This was possibly one of the hardest books I’ve had to review, as I felt really conflicted. I had to take a few days to process my thoughts and how this translated into a review.

Plot:

This book was a slow burn. I felt like it was split into thirds; the first third was dedicated to scene and character setting, which I did think the author did brilliantly. However, I was desperate for the storyline to move on as it seemed to spend a lot of time building the story. The second third kicked in once we had met Grace and I felt like the story would start to move quickly, however, it seem to stall a lot around Grace’s character development and the past the two women shared. The final third was where it started to really get going. I was hooked and invested and couldn’t put the book down; I was imagining so many potential storylines and couldn’t wait to finally uncover the mystery. However, I can’t help but feel really disappointed in the ending. It felt rushed (the actual ending only seemed around 2-3 pages) and left a LOT of plot holes and red herrings that were never explained. I do not mind a certain amount of information being left up to the readers imagination, but when I finished this book the overriding emotion I felt, was that it did not make sense.

Characters:

The characters were all well developed, and I felt like I really got to know them and how they would react to certain situations. This story though, was one of those strange books where I did not particularly find any of the characters likeable, but I was still invested enough to want to finish the story. I did enjoy the relationship dynamic between Grace and Abi and how it explored the toxic traits some long-term friendships can harbour.

Ending comment:

I really struggled to rate this book as I felt the rushed ending spoilt the book for me and I felt there were too many plot holes. However, the character development and description throughout the book was beautiful. I wish I could rate this more than 2.5 stars but in the end I just felt a bit flat when I finally set the book down.

Abi was best friends with Grace at university but now she’s happily married and is feeling forced to let her come and stay for a while. One of those books where everyone knows, including the main character that she should say no very firmly. A slow burner, a very slow burner, so much so I thought it was going to fizzle out before anything actually happened. It did liven up eventually but by then I’d lost interest in who was who and what they did or didn’t do. Irritating how everyone pandered to Abi all the time. The ending was a letdown and had it been different would have given the story another star. It was easy enough to read and I liked the style of writing.

This was a pretty gripping story, really well built-up and the reader knew something awful had happened but was not sure what. The ending was a bit rushed and it was so clever that it could have been really good. I couldn't put it down and very much enjoyed, thank you,.

Wow! This book is a masterpiece!

Brilliantly written, I love the characters. Meena was so well written I could imagine her bustling into the house!

I had partly worked out the ending but that did not at all detract from the tension of getting there and seeing if I was right. I did not have it all worked out but had guessed the main premise.

An amazing book. Dark and compelling. Highly recommended.

I don't know what to make of this book, the more I read the more I lost interest. I didn't like the main characters ,but I was trying not to be put off by that., but maybe I was . was because in the end I didn't really care who did what to whom. Sorry not one of my best reads, hope others like it more.

I'm going to start with the end of this book, which is an odd place to start but will allow me to explain my 3 star rating of The House of Whispers.

The very last pages, and I mean the last 2 or 3, absolutely ruined this book for me. It felt very much like a cop out and didn't give us any closure at all. I felt let down by the author, as if they took the easy way out in ending this book.

The remainder of the book was average, it was a very slow burn which usually I would enjoy but this one felt like it went at a snails pace and I found myself wondering if we would ever get to the point of the story... I felt like I was wading through treacle for the first few chapters.

Once we met Grace things started to pick up a bit, and if nothing else the introduction of her character brought some life to the story, sped things up and made it quite an enjoyable read, from that point onwards at least.

I did enjoy the way there seemed to be an interview with Abi's husband, Rohan, in every few chapters. It really interested me, gave us a different dimension to the story and kept me guessing why it was placed in the story.

Character wise, my opinion did change once I completed the book, but that was based on how the ending unravelled.

I will admit, I wasn't expecting the twist that came our way but I also feel it was very thrust upon us, there were no hints leading up to it for us to piece together, we were just thrown in at the deep end.

Overall, I just feel really disappointed by this book. It took me a while to get stuck in, the ending was abysmal (the last 2 or 3 pages) and I felt the interviews with Rohan were never really expanded upon or explained. We were left with more questions than answers...

Abi is the narrator of this book, she met Grace in college and despite their polar opposite personalities they forge a friendship which ends in a disaster.

Years later Grace returns and the book follows Abi’s emotions and feelings whilst they rekindle their friendship.

The book is multi layered with such great narration that you can definitely place yourself in Abi’s situation.

Written masterfully with incredible planning, secrets and lies are well documented in a superb way.

This book had me guessing right from the start, where Rohan, the husband of Abi, was being interviewed about his wife. Why, and by whom? We quickly realise that something bad must have happened in Abi’s past, but we’re left wondering what it is until near the end. The first part of the book was a little slow-paced for me, but when Rohan is seconded to New York, and Abi’s university friend, Grace comes to stay, the story begins to unfold and pick up speed. From then on I was gripped by a haunting secret, betrayal, and the toxic friendship between Abi and Grace. The writing was so descriptive that it pulled me in. I felt I knew the characters – although the only one I liked was Rohan’s sister, Mili. I had lots of empathy with Abi and could relate to everything she was feeling. At times I wanted to scream ‘Don’t do it, say no!’. There were just two things that I didn’t like in the book. The first was the disappointing ending. It wasn’t what I’d guessed, and there were too many questions left unanswered. I don’t want to say more because it will spoil the story. The second thing (which is only a ‘me’ thing) was the overuse of colons and semicolons, and the thirty or so word errors which distracted and annoyed me. Apart from that this was a well-written and, at times, thrilling read. Three and a half stars.

This book is brilliant and it’s not often I say that!
I loved it. It’s one of those that is going to stay with me.
A psychological thriller which has an unexpected twist which I had not predicted and when I did think I knew what was going to happen I found myself doubting myself again! It definitely keeps you on your toes and the eccentric character of the protagonist Abigail is written without judgement and passion.
Abigail is a painter who has lost her mojo, the return of an old friend creates emotions inside her that creep out through her art. The friendship they have is strained, but all is not what it seems.

Well, where do I start on this absolutely gorgeous but terrifying novel? I'm unsure that any written review will do this gem any justice at all.

I have really liked Abi as a character, she has been quirky and relatable. It has been quite apparent that her relationship with Grace has been rather toxic and definitely had negative impacts on her.

This book is one which takes us on an emotional rollercoaster. We go through ups and downs with Abi. In contrast, I have found Grace rather irritating and not what I would want in a friend.

Abi's relationship with Rohan and his family have added a dimension to this book. I have found the family a little stifling, but been unable to work out why it's made me uncomfortable.

I have devoured this book, desperately wanting and craving more information to work out where this one has been going. This is a book which is completely unpredictable and unputdownable.

I adore the cover of this book, it is both enticing and intriguing. It has definitely raised my curiosity of this book.

This is a novel which will not only grip you and keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a novel which will give you spine tingling chills and shivers.

I absolutely recommend this book! It is a most definite five star read!

Wow almost a one sitting read, the author takes you on a glorious journey making you guess many times incorrectly, on how the story will end until you read the last page. Excellent and well thought out book. It will leave a haunting memory with you.

Abi is a promising artist tasked with creating new pieces for her next exhibition, she has been struggling to start with a series of paintings for some time. This is until Grace appears back in her life.

Abi and Grace met at university and were close friends, Grace was also the inspiration and muse for Abi’s first series of artwork. However, there was a falling out and Grace moved to the other side of the world when they both finished university.

Grace is back and Abi’s art takes off and she is immersed in a deep and dark world in trying to complete the series. It seems that Abi’s life starts to unravel as she gets further and further into the painting and with Grace around it takes a turn.

This was an enjoyable read, a thriller which I needed to understand the hold that Grace had over Abi.

House of Whispers is a hard read as Abi is so un-likeable that you really hope Grace is going to bring something to the story. I found Meena & Mili more interesting and they were hardly in the book. I nearly stopped reading mid-way through- do yourself a favour, stop!!!

This is a gripping story when from the beginning as the husband is questioned by the Police you know something bad has happened. Abigail is an artist and has the pressure of an exhibition approaching, pushy in laws waiting for a new addition to the family, an absent husband working in New York and an old student friend (Grace) turning up on her doorstep looking for somewhere to stay. Grace’s toxic hold on Abigail deepens as time goes on and even the house is a character with its own ghosts. Creepy and intoxicating.

Thank you to NetGalley & HQ for my copy of this book to review. I hadn’t heard of Anna Kent but the blurb really appealed to me, I love a toxic friendship/relationship storyline.

I always enjoy books that flick between past and present and this did it without giving anything away but still kept you so interested. The whole way through it leaves you wondering what happened in Abigail’s past that has so badly affected her life since. I couldn’t understand how Grace could have such a hold over Abi, and how she’d let her get away with treating her like that. I wanted to shout at Abi to stand up for herself and answer back.

I especially liked the transcripts with Abi’s husband Rohan, but even these didn’t give you any clues as you didn’t know who he was being interviewed by and for what reason.

Rohan’s mum really got on my nerves, but I think that was the whole point of the character.

It only took me a couple of days to get through this book but the ending blew me away. I absolutely did not see it coming, I had to go back a few pages to make sure I had understood it right. Now it’s left me wanting to re-read the whole story again now that I know the twist at the end.

Anna Kent will definitely be an author I will look out for again.

Firstly a big thank you to Hq for my copy to review. This is a new author for me and wow this book didnt dissapoint!

I raced through this so make sure once you start you dont have any other commitments . This is a addictive and compelling read.

This is a intense observation of toxic friendships. Obsession , claustrophobic tension between females and the destruction caused .

The hold that certain people have on our lives and the effect their presence and absence holds .

A fantastic dark and chilling read that gets right under your skin and in your mind.

I can see this being a roaring success and look at the gorgeous cover that really sets the tone of the book.

Abi has the perfect life, loving husband Rohan, a nice house (albeit a fixer upper) and her dream job as an artist. When Rohan heads off to New York for a few weeks to work, Abi is joined by her university friend Grace, someone she has tried to cut ties with for a long time but can’t seem to break apart. Soon Abi’s past comes back to haunt her and her behaviour becomes destructive and threatens everything around her.

I LOVED reading House of Whispers, it’s so well written, I wasn’t expecting the shock twist at the end but it was brilliant! I was hooked from start to finish.

This is a gripping tale about Abi, a talented artist, but seemingly dominated by everyone around her and consumed by guilt. The reason for her guilt and fear of life itself isn't revealed until the very end and even then her strange relationship with Grace is left open to interpretation.

I found this quite an unimpressive thriller. I didn't think the plotting was particularly good and guessed at the ending about halfway through at which point I completely lost interest. Sorry.

I loved this thriller! The atmosphere was ominous as befitting this type of novel, and gThe interaction between the characters kept me glued to the pages. Highly recommended!