The twist in the plot is clever, a fast paced thriller, had me hooked, finished within two days.

The central characters are Anna and Graxe who were best friends as children. When Grace rocks up back in the town of Clearwater she is not embraced warmly as she thought she would be.


Then Anna goes missing, those closest to her don't seem so worried, but Grace is.

Then the whispers start....

Enjoy Heidi Perks writing style and this reminded me of the Sky series 'Big Little Lies'.

This book is full of suspense and expertly written, Heidi Perks is one of my favourite authors and never disappoints with her stories or writing style.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc of The Whispers by Heidi Perks.

4 Star read- This follows Grace whom ends up returning home to the UK. To her home town of Weymouth which is situated in Dorset, UK. She expects to start where it ended back when she was a teen even with her old best friend Anna. but Anna has a group of new friends, 4 of them, and both Grace and Anna and even on lookers examine their toxic friendships and narrates this.. this is such a gripping Pyschological thriller which kept you gripped throughout the book and I loved this so much, recommend to all.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grace has returned to her home town, and she is determined to rekindle her childhood friendship with her best friend, but a lot of time has passed and Anna has moved on. Grace isn’t really fitting into the new clique of school mums as there always seems to be barriers in Grace’s way. When Anna disappears the perfect fantasy that Grace has clung to is going to unravel, after all who would hurt Anna? She has the perfect life, so Grace knows that she wouldn’t abandon her family. But why won’t anyone else see this?

Friendship is a complicated thing, it can ebb and flow depending on many factors, but when do you let go? How far would you go to protect a true friend? Some residents of Clearwater are about to find out.

I found a few elements of this book very successful as you really weren’t sure about the new friends, they were just the right amount of unlikeable though you weren’t sure of their motives. The split perspectives of Grace and Anna was gripping as it really got you into their heads and pushed the story along at a great pace. My one disappointment was that I was expecting more of the gossipy sections from the other Mums at the school due to the title. However, it was good to have some scattered through the book and I would’ve enjoyed more.

“keep your friends close and your enemies closer”? Or in the case of The Whispers “keep your friends at arm’s length and your enemies at a safe distance”. Mystery and intrigue abound as we follow Grace and Anna’s story, but a word of caution: there are always two sides to any story and often neither bear any resemblance to the truth.The setting of Clearwater is the perfect backdrop for The Whispers, it’s set in a small village where gossip spreads like wildfire. It’s the sort of place where everyone has an opinion, where Chinese whispers start as an innocent remark turn to something more vicious. It took me a while to get my head around the chapters, as there are chapters told from the POV of the two main protagonists Grace and Anna, and there are chapters told in the present and others that relate to the past. 

I found it difficult to like any of the ‘friends’, I found them to be self-centred, overbearing, controlling and immature, not my favourite traits in anyone let alone a friend! But this isn’t a negative because I actually enjoyed the book more for not liking the characters. It was fascinating to see the dynamics within the group change once Grace joined the group, and witness the complexities of Grace and Anna’s relationship unfold.There are also random chapters from the ‘playground mums’ which I thought was a genius ploy on the authors part, as the reader you feel part of their conversations, you jump to conclusions and form opinions based on half truths, and second or third hand information.

One thing I do like is an unreliable narrator it’s always interesting to see how one person’s recall of events can differ from person to person. The Whispers isn’t a fast-paced book by any means but the slower pace allows Perks to build on the tension and suspense, whilst creating a sense of trepidation as the author deftly reveals the depth of the friend’s toxic relationship. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, considering the slower pace and the unlikable characters, but it surpassed my expectations. I’m sure The Whispers will be a major hit with psychological thriller lovers.

Well this was an amazing read. I started it this morning and I have not been able to put it down.

This is the story of friendship. In particular the close childhood friendship of Grace and Anna, who meet at age 5 and become more like sisters than friends. Anna spends nearly all of her time at Grace’s house and until bad girl Heather arrives at school all mainly seems to be going well. Heather and Anna become friends and when the two go out one night to play a date on the cliffs, the unthinkable happens and only one returns.

Many years later Anna is still in her hometown but Grace has been living abroad as her parents moved when she was 17. Anna is married with a son and a group of new friends. She has largely forgotten Grace. Suddenly Grace is back and everything changes.

When Anna goes missing Grace can’t understand why no one is concerned, but why when Anna reappears some days later does everything seem to be not as it seems and is Grace back for a purpose?

Great twisty plot which really has the reader confused as to who has done what, who is good or bad and what on earth will happen next! The writing is pacy and the chart are well thought out. The end was good too and I felt it was just as it should be and fitted the book well.

Great novel which I am very happy to recommend with 5stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great thrilling read, how well do you really know those around you? When Anna goes missing, it can’t be she ran away, can it? She has an amazing husband and adores her son, so what’s happened?

Firstly - this is a very good book with building tension and I am sure it will be loved by many readers. Also the book cleverly shifts the reader's perception of Grace from Book 1 to Book 2. The chapters switch between Grace and Anna and move forwards and backwards in time. So this is a personal review of the book and I accept that my preferences will probably not be those of the majority.
I found The Whispers to be very slow and I admit I had to speed read through many pages trying to get to the point where the story moves on.
The storyline reminded me of the brilliant Big Little Lies Series 1 on Sky TV where you are presented with evidence of a 'body' at the start but you are not certain who and how until the end. No spoilers here. However The Whispers concentrates on the 5 wives and unlike Big Little Lies has little involvement of both husbands and children.

I normally enjoy books by this author but I didn't particularly enjoy this one. I found it hard to get into the storyline or like the characters.

I am sorry to say I was glad when I had finished it

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This story is about Grace. She returns from Australia with her daughter Matilda to a seaside town called Clearwater in England. Grace has enrolled her daughter in the same school,that her best friend Anna’s son goes to. Grace is hoping to pick up her friendship with Anna where they left off many years ago. However, Anna has a new set of friends now and Grace is not welcomed into their group. When Anna suddenly disappears after a night out Grace is suspicious that the group are holding information back from her.

At the start of this book I thought that it was going to be more about playground cliquey mums. Although it started this way it quickly turned into something different. There are lots of twists and turns and it does keep you guessing but it was also la king something as it just didn’t keep my attention all the way through .

This book begins when Anna, a thirty year old mother goes missing after a night out. Her friends are all made suspects and Anna's eldest friend Grace who recently returned from Australia is desperate to get to the bottom of her disappearance.

I enjoyed this book and found myself immersed into the plot straight away. I really liked Perks writing style and how the plot was so fast paced and a lot seemed to happen. The plot goes from present to past which definitely added to the suspense.

I also enjoyed Grace's narrative and feel her character added so much into the story, especially as she was an unreliable narrator. The unexpected twists kept me reading and suspecting every character and possible reason behind Anna's disappearance. I did feel the ending was slightly rushed however, this book was definitely a page turner.

If you enjoy a thriller then I'd recommend you read this!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest and unedited feedback.

I haven't read any of Heidi Perks previous novels but I had heard good enough things to have my interest piqued with this one.
But sadly this was just too slow paced for me and I worked out exactly how it was all going to end, which always leaves me quite disappointed when that happens. And that was why I had to settle on 3 stars for The Whispers.
It was quite average in general, to be honest.
The twists, characters and ending were all pretty average.
However, I would be open to trying her previous books though.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent read. Totally addictive, I was very annoyed when I had to leave it for an hour to attend to real life 😂. Clever plot that has you switching allegiances half way through. Seems a toxic manipulative friend can pull the wool over lots of eyes! Clever descriptions of love, loyalty, emotional blackmail and lots more. Great plot that had me gripped from the off. I read this in less than 24hrs.
Be careful who you trust, not everyone is your real friend or good for you.

A clever thriller about the power of toxic friendships, teenage girls and motherhood. It had a good start and I was gripped but I found towards the end, I just guessed everything that was going to happen.

I couldn't put this down and read in a day!

Anna and Grace where like sisters growing up but then Grace went to Australia to live with her parents and both drifted apart.
However, Grace is now back in England, in the same village where she grew up, with her daughter but not her husband.
Then Anna goes missing after a night out with friends, including Grace. She returns but Grace is worried about her. Where did she go? What secrets have the two got between them and who is telling the truth?

Friendships old and new form the basis of Heidi Perks latest psychological thriller The Whispers. One friendship in particular, beginning in childhood is placed under intense scrutiny as once again the author casts the spotlight upon the darker side of female friendship. Can this friendship stand the test of time or has the time come to put an end to a relationship that may prove to be more harmful than good?

Grace Goodwin has recently returned from Australia with her daughter Matilda, having emigrated to the other side of the world with her parents when she was seventeen. In leaving Clearwater, Grace’s friendship with Anna Robinson, forged when they were both five was abruptly brought to an end and they’ve had little contact ever since. Both are now married, reunited in this south western seaside town through their children who are attending the same school and Grace is keen to rekindle their friendship, viewing Anna as the sister she never had. Conveniently forgetting their lack of communication over the years Grace imagines she can simply pick up where they left off, best friends forever. However it would seem Anna has moved on in terms of the friends she now surrounds herself with, part of a cliquey group of four who often find themselves the subject of idle speculation amongst the playground mums. Ever since her arrival back in her hometown Grace seems to hover on the periphery of Anna’s circle, comprising Nancy, Rachel and Caitlyn, more or less unwelcome and ignored until Anna invites her to join them for pre Christmas drinks at a local pub. Maybe this is a chance for Grace, who’s to all intents and purposes a single mother whilst her husband remains working abroad, to spend some quality time with Anna catching up and reminiscing. Or maybe not! Finding the other women aloof and unfriendly, the evening doesn’t quite go according to plan even taking into account the amount of alcohol consumed. When Anna fails to make it home after their night out she becomes the target of idle gossip and rumour, her disappearance causing Grace much distress. Prepare for fireworks as you book a ringside seat in this female friendship showdown that takes no prisoners. The gloves are off, the claws are out and the games are about to begin. May the best woman win!!

The author, much like a spider to a fly, traps her readers within a complex web of secrets and lies that spill forth from these pages the more you learn of Anna and Grace’s shared history. I was intrigued as to Anna’s indifference towards her oldest friend, puzzled by Nancy’s open hostility, contemplating whether this is an obvious case of a friendship that’s simply run its course. Truly if the bond between these two was as strong and all consuming as we are led to believe, why are Anna and Grace not welcoming each other with open arms? Perplexing to say the least but then events descend into even stranger territory with Anna’s disappearance a catalyst for the past to rear its ugly head. Imagine the past as a slumbering beast awoken from its stupor, unleashed and on the rampage with the power to destroy both women in its path. That’s the powerful visual effect this author’s writing creates as she sucked me into a vortex of negative emotions. Jealousy, obsession and controlling and manipulative behaviour are the dishes served on this menu!

The beauty of this thriller is in trying to fathom which is the best angle to view this friendship from; which one is more likely to expose the truths behind this friendship that has turned sour? By listening in to the whispers and rumours that circulate amongst the playground mums should we place our faith in conversations that have little basis in reality or will we relish all the drama and mystery? How easily will we jump to the wrong conclusions? The author leads you on a (not so!) merry dance through the lives of all these women over the course of a school term, as they are bound together by Anna and Grace’s best kept secret, constantly changing the perspective so you’re never sure who needs protecting from whom. In an ending that had my pulse rate soaring with a degree of ambiguity hanging in the air this for me was a cracking way to bring the curtain down on all these characters and the events that tie them together. I found this to be a thoroughly entertaining read, loving the characters who by their very natures are not particularly nice individuals, probably not ideal friendship material if you value your life but they certainly provide the reader with plenty of entertainment.

I’ve only ever read one other book by this author Three Perfect Liars which I found equally enthralling and would happily recommend both. On this occasion I’ve based my four star review upon the fact that whilst the plot line is far from original I couldn’t put it down. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

A really bland, boring book that unfortunately I couldn't wait to finish. Really obvious the way it was heading with very little pace and zero twists. Very disappointing as I have previously really enjoyed Heidi's books.

Twisty psychological drama full of rabbit holes: think Broadchurch meets Big Little Lies meets The Ice cream Girls...

Just laid in bed for an extra hour so I could finish this pacey thriller as the end reached its inevitable, dramatic conclusion.

I love a book that hooks me in and this one did from the start. Focusing on two central characters, Anna and Grace, it’s hard to know who to trust at the start of the book. Grace, who has returned to her childhood town, hoping to spend more time with her oldest friend, or Anna who has seemingly moved on from their close friendship, cruelly choosing new ‘mum’ friends over their close bonds.

But when Anna goes missing it swiftly becomes apparent that all is not what it seems.

Very atmospheric, with characters that you didn’t wholly trust, I really enjoyed this and would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It’s ages since I’ve read a book that had me totally gripped, I couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen next.
I started off feeling very sorry for Grace, returning from Australia and not being welcomed with open arms by her best friend. As the story progresses, flash backs to the past, you begin to question who is telling the truth.
A great read.

I enjoyed the premise for a story about childhood relationships and how they can affect your life. Plenty of twists and turns and suspense throughout but I found the ending predictable. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.