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Inside Voices: A captivating mystery with a touch of romance
The mind is a strange beast…extraordinary, unpredictable, protective.
Penny Osborn’s mind is no exception. In High School, Penny witnessed a massacre and lost her father to the same killers. She had seen it unfold before it happened, in a premonition, but could not prevent it.
A college research project at the edge of the Arctic is her chance for a new beginning. Struggling with PTSD, Penny’s therapy includes running, dogs, and guitars. Yet her fresh start is plagued by new premonitions, dark and foreboding, that coincide with a rising number of murders in the community. Her visions are vague, offering little to identify the killer.
When confronted with an orphaned polar bear cub, Penny risks everything to save its life. The deepening mystery of the murdered women, coupled with the exhaustive duties of caring for the small cub, draw her closer to her friend, Noah, and further from her sister.
Fearful for the serial killer’s next target, Penny discovers where her physical abilities can help her.
Will letting go of the past lead to healing? And can she stop the murders?
Penny Osborn’s mind is no exception. In High School, Penny witnessed a massacre and lost her father to the same killers. She had seen it unfold before it happened, in a premonition, but could not prevent it.
A college research project at the edge of the Arctic is her chance for a new beginning. Struggling with PTSD, Penny’s therapy includes running, dogs, and guitars. Yet her fresh start is plagued by new premonitions, dark and foreboding, that coincide with a rising number of murders in the community. Her visions are vague, offering little to identify the killer.
When confronted with an orphaned polar bear cub, Penny risks everything to save its life. The deepening mystery of the murdered women, coupled with the exhaustive duties of caring for the small cub, draw her closer to her friend, Noah, and further from her sister.
Fearful for the serial killer’s next target, Penny discovers where her physical abilities can help her.
Will letting go of the past lead to healing? And can she stop the murders?
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2020
271 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Davis
6 books251 followersAuthor also writes under S.E. Davis
Sarah Davis has been caring for animals since childhood. She graduated from ISU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. In 2020, Darkstroke Books published her debut novel, Inside voices, which quickly became a certified Amazon Bestseller. The Wishing Shelf Book Awards selected Inside Voices as a 2020 Finalist. Ever surrounded by animals, she lives on the northern prairie along with her family and a Weimaraner who cannot control his licker.
Sarah Davis has been caring for animals since childhood. She graduated from ISU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. In 2020, Darkstroke Books published her debut novel, Inside voices, which quickly became a certified Amazon Bestseller. The Wishing Shelf Book Awards selected Inside Voices as a 2020 Finalist. Ever surrounded by animals, she lives on the northern prairie along with her family and a Weimaraner who cannot control his licker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 1, 2021
Inside Voices centres on Penny a young woman who, after witnessing a high-school massacre, undertakes a college research project in the Arctic in an attempt to re-build her life. Not only is Penny’s world complicated by disturbing premonitions, her attraction to her friend Noah, and the challenges of caring for an orphaned polar bear cub but the discovery of a woman’s body suggests the presence of a murderer in the local community.
The author is a veterinarian and her knowledge and passion for animals shine through. For me, the heart of the story lay with Penny and the bear cub; a life-affirming tale of each helping the other survive. I also loved the Alaskan setting which was beautifully evoked. Despite reading this under March sunshine in a pleasant 25°C, I felt genuinely chilled at the descriptions of the Arctic terrain and ever-present sense of danger.
There are enough elements to Inside Voices; the stunning environment, potential romance, murder, mystery, a hint of the supernatural and, of course, the polar bears, to hold your attention throughout. Many thanks to Sarah Davis for gifting me this lovely novel.
The author is a veterinarian and her knowledge and passion for animals shine through. For me, the heart of the story lay with Penny and the bear cub; a life-affirming tale of each helping the other survive. I also loved the Alaskan setting which was beautifully evoked. Despite reading this under March sunshine in a pleasant 25°C, I felt genuinely chilled at the descriptions of the Arctic terrain and ever-present sense of danger.
There are enough elements to Inside Voices; the stunning environment, potential romance, murder, mystery, a hint of the supernatural and, of course, the polar bears, to hold your attention throughout. Many thanks to Sarah Davis for gifting me this lovely novel.
December 30, 2020
Sarah Davis’ novel “Inside Voices” took me to a place I’ve never been – in fiction or in real life – the arctic. And I’m so glad it did!
This is a beautifully written tale of young scientists who are working in northern Alaska to monitor the polar bears. Global warming is threatening their existence.
None of the team is more enthusiastic than twenty year old Penny. But she has problems of her own including PTSD, disturbing dreams, and premonitions that begin to come true.
In one of her dreams she sees a mother polar bear killed and she convinces a fellow student into going with her to investigate. They find the dead bear but also a new born cub. It is illegal to own a polar bear but Penny insists on keeping him alive. She names him “Fjord”. Soon her small group joins in the care, and antics, of the cub. Oh! And did I mention a serial killer is on the loose and he likes pretty girls?
All of Penny’s adventures make for a truly wonderful story. Ms. Davis has a brilliant knack for world building and her use of imagery is second to none. “Inside Voices” is a fabulous read and is suitable for any age level. I really enjoyed this superb yarn and the narrative is delivered in a unique and exciting manner. Highly Recommended!
This is a beautifully written tale of young scientists who are working in northern Alaska to monitor the polar bears. Global warming is threatening their existence.
None of the team is more enthusiastic than twenty year old Penny. But she has problems of her own including PTSD, disturbing dreams, and premonitions that begin to come true.
In one of her dreams she sees a mother polar bear killed and she convinces a fellow student into going with her to investigate. They find the dead bear but also a new born cub. It is illegal to own a polar bear but Penny insists on keeping him alive. She names him “Fjord”. Soon her small group joins in the care, and antics, of the cub. Oh! And did I mention a serial killer is on the loose and he likes pretty girls?
All of Penny’s adventures make for a truly wonderful story. Ms. Davis has a brilliant knack for world building and her use of imagery is second to none. “Inside Voices” is a fabulous read and is suitable for any age level. I really enjoyed this superb yarn and the narrative is delivered in a unique and exciting manner. Highly Recommended!
June 23, 2020
I loved this story! Penny is a wonderful character that guide us to an amazing scenario at Alaska. Her story with Fjord and Noah is deeply and truthful. I highly recommend this book❤️
December 14, 2020
Sarah Davis’ novel “inside Voices” is a wonderful study of survival. A book which starts graphically, in the middle of a school massacre, to leave the reader as numb as the main character, Penny, as she struggles to survive her feelings of loss, guilt and the inevitability of doubt – could she have prevented the massacre and her father’s death?
Penny is blessed/cursed with premonitions – future events or events that are taking place at the moment. Given the chance, can events one perceives in the future be altered so that they might even never happen? The concept is old ground, yet Mrs Davis breathes life into the premise with other supernatural elements to her book – a mental connection between Penny and her twin, Lucy, and a strong resonance with animals, knowing their moods, feelings and needs, to the extent that those moods and feelings can also be manipulated. And all that with lovingly drawn characters that are as real as it gets. The voice here is exceptional. It’s THAT smooth.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the marine biologist, and this is where the book absolutely shines. The detail given to the animals and their care, Polar bear mannerisms – it’s just a details-nerd’s paradise – so my kind of book. And Davis’ easy, relaxed storytelling voice lulls you through each chapter. It’s eminently readable. Pages fly by, I lost track of time on more than one sitting. It is escapism, pure and simple.
To boil it down without giving anything away, Penny’s story is all about survival – what a person must do to survive in a hostile environment. Mentally and physically – and it conveys that solid sense of community that exists in those extremes, where everyone becomes family because survival is easier with everyone on board.
Fundamentally, this is a love story, wrapped lovingly with animals and rare species, cut to its core with an ongoing serial murderer in the environment, and a telepathic puzzle that is again, all about survival. You root for the budding relationship between Penny and Noah. You feel for the characters as they discover a polar bear cub, and root for the bear as it too learns the art of survival.
It’s a book that is surprising in its presentation too – the murderer was resolved almost too early for my sense of wellbeing – but then you realize that the subplot of the murderer was not the story anyway, that the story was always Penny herself. It’s a great book, a wonderful voice, a beautifully crafted world and a lovely twist at the end. I saw it coming, but the reveal was everything it had to be.
It left me sad to leave that world, which, after all, is the definition of a good book. And whilst the ending was vague enough that people shout “sequel”, I get the feeling that the author left the book exactly where it needed to end. Not every story should end. This feels more like real life – their story goes on, just in the reader’s mind.
Time well spent. An excellent Debut, by a wonderful new voice.
Penny is blessed/cursed with premonitions – future events or events that are taking place at the moment. Given the chance, can events one perceives in the future be altered so that they might even never happen? The concept is old ground, yet Mrs Davis breathes life into the premise with other supernatural elements to her book – a mental connection between Penny and her twin, Lucy, and a strong resonance with animals, knowing their moods, feelings and needs, to the extent that those moods and feelings can also be manipulated. And all that with lovingly drawn characters that are as real as it gets. The voice here is exceptional. It’s THAT smooth.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the marine biologist, and this is where the book absolutely shines. The detail given to the animals and their care, Polar bear mannerisms – it’s just a details-nerd’s paradise – so my kind of book. And Davis’ easy, relaxed storytelling voice lulls you through each chapter. It’s eminently readable. Pages fly by, I lost track of time on more than one sitting. It is escapism, pure and simple.
To boil it down without giving anything away, Penny’s story is all about survival – what a person must do to survive in a hostile environment. Mentally and physically – and it conveys that solid sense of community that exists in those extremes, where everyone becomes family because survival is easier with everyone on board.
Fundamentally, this is a love story, wrapped lovingly with animals and rare species, cut to its core with an ongoing serial murderer in the environment, and a telepathic puzzle that is again, all about survival. You root for the budding relationship between Penny and Noah. You feel for the characters as they discover a polar bear cub, and root for the bear as it too learns the art of survival.
It’s a book that is surprising in its presentation too – the murderer was resolved almost too early for my sense of wellbeing – but then you realize that the subplot of the murderer was not the story anyway, that the story was always Penny herself. It’s a great book, a wonderful voice, a beautifully crafted world and a lovely twist at the end. I saw it coming, but the reveal was everything it had to be.
It left me sad to leave that world, which, after all, is the definition of a good book. And whilst the ending was vague enough that people shout “sequel”, I get the feeling that the author left the book exactly where it needed to end. Not every story should end. This feels more like real life – their story goes on, just in the reader’s mind.
Time well spent. An excellent Debut, by a wonderful new voice.
January 22, 2021
Like everyone else, I would like to snuggle a baby polar bear, please.
Inside Voices is a fascinating take on the acceptance of trauma and death, told through the eyes of a young woman living and working in a desolate landscape. On one hand, you have a lovely romance that keeps you rooting for the lovebirds, and on the other, you have a multifaceted suspense/thriller that plays with the conventional serial killer trope. Where most stories end with the killer's capture/demise, Inside Voices reaches beyond ...and the twist at the end will break your heart. A character that makes only intermittent appearances manifests in a way you won't expect, and will keep you dreaming about the book—and its deeper meaning—for a long time afterward.
Inside Voices is a fascinating take on the acceptance of trauma and death, told through the eyes of a young woman living and working in a desolate landscape. On one hand, you have a lovely romance that keeps you rooting for the lovebirds, and on the other, you have a multifaceted suspense/thriller that plays with the conventional serial killer trope. Where most stories end with the killer's capture/demise, Inside Voices reaches beyond ...and the twist at the end will break your heart. A character that makes only intermittent appearances manifests in a way you won't expect, and will keep you dreaming about the book—and its deeper meaning—for a long time afterward.
November 4, 2020
Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Inside Voices
By: Sarah Davis
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Inside Voices begins with a shocking situation. I was speechless and heartbroken, thus forming an immediate connection to the heroine, Penny. Later, Penny moves to Alaska with her mother and twin sister. Amazingly, Penny and her twin have a telepathic connection. This aspect, along with a few other things, gives the story a supernatural sense. Penny suffers PTSD and survivor's guilt after the tragic events in her past.
Alaska is a place of healing, plus Penny is interested in studying polar bears. Throughout the story, there is a human and animal connection. Beyond her studies, Penny has a love interest with an amazing guy. I just wanted everything to be well with Penny because she deserved some measure of happiness after the trauma. She is easy to sympathize with and like as a person. This is a different kind of story with elements you don't read all the time, but this keeps things interesting. I enjoyed the Alaskan landscape, heartfelt characters and their growth through hardship, proving anything is possible with faith and love. Inside Voices is a book I will not soon forget, and I hope you will pick up a copy of your own.
Inside Voices
By: Sarah Davis
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Inside Voices begins with a shocking situation. I was speechless and heartbroken, thus forming an immediate connection to the heroine, Penny. Later, Penny moves to Alaska with her mother and twin sister. Amazingly, Penny and her twin have a telepathic connection. This aspect, along with a few other things, gives the story a supernatural sense. Penny suffers PTSD and survivor's guilt after the tragic events in her past.
Alaska is a place of healing, plus Penny is interested in studying polar bears. Throughout the story, there is a human and animal connection. Beyond her studies, Penny has a love interest with an amazing guy. I just wanted everything to be well with Penny because she deserved some measure of happiness after the trauma. She is easy to sympathize with and like as a person. This is a different kind of story with elements you don't read all the time, but this keeps things interesting. I enjoyed the Alaskan landscape, heartfelt characters and their growth through hardship, proving anything is possible with faith and love. Inside Voices is a book I will not soon forget, and I hope you will pick up a copy of your own.
November 29, 2020
Some first novels feel like debut works and when Inside Voices by Sarah Davis was recommended to me, I approached it on that basis. I did the author and the book a disservice. Throughout Inside Voices Davis makes her own voice as an author crystal clear. It is a triumph of a novel, not just a debut novel.
The Blurb
The mind is a strange beast…extraordinary, unpredictable, protective.
Penny Osborn’s mind is no exception. In High School, Penny witnessed a massacre and lost her father to the same killers. She had seen it unfold before it happened, in a premonition, but could not prevent it.
A college research project at the edge of the Arctic is her chance for a new beginning. Struggling with PTSD, Penny’s therapy includes running, dogs, and guitars. Yet her fresh start is plagued by new premonitions, dark and foreboding, that coincide with a rising number of murders in the community. Her visions are vague, offering little to identify the killer.
When confronted with an orphaned polar bear cub, Penny risks everything to save its life. The deepening mystery of the murdered women, coupled with the exhaustive duties of caring for the small cub, draw her closer to her friend, Noah, and further from her sister.
Fearful for the serial killer’s next target, Penny discovers where her physical abilities can help her.
Will letting go of the past lead to healing? And can she stop the murders?
The Review
Inside Voices is a tightly drawn novel that lends much of its tension to what the reader must deduce, long before it is revealed. The descriptions of the landscapes of Alaska and its wildlife are infallible and Davis draws the reader into her protagonists world with a precision that defies the title of a debut author.
Penny, the main protagonist and her twin sister Lucy have such a tight bond that they can communicate through thought, even when they are apart. Penny also has premonitions that allow her glimpses of the future, but without the power to change it,
When murders occur in her community in Alaska, Penny attempts to stop future attacks by delving deeper into her psyche. She draws away from her sister, but that bond id too strong to break.
This is an excellent novel that would make a good book group read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
The Author
Sarah Davis is many things…wife, mother, veterinarian, writer. An avid reader, she enjoys stories that transport her into new and exciting lands. Having read more books than she could ever count, she has considered writing a novel for ages. It wasn’t until the idea for “Inside Voices” popped into her mind that she finally started pursuing that dream, with much encouragement from her family. She and her incredible husband share their remote home on the prairie with their three extraordinary children and one mostly human weimaraner. She is working on her second novel as you read this.
Val Penny
The Blurb
The mind is a strange beast…extraordinary, unpredictable, protective.
Penny Osborn’s mind is no exception. In High School, Penny witnessed a massacre and lost her father to the same killers. She had seen it unfold before it happened, in a premonition, but could not prevent it.
A college research project at the edge of the Arctic is her chance for a new beginning. Struggling with PTSD, Penny’s therapy includes running, dogs, and guitars. Yet her fresh start is plagued by new premonitions, dark and foreboding, that coincide with a rising number of murders in the community. Her visions are vague, offering little to identify the killer.
When confronted with an orphaned polar bear cub, Penny risks everything to save its life. The deepening mystery of the murdered women, coupled with the exhaustive duties of caring for the small cub, draw her closer to her friend, Noah, and further from her sister.
Fearful for the serial killer’s next target, Penny discovers where her physical abilities can help her.
Will letting go of the past lead to healing? And can she stop the murders?
The Review
Inside Voices is a tightly drawn novel that lends much of its tension to what the reader must deduce, long before it is revealed. The descriptions of the landscapes of Alaska and its wildlife are infallible and Davis draws the reader into her protagonists world with a precision that defies the title of a debut author.
Penny, the main protagonist and her twin sister Lucy have such a tight bond that they can communicate through thought, even when they are apart. Penny also has premonitions that allow her glimpses of the future, but without the power to change it,
When murders occur in her community in Alaska, Penny attempts to stop future attacks by delving deeper into her psyche. She draws away from her sister, but that bond id too strong to break.
This is an excellent novel that would make a good book group read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
The Author
Sarah Davis is many things…wife, mother, veterinarian, writer. An avid reader, she enjoys stories that transport her into new and exciting lands. Having read more books than she could ever count, she has considered writing a novel for ages. It wasn’t until the idea for “Inside Voices” popped into her mind that she finally started pursuing that dream, with much encouragement from her family. She and her incredible husband share their remote home on the prairie with their three extraordinary children and one mostly human weimaraner. She is working on her second novel as you read this.
Val Penny
July 10, 2020
This has a really emotional and powerful opening then jumps forwards two years to a completely different setting – the Arctic. I could have happily stayed following Penny, Army and Noah checking up on the polar bears because I loved the vivid descriptions of the Alaskan tundra and all the wildlife – there is so much detail you can almost smell the muktuk. But there’s so much else going on to make you keep turning the pages; add to that a scarred bear, premonitions of a serial killer and Penny’s powerful connection with her twin sister – not to mention romance too! There is also a fantastic twist at the end. A brilliant read.
January 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The Alaskan setting was fascinating and Sarah Davis's descriptive passages were a joy to read. Inside voices is a story of many levels with twists and turns along the way to keep you turning the page . a serial killer, a romance, intense and complex family relationships - and then there were the animals - the polar bears , the dogs. This book had everything for me. Looking forward to reading more this talented author.
February 6, 2021
Survival is possible even in the most harrowing of circumstances.
Author Sarah Davis brings to life an incredible tale of one young woman's will to endure the worst possible set of experiences. Inside Voices (I love the scene that inspired the title) is a tragedy, yes, yet also a story of undeniable victory. Set in the arctic and mirroring the land, this story is brutal, cold, frightening, harsh, violent, upsetting, unsettling, and ultimately, real in all its mystical lore: tangible and undeniable no matter how much pain it delivers. This is life, extreme life, and you've got to face every aspect of it head on if you want to keep living. Because even in the worst place of ugliness, there are so many reasons to want to keep living... Insightful and beautifully written, Inside Voices takes you in and teaches you things you'd be hard pressed finding elsewhere.
Author Sarah Davis brings to life an incredible tale of one young woman's will to endure the worst possible set of experiences. Inside Voices (I love the scene that inspired the title) is a tragedy, yes, yet also a story of undeniable victory. Set in the arctic and mirroring the land, this story is brutal, cold, frightening, harsh, violent, upsetting, unsettling, and ultimately, real in all its mystical lore: tangible and undeniable no matter how much pain it delivers. This is life, extreme life, and you've got to face every aspect of it head on if you want to keep living. Because even in the worst place of ugliness, there are so many reasons to want to keep living... Insightful and beautifully written, Inside Voices takes you in and teaches you things you'd be hard pressed finding elsewhere.
February 12, 2021
Excellent Read
One of the best books I have read in a very long time (and I read a lot!). The story is great and the description of the animals and scenery are clear without being overwhelming. I was sad when I finished this book!
One of the best books I have read in a very long time (and I read a lot!). The story is great and the description of the animals and scenery are clear without being overwhelming. I was sad when I finished this book!
November 1, 2020
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on November 1, 2020 as a part of the Blog Blitz with Rachel's Random Resources. I also was able to get this book when it was free on Amazon.
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The way Inside Voices begins is a living nightmare of a terrible school shooting and then more. This was a day that changes Penny Osborne’s life forever. This novel shows us what PTSD and learning to deal with loss can do to a person. After the shooting, Penny and the rest of her family move to Alaska for a chance to start over and move on. But will they be able to?
From the book description I knew there was going to be a baby polar bear, and I was anxiously awaiting the cub’s arrival. Once the cub arrived things really got moving for me. Inside Voices is my first novel based out of Alaska and also the first with a polar bear cub and I absolutely loved it! Add in a serial killer mystery, a set of twins with psychic powers, and a bit of romance and you have just about everything you could want!
Davis has been a veterinarian for 20 years and she took what she knows with the character of Eelyn. Her descriptions of Alaska made me feel like I was there, I could picture everything perfectly.
I really liked Penny and she has more abilities than just telepathic communication with her twin sister Lucy. Thrillers are my main genre of choice, and the serial killer subplot is what drew me to this novel, but it is so much more than that! Once the serial killer events are solved there is still much more story that takes place: most of it dealing with Fjord. I adored Fjord, and it makes me thisclose to wanting a polar bear cub. (As long as it stays small and will not eat me….) Fjord became the whole reason for reading this novel for me.
There is an unexpected turn that makes we want to read the novel again. It was something I should have seen coming, but didn’t!
Thank you to Sarah Davis for introducing me to the state of Alaska, Fjord and the whole story of Inside Voices. This is one that I really enjoyed and will stay with me for a while. This one is definitely recommended!
~~~~
This review will appear on my site on November 1, 2020 as a part of the Blog Blitz with Rachel's Random Resources. I also was able to get this book when it was free on Amazon.
~~~~
The way Inside Voices begins is a living nightmare of a terrible school shooting and then more. This was a day that changes Penny Osborne’s life forever. This novel shows us what PTSD and learning to deal with loss can do to a person. After the shooting, Penny and the rest of her family move to Alaska for a chance to start over and move on. But will they be able to?
From the book description I knew there was going to be a baby polar bear, and I was anxiously awaiting the cub’s arrival. Once the cub arrived things really got moving for me. Inside Voices is my first novel based out of Alaska and also the first with a polar bear cub and I absolutely loved it! Add in a serial killer mystery, a set of twins with psychic powers, and a bit of romance and you have just about everything you could want!
Davis has been a veterinarian for 20 years and she took what she knows with the character of Eelyn. Her descriptions of Alaska made me feel like I was there, I could picture everything perfectly.
I really liked Penny and she has more abilities than just telepathic communication with her twin sister Lucy. Thrillers are my main genre of choice, and the serial killer subplot is what drew me to this novel, but it is so much more than that! Once the serial killer events are solved there is still much more story that takes place: most of it dealing with Fjord. I adored Fjord, and it makes me thisclose to wanting a polar bear cub. (As long as it stays small and will not eat me….) Fjord became the whole reason for reading this novel for me.
There is an unexpected turn that makes we want to read the novel again. It was something I should have seen coming, but didn’t!
Thank you to Sarah Davis for introducing me to the state of Alaska, Fjord and the whole story of Inside Voices. This is one that I really enjoyed and will stay with me for a while. This one is definitely recommended!
January 8, 2021
"In High School, Penny witnessed a massacre and lost her father to the same killers. She had seen it unfold before it happened, in a premonition, but could not prevent it." This happens in the first chapter, which immediately piqued my interest. But there's no aftermath! After Penny finds out her dad has been killed, the chapter ends and it's two years later and she's in Alaska. I was thinking maybe there would be more to it (a motive revealed, more information), but it's only occasionally mentioned after that.
"Yet her fresh start is plagued by new premonitions, dark and foreboding, that coincide with a rising number of murders in the community. Her visions are vague, offering little to identify the killer." Again, Penny and the other characters talk about the murders, seemed vaguely concerned, but this storyline too is sidelined by the mundane details of Penny's life. She adopts a baby polar bear and there are endless paragraphs about how it's growing and what it eats. She crushes on Noah, a 28 year old military vet, who apparently is attracted to girls who act like they're 14 years old around the opposite sex.
If you are looking to read a book about a horrifying massacre and its aftermath and a serial killer on the loose, look elsewhere. If you want the mundane details about a recent high school graduate and her life in northern Alaska, maybe you'll like this one.
"Yet her fresh start is plagued by new premonitions, dark and foreboding, that coincide with a rising number of murders in the community. Her visions are vague, offering little to identify the killer." Again, Penny and the other characters talk about the murders, seemed vaguely concerned, but this storyline too is sidelined by the mundane details of Penny's life. She adopts a baby polar bear and there are endless paragraphs about how it's growing and what it eats. She crushes on Noah, a 28 year old military vet, who apparently is attracted to girls who act like they're 14 years old around the opposite sex.
If you are looking to read a book about a horrifying massacre and its aftermath and a serial killer on the loose, look elsewhere. If you want the mundane details about a recent high school graduate and her life in northern Alaska, maybe you'll like this one.
November 3, 2020
I cant begin to tell to you how much I loved this story. From the story line, to the mystery, to the adventure and the characters Inside Voices was just one of those books that sucked me right in. Penny is struggling with PTSD after witnessing a high school massacre and then losing her father to the same killers, so Penny and her mother move to Anchorage, Alaska where she study and work in the Tundra, tagging polar bears after enrolling in graduate program at Anchorage University. Penny's mysterious twin Lucy is never far from her thoughts and thus the title of the book makes sense - they both communicate via twin telepathy, and as the story goes alone I begin to have suspicions of certain things, but when a murder happens in this sleepy tundra I am kinda thrown off that train of thought, nicely done Ms. Davis!
The whole setting of Anchorage and the polar bears and how amazing Penny is at throwing herself into to her coping mechanisms of her PTSD and the little twist that will take your breath away - everything about this book is just brilliant!
5 stars
The whole setting of Anchorage and the polar bears and how amazing Penny is at throwing herself into to her coping mechanisms of her PTSD and the little twist that will take your breath away - everything about this book is just brilliant!
5 stars
September 15, 2020
Inside Voices tells a tale of personal recovery and discovery set to a backdrop of murder. Finding some solace in the beautiful yet dangerous Alaskan environment, Penny immerses herself in her research into the polar bear population of the area. Penny’s burdening relationship with a local man, and her positive involvement with the local community, bring her towards accepting the guilt she feels in the wake of a violent past trauma. Penny has a special connection with her twin sister who, along with her mother, has accompanied Penny on her research trip. However, all is not quite as it seems. The rise of shaman like powers within Penny bring her into conflict with a murderer and a visitation with her spirit animal. Inside Voices by Sarah Davis is a wonderfully story, gentle and evocative. You really must give it a read.
February 10, 2021
This unique story, outside of the normal genres I read, took me by surprise and I am so glad I picked it up. It is a multi-layered tale that grapples with many pressing issues of the day including climate change, animal protection and school shootings so there is a lot to unpack here. The character development that happens along with dealing with these themes is very fulfilling as a reader. There is also a supernatural element that weaves throughout which I so wanted to become the reality but knew would not (dang!). This one will keep you thinking long after you finish it!
July 7, 2020
This is a beautifully written novel with an interesting insight into PTSD.
I could easily imagine the characters and scenes and needed to keep reading to find out what happened next!
I could easily imagine the characters and scenes and needed to keep reading to find out what happened next!
August 15, 2021
I'm going to use a phrase the author herself used: we need more veterinarians writing stories! This is a bold statement of a debut for Davis, and speaks well for future works to come. And please, give us more baby polar bears <3
January 21, 2021
Amazing book! Can't wait for this author to write another!
November 22, 2020
Sometimes book categories can be limiting. Inside Voices is a perfect example of this. It is accurate to say that the story of Penny Osborn is a Young Adult Romance novel, but it is much more than that. It is an action/adventure story that reminded me of reading Call of the Wild when I was in high school. As I read Inside Voices, I relished the feeling of being shown a magical, harsh, and breathtaking world by an author who knows what they are writing about. Dog sledding, endless nights, the isolation of being at the top of world, and the different personalities that are drawn to an environment that we, as humans, are not designed for. Sarah Davis obviously did her research, and there is an underlying message of respect and admiration for the land of which she writes.
It is beautiful and heart breaking. And most of all, it’s just a really good book.
It is beautiful and heart breaking. And most of all, it’s just a really good book.
July 26, 2020
This is a wonderful escapist read - a really engaging mix of wildlife rescue, romance and murder mystery with some supernatural elements in there too. Penny is a young twenty-something recovering from trauma, who finds love and, perhaps more importantly, herself, when she and her family move to live and work in the wilds of Alaska. I loved setting and the connection Penny has with animals, in particular with polar bears, and also found the romantic elements very well done. For me the book had a feel of Twilight with Penny reminding me of Bella (in a good way!) even though the story is completely different.
December 28, 2020
Really enjoyed this book!
I fell in love with this story, got totally caught up in the characters and events. I raced through it, but dragged also, as I didn't want it to end! Surprise ending, wasn't expecting that! One of those where I will put off reading another by this author, because it can't possibly be as good as the first, then when I finally do, I'll wonder why I waited so long.
I fell in love with this story, got totally caught up in the characters and events. I raced through it, but dragged also, as I didn't want it to end! Surprise ending, wasn't expecting that! One of those where I will put off reading another by this author, because it can't possibly be as good as the first, then when I finally do, I'll wonder why I waited so long.
October 30, 2020
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Inside Voices is a gripping story set in Alaska, animal life, and coping with loss.
The first thing that stood out for me in this novel was the author’s style at writing the tale. From the details of marine life, animals, veterinary surgeries to serial killers, visions, and telepathy, a LOT happens in the story. Hence, I never felt like there is a dull moment. As the story progresses, you see Penny going through various emotions. There are quite a few twists and turns, especially towards the end, which you do not expect. On a side note, I loved the imagery of the Alaskan wildlife the author describes.
The characters are also well-written. I liked Penny in the lead. I also enjoyed her relationship with Lucy. Lucy is a fascinating character who is mysterious. Additionally, it is impressive how Penny drowns herself in various activities to overcome her sorrow (like taking self-defense and wrestling).
Moreover, I loved her relationship with Noah. They share many magical moments, like how they go camping and reminisce about their past to come together, or when they rescue and take care of Fjord. Speaking of Fjord, I loved him and thought he was so adorable.
However, it took time for me to adjust to the story initially. The author introduces many characters like Bill, Rita, Army, Noah, and Liam (not to mention the pets/animals have their names). Furthermore, the pacing slowed in the middle of the story, where nothing much happens in character development, but picks up again towards the end.
Overall, this was an intriguing tale that covered a lot of topics and worth reading.
May 22, 2021
This is a subtle and thoughtful novel.
When I first loaded the book, I expected it to be a full-throttle thriller, a post-Valentine rendition of yet another school massacre. Soon, we realise it isn't, as the main character, Penny, does a geographic, moving away from the trauma of the event, placing the centre of the action in her mind. 'Inside Voices' offers a different kind of complexity.
Scarred by the event that took both friends and a family member, Penny takes a survivor's time out to heal. Thus we are transported to the frozen landscape of a remote township in Alaska, and to Penny's passion for animals - especially the polar bear cub she finds and raises. Slowly the place works its magic and through the devotion of her mother and friends and the constancy of her sister, she is able to let in the love of her life. It's also a place where she can develop her special affinities with those around her. Her inside voices.
All lovingly written.
I wished two things about the novel. Firstly that the serial killer arc could have been less subtly drawn. I like a layered read, and I think much could have been gained by mining the tension more, doubling down on Penny's fears, working the conflict. Then, oddly, I wished for MORE subtely in the drawing of the sister, since the end reveal could maybe have come as more of a surprise.
Neither detracts from the gentle, profound development of Penny's voice, however. Her endurance and vulnerability radiates the novel and I hope Davies writes more of her adventures in the newly formed animal sanctuary. One thing that leads me to think that she will, is the stunningly effective single line epilogue.
It's haunting and I get a little frisson every time I think about it!
When I first loaded the book, I expected it to be a full-throttle thriller, a post-Valentine rendition of yet another school massacre. Soon, we realise it isn't, as the main character, Penny, does a geographic, moving away from the trauma of the event, placing the centre of the action in her mind. 'Inside Voices' offers a different kind of complexity.
Scarred by the event that took both friends and a family member, Penny takes a survivor's time out to heal. Thus we are transported to the frozen landscape of a remote township in Alaska, and to Penny's passion for animals - especially the polar bear cub she finds and raises. Slowly the place works its magic and through the devotion of her mother and friends and the constancy of her sister, she is able to let in the love of her life. It's also a place where she can develop her special affinities with those around her. Her inside voices.
All lovingly written.
I wished two things about the novel. Firstly that the serial killer arc could have been less subtly drawn. I like a layered read, and I think much could have been gained by mining the tension more, doubling down on Penny's fears, working the conflict. Then, oddly, I wished for MORE subtely in the drawing of the sister, since the end reveal could maybe have come as more of a surprise.
Neither detracts from the gentle, profound development of Penny's voice, however. Her endurance and vulnerability radiates the novel and I hope Davies writes more of her adventures in the newly formed animal sanctuary. One thing that leads me to think that she will, is the stunningly effective single line epilogue.
It's haunting and I get a little frisson every time I think about it!
April 26, 2021
Sarah Davis’ novel “inside Voices” is a wonderful study of survival. A book which starts graphically, in the middle of a school massacre, to leave the reader as numb as the main character, Penny, as she struggles to survive her feelings of loss, guilt and the inevitability of doubt – could she have prevented the massacre and her father’s death?
Fundamentally, this is a love story, wrapped lovingly with animals and rare species, cut to its core with an ongoing serial murderer in the environment, and a telepathic puzzle that is again, all about survival.
Inside Voices is a book I will not soon forget, and I hope you will pick up a copy of your own.
Fundamentally, this is a love story, wrapped lovingly with animals and rare species, cut to its core with an ongoing serial murderer in the environment, and a telepathic puzzle that is again, all about survival.
Inside Voices is a book I will not soon forget, and I hope you will pick up a copy of your own.
April 13, 2021
Inside Voices delivers stunning descriptions of animals and the arctic landscape while pulling the reader along with the main character, Penny, as she conducts important research, grapples with a haunting past and faces down grief she has pushed aside. A tender romance, a murder mystery, and polar bears - what more can one ask for?
July 11, 2021
Always something
Great story family friends animals and through out it all caring and sharing with love and bonding. Thank you truly enjoyed
Great story family friends animals and through out it all caring and sharing with love and bonding. Thank you truly enjoyed
December 31, 2020
When Penny becomes embroiled in a tragedy as a young girl it sets the tone for the rest of her life. If it wasn't for her strong bond with her twin sister, which seems to be linked to psychic-like abilities, she would not only have been a victim herself, but also not able to intervene in further tragedies.
Aside from the clear repercussions the massacre has on Penny, as she gets older and moves on with her life, I felt as if there was a lost opportunity there. The story goes straight from the event in a short chapter with young Penny to the older Penny, who is still coming to terms with the atrocity. That initial introduction to Penny, her abilities, her connection to her sister and the absolute horror of the event could be a story unto itself and not just a footnote in her history.
As the story develops and the truth unfolds there is this realisation of greater depth, both emotionally and from a plot perspective, which I personally found quite intriguing. It also leaves a lot of space for unanswered questions and possibly a prequel to the story.
I think Davis has some great ideas that all want to come out and play at the same time, so it's maybe a question of focus and direction. Is it a story about someone who is grief stricken enough to reach another level of perception or is it a story about a woman who can see beyond the constructs of our norms and boundaries.
*I receivd a courtesy copy*
Aside from the clear repercussions the massacre has on Penny, as she gets older and moves on with her life, I felt as if there was a lost opportunity there. The story goes straight from the event in a short chapter with young Penny to the older Penny, who is still coming to terms with the atrocity. That initial introduction to Penny, her abilities, her connection to her sister and the absolute horror of the event could be a story unto itself and not just a footnote in her history.
As the story develops and the truth unfolds there is this realisation of greater depth, both emotionally and from a plot perspective, which I personally found quite intriguing. It also leaves a lot of space for unanswered questions and possibly a prequel to the story.
I think Davis has some great ideas that all want to come out and play at the same time, so it's maybe a question of focus and direction. Is it a story about someone who is grief stricken enough to reach another level of perception or is it a story about a woman who can see beyond the constructs of our norms and boundaries.
*I receivd a courtesy copy*
September 25, 2020
What you get when a giant polar bear, a mysterious murderer, and a psychic set of identical twins are thrown together in the desolate Alaskan countryside? A irresistible story of adventure, romance, and survival. Penny Osborn is witness to a violent massacre at her Wisconsin high school, and then learns of her father’s own death in a subsequent attack on the medical facility where his is employed. The world has gone mad, fueling a desire to move as far from Madison, Wisconsin, as possible. Anchorage, Alaska is the perfect place. After enrolling in the graduate program at Anchorage University, Penny and her veterinary mother jump at the opportunity to study and work in the Tundra, tagging polar bears. As Penny acclimates to the remote territory, she finds the solace she needs. As long as her twin Lucy is near and her adopted polar bear cub is safe, Penny begins to re-build her life, as long a the visions keep her alert of impending danger.
Inside Voices by Linda Davis is packed full of vivid imagery and compelling story twists. As the main character recovers from the tragedies of her past life, she learns a valuable lesson, which she shares with others in her life: “The only one who can make me happy is me. Other people’s negativity is a waste of their own energy, not mine. We are in control of our own thoughts and feelings.” Inside Voices is an inspirational novel that touches readers of all ages. A plethora of themes creates a surprisingly fluid, well-constructed tale to grace the shelves of any library.
Inside Voices by Linda Davis is packed full of vivid imagery and compelling story twists. As the main character recovers from the tragedies of her past life, she learns a valuable lesson, which she shares with others in her life: “The only one who can make me happy is me. Other people’s negativity is a waste of their own energy, not mine. We are in control of our own thoughts and feelings.” Inside Voices is an inspirational novel that touches readers of all ages. A plethora of themes creates a surprisingly fluid, well-constructed tale to grace the shelves of any library.
July 24, 2021
Incredible
Well written story about a young woman and her family who go to Alaska to help tag polar bears. She falls in love with the Alaskan lifestyle, and the landlord's handsome nephew is a nice touch. Wonderful reading
Well written story about a young woman and her family who go to Alaska to help tag polar bears. She falls in love with the Alaskan lifestyle, and the landlord's handsome nephew is a nice touch. Wonderful reading
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