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Whisper Cottage
How well do you know the woman next door?
When Stina and Jack move to an old rural cottage, they’re hoping for a fresh start. Their new home is run-down compared to their neighbour’s, but generous Mrs Barley quickly becomes a friend.
Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow’s garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel. And when she hears strange noises in the night, she is forced to question if Mrs Barley is what she seems.
Why do the other villagers whisper about her? Why is she so eager to help the couple? And what is she hiding in her picture-perfect home?
A haunting, twisty story about the power of secrets and rumours, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware’s The Turn of the Key and Lucy Atkins’s Magpie Lane.
When Stina and Jack move to an old rural cottage, they’re hoping for a fresh start. Their new home is run-down compared to their neighbour’s, but generous Mrs Barley quickly becomes a friend.
Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow’s garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel. And when she hears strange noises in the night, she is forced to question if Mrs Barley is what she seems.
Why do the other villagers whisper about her? Why is she so eager to help the couple? And what is she hiding in her picture-perfect home?
A haunting, twisty story about the power of secrets and rumours, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware’s The Turn of the Key and Lucy Atkins’s Magpie Lane.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2021
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September 6, 2021
EXCERPT: There were several villages within spitting distance of the practice, which was just outside Stratford-Upon-Avon. Jack was enthusiastic about living close to the surgery, declaring that he could even cycle to work in the warmer weather. Eventually we had plumped for picturesque Avoncote, largely because of the house we had discovered there. We fell in love with Whisper Cottage at first sight. It was one of two semi-detached houses, set apart on a short stretch of road towards the centre of the hamlet. Uneven cobbles winding to a frontage festooned with lilac blooms beneath a thatched roof; endearingly small and perfect newlyweds expecting their first child. Yes, there was a good deal of work to be done, and we were going to have to throw some serious money at the place - something we could ill afford, the mortgage stretching us to the limit - but the location was ideal, and the house had such potential. We moved in at the end of April, the whole summer stretching out before us, leaving several months to prepare for our upcoming arrival.
The chocolate-box village itself, quintessentially English and slightly twee, with its small, close-knit community, seemed like the answer to our prayers. It was like something out of a Miss Marple novel. There was a village green, complete with stocks - thankfully no longer in use. It even boasted a maypole. Next to the green, a large circular duck pond was enclosed by a low wooden barrier. The spire of a beautiful old church pierced the skyline, its immaculately maintained graveyard filled with generations of village's former occupants. Beyond the church, a canal passed through the village, the towpath providing a scenic walk towards the centre of Stratford.
ABOUT 'WHISPER COTTAGE': When Stina and Jack move to an old rural cottage, they’re hoping for a fresh start. Their new home is run-down compared to their neighbour’s, but generous Mrs Barley quickly becomes a friend.
Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow’s garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel. And when she hears strange noises in the night, she is forced to question if Mrs Barley is what she seems.
Why do the other villagers whisper about her? Why is she so eager to help the couple? And what is she hiding in her picture-perfect home?
MY THOUGHTS: First off, I am going to state that I don't consider Whisper Cottage to be a psychological thriller. In my eyes, it is more of a mystery, and a very good one, a very enjoyable one.
Whisper Cottage is a slow burner. Clark takes her time in setting the scene, but I liked the way she did this, sewing little and seemingly inconsequential seeds of doubt that niggle like a burr caught in your clothing that you just can't find to remove.
The opening chapter is set in 1964, and gives no clue as to who is involved. This doesn't become apparent until later in the book.
In real time, we learn about Stina's background, her mother's mental instability, and her own fears that she may follow in her mother's footsteps. Husband Jack is the sensible one, soothing Stina and quietening her fears.
Mrs Barley, their elderly next door neighbour, is lovely and kind to Stina and Jack, making them welcome and plying them with her home cooking. But why do the rest of the villagers have nothing to do with the old lady? What is behind their warnings to Stina to keep her at a distance? And why do bad things happen to those who cross her?
Who is the mystery man? The one that sneaks in and out of Mrs Barley's summerhouse, the one that no one but Stina has seen, the man Mrs Barley claims she has no knowledge of.
And there's also the unexplained noises from the attic in the middle of the night. Yes, there are things that go 'bump' in the night . . .
I loved the gradual ramping up of tension, the way the author left me hanging as normal life resumed, the oddities seemingly swept under the carpet by Jack's logic, but lingering like ghostly presences.
If you like a slightly creepy mystery, with a few clever twists, then I am recommending Whisper Cottage. I loved it, and will be looking for more to read from this author. NOTE: At the time of writing this review I was unaware that this is Anne Wyn Clark's debut novel. An excellent debut, and an author worth watching.
Lauren Moakes was the narrator, and her smooth, honeyed speech was well suited to this story and added to my enjoyment.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#WhisperCottage #NetGalley
I: #annewynclark #harpercollinsukaudio @avonbooksuk
T: @EAClarkAuthor @HarperCollinsUK @AvonBooksUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #mystery #suspense
THE AUTHOR: Anne Wyn Clark lives in the Midlands with her husband and son, plus a rather temperamental cat, a rabbit and a chinchilla. She has three (now grown-up) children and five grandchildren. She is particularly partial to Italian food, decent red wine (or any coloured wine come to that…) and cake – and has been known to over-indulge in each on occasions. She has a penchant for visiting old graveyards and speculating on the demise of those entombed beneath. (Amazon)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK audio, Avon via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of Whisper Cottage written by Anne Wyn Clark and narrated by Lauren Moakes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The chocolate-box village itself, quintessentially English and slightly twee, with its small, close-knit community, seemed like the answer to our prayers. It was like something out of a Miss Marple novel. There was a village green, complete with stocks - thankfully no longer in use. It even boasted a maypole. Next to the green, a large circular duck pond was enclosed by a low wooden barrier. The spire of a beautiful old church pierced the skyline, its immaculately maintained graveyard filled with generations of village's former occupants. Beyond the church, a canal passed through the village, the towpath providing a scenic walk towards the centre of Stratford.
ABOUT 'WHISPER COTTAGE': When Stina and Jack move to an old rural cottage, they’re hoping for a fresh start. Their new home is run-down compared to their neighbour’s, but generous Mrs Barley quickly becomes a friend.
Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow’s garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel. And when she hears strange noises in the night, she is forced to question if Mrs Barley is what she seems.
Why do the other villagers whisper about her? Why is she so eager to help the couple? And what is she hiding in her picture-perfect home?
MY THOUGHTS: First off, I am going to state that I don't consider Whisper Cottage to be a psychological thriller. In my eyes, it is more of a mystery, and a very good one, a very enjoyable one.
Whisper Cottage is a slow burner. Clark takes her time in setting the scene, but I liked the way she did this, sewing little and seemingly inconsequential seeds of doubt that niggle like a burr caught in your clothing that you just can't find to remove.
The opening chapter is set in 1964, and gives no clue as to who is involved. This doesn't become apparent until later in the book.
In real time, we learn about Stina's background, her mother's mental instability, and her own fears that she may follow in her mother's footsteps. Husband Jack is the sensible one, soothing Stina and quietening her fears.
Mrs Barley, their elderly next door neighbour, is lovely and kind to Stina and Jack, making them welcome and plying them with her home cooking. But why do the rest of the villagers have nothing to do with the old lady? What is behind their warnings to Stina to keep her at a distance? And why do bad things happen to those who cross her?
Who is the mystery man? The one that sneaks in and out of Mrs Barley's summerhouse, the one that no one but Stina has seen, the man Mrs Barley claims she has no knowledge of.
And there's also the unexplained noises from the attic in the middle of the night. Yes, there are things that go 'bump' in the night . . .
I loved the gradual ramping up of tension, the way the author left me hanging as normal life resumed, the oddities seemingly swept under the carpet by Jack's logic, but lingering like ghostly presences.
If you like a slightly creepy mystery, with a few clever twists, then I am recommending Whisper Cottage. I loved it, and will be looking for more to read from this author. NOTE: At the time of writing this review I was unaware that this is Anne Wyn Clark's debut novel. An excellent debut, and an author worth watching.
Lauren Moakes was the narrator, and her smooth, honeyed speech was well suited to this story and added to my enjoyment.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#WhisperCottage #NetGalley
I: #annewynclark #harpercollinsukaudio @avonbooksuk
T: @EAClarkAuthor @HarperCollinsUK @AvonBooksUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #mystery #suspense
THE AUTHOR: Anne Wyn Clark lives in the Midlands with her husband and son, plus a rather temperamental cat, a rabbit and a chinchilla. She has three (now grown-up) children and five grandchildren. She is particularly partial to Italian food, decent red wine (or any coloured wine come to that…) and cake – and has been known to over-indulge in each on occasions. She has a penchant for visiting old graveyards and speculating on the demise of those entombed beneath. (Amazon)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK audio, Avon via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of Whisper Cottage written by Anne Wyn Clark and narrated by Lauren Moakes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 1, 2021
How well do you know the woman next door?
Looking for a fresh new start, Stina and Jack move into a rural cottage. It looks like the perfect spot to raise a family. They even have a friendly new neighbor, Mrs. Barley. They live in a quaint English village and hope to become welcomed members of the community. They become quick friends with their odd yet friendly neighbor and are shocked to learn that the town does not hold Mrs. Barley in the same esteem. Soon Stina learns that members of the community believe Mrs. Barley is a witch who has hexed several of them. If one of them falls ill - blame falls on Mrs. Barley. But is she a witch or just a lonely old woman who has fallen victim to gossip and group fear?
Stina and Jack are warned to stay away from Mrs. Barley. Told to not get on her bad side or something terrible would befall them. Both wonder what is the meaning of this "witch hunt"? How could a helpful, gardening, friendly neighbor be capable of the deeds she is accused of?
Jack, a veterinarian, works long hours and doesn't get to know Mrs. Barley as well as Stina does. He doesn't see or hear the things that Stina does. He doubts his wife and chalks up what she sees and hears to hormones from her pregnancy and later lack of sleep after giving birth to their daughter. Stina is torn, her neighbor is nice, helpful, and kind, yet things are strange, and she begins to have doubts....
The prologue to this book sucked me in right away. It's ominous and riveting. I rubbed my hands together and chuckled with glee knowing this was going to be gripping book. Then the book slows down as Jack and Stina move into the cottage in Avoncote near Stratford on Avon. For most of the book, things occur at a leisurely pace. as we get to know Mrs. Barley, Jack and Stina. We also get to know some of the people in their lives as well. As the story mounts, there is a sense of unease as Stina is seeing a mysterious man that neither her husband nor neighbor have seen.
The whispers in this book everywhere. There are whispers of the past, whispers of the villagers, and whispers in her marriage. Toward the end, things really pick up as Stina begins to question not only her sanity but the motivations of her neighbor. Along the way she also learns something disturbing that affects her personally.
I was a little all over the place with the rating of this book. I loved the prologue and enjoyed the ending of the book. The beginning and middle were slow but enjoyable. The entire time I knew that the author was building the story, to be patient and wait. There is a very nice payoff at the end.
Anne Wyn Clark's writing really shined with the unease and sense of doubt she created throughout the book. I wondered as well, was Mrs. Barley a lonely outcast who lived on the fringes of society for too long? Was she misunderstood and eccentric? Or was there something more sinister going on. I loved the dubious assumptions made in this book.
Overall, an enjoyable book that I wished had more oomph in the middle. But it did entertain and had me guessing. I love trying to figure a book out and had a few guesses about how things would turn out. I was wrong and was pleasantly surprised at how tings unfolded at the end.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Looking for a fresh new start, Stina and Jack move into a rural cottage. It looks like the perfect spot to raise a family. They even have a friendly new neighbor, Mrs. Barley. They live in a quaint English village and hope to become welcomed members of the community. They become quick friends with their odd yet friendly neighbor and are shocked to learn that the town does not hold Mrs. Barley in the same esteem. Soon Stina learns that members of the community believe Mrs. Barley is a witch who has hexed several of them. If one of them falls ill - blame falls on Mrs. Barley. But is she a witch or just a lonely old woman who has fallen victim to gossip and group fear?
Stina and Jack are warned to stay away from Mrs. Barley. Told to not get on her bad side or something terrible would befall them. Both wonder what is the meaning of this "witch hunt"? How could a helpful, gardening, friendly neighbor be capable of the deeds she is accused of?
Jack, a veterinarian, works long hours and doesn't get to know Mrs. Barley as well as Stina does. He doesn't see or hear the things that Stina does. He doubts his wife and chalks up what she sees and hears to hormones from her pregnancy and later lack of sleep after giving birth to their daughter. Stina is torn, her neighbor is nice, helpful, and kind, yet things are strange, and she begins to have doubts....
The prologue to this book sucked me in right away. It's ominous and riveting. I rubbed my hands together and chuckled with glee knowing this was going to be gripping book. Then the book slows down as Jack and Stina move into the cottage in Avoncote near Stratford on Avon. For most of the book, things occur at a leisurely pace. as we get to know Mrs. Barley, Jack and Stina. We also get to know some of the people in their lives as well. As the story mounts, there is a sense of unease as Stina is seeing a mysterious man that neither her husband nor neighbor have seen.
The whispers in this book everywhere. There are whispers of the past, whispers of the villagers, and whispers in her marriage. Toward the end, things really pick up as Stina begins to question not only her sanity but the motivations of her neighbor. Along the way she also learns something disturbing that affects her personally.
I was a little all over the place with the rating of this book. I loved the prologue and enjoyed the ending of the book. The beginning and middle were slow but enjoyable. The entire time I knew that the author was building the story, to be patient and wait. There is a very nice payoff at the end.
Anne Wyn Clark's writing really shined with the unease and sense of doubt she created throughout the book. I wondered as well, was Mrs. Barley a lonely outcast who lived on the fringes of society for too long? Was she misunderstood and eccentric? Or was there something more sinister going on. I loved the dubious assumptions made in this book.
Overall, an enjoyable book that I wished had more oomph in the middle. But it did entertain and had me guessing. I love trying to figure a book out and had a few guesses about how things would turn out. I was wrong and was pleasantly surprised at how tings unfolded at the end.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 24, 2021
In 2012 Jack and a pregnant Stina relocate to Wisteria Cottage in the village of Avoncote near Stratford on Avon. It’s a quintessential English village, full of timeless charm but is the next door neighbour Mrs Barley of similar charm? Some villagers are reticent about her and others are downright averse alleging she’s a witch. Is she good, bad or misjudged? Only time will tell. When strange events occur including the sighting of a man no one else but Stina sees, it starts a chain of events she couldn’t have foreseen.
The start of the book takes place in 1964 and is excellent and you’re on the edge of your seat desperate to see what happens next. The premise is good but I’m sorry to say the initial promise is very slow to deliver. It’s overly long, there are sections where it’s almost a blow by blow account with extraneous detail that only serves to detract from the good bits. Some of the dialogue is weak too. The only character that has substance and clarity is Mrs Barley, you can see her clearly in your minds eye as she blows hot and cold with Stina and Jack. She does change and as time goes on you can see there’s a kind person underneath.
Although it’s quite a way into the book, once it gets going it becomes more engaging. There are moments of creepiness and menace, some scenes when there is tension although some of these do fizzle out and more could be made of them. I love the folklore element, these are some of the best sections with good hints of ghostliness. There are some grisly discoveries made and a shocking story emerges but I’d have liked more made of this as it’s the heart of the story and so could have been developed further. There are some good plot twists that appear towards the end but then it feels as if we rush to the finale which is a bit too neat and tidy.
Overall, I thought this might have been a bit more of a gothic ghost story but it’s probably more a psychological thriller. If the length is reduced and unnecessary clutter removed then there’s a really decent story here.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon UK
The start of the book takes place in 1964 and is excellent and you’re on the edge of your seat desperate to see what happens next. The premise is good but I’m sorry to say the initial promise is very slow to deliver. It’s overly long, there are sections where it’s almost a blow by blow account with extraneous detail that only serves to detract from the good bits. Some of the dialogue is weak too. The only character that has substance and clarity is Mrs Barley, you can see her clearly in your minds eye as she blows hot and cold with Stina and Jack. She does change and as time goes on you can see there’s a kind person underneath.
Although it’s quite a way into the book, once it gets going it becomes more engaging. There are moments of creepiness and menace, some scenes when there is tension although some of these do fizzle out and more could be made of them. I love the folklore element, these are some of the best sections with good hints of ghostliness. There are some grisly discoveries made and a shocking story emerges but I’d have liked more made of this as it’s the heart of the story and so could have been developed further. There are some good plot twists that appear towards the end but then it feels as if we rush to the finale which is a bit too neat and tidy.
Overall, I thought this might have been a bit more of a gothic ghost story but it’s probably more a psychological thriller. If the length is reduced and unnecessary clutter removed then there’s a really decent story here.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon UK
August 19, 2021
Stina and Jack Mason decide on a complete change of lifestyle when Stina announces she is pregnant. They get married, buy a country cottage at Avoncote and Jack, who is a vet, finds a better paying job although the hours are a bit longer. Their home, Wisteria Cottage, needs a bit of work but the young couple is prepared for that. Their neighbour, the elderly Mrs Barley, is very friendly and helpful towards them and Stina can’t understand the antipathy the other villagers have towards her.
Stina notices a strange man in next door’s garden on a couple of occasions but Mrs Barley disavows any knowledge of this stranger and Jack is yet to see him. Stina also hears some strange noises overhead during the night, as if things are being dragged around in the combined attic space of the two houses. But again, there is no evidence of any strange goings on. Soon enough baby Elodie is born and Mrs Barley is an invaluable help to Stina although she does have some strange, almost pagan, beliefs. There is a shrine to her beloved dead husband, Frank, in her home. She believes in the power of crystals and is friends with a crow she calls Corvus! As Mrs Barley and Stina are looking at some photos from Mrs Barley’s past she realises that the mysterious visitor is the spitting image of Frank. Is Stina seeing a ghost? Or is the answer far more prosaic?
Well this started a bit on the slow side but ended with a bang! Yet even at the start I was fully engaged with this book. There was a creepy, unsettling vibe throughout the whole book. It wasn’t scary at all but it did feel a bit menacing and I was worried for the whole Mason family. As is customary in psychological thrillers the major characters all had secrets to protect, some more than others. As it turns out Mrs Barley was a very dark horse indeed. I really liked her character. That’s not to say she was entirely likeable but she was enigmatic and very interesting. It was quite clear she was hiding something dark! I was almost desperate to find out what was going with Mrs Barley. The rest of the villagers had a very poor opinion of her and some even considered her a witch although she was nothing but supportive of Stina and Jack.
For a change, the husband (Jack in this case) was not a lowlife but a loving and supportive partner to Stina - even if he had a teeny little secret of his own. Stina herself had a troubled childhood and lacked some confidence but she was not the usual whiny, hysterical female so I warmed to her immediately. Towards the end of the story the twists came thick and fast but there was nothing over the top and they all made sense. The book was well written and quite plausible and I actually really enjoyed it. Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the complimentary ARC which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Stina notices a strange man in next door’s garden on a couple of occasions but Mrs Barley disavows any knowledge of this stranger and Jack is yet to see him. Stina also hears some strange noises overhead during the night, as if things are being dragged around in the combined attic space of the two houses. But again, there is no evidence of any strange goings on. Soon enough baby Elodie is born and Mrs Barley is an invaluable help to Stina although she does have some strange, almost pagan, beliefs. There is a shrine to her beloved dead husband, Frank, in her home. She believes in the power of crystals and is friends with a crow she calls Corvus! As Mrs Barley and Stina are looking at some photos from Mrs Barley’s past she realises that the mysterious visitor is the spitting image of Frank. Is Stina seeing a ghost? Or is the answer far more prosaic?
Well this started a bit on the slow side but ended with a bang! Yet even at the start I was fully engaged with this book. There was a creepy, unsettling vibe throughout the whole book. It wasn’t scary at all but it did feel a bit menacing and I was worried for the whole Mason family. As is customary in psychological thrillers the major characters all had secrets to protect, some more than others. As it turns out Mrs Barley was a very dark horse indeed. I really liked her character. That’s not to say she was entirely likeable but she was enigmatic and very interesting. It was quite clear she was hiding something dark! I was almost desperate to find out what was going with Mrs Barley. The rest of the villagers had a very poor opinion of her and some even considered her a witch although she was nothing but supportive of Stina and Jack.
For a change, the husband (Jack in this case) was not a lowlife but a loving and supportive partner to Stina - even if he had a teeny little secret of his own. Stina herself had a troubled childhood and lacked some confidence but she was not the usual whiny, hysterical female so I warmed to her immediately. Towards the end of the story the twists came thick and fast but there was nothing over the top and they all made sense. The book was well written and quite plausible and I actually really enjoyed it. Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the complimentary ARC which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
August 19, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
When Stina and Jack move into a rural cottage, they're hoping for a fresh start. Their new home is run down compared to their neighbours, but generous Mrs Barley quickly becomes a friend. Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow's garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel.
When Stina and Jack move next door to Mrs Barley, it's not long before strange events start happening. The villagers call Mrs Barley a witch. Stina starts seeing a man in Mrs Barley's garden but no one else ever sees him. Jack and Mrs Barley think she's exhausted after having a baby and her mind is playing tricks on her.
I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue surrounding this novel. The prologue is quite disturbing and shocking. The suspense develops slowly. The characters were well developed. A tale full of rumours and secrets which are eventually revealed. The book is descriptively written. The ending was a bit rushed and disappointing.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #AnneWynClark for my ARC of #WhisperCottage in exchange for an honest review.
When Stina and Jack move into a rural cottage, they're hoping for a fresh start. Their new home is run down compared to their neighbours, but generous Mrs Barley quickly becomes a friend. Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow's garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel.
When Stina and Jack move next door to Mrs Barley, it's not long before strange events start happening. The villagers call Mrs Barley a witch. Stina starts seeing a man in Mrs Barley's garden but no one else ever sees him. Jack and Mrs Barley think she's exhausted after having a baby and her mind is playing tricks on her.
I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue surrounding this novel. The prologue is quite disturbing and shocking. The suspense develops slowly. The characters were well developed. A tale full of rumours and secrets which are eventually revealed. The book is descriptively written. The ending was a bit rushed and disappointing.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #AnneWynClark for my ARC of #WhisperCottage in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2021
Seeking a quiet, safe place to live and raise a family, Stina and Jack move out of the crime ridden city into an old, neglected cottage in the small village of Avoncote. Rolling up their sleeves, they begin working to make their new home cozy and charming - like the beautiful semi-attached cottage next door occupied by an eccentric old lady named Mrs. Barley. It soon becomes obvious that the locals avoid that cottage and Mrs. Barley like the plague. Rumors of witchcraft and spells spread wide and far - along with warnings to stay away from her, and yet for the most part, Mrs. Barley is nothing but sweet and kind to Stina and Jack. Working as a vet, Jack spends long hours away from home and thus doesn't hear or see the unsettling happenings when they begin occurring as Stina does. A strange man wandering in Mrs. Barley's courtyard that no one else admits to seeing, strange scraping sounds coming from the shared attic late at night, Mrs. Barley's chanting while sitting in a circle of candles, Mrs. Barley's sudden mood swings and weird little dolls - all lead Stina to begin her own ill-timed investigation . . . and eventually question her own sanity. Is something sinister lurking in the cottage next door . . . or is Stina succumbing to the same mental illness as her mother? Is their new home a safe haven . . . or their worst nightmare?
Whisper Cottage is a tense, gripping read that captures you in the eerie prologue and holds you prisoner until the final shocking revelation - I'm talking edge-of-your-seat suspense. Through brilliant manipulation of prose, Clark sets and maintains a chilling atmosphere of impending doom throughout the story - a dark tone fueled by vicious rumors, life-altering secrets, sinister happenings, hints of mental instability and paranormal vibes. Stina is an unreliable narrator and through flashbacks, readers become aware of her buried secrets including the source of her mental concerns. And while it's obvious Mrs. Barley is hiding something, her role is so well played that some of her scenes made me think of grandmothers baking apple pies while others gave me chill bumps. Who is she? Good? Evil? Is Stina the only one who "sees"? Or has she slipped into insanity? A dangerous vibe permeates the pages as this story unfolds. I turned pages cautiously - almost afraid to see what would happen next. Whisper Cottage is a chilling story that whispers warnings . . . beware your secrets less they bury you alive. Fans of mystery and suspense are going to gobble this one up. The perfect read for a dark, foggy night.
*Thanks to Avon Books for an arc of this book.
**First reviewed in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
***Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews
Whisper Cottage is a tense, gripping read that captures you in the eerie prologue and holds you prisoner until the final shocking revelation - I'm talking edge-of-your-seat suspense. Through brilliant manipulation of prose, Clark sets and maintains a chilling atmosphere of impending doom throughout the story - a dark tone fueled by vicious rumors, life-altering secrets, sinister happenings, hints of mental instability and paranormal vibes. Stina is an unreliable narrator and through flashbacks, readers become aware of her buried secrets including the source of her mental concerns. And while it's obvious Mrs. Barley is hiding something, her role is so well played that some of her scenes made me think of grandmothers baking apple pies while others gave me chill bumps. Who is she? Good? Evil? Is Stina the only one who "sees"? Or has she slipped into insanity? A dangerous vibe permeates the pages as this story unfolds. I turned pages cautiously - almost afraid to see what would happen next. Whisper Cottage is a chilling story that whispers warnings . . . beware your secrets less they bury you alive. Fans of mystery and suspense are going to gobble this one up. The perfect read for a dark, foggy night.
*Thanks to Avon Books for an arc of this book.
**First reviewed in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
***Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews
January 1, 2022
⭐⭐
This one was a slog to get through quite honestly. I am not even sure why I kept pushing through. It was so slow and weighed down with unnecessary details. On top of that, Stina wasn't a very likable or engaging lead character. I don't have much else to say about it. I was promised "A haunting, twisty story" and this book delivered nothing near that. 🤷🏻♀️
**ARC Via NetGalley**
This one was a slog to get through quite honestly. I am not even sure why I kept pushing through. It was so slow and weighed down with unnecessary details. On top of that, Stina wasn't a very likable or engaging lead character. I don't have much else to say about it. I was promised "A haunting, twisty story" and this book delivered nothing near that. 🤷🏻♀️
**ARC Via NetGalley**
July 26, 2021
Stina and Jack give up city life for a cottage in the countryside. But the peace and quiet they were hoping for doesn't last long as mysterious sights and sounds take over.
Promoted as mystery/thriller/womens fiction, this slow paced novel is mostly the latter.
I didn't get on with Stina, the main character. Her insecurity, crying and dependency annoyed me immensely. At least her down to earth husband Jack gets on with life, being hardworking and caring for his family.
I enjoyed the intervals with mrs. Barley, the quirky elderly lady next door. She's an independent and compassionate soul, blessed with curiosity.
The mystery that leads the story drags on and on without excitement. No edge-of-my-seat review here. When the secret is finally revealed near the very end, I honestly lost all interest.
The writing is good, proper dialogue and pretty scenery. The story just needs some spice.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC.
Promoted as mystery/thriller/womens fiction, this slow paced novel is mostly the latter.
I didn't get on with Stina, the main character. Her insecurity, crying and dependency annoyed me immensely. At least her down to earth husband Jack gets on with life, being hardworking and caring for his family.
I enjoyed the intervals with mrs. Barley, the quirky elderly lady next door. She's an independent and compassionate soul, blessed with curiosity.
The mystery that leads the story drags on and on without excitement. No edge-of-my-seat review here. When the secret is finally revealed near the very end, I honestly lost all interest.
The writing is good, proper dialogue and pretty scenery. The story just needs some spice.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC.
July 14, 2021
Newlyweds Stina and Jack who are expecting their first child move from the city to an old cottage in a small village.
Stina makes friends with the old lady who lives next door she is friendly and helpful but other people in the village warn Stina against her neighbour.
When strange things start to happen the couple are left wondering if this was the right move for them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Stina makes friends with the old lady who lives next door she is friendly and helpful but other people in the village warn Stina against her neighbour.
When strange things start to happen the couple are left wondering if this was the right move for them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2021
This was such a creepy book that whilst I was reading it I had shivers going up and down my spine. It was so compelling and very descriptive with very dark overtones. I’m sure this would make a great film. It certainly freaked me out at times and didn’t leave off until the very end. A great read and I wish I could give this more than five stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
August 6, 2021
Newly married, pregnant, and slightly neurotic, Stina moves into a rural cottage with her husband, where they plan to raise their child. In case you are confused that this cottage shares a wall and an attic with their elderly neighbor it's what would be a duplex in America, but a semi detached cottage in England. Stina is home alone most of the time while her husband is working as a veterinarian. She strikes up a friendship with her neighbor Mrs. Barley, an elderly widow who seems to be disliked by most of the other people in town. At first Jack and Stina can't believe anyone could be hateful towards such a sweet old lady, but after hearing some rumors that she might be a witch and seeing how quickly her moods can change Stina starts to wonder if perhaps people have good reason to avoid her. That along with some strange night time noises and a visitor only Stina seems to see, put her on edge and make her question whether this is a safe place to bring up a new baby.
I was expecting a psychological thriller but this reads more like a slow paced mystery. I had a hard time relating to any of the characters. The villagers were quite fond of gossip, and Stina seemed too easily swayed by it. Some people may be shocked at the possibility that a person could be a witch, but in this day and age when religious persecution is supposed to be long past I don't think most people would begrudge someone their beliefs or practices.
Jack and Stina have their own secrets which are very slow to be revealed. The end was surprising but I think this book could have been shortened by about 60 pages. It did mostly hold my interest but I did not need or care for the flashbacks to how Stina met her only friend, or how she fell in love with Jack.
I received an advance copy for review.
I was expecting a psychological thriller but this reads more like a slow paced mystery. I had a hard time relating to any of the characters. The villagers were quite fond of gossip, and Stina seemed too easily swayed by it. Some people may be shocked at the possibility that a person could be a witch, but in this day and age when religious persecution is supposed to be long past I don't think most people would begrudge someone their beliefs or practices.
Jack and Stina have their own secrets which are very slow to be revealed. The end was surprising but I think this book could have been shortened by about 60 pages. It did mostly hold my interest but I did not need or care for the flashbacks to how Stina met her only friend, or how she fell in love with Jack.
I received an advance copy for review.
November 12, 2025
In Whisper Cottage we follow Stina and Jack, a married couple who decide to ditch their big city life and move to the countryside, hoping for a fresh, bucolic start. They’re expecting a kid; the small village of Avoncote is as charming as the cottage they bought, and the widow who lives next door looks so nice – right?
June 2, 2021
This is one of those addictive thrillers that draws you in from the first page! Stina and Jack have just moved into a lovely rural area to get away from the crime-ridden city as Stina is about to give birth to their first child. Their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Barley seems to be a kind woman, always ready with treats and helpful hints, but there is gossip about her that is less than kind. So when Stina sees a man traipsing through her garden, she becomes suspicious and even more so when she begins to hear noises at night. What secrets are being kept and who is to blame for odd happenings? I enjoyed this as it's different than most thrillers and kept me guessing until the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
October 23, 2023
This was a very atmospheric narrative, making it perfect for Halloween but I do think the story was a bit prolonged, especially towards the end.
Moving to their new cottage in the countryside means a fresh start for Stina and Jack. But, it would seem that their neighbour is a little bit odd. The fact that most of the village fear this old lady doesn’t put Stina off her growing friendship with Mrs Barley, but even she cannot deny that there are some strange things taking place next door. With a random visitor (whom only Stina can see), disturbing noises at night and unusual trinkets, a lot of evidence mounts up against Mrs Barley. Stina wants to maintain her friendship with who she considers a sweet little old lady but cannot ignore the growing doubts based on the stories she has heard.
I liked how chilling Clark makes the narrative. There are plenty of clues that would suggest Mrs Barley is a witch and I loved how Stina tries to argue logic, despite the evidence she has seen. Visiting her neighbour, Stina finds trinkets and odd ornaments in Mrs Barley’s living room. Coupled with the fact that people seem to get poorly if Mrs Barley has taken a dislike to them, well, I was expecting there to be a chapter featuring Mrs Barley stirring a cauldron!
Yet, Clark doesn’t fully invest in this narrative which I thought was a real shame. There is so much emphasis on the possibility of the supernatural that I did not want it to be explained by reason and logic. I thought this omission was a bit disappointing because of how many spooky and inexplicable events that occur as a result of interacting with Stina’s neighbour. Indeed, the death of one of the characters in the story felt so connected to Mrs Barley that I wanted my supernatural hunger to be fulfilled… but it never really came.
Although this is full of atmosphere that can get your goosebumps tingling, it cannot be denied that this is quite a slow narrative. It takes a while to get going and I don’t think this was helped by the lengthy chapters detailing how Stina and her husband met, or the background to her friendship with Reggie. In my opinion, I don’t think these added much to the overall narrative and I do feel they could have been condensed.
By the time I reached the last few chapters and some truths were being revealed, I was definitely ready for a conclusion. But Clark keeps her readers waiting and I wanted this story to be wrapped up quicker than what it was. I thought the final explanations were a bit underwhelming and I thought Stina’s confessions to be less shocking and more surprising. They didn’t feel like they fit in with the rest of the narrative and I thought the writer could have capitalised more on this aspect of Stina’s personality.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book and I liked how unpredictable the story was. The isolation that Stina feels, despite living next to a seemingly lovely neighbour, was really effective and helped build the tension. Yet, the slow pace of the story and the lengthy conclusion did lessen the overall impact of this spooky narrative.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Moving to their new cottage in the countryside means a fresh start for Stina and Jack. But, it would seem that their neighbour is a little bit odd. The fact that most of the village fear this old lady doesn’t put Stina off her growing friendship with Mrs Barley, but even she cannot deny that there are some strange things taking place next door. With a random visitor (whom only Stina can see), disturbing noises at night and unusual trinkets, a lot of evidence mounts up against Mrs Barley. Stina wants to maintain her friendship with who she considers a sweet little old lady but cannot ignore the growing doubts based on the stories she has heard.
I liked how chilling Clark makes the narrative. There are plenty of clues that would suggest Mrs Barley is a witch and I loved how Stina tries to argue logic, despite the evidence she has seen. Visiting her neighbour, Stina finds trinkets and odd ornaments in Mrs Barley’s living room. Coupled with the fact that people seem to get poorly if Mrs Barley has taken a dislike to them, well, I was expecting there to be a chapter featuring Mrs Barley stirring a cauldron!
Yet, Clark doesn’t fully invest in this narrative which I thought was a real shame. There is so much emphasis on the possibility of the supernatural that I did not want it to be explained by reason and logic. I thought this omission was a bit disappointing because of how many spooky and inexplicable events that occur as a result of interacting with Stina’s neighbour. Indeed, the death of one of the characters in the story felt so connected to Mrs Barley that I wanted my supernatural hunger to be fulfilled… but it never really came.
Although this is full of atmosphere that can get your goosebumps tingling, it cannot be denied that this is quite a slow narrative. It takes a while to get going and I don’t think this was helped by the lengthy chapters detailing how Stina and her husband met, or the background to her friendship with Reggie. In my opinion, I don’t think these added much to the overall narrative and I do feel they could have been condensed.
By the time I reached the last few chapters and some truths were being revealed, I was definitely ready for a conclusion. But Clark keeps her readers waiting and I wanted this story to be wrapped up quicker than what it was. I thought the final explanations were a bit underwhelming and I thought Stina’s confessions to be less shocking and more surprising. They didn’t feel like they fit in with the rest of the narrative and I thought the writer could have capitalised more on this aspect of Stina’s personality.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book and I liked how unpredictable the story was. The isolation that Stina feels, despite living next to a seemingly lovely neighbour, was really effective and helped build the tension. Yet, the slow pace of the story and the lengthy conclusion did lessen the overall impact of this spooky narrative.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2021
Whisper Cottage is a psychological suspense novel by Anne Wyn Clark.
The narration starts with a chilling prologue which is happening in 1964 in Avoncote. The main story set in 2012 revolves around Stina, and Jack a young couple who move to Avoncote to start afresh when Jack gets a lucrative job offer.
Avoncote, a sleepy village in Warwickshire countryside, seems to be the perfect place for the family to settle down. Wisteria Cottage, their new home is a bit run-down as compared to the Rose Cottage adjoining theirs. Mrs. Bailey, the owner, is an old widow living alone. She is quite infamous in the village, as the residents distrust her and suspect her of indulging in witchcraft, but Stina and Jack don’t let their opinions mar their views about the old lady. However, a couple of stray incidents make Stina wary about her neighbor who is otherwise friendly with them.
I have not read Clark’s stories before, and picked up this book because of the cover and the description. It seemed to be a racy suspenseful read, and it piqued my curiosity. The author has done an amazing job with the setting. The idyllic village of Avoncote, and its residents are brought out well. There are a lot of major and minor characters; a couple of them fairly well developed. Jack, a doctor, is a supportive husband. Stina is an interesting character and has skeletons in her closet, which even her husband isn’t aware of. Mrs. Bailey is the strangest of them all. She has many secrets to hide.
But that’s as far as I liked anything about the book.
Clark builds a suspenseful environment with ease. The presence of strange dolls, hints of paranormal presence, and the suspicious characterization of Mrs. Bailey held me glued, as I wanted to know where it was all leading. However, the resolution regarding the mysterious presence was dissatisfactory. For such a great build-up, I was expecting a phenomenal revelation. Unfortunately, it lacked fizz!
Also, many of the untoward incidents which were projected as Mrs. Bailey’s doing resolved without proper reasoning and a decent closure.
Whisper Cottage has a good storyline, but the execution and fruition are terrible.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
BLOG
The narration starts with a chilling prologue which is happening in 1964 in Avoncote. The main story set in 2012 revolves around Stina, and Jack a young couple who move to Avoncote to start afresh when Jack gets a lucrative job offer.
Avoncote, a sleepy village in Warwickshire countryside, seems to be the perfect place for the family to settle down. Wisteria Cottage, their new home is a bit run-down as compared to the Rose Cottage adjoining theirs. Mrs. Bailey, the owner, is an old widow living alone. She is quite infamous in the village, as the residents distrust her and suspect her of indulging in witchcraft, but Stina and Jack don’t let their opinions mar their views about the old lady. However, a couple of stray incidents make Stina wary about her neighbor who is otherwise friendly with them.
I have not read Clark’s stories before, and picked up this book because of the cover and the description. It seemed to be a racy suspenseful read, and it piqued my curiosity. The author has done an amazing job with the setting. The idyllic village of Avoncote, and its residents are brought out well. There are a lot of major and minor characters; a couple of them fairly well developed. Jack, a doctor, is a supportive husband. Stina is an interesting character and has skeletons in her closet, which even her husband isn’t aware of. Mrs. Bailey is the strangest of them all. She has many secrets to hide.
But that’s as far as I liked anything about the book.
Clark builds a suspenseful environment with ease. The presence of strange dolls, hints of paranormal presence, and the suspicious characterization of Mrs. Bailey held me glued, as I wanted to know where it was all leading. However, the resolution regarding the mysterious presence was dissatisfactory. For such a great build-up, I was expecting a phenomenal revelation. Unfortunately, it lacked fizz!
Also, many of the untoward incidents which were projected as Mrs. Bailey’s doing resolved without proper reasoning and a decent closure.
Whisper Cottage has a good storyline, but the execution and fruition are terrible.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
BLOG
September 1, 2021
Narrator 5 stars
The story 2.5 stars
This story is by no means haunting and twisty. To me it read as a family drama. Which was ok, but certainly not going to be memorable.
The story 2.5 stars
This story is by no means haunting and twisty. To me it read as a family drama. Which was ok, but certainly not going to be memorable.
November 11, 2021
3.5
Whisper Cottage is a domestic thriller about Stina and Jack, a young couple who are desperate to leave the rat race that is Birmingham. They are both sick and tired of worrying if they leave their front door unlocked even for ten seconds they are running the risk of aggravated burglary. They find their dream home in the Warwickshire village of Avoncote and they just know they are going to be genuinely happy here. Newlywed and expecting their first baby together and with the addition of the two-year-old border collie, Jobie life couldn’t be better. The only thing that niggles at Stina is the village gossip about their elderly neighbour, Mrs. Barley, and why does she keep chanting at night?
Jack has gained employment as a vet surgeon in the local practice. He’ll need to put long hours in and the mortgage is slightly stretched and the house needs some work on it but they’ll cope. It’s such an idyllic place to bring up a family. Stina is pregnant and working from home as a freelance writer, it doesn’t pay much but it helps keep their heads above water. The happy couple is enjoying getting to know their surroundings and the people of Avoncote but they all seem to want to warn them away from their neighbour, Mrs. Barley. Witchcraft is intoned but they’ve only experienced warmth and friendliness from her. She’s a bit eccentric but what elderly person isn’t?
Soon things become very strange. She hears things go bump in the night, she hears conversations from Mrs. Barley’s home but they know she lives alone. People close to Stina and Jack start having accidents and just who is the dark figure that only Stina can see hanging around next door’s summerhouse? Jack doubts his wife and chalks it up to pregnancy hormones and a bit of insomnia and later after the birth of their child, sleep deprivation. Stina likes their neighbour but she can’t deny that things are odd and there’s all the gossip.
The prologue is what had me tearing through the pages. It was intriguing and very dark. It was daring but the payoff was good. As a mother, it just pulls at those heartstrings. I enjoyed the majority of the book but the first half was more thrilling in the final half. Towards the end of the story I felt like the plot dragged a lot, not much was happening and the final reveal felt a bit rushed. I liked the ending it just felt a bit too sudden. Overall a very enjoyable read.
Whisper Cottage is a domestic thriller about Stina and Jack, a young couple who are desperate to leave the rat race that is Birmingham. They are both sick and tired of worrying if they leave their front door unlocked even for ten seconds they are running the risk of aggravated burglary. They find their dream home in the Warwickshire village of Avoncote and they just know they are going to be genuinely happy here. Newlywed and expecting their first baby together and with the addition of the two-year-old border collie, Jobie life couldn’t be better. The only thing that niggles at Stina is the village gossip about their elderly neighbour, Mrs. Barley, and why does she keep chanting at night?
Jack has gained employment as a vet surgeon in the local practice. He’ll need to put long hours in and the mortgage is slightly stretched and the house needs some work on it but they’ll cope. It’s such an idyllic place to bring up a family. Stina is pregnant and working from home as a freelance writer, it doesn’t pay much but it helps keep their heads above water. The happy couple is enjoying getting to know their surroundings and the people of Avoncote but they all seem to want to warn them away from their neighbour, Mrs. Barley. Witchcraft is intoned but they’ve only experienced warmth and friendliness from her. She’s a bit eccentric but what elderly person isn’t?
Soon things become very strange. She hears things go bump in the night, she hears conversations from Mrs. Barley’s home but they know she lives alone. People close to Stina and Jack start having accidents and just who is the dark figure that only Stina can see hanging around next door’s summerhouse? Jack doubts his wife and chalks it up to pregnancy hormones and a bit of insomnia and later after the birth of their child, sleep deprivation. Stina likes their neighbour but she can’t deny that things are odd and there’s all the gossip.
The prologue is what had me tearing through the pages. It was intriguing and very dark. It was daring but the payoff was good. As a mother, it just pulls at those heartstrings. I enjoyed the majority of the book but the first half was more thrilling in the final half. Towards the end of the story I felt like the plot dragged a lot, not much was happening and the final reveal felt a bit rushed. I liked the ending it just felt a bit too sudden. Overall a very enjoyable read.
June 25, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I seem to be in the minority here, so I'll start out by saying this book might just not have worked for me. However, I had several problems with it.
I loved the premise: a young couple head from the city to the countryside, find an idyllic house, and are ready to start their new lives. Then weird things start happening and the next door neighbor seems, alternatively, super sweet and then super strange. There are hints of both Rosemary's Baby and Wicker Man. But the experience of reading this novel didn't live up to my expectations.
My problems seemed to lie mostly in the execution. The book does a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. We're in the narrator's head most of the time and for long stretches in the beginning, not a lot happens. There are many, many flashbacks that are meant to provide exposition, but at times I got lost in which flashback I was in and forgot what was happening in real-time for the narrator.
Also, pacing and organization didn't click for me. For example, in chapter 8 we get our first physical descriptions of the narrator and her best friend. It feels like that needed to happen in the first chapter or two, not chapter 8.
Finally, the ending didn't work for me. I felt like it was a bit of a let-down after the attempts to create a creepy atmosphere. There were long stretches when I did feel a bit paranoid for the narrator and wondered which of the people around her--if any--were intending her harm. But the end wrapped up too neatly and in a different direction.
I don't like to discourage anyone from giving this a try--and others seem to have really enjoyed this one. But this just wasn't a winner for me.
I seem to be in the minority here, so I'll start out by saying this book might just not have worked for me. However, I had several problems with it.
I loved the premise: a young couple head from the city to the countryside, find an idyllic house, and are ready to start their new lives. Then weird things start happening and the next door neighbor seems, alternatively, super sweet and then super strange. There are hints of both Rosemary's Baby and Wicker Man. But the experience of reading this novel didn't live up to my expectations.
My problems seemed to lie mostly in the execution. The book does a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. We're in the narrator's head most of the time and for long stretches in the beginning, not a lot happens. There are many, many flashbacks that are meant to provide exposition, but at times I got lost in which flashback I was in and forgot what was happening in real-time for the narrator.
Also, pacing and organization didn't click for me. For example, in chapter 8 we get our first physical descriptions of the narrator and her best friend. It feels like that needed to happen in the first chapter or two, not chapter 8.
Finally, the ending didn't work for me. I felt like it was a bit of a let-down after the attempts to create a creepy atmosphere. There were long stretches when I did feel a bit paranoid for the narrator and wondered which of the people around her--if any--were intending her harm. But the end wrapped up too neatly and in a different direction.
I don't like to discourage anyone from giving this a try--and others seem to have really enjoyed this one. But this just wasn't a winner for me.
September 2, 2021
A very atmospheric read with plenty of undertones of the supernatural and past secrets to be discovered and unfold.
I really enjoyed this book, the basis being a new mother with all that entails, hormones, exhaustion, vulnerability and the hope and promise of a new life. Her neighbour is an elderly lady who seems to have a mixed personality, often incredibly helpful and caring but occasionally a darker side which seems to manifest, backed up or caused by the deep,suspicion the rest of the village seem to have of her.
I loved the way the mysteries and characters were built up and all the way through I was as uncertain about what might be going on as the main character was, so I felt I was on the voyage of discovery with her.
I guessed the ending but it did not detract from the story as a whole and I was still left with a sense of mystery and slightly unsettled. A good read, would recommend.
I really enjoyed this book, the basis being a new mother with all that entails, hormones, exhaustion, vulnerability and the hope and promise of a new life. Her neighbour is an elderly lady who seems to have a mixed personality, often incredibly helpful and caring but occasionally a darker side which seems to manifest, backed up or caused by the deep,suspicion the rest of the village seem to have of her.
I loved the way the mysteries and characters were built up and all the way through I was as uncertain about what might be going on as the main character was, so I felt I was on the voyage of discovery with her.
I guessed the ending but it did not detract from the story as a whole and I was still left with a sense of mystery and slightly unsettled. A good read, would recommend.
September 6, 2021
OK, I'll be honest. What initially drew me to this book was the character's name - Stina. It is a shortened version of my name that was given to me by a child who couldn't pronounce all three syllables of my name some thirty odd years ago. However, this woman was christened the name which was said to be Swedish. Had it not been for that little tidbit I probably would have passed this book and never read it. The premise wasn't overly intriguing though it did have promise. So I held on to that in the hope it offered up something exciting.
The story opens with a puzzling prologue that drew me in immediately. It's 1964 and a young baby screaming as its mother failing to soothe it in the presence of its somewhat grumpy father who silently swears he will teach that child a lesson or two the next time it dares to scream.
Fast forward some five decades later to 2012 and we meet Jack and Stina, a young couple who have just moved into the picturesque Wisteria Cottage in Avoncote, a chocolate box village just out of Stratford-upon-Avon. Recently married and expecting their first child, Jack and Stina are excited at the prospect of putting down roots in the delightful thatched cottage in the quaint village they now call home. They become quick friends with their neighbour in Rose Cottage, adjoining their own cottage, Mrs Barley a widow who lost her husband Frank forty years before. Although the woman is a little odd with a few eccentricities, the couple are shocked to learn that the community do not hold Mrs Barley in the same esteem. In fact, some villagers would go as far to say that the old woman is a witch and they would do well to steer clear of her. But how could this kindly friendly and helpful old lady be capable of such atrocities for which she's been accused?
Jack is a veterinarian working long hours leaving Stina home alone to befriend the kindly neighbour. But the longer she spends in the old woman's presence, the more Stina gets to know her...and she finds herself beginning to question just how well they really do know their neighbour? Then there are the noises in the night, the sounds coming from the attic, the strange chanting on the other side of the wall...but when Stina confronts Mrs Barley about it the following day, the woman knows nothing about it. Had Stina just imagined the sounds? Particularly when there is no evidence that anything had been moved about in the loft.
When Stina sees a strange man in Mrs Barley's back garden, Jack dismisses it as hormones and sleep deprivation since the birth of their baby daughter Elodie. But Stina knows what she saw. And she had seen him on numerous occasions before their daughter's birth too. And yet still she was the only one to attest to the sighting with no one else having seen the elusive man. Given her mother's own illness, Stina begins to worry that maybe she has a propensity toward mental illness as well. Did she really hear those sounds in the night? Did she really see that strange man who bore a striking resemblance to Mrs Barley's long dead husband Frank? Or is she delusional and suffering both auditory and occipital hallucinations?
But then a dark secret that has long been buried is about to be uncovered, shedding a whole new light on their neighbour....giving them cause to question themselves just how well do they know her?
There are whispers all throughout this book, least of all in the small minds of villagers whose gossip ends up being a form of Chinese whispers where what begins as one thing ends up something completely different! So the whispers of the past and the whispers of the villagers become the whispers in her own mind. And as Stina begins to question her own sanity she also starts to wonder just who her neighbour really is.
I liked both Stina and Jack, and I even liked the kindly old Mrs Barley. I didn't like Stina's bestie Reggie much but on the whole the characters were pretty likeable.
I'm not sure how to categorise WHISPER COTTAGE. It's not really a thriller but then what else could it be? There are whispers of the supernatural, of witches, hexes and curses which is just a little too strange for my liking but is that all there is to the story? Or is there something deeper going on?
I loved the Prologue and enjoyed the ending...but it's the in-between that I found slow and wondered the direction it was taking. I knew there was a story building but I questioned as to how long it was going to take to get there...and whether it would be worth it in the end. Well, be patient because the end will shock you. It was something I never saw coming, that's for sure. But...and this is a big BUT...where on earth does the prologue fit in with the rest of the story? I'm sorry but I saw nothing that linked them and I am at a loss as to who those people were and what it actually meant.
Overall, WHISPER COTTAGE is a fairly enjoyable book despite lacking the addictive thrills and the steady pace. It was atmospheric but not in an eerie gothic way. It held my interest enough to finish it to see how it played out but that's about it.
I would like to thank #AnnWynClark, #Netgalley, #AvonBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #WhisperCottage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The story opens with a puzzling prologue that drew me in immediately. It's 1964 and a young baby screaming as its mother failing to soothe it in the presence of its somewhat grumpy father who silently swears he will teach that child a lesson or two the next time it dares to scream.
Fast forward some five decades later to 2012 and we meet Jack and Stina, a young couple who have just moved into the picturesque Wisteria Cottage in Avoncote, a chocolate box village just out of Stratford-upon-Avon. Recently married and expecting their first child, Jack and Stina are excited at the prospect of putting down roots in the delightful thatched cottage in the quaint village they now call home. They become quick friends with their neighbour in Rose Cottage, adjoining their own cottage, Mrs Barley a widow who lost her husband Frank forty years before. Although the woman is a little odd with a few eccentricities, the couple are shocked to learn that the community do not hold Mrs Barley in the same esteem. In fact, some villagers would go as far to say that the old woman is a witch and they would do well to steer clear of her. But how could this kindly friendly and helpful old lady be capable of such atrocities for which she's been accused?
Jack is a veterinarian working long hours leaving Stina home alone to befriend the kindly neighbour. But the longer she spends in the old woman's presence, the more Stina gets to know her...and she finds herself beginning to question just how well they really do know their neighbour? Then there are the noises in the night, the sounds coming from the attic, the strange chanting on the other side of the wall...but when Stina confronts Mrs Barley about it the following day, the woman knows nothing about it. Had Stina just imagined the sounds? Particularly when there is no evidence that anything had been moved about in the loft.
When Stina sees a strange man in Mrs Barley's back garden, Jack dismisses it as hormones and sleep deprivation since the birth of their baby daughter Elodie. But Stina knows what she saw. And she had seen him on numerous occasions before their daughter's birth too. And yet still she was the only one to attest to the sighting with no one else having seen the elusive man. Given her mother's own illness, Stina begins to worry that maybe she has a propensity toward mental illness as well. Did she really hear those sounds in the night? Did she really see that strange man who bore a striking resemblance to Mrs Barley's long dead husband Frank? Or is she delusional and suffering both auditory and occipital hallucinations?
But then a dark secret that has long been buried is about to be uncovered, shedding a whole new light on their neighbour....giving them cause to question themselves just how well do they know her?
There are whispers all throughout this book, least of all in the small minds of villagers whose gossip ends up being a form of Chinese whispers where what begins as one thing ends up something completely different! So the whispers of the past and the whispers of the villagers become the whispers in her own mind. And as Stina begins to question her own sanity she also starts to wonder just who her neighbour really is.
I liked both Stina and Jack, and I even liked the kindly old Mrs Barley. I didn't like Stina's bestie Reggie much but on the whole the characters were pretty likeable.
I'm not sure how to categorise WHISPER COTTAGE. It's not really a thriller but then what else could it be? There are whispers of the supernatural, of witches, hexes and curses which is just a little too strange for my liking but is that all there is to the story? Or is there something deeper going on?
I loved the Prologue and enjoyed the ending...but it's the in-between that I found slow and wondered the direction it was taking. I knew there was a story building but I questioned as to how long it was going to take to get there...and whether it would be worth it in the end. Well, be patient because the end will shock you. It was something I never saw coming, that's for sure. But...and this is a big BUT...where on earth does the prologue fit in with the rest of the story? I'm sorry but I saw nothing that linked them and I am at a loss as to who those people were and what it actually meant.
Overall, WHISPER COTTAGE is a fairly enjoyable book despite lacking the addictive thrills and the steady pace. It was atmospheric but not in an eerie gothic way. It held my interest enough to finish it to see how it played out but that's about it.
I would like to thank #AnnWynClark, #Netgalley, #AvonBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #WhisperCottage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 17, 2021
Avoncote - 2012
Stina and Jack have moved to Avoncote, a perfect English town. They have purchased a little cottage with a thatched roof like many of the other cottages around. Unfortunately, it had been rented for some years so the garden and inside of the cottage need some work. Stina has just discovered that she is pregnant and she and Jack are thrilled. Jack is a veterinarian and Stina writes articles for magazines.
Next door to them is Rose Cottage inhabited by the elderly widow, Mrs. Barley. Her home and garden are just beautiful and well cared for. Even though Stina and Jack are warned about the woman, they find her very kind. She brings them cakes and is quite helpful. Others say she is mean and they think she may be a witch.
Stina is having some difficulties with her pregnancy and Jack thinks that some of the noises she says she hears and the stranger who appears in Mrs. Barley’s garden is just her imagination. But is it?
This book is chock full of surprises that the reader is not expecting. I am amazed that this is a debut novel for the author as it is so well written. It’s spooky and the perfect read for when you want a really good mystery. It’s difficult to express all of the things that readers will encounter in the book, but suffice to say that it will certainly leave you satisfied.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Stina and Jack have moved to Avoncote, a perfect English town. They have purchased a little cottage with a thatched roof like many of the other cottages around. Unfortunately, it had been rented for some years so the garden and inside of the cottage need some work. Stina has just discovered that she is pregnant and she and Jack are thrilled. Jack is a veterinarian and Stina writes articles for magazines.
Next door to them is Rose Cottage inhabited by the elderly widow, Mrs. Barley. Her home and garden are just beautiful and well cared for. Even though Stina and Jack are warned about the woman, they find her very kind. She brings them cakes and is quite helpful. Others say she is mean and they think she may be a witch.
Stina is having some difficulties with her pregnancy and Jack thinks that some of the noises she says she hears and the stranger who appears in Mrs. Barley’s garden is just her imagination. But is it?
This book is chock full of surprises that the reader is not expecting. I am amazed that this is a debut novel for the author as it is so well written. It’s spooky and the perfect read for when you want a really good mystery. It’s difficult to express all of the things that readers will encounter in the book, but suffice to say that it will certainly leave you satisfied.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 2, 2021
Stina and Jack purchase a rural cottage. Their neighbor, elderly woman named Mrs Barley, seems nice enough...but why do the villagers whisper terrible things about her?
Lots of whispers, rumors, gossip, secrets in this awesome suspense novel. The story sucked me in immediately. I read the first part of this book in digital arc format....then started the story over when I got a copy of the audio book. I couldn't stop listening to this story -- I had to know what was going on in the cottage and in the nearby village! I grew up in a little town....and whispers, secrets, rumors...it really brought me back to weird, secretive (or just downright mean) stuff that went on in my little hometown.
I didn't expect the last third of the book....but the story worked. It's enjoyable when a story goes in an unexpected direction, especially when it's better than what I thought was going to happen!
The audio is about 9.5 hours long and narrated by Lauren Moakes. Moakes does a great job of voice acting. She reads at a nice pace and brings the characters to life. Very enjoyable listening experience!
I enjoyed this book. Curious what this author will come up with for her next book!
**I voluntarily read a review copy (and listened to the audio book after release day) of this book from Avon Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Lots of whispers, rumors, gossip, secrets in this awesome suspense novel. The story sucked me in immediately. I read the first part of this book in digital arc format....then started the story over when I got a copy of the audio book. I couldn't stop listening to this story -- I had to know what was going on in the cottage and in the nearby village! I grew up in a little town....and whispers, secrets, rumors...it really brought me back to weird, secretive (or just downright mean) stuff that went on in my little hometown.
I didn't expect the last third of the book....but the story worked. It's enjoyable when a story goes in an unexpected direction, especially when it's better than what I thought was going to happen!
The audio is about 9.5 hours long and narrated by Lauren Moakes. Moakes does a great job of voice acting. She reads at a nice pace and brings the characters to life. Very enjoyable listening experience!
I enjoyed this book. Curious what this author will come up with for her next book!
**I voluntarily read a review copy (and listened to the audio book after release day) of this book from Avon Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
September 10, 2021
This is definitely a book of two half's.
The first 50% I loved. I thought it was really creepy and eerie.
I love the old haunted cottage/house trope, it's one of my faves and I loved all the spooky witchcraft elements too.
I was really gripped and hooked into where the story was going and I was constantly guessing what was going to happen next.
However, after about 50% of the way through, the book really slowed down.
I found there was not much happening and very few spooky or creepy things happening. I started to get a little bored.
It also became very obvious to me who the mystery man was. Although, I did not see the big twist at the end coming, which I did enjoy.
The writing was good but it definitely lost momentum as it went along.
Overall, this was an atmospheric and creepy psychological thriller but definitely could have been improved.
TW: suicide, domestic violence, murder, infanticide, abortion, mental illness and insest.
The first 50% I loved. I thought it was really creepy and eerie.
I love the old haunted cottage/house trope, it's one of my faves and I loved all the spooky witchcraft elements too.
I was really gripped and hooked into where the story was going and I was constantly guessing what was going to happen next.
However, after about 50% of the way through, the book really slowed down.
I found there was not much happening and very few spooky or creepy things happening. I started to get a little bored.
It also became very obvious to me who the mystery man was. Although, I did not see the big twist at the end coming, which I did enjoy.
The writing was good but it definitely lost momentum as it went along.
Overall, this was an atmospheric and creepy psychological thriller but definitely could have been improved.
TW: suicide, domestic violence, murder, infanticide, abortion, mental illness and insest.
August 22, 2021
Oh my goodness - just loved it. I had no idea what to expect but it wasn't this. Not sure on the beginning but the ending was brilliant. Have just finished a session reading this book non-stop before I start dong anything today it was that good.
This was a very English book and the familiar locations was really interesting, haven't read a book set near Stratford for a while.
My mind went one way sometimes during the book but then found that was a red herring.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
This was a very English book and the familiar locations was really interesting, haven't read a book set near Stratford for a while.
My mind went one way sometimes during the book but then found that was a red herring.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
July 17, 2021
Whisper Cottage by Anne Wyn Clark is a psychological thriller that is full of surprises, twists, and turns. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, Whisper Cottage will not disappoint.
When Jack, a veterinarian gets a job in a rural village near Stratford Upon Avon, he and his wife Stina move into an old rural cottage in a small village nearby. They meet their new neighbor, Mrs. Bailey, an elderly woman who lives next door. They soon become friends with Mrs. Bailey even though most of the villagers stay far away from her.
Stina sees a mysterious figure in Mrs. Bailey’s garden but neither her husband Jack, nor Mrs. Bailey ever sees this figure, and they all blame her sightings on the stress of her pregnancy, but Stina knows what she saw, and can’t forget him, or the mysterious noises she hears from their shared attic. What if Mrs. Bailey isn’t what she appears to be?
Whisper Cottage starts off a bit slow as we learn about Jack, Stina, and Mrs. Bailey, but once the action starts, the book takes off on a wild ride. I have to admit here that I am not a fan of psychological thrillers because I feel some anxiety when I read them. And Whisper Cottage was no different. But, because I was anxious while I was reading this book, I also knew it was very well written as I really didn’t know what was coming next, which proves to me that Anne Wyn Clark is a talented writer. The ending of this book was a real surprise that I did not expect, at all, and the authors’ talent at spinning such a twisted story is evident. I highly recommend Whisper Cottage to fans of physiological thrillers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
When Jack, a veterinarian gets a job in a rural village near Stratford Upon Avon, he and his wife Stina move into an old rural cottage in a small village nearby. They meet their new neighbor, Mrs. Bailey, an elderly woman who lives next door. They soon become friends with Mrs. Bailey even though most of the villagers stay far away from her.
Stina sees a mysterious figure in Mrs. Bailey’s garden but neither her husband Jack, nor Mrs. Bailey ever sees this figure, and they all blame her sightings on the stress of her pregnancy, but Stina knows what she saw, and can’t forget him, or the mysterious noises she hears from their shared attic. What if Mrs. Bailey isn’t what she appears to be?
Whisper Cottage starts off a bit slow as we learn about Jack, Stina, and Mrs. Bailey, but once the action starts, the book takes off on a wild ride. I have to admit here that I am not a fan of psychological thrillers because I feel some anxiety when I read them. And Whisper Cottage was no different. But, because I was anxious while I was reading this book, I also knew it was very well written as I really didn’t know what was coming next, which proves to me that Anne Wyn Clark is a talented writer. The ending of this book was a real surprise that I did not expect, at all, and the authors’ talent at spinning such a twisted story is evident. I highly recommend Whisper Cottage to fans of physiological thrillers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 21, 2022
Overview: Wow...this book impressed me! I borrowed it from a friend months and months ago and the blurb sounded average and not exactly gripping so I put it to the bottom of my TBR pile. MISTAKE! Why didn't I read this sooner? It was amazing! I read it in 2 straight days and could barely put it down. It starts off drip feeding information that makes you go "ooooh" and "ahhhh" and "oh just one more chapter...". By the end I was so hooked I could barely put it down.
Good points: That ending! I did not see any of it coming. I kept thinking there has to be a twist at the end. There wasn't just one! I immediately messaged my friend I borrowed it from to talk about it. The plot was slow in places and seemed to calm down and then BAM! Something else happens...BAM! Something else. It kept lulling me into a false sense of security and by the end my mind was blown. Yes, it was that good!
Not so good points: To be honest, I don't have any negative to say. I liked the characters, even old Mrs Barley. Although she was pretty weird.
If you have this on your TBR pile and you love thrillers with huge twists then bump it to the top now!
Good points: That ending! I did not see any of it coming. I kept thinking there has to be a twist at the end. There wasn't just one! I immediately messaged my friend I borrowed it from to talk about it. The plot was slow in places and seemed to calm down and then BAM! Something else happens...BAM! Something else. It kept lulling me into a false sense of security and by the end my mind was blown. Yes, it was that good!
Not so good points: To be honest, I don't have any negative to say. I liked the characters, even old Mrs Barley. Although she was pretty weird.
If you have this on your TBR pile and you love thrillers with huge twists then bump it to the top now!
April 22, 2022
A chilling prologue, the story was intriguing initially, then it derailed for me. The prose was slow and too descriptive. I would have liked an easier way to tell me this story. The creepy atmosphere was nice, the rest was okay.
May 8, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ I was pleasantly surprised by this one! It had some moderate suspense and a good plot which moved fairly quickly. I’m not sure why it’s called Whisper Cottage though… it’s a bit random
June 16, 2021
*Thank you, Netgalley, for my free copy in return for my review.
This was a creepy thriller that I could not put down. I got very invested in this story of Jack and Stina, a young couple who move to a small village, buy a charming cottage, and settle into a rural life as they await the birth of their first child. However, things aren't as charming as they seem as they settle in. Jack works a lot to pay the bills for the new home, and Stina struggles in her friendships, both new and old. And then there's the next door neighbor, old Mrs. Barley. Why does everyone seem to hate her, is she a witch, is she out to hurt Stina and Jack?
The ending was a bit disappointing. It felt rushed. I could have used a few more pages, though things are pretty much wrapped up. There's quite a twist at the end, though, too.
This was a creepy thriller that I could not put down. I got very invested in this story of Jack and Stina, a young couple who move to a small village, buy a charming cottage, and settle into a rural life as they await the birth of their first child. However, things aren't as charming as they seem as they settle in. Jack works a lot to pay the bills for the new home, and Stina struggles in her friendships, both new and old. And then there's the next door neighbor, old Mrs. Barley. Why does everyone seem to hate her, is she a witch, is she out to hurt Stina and Jack?
The ending was a bit disappointing. It felt rushed. I could have used a few more pages, though things are pretty much wrapped up. There's quite a twist at the end, though, too.
August 5, 2021
-Stina and Jack are expecting a baby. So they move out of the city to Avoncote. In a rather shabby but cute semi-detached cottage. There is a lot of work to be done on the cottage beginning with the re-thatching of the roof. And since they are joined to their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Barley, hers will be done as well.
It’s while the men work on the roof that they find a bizarre find in the chimney next door. mummified cats. And then the odd noises in the night begin. And the questions. Why is everyone in town afraid of Mrs. Barley? Is she just a nice old lady or is she something much worse? Is that a man Stina sees in her window? Is it the same man she keeps seeing outside, but no one else does?
For one, this story made me look at my neighbor a bit closer. Stina was just not a character I clicked with. I’m not fond of weak women. This is a good look at what secrets and rumors can do to a life and a town. And that was powerful.
, NetGalley/ September 2nd, 2021 by Avon
It’s while the men work on the roof that they find a bizarre find in the chimney next door. mummified cats. And then the odd noises in the night begin. And the questions. Why is everyone in town afraid of Mrs. Barley? Is she just a nice old lady or is she something much worse? Is that a man Stina sees in her window? Is it the same man she keeps seeing outside, but no one else does?
For one, this story made me look at my neighbor a bit closer. Stina was just not a character I clicked with. I’m not fond of weak women. This is a good look at what secrets and rumors can do to a life and a town. And that was powerful.
, NetGalley/ September 2nd, 2021 by Avon
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