Whisper in the Dark

by Robert Gregory Browne

Naked. Incoherent. Covered with blood. That’s how Detective Frank Blackburn finds her—a beautiful Jane Doe brandishing a pair of scissors near the scene of a brutal murder. Is she the perpetrator? Or is she the only eyewitness to the handiwork of Vincent Van Gogh, a twisted serial killer with an “artistic” bent? To find out, Blackburn takes her to renowned psychiatrist Dr. Michael Tolan. But Tolan has problems of his own. One year ago today, his beloved wife Abby was savagely slaughtered by the very same serial killer. Now Jane Doe is saying things that only Abby could know… about long-buried secrets…about the night of Abby’s death… Soon Tolan finds himself headed for a confrontation with his past that could well lead to a breakdown. And it’s up to Frank Blackburn to find the connection between Jane, Tolan…and Vincent—before the killer strikes again.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Paranormal, Horror

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 2, 2008

About the author

Robert Gregory Browne is a bestselling author, Nicholl Fellow, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Gold Alumnus, and a Thriller Award nominated member of the International Thriller Writers.

He has written teleplays for Showtime, Saban, Marvel, and Fox Kids, and has published multiple novels under multiple names in multiple countries with St. Martin’s Press, Penguin Dutton, Signet, and Harlequin. His short stories have appeared in Lee Child’s Killer Year and Sandra Brown’s Love is Murder.

His novel Kiss Her Goodbye was produced for television by CBS TV/Sony Pictures. His novel The Paradise Prophecy was optioned by Temple Hill Productions for ABC Television.

He lives in California with his wife, cat, two dogs, and Jura coffee machine.

Reviews

[Elisabeth Zguta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! This book moves the reader along with an excellent pace, a twisted plot, and detectives who weave the way to an unexpected resolution. This story has a lot of the basic stuff we like in a thriller – murder, a serial killer on the loose, cryptic notes, old mental hospitals, the strange beliefs of folks from deep Louisiana, detectives, docs and nurses… the list of characters are a who’s who in any thriller, but Browne does justice to the story with great story telling and motivated characters. Detective Blackburn blazes his way through another perilous maze, gets knocked down but keeps on going. Doc Tolan makes a great character of interest with a well-developed history we can empathize with, but the best part of this story is the supernatural slant. Not your typical monster or psycho b**ch, but a refreshing look at life after death and a possible scenario of the balance between life and death, the rhythm of the river of life. Don’t judge people, but try to hear what they are telling you – it just may save your life. Great story Robert Gregory Browne.

[Nthato Morakabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I was taking a friend for a haircut in this one random mall I have never been in, and when we took a detour to the grocery store, we found a table filled with a number of books. Being a bookaholic and all, I rushed to the table and began to peruse the paperbacks. The price she gave was ridiculously low and I left the little book sale with some books and an empty wallet.

The first line of the book literally starts with "It was a pretty uneventful night until the naked lady tried to kill him." and with an opening like that, one can only wonder where it would all lead to. The next chapter has a very similar opening, a fantastic hook right into the beginning of a long wild tale of mystery, intrigue, horror and amazing characters that are too real to be fictional. Each chapter ends on a high, like an episode of a really well done TV series and you can't wait for the next episode...and the next... and the next. I flew through this book so quickly, it was a pleasant surprise. One minute I was reading the first page and when I looked up, I was fifty pages in; that is how much I enjoyed this book.

Although the events happen in a single day (24 anyone?) the story is well paced, the characters given value, meaning and depth that it felt like you knew them in just that one day. There was also a lot of mystery surrounding the doctor, the witness, the detective and the quiet "rhythm" that reverberates throughout the book. For the first time in a long while, I did not see the ending coming. It caught me completely off guard, redirected my attention from the obvious so well that when it was revealed, I wondered how I missed it all.

I am definitely keen on finding more books by Robert Gregory Browne, as I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He might very well become my new Stephen King.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mah. That's how I feel about this. Kind of a lackluster thriller. Didn't find myself on the edge of my seat. Didn't really care which characters lived or died. I was surprised only when they killed off the main cops partner. That was something I really didn't expect. The setting of a psych hospital wasn't a surprise. And the whole Rhythm voodoo thing was just silly. The transforming of the druggie model girl into Abby - yeah like that could ever happen. I'm surprised I finished this one. Maybe I expected an unexpected turn to happen.

[Btrflies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book, fun read. But I pretty much knew who the "bad guy" was by 1/4 way into it.. It was pretty obvious, and I'm not a very smart person who always knows who-done-it before the end. But not a bad book to read, I enjoyed it anyway.

[Marie-Antoinette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay. So I gave it a second try and sadly I still didn't enjoy the book - so much that I didn't even finish it this time round. And the rating even went down from a 2 to a 1.

[Sarah Kinnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book this was! I utterly loved it I never guessed any of it not really I figured it wasn’t Tolan but I couldn’t have guessed who it really was and all the twists and turns of this fantastic book I’d have given it more than 5 stars if possible. I hope I find more of his cos I this one had me riveted from start to finish !!

[Mimmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really disliked the main character, Blackburn, but the whole mystery was very well done. The pacing was great and I was surprised by the end.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the mind bending fast paced story. Great mystery that makes you question everything.

Would love to see more stories with Blackburn!

[laurel jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

just plain weird. Not to be read alone on a dark night

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing kept me going. I was disappointed when I figured out what happened early on in the book. A little too predictable.

[Maz Loton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although crime is my favourite genre, not many crime books score top marks from me, but RGB deserves every one of those stars. Hooked from the start, Browne kept reeling me in, never letting go and keeping me guessing until the very end. There is a slight supernatural edge which may not be to everyone's liking, but it doesn't take over the story and just adds that little spooky something to an already sinister story. This is by no means a literary masterpiece, but a brilliantly-told story with a well thought-out plot and believable characters. I will without a doubt be buying the rest of his books.

[Jay Pal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serial killer, Vincent Van Gogh, has struck again. A naked, bloodied, incoherent woman is found at the scene of a murder. Det. Blackburn brings her in and puts her under the care of Dr. Tolan to see what he can get out of her. The weird thing is, this Jane Doe looks and speaks just like Dr. Tolans wife…who was killed by Van Gogh a year to the day. This wasnt the best book in terms of storyline BUT it did keep me interested and there are quite a few twists that you sort of see coming, but are surprised about none the less.

FINAL REVIEW

If you are looking for an interesting crime novel and a fun read, this is a good book for that. Nothing special, but it was a page turner.

[Sue Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychological thriller with hints of the supernatural and an ending that will leave readers speechless… The deeply satisfying story moves at a furious pace, packed with unexpected and original clues and plot twists.” – Publishers Weekly

I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the plot, the added supernatural was a good mix, I will be reading the authors other books.

[Paula Brandle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost but no cigar!

Almost but no cigar!

It's harder to read a book that has so much promise but falls short than to read a lesser book. Such good bone structure here. Fleshing it out is the problem. I will read more of his novels. He has probably gotten better.

[T.M. Carper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several peoples' lives entertwine in this story of murder and a paranormal entity. It's a rollar-coaster ride of a novel with some twists you didn't see coming and others that you can guess. Good book for a rainy day or a doctor's office.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

very New Orleans but just in some places. the author probably couldn't decide whether he wanted to write a detective story or a horror. so pretty scary. just the end - more corpses than in a Shakespeare's tragedy. after reading it it's kind of strange to use this smiley ;)

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

robert gregory browne is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. this is the second book of his i
ve read and i enjoyed it very much. part cop/murder mystery, part ghost story it was one that was very hard to put down.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it...Waiting for the next book....Very very very good. Hang on to your seats...or ears...:)

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see why this book would appeal to people, and the twists were decent, but the writing was just so-so for me.

[Magic Mary Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book won't be on my favorites list but it was mildly suspenseful and engaging. It was worth a read.

[Pieter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spannend, om in één trek uit te lezen. Helaas, los van "het ritme", is het boek redelijk voorspelbaar.

[stella yip · Rating 4 out of 5]

i didn't know ghost are in this storyline ....

[Lekshmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a nice one!!

[Spaz_OL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick pace with an interesting plot, even if it didn't break new ground, and a bit of supernatural thrown in made for a quick and enjoyable read.

[Rosemarie Diano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baddest whodunnit plot!