.A. Detwiler comes this chilling suspense novel inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper and set in a home built on secrets, in which the truth isn’t just unsettling . . . it’s deadly.
Cadie McIntyre thinks Wright Manor will heal her. Perched above the dark New England coastline, her fiancé’s ancestral estate is grand, remote, and nothing like the chaos she’s fled. And Oliver Wright, the brilliant doctor who saved her life once, has vowed to keep her safe forever.
But the longer Cadie spends behind its locked doors, the more the house seems to breathe around her. Hallways shift, shadows linger, and whispers curl through the walls, warning her of family secrets buried for generations. And soon, her betrothed’s tender concern starts to look a whole lot like control.
As Cadie’s world narrows to the manor’s suffocating rooms, she must decide whether Oliver is her savior or her captor. Because someone―or something―in this place wants her quiet, compliant, and very much alone.
From USA Today–bestselling author L.A. Detwiler comes this chilling suspense novel inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper and set in a home built on secrets, in which the truth isn’t just unsettling . . . it’s deadly.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
L.A. Detwiler
27 books322 followersL.A. Detwiler is the USA TODAY Bestselling thriller author of The Widow Next Door with HarperCollins UK and several other chilling page-turners. Her novel The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter was awarded the bronze medal for thrillers by Readers' Favorite and also translated into Polish. Her novels are noted for their dark, emotional depth and realistic portrayals of haunting topics.
During her final year at Mount Aloysius College, she started writing her first fiction novel, Voice of Innocence, which was published in 2015. She has numerous sweet romances published under Lindsay Detwiler. She has also written articles that have appeared in several women’s publications and websites.
L.A. Detwiler is a high school business teacher and writer in her hometown of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She taught high school English for ten years and also was an adjunct professor. She lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad. They have six cats and a Great Dane named Edmund (He appears in all of her current works; her late mastiff, Henry, is in the earlier novels). When she isn't training Edmund or writing, she is usually rewatching Outlander, drinking coffee, or buying makeup.
Connect with L.A. Detwiler on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok @ladetwiler
During her final year at Mount Aloysius College, she started writing her first fiction novel, Voice of Innocence, which was published in 2015. She has numerous sweet romances published under Lindsay Detwiler. She has also written articles that have appeared in several women’s publications and websites.
L.A. Detwiler is a high school business teacher and writer in her hometown of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She taught high school English for ten years and also was an adjunct professor. She lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad. They have six cats and a Great Dane named Edmund (He appears in all of her current works; her late mastiff, Henry, is in the earlier novels). When she isn't training Edmund or writing, she is usually rewatching Outlander, drinking coffee, or buying makeup.
Connect with L.A. Detwiler on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok @ladetwiler
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 23, 2026
Review of early copy received from Netgalley
This did not work for me. The writing style, the plot, the character’s motivation… all seemed misguided.
I found L.A. Detweiler’s portrayal of Cadie as frustrating, having her bounce back from feeling strong to being unbearably weak in the same paragraph. I wanted to know more to her story than relatively surface level things. The time in the mental institution would’ve been helpful to relate to Cadie and understand how she could ever fall for Oliver in the first place, because this was insta-fall-out-of-love. I wanted to root for her but she could not get her self together.
The paranormal parts fell really flat. I think somehow connecting The Yellow Wallpaper to the Salem witch trials could be interesting… it just never really came full circle.
It felt rushed and underdeveloped. This had potential. It just never got there.
Also WTF Oliver? How could any of your process help someone with mental illness?!?
This did not work for me. The writing style, the plot, the character’s motivation… all seemed misguided.
I found L.A. Detweiler’s portrayal of Cadie as frustrating, having her bounce back from feeling strong to being unbearably weak in the same paragraph. I wanted to know more to her story than relatively surface level things. The time in the mental institution would’ve been helpful to relate to Cadie and understand how she could ever fall for Oliver in the first place, because this was insta-fall-out-of-love. I wanted to root for her but she could not get her self together.
The paranormal parts fell really flat. I think somehow connecting The Yellow Wallpaper to the Salem witch trials could be interesting… it just never really came full circle.
It felt rushed and underdeveloped. This had potential. It just never got there.
Also WTF Oliver? How could any of your process help someone with mental illness?!?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into this book… sadly it is was like eating and rice cake. Very repetitive and predictable. 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
September 17, 2026
DNF @ 52%.
We follow the main protagonist moving to a secluded manor with her new fiance (who was also her therapist) in order to heal after some significant trauma. She suddenly starts hearing and seeing things that are not there and meanwhile, her fiancé is also planning something cunning.
Whilst the premise is promising, calling this inspired or based on the Yellow Wallpaper is very far-fetched. The main character is very unreliable, ‘not like other girls’ and just very annoying. From the very start, she is constantly suspecting her fiancé of lying to her or claiming that he is abusing her but when we see him, he’s actually a pretty patient and nice guy? I’m sure their relationship will go downhill but there’s so little suspense, that’s there’s no point in continuing reading when we know the novel is setting him up as the ‘villain’ .
The dialogue and plot is incredibly repetitive, often describing the same plot points over and over again. We get little snippets of the past but I just could not connect with her weepy persona.
It truly is an art form to drag out a short book into what felt like a full novel.
We follow the main protagonist moving to a secluded manor with her new fiance (who was also her therapist) in order to heal after some significant trauma. She suddenly starts hearing and seeing things that are not there and meanwhile, her fiancé is also planning something cunning.
Whilst the premise is promising, calling this inspired or based on the Yellow Wallpaper is very far-fetched. The main character is very unreliable, ‘not like other girls’ and just very annoying. From the very start, she is constantly suspecting her fiancé of lying to her or claiming that he is abusing her but when we see him, he’s actually a pretty patient and nice guy? I’m sure their relationship will go downhill but there’s so little suspense, that’s there’s no point in continuing reading when we know the novel is setting him up as the ‘villain’ .
The dialogue and plot is incredibly repetitive, often describing the same plot points over and over again. We get little snippets of the past but I just could not connect with her weepy persona.
It truly is an art form to drag out a short book into what felt like a full novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Whispering by L.A. Detwiler is a book about a woman who starts questioning her life choices.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Podium Entertainment, and the author Lindsay Detwiler, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Really hard to rate this one. I hated the topic of women being abused throughout the ages. This was a "let's hate all men" kind of book, and that part I did not enjoy.
I felt for Cadie, who was a victim of her own naivety. Her aggressor used manipulation and control to run Cadie's life. If she stayed, she would probably die, but leaving was not really an option. It was kill or be killed. The decision was being made for her. What bothered me about Cadie was the wavering back and forth between being a strong woman, and a weakling. She actually annoyed me.
It was a creepy, atmospheric, supernatural read, but I didn't feel horror. I felt sadness and anger, and a lot of uncomfortableness, a bit claustrophobic. Somehow the supernatural part did not work for me. As well, I felt the story was quite predictable from start to finish. There were no real twists of "aha" moments. I did, however, like the chapters from the written letters. Those were really good.
Overall, I don't think this was up to Detwiler's usual fair. The writing and premise was fine, but it just sort of fell flat for me.
Anyway, until next time.....keep reading!
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book and series background, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
July 27, 2026
this is being marketed as horror, I think it is more along the lines of a supernatural thriller. A young mentally ill woman moves with her psychiatrist fiancé to an isolated manor house near Salem, Mass. Of course, there is all sorts of hullabaloo about the witch trials and the haunted woods, and etc. I am personally completely over all of the witch trial horror right now, but it doesn’t really matter. The witch trial stuff isn’t very important to the book. I feel like the book could be set anywhere without making a bit of difference. But, anyway. The book has some atmosphere and creepy vibes, but it was painfully predictable. I liked the primary (unreliable) narrator but couldn’t have cared less about a single other person in the book. Then at the end there are some POV bonus scenes. They add nothing whatsoever to the conversation. Reading all of this, y’all probably think I am saying it is horrible and that nobody should read it. I am not saying that at all. It’s an easy read, and I kept turning the pages. It was flat and just, meh.
Thanks to L.A. Detwiler, Podium Books, and NetGalley for this uncorrected proof.
Thanks to L.A. Detwiler, Podium Books, and NetGalley for this uncorrected proof.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
L.A. Detwiler’s “The Whispering” is one of those gothic horror books that slowly crawls under your skin until suddenly you’re side-eyeing every shadow and creak in your house at 2 AM. It’s creepy, emotional, full of feminine rage, and honestly kind of heartbreaking beneath all the ghostly chaos.
The story follows Cadie, who moves into her fiancé Oliver’s massive ancestral manor in Salem after a difficult past that includes struggles with her mental health and previous stays in psychiatric care. At first, Wright Manor feels like it could be a fresh start. Oliver is a respected doctor who once “saved” her, and the isolated estate seems like the perfect place to heal. Except almost immediately, things feel deeply wrong.
The house itself is peak gothic horror. The halls seem to shift, shadows linger too long, whispers come through the walls, and ghostly women keep appearing around the manor trying to warn Cadie about something. Some of the apparition scenes are genuinely terrifying, especially the repeated imagery of faces floating outside windows. Absolutely not. I hated it in the best possible way.
One of the strongest parts of this book is the atmosphere. There’s this constant feeling of dread hanging over everything, even during quieter scenes. Cadie could literally just be sitting alone in a room and the tension still makes you feel like something horrible is about to happen. The isolation of the manor mixed with Cadie’s uncertainty about whether she can trust her own mind makes the whole story feel suffocating in a very effective way.
I also loved the way the story brings together generational trauma, misogyny, and the treatment of women labeled as “unstable” or “hysterical.” The connections between the ghostly women of the past, Salem’s history, and Cadie’s present-day experiences were really well done. The journal entries and letters sprinkled throughout the story added a lot of emotional depth too, especially when learning about the women connected to the manor. Mercy in particular completely stole the show for me.
And Oliver? Whew. This book does such a good job exploring controlling relationships and how easily love, dependence, and manipulation can blur together. The entire time I was questioning whether Cadie was experiencing supernatural events, struggling mentally, or trapped with someone genuinely dangerous. That psychological tension was honestly one of the creepiest parts of the whole novel.
The writing style is quick and addictive too. The chapters are short, the pacing moves fast, and it’s one of those books that practically begs to be read in one sitting with a blanket and a cup of tea while you slowly become more paranoid alongside the main character.
I will say the story occasionally gets a little predictable, and some perspective jumps felt slightly confusing at times. I found myself wanting more subtle foreshadowing early on since the book heavily hints that things are not okay pretty quickly. But honestly, once the story locks in, it becomes incredibly hard to put down.
Overall, “The Whispering” is a tense, atmospheric gothic horror with ghosts, psychological suspense, feminine rage, and deeply unsettling vibes. If you like haunted manor stories, emotionally messy heroines, creepy whispering houses, and horror that’s as much about control and trauma as it is about ghosts, this is definitely worth picking up.
L.A. Detwiler’s “The Whispering” is one of those gothic horror books that slowly crawls under your skin until suddenly you’re side-eyeing every shadow and creak in your house at 2 AM. It’s creepy, emotional, full of feminine rage, and honestly kind of heartbreaking beneath all the ghostly chaos.
The story follows Cadie, who moves into her fiancé Oliver’s massive ancestral manor in Salem after a difficult past that includes struggles with her mental health and previous stays in psychiatric care. At first, Wright Manor feels like it could be a fresh start. Oliver is a respected doctor who once “saved” her, and the isolated estate seems like the perfect place to heal. Except almost immediately, things feel deeply wrong.
The house itself is peak gothic horror. The halls seem to shift, shadows linger too long, whispers come through the walls, and ghostly women keep appearing around the manor trying to warn Cadie about something. Some of the apparition scenes are genuinely terrifying, especially the repeated imagery of faces floating outside windows. Absolutely not. I hated it in the best possible way.
One of the strongest parts of this book is the atmosphere. There’s this constant feeling of dread hanging over everything, even during quieter scenes. Cadie could literally just be sitting alone in a room and the tension still makes you feel like something horrible is about to happen. The isolation of the manor mixed with Cadie’s uncertainty about whether she can trust her own mind makes the whole story feel suffocating in a very effective way.
I also loved the way the story brings together generational trauma, misogyny, and the treatment of women labeled as “unstable” or “hysterical.” The connections between the ghostly women of the past, Salem’s history, and Cadie’s present-day experiences were really well done. The journal entries and letters sprinkled throughout the story added a lot of emotional depth too, especially when learning about the women connected to the manor. Mercy in particular completely stole the show for me.
And Oliver? Whew. This book does such a good job exploring controlling relationships and how easily love, dependence, and manipulation can blur together. The entire time I was questioning whether Cadie was experiencing supernatural events, struggling mentally, or trapped with someone genuinely dangerous. That psychological tension was honestly one of the creepiest parts of the whole novel.
The writing style is quick and addictive too. The chapters are short, the pacing moves fast, and it’s one of those books that practically begs to be read in one sitting with a blanket and a cup of tea while you slowly become more paranoid alongside the main character.
I will say the story occasionally gets a little predictable, and some perspective jumps felt slightly confusing at times. I found myself wanting more subtle foreshadowing early on since the book heavily hints that things are not okay pretty quickly. But honestly, once the story locks in, it becomes incredibly hard to put down.
Overall, “The Whispering” is a tense, atmospheric gothic horror with ghosts, psychological suspense, feminine rage, and deeply unsettling vibes. If you like haunted manor stories, emotionally messy heroines, creepy whispering houses, and horror that’s as much about control and trauma as it is about ghosts, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book delivered exactly what I was hoping for - an undercurrent of feminine rage alongside some spine-tingling-ly creepy moments.
My one criticism would be that the opening chapters lean a bit too heavily on foreshadowing. I felt like the story was pushing me too forcefully towards what was coming, rather than letting my unease build more naturally. However, once I settled in to things, the author excelled at creating a sense of creeping dread. There was a continual tension running through the book that made even moments where Cadie was alone and safe feel ominous.
I loved the letters and journal entries interspersed throughout the book, giving us more insight into the tragic lives of the women connected to Wright manor. Mercy in particular stood out to me. Returning after death specifically to keep foiling the plots of monstrous men? Life (or undeath) goals.
The descriptions of the apparitions were CHILLING. The author happened to tap into one of my biggest horror fears - faces floating outside windows several stories up - and used it repeatedly. Those scenes had me on edge, with literal chills and the prickling, hair-standing-on-end feeling that only the best horror manages to pull off.
I also really appreciated our main character's journey from scared and vulnerable to finally confronting the truths she'd been in denial about all her life. It felt believable and heart-wrenching. Though I do wish we'd gotten a bit more rage from her before the end.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, and absolutely raced through it. Would definitely recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC.
My one criticism would be that the opening chapters lean a bit too heavily on foreshadowing. I felt like the story was pushing me too forcefully towards what was coming, rather than letting my unease build more naturally. However, once I settled in to things, the author excelled at creating a sense of creeping dread. There was a continual tension running through the book that made even moments where Cadie was alone and safe feel ominous.
I loved the letters and journal entries interspersed throughout the book, giving us more insight into the tragic lives of the women connected to Wright manor. Mercy in particular stood out to me. Returning after death specifically to keep foiling the plots of monstrous men? Life (or undeath) goals.
The descriptions of the apparitions were CHILLING. The author happened to tap into one of my biggest horror fears - faces floating outside windows several stories up - and used it repeatedly. Those scenes had me on edge, with literal chills and the prickling, hair-standing-on-end feeling that only the best horror manages to pull off.
I also really appreciated our main character's journey from scared and vulnerable to finally confronting the truths she'd been in denial about all her life. It felt believable and heart-wrenching. Though I do wish we'd gotten a bit more rage from her before the end.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, and absolutely raced through it. Would definitely recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars. A paranormal suspense novel in which a woman feels trapped, not worthy enough and fears for her sanity. For readers putting together their Halloween reading lists might want to consider this one.
Cadie McIntyre is basking in happiness. Newly engaged to Oliver, the psychiatrist who saved her, she moves into his family’s mansion is the woods outside Salem. Having a history of mental illness, achieving stability has been hard. At first all goes well but then she starts hearing whispers which seem to be coming out of the walls. Then she meets a strange and “menacing” woman with a black dog in the woods as well as a white witch with no mouth. Oliver, however, doesn’t believe Cadie and he becomes perturbed enough to threaten her with hospitalization. Cadie becomes trapped literally and it appears she may never be able to leave this strange and fear-producing house.
The book has a great theme - women trapped by powerful men who deceive and ensnare them in lies. There are plenty of gothic atmospheric moments in the novel. Cadre’s struggle to save her sanity and herself is compelling. While the author explains Oliver in the bonus scene at the end, I kept thinking about Oliver’s willingness to leave behind his ethical responsibilities toward a patient to do what he did - that last chapter could have been clearer on that. Though the ending where Cadie leaves is worth the read.
Readers who enjoy books with a dark sense of foreboding and a haunted house may enjoy this one.
My thanks to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for granting me access to this ARC.
Cadie McIntyre is basking in happiness. Newly engaged to Oliver, the psychiatrist who saved her, she moves into his family’s mansion is the woods outside Salem. Having a history of mental illness, achieving stability has been hard. At first all goes well but then she starts hearing whispers which seem to be coming out of the walls. Then she meets a strange and “menacing” woman with a black dog in the woods as well as a white witch with no mouth. Oliver, however, doesn’t believe Cadie and he becomes perturbed enough to threaten her with hospitalization. Cadie becomes trapped literally and it appears she may never be able to leave this strange and fear-producing house.
The book has a great theme - women trapped by powerful men who deceive and ensnare them in lies. There are plenty of gothic atmospheric moments in the novel. Cadre’s struggle to save her sanity and herself is compelling. While the author explains Oliver in the bonus scene at the end, I kept thinking about Oliver’s willingness to leave behind his ethical responsibilities toward a patient to do what he did - that last chapter could have been clearer on that. Though the ending where Cadie leaves is worth the read.
Readers who enjoy books with a dark sense of foreboding and a haunted house may enjoy this one.
My thanks to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ARC Review✨
Men can burn too. 🔥
A gripping psychological thriller, set in a haunting mansion with the horrible history of the Salem Witch Trials rich in its walls...
He's a doctor in a psychiatric hospital, she's his patient turned girlfriend. And he's bringing her home to the family estate. Because nothing means more to him than his work, or the lengths he will go to in the name of science.
But there is a horrible history on these grounds, and the ghosts of past women begin to stir.
Sinister, horrifying and brutal.
What will men do to women they deem 'crazy'?
What will men do to get into the minds of women?
Men can burn too. 🔥
A gripping psychological thriller, set in a haunting mansion with the horrible history of the Salem Witch Trials rich in its walls...
He's a doctor in a psychiatric hospital, she's his patient turned girlfriend. And he's bringing her home to the family estate. Because nothing means more to him than his work, or the lengths he will go to in the name of science.
But there is a horrible history on these grounds, and the ghosts of past women begin to stir.
Sinister, horrifying and brutal.
What will men do to women they deem 'crazy'?
What will men do to get into the minds of women?
Review of advance copy
First of all I know we are not supposed to judge a book by the cover but it was giving “the yellow wallpaper” vibes and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I absolutely loved this creepy version inspired by the yellow wallpaper. The topics it covers are awesome and love the Salem plot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, L.A. Detwiler, and Podium Entertainment Publishing for the opportunity to listen and review this ARC.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 Stars)
The Whispering was such a fun, atmospheric read that had me hooked from the very beginning. Between the eerie mansion, the mysterious woman in the lace gown, and other ghostly sitings, and the constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right, I couldn’t stop turning the pages once I began to read.
Cadie and Oliver move into Oliver’s sprawling family estate for what should be a fresh start, but it quickly becomes clear that someone is hiding secrets. I found myself questioning everyone and everything. Was the mysterious woman a ghost, a warning, or something else entirely? And what exactly was Oliver keeping hidden in the basement? The short chapters made it incredibly easy to keep saying, “Just one more.”
I loved how the mystery kept evolving as new questions surfaced. Every answer seemed to lead to another twist, and while I had plenty of theories, one reveal caught me by surprise.
The haunted house atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of the story. It delivered just the right amount of creepy without relying solely on jump scares, and the revenge-filled supernatural elements made for a satisfying payoff.
This was my first book by L.A. Detwiler, and it certainly won’t be my last. If you enjoy haunted houses, gothic mysteries, family secrets, and restless spirits seeking revenge, I highly recommend adding The Whispering to your TBR. It was an engaging, twisty read that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 Stars)
The Whispering was such a fun, atmospheric read that had me hooked from the very beginning. Between the eerie mansion, the mysterious woman in the lace gown, and other ghostly sitings, and the constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right, I couldn’t stop turning the pages once I began to read.
Cadie and Oliver move into Oliver’s sprawling family estate for what should be a fresh start, but it quickly becomes clear that someone is hiding secrets. I found myself questioning everyone and everything. Was the mysterious woman a ghost, a warning, or something else entirely? And what exactly was Oliver keeping hidden in the basement? The short chapters made it incredibly easy to keep saying, “Just one more.”
I loved how the mystery kept evolving as new questions surfaced. Every answer seemed to lead to another twist, and while I had plenty of theories, one reveal caught me by surprise.
The haunted house atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of the story. It delivered just the right amount of creepy without relying solely on jump scares, and the revenge-filled supernatural elements made for a satisfying payoff.
This was my first book by L.A. Detwiler, and it certainly won’t be my last. If you enjoy haunted houses, gothic mysteries, family secrets, and restless spirits seeking revenge, I highly recommend adding The Whispering to your TBR. It was an engaging, twisty read that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cadie thinks she's finally turned a new leaf, found a way out of the depression that haunted her for her whole life - she's with a man she loves and she's moving into his estate, all while he's fully focused on helping her heal and rest. What's more to want?
Except things aren't really the way they seem and there may be something already living in that manor..
The way this story starts is intriguing - it's a ghost story paired with a domestic thriller, witches versus the living. A story of women being forced to stay small to placate men, only for them to be beaten down eventually anyway.. And now they're after revenge. And what better character to stand for female resilience than Cadie, the woman who just managed to leave the psychiatric ward again?
This book has less than 200 pages and yet I took a few days to read it - and that's because I really struggled with the writing style. The story is split up into relatively short chapters from the main characters point of view but also some titles 'The Dame', intersected with the past and lost letters- only through reading do you eventually understand who wrote those letters and what meaning they have and who's past it is we're getting to watch. I think that made it a little hard for me - especially because you also have to read like half of the book to understand where the characters are coming from and what their issues really are. In that regard I actually quite enjoyed the book - you don't want to be simply handed every single detail, being left wondering, looking at the few hints you got, until things are finally confirmed.. That just made the book a lot more interesting and honestly darker.
What I found harder to follow were the other parts - the Dame is pretty straight forward still, but to understand who's past you're getting and who's letters you're reading isn't. That definitively took a few chapters to really get the hang of.
The story wasn't very strong unfortunately - it is a domestic thriller but the way that it is set up doesn't leave much room for guessing, even if the plot takes a bit of time to fully develop. Plus, there's a point where the main character turns from reasonable to strangely stupid.. which is particularly odd given her history and the way she presented herself before, as the girl who knows how to defend herself and all that. I also didn't love the ending - I feel like you really saw it coming from a very early point of the book on and the epilogue just turned things far away from realism.
What I liked about the book was the way Cadie was portrayed - after what she had been through, it's very easy to understand why she ended up at the manor, in love, focused only on getting better. Why she didn't trust herself, or even just notice the things happening around her, why she was weak and such easy prey. I really did like her character development, her slowly finding her way back to herself and back into actual life that way. Where she fell a little flat as a character was the scene in the diner - after all the things she was taught that she keeps repeating and mentioning.. She's back to blindly trusting? That just doesn't match her character at that point and really just made for a frustrating read.
The ghosts were a very nice touch though, they really gave the book a unique angle and added a lot to the overall atmosphere without overtaking the plot. I really liked to see where both of them came from, where the whispering originated and what it's meant to be - all well done and interesting to read about. Tragic, of course, but meant to be exactly that, to add their bit to the whole female revenge theme of the book.
Overall, the story isn't bad - the witch theme was nice, the setting was interesting, the ghosts definitively intrigued me and the short chapters really kept the book going. I didn't like the ending though and I'm still wondering what exactly Oliver was trying to do. This definitively had potential but unfortunately it just didn't quite work for me.
Thank you Podium Entertainment for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Except things aren't really the way they seem and there may be something already living in that manor..
The way this story starts is intriguing - it's a ghost story paired with a domestic thriller, witches versus the living. A story of women being forced to stay small to placate men, only for them to be beaten down eventually anyway.. And now they're after revenge. And what better character to stand for female resilience than Cadie, the woman who just managed to leave the psychiatric ward again?
This book has less than 200 pages and yet I took a few days to read it - and that's because I really struggled with the writing style. The story is split up into relatively short chapters from the main characters point of view but also some titles 'The Dame', intersected with the past and lost letters- only through reading do you eventually understand who wrote those letters and what meaning they have and who's past it is we're getting to watch. I think that made it a little hard for me - especially because you also have to read like half of the book to understand where the characters are coming from and what their issues really are. In that regard I actually quite enjoyed the book - you don't want to be simply handed every single detail, being left wondering, looking at the few hints you got, until things are finally confirmed.. That just made the book a lot more interesting and honestly darker.
What I found harder to follow were the other parts - the Dame is pretty straight forward still, but to understand who's past you're getting and who's letters you're reading isn't. That definitively took a few chapters to really get the hang of.
The story wasn't very strong unfortunately - it is a domestic thriller but the way that it is set up doesn't leave much room for guessing, even if the plot takes a bit of time to fully develop. Plus, there's a point where the main character turns from reasonable to strangely stupid.. which is particularly odd given her history and the way she presented herself before, as the girl who knows how to defend herself and all that. I also didn't love the ending - I feel like you really saw it coming from a very early point of the book on and the epilogue just turned things far away from realism.
What I liked about the book was the way Cadie was portrayed - after what she had been through, it's very easy to understand why she ended up at the manor, in love, focused only on getting better. Why she didn't trust herself, or even just notice the things happening around her, why she was weak and such easy prey. I really did like her character development, her slowly finding her way back to herself and back into actual life that way. Where she fell a little flat as a character was the scene in the diner - after all the things she was taught that she keeps repeating and mentioning.. She's back to blindly trusting? That just doesn't match her character at that point and really just made for a frustrating read.
The ghosts were a very nice touch though, they really gave the book a unique angle and added a lot to the overall atmosphere without overtaking the plot. I really liked to see where both of them came from, where the whispering originated and what it's meant to be - all well done and interesting to read about. Tragic, of course, but meant to be exactly that, to add their bit to the whole female revenge theme of the book.
Overall, the story isn't bad - the witch theme was nice, the setting was interesting, the ghosts definitively intrigued me and the short chapters really kept the book going. I didn't like the ending though and I'm still wondering what exactly Oliver was trying to do. This definitively had potential but unfortunately it just didn't quite work for me.
Thank you Podium Entertainment for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
L.A. Detwiler’s The Whispering sees Cadie McIntyre travelling with her fiancé Oliver Wright to his ancestral home, Wright Manor. She’s happy and contented with the one she loves, finally feeling she has a grip on her sanity, but immediately she begins to see a ghost woman with her dog, and whispers start to reach her ears. When she finds a box full of macabre items, and letters written by a woman, she worries that not all is well in her new life.
Negative thoughts:
-The book is extremely repetitive. She’s not crazy! She wishes Oliver would believe her seeing things even when camera evidence shows to the contrary. She can’t trust anyone. Her life was terrible and she’s had to fight and she can’t rest, not even now. Maybe he isn’t a good person and that’s a betrayal to her. They met long ago; he doesn’t remember, but she does and it’s when she fell in love with him! She isn’t safe. She has to leave. He’s her saviour and she’s a lost girl. Her mother killed in self defence. She’s got a bottle in her boot. She’s not strong. Tears sting her eyes. Vomit rises in her throat. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
-It doesn’t build up or have any ambiguity that Oliver might be a bad person. Right out the gate before we’ve reached 10% it’s very obvious he’s terrible, so there’s no tension as to whether her paranoia is making her question everything, even the ones who are on her side, or if she’s right to be concerned. I don’t get a pang for her confusion and dismay, her warring with herself over her feelings, because they’re already together when the book opens and IMMEDIATELY she’s questioning everything.
-She reads a single letter and has a ghost give her a directive of murder and immediately decides to do it. Her partner abruptly turns into a monster. There’s no finesse, there’s no easing into it. I get Oliver is supposed to be bad, but to be honest, if there was a woman who was institutionalised multiple times seeing spirits who harmed her, threatened her, menaced her, and then told her to harm others, and she heard nonstop whispering, I would think perhaps she needs to be re-institutionalised and not that her spouse is a bad person.
-The reveal of what happened to her mother isn’t shocking or wrenching because two chapters before it mentions what happened and then later details Cadie’s horror.
-It’s also predictable; I knew what was going to happen before it did and told myself it would go like this, this, and this and it did.
-I think the flashbacks to her past would have been better served earlier in the text to unwind the way she was tricked and preyed upon rather than the book stating it and then showing it later.
-The description (and a small, brief blurb at the end) tries to make it seem like the house is a feature, that it might be monstrous itself. That was not apparent in the text. The supernatural flavour is from the ghostly women.
Positive thought:
There was a pretty good twist that I hadn’t seen coming later in the book that I enjoyed.
Recommended for: someone looking for a quick read about a woman trying to take control of her life, fighting back against men.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Negative thoughts:
-The book is extremely repetitive. She’s not crazy! She wishes Oliver would believe her seeing things even when camera evidence shows to the contrary. She can’t trust anyone. Her life was terrible and she’s had to fight and she can’t rest, not even now. Maybe he isn’t a good person and that’s a betrayal to her. They met long ago; he doesn’t remember, but she does and it’s when she fell in love with him! She isn’t safe. She has to leave. He’s her saviour and she’s a lost girl. Her mother killed in self defence. She’s got a bottle in her boot. She’s not strong. Tears sting her eyes. Vomit rises in her throat. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
-It doesn’t build up or have any ambiguity that Oliver might be a bad person. Right out the gate before we’ve reached 10% it’s very obvious he’s terrible, so there’s no tension as to whether her paranoia is making her question everything, even the ones who are on her side, or if she’s right to be concerned. I don’t get a pang for her confusion and dismay, her warring with herself over her feelings, because they’re already together when the book opens and IMMEDIATELY she’s questioning everything.
-She reads a single letter and has a ghost give her a directive of murder and immediately decides to do it. Her partner abruptly turns into a monster. There’s no finesse, there’s no easing into it. I get Oliver is supposed to be bad, but to be honest, if there was a woman who was institutionalised multiple times seeing spirits who harmed her, threatened her, menaced her, and then told her to harm others, and she heard nonstop whispering, I would think perhaps she needs to be re-institutionalised and not that her spouse is a bad person.
-The reveal of what happened to her mother isn’t shocking or wrenching because two chapters before it mentions what happened and then later details Cadie’s horror.
-It’s also predictable; I knew what was going to happen before it did and told myself it would go like this, this, and this and it did.
-I think the flashbacks to her past would have been better served earlier in the text to unwind the way she was tricked and preyed upon rather than the book stating it and then showing it later.
-The description (and a small, brief blurb at the end) tries to make it seem like the house is a feature, that it might be monstrous itself. That was not apparent in the text. The supernatural flavour is from the ghostly women.
Positive thought:
There was a pretty good twist that I hadn’t seen coming later in the book that I enjoyed.
Recommended for: someone looking for a quick read about a woman trying to take control of her life, fighting back against men.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating: 4 / 5 🌟
.
Thank you for the review copy NetGalley!
Cadie is swept away to a generational family manor outside of Salem by her fiancée and saving grace, Oliver, a doctor at the local psych ward. Excited and relieved to start a new chapter in life, she leaves her complicated past behind to navigate this new unfamiliar environment. Soon, Cadie begins to notice how things seem wrong here… very wrong… starting with the whispers and the intimidating presence of a woman and her ferocious beast- a black dog. Between the whispers, the visions and the clues she uncovers in the house, Cadie begins to spiral and fears that she would once again fall victim to her troubled mind only to realise that her seemingly promising new life is not quite what she signed up for.
.
This book is evidently inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper, a classic! I did take a long time to get into it but the pacing picked up for me about 30% into the book. The author wasted no time in establishing that the house and Cadie’s new life were not what she assumed it to be. The clues were there right from the beginning, introducing a couple of mysterious entities to move the story along, intertwining their fate to what Cadie was about to face.
.
The book deals with misogyny, the suffering endured by woman in the name of witch hunt, mental health, effects of family trauma, isolation and power imbalance.
The story would have been a 5 star read for me if it wasn’t for what I see as “loose ends” in the story where some additional victims were mentioned in the last few pages but nothing much is known of them. The main recurring entity that played a crucial role in how the story swayed also did a few questionable things which also made me wonder why it couldn’t have played out any other way with a more logical reasoning behind her actions. However, having said that, I was able to enjoy the premise of the story. It very much had a Crimson Peak vibe to it where the ghosts are very much an integral part of the story, a heroine whipped away from the life she knew and a house with a dark history.
It does contain some mature content and triggers more suited for 18+, so readers discretion is advised.
Trigger warnings: murder, suicidal ideation (mentions), dysfunctional family and childhood trauma, blood, nudity and s3x.
.
Thank you for the review copy NetGalley!
Cadie is swept away to a generational family manor outside of Salem by her fiancée and saving grace, Oliver, a doctor at the local psych ward. Excited and relieved to start a new chapter in life, she leaves her complicated past behind to navigate this new unfamiliar environment. Soon, Cadie begins to notice how things seem wrong here… very wrong… starting with the whispers and the intimidating presence of a woman and her ferocious beast- a black dog. Between the whispers, the visions and the clues she uncovers in the house, Cadie begins to spiral and fears that she would once again fall victim to her troubled mind only to realise that her seemingly promising new life is not quite what she signed up for.
.
This book is evidently inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper, a classic! I did take a long time to get into it but the pacing picked up for me about 30% into the book. The author wasted no time in establishing that the house and Cadie’s new life were not what she assumed it to be. The clues were there right from the beginning, introducing a couple of mysterious entities to move the story along, intertwining their fate to what Cadie was about to face.
.
The book deals with misogyny, the suffering endured by woman in the name of witch hunt, mental health, effects of family trauma, isolation and power imbalance.
The story would have been a 5 star read for me if it wasn’t for what I see as “loose ends” in the story where some additional victims were mentioned in the last few pages but nothing much is known of them. The main recurring entity that played a crucial role in how the story swayed also did a few questionable things which also made me wonder why it couldn’t have played out any other way with a more logical reasoning behind her actions. However, having said that, I was able to enjoy the premise of the story. It very much had a Crimson Peak vibe to it where the ghosts are very much an integral part of the story, a heroine whipped away from the life she knew and a house with a dark history.
It does contain some mature content and triggers more suited for 18+, so readers discretion is advised.
Trigger warnings: murder, suicidal ideation (mentions), dysfunctional family and childhood trauma, blood, nudity and s3x.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating: 4 / 5 🌟
.
Thank you for the review copy NetGalley!
Cadie is swept away to a generational family manor outside of Salem by her fiancée and saving grace, Oliver, a doctor at the local psych ward. Excited and relieved to start a new chapter in life, she leaves her complicated past behind to navigate this new unfamiliar environment. Soon, Cadie begins to notice how things seem wrong here… very wrong… starting with the whispers and the intimidating presence of a woman and her ferocious beast- a black dog. Between the whispers, the visions and the clues she uncovers in the house, Cadie begins to spiral and fears that she would once again fall victim to her troubled mind only to realise that her seemingly promising new life is not quite what she signed up for.
.
This book is evidently inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper, a classic! I did take a long time to get into it but the pacing picked up for me about 30% into the book. The author wasted no time in establishing that the house and Cadie’s new life were not what she assumed it to be. The clues were there right from the beginning, introducing a couple of mysterious entities to move the story along, intertwining their fate to what Cadie was about to face.
.
The book deals with misogyny, the suffering endured by woman in the name of witch hunt, mental health, effects of family trauma, isolation and power imbalance.
The story would have been a 5 star read for me if it wasn’t for what I see as “loose ends” in the story where some additional victims were mentioned in the last few pages but nothing much is known of them. The main recurring entity that played a crucial role in how the story swayed also did a few questionable things which also made me wonder why it couldn’t have played out any other way with a more logical reasoning behind her actions. However, having said that, I was able to enjoy the premise of the story. It very much had a Crimson Peak vibe to it where the ghosts are very much an integral part of the story, a heroine whipped away from the life she knew and a house with a dark history.
It does contain some mature content and triggers more suited for 18+, so readers discretion is advised.
Trigger warnings: murder, suicidal ideation (mentions), dysfunctional family and childhood trauma, blood, nudity and s3x.
.
Thank you for the review copy NetGalley!
Cadie is swept away to a generational family manor outside of Salem by her fiancée and saving grace, Oliver, a doctor at the local psych ward. Excited and relieved to start a new chapter in life, she leaves her complicated past behind to navigate this new unfamiliar environment. Soon, Cadie begins to notice how things seem wrong here… very wrong… starting with the whispers and the intimidating presence of a woman and her ferocious beast- a black dog. Between the whispers, the visions and the clues she uncovers in the house, Cadie begins to spiral and fears that she would once again fall victim to her troubled mind only to realise that her seemingly promising new life is not quite what she signed up for.
.
This book is evidently inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper, a classic! I did take a long time to get into it but the pacing picked up for me about 30% into the book. The author wasted no time in establishing that the house and Cadie’s new life were not what she assumed it to be. The clues were there right from the beginning, introducing a couple of mysterious entities to move the story along, intertwining their fate to what Cadie was about to face.
.
The book deals with misogyny, the suffering endured by woman in the name of witch hunt, mental health, effects of family trauma, isolation and power imbalance.
The story would have been a 5 star read for me if it wasn’t for what I see as “loose ends” in the story where some additional victims were mentioned in the last few pages but nothing much is known of them. The main recurring entity that played a crucial role in how the story swayed also did a few questionable things which also made me wonder why it couldn’t have played out any other way with a more logical reasoning behind her actions. However, having said that, I was able to enjoy the premise of the story. It very much had a Crimson Peak vibe to it where the ghosts are very much an integral part of the story, a heroine whipped away from the life she knew and a house with a dark history.
It does contain some mature content and triggers more suited for 18+, so readers discretion is advised.
Trigger warnings: murder, suicidal ideation (mentions), dysfunctional family and childhood trauma, blood, nudity and s3x.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s spooky season at Kindig Blog and I am loving the quality of horror on offer in 2026! A thriller set in a mysterious manor with a haunting past drew me in and I was excited to read more.
Cadie is ready for a fresh start, so she moves to Wright Manor, her fiancé’s family estate to take time to heal and recover with her husband to be, Oliver. However, when the walls begin to whisper and Cadie sees unexplainable things, she starts to wonder who she can trust…
The Whispering is a beautifully written and sinister psychological thriller which had me hooked from the outset. It’s relatively short, but I feel it was well paced and the horror elements that are included are enough to keep the reader on edge, unsure what is actually happening or if there’s an element of the unreliable narrator at play. I wish perhaps that we had a little more of the ‘normal’ dynamic between Oliver and Cadie at the start, before it descends into darkness. I think this would have made it a little more twisty as the outcome is a little obvious throughout. I still enjoyed reading it to find out what would happen next though!
The book itself is based on the 1892 short story of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which I haven’t read. A scan of the blurb shows the similarities though and I think if you enjoyed this book and wanted to read a modern spin on it, this would be a good match for you. I liked the undercurrent of female rage throughout - there are some chapters which flashback to the Salem Witch Trials in the town which add to this theme. I enjoyed the ending, but I do think it dragged on a little bit as it tried to wrap things up from lots of different perspectives. I think it would have been a stronger ending to finish on the button of Cadie’s story, rather than the newspaper reports, flashback to the trials and then a bonus chapter from Oliver’s perspective. I felt this particularly as Oliver’s chapter didn’t really introduce a twist or a new element to the story - it just solidified a motive we already knew about.
Overall, The Whispering is a beautifully written psychological thriller with a supernatural twist – a great gothic read for this Halloween season. Thank you to NetGalley & Podium Entertainment for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog
Cadie is ready for a fresh start, so she moves to Wright Manor, her fiancé’s family estate to take time to heal and recover with her husband to be, Oliver. However, when the walls begin to whisper and Cadie sees unexplainable things, she starts to wonder who she can trust…
The Whispering is a beautifully written and sinister psychological thriller which had me hooked from the outset. It’s relatively short, but I feel it was well paced and the horror elements that are included are enough to keep the reader on edge, unsure what is actually happening or if there’s an element of the unreliable narrator at play. I wish perhaps that we had a little more of the ‘normal’ dynamic between Oliver and Cadie at the start, before it descends into darkness. I think this would have made it a little more twisty as the outcome is a little obvious throughout. I still enjoyed reading it to find out what would happen next though!
The book itself is based on the 1892 short story of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which I haven’t read. A scan of the blurb shows the similarities though and I think if you enjoyed this book and wanted to read a modern spin on it, this would be a good match for you. I liked the undercurrent of female rage throughout - there are some chapters which flashback to the Salem Witch Trials in the town which add to this theme. I enjoyed the ending, but I do think it dragged on a little bit as it tried to wrap things up from lots of different perspectives. I think it would have been a stronger ending to finish on the button of Cadie’s story, rather than the newspaper reports, flashback to the trials and then a bonus chapter from Oliver’s perspective. I felt this particularly as Oliver’s chapter didn’t really introduce a twist or a new element to the story - it just solidified a motive we already knew about.
Overall, The Whispering is a beautifully written psychological thriller with a supernatural twist – a great gothic read for this Halloween season. Thank you to NetGalley & Podium Entertainment for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book made me feel quite a few things, but above all, I found myself empathizing with our FMC, Cadie. When you’re living with PTSD and mental health struggles, and your own mind constantly seems to play tricks on you, separating fact from fiction can be incredibly difficult. That uncertainty plays a significant role throughout this story, and I found myself questioning what was real right alongside her.
This is definitely a book that requires you to pay attention. The unreliable narration adds another layer to the psychological elements, making it difficult to determine what’s actually happening and what might be a product of Cadie’s mental state.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the atmosphere. The world-building was well done without feeling overly complicated or bogged down by unnecessary details. Wright Manor, with its gothic architecture, isolated coastal setting, and increasingly creepy happenings, was incredibly easy to visualize. The descriptions created an unsettling atmosphere that complemented the psychological aspects of the story beautifully.
My biggest criticism was the repetition of certain words and phrases throughout the book. I’m genuinely unsure whether this was intentional, perhaps to emphasize Cadie’s mental state and the unreliable narration, or simply a stylistic choice. Unfortunately, it became noticeable enough that it started to grate on my nerves and occasionally pulled me out of the story.
Despite that frustration, I enjoyed The Whispering. It’s an atmospheric psychological thriller that explores trauma, perception, control, and the terrifying possibility that you might not be able to trust your own mind.
If you enjoy gothic settings, unreliable narrators, psychological suspense, and stories that leave you questioning what’s real, I’d recommend giving this one a read.
This is definitely a book that requires you to pay attention. The unreliable narration adds another layer to the psychological elements, making it difficult to determine what’s actually happening and what might be a product of Cadie’s mental state.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the atmosphere. The world-building was well done without feeling overly complicated or bogged down by unnecessary details. Wright Manor, with its gothic architecture, isolated coastal setting, and increasingly creepy happenings, was incredibly easy to visualize. The descriptions created an unsettling atmosphere that complemented the psychological aspects of the story beautifully.
My biggest criticism was the repetition of certain words and phrases throughout the book. I’m genuinely unsure whether this was intentional, perhaps to emphasize Cadie’s mental state and the unreliable narration, or simply a stylistic choice. Unfortunately, it became noticeable enough that it started to grate on my nerves and occasionally pulled me out of the story.
Despite that frustration, I enjoyed The Whispering. It’s an atmospheric psychological thriller that explores trauma, perception, control, and the terrifying possibility that you might not be able to trust your own mind.
If you enjoy gothic settings, unreliable narrators, psychological suspense, and stories that leave you questioning what’s real, I’d recommend giving this one a read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC.
It's a heavy hitter for every woman out there who, at some point, met a person so great, they managed not to see the mask they put on. It is a great read to be digested slowly, with a cup of tea, to keep your mind relaxed as the story unravels its plot.
I started off as a hedgehog, not trusting anything the story told me, alarm bells ringing in my head at every interaction. Isolation and suspense became mine and Cadie's companion as she went through the story. The more information kept appearing, the more paranoid I became about what it meant for Cadie.
The plot is thick, tying up a generational trauma coupled with feminine rage, spawned over generations. You learned about the past, about the spectres, about the history of Salem trials and the rage and suffering all those women went through.
Cadie did not have an easy life, two visits to the psych ward already on her medical sheet. Enter the man who she believed was her saviour since she was a teen, Dr Oliver Wright. Like destiny, like a charm, like a curse, tying her to him in more ways than one. Love blinds you to the faults of those closest to your heart, Cadie learns over time, as his secrets get revealed by the ghosts surrounding the gothic manor that belongs to him.
Loved the way the author kept me in suspense while describing the eerie manor, the ghosts appearing left and right, whispers guiding her and not making sense all at the same time. It did get a bit confusing while it jumped from perspective to perspective, but I did appreciate learning about the other women as well.
It's a heavy hitter for every woman out there who, at some point, met a person so great, they managed not to see the mask they put on. It is a great read to be digested slowly, with a cup of tea, to keep your mind relaxed as the story unravels its plot.
I started off as a hedgehog, not trusting anything the story told me, alarm bells ringing in my head at every interaction. Isolation and suspense became mine and Cadie's companion as she went through the story. The more information kept appearing, the more paranoid I became about what it meant for Cadie.
The plot is thick, tying up a generational trauma coupled with feminine rage, spawned over generations. You learned about the past, about the spectres, about the history of Salem trials and the rage and suffering all those women went through.
Cadie did not have an easy life, two visits to the psych ward already on her medical sheet. Enter the man who she believed was her saviour since she was a teen, Dr Oliver Wright. Like destiny, like a charm, like a curse, tying her to him in more ways than one. Love blinds you to the faults of those closest to your heart, Cadie learns over time, as his secrets get revealed by the ghosts surrounding the gothic manor that belongs to him.
Loved the way the author kept me in suspense while describing the eerie manor, the ghosts appearing left and right, whispers guiding her and not making sense all at the same time. It did get a bit confusing while it jumped from perspective to perspective, but I did appreciate learning about the other women as well.
Read
November 7, 2026THE WHISPERING
BY: L.A. DETWILER
This was a short, but fast reading experiences with short in my description I just want to clarify that this Gothic, Clastraphobic Ghost Story novel with just hitting the 200 page mark is in my opinion the epitome of shorter novels can haunt you, but I didn't expect to be almost tricked into requesting it by the hook of promising something that never materialized. That was not cool promising something famous and much more Literary such as Charlotte Perkin;s Gilman;s "The Yellow Wallpaper," which I just remembered I already have owned that for years. I felt bad for this young Woman who is unethically brought from the Chaotic Institution where he is her Therapist promising her further healing at his Manor in Salem. The problem is she thinks she sees and hears things, he starts to get more controlling until suddenly she is feeling afraid of his motives and she's more isolated than ever. This was a perfect Halloween reading experiences that most people enjoyed except a few people like me who did appreciate that Literary Fiction is added to the thriller component which always elevates the overall story to feel like a richer, deeper aspect especially when there are elements that did nothing to help the setting like the Salem Witch trials just because his large dwelling is in Salem.
Publication Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, L. A. Detwiler, and Podium Entertainment for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are entirely my own, as always.
#TheWhispering #LADetwiler #PodiumEntertainment #NetGalley
BY: L.A. DETWILER
This was a short, but fast reading experiences with short in my description I just want to clarify that this Gothic, Clastraphobic Ghost Story novel with just hitting the 200 page mark is in my opinion the epitome of shorter novels can haunt you, but I didn't expect to be almost tricked into requesting it by the hook of promising something that never materialized. That was not cool promising something famous and much more Literary such as Charlotte Perkin;s Gilman;s "The Yellow Wallpaper," which I just remembered I already have owned that for years. I felt bad for this young Woman who is unethically brought from the Chaotic Institution where he is her Therapist promising her further healing at his Manor in Salem. The problem is she thinks she sees and hears things, he starts to get more controlling until suddenly she is feeling afraid of his motives and she's more isolated than ever. This was a perfect Halloween reading experiences that most people enjoyed except a few people like me who did appreciate that Literary Fiction is added to the thriller component which always elevates the overall story to feel like a richer, deeper aspect especially when there are elements that did nothing to help the setting like the Salem Witch trials just because his large dwelling is in Salem.
Publication Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, L. A. Detwiler, and Podium Entertainment for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are entirely my own, as always.
#TheWhispering #LADetwiler #PodiumEntertainment #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
** Free copy provided by NetGalley & publisher in exchange for an honest review**
The Whispering is a gothic supernatural thriller based on the classic short story The Yellow Wallpaper. We follow our main character Cadie, moving into the empty and secret-filled home of her partner Oliver. At first, all seems well, though Cadie is clearly fragile, having dealt with an extremely difficult childhood causing presumably PTSD - but things rapidly spiral downhill when she starts to see apparitions, hear a ghostly whispering, and learns that Oliver has dark secrets.
The story is given more depths through short interlude narratives by other women who have been harmed in this location. This made it more interesting and as their secrets were revealed it started to grip me more. I wished the first half of the book had been of the same calibre as the second half, though, as it seemed like a series of repetitions of her seeing/hearing things and not being believed, and took too long to get to the good part.
I had thought going into this that it might be a horror, but it definitely isn’t *scary* I’d say more that it is a gothic psychological thriller. It deals with challenging themes of domestic abuse, generational abuse and mental health but manages to do so in a way that doesn’t feel too heavy-handed.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone looking for something tense and inward-driven with a gothic vibe that isn’t too frightening.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
The Whispering is a gothic supernatural thriller based on the classic short story The Yellow Wallpaper. We follow our main character Cadie, moving into the empty and secret-filled home of her partner Oliver. At first, all seems well, though Cadie is clearly fragile, having dealt with an extremely difficult childhood causing presumably PTSD - but things rapidly spiral downhill when she starts to see apparitions, hear a ghostly whispering, and learns that Oliver has dark secrets.
The story is given more depths through short interlude narratives by other women who have been harmed in this location. This made it more interesting and as their secrets were revealed it started to grip me more. I wished the first half of the book had been of the same calibre as the second half, though, as it seemed like a series of repetitions of her seeing/hearing things and not being believed, and took too long to get to the good part.
I had thought going into this that it might be a horror, but it definitely isn’t *scary* I’d say more that it is a gothic psychological thriller. It deals with challenging themes of domestic abuse, generational abuse and mental health but manages to do so in a way that doesn’t feel too heavy-handed.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone looking for something tense and inward-driven with a gothic vibe that isn’t too frightening.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Whispering by LA Detweiler is a tense thriller that follows the events of protagonist Cadie’s life as she moves in with her fiancé Oliver’s mansion in Salem.
What could have been a happily ever after for Cadie and Oliver at the mansion quickly get overthrown with ominous happenings around the house, that are never actually corroborated by any physical evidence or Oliver’s experiences, which brings us to the fact that Cadie is a completely unreliable narrator and has a previous record of mental instability. Also Oliver, who’s a psychiatrist at a nearby hospital actually turns out to be a controlling prick a few weeks into their stay at Salem and what follows is Cadie’s reckoning with all the haunting voices she hears and the recurring visions of a woman, trying to warn her of something. Her discovery of Oliver’s ex-wife Caroline and Caroline’s alleged trauma under Oliver and several jail cells in the basement is further incentive for Cadie to head the warning bells and escape her masochist fiancé. After that the story is pretty predictable, the only slightly intriguing aspect of the story for me personally came towards the end of the book that perhaps hints at more being wrong with the house than the people living there. This book was really fast paced and the writing was easy to follow, but I’m not sure I see the significance of the whole witches part of the story.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What could have been a happily ever after for Cadie and Oliver at the mansion quickly get overthrown with ominous happenings around the house, that are never actually corroborated by any physical evidence or Oliver’s experiences, which brings us to the fact that Cadie is a completely unreliable narrator and has a previous record of mental instability. Also Oliver, who’s a psychiatrist at a nearby hospital actually turns out to be a controlling prick a few weeks into their stay at Salem and what follows is Cadie’s reckoning with all the haunting voices she hears and the recurring visions of a woman, trying to warn her of something. Her discovery of Oliver’s ex-wife Caroline and Caroline’s alleged trauma under Oliver and several jail cells in the basement is further incentive for Cadie to head the warning bells and escape her masochist fiancé. After that the story is pretty predictable, the only slightly intriguing aspect of the story for me personally came towards the end of the book that perhaps hints at more being wrong with the house than the people living there. This book was really fast paced and the writing was easy to follow, but I’m not sure I see the significance of the whole witches part of the story.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC of The Whispering.
Cadie is desperate for a fresh start and an escape from the chaos of her life. After a whirlwind romance with Oliver Wright, a doctor who once treated her during a stay in a mental institution, the two quickly become engaged. Hoping to support her recovery, Cadie agrees to move to Oliver's remote family estate, Wright Manor. But the longer she stays, the more uneasy she becomes. Haunted by visions of mysterious women, isolated from the outside world, and increasingly convinced Oliver is keeping her captive, Cadie begins to question whether moving to the manor was the worst mistake of her life.
Where do I start? The Whispering felt like a short story stretched into a full-length novel. The plot was repetitive, the characters lacked meaningful development, and much of the story seemed to circle the same ideas without making any real progress. The first half showed some promise and hinted at an intriguing psychological suspense story, but the plot eventually veered so far off course that it felt like I was reading a completely different book. Then, just when I thought it had finally reached its conclusion, it kept going, piling on increasingly absurd twists that only made the story feel more disjointed and overlong. Unfortunately this just wasn't my cup of tea.
Cadie is desperate for a fresh start and an escape from the chaos of her life. After a whirlwind romance with Oliver Wright, a doctor who once treated her during a stay in a mental institution, the two quickly become engaged. Hoping to support her recovery, Cadie agrees to move to Oliver's remote family estate, Wright Manor. But the longer she stays, the more uneasy she becomes. Haunted by visions of mysterious women, isolated from the outside world, and increasingly convinced Oliver is keeping her captive, Cadie begins to question whether moving to the manor was the worst mistake of her life.
Where do I start? The Whispering felt like a short story stretched into a full-length novel. The plot was repetitive, the characters lacked meaningful development, and much of the story seemed to circle the same ideas without making any real progress. The first half showed some promise and hinted at an intriguing psychological suspense story, but the plot eventually veered so far off course that it felt like I was reading a completely different book. Then, just when I thought it had finally reached its conclusion, it kept going, piling on increasingly absurd twists that only made the story feel more disjointed and overlong. Unfortunately this just wasn't my cup of tea.
October 2, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a book that blends psychological mystery with horror. We meet a woman who is positioned as having been through something quite serious and has been taken to her partner’s house in Salem. It’s a huge house, fairly isolated and surrounded by woods. She’s been taken there to recover, looked after by her partner who loves her dearly and is some kind of doctor. However her peace and recovery is interrupted when she starts seeing terrifying apparitions in the woods.
There were a lot of elements in this that were great, but they needed to be explored in more detail. We start with framing around witches in Salem, and this was really interesting but I felt it needed to be used a lot more in the book. There were definitely opportunities to delve more into this and have it shape the story and the history of the house.
The house itself was great. The isolation, the woods, the family history. I would have liked to have seen more on this as it would have helped with developing the gothic atmosphere the author was going for. Instead they described one of the apparitions as ‘gothic’ twice, whereas this could have come through naturally through the isolated house that feels like a trap.
I really like a lot of the author’s ideas, there were just a few bits in the execution that meant this didn’t land for me quite as well as I’d hoped.
This is a book that blends psychological mystery with horror. We meet a woman who is positioned as having been through something quite serious and has been taken to her partner’s house in Salem. It’s a huge house, fairly isolated and surrounded by woods. She’s been taken there to recover, looked after by her partner who loves her dearly and is some kind of doctor. However her peace and recovery is interrupted when she starts seeing terrifying apparitions in the woods.
There were a lot of elements in this that were great, but they needed to be explored in more detail. We start with framing around witches in Salem, and this was really interesting but I felt it needed to be used a lot more in the book. There were definitely opportunities to delve more into this and have it shape the story and the history of the house.
The house itself was great. The isolation, the woods, the family history. I would have liked to have seen more on this as it would have helped with developing the gothic atmosphere the author was going for. Instead they described one of the apparitions as ‘gothic’ twice, whereas this could have come through naturally through the isolated house that feels like a trap.
I really like a lot of the author’s ideas, there were just a few bits in the execution that meant this didn’t land for me quite as well as I’d hoped.
June 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
It is so incredibly hard to follow up such an insidious story as ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’, but this book gives it a red-hot go. Somewhere between the Perkins’ work and ‘Bluebeard’, Cadie, the main character, teeters desperately on the edge of sanity as she manages her relationship with her husband, Oliver, and all the things she sees in her new home.
I think the atmosphere of this book was really successful, and it drew in a lot of gothic horror themes. I wasn’t scared by them per se, which was really a disappointment, but if you’re a fan of a lurking sort of creepiness, this is definitely a book for you.
I really enjoyed the way the relationship between the main character and her husband was set out, but I do wish some of it was a little more explicit. I also understand why the Salem elements came into he story, but I felt they could have been left off- they just ended up being a little too much to jam into the novel in the end.
I also think the ending could have been tied together a little better, but all in all, it’s a solid stab at gothic horror and the very real horror of gaslighting and manipulative relationships.
It is so incredibly hard to follow up such an insidious story as ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’, but this book gives it a red-hot go. Somewhere between the Perkins’ work and ‘Bluebeard’, Cadie, the main character, teeters desperately on the edge of sanity as she manages her relationship with her husband, Oliver, and all the things she sees in her new home.
I think the atmosphere of this book was really successful, and it drew in a lot of gothic horror themes. I wasn’t scared by them per se, which was really a disappointment, but if you’re a fan of a lurking sort of creepiness, this is definitely a book for you.
I really enjoyed the way the relationship between the main character and her husband was set out, but I do wish some of it was a little more explicit. I also understand why the Salem elements came into he story, but I felt they could have been left off- they just ended up being a little too much to jam into the novel in the end.
I also think the ending could have been tied together a little better, but all in all, it’s a solid stab at gothic horror and the very real horror of gaslighting and manipulative relationships.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Whispering has all the ingredients for a perfectly unsettling gothic thriller: a creepy manor, suspicious whispers in the walls, a controlling fiancé, and Salem witch-trial lore. Unfortunately, it often feels like the book assembled those ingredients, admired them on the counter, and then forgot to bake them.
The story moves quickly, thanks to short chapters and plenty of ominous moments, but much of the suspense is predictable. The “is this haunted, or is the heroine being manipulated?” question wears thin when the answer seems to arrive wearing a name tag. Cadie’s characterization also shifts so often that I spent less time worrying about her and more time wondering who had taken over the narration.
The book touches on serious themes of coercive control, abuse, and mental health, but the treatment can feel broad rather than insightful. The Salem connection, meanwhile, seems mostly present to add a little seasonal garnish.
Not terrible, and the setting has genuine potential, but this was more whisper than scream.
The story moves quickly, thanks to short chapters and plenty of ominous moments, but much of the suspense is predictable. The “is this haunted, or is the heroine being manipulated?” question wears thin when the answer seems to arrive wearing a name tag. Cadie’s characterization also shifts so often that I spent less time worrying about her and more time wondering who had taken over the narration.
The book touches on serious themes of coercive control, abuse, and mental health, but the treatment can feel broad rather than insightful. The Salem connection, meanwhile, seems mostly present to add a little seasonal garnish.
Not terrible, and the setting has genuine potential, but this was more whisper than scream.
October 21, 2026
🗝️𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰🗝️
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 11/17/26
𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
🖤 Unreliable Narrator
🤍 Mental Health
🖤 Paranormal
🤍 Creepy Mansion
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, and the premise was good, but the plot was just okay, but the execution felt super messy. The writing was unnecessarily verbose, making me wonder if the author consulted a thesaurus every other paragraph. The flashbacks and letters from different women were also difficult to follow, adding to the confusion.
For a story just over 200 pages, this dragged on and on, and I desperately wanted to DNF it. I also didn’t understand how the story tied into witches and the Salem witch trials, despite the references to them. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me, but readers who enjoy wordy, descriptive narratives might have a better experience with it.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2/5 ⭐️⭐️
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁: audiobook 🎧/ ebook 📖
🗣️ Narrated by E.J. Lavery
(🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️)
*Thank you @NetGalley, Podium Audio/Publishing and for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 11/17/26
𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
🖤 Unreliable Narrator
🤍 Mental Health
🖤 Paranormal
🤍 Creepy Mansion
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, and the premise was good, but the plot was just okay, but the execution felt super messy. The writing was unnecessarily verbose, making me wonder if the author consulted a thesaurus every other paragraph. The flashbacks and letters from different women were also difficult to follow, adding to the confusion.
For a story just over 200 pages, this dragged on and on, and I desperately wanted to DNF it. I also didn’t understand how the story tied into witches and the Salem witch trials, despite the references to them. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me, but readers who enjoy wordy, descriptive narratives might have a better experience with it.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2/5 ⭐️⭐️
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁: audiobook 🎧/ ebook 📖
🗣️ Narrated by E.J. Lavery
(🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️)
*Thank you @NetGalley, Podium Audio/Publishing and for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC read.
The book's concise nature, coming in at under 200 pages, contributes significantly to its rapid, page-turning pace. The use of short, punchy chapters ensures a brisk reading experience, making it an ideal choice for a quick, immersive escape. The narrative is anchored by compelling and well-developed characters who feel authentic and immediately draw the reader into their world.
The central conceit of the main character hearing 'the whispers' is a fascinating and well-executed hook. This element provides a layer of psychological intrigue and mystery, driving the story forward and creating a unique atmosphere of suspense and fascination. The author masterfully wraps up all narrative threads, delivering a conclusion that is not only satisfying but also feels perfectly earned by the events of the story. The 4.5-star rating reflects a near-perfect reading experience, acknowledging its compelling plot, strong character work, and excellent pacing.
The book's concise nature, coming in at under 200 pages, contributes significantly to its rapid, page-turning pace. The use of short, punchy chapters ensures a brisk reading experience, making it an ideal choice for a quick, immersive escape. The narrative is anchored by compelling and well-developed characters who feel authentic and immediately draw the reader into their world.
The central conceit of the main character hearing 'the whispers' is a fascinating and well-executed hook. This element provides a layer of psychological intrigue and mystery, driving the story forward and creating a unique atmosphere of suspense and fascination. The author masterfully wraps up all narrative threads, delivering a conclusion that is not only satisfying but also feels perfectly earned by the events of the story. The 4.5-star rating reflects a near-perfect reading experience, acknowledging its compelling plot, strong character work, and excellent pacing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A short and compact novella of horror and tragedy about an evil psychiatrist coming from a dark lineage (a rich influent family linked to the Salem witch trials), his family estate Wright Manor, and all the women that haunt it. Cadie, his latest patient, thinks he is her soul mate and is swept off her feet by him and taken to his manor, but the beautiful facade crumbles when she starts to see the Dame, a seemingly evil menacing Victorian woman clad in black, accompanied by a hound, who is trying to warn her about something.
The whispering which makes the title of the novel is a meaningful metaphor of both solidarity between women and of the rumours and gossip whispered by townsfolk in Salem that sealed the fate of many women accused of witchcraft.
I think the novel could have been longer, with more character and tension building, to make the message even more impactful, but it is a fast and engaging read with a powerful message.
The whispering which makes the title of the novel is a meaningful metaphor of both solidarity between women and of the rumours and gossip whispered by townsfolk in Salem that sealed the fate of many women accused of witchcraft.
I think the novel could have been longer, with more character and tension building, to make the message even more impactful, but it is a fast and engaging read with a powerful message.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed my time reading this book!
The atmosphere was one of my favorite elements. I thought it drew on the gothic horror themes really well, in a lurking eeriness sort of way. The tie in of the Salem elements was unexpected, and I’m not sure they were necessary. But I still really liked the creepy vibes overall.
I liked Cadie as a main character. I really felt for her as she teetered on the edge of sanity while managing her various relationships and dealing with her new home. The relationship between Cadie and her husband was particularly compelling, and I wish we had seen more of it fleshed out.
The plot was interesting as well, although I think the ending could have been tied up a bit better. I still enjoyed my time reading this novel though, and I think many readers will feel the same about this gothic horror.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for letting me read the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s something about hearing a whisper when you know you’re supposed to be alone that is just terrifying. The Whispering plays with that fear really well and kept me wondering what was actually happening and what was hiding just beyond what could be seen.
I enjoyed the creepy premise and the slow-building sense of uneasiness. The story had me paying attention to all those little details that make you think, “Nope… I definitely would not be going in there.” 😂
It’s creepy, unsettling, and definitely gave me that feeling that something was watching from the shadows. If you enjoy psychological horror with a supernatural edge and plenty of mystery, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the creepy premise and the slow-building sense of uneasiness. The story had me paying attention to all those little details that make you think, “Nope… I definitely would not be going in there.” 😂
It’s creepy, unsettling, and definitely gave me that feeling that something was watching from the shadows. If you enjoy psychological horror with a supernatural edge and plenty of mystery, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
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