A Whisper in the Dark

by Linda Castillo

New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo has become renowned for her nail-biting novels of romantic suspense. Now she delivers an electrifying thriller about a secret that could mean one woman’s demise…  Until now, no one has suspected the truth about down-to-earth bookseller Julia Wainright. But the arrival of six threatening letters indicates someone has discovered her secret—and wants her to pay for her sins… Ever since he accidentally killed a fellow officer, ex-cop John Merrick has been tormented by the mistakes of his past. Now, called upon to repay a favor, he will do anything to keep Julia Wainright safe. To do that, though, he’ll first have to figure out what she’s hiding…  As the threats escalate, Julia and John must find a way to trust each other. Because if they don’t, a twisted stalker will make sure all the gruesome things he’s promised will come true…

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination for an “Audie Award” for best mystery audiobook. Her work has appeared on numerous bestseller lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.

In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.

She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.

Reviews

[Djmoorhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Linda Castillo’s Amish series. I think they’re well written and even though I can sometimes figure out who “dun it” I find the mysteries engaging. I couldn’t believe this was written by the same person. It seemed more in the Harlequin style with single dimensional characters than the interesting prose and dialogue that I expect from Ms. Castillo. I couldn’t get past the first few chapters.

[jenjn79 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting premise - a woman with a deadly secret, a good guy going swiftly downhill, both thrown together in a deadly situation. So it sounded good, and in the end, the book somewhat lives up to the summary on the back. The book was more average than good. It had potential, but Castillo didn't quite meet it, at least to me.

Julia's secret wasn't anything like I thought it would be. It actually seems kinda lame, but it does work for the book. I was just expecting something more serious. The antagonist and his reasoning were decent enough, but not terribly original. The plot decent...a little graphic and creepy at times. And the romance worked...sorta...I just hated how it was resolved.

Which was my least favorite part of the book. I really, really disliked the ending. Not the plot resolution. That was pretty good. But I hate how Julia and John were dealt with, especially John's situation. John was true-blue tragic hero. Accidentally killing a cop sent him on an alcoholic, suicidal downward spiral. He's barely hanging on to life. All through the story he's suffering, which works for his character...but by the time the end comes around, you've gotten no sense that he's pulling out of it - that he is going to stop drinking, try to get back to work, etc. You still feel like he could put a gun to his head at any moment. And yet, given all that, I was supposed to believe that he and Julia were embarking on a "forever" relationship, that he was in a place for that. I didn't buy it at all. There needed to be some sense that John was on the upswing and there just wasn't. That was my biggest issue with the book. But otherwise, it wasn't too bad.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a romantic suspense novel where you know the couple will end up together. Even knowing this the book was a good read. I liked watching Julia and John circle around each other neither wanting to give into the chemistry they felt all the while trying to find out who was stalking Julia as the incidents escalated. The twists that happened were both predictable at times and surprising.

[Stephany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently discovered Linda Castillo as an author and have been reading her Amish series. My colleague passed this book to me to read and it took me about a month to realize it was the same author. That said, it was an interesting book. Although I had figured out who the stalker was very early it, it was still an interesting read. I liked the chemistry between the main characters, the setting was described in such detail it was like you were in NOLA. I do think once you find out as the reader who the stalker is, that the book rushes to the end at that point - which was disappointing - but again, still a great ending.

[One Sentence Audio Critic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to encourage the author to authorize audiobook editions of some of her older thrillers. This book has no audio version. Perhaps, if some of these characters appeared in future Burkholder books it would refresh sales.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed because I like this author but I like the Amish sheriff series better

[Manola Dobbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Whisper in the Dark

I love Linda Castillo books. But this one was not on my favorites list. It was too easy to figure out what was going to happen and who was the criminal.

[C Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different

I just couldn’t get into this series. This book was hard to get into. I didn’t like the overall story. Just different and I love Linda Castillo books.. just not this one

[Karen A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed. I usually love what Linda Castillo writes. This was more about how the main characters looked and their physical reaction to each other than the mystery.

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early one - before the Kate Burkholder days. Not as good as the newer books.

[Gracie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars- Really intriguing premise, and I enjoyed the start of this. However, I didn't love the way it all played out and the MMC never got super likeable.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Whisper in the Dark was a good book but the hero took a little to long to confront his demons.
John Merrick was a good cop but in a bust he accidentally shot a undercover DEA agent that effectively crippled him, even though he was cleared he could no pick up a gun again and came back to New Orleans. He is filled with guilt and drinks to anesthetize himself, he is haunted by the thought of the family of the man he killed.
He agrees to do a favor for an old friend of his father.

Julia Wainwright runs a bookshop in the Quarter much to the displeasure of her father. But Julia loves it, it was her dream but since the past few weeks she has been receiving creepy letters that have her worried. She fears they are related to her secret, she wrote an erotica book under her pen-name, only few people know the truth. Her father is a big religious figure and she fears it may harm him.

John has every intention of walking away but one look at Julia and what happens afterward convinces him to stay. The violence escalates. Julia is not happy about John, she had a crush on him in her teenage years and she has striven hard for her independence.

John still drinks when he is protecting her and that is problem. There is chemistry between them but John does that he is too messed up to get involved with Julia and he may be financially ruined by the suit the widow of the man he killed is about to bring on him.

I liked the book, there were too many moments when Julia was injured. The villain was very creepy. I enjoyed the book.

Rating 3.5

[Carol MacInnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Merrick had been a Police Detective for the Chicago PD for twelve years, but when he accidently killed a fellow officer he left the force and returned to his childhood home in New Orleans.
Twenty-nine year old Julia Wainwright is the owner of the antique bookshop "The Book Merchant" and recently had her own book on erotica published. Her father is up for the Directorship of the Eternity Springs Ministries which is the third largest church in Louisiana. He is unaware of his daughter's book.
Now, as Julia has just received her sixth threatening letter, she is afraid it may have to do with her book. Since Julia's father became aware of John Merrick's return and knowing John is in between jobs, he hired John to 'keep an eye' on Julia and ensure her safety from this stalker. But as the stalker's threats escalate, between John's self-medicating and the strong attraction he has for Julia, he is beginning to worry that perhaps he is not the right man for this job.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounds like a suspense thriller, which it is, but it is very much a romance novel and a overcoming adversity story also. In some ways there is way too much going on in the story so some of the interesting bits are truncated.

There is a stalker who is haunting a young woman whose father hires an out-of-work cop (the overcoming adversity part) to protect her. The romance happens between these two and it is full of the I won't, we shouldn't, never in a million years type of story bits that romance novels are full of.

Some twists and turns make the suspense better but there are too many of the "why is she doing that stupid thing" bits to be truly great.

I will read more of Castillo's novels, this just wasn't her best.

[Pr Latta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chicago cop kills a fellow law enforcement officer in friendly fire, goes back home to New Orleans to try and figure out how to cope, is coerced into the life of aa very serious book seller he knew when they were growing up. She is now being stalked and threatened for her secret occupation. I felt the stereotypical "romance" got inserted in the suspense story -- repetitive (how many times does Julia have to back into a desk, a counter, a wall...?) and cliched -- I would have liked a bit more ... nuanced ... writing to mesh with the suspense part of the story. Strong sense of place (New Orleans) and occupation (book buyer/seller and policeman) with religious overtones.

[Genesis Blue · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, this was supposed to be a mystery/romance, and it was. However, the whole stalker and rape business kind of killed the romance for me. I just didn't feel that a woman who was repeatedly grabbed and hurt would immediately want to hit the sack with someone. Maybe that's just me.

The second turn off was that the main guy is a complete alcoholic. While he certainly had his reasons, it was definitely unattractive.

If this had been just a mystery, I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suspenseful, but felt a little amateurish, with some inconsistencies. For example, the hero described the maim character as plump as a teenager, but later said she was skinny with canary legs. Huh?
Not bad, but not great, either.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fo some reason I have been reluctant to start this book, but I'm glad I finally decided to read it today. The main character was great and you have to sympathize with John. The setting really adds to the story - who doesn't know about Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras.

[DIANA ROCKWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

Fabulous!

Couldn't put it down! Read it in one sitting!
Well written as always and well developed characters! She has a classic way of engaging the reader!

[LInda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK mystery -- not exceptional, but worth reading.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good mystery and romance. Kept me guessing.

[Wench · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, you know, this is so overdone and awful, I have way better things to do than try to slog through it.

[Wendy Aduddell · Rating 1 out of 5]

trashy

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read by Linda Castillo!!!!!:)

[Victoria Kator · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit more intimate than necessary but still a sweet story with the thrilling mystery part as well.