What do you think?
The Whispers' Echo
What if someone from your past tried to destroy your future?
Someone from her past wants to destroy her future…
When Melanie Scott is promoted to junior partner, she thinks she has put her past behind her and while out celebrating her promotion, she meets the handsome and charming Oliver Field.
Melanie has her doubts and is haunted by her mother’s critical voice, which reminds her that she’s messed up before. But when Oliver invites her for dinner, she buries her feeling and accepts his invitation.
She deserves the chance of happiness, doesn’t she?
However, the past she thought she left behind resurfaces when she receives an email containing a name; Anne Edwards. A name she thought she’d left behind.
When the emails escalate, she knows she has to find out who is behind them, but at what cost?
Melanie is about to learn that the past will now shape her future forever…
Valerie Keogh is the bestselling author of The Three Women, The Perfect Life and The Dublin Murder Mysteries. The Whisper's Echo is a twisty and suspenseful psychological thriller which will keep you guessing until the very end. It's the perfect read for fans of domestic noir fiction, as well as for readers of authors like Louise Jensen, B A Paris and K.L. Slater.
Someone from her past wants to destroy her future…
When Melanie Scott is promoted to junior partner, she thinks she has put her past behind her and while out celebrating her promotion, she meets the handsome and charming Oliver Field.
Melanie has her doubts and is haunted by her mother’s critical voice, which reminds her that she’s messed up before. But when Oliver invites her for dinner, she buries her feeling and accepts his invitation.
She deserves the chance of happiness, doesn’t she?
However, the past she thought she left behind resurfaces when she receives an email containing a name; Anne Edwards. A name she thought she’d left behind.
When the emails escalate, she knows she has to find out who is behind them, but at what cost?
Melanie is about to learn that the past will now shape her future forever…
Valerie Keogh is the bestselling author of The Three Women, The Perfect Life and The Dublin Murder Mysteries. The Whisper's Echo is a twisty and suspenseful psychological thriller which will keep you guessing until the very end. It's the perfect read for fans of domestic noir fiction, as well as for readers of authors like Louise Jensen, B A Paris and K.L. Slater.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2020
About the author
Valerie Keogh
53 books974 followersValerie started to write several years ago. She self-published eight crime novels and one psychological thriller before signing a two book contract with Bookouture in March 2018. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is available now and the second is due in Feb 2019. She is a registered nurse with a degree in English and a Masters in American Literature. Recently she has given up nursing to concentrate on her writing career.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 16, 2020
I have read several books by Keogh this year and have enjoyed each and every one. Each time, the story is completely different and unique. Admittedly, I prefer the stand-alone novels to her Dublin Mystery books, but I think we can all agree that this is debate for another day.
Keogh launches straight into the mystery with this thrilling read. Melanie is haunted by events that happened when she was a child and she has never really recovered from them. Paranoia and suspicions start to mount when Melanie receives emails from an unknown sender; they clearly know about Melanie’s background and intend to make her suffer. As the mystery grows, so does Melanie’s fears of her past coming back to haunt her. With every part of her life starting to crumble, there’s only so much that Melanie can stand.
This book is incredibly pacy and does not leave you in the dark very long. It felt like a short read as I completed it in just a few sittings. I think this reflects my enjoyment of Keogh’s writing again but, I do wish that there had been a little more suspense. If there had been a delay on revelations and increasing cliff-hangers, I could have easily awarded this book the full five stars. However, I felt like I was on a roller-coaster and not allowed to savour the stress that Melanie was experiencing.
Now, that is not to say that I wanted to see the protagonist suffer – definitely not! However, the answers came all too soon. I had guessed the perpetrator of the crime quite early on (although I did have other suspects thrown into the ring as well). Consequently, I felt that this novel missed the “spark” to ignite my excitement that Keogh’s other books have.
If you are after a thrilling story that does not have you trying to calculate motives and connections, I think this is the one for you. It is a really enjoyable plot and I found that Melanie was a likeable character. I sympathised with her story and wanted to see her find peace and solace from the threats to do with her past.
I would categorise this as a “lazy read”: readers are not needing to do anything, but sit back and enjoy the show. This would make a perfect holiday read or one that you have to dip in and out of on a commute. Another example of solid writing from Keogh, this is a mystery that will get many readers intrigued.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Keogh launches straight into the mystery with this thrilling read. Melanie is haunted by events that happened when she was a child and she has never really recovered from them. Paranoia and suspicions start to mount when Melanie receives emails from an unknown sender; they clearly know about Melanie’s background and intend to make her suffer. As the mystery grows, so does Melanie’s fears of her past coming back to haunt her. With every part of her life starting to crumble, there’s only so much that Melanie can stand.
This book is incredibly pacy and does not leave you in the dark very long. It felt like a short read as I completed it in just a few sittings. I think this reflects my enjoyment of Keogh’s writing again but, I do wish that there had been a little more suspense. If there had been a delay on revelations and increasing cliff-hangers, I could have easily awarded this book the full five stars. However, I felt like I was on a roller-coaster and not allowed to savour the stress that Melanie was experiencing.
Now, that is not to say that I wanted to see the protagonist suffer – definitely not! However, the answers came all too soon. I had guessed the perpetrator of the crime quite early on (although I did have other suspects thrown into the ring as well). Consequently, I felt that this novel missed the “spark” to ignite my excitement that Keogh’s other books have.
If you are after a thrilling story that does not have you trying to calculate motives and connections, I think this is the one for you. It is a really enjoyable plot and I found that Melanie was a likeable character. I sympathised with her story and wanted to see her find peace and solace from the threats to do with her past.
I would categorise this as a “lazy read”: readers are not needing to do anything, but sit back and enjoy the show. This would make a perfect holiday read or one that you have to dip in and out of on a commute. Another example of solid writing from Keogh, this is a mystery that will get many readers intrigued.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2020
Melanie Scott has been very successful ... just promoted to junior partner in her law firm.
And while out celebrating her promotion, she meets Mr. Tall, Dark & Handsome, not to mention Prince Charming. But Hugo has secrets. For one, his real name is Oliver Field.
Just when things are going good for Melanie, she receives a text message containing a woman's name... a name she thought she'd left behind. The number of texts increase and then a new message is sent ... It's Time ... followed by a text stating ... You'll pay...
Who is behind these messages and how do they know her secret?
When Oliver is found murdered, she turns to a private investigator for help ... but according to her good friend, a cop, he's an ex-cop and a not so nice one.
The past has reared its ugly head ... and Melanie might not survive long enough to find out who's stalking her.
Suspenseful from the very first page, this is well written with an intricate plot and deftly drawn characters that will not be forgotten easily. The conclusion was surprising, unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 28, 2020
Newly promoted to junior partner, Melanie Scott feels she’s got everything going for her, so when she meets the charming Hugo in a pub, it’s just another good thing in her life. And that’s when something in Melanie’s past comes back to haunt her. Taunted by mysterious texts and emails, it seems like her whole life might be about to unravel.
This the first book I’ve read by this author, and on the face of it, Ms Keogh tells a good tale. There’s a fair bit of tension as the protagonist finds herself drowning in waves of doubt and worry as she struggles to work out who she can trust. The sense of isolation is portrayed well and though Melanie is a bit of a wimp at times, her anxieties had a realistic feel.
Having said that, the writing is a little clunky in places and could do with another edit to tighten things up. I also guessed early on who the ‘bad guy’ was and while it’s always nice to feel superior at working it all out, I’d have preferred to be surprised at the author’s cunning plan.
An enjoyable read, albeit a little predictable.
This the first book I’ve read by this author, and on the face of it, Ms Keogh tells a good tale. There’s a fair bit of tension as the protagonist finds herself drowning in waves of doubt and worry as she struggles to work out who she can trust. The sense of isolation is portrayed well and though Melanie is a bit of a wimp at times, her anxieties had a realistic feel.
Having said that, the writing is a little clunky in places and could do with another edit to tighten things up. I also guessed early on who the ‘bad guy’ was and while it’s always nice to feel superior at working it all out, I’d have preferred to be surprised at the author’s cunning plan.
An enjoyable read, albeit a little predictable.
September 18, 2020
Valerie Keogh has become one of those authors you just know their next book is going to be enjoyable.
The Whispers Echo, has you guessing from the start and has a brilliant ending.
The Whispers Echo, has you guessing from the start and has a brilliant ending.
August 31, 2020
This is another great book by Valarie! The sign of a good author is when you cannot decide which book is best. I think for me, this might just have been pipped by her previous book The Perfect Life – but not by much!
We follow the story of Melanie Scott, a Junior Partner Lawyer in London, as she battles with blackmail over something that happened a long time ago. With a terrific cast of characters around her, we are drawn into the spiderweb of suspicion.
I liked Melanie, and was rooting for her throughout, and I think that’s another sign of great writing. This book had me gripped. I would’ve been the best book Val had ever written, had she not written some other fantastic books too!
This is a wonderful fast-paced book that will keep you guessing until the end!
We follow the story of Melanie Scott, a Junior Partner Lawyer in London, as she battles with blackmail over something that happened a long time ago. With a terrific cast of characters around her, we are drawn into the spiderweb of suspicion.
I liked Melanie, and was rooting for her throughout, and I think that’s another sign of great writing. This book had me gripped. I would’ve been the best book Val had ever written, had she not written some other fantastic books too!
This is a wonderful fast-paced book that will keep you guessing until the end!
September 11, 2020
Another brilliant book from Valerie Keogh.
This book grabbed me from the first few chapters and I was well and truly hooked.
Melanie’s life is going well following a recent promotion and she meets a man who seems very keen to get to know her better.
This is tainted by an email she received which refers to her past.
It’s clear that something bad happened in her past but we don’t find out what this was until later in the book.
Melanie starts to wonder who is targeting her and making her life more and more difficult but she couldn’t have been more wrong.
There’s a nail biting conclusion and Melanie fears for her life.
This is a great thriller that I can highly recommend.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
This book grabbed me from the first few chapters and I was well and truly hooked.
Melanie’s life is going well following a recent promotion and she meets a man who seems very keen to get to know her better.
This is tainted by an email she received which refers to her past.
It’s clear that something bad happened in her past but we don’t find out what this was until later in the book.
Melanie starts to wonder who is targeting her and making her life more and more difficult but she couldn’t have been more wrong.
There’s a nail biting conclusion and Melanie fears for her life.
This is a great thriller that I can highly recommend.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
February 3, 2024
Boring, didn’t care about characters.
August 12, 2020
It will shake you
It will give you shiver's
this is one true eye opener.
Melanie Scott in her bed, the whisper's echo around the room, you are a murderer, one mistake she made, one childish action, she can never forget.
Now a lawyer a junior partnership with Master's Corporate Law in Fulham.
She started getting unknown emails only saying Anne Edwards, someone knew her past, and wanted to destroy her, her job her life would be at loss, the nightmares are beginning again, even after twenty five years.
nearly forty years old she starts dating Hugo Field, a handsome guy, he was definitely a keeper, or was he?
this book has it all from the start. some of the pages were so intense and gripping I actually jumped. what a book, I just could not put it down till the end. I love this authors work and each one just gets better and better. Whispers Echo will speak no more.
It will give you shiver's
this is one true eye opener.
Melanie Scott in her bed, the whisper's echo around the room, you are a murderer, one mistake she made, one childish action, she can never forget.
Now a lawyer a junior partnership with Master's Corporate Law in Fulham.
She started getting unknown emails only saying Anne Edwards, someone knew her past, and wanted to destroy her, her job her life would be at loss, the nightmares are beginning again, even after twenty five years.
nearly forty years old she starts dating Hugo Field, a handsome guy, he was definitely a keeper, or was he?
this book has it all from the start. some of the pages were so intense and gripping I actually jumped. what a book, I just could not put it down till the end. I love this authors work and each one just gets better and better. Whispers Echo will speak no more.
October 3, 2020
Another great read by Valerie Keogh. I love this author and have read all of her books. A definite must read for anyone that likes Psychological suspense.
September 18, 2020
Sometimes we might find ourselves waking up in the middle of the night, playing back scenes of a disastrous episode in our lives and cringing, feeling angry or awash with regret. The event might have taken place the same day or earlier in the week or maybe it happened a long, long time ago.
What would you do if something that happened decades ago never stopped haunting you because it is a dark, chilling memory of a series of actions that cause you immense guilt? Could you carry on in your present day existence and manage to shove the memories as far away as possible or would you eventually crumble under the weight of self-inflicted punishment? What if you had carried on and made a success of yourself in a professional capacity as has Melanie Scott, junior partner in a law firm specialising in mergers, when the past taps you on the shoulder? What if your success upsets someone else to the extent they seek revenge? Would you do all you could to protect your identity and status or would paranoia eat you up?
In this stand-alone psychological thriller expertly written by author Valerie Keogh, this is what Melanie is forced to face. How can she get to the bottom of the menacing email messages, the notes, and why a school friend from way back, at the peak of her career, suddenly gives in to similar threats, whilst still feeling in control? Would you battle on by yourself or would you enlist the help of friends?
In a tense tale where just about everyone seems suspicious, Melanie has to find a way through disturbing developments in her personal life to a place where she can carry on in her job and be able to stay in her flat without fear. The messing with your mind tactics of some unknown person is a waking nightmare, and as a reader I found myself wondering whether Melanie would have the determination and courage to free herself of her past and the guilt that keeps her locked up emotionally.
Will she succeed or will she fail?
I loved the fact that this book was the sort of read you can fly through, immediately connecting with well-written characters and racing alongside them to uncover the truth. I also really enjoyed the subtle element of romance and the idea that we believe what we want to believe based on our own experiences. This makes being duped by less than scrupulous others very easy to achieve and before you know it, your 'ordinary' life is spiralling towards something much darker and more sinister.
Will the words uttered as a child reverberate through the years and destroy Melanie, or will The Whispers Echo finally fade away?
A terrific read and one I will definitely be recommending to others.
What would you do if something that happened decades ago never stopped haunting you because it is a dark, chilling memory of a series of actions that cause you immense guilt? Could you carry on in your present day existence and manage to shove the memories as far away as possible or would you eventually crumble under the weight of self-inflicted punishment? What if you had carried on and made a success of yourself in a professional capacity as has Melanie Scott, junior partner in a law firm specialising in mergers, when the past taps you on the shoulder? What if your success upsets someone else to the extent they seek revenge? Would you do all you could to protect your identity and status or would paranoia eat you up?
In this stand-alone psychological thriller expertly written by author Valerie Keogh, this is what Melanie is forced to face. How can she get to the bottom of the menacing email messages, the notes, and why a school friend from way back, at the peak of her career, suddenly gives in to similar threats, whilst still feeling in control? Would you battle on by yourself or would you enlist the help of friends?
In a tense tale where just about everyone seems suspicious, Melanie has to find a way through disturbing developments in her personal life to a place where she can carry on in her job and be able to stay in her flat without fear. The messing with your mind tactics of some unknown person is a waking nightmare, and as a reader I found myself wondering whether Melanie would have the determination and courage to free herself of her past and the guilt that keeps her locked up emotionally.
Will she succeed or will she fail?
I loved the fact that this book was the sort of read you can fly through, immediately connecting with well-written characters and racing alongside them to uncover the truth. I also really enjoyed the subtle element of romance and the idea that we believe what we want to believe based on our own experiences. This makes being duped by less than scrupulous others very easy to achieve and before you know it, your 'ordinary' life is spiralling towards something much darker and more sinister.
Will the words uttered as a child reverberate through the years and destroy Melanie, or will The Whispers Echo finally fade away?
A terrific read and one I will definitely be recommending to others.
August 22, 2020
A great read I did guess who was doing it but couldn’t work out why they were so I still really enjoyed this book. Should a silly childhood mistake take over your life forever. Melanie Scott did everything she could to move on from her past, but just as things were looking up in her life everything started to go wrong. Will she end up like her friend Cherry?
August 17, 2020
A great book about a girl who has worries about being blackmailed but she has a friend who helps her to find the blackmailer but things get scary for Melanie but detective elliot gets on the case with Liam.
August 25, 2020
Another excellent book by Valerie Keogh
December 19, 2025
The Deadly Truth by Valerie Keogh is a psychological thriller about ambition, vulnerability, with the inevitability of the past catching up.
Melanie Scott is promoted to junior partner and is so proud she has secured the future she has worked so hard to obtain. While out celebrating she meets Hugo Field, a good looking man with a copious amount of charm. Despite her insecurity following her mothers constant criticism she allows herself to believe she deserves happiness.
Any confidence she had is quickly shattered when she receives an anonymous email containing just two words: Anne Edwards. The name was buried deep in Melanie’s past and one she never wanted to hear again. Tensions build and Melanie’s confidence is further reduced as her new life begins to show deep cracks. To find the answers she must take risks which may result in her losing everything, her career, her relationships, and even her life.
I enjoyed this quick gripping read, although I guessed the twist. Good characters and well written.
A solid read where the past refuses to be ignored.
Melanie Scott is promoted to junior partner and is so proud she has secured the future she has worked so hard to obtain. While out celebrating she meets Hugo Field, a good looking man with a copious amount of charm. Despite her insecurity following her mothers constant criticism she allows herself to believe she deserves happiness.
Any confidence she had is quickly shattered when she receives an anonymous email containing just two words: Anne Edwards. The name was buried deep in Melanie’s past and one she never wanted to hear again. Tensions build and Melanie’s confidence is further reduced as her new life begins to show deep cracks. To find the answers she must take risks which may result in her losing everything, her career, her relationships, and even her life.
I enjoyed this quick gripping read, although I guessed the twist. Good characters and well written.
A solid read where the past refuses to be ignored.
September 30, 2020
V. Keough hits another one out of the park!
Fast paced, intelligently written with as many twist and turns as in a great funhouse maze.
Melanie has paid her dues, long hours and no social life but she’s made junior partner at the law firm —and now she’ll start building a social life again. If asked, I’m sure Melanie would say the road to junior partner kept her chained to her desk instead of work kept her focused away from the fears she’s had since childhood.
It seems almost as soon as she named partner, her world starts to fall down around her. She’s dumped, threatened and her home is broken into.
When this first started all she wanted was her job, now she knows she fighting for her life.
Fast paced, intelligently written with as many twist and turns as in a great funhouse maze.
Melanie has paid her dues, long hours and no social life but she’s made junior partner at the law firm —and now she’ll start building a social life again. If asked, I’m sure Melanie would say the road to junior partner kept her chained to her desk instead of work kept her focused away from the fears she’s had since childhood.
It seems almost as soon as she named partner, her world starts to fall down around her. She’s dumped, threatened and her home is broken into.
When this first started all she wanted was her job, now she knows she fighting for her life.
February 6, 2021
Like a well-orchestrated violin recital, this story plays the reader like a fiddle. It has a a bang-on story line; a particularly intriguing play between occasional annoyance, 'relatablity', and empathy for the main character, like a friend you may know; all nicely developed characters, settings and scenes; a pace that makes one have to read it in a few sittings; subtle clues and bigger surprises; great resolution; and whatever all those things are that authors do to make a a really good read! And, I can't say enough for publishers that promote excellent proofreading. As an entirely captive audience, this makes all the difference between a delightful flight and a jarring ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2021
She just keeps getting better!
I read this in 1 night & I have to admit I got a little jumpy reading it in the early hours but that's what Valerie does best!
I did guess who it was but then something happened that threw me off the scent, then when I reached the chapter that revealed everything I gave myself a pat on the back but let's just say reading from the beginning I don't think anyone say it coming, not even poor Melanie!
Onto the next book, I hope its as good as her others I've read.
I read this in 1 night & I have to admit I got a little jumpy reading it in the early hours but that's what Valerie does best!
I did guess who it was but then something happened that threw me off the scent, then when I reached the chapter that revealed everything I gave myself a pat on the back but let's just say reading from the beginning I don't think anyone say it coming, not even poor Melanie!
Onto the next book, I hope its as good as her others I've read.
March 2, 2022
An OK read to kill a couple of hours, but nothing new or interesting. Some minor spoilers probably to follow, but I'm sure it's nothing you wouldn't glean yourself early on. A young woman suddenly starts getting creepy emails about a dark secret that no one else should know, and things go from there. The usual stalker theme with all the typical clichés - taunting messages, friends dying, and a few obvious suspects you dismiss immediately because you know the author's going to try some twist ending where the stalker ends up being one of the friends of the main character.
July 2, 2021
My second read from this author and again an easy and enjoyable read. Lots of twists although I did suspect the main twist quite early on. The main character is this book is really likeable which makes you sympathise with her even more, actions she took as a child are still coming back to haunt her. If your looking for a lazy read either on holiday or to wile away an afternoon or two this is definitely worth considering.
April 21, 2024
I have read this book in April 2024, but under its newly published title of The Lawyer which was published in September 2023.
So to this my review for this book, please look it up under the newly published book called The Lawyer or for ease, you can click on the link below:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So to this my review for this book, please look it up under the newly published book called The Lawyer or for ease, you can click on the link below:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 15, 2020
A bit predictable
I did enjoy this book but I found it all a little predictable. I pretty much guessed whodunnit very early on. The writing and characters were still good enough to continue and I would read more from this author.
I did enjoy this book but I found it all a little predictable. I pretty much guessed whodunnit very early on. The writing and characters were still good enough to continue and I would read more from this author.
July 26, 2021
I identified antagonist early enough to grow impatient with main character's gullibility. The reveal was anticlimactic
More problematic was the narrator.
She spoke
like this
but
in a
breath-
less
voice.
So perhaps
I should
chi-ill
and chalk it up
to her having
a respiratory
problem.
More problematic was the narrator.
She spoke
like this
but
in a
breath-
less
voice.
So perhaps
I should
chi-ill
and chalk it up
to her having
a respiratory
problem.
August 1, 2023
I have loved all of Valerie Keogh books to date and this was no exception; my only reason for 4 stars was that all the twists and turns are near the end and there are a lot. I would HAVE like a few dropped in now and then to really keep me inspired.
October 2, 2020
So so..
Not as good as previous books. I didn't like Melanie at all and the story just felt like I'd heard it before. Knew how it would end, was just too obvious.
Not as good as previous books. I didn't like Melanie at all and the story just felt like I'd heard it before. Knew how it would end, was just too obvious.
October 5, 2020
Twister!
Great twist!! Brilliantly wrote and the storyline was really good can't wait to read my next Valerie Keogh novel amazing!
Great twist!! Brilliantly wrote and the storyline was really good can't wait to read my next Valerie Keogh novel amazing!
January 10, 2021
Disappointingly predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2021
Loved it!
Total suspense, interesting story, interesting characters, and perfect ending. Though I will admit, I knew who the villian was going to be very early on.
Total suspense, interesting story, interesting characters, and perfect ending. Though I will admit, I knew who the villian was going to be very early on.
February 24, 2021
Fast read.Good to the last page.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews