The Whispers are hungry, surrounding you, but you can’t make out what they’re saying. Do you let them in?
Scarred both physically and emotionally by her abusive childhood, Rose is now a valued member of the Memphis S.W.A.T team, mother to two children and surrounded by men who love her. When a fatal hostage situation reveals links to Rose’s past, digging up demons she thought long buried, how far will Rose go to protect her family and the people she loves?
Whispers in the Dark started strong, introducing Rose as a sniper ready to take down a perp when hostage negotiations fall apart. She’s good at her job, tipped for a promotion, and juggles her work, children, ex’s and lovers with ease.
Unfortunately, a lot of backstory, exposition and family drama followed this gripping opening before the titular Whispers were mentioned, and even more relationship angst between Rose and her ex husband, Sam, and best friend turned lover, Luke, before the preternatural laden denouement.
I’m not sure why I didn’t enjoy this book more. There is an interesting paranormal story running through it, but it felt a little sidelined to me, leaving me scratching my head at the how and why of some of the incidents. Rose and her romantic relationships seemed to take precedence over the family secrets and demonic bargains. Perhaps it was how nice and understanding everyone was, at odds to the dark nature of the plot. Maybe it was because I didn’t quite buy in to the chapters written from Rose’s first person perspective, finding the third person chapters more compelling. It could be the fact that when two people were speaking to each other alone, they constantly called each other by name.
If I sound harsh, it is a reflection of my disappointment. There was the potential for a really great horror book here, but instead it is a romance with horror elements. I know that is exactly what a lot of readers are looking for, but, unfortunately, it left me wanting.
I award Whispers in the Dark…
Whispers in the Dark is available for $5.01 ebook and $19.95 print book on Amazon.
Iseult Murphy 