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County Clare Mystery #2
Whispers in the Mist
There's a whisper in the mists
In Lisfenora, Ireland, a strange fog has rolled in off the Atlantic. Along with the fog comes tales of Grey Man, a predatory faery of local lore who snatches innocent souls into his deadly gloom.
And with the mists come murder
When a teenage boy dies in Detective Sergeant Danny Ahern's arms, Danny finds himself pursuing his own grey man, a killer who becomes more elusive the closer Danny gets to the truth. A mute woman may be the key to solving the murder and helping Danny heal his own broken life, but first she must unlock the memories from her past.
Part psychological suspense, part mystery, Lisa Alber's haunting tale of family secrets and broken love won't let you go until the final twist.
In Lisfenora, Ireland, a strange fog has rolled in off the Atlantic. Along with the fog comes tales of Grey Man, a predatory faery of local lore who snatches innocent souls into his deadly gloom.
And with the mists come murder
When a teenage boy dies in Detective Sergeant Danny Ahern's arms, Danny finds himself pursuing his own grey man, a killer who becomes more elusive the closer Danny gets to the truth. A mute woman may be the key to solving the murder and helping Danny heal his own broken life, but first she must unlock the memories from her past.
Part psychological suspense, part mystery, Lisa Alber's haunting tale of family secrets and broken love won't let you go until the final twist.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2016
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October 12, 2016
If you read the review I wrote just prior to this, you’ll see that it was for the first book in the A County Clare Mystery series. Whispers in the Mist is Book 2 of this series by Lisa Alber.
I thought the first book was a quick read but not well-developed and I wasn’t wholeheartedly enthused about reading book two in the series. But I’m glad I did. To me the tone of this book was so different that I felt as if I were reading a completely different author. In this book, the characters are fuller, richer. The atmosphere soaks you in. From the time you read the book blurb, you can tell that this book is much different from the first:
We are introduced to new characters that are well-developed and sympathetic this time. I even like Merrit McCallum a bit better than I did in the first book. She seems like a kinder, less self-involved person because she shows more compassion in this book. But let me tell you, I really like the character of Danny Ahern and for me he is the real star here. As I read, I was so caught up in his emotions and the turbulence of his life. I’m super anxious to see where Lisa Alber takes us next and I do hope it has more to do with Danny Ahern and the new characters we’ve been introduced to here.
Everything about this book is much more haunting and will stay with me longer. I did figure out who the murderer was early on but the details behind who, what and why made for a good story that kept me reading. This one is more in the tradition of a good Tana French or Maeve Binchy read, and this time I did get that comfy, cozy feel that I love when reading books that take place in Ireland. The jump in this author’s writing talent from one book to the next is astonishing. If Lisa Alber’s writing keeps improving like this, she will be at the top of the best-seller lists in no time.
I want to thank the publisher (Midnight Ink) for providing me with the ARC through Netgalley for an honest review.
I thought the first book was a quick read but not well-developed and I wasn’t wholeheartedly enthused about reading book two in the series. But I’m glad I did. To me the tone of this book was so different that I felt as if I were reading a completely different author. In this book, the characters are fuller, richer. The atmosphere soaks you in. From the time you read the book blurb, you can tell that this book is much different from the first:
There's a whisper in the mists
In Lisfenora, Ireland, a strange fog has rolled in off the Atlantic.
Along with the fog comes tales of Grey Man, a predatory faery of local lore who snatches innocent souls into his deadly gloom.
And with the mists come murder
When a teenage boy dies in Detective Sergeant Danny Ahern's arms, Danny finds himself pursuing his own grey man, a killer who becomes more elusive the closer Danny gets to the truth. A mute woman may be the key to solving the murder and helping Danny heal his own broken life, but first she must unlock the memories from her past.
Part psychological suspense, part mystery, Lisa Alber's haunting tale of family secrets and broken love won't let you go until the final twist.
We are introduced to new characters that are well-developed and sympathetic this time. I even like Merrit McCallum a bit better than I did in the first book. She seems like a kinder, less self-involved person because she shows more compassion in this book. But let me tell you, I really like the character of Danny Ahern and for me he is the real star here. As I read, I was so caught up in his emotions and the turbulence of his life. I’m super anxious to see where Lisa Alber takes us next and I do hope it has more to do with Danny Ahern and the new characters we’ve been introduced to here.
Everything about this book is much more haunting and will stay with me longer. I did figure out who the murderer was early on but the details behind who, what and why made for a good story that kept me reading. This one is more in the tradition of a good Tana French or Maeve Binchy read, and this time I did get that comfy, cozy feel that I love when reading books that take place in Ireland. The jump in this author’s writing talent from one book to the next is astonishing. If Lisa Alber’s writing keeps improving like this, she will be at the top of the best-seller lists in no time.
I want to thank the publisher (Midnight Ink) for providing me with the ARC through Netgalley for an honest review.
August 8, 2016
Whispers in the Mist is set 12 months after the events of Kilmoon, the first County Clare Mystery. While reading these in order will you give a better understanding of the characters of Merritt and Danny, they work fine as stand-alones as they are dealing with different mysteries.
This one starts off with the discovery of a body in a field. Is the teenage boy just one of the visitors who flock to the village of Lisfenora for the annual Matchmaking festival? Who is he and why would anybody want to kill him? Then a local teenage boy is found murdered.
Two other newcomers to the village, Gemma, a mute young woman, and her brother, Dermot, seem to have significant information local detective, Danny Ahern, needs to crack the case.
As the investigation becomes more and more complex, Danny has a hard time keeping the case separate from his private life.
I enjoyed this one more than Kilmoon because the characters were better drawn and I started to care about them. In particular, Gemma was a really intriguing character. Danny's story is developed and becomes an even more likable character. The mystery is quite a complex tale of family drama and deceit again, with several suspects and a few twists. It's suspenseful but more of a cozy mystery without anything truly dark.
Most reviewers seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and the hints about the Grey Man folklore. I didn't actually feel it added anything to the story. Also, Liam, the matchmaker, became almost superfluous for this story. So there were minor parts that felt forced but overall the plot and the characters were better developed than in the previous book. While I still feel lukewarm about Merritt, I've become fond enough of Danny and Gemma as well as Alan and his dog, I would happily read another County Clare mystery. 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one starts off with the discovery of a body in a field. Is the teenage boy just one of the visitors who flock to the village of Lisfenora for the annual Matchmaking festival? Who is he and why would anybody want to kill him? Then a local teenage boy is found murdered.
Two other newcomers to the village, Gemma, a mute young woman, and her brother, Dermot, seem to have significant information local detective, Danny Ahern, needs to crack the case.
As the investigation becomes more and more complex, Danny has a hard time keeping the case separate from his private life.
I enjoyed this one more than Kilmoon because the characters were better drawn and I started to care about them. In particular, Gemma was a really intriguing character. Danny's story is developed and becomes an even more likable character. The mystery is quite a complex tale of family drama and deceit again, with several suspects and a few twists. It's suspenseful but more of a cozy mystery without anything truly dark.
Most reviewers seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and the hints about the Grey Man folklore. I didn't actually feel it added anything to the story. Also, Liam, the matchmaker, became almost superfluous for this story. So there were minor parts that felt forced but overall the plot and the characters were better developed than in the previous book. While I still feel lukewarm about Merritt, I've become fond enough of Danny and Gemma as well as Alan and his dog, I would happily read another County Clare mystery. 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2016
3 Word Summary: Cute breezy read
The Luck O’ the Irish perhaps missed the town of Lisfenora, where Ireland's latest murderer lurks in the fog or as natives call him/it "The Grey Man" (and FYI say this quietly with a heavy Irish brogue and it sounds completely badass!!). Plus, readers are visiting the town at the right time because the Matchmaker Festival is in full swing (old school Tinder for the young un's reading this) bringing along all sorts of characters with all their “issues”, aka dead bodies.
As I struggled to shake the image of a young Adrienne Barbeau scuttling about a lighthouse dodging an eerie specter (Google “The Fog”, millennials!), I considered this book and decided I define it as a "cute" mystery, or what some call a “cottage” mystery (okay, only I call it that).
Not scary. Not macabre or graphic. It's “cute” murder, sort of like Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote (seriously, Google it lazy millennials), a sort of sleepy-town story where oops - there's a dead body! There's the small town characters – the cop, the matchmaker and his long lost American daughter, the pub "crows", along with shop owners. Someone dies and then everyone in town is a suspect. (PS... remind me NEVER to visit Cabot Cove. How do the police not just follow Jessica Fletcher around all day? I mean a LOT of people die around her).
It's a little too tidy for me. The gravy? Not as dark or rich as I enjoy my mystery book “shepherd’s pie” (Is that Irish?). I like to chew on my mysteries. Savor some aroma. Truly be fed in terrifying ways. Relish some shock. This wasn't my usual flavor, but that doesn't mean there’s not a worthwhile nibble from author Lisa Alber (Damn now I'm hungry). I would highly recommend this for a quick read, beach read, light mystery lovers, etc.
The imaginative town, the setting drew me in (hello, it’s IRELAND) and the creative characters led to many possible suspects and many future books. I could easily visualize the town, the people, the beer...
However, the writing itself seemed scattered, a bit flailing in places as if the author didn't quite know where to come in for a landing with a chapter. The storyline jumped a bit frenetically. A slightly slower pace (think roller coaster, not the Tilt-a-Whirl) and the story would be improved.
Side note: I didn't read the first book and will advise that you should read the first book as a few references went over my head, but it's not completely necessary.
As always a huge thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. And encouraging me to watch Murder She Wroter re-runs on the Hallmark Channel.
The Luck O’ the Irish perhaps missed the town of Lisfenora, where Ireland's latest murderer lurks in the fog or as natives call him/it "The Grey Man" (and FYI say this quietly with a heavy Irish brogue and it sounds completely badass!!). Plus, readers are visiting the town at the right time because the Matchmaker Festival is in full swing (old school Tinder for the young un's reading this) bringing along all sorts of characters with all their “issues”, aka dead bodies.
As I struggled to shake the image of a young Adrienne Barbeau scuttling about a lighthouse dodging an eerie specter (Google “The Fog”, millennials!), I considered this book and decided I define it as a "cute" mystery, or what some call a “cottage” mystery (okay, only I call it that).
Not scary. Not macabre or graphic. It's “cute” murder, sort of like Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote (seriously, Google it lazy millennials), a sort of sleepy-town story where oops - there's a dead body! There's the small town characters – the cop, the matchmaker and his long lost American daughter, the pub "crows", along with shop owners. Someone dies and then everyone in town is a suspect. (PS... remind me NEVER to visit Cabot Cove. How do the police not just follow Jessica Fletcher around all day? I mean a LOT of people die around her).
It's a little too tidy for me. The gravy? Not as dark or rich as I enjoy my mystery book “shepherd’s pie” (Is that Irish?). I like to chew on my mysteries. Savor some aroma. Truly be fed in terrifying ways. Relish some shock. This wasn't my usual flavor, but that doesn't mean there’s not a worthwhile nibble from author Lisa Alber (Damn now I'm hungry). I would highly recommend this for a quick read, beach read, light mystery lovers, etc.
The imaginative town, the setting drew me in (hello, it’s IRELAND) and the creative characters led to many possible suspects and many future books. I could easily visualize the town, the people, the beer...
However, the writing itself seemed scattered, a bit flailing in places as if the author didn't quite know where to come in for a landing with a chapter. The storyline jumped a bit frenetically. A slightly slower pace (think roller coaster, not the Tilt-a-Whirl) and the story would be improved.
Side note: I didn't read the first book and will advise that you should read the first book as a few references went over my head, but it's not completely necessary.
As always a huge thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. And encouraging me to watch Murder She Wroter re-runs on the Hallmark Channel.
August 31, 2016
I so wanted to like this book, the story and the great cover made the book seem so appealing. But, there was just something lacking with the book. I had no problems with this being the second book in a series. It was easy to read and the mentioning of past events never bothered me instead it explained the reason for how thing are in Lisfenora and its inhabitants. And, the book started off quite good, but somewhere along half of the book the story just started to drag and it lost its flow and never really got it back.
I suspect that I was partly disappointed because of the lacking of the "Grey Man". As I'm quite fond of paranormal aspects of books did I hope that there could be perhaps something more to the story than an ordinary murder case. It didn't even have to be "real" paranormal, just a hint of something weird. Yes, I know this is not a paranormal book, but this is Ireland with a rich mythological history. And I love mythology and the mix of past superstitions and present skepticism kind of books.
However, it was just foggy weather, perfect for committing a crime. And, it's the crime part that just didn't work that much for me. I just couldn't find myself interested enough, despite the fact that the characters were OK.
So, despite a promising beginning was this not a book for me. I did like parts of the book, but I also had to force myself to read towards the end. The idea of the Grey Man sounded intriguing, but I never felt that it was intriguing enough to make the reading better.
I want to thank Midnight Ink for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
I suspect that I was partly disappointed because of the lacking of the "Grey Man". As I'm quite fond of paranormal aspects of books did I hope that there could be perhaps something more to the story than an ordinary murder case. It didn't even have to be "real" paranormal, just a hint of something weird. Yes, I know this is not a paranormal book, but this is Ireland with a rich mythological history. And I love mythology and the mix of past superstitions and present skepticism kind of books.
However, it was just foggy weather, perfect for committing a crime. And, it's the crime part that just didn't work that much for me. I just couldn't find myself interested enough, despite the fact that the characters were OK.
So, despite a promising beginning was this not a book for me. I did like parts of the book, but I also had to force myself to read towards the end. The idea of the Grey Man sounded intriguing, but I never felt that it was intriguing enough to make the reading better.
I want to thank Midnight Ink for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
July 31, 2016
This one wasn't for me. The story is a bit too disjointed. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. DNF at 40%.
April 20, 2017
If you like Kate Atkinson and Wilkie Collins, try this author! It was wonderful to read right before my trip to Ireland; it really gave me such a feel for that country that rang so true when I was visiting. I won't spoil any surprises but these warped and damaged characters will leave you guessing about their true motives and selves!
July 31, 2016
Reviewed on behalf of Two Girls Who Love Books Blog
This is the first non-romance book I have read in a long time and I was really intrigued by the blurb. However in the beginning I had a hard time getting in the story. It is a standalone, but the second book in a series and there were hints on the plot of the first book that I didn’t completely understand.
Also there were so many characters presented in the first few chapters that I kept confusing them in the beginning. Further in the book it became clearer and it was easier to place the names to the characters. Unfortunately the author wasn’t able to really give me a nice image of the characters. Normally there are a few hints as how they look like, but besides one character none of them was really described in a way that made it possible for me to get an image in my brain.
The story itself was a good one even though for me it was clear who was the murderer at about 50 % into the book. That’s not a bad thing and I don’t think many people would suspect it. I did.
The end was not a cliffhanger, but it didn’t give closure on everything as well. As I don’t want to spoiler the plot, let me just say I would have liked for one thing to go different.
I give four stars for this book, because of all the things that disturbed me and the fact that the constant Irish slang made it a little hard for me to stay in the story.
This is the first non-romance book I have read in a long time and I was really intrigued by the blurb. However in the beginning I had a hard time getting in the story. It is a standalone, but the second book in a series and there were hints on the plot of the first book that I didn’t completely understand.
Also there were so many characters presented in the first few chapters that I kept confusing them in the beginning. Further in the book it became clearer and it was easier to place the names to the characters. Unfortunately the author wasn’t able to really give me a nice image of the characters. Normally there are a few hints as how they look like, but besides one character none of them was really described in a way that made it possible for me to get an image in my brain.
The story itself was a good one even though for me it was clear who was the murderer at about 50 % into the book. That’s not a bad thing and I don’t think many people would suspect it. I did.
The end was not a cliffhanger, but it didn’t give closure on everything as well. As I don’t want to spoiler the plot, let me just say I would have liked for one thing to go different.
I give four stars for this book, because of all the things that disturbed me and the fact that the constant Irish slang made it a little hard for me to stay in the story.
October 9, 2017
A well developed cast of characters, evocative settings, and a challenging mystery. All good things in a book.
July 12, 2016
Whispers in the Mist is a crime thriller based in the small village of 'Lisfenora' in County Clare, Ireland. The story takes place during the village's world famous matchmaking festival, (which Lisa Alber seems to have based on the actual festival held in Lisdoonnarva).
Alber does a great job in setting the suspense up early in this novel by introducing the Grey Man legend. The legend of Grey Man states that each time the fog rolls in and blankets the village, evil will run afoot. Unfortunately the legend soon proves true with the discovery of a young man's body in the village pasture. Soon after the first murder we meet one of the main characters Detective Sergeant Danny Ahern.
Like many other detectives in fiction, Danny is troubled, determined, and is struggling to deal with a breakdown in his marriage. However, when the first victim passes away in Danny's arms, we instantly know that he will pursue this real life Grey Man whatever it takes.
After the initial murder, the plot rapidly accelerates into a great part-thriller/part-psychological novel. The village characters are all really well rounded with my particular favourites being Gemma, Alan, and the dog Bijou. As many other reviewers have commented, Ireland is really the star of the book with excellent scenery descriptions throughout.
Additionally, throughout the story Alber keeps referring back to the Grey Man mystery and several of the book's characters are convinced that Danny is trying to arrest a supernatural being.
This is the second book in the County Clare series. The first in the series is called Kilmoon. Whilst the main plot of this story is totally separate from the first book in the series, I would really recommend reading Kilmoon first as most of the character relationships seemed to have been formed in that story.
Throughout the plot there are countless references to things that happened in the previous story, particularly between Danny and the Matchmaker's daughter Merritt. Whispers in the Mist was a really good read, highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this story via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. - See more at: http://publishing-adventures.blogspot...
Alber does a great job in setting the suspense up early in this novel by introducing the Grey Man legend. The legend of Grey Man states that each time the fog rolls in and blankets the village, evil will run afoot. Unfortunately the legend soon proves true with the discovery of a young man's body in the village pasture. Soon after the first murder we meet one of the main characters Detective Sergeant Danny Ahern.
Like many other detectives in fiction, Danny is troubled, determined, and is struggling to deal with a breakdown in his marriage. However, when the first victim passes away in Danny's arms, we instantly know that he will pursue this real life Grey Man whatever it takes.
After the initial murder, the plot rapidly accelerates into a great part-thriller/part-psychological novel. The village characters are all really well rounded with my particular favourites being Gemma, Alan, and the dog Bijou. As many other reviewers have commented, Ireland is really the star of the book with excellent scenery descriptions throughout.
Additionally, throughout the story Alber keeps referring back to the Grey Man mystery and several of the book's characters are convinced that Danny is trying to arrest a supernatural being.
This is the second book in the County Clare series. The first in the series is called Kilmoon. Whilst the main plot of this story is totally separate from the first book in the series, I would really recommend reading Kilmoon first as most of the character relationships seemed to have been formed in that story.
Throughout the plot there are countless references to things that happened in the previous story, particularly between Danny and the Matchmaker's daughter Merritt. Whispers in the Mist was a really good read, highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this story via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. - See more at: http://publishing-adventures.blogspot...
May 7, 2016
To start off, this is the second book in a series but you definitely can start with it (or read it as a stand-alone). While there's some mention of the previous book and we obviously get character and relationship-related spoilers, not an inch of the mystery from Kilmoon is talked about. So the ending (and the case, really) of the first book are kept totally in the dark! Which I appreciate, because I tend to read mystery novels out of order based on the plot summary (and let's be honest, the cover. It's spooky woods! of course I need to read it!).
The location is really the star of this novel. It's set in a sleepy town in Ireland, and there's a lot of folklore elements to the mystery. People are convinced it's the Grey Man, a spirit who lives in the mist, who is murdering 'Lost Boys.' There's also a sparrow-as-psychopomp theme running throughout that I found really intriguing.
It's hard to pinpoint what I didn't love about this. Not that I disliked it, but I ended up feeling kind of lukewarm. I loved the setting and the atmosphere. The characters (especially Gemma, Alan, and the dog Bijou) were really well rendered. There were many different plot threads that came together beautifully, and I was actually surprised by the very final reveal. But. But. I guessed the bad guy about 50 pages in (I really think it was too obvious, and not a case of having read too many mysteries because it's not my usual genre), and the plot relies on amnesia in a key witness. A plot trend I'm pretty darn tired of, even if it was trauma-induced here and made a lot of sense. Or, you know, more sense than it does in most thriller/mystery books.
While individual elements here were great and I think there's a lot of potential in this series, it never quite came together for me. However, I will say that it's miles better than most mystery series out there. Good characters, quite decent writing, and a really wonderful setting. I'd definitely be willing to pick up the next book.
[arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review]
The location is really the star of this novel. It's set in a sleepy town in Ireland, and there's a lot of folklore elements to the mystery. People are convinced it's the Grey Man, a spirit who lives in the mist, who is murdering 'Lost Boys.' There's also a sparrow-as-psychopomp theme running throughout that I found really intriguing.
It's hard to pinpoint what I didn't love about this. Not that I disliked it, but I ended up feeling kind of lukewarm. I loved the setting and the atmosphere. The characters (especially Gemma, Alan, and the dog Bijou) were really well rendered. There were many different plot threads that came together beautifully, and I was actually surprised by the very final reveal. But. But. I guessed the bad guy about 50 pages in (I really think it was too obvious, and not a case of having read too many mysteries because it's not my usual genre), and the plot relies on amnesia in a key witness. A plot trend I'm pretty darn tired of, even if it was trauma-induced here and made a lot of sense. Or, you know, more sense than it does in most thriller/mystery books.
While individual elements here were great and I think there's a lot of potential in this series, it never quite came together for me. However, I will say that it's miles better than most mystery series out there. Good characters, quite decent writing, and a really wonderful setting. I'd definitely be willing to pick up the next book.
[arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review]
August 16, 2016
Original Review Here
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a long time since I read a murder mystery and I have to admit, Whispers in the Mist by Lisa Alber certainly drew me in. I read it in a couple of days, although that was partly because I had a long train journey. But I definitely reached the point of not wanting to go to bed until I knew who had done it.
The plot is set in a town in Ireland, where being local is all that matters. Two deaths and an attack causes fingers to point in all directions. But there is more to these murders than accidental deaths and when a mute stranger and her brother arrive in town, the case becomes even more complicated.
The characters are all likeable. Danny is your typical policeman who is determined to get the job done, even if that means confronting his suspect by breaking into their flat. With his family falling apart, he seeks redemption by solving the murders. Gemma is complicated and likeable and it is because of her I wanted the murderer caught. Merrit had the potential to be a strong character, but I felt she missed the mark a little.
The writing was extremely strong and I enjoyed the way the local dialect was included in the novel. Not to the point where you had no idea what was being said, but enough that you remembered it was set in Ireland. The tension built steadily throughout the whole novel and while I guessed one element, I didn’t work out who was behind it, or the final twist at the end.
Whispers in the Mist was an atmospheric novel. The ever-present fog and the rumours of the Grey Man gave it a haunting and chilling factor. It made the deaths seem worse and helped to conceal hope for the good characters. An effective use of scenery, for sure.
I found this to be an extremely enjoyable book. It kept me engaged, it kept me guessing and it kept me up so I could find out who had done it. A book that can prevent me from sleeping is a worthwhile read!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a long time since I read a murder mystery and I have to admit, Whispers in the Mist by Lisa Alber certainly drew me in. I read it in a couple of days, although that was partly because I had a long train journey. But I definitely reached the point of not wanting to go to bed until I knew who had done it.
The plot is set in a town in Ireland, where being local is all that matters. Two deaths and an attack causes fingers to point in all directions. But there is more to these murders than accidental deaths and when a mute stranger and her brother arrive in town, the case becomes even more complicated.
The characters are all likeable. Danny is your typical policeman who is determined to get the job done, even if that means confronting his suspect by breaking into their flat. With his family falling apart, he seeks redemption by solving the murders. Gemma is complicated and likeable and it is because of her I wanted the murderer caught. Merrit had the potential to be a strong character, but I felt she missed the mark a little.
The writing was extremely strong and I enjoyed the way the local dialect was included in the novel. Not to the point where you had no idea what was being said, but enough that you remembered it was set in Ireland. The tension built steadily throughout the whole novel and while I guessed one element, I didn’t work out who was behind it, or the final twist at the end.
Whispers in the Mist was an atmospheric novel. The ever-present fog and the rumours of the Grey Man gave it a haunting and chilling factor. It made the deaths seem worse and helped to conceal hope for the good characters. An effective use of scenery, for sure.
I found this to be an extremely enjoyable book. It kept me engaged, it kept me guessing and it kept me up so I could find out who had done it. A book that can prevent me from sleeping is a worthwhile read!
September 4, 2016
Other than a few historical mystery series, I don’t read too many mystery novels. Every once in a while, though, I come across a book description that motivates me to give one a try. That’s what happened with this book, which, after a bit of a rocky beginning, I found to be a very good read.
The book centers around a series of murders in the small Irish town of Kilmoon, all of which may be connected to an earlier killing, the murder of a woman by her abusive husband. The structure of the book is interesting; rather than being told from the point of view of one or a few characters, the point of few shifts back and forth between several characters, slowly building a full picture of the events taking place. I’m not sure that narrative structure would work for everyone, and it took me awhile to become engaged in the story, since I couldn’t really build up my interest in any one character initially. Eventually, though, I got caught up in the story, and the way the author built on each character’s thoughts and impressions to reveal the full story of the murders.
This is one of those books that, while the mystery is solved, hardly has a happy ending. It is definitely not like a cozy mystery, where once the murderer is caught, everybody moves on with their lives. (Well, until the next murder happens, anyway.) The bad things that happen in the course of the book leave their mark on the town and its inhabitants, including the police detective involved in the investigation.
So, a bit of a dark book, but an interesting one. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys mystery novels that are a bit different from your standard cozies or police procedurals.
An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book centers around a series of murders in the small Irish town of Kilmoon, all of which may be connected to an earlier killing, the murder of a woman by her abusive husband. The structure of the book is interesting; rather than being told from the point of view of one or a few characters, the point of few shifts back and forth between several characters, slowly building a full picture of the events taking place. I’m not sure that narrative structure would work for everyone, and it took me awhile to become engaged in the story, since I couldn’t really build up my interest in any one character initially. Eventually, though, I got caught up in the story, and the way the author built on each character’s thoughts and impressions to reveal the full story of the murders.
This is one of those books that, while the mystery is solved, hardly has a happy ending. It is definitely not like a cozy mystery, where once the murderer is caught, everybody moves on with their lives. (Well, until the next murder happens, anyway.) The bad things that happen in the course of the book leave their mark on the town and its inhabitants, including the police detective involved in the investigation.
So, a bit of a dark book, but an interesting one. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys mystery novels that are a bit different from your standard cozies or police procedurals.
An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2016
Danny had been married to Ellen but their marriage was failing after two years of turmoil Danny had moved out that had been one year ago. Ellen’s and Danny daughter’s youngest daughter had died and Danny was sure he was why Ellen wasn’t healing. Danny was a detective sergeant. Danny was called to see a dead body when Danny got to the scene the boy wasn’t yet dead but he died as Danny tried to perform CPR on him. The boy looked like a city boy not more than seventeen. Danny thought of his son talking about the “ Grey Man”. The other officers had nicknamed the boy “ lost boy” as he had no identification. After a couple weeks a local young man went missing and then was found dead. His name was Branden he was his father’s- Seamus- pride and joy. Now another stranger to the area- Gemma was missing and Danny’s wife had been attacked and in the hospital not in good shape.
This story dragged a little in places. But I still liked the story. It had alot to it: myth, intrigue, betrayal, murder, physical attacks, an affair, suspense, a matchmaker. A festival, a mute woman, a dog, a gift shop, a jewellery line and so much more. It was a good mystery that i did enjoy. I liked the twists and turns of the story alot. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
This story dragged a little in places. But I still liked the story. It had alot to it: myth, intrigue, betrayal, murder, physical attacks, an affair, suspense, a matchmaker. A festival, a mute woman, a dog, a gift shop, a jewellery line and so much more. It was a good mystery that i did enjoy. I liked the twists and turns of the story alot. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
May 12, 2016
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this mystery set in the Irish country side. Two young men turn up dead and law enforcement office Danny tries to solve the case while struggling with the collapse of his personal life. Things get even more intense when the tragedy is brought right to his door. The murder mystery was well done and interesting. I had never read this author before and I found that I really enjoyed her ability to create atmosphere as well as create characters. There were a lot of interesting characters who were all well drawn out and added to the story.
This is a second story in the series which I did not realize as it is not marked as such on Goodreads but it didn't effect my enjoyment of the book. It works fine as a standalone. I did enjoy this enough though that I am going to go back and read the first book in the series also.
*Review copy provided through Netgalley*
I enjoyed this mystery set in the Irish country side. Two young men turn up dead and law enforcement office Danny tries to solve the case while struggling with the collapse of his personal life. Things get even more intense when the tragedy is brought right to his door. The murder mystery was well done and interesting. I had never read this author before and I found that I really enjoyed her ability to create atmosphere as well as create characters. There were a lot of interesting characters who were all well drawn out and added to the story.
This is a second story in the series which I did not realize as it is not marked as such on Goodreads but it didn't effect my enjoyment of the book. It works fine as a standalone. I did enjoy this enough though that I am going to go back and read the first book in the series also.
*Review copy provided through Netgalley*
May 3, 2016
A small Irish town, mist, and murder. Not the other author, this one is a new author to me. She did a good job too! Meet the evil, mythical Gray Man, if you dare. The Grey Man is responsible for horrific things, and changing so many people's lives that you have to read it to get the full impact! Are the evil fey at work, or something more human?
I really liked the Irish setting, and the mute woman was such a strong character to me. I can't leave out Danny, he went through so much.
I wouldn't mind reading another book by Lisa Alber at all.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
I really liked the Irish setting, and the mute woman was such a strong character to me. I can't leave out Danny, he went through so much.
I wouldn't mind reading another book by Lisa Alber at all.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
April 10, 2016
After reading Kilmoon I was looking forward to Whispers in the Mist. Lisa Alber outdid herself with this book. I absolutely loved it. The atmospheric feel of small-town Ireland, slightly claustrophobic, but utterly charming; the myth of the Grey Man; the utterly evil perpetrator who has weaved his destructive web, destroying so many families: I loved all of it, couldn't put it down. Can't wait for no. 3 in the series! Thank you, Netgalley, Midnight Ink Publishing's and Lisa Alber for providing me with an ARC in return for unbiased review.
May 19, 2016
After reading the description of this book, I was expecting there to be a strong supernatural element. What you actually get is a first rate crime story, with enough mystery and twists to keep the pages turning. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters and the suspense and I hope there may be more of Danny, Gemma and Alan in the future. Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc in return for an honest review.
January 19, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! You feel like a part of the community as you learn the struggles and strengths of the characters and it makes you want to find this small Irish town to meet everyone. The story line was strong and I would race through nightly activities to get into bed to keep reading!
August 19, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Net Galley. This book is about a small town in Ireland. First let me say I loved Fey books and this one definitely didn't disappoint me.
This book reminded me of Laura Hamilton's books. It had such strong characters and I felt so awful for Danny.
Fantastic book! I can't wait to read more of Lisa's books!
This book reminded me of Laura Hamilton's books. It had such strong characters and I felt so awful for Danny.
Fantastic book! I can't wait to read more of Lisa's books!
May 15, 2016
This who-dun-it set in Ireland centered around a detective whose wife has been unfaithful and who is drinking too much. There were several murder victims beginning with a young man found in a field near the small village where the story is set.
April 27, 2016
Set in Ireland this is an interesting intriguing read with mystery and murder. I enjoyed it but didn't find it amazing. Thank you for the ARC.
August 9, 2016
A fabulous book. Well-written, well-paced, engaging characters. Loved it! More please.
October 17, 2018
3 1/2 stars. I liked this story and think I will investigate the earlier story written by Lisa Alber. This story, for me, started out a bit slow and I wondered if I was going to toss in the towel. However I am glad I stuck with it. Danny is investigating the murder of a young man found in the pasture. The young man is an outsider and unknown to the people in the village. Enter more outsiders, an on going back story of Danny and Merritt, a matchmaker and some people that are not always as they seem. The stories of the murdered boy, the two strangers, and even Dannys issue all start to intertwine. I liked the ending and the way the author presented it. All in all, an enjoyable read once you get past the initial slow beginning.
November 10, 2017
A strange fog has rolled in from the Atlantic. Along with the fog comes tales of the Grey Man . . . and murders. Detective Sergeant Danny Ahern is on the case. Until the case strikes too close to home.
Sequel to Kilmoon by Lisa Alber. While there are references to events which happened in the first book, it’s not necessary to read it first. Of the two, this is the stronger story, I think: Danny is a far more interesting character than Merrit or Liam.
Sequel to Kilmoon by Lisa Alber. While there are references to events which happened in the first book, it’s not necessary to read it first. Of the two, this is the stronger story, I think: Danny is a far more interesting character than Merrit or Liam.
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June 13, 2020I would not want to spoil the ending for anyone but I think this is a book that keeps you reading by keeping you guessing who is causing pain and trouble to so many in a small town. The charm of the book is the setting - village life, its customs and the relationships developed between people they care about. Most of all I liked the dog owned by the pub owner and how he helped resolve the situation.
September 14, 2017
The second in the Alber's Country Clare Mystery trilogy sends you back to Ireland with most of the main characters of the mystery novel Kilmoon. The new characters are excellent and the addition of animals makes this book have a special feeling as you follow the mystery from start to finish. An excellent travel novel to read while on a plane or trip where you can read away during the day.
January 29, 2023
This book, as short as it was, was hard to finish. It jumped from perspective to perspective so much that the story seemed muddled to me. Not only that, but each persons perspective seemed so short I didn’t feel like I got much from then. I am also not sure I understand everything that happened and there are many loose ends that leave you hanging at the end.
July 9, 2017
Set in County Clare, Ireland, this is a dark murder mystery, with just a touch of something not quite of this world. I love books that take me to other places with characters and cultures I haven't met before. An original book and a fast read. I loved it.
March 10, 2018
An atmospheric mystery set in Ireland. Has the Grey Man arrived with the fog to snatch souls, or is something more sinister at work? A flawed detective must solve these deaths while dealing with his own family problems. I actually guessed who done it.
June 29, 2017
Enjoyable!
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