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Whisper of the Cat
The islanders said the house was cursed...
Tracy Fairbrother will never forget her first glimpse of the family mansion, Bonne Esperance, rising ghostlike from the haunting swamps and quicksand of Dorr Island. But soon, inexplicable accidents and eerie premonitions convince Tracy that someone--or something--is trying to destroy Bonne Esperance and drive her family off the island. Is it an ancient ancestor's ghost--or someone local?
Tracy wonders if the key lies with Mark, her stepmother's magnetic but troubled cousin. His mixed attitude of admiration and antagonism draws Tracy in, even as she struggles to unravel the mystery swirling around the old house.
The she discovers a body in the swamp. Can Tracy expose the evil on the island before the true spirit of Bonne Esperance is lost forever?
Tracy Fairbrother will never forget her first glimpse of the family mansion, Bonne Esperance, rising ghostlike from the haunting swamps and quicksand of Dorr Island. But soon, inexplicable accidents and eerie premonitions convince Tracy that someone--or something--is trying to destroy Bonne Esperance and drive her family off the island. Is it an ancient ancestor's ghost--or someone local?
Tracy wonders if the key lies with Mark, her stepmother's magnetic but troubled cousin. His mixed attitude of admiration and antagonism draws Tracy in, even as she struggles to unravel the mystery swirling around the old house.
The she discovers a body in the swamp. Can Tracy expose the evil on the island before the true spirit of Bonne Esperance is lost forever?
Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Norma Johnston
57 books30 followersNorma Johnston was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA, the only child of Marjorie (Pierce), a teacher and Charles Eugene Chambers Johnston, an engineer. She read voraciously--especially mysteries, to which her family was addicted. She was ducated at Ramsey public schools and Montclair State College, later studied acting at the American Theatre Wing and elsewhere, and received a teaching certificate from Montclair College. She was actress, director, designer, stylist, retailer, teacher, counselor, entrepreneur, preacher, editor, ... and in between all her other careers she was the author of more than 70 novels, mainly gothic romances for teens. She become a a full-time writer in 1973.
Johnston also wrote under the pseudonyms of Nicole St. John, Pamela Dryden, Lavinia Harris, Kate Chambers, Catherine E. Chambers, Elizabeth Bolton, and Adrian Robert.
Johnston also wrote under the pseudonyms of Nicole St. John, Pamela Dryden, Lavinia Harris, Kate Chambers, Catherine E. Chambers, Elizabeth Bolton, and Adrian Robert.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 24, 2025
Ooo this one’s a southern gothic mystery that takes place on a spooky island. Everyone’s got a dark past here.
We’ve got boats! Murder! Drama! Romance! A little bit of everything and I enjoyed the writing; v atmospheric.
Lol at the cat straight up dropping some crack cocaine in Tracy’s hand, leading to a boat chase, explosion, and a drug bust. What a wild ending!!
We’ve got boats! Murder! Drama! Romance! A little bit of everything and I enjoyed the writing; v atmospheric.
Lol at the cat straight up dropping some crack cocaine in Tracy’s hand, leading to a boat chase, explosion, and a drug bust. What a wild ending!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2023
A decent read. The main thing that I liked was Dorr Island. The climax was a let down.
July 10, 2019
On the one hand this did hold up decently well.
On the other I'm...of two minds about Mark's secrets.
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I mentioned this in my updates, but I first read this book when I was about 11, the same copy that I have in my hands in fact. I had at that point gone through my local library in a fervor to read all of the Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Baby Sitter's Club I could find. I was still making my way through Fear Street and the Point Horror books, but I wanted something a little less creepy and bit more atmospheric. Thus did I buy WHISPER OF THE CAT at my local used bookstore.
I remember how much I loved this book; I loved Tracy, I loved Mark, I loved Dorr Island and how very different it was from my own small town suburb life. The South to me was a magical place at that point in my life - somewhere I had barely been (a week in North Carolina) and knew no one from. Dorr Island captivated me in the same way Pern and Valdemar and Narnia did.
I fully admit some of that is definitely the "otherness" of the Island. Johnston explains in an Author Note at the beginning that many of the Islanders speak Gullah, a language with roots in Creole, english, the pidgin english of slaver ships and West/south Africa. She wrote it basically to forestall people commenting on how "wrong" their English is. Its not wrong, its just not European English. Plus the gothic overtones to this book had me enthralled. Was it supernatural? Was it really the curse of the Silver cat? Can Tracy escape it?
Mark was the sort of hero that was so intriguing too. Mysterious, a little older, arrogant, but soft towards Tracy. It was easy to see why Tracy both wanted to trust him and couldn't find it in herself to truly believe him.
The mystery is mundane at the end - motivated by very earthly reasons. The book also glosses over the very real world consequences that Mark would have to face despite the extraordinary circumstances.
Still, its easy to see why I reread it as often as I did (and why I put it aside as an adult). Tracy isn't annoying or cloying or in any manner off putting, she really down to earth and mature. This would be somewhat surprising if not for the fact she seems to have had a really steady childhood despite the fact her father was absent through most of it. I do wonder somewhat at the relationship dynamic ("Mother" and "Dad", you would think it would be opposite since she never saw her dad), but appreciated the fact that Tracy approached everything without drama.
The story itself though, once you know the end, is full of red herrings that go nowhere and make little sense.
As far as teen pulp novels of the late 80's/early 90's this is a recommendation and one folk should pick up for the nostalgia kick (a telegram! her father sent her a telegram so she could have an answer quickly)
On the other I'm...of two minds about Mark's secrets.
-----
I mentioned this in my updates, but I first read this book when I was about 11, the same copy that I have in my hands in fact. I had at that point gone through my local library in a fervor to read all of the Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Baby Sitter's Club I could find. I was still making my way through Fear Street and the Point Horror books, but I wanted something a little less creepy and bit more atmospheric. Thus did I buy WHISPER OF THE CAT at my local used bookstore.
I remember how much I loved this book; I loved Tracy, I loved Mark, I loved Dorr Island and how very different it was from my own small town suburb life. The South to me was a magical place at that point in my life - somewhere I had barely been (a week in North Carolina) and knew no one from. Dorr Island captivated me in the same way Pern and Valdemar and Narnia did.
I fully admit some of that is definitely the "otherness" of the Island. Johnston explains in an Author Note at the beginning that many of the Islanders speak Gullah, a language with roots in Creole, english, the pidgin english of slaver ships and West/south Africa. She wrote it basically to forestall people commenting on how "wrong" their English is. Its not wrong, its just not European English. Plus the gothic overtones to this book had me enthralled. Was it supernatural? Was it really the curse of the Silver cat? Can Tracy escape it?
Mark was the sort of hero that was so intriguing too. Mysterious, a little older, arrogant, but soft towards Tracy. It was easy to see why Tracy both wanted to trust him and couldn't find it in herself to truly believe him.
The mystery is mundane at the end - motivated by very earthly reasons. The book also glosses over the very real world consequences that Mark would have to face despite the extraordinary circumstances.
Still, its easy to see why I reread it as often as I did (and why I put it aside as an adult). Tracy isn't annoying or cloying or in any manner off putting, she really down to earth and mature. This would be somewhat surprising if not for the fact she seems to have had a really steady childhood despite the fact her father was absent through most of it. I do wonder somewhat at the relationship dynamic ("Mother" and "Dad", you would think it would be opposite since she never saw her dad), but appreciated the fact that Tracy approached everything without drama.
The story itself though, once you know the end, is full of red herrings that go nowhere and make little sense.
As far as teen pulp novels of the late 80's/early 90's this is a recommendation and one folk should pick up for the nostalgia kick (a telegram! her father sent her a telegram so she could have an answer quickly)
August 28, 2019
I loved this book when I was around 11 or 12. I still own it and I am 39. It isn't a deep philosophical piece of literature, but it was a good read when I was younger, and sometimes when nostalgia hits me I pull it out on a Saturday and read it for fun.
September 4, 2020
I’ve been rereading some of the books I read as a teen. This is one of the books I remember loving as a teen. It’s still a decent read, and I’m not sorry I spent the time reading it again. It hasn’t dated as badly as some of the books I read in high school.
May 11, 2020
I read this when I was a teen and I absolutely loved it! Wish I could find a copy somewhere!
January 18, 2016
This is my favorite book from my childhood. It's not terribly well-written, but it's an enjoyable read. A mystery with death, touches of culture, a seedy side, and a tinge or romance. Definitely a young adult book, though I still re-read it.
June 1, 2010
I pulled out an old one from my elementary school days, while waiting patiently for my library books to come in. The mystery is pretty simple, but it was a quick read and kept me occupied.
February 7, 2013
I loved this book in high school! Couldn't put it down even aeons later.
January 14, 2015
Exactly as I remember ya thrillers from the 90s. This book was fun, a bit hokey and had the familiar suspense-building-setups for which I was nostalgic.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews