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Whisper
Stop him.
After her friend Samantha is murdered, seventeen-year-old Olivia is the only one who still hears her voice.
Years ago, Jacob closed his eyes. In a park. Playing hide-and-seek. His little brother is still missing. And Jacob’s mom is the FBI agent who couldn’t find him.
Now Jacob has dreams he can’t explain. And draws faces of those about to die.
In a town terrorized by a serial killer, Jacob meets Olivia. Sparks ignite. Their flame burns bright.
Until the voice in Olivia’s head echoes the warning in Jacob’s dream…
You’re next.
After her friend Samantha is murdered, seventeen-year-old Olivia is the only one who still hears her voice.
Years ago, Jacob closed his eyes. In a park. Playing hide-and-seek. His little brother is still missing. And Jacob’s mom is the FBI agent who couldn’t find him.
Now Jacob has dreams he can’t explain. And draws faces of those about to die.
In a town terrorized by a serial killer, Jacob meets Olivia. Sparks ignite. Their flame burns bright.
Until the voice in Olivia’s head echoes the warning in Jacob’s dream…
You’re next.
- GenresYoung Adult
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2021
2 people are currently reading
983 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Bilen
3 books171 followersTracy Bilen writes romantic thrillers for young adults. She is the author of
What She Left Behind
(Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster) which VOYA called “truly a remarkable story of resilience.” Her second novel,
Whisper
(Mirette), was named a Notable 100 Book in the 2021 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition. Tracy’s October 2024 release,
Thirty Seconds at a Time
(BHC Press), "begins and ends with a bang." (Kirkus Reviews).
Tracy is a high school French teacher in Michigan where she lives with her husband, children, and mini Bernedoodle. She studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and loves biking, traveling, and red velvet cake. Tracy enjoys talking about the writer’s journey with teens and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Greater Detroit Romance Writers (GDRW).
Tracy is a high school French teacher in Michigan where she lives with her husband, children, and mini Bernedoodle. She studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and loves biking, traveling, and red velvet cake. Tracy enjoys talking about the writer’s journey with teens and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Greater Detroit Romance Writers (GDRW).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 3, 2024
Awesome thriller!
Whisper, byTracy Bilen, starts out just like the title implies, slowly, quietly, like the whisper a breeze on a hot summer day. Told in 2-person POV, we see both sides of a coin that hasn't been blended together permanently, properly. I loved the two main characters who each keep secret the clues they are sensing. The clues don't make sense to them yet and might be the precursor to a serious mental illness. Readers don't really find out which is which until the very end. A clean thriller that contains clues to help the readers' lives as well as the MCs. I would definitely read more works by the same author.
Whisper, byTracy Bilen, starts out just like the title implies, slowly, quietly, like the whisper a breeze on a hot summer day. Told in 2-person POV, we see both sides of a coin that hasn't been blended together permanently, properly. I loved the two main characters who each keep secret the clues they are sensing. The clues don't make sense to them yet and might be the precursor to a serious mental illness. Readers don't really find out which is which until the very end. A clean thriller that contains clues to help the readers' lives as well as the MCs. I would definitely read more works by the same author.
February 19, 2021
I was fortunate to read an early draft of this page-turning thriller. Tracy Bilen knows how to write a compelling plot with multi-dimensional characters you care about (and worry about, and want to keep safe!). I loved the alternating voices, the mystery and suspense, the romance, and the hint of the paranormal/supernatural. I can't wait to read the edited, published version!
March 15, 2021
The character of Olivia starts us out in this alternating POV novel, and she drew me in deep by the end of Chapter One. Her voice, and the other main character’s voice for that matter, were both authentically teen. That perfect YA tone and romance gave the novel a real-life authenticity that created a perfect backdrop (and contrast) to the supernatural aspects of all that’s happening on the alternate dream plane.
The plot builds nicely, giving the reader just enough to stay intrigued without giving away too much too soon, so the climax is as satisfying as it is chilling.
I read an ARC in exchange for an honest review, but I have also purchased a copy for my collection. Bilen is an excellent writer. I strongly recommend!
The plot builds nicely, giving the reader just enough to stay intrigued without giving away too much too soon, so the climax is as satisfying as it is chilling.
I read an ARC in exchange for an honest review, but I have also purchased a copy for my collection. Bilen is an excellent writer. I strongly recommend!
June 2, 2021
4.5 stars! I really really enjoyed the plot of this story! It was incredibly addicting to just keep reading. The characters were engaging, the plot was twisty and unpredictable! I’ve never read this author before but I want more!
May 10, 2021
I won this book in a giveaway. I'm generally not a fan of alternating-perspective, first-person stories like this, nor of stories written in the present tense, but despite those strikes I found this to be a pretty good book. It may not have been as good a fit for me as I thought when I entered the giveaway, but I'm still glad I got to read it.
From my perspective there are two main elements that make this is a good story. First, the character depth makes the characters relatable and the story engaging, and second, the suspense is sufficient to keep the pages turning. Some PG-13 romance thrown in mixes things up a bit as well and makes categorizing this book into a single genre a little bit difficult.
I would have preferred a little bit different writing style personally, but this is a solid story with good characters. I would definitely read another book from this author.
From my perspective there are two main elements that make this is a good story. First, the character depth makes the characters relatable and the story engaging, and second, the suspense is sufficient to keep the pages turning. Some PG-13 romance thrown in mixes things up a bit as well and makes categorizing this book into a single genre a little bit difficult.
I would have preferred a little bit different writing style personally, but this is a solid story with good characters. I would definitely read another book from this author.
May 25, 2021
Whisper
What an awesome story. I couldn't stop reading it. I loved all the characters and the story line. This story certainly through some curve balls and I had to stop reading just to absurdly what I just read. I am hoping there is a second story for this one.
What an awesome story. I couldn't stop reading it. I loved all the characters and the story line. This story certainly through some curve balls and I had to stop reading just to absurdly what I just read. I am hoping there is a second story for this one.
May 20, 2021
A great read, would definitely recommend.
April 26, 2021
In the past I have found most POV stories not of my liking as it was difficult to track the speaker which led to confusion. In Whisper the Author has done well and I found this story well written and I was invested in reading til the end. Recommended 4 star read.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
May 24, 2021
I love the short chapters and the dialog of the characters. The build up of story was nice and made the ending satisfying. Great book and a great writer.
May 23, 2023
I was lucky to meet Tracy Bilen at a local book fair where I purchased this book, and only wish that I could see her again to share my thoughts on it! Jacob and Olivia’s voices are quickly fleshed out, making for authentic first-person POVs that aren’t painful to read like they are in other novels. The developing romance between Olivia and Jacob distracts you from the unease of the novel, much like how the two try to distract themselves with various activities, only for the distraction to lead you right into more drama.
My one gripe is with the killer’s identity- While I did like the twist that Samantha wasn’t murdered by the Sweet Dreams Strangler, Kevin being the true killer wasn’t really alluded to. I wish more time had been spent describing the discrepancies of Samantha’s death, other than the killer seemingly backtracking to Essex, so that it was more apparent the killer was someone from the community and not a vagabond like the SDS, and would’ve made for a reveal that was jarring not because it was unpredictable, but unexpected.
All in all, I would give the book 4.5 stars. I hope to read more from Bilen, and after the cliffhanger last sentence of Whisper, I’m hoping for a sequel!
My one gripe is with the killer’s identity- While I did like the twist that Samantha wasn’t murdered by the Sweet Dreams Strangler, Kevin being the true killer wasn’t really alluded to. I wish more time had been spent describing the discrepancies of Samantha’s death, other than the killer seemingly backtracking to Essex, so that it was more apparent the killer was someone from the community and not a vagabond like the SDS, and would’ve made for a reveal that was jarring not because it was unpredictable, but unexpected.
All in all, I would give the book 4.5 stars. I hope to read more from Bilen, and after the cliffhanger last sentence of Whisper, I’m hoping for a sequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
I liked it and I almost gave it 5 stars, but the killer reveal made it lose 1 star. It was abrupt and there was no hinting at all. Like this character was mentioned once in passing, never talked about again, and then Jacob figures it out with like 1.5 clues. Otherwise really good, but I just felt like this would be a really easy fix for the future.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews