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Who is the mystery man? The one that sneaks in and out of Mrs Barley's summerhouse, the one that no one but Stina has seen, the man Mrs Barley claims she has no knowledge of.
Storytelling Element: People love stories. Craft a name that tells a brief story about your cottage's journey, transformation, or its role in the lives of its visitors. Lauren Moakes was the narrator, and her smooth, honeyed speech was well suited to this story and added to my enjoyment. Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book. Not so good points: To be honest, I don't have any negative to say. I liked the characters, even old Mrs Barley. Although she was pretty weird.
Also, many of the untoward incidents which were projected as Mrs. Bailey’s doing resolved without proper reasoning and a decent closure. I was a little all over the place with the rating of this book. I loved the prologue and enjoyed the ending of the book. The beginning and middle were slow but enjoyable. The entire time I knew that the author was building the story, to be patient and wait. There is a very nice payoff at the end. Yet, Clark doesn’t fully invest in this narrative which I thought was a real shame. There is so much emphasis on the possibility of the supernatural that I did not want it to be explained by reason and logic. I thought this omission was a bit disappointing because of how many spooky and inexplicable events that occur as a result of interacting with Stina’s neighbour. Indeed, the death of one of the characters in the story felt so connected to Mrs Barley that I wanted my supernatural hunger to be fulfilled… but it never really came. Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book and I liked how unpredictable the story was. The isolation that Stina feels, despite living next to a seemingly lovely neighbour, was really effective and helped build the tension. Yet, the slow pace of the story and the lengthy conclusion did lessen the overall impact of this spooky narrative.
Tailor to Purpose: Consider the primary purpose of your cottage, whether it's a cozy getaway, a team-building haven, or a romantic escape. Aligning the name with its intended use sets the right expectations. Overview: Wow...this book impressed me! I borrowed it from a friend months and months ago and the blurb sounded average and not exactly gripping so I put it to the bottom of my TBR pile. MISTAKE! Why didn't I read this sooner? It was amazing! I read it in 2 straight days and could barely put it down. It starts off drip feeding information that makes you go "ooooh" and "ahhhh" and "oh just one more chapter...". By the end I was so hooked I could barely put it down. Finally, the ending didn't work for me. I felt like it was a bit of a let-down after the attempts to create a creepy atmosphere. There were long stretches when I did feel a bit paranoid for the narrator and wondered which of the people around her--if any--were intending her harm. But the end wrapped up too neatly and in a different direction. The Cowdray Estate just outside Midhurst has a wonderful farm shop, café, and even a woodfired oven that offers takeaway pizzas. Petworth also has a brilliant deli, the Hungry Guest, which provides excellent takeaway coffee, bread from its own bakery, and even ready meals.I would like to thank #AnnWynClark, #Netgalley, #AvonBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #WhisperCottage in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I thought this might have been a bit more of a gothic ghost story but it’s probably more a psychological thriller. If the length is reduced and unnecessary clutter removed then there’s a really decent story here.
I'm not sure how to categorise WHISPER COTTAGE. It's not really a thriller but then what else could it be? There are whispers of the supernatural, of witches, hexes and curses which is just a little too strange for my liking but is that all there is to the story? Or is there something deeper going on? The opening chapter is set in 1964, and gives no clue as to who is involved. This doesn't become apparent until later in the book. The audio is about 9.5 hours long and narrated by Lauren Moakes. Moakes does a great job of voice acting. She reads at a nice pace and brings the characters to life. Very enjoyable listening experience!This is a great place to try your hand at some traditional countryside pursuits! As well as the Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts the ‘Gold Cup’ (one of the highlights of the Polo calendar) every year in July – Cowdray also offers a Polo Academy. Why not take a once in a lifetime chance to have a go at the ‘sport of kings’ for yourself? Clay Pigeon shooting is also available on the Cowdray Estate. Whisper Cottage by Anne Wyn Clark is a psychological thriller that is full of surprises, twists, and turns. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, Whisper Cottage will not disappoint. Petworth is a small town, but brims with culture. Petworth Park House has an outstanding art collection, and there are numerous other small galleries selling traditional and contemporary art and sculpture in and around the town. The Petworth Literary Festival is another highlight, which always boasts some well-known names. A haunting, twisty story about the power of secrets and rumours, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware’s The Turn of the Key and Lucy Atkins’s Magpie Lane. Reflect the Essence: Capture the essence of your cottage's surroundings, whether it's nestled in the mountains, by the water, or amidst a serene forest. This helps potential guests envision their experience from the start.
I liked how chilling Clark makes the narrative. There are plenty of clues that would suggest Mrs Barley is a witch and I loved how Stina tries to argue logic, despite the evidence she has seen. Visiting her neighbour, Stina finds trinkets and odd ornaments in Mrs Barley’s living room. Coupled with the fact that people seem to get poorly if Mrs Barley has taken a dislike to them, well, I was expecting there to be a chapter featuring Mrs Barley stirring a cauldron! There are whispers all throughout this book, least of all in the small minds of villagers whose gossip ends up being a form of Chinese whispers where what begins as one thing ends up something completely different! So the whispers of the past and the whispers of the villagers become the whispers in her own mind. And as Stina begins to question her own sanity she also starts to wonder just who her neighbour really is. Set in the heart of the village with much to offer, with attractive buildings, a lovely deli, cafe and pubs all within walking distance, and expanses of farmland and the Howardian Hills close by.
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Anne Wyn Clark's writing really shined with the unease and sense of doubt she created throughout the book. I wondered as well, was Mrs. Barley a lonely outcast who lived on the fringes of society for too long? Was she misunderstood and eccentric? Or was there something more sinister going on. I loved the dubious assumptions made in this book. Versatility: Consider a name that's versatile enough to accommodate different types of guests, from couples seeking a romantic retreat to colleagues on a team-building adventure. But then a dark secret that has long been buried is about to be uncovered, shedding a whole new light on their neighbour....giving them cause to question themselves just how well do they know her? If you like a slightly creepy mystery, with a few clever twists, then I am recommending Whisper Cottage. I loved it, and will be looking for more to read from this author. NOTE: At the time of writing this review I was unaware that this is Anne Wyn Clark's debut novel. An excellent debut, and an author worth watching. This was a very atmospheric narrative, making it perfect for Halloween but I do think the story was a bit prolonged, especially towards the end.
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