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Whispers of Innocence
The baby is quiet. Too quiet.
When Madeline checks on her seven-month-old daughter, she discovers the reason for the baby’s silence. Abigail is dead. Madeline is soon living every mother’s worst nightmare amid a cacophony of sirens and police interrogations.
Accusations and old resentments can’t stay contained under the pressure of guilt, tears, and the horror of picking out a baby-sized coffin. A line is drawn through Madeline and Brian’s marriage, and a battle begins.
But defining heroes and villains is as difficult as untangling the truth from the web Madeline and Brian have created to protect themselves. Abigail’s killer isn’t the only monster hiding in the shadows. And among the dark secrets, everyone will crumble under the consequences.
When Madeline checks on her seven-month-old daughter, she discovers the reason for the baby’s silence. Abigail is dead. Madeline is soon living every mother’s worst nightmare amid a cacophony of sirens and police interrogations.
Accusations and old resentments can’t stay contained under the pressure of guilt, tears, and the horror of picking out a baby-sized coffin. A line is drawn through Madeline and Brian’s marriage, and a battle begins.
But defining heroes and villains is as difficult as untangling the truth from the web Madeline and Brian have created to protect themselves. Abigail’s killer isn’t the only monster hiding in the shadows. And among the dark secrets, everyone will crumble under the consequences.
- GenresThriller
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2022
9 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 11, 2024
1 star
This book started out really well - the lose of a baby in the night. Who was to blame? An abusive husband or a withdrawn possibly revengeful wife?
Then the book fell apart. Maybe had I actually read the book and not listened to the audio I might have had a better opinion of the novel. However maybe not - there was a lot I didn't like about the story. Overall, there was just too much I disliked about the audio.
To start with, the narrator Taylor Meskimen voiced both sexes - female and male. She did okay on some of the female voices, but horrible on a mans voice. You were never aware of who was talking - how can you entertain a woman reading a man's part? I can't! Then the woman's voice - of a number of characters through the story - again who was who? The narrator only tried to change her voice for one character and that one was really terrible to listen to. Whiny, crying, screeching, terrible voice. A woman who you could never tolerate or listen to. Secondly there were characters that you just could not bare. Such as the protagonist's mother. No redeeming features - who was more a pain than a pleasure - blaming her daughter for the baby's death. Parents in this story were horrendous.
This is one I won't remember tomorrow, and will thankful that is the case.
This book started out really well - the lose of a baby in the night. Who was to blame? An abusive husband or a withdrawn possibly revengeful wife?
Then the book fell apart. Maybe had I actually read the book and not listened to the audio I might have had a better opinion of the novel. However maybe not - there was a lot I didn't like about the story. Overall, there was just too much I disliked about the audio.
To start with, the narrator Taylor Meskimen voiced both sexes - female and male. She did okay on some of the female voices, but horrible on a mans voice. You were never aware of who was talking - how can you entertain a woman reading a man's part? I can't! Then the woman's voice - of a number of characters through the story - again who was who? The narrator only tried to change her voice for one character and that one was really terrible to listen to. Whiny, crying, screeching, terrible voice. A woman who you could never tolerate or listen to. Secondly there were characters that you just could not bare. Such as the protagonist's mother. No redeeming features - who was more a pain than a pleasure - blaming her daughter for the baby's death. Parents in this story were horrendous.
This is one I won't remember tomorrow, and will thankful that is the case.
June 20, 2022
Whispers Of Innocence by Natasha Simmons is a very well-written psychological thriller that will make it impossible for you to put down the book for even a second.
As much as this book was emotionally taxing, I loved reading it. The tension throughout the book, right from the first chapter, was wound so tight, that it was impossible to put it aside and do anything else. And that is the best way any author can write a psychological thriller novel, so I am really glad that I read this book. The writing was good, the concept was brilliant, the characterisation was very well developed and the tension and pacing were completely on point.
The story did have its dark moments, but it was to be expected given that the author had been honest about a child's death in the blurb itself. So be prepared for some reader's emotional damage (as I like to call it) but unless it is a trigger for you, you shouldn't worry about it because the book after all is a dark psychological thriller.
I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller readers, especially all dark psychological thriller readers and fans of the genre.
You can also read this review on my book blog - www.thereadingbud.com
As much as this book was emotionally taxing, I loved reading it. The tension throughout the book, right from the first chapter, was wound so tight, that it was impossible to put it aside and do anything else. And that is the best way any author can write a psychological thriller novel, so I am really glad that I read this book. The writing was good, the concept was brilliant, the characterisation was very well developed and the tension and pacing were completely on point.
The story did have its dark moments, but it was to be expected given that the author had been honest about a child's death in the blurb itself. So be prepared for some reader's emotional damage (as I like to call it) but unless it is a trigger for you, you shouldn't worry about it because the book after all is a dark psychological thriller.
I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller readers, especially all dark psychological thriller readers and fans of the genre.
You can also read this review on my book blog - www.thereadingbud.com
April 5, 2023
This story was well written in parts; the author at times puts together some beautiful and lyrical passages, but I found the storytelling was a mess. This is a dark story with dark characters but everything was TOLD to me rather than shown. The constant inner dialogue struggles, always followed with the italicized questions - I like ice cream. do I like ice cream? I found really really irritating. And so much repetition with both theme and musings. And how many times did I have to read the declaration "I did not kill Abigail"!! I also found the characters were all interchangeable . They all had the same voice. As we near the end what should have been powerful had little impact for me because the characters were only rough sketches. I needed a deeper dive into what drove these people and how their damage began and escalated. Don't tell me, show me through some background. Build that up so that the ending makes me give a shit.
January 26, 2023
4.5
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
Madeline and Brian are going through the worst thing a parent can go through. Their baby, Abigail, died while she slept. But was it SIDS or something more sinister?
Strap yourself in with every comfort item you own. This book is dark, it’s psychologically draining, and it’s horrifying. From the beginning to the end you’re going to wonder why you picked it up, but you absolutely will not be able to put it down. It’s so nerve-wracking I wanted to jump to the end to find out what actually happened to baby Abigail, but I restrained myself. Barely. When I finished all I could think was WTF WTF W.T.F?! This book is not for the faint of heart. If you like psychological dark thrillers with fucked up characters then pick this up. It’ll s tick with you for a long time. I guarantee.
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
Madeline and Brian are going through the worst thing a parent can go through. Their baby, Abigail, died while she slept. But was it SIDS or something more sinister?
Strap yourself in with every comfort item you own. This book is dark, it’s psychologically draining, and it’s horrifying. From the beginning to the end you’re going to wonder why you picked it up, but you absolutely will not be able to put it down. It’s so nerve-wracking I wanted to jump to the end to find out what actually happened to baby Abigail, but I restrained myself. Barely. When I finished all I could think was WTF WTF W.T.F?! This book is not for the faint of heart. If you like psychological dark thrillers with fucked up characters then pick this up. It’ll s tick with you for a long time. I guarantee.
May 26, 2022
**My reviews are always unbiased, but in the interest of transparency, please note I received a free copy of this book ahead of its publication (Red Adept Publishing, June 2022).**
Crime fiction is not one of my favourite reading genres, but I do love unreliable narrators, which was enough to sustain my interest throughout this twisted descent of a read.
Whispers of Innocence is an extremely dark crime/mystery novel set in Seattle, USA. It is a shade too dark, perhaps, to suit the tastes of some readers, given that the plot centres around that which even the grittiest crime authors mostly shy away from: parents accused of murdering their own children. Add to that mix the fact that in this case the dead child is a seven-month-old baby, and you have a recipe for a seriously unsettling narrative.
The book is written in four parts, each narrated by one of four characters. Madeline and Brian are the unfortunate baby Abigail’s parents. We then have Declan, Brian’s friend, and Odette, Maddy’s mother. These four characters are all, in their own ways, unequivocally terrible people. I read them all as delusional narcissists – particularly evidenced in Maddy and Brian’s chillingly self-absorbed responses to their baby’s death.
Enjoyment of this novel depends on the reader’s ability to go along with utterly detestable characters. As a reader, I always have time for Problematic People, but this is usually because I hope to read their redemption arc later on. Simmons’ characters are more villainous than antiheroic, and since the book never really pulls them back from the dark side (or substance) of their natures, I cannot say I liked this story as much as I hoped to.
Unapologetic evil can be interesting, however, and this book reminded me, in a good way, of other novels which utilise morally questionable, unreliable narrators, particularly The Killer Inside Me, Gone Girl, and The Girl on the Train.
Whilst the writing in Whispers of Innocence is far from literary, it gets the job done. The prose could use a bit of tidying up, and in the edition I read there were a number of grammatical errors, but the text flows, and I think the multiple perspectives on the mystery of Abigail’s death give the story body and depth. Judging by the crime fiction I have read previously, a commercial tone is more common in this genre, so whilst the writing did not excite me, it is not something I take particular issue with.
One thing Simmons certainly has on tap is the art of the plot twist. I correctly guessed a few things about the denouement, but the close of this novel offered some big surprises, and I think the text concludes with a satisfying sense of just desserts.
I will summarise by saying I found Whispers of Innocence quite the mixed bag. The writing does not always manage to keep a lid on the narrative’s challenging themes, but filicide, particularly when it comes to young infants, strikes me as an especially difficult thing to write about, so I think the author deserves some credit for crafting what is overall a reasonably successful narrative. An acquired taste, perhaps, but the truths of this story unfold at a pleasing, gripping pace. If you like that sort of thing, Whispers of Innocence has enough sinister undertones to make for a genuinely disturbing read.
Crime fiction is not one of my favourite reading genres, but I do love unreliable narrators, which was enough to sustain my interest throughout this twisted descent of a read.
Whispers of Innocence is an extremely dark crime/mystery novel set in Seattle, USA. It is a shade too dark, perhaps, to suit the tastes of some readers, given that the plot centres around that which even the grittiest crime authors mostly shy away from: parents accused of murdering their own children. Add to that mix the fact that in this case the dead child is a seven-month-old baby, and you have a recipe for a seriously unsettling narrative.
The book is written in four parts, each narrated by one of four characters. Madeline and Brian are the unfortunate baby Abigail’s parents. We then have Declan, Brian’s friend, and Odette, Maddy’s mother. These four characters are all, in their own ways, unequivocally terrible people. I read them all as delusional narcissists – particularly evidenced in Maddy and Brian’s chillingly self-absorbed responses to their baby’s death.
Enjoyment of this novel depends on the reader’s ability to go along with utterly detestable characters. As a reader, I always have time for Problematic People, but this is usually because I hope to read their redemption arc later on. Simmons’ characters are more villainous than antiheroic, and since the book never really pulls them back from the dark side (or substance) of their natures, I cannot say I liked this story as much as I hoped to.
Unapologetic evil can be interesting, however, and this book reminded me, in a good way, of other novels which utilise morally questionable, unreliable narrators, particularly The Killer Inside Me, Gone Girl, and The Girl on the Train.
Whilst the writing in Whispers of Innocence is far from literary, it gets the job done. The prose could use a bit of tidying up, and in the edition I read there were a number of grammatical errors, but the text flows, and I think the multiple perspectives on the mystery of Abigail’s death give the story body and depth. Judging by the crime fiction I have read previously, a commercial tone is more common in this genre, so whilst the writing did not excite me, it is not something I take particular issue with.
One thing Simmons certainly has on tap is the art of the plot twist. I correctly guessed a few things about the denouement, but the close of this novel offered some big surprises, and I think the text concludes with a satisfying sense of just desserts.
I will summarise by saying I found Whispers of Innocence quite the mixed bag. The writing does not always manage to keep a lid on the narrative’s challenging themes, but filicide, particularly when it comes to young infants, strikes me as an especially difficult thing to write about, so I think the author deserves some credit for crafting what is overall a reasonably successful narrative. An acquired taste, perhaps, but the truths of this story unfold at a pleasing, gripping pace. If you like that sort of thing, Whispers of Innocence has enough sinister undertones to make for a genuinely disturbing read.
June 9, 2022
A Grand Read
What a thrilling story in Whispers of Innocence by Natasha Simmons. This is the first book of Simmons that I've read, and I really enjoyed the story and the writing style. The writing style needs to fit the genre and the characters, and this one definitely does. It's an eerie, and suspenseful story that brings the reader right into the story. This one wasn't so easy to read, due to a child's death, but it definitely is worth the read. Just knowing the title, it makes you understand that there is something to do with a child, a very small child, and what happens when "the baby is quiet. Too quiet." This story was very unpredictable. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. And things are never as they seem. I just became a fan of this author. Madeline is a character that you can't quite get, and that's the way it should be, and how she acts and reacts is very intriguing. I hope to read more books by this author. Whispers of Innocence is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
What a thrilling story in Whispers of Innocence by Natasha Simmons. This is the first book of Simmons that I've read, and I really enjoyed the story and the writing style. The writing style needs to fit the genre and the characters, and this one definitely does. It's an eerie, and suspenseful story that brings the reader right into the story. This one wasn't so easy to read, due to a child's death, but it definitely is worth the read. Just knowing the title, it makes you understand that there is something to do with a child, a very small child, and what happens when "the baby is quiet. Too quiet." This story was very unpredictable. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. And things are never as they seem. I just became a fan of this author. Madeline is a character that you can't quite get, and that's the way it should be, and how she acts and reacts is very intriguing. I hope to read more books by this author. Whispers of Innocence is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
May 28, 2022
Holy beep! This was perfect for me. I absolutely loved the Parts. For some reason they make reading so fluid. You are allowed to really absorb what the author conveys. Alternating chapters don’t give a character much depth. For me this style is perfect.
First Maddie has me feeling all raveled up in her mystery. Who did what? What was real? Was Mandy honest in her account? I sort of likes her evilness
Then Declan and Brian The secrets are piling up crazy huge big nasty secrets. Te last part Odette was insane.
Thanks Natasha for creating what I am sure was a massive project. I liked the style and the dark characters. How many complete crazies can gather in one novel? A few Bravo
First Maddie has me feeling all raveled up in her mystery. Who did what? What was real? Was Mandy honest in her account? I sort of likes her evilness
Then Declan and Brian The secrets are piling up crazy huge big nasty secrets. Te last part Odette was insane.
Thanks Natasha for creating what I am sure was a massive project. I liked the style and the dark characters. How many complete crazies can gather in one novel? A few Bravo
June 26, 2022
When Madeline checks on her seven-month-old daughter, she discovers the reason for the baby's silence. Abigail is dead. Madeline is soon living every mother's worst nightmare amid a cacophony of sirens and police interrogations.
A line is drawn through Madeline and Brian's marriage, and a battle begins.
The story starts with Madeline telling her story. Eventually Declan, an old school friend of Brian takes over, followed by Brian and ending with Odette, the mother of Madeline.
Throughout three quarters of the book there is the not knowing what had happened in the past. Each character has a troubled past and is trying hard to hide their secrets and getting back on living a "normal" life.
The plot is very well build and consist several twists. With each twist the astonishment grows, some things seem predictable but in the end turn out to be different than I thought. It's a good move by Natasha Simmons to let each character tell a part of the story. It is precisely by not returning with that character that the book is somewhat unique in its structure.
I didn't have any problems by feeling their despair, their anger, their remorse, their search for the truth, it all hit me hard.
But also my own feelings of disgust and disbelief how someone is capable of taking their daughters life.
Whispers of innocence is both wonderful and terrible, strongly written and at times terribly sad.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A line is drawn through Madeline and Brian's marriage, and a battle begins.
The story starts with Madeline telling her story. Eventually Declan, an old school friend of Brian takes over, followed by Brian and ending with Odette, the mother of Madeline.
Throughout three quarters of the book there is the not knowing what had happened in the past. Each character has a troubled past and is trying hard to hide their secrets and getting back on living a "normal" life.
The plot is very well build and consist several twists. With each twist the astonishment grows, some things seem predictable but in the end turn out to be different than I thought. It's a good move by Natasha Simmons to let each character tell a part of the story. It is precisely by not returning with that character that the book is somewhat unique in its structure.
I didn't have any problems by feeling their despair, their anger, their remorse, their search for the truth, it all hit me hard.
But also my own feelings of disgust and disbelief how someone is capable of taking their daughters life.
Whispers of innocence is both wonderful and terrible, strongly written and at times terribly sad.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 22, 2022
*Trigger warning for the death of an infant and PPD*
I received a free ARC of this book for an honest review. When Madeline checks on her seven month old daughter her world changes. But what happened to baby Abigail?
This is a dark look into familial relationships and parenthood as well as the human psyche itself. There are some twists and turns which keep you guessing and second guessing yourself.
The story is in four parts, narrated by Madison, Brian (her husband), Declan (Brian's friend) and Odette (Madison's mother). I do feel this style assisted the narrative and pacing, but personally I'm not sure what value Declan added aside from being a vehicle for a bombshell to be dropped and to hint at underlying manipulations.
I also feel Brian's conclusion seems incongruous with his character and all the set up we had, so for me that wasn't very satisfying. However it may have been hinted at in the subtext and perhaps it's something I'll pick up on a second read through.
Odette's section had me second guessing what I'd read so far and I wondered whether we were about to see a switch up for the "big bad" of the piece, but the passage took a different direction.
Overall well worth a read!
I received a free ARC of this book for an honest review. When Madeline checks on her seven month old daughter her world changes. But what happened to baby Abigail?
This is a dark look into familial relationships and parenthood as well as the human psyche itself. There are some twists and turns which keep you guessing and second guessing yourself.
The story is in four parts, narrated by Madison, Brian (her husband), Declan (Brian's friend) and Odette (Madison's mother). I do feel this style assisted the narrative and pacing, but personally I'm not sure what value Declan added aside from being a vehicle for a bombshell to be dropped and to hint at underlying manipulations.
I also feel Brian's conclusion seems incongruous with his character and all the set up we had, so for me that wasn't very satisfying. However it may have been hinted at in the subtext and perhaps it's something I'll pick up on a second read through.
Odette's section had me second guessing what I'd read so far and I wondered whether we were about to see a switch up for the "big bad" of the piece, but the passage took a different direction.
Overall well worth a read!
December 23, 2025
From its chilling, gut-punch opening line "The baby is quiet. Too quiet." Natasha Simmons’ Whispers of Innocence establishes itself as a psychological thriller that is less about solving a crime and more about dissecting the devastating aftermath of one. This is a story that lives in the uncomfortable, heart-wrenching space of a parent's worst nightmare, masterfully leveraging an unreliable narrator and layers of secrecy to explore how grief can corrode, expose, and ultimately destroy.
The novel’s greatest strength is its relentless, claustrophobic focus on Madeline and Brian in the wake of their daughter Abigail’s death. Simmons does not shy away from the horrific, intimate details of such a loss, the police procedures, the suffocating guilt, the unbearable task of funeral planning. The “line drawn through their marriage” isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a fracture we watch widen in real time, filled with accusations, old wounds, and desperate self-preservation. The narrative expertly makes the reader question both protagonists, shifting sympathy and suspicion like a tilting floor. Who is protecting themselves, and who is simply innocent? The difficulty in defining “heroes and villains” is palpable and brilliantly executed.
The novel’s greatest strength is its relentless, claustrophobic focus on Madeline and Brian in the wake of their daughter Abigail’s death. Simmons does not shy away from the horrific, intimate details of such a loss, the police procedures, the suffocating guilt, the unbearable task of funeral planning. The “line drawn through their marriage” isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a fracture we watch widen in real time, filled with accusations, old wounds, and desperate self-preservation. The narrative expertly makes the reader question both protagonists, shifting sympathy and suspicion like a tilting floor. Who is protecting themselves, and who is simply innocent? The difficulty in defining “heroes and villains” is palpable and brilliantly executed.
July 1, 2022
Whispers of Innocence is a novel by Natasha Simmons. This story is psychological and dark. Abigail is a 7 month old who has died… murdered. I found the story to be intense and well written. With the storyline about child abuse, spouse abuse, murder, I can't say that I loved the story, but it is an excellent story. The back and forth between the parents, Brian and Maddy, was a great way to get inside the minds and emotions. The ending was difficult to read, but it was a strong ending. Whispers of Innocence is not a light hearted book but it is a good read. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
July 22, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a well written story that was hard to put down. This is a new author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills as well as their attention to details. This is a fast paced story about serial killers and monsters hiding in the shadows. I enjoyed the characters and what they brought to the story. They made the story fun, easy and entertaining to read. A story that is full of twists and turns and leaves you questioning what is lurking in the shadows. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it. You don't want to miss what happens in this suspenseful story.
September 9, 2022
I was approached by the author & asked if I would consider reviewing her book, as my reviews indicated I would enjoy it. Flippin’ ‘eck what a read - an intricately drawn, extremely dark psychological thriller.
Word of advice - remember to breathe. The emotional rollercoaster you are taken on & the ramping up of tension should come with a health warning. There are some gut-wrenching scenes along with fantastic characters. We see them gradually fall apart as their lives are picked over like a carcass following the death of their child.
A strong recommendation from me for this twisted thriller.
Word of advice - remember to breathe. The emotional rollercoaster you are taken on & the ramping up of tension should come with a health warning. There are some gut-wrenching scenes along with fantastic characters. We see them gradually fall apart as their lives are picked over like a carcass following the death of their child.
A strong recommendation from me for this twisted thriller.
November 20, 2022
‘Whispers of Innocence’ is a thriller story about Madeline and how her seven-month-old baby dies in the middle of the night. Abigail dies, and Madeline and her husband, Brian, discover bruises on her neck, making sure that it is not an accident.
The story navigates with an intense tone of writing. You are constantly on edge, waiting to see what will happen next. It also touches on mental illness and all the complications it triggers when you are in an unhealthy relationship.
The pace is steady, and the literature is enjoyable to read. If you are into mystery fiction then this is for you.
The story navigates with an intense tone of writing. You are constantly on edge, waiting to see what will happen next. It also touches on mental illness and all the complications it triggers when you are in an unhealthy relationship.
The pace is steady, and the literature is enjoyable to read. If you are into mystery fiction then this is for you.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews