Words can't possibly explain how I feel about this book. Every once in a while, I read a book that simply takes my breath away and this was one of them.

I'd heard great things about it already but as soon as I started it, I was hooked. A mesmerising, atmospheric, powerful and evocative historical novel that I simply could not put down.

Rebecca is an incredible writer and I felt every emotion whilst reading this. I'll be shouting from the rooftops about this novel and I feel honoured to have had the chance to read it.

Thank you so much to the publishers and Net Galley.

A thrilling gothic read if you want to get the taste of the supernatural and emotions. It was a bit of slow read but the plot build up was justified. You slowly get to taste the creepy vibes and the thrill. Elspeth, a nanny takes up job at Iskar to take care of Mary. She discovers that Mary's brother William died a while ago and their previous nanny Hettie left abruptly. That Mary stopped talking and has an odd demeanour. That the house of Iskar is haunted and reeling with so many secrets that she wants to reveal but none of the residents speak about it much. But when she finally discovers the truth, it changes everything forever.
The plot twist at the end was a complete surprising moment that I didn't see coming. It was worth the read and I would urge anyone with the love of gothic and supernatural to pick up this book and read it straight away.

A gloriously creepy leap into a rainlashed world. Manderley meets Jane Eyre meets The Others, with added weather. Highly recommended

I was really looking forward to diving into this spooky tale, which hits the stands in time for hallowe’en. This is a slow burning read (for me it felt a little too slow) as you follow newly appointed nanny Elspeth, who’s joining the traumatise household at Iskar following multiple bereavements, and something not quite right.

Netley takes her time in setting out the story, letting the spooky goings-on play out, portraying Elspeth’s backstory for Elspeth and that of her young charge, Mary. You definitely feel that Iskar is a character in its own right, especially as it’s crumbling into neglect, dilapidation and decay. - despite efforts to the contrary.

Whilst I didn’t see the twist/big reveal at the end, and although it did pique my interest, it sadly wasn’t enough to really pull me in.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔

I’ve been saving this on my kindle, waiting for October and I’m so glad I did! It gave me all the spooky vibes, I really enjoyed it.
Elspeth takes a job as a nanny on a remote Scottish island. The child, a girl called Mary hasn’t spoken since her twin brother, William’s death and her former nanny Hettie’s disappearance.
Some spooky goings on start and leave Elspeth terrified, no one will tell her about William’s death and she starts to hear an eerie whistling.
I loved the creepy old house and small island as a setting, the author was very good at setting the cold, grey scenes and described the house, island and weather so well.
If you like The Woman in Black I think you’d enjoy this book.
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I absolutely loved this book, it frightened them life out of me…perfect for this time of year.

I was genuinely scared and creeped out many many times whilst reading this, and I literally couldn’t put it down. A couple of times I found myself speaking out loud…which i never do.

Utterly engrossing, and scary!

My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

The Whistling by Rebecca Netley is the perfect book to read as we approach Halloween. Deliciously creepy, it is a book that gets under your skin, the eeriness sending shivers up and down your spine as the story slowly reveals its secrets.

Beautifully written, it tells the story of Elspeth as she takes up the position of nanny to Mary, a young girl who has been rendered mute after the devastating loss of her twin brother. But all is not as it seems and Elspeth soon finds herself haunted by an eerie whistling noise and a terrifying feeling of unease as she tries to bring the troubled Mary out of her world of silence.

With an island reluctant to let go of its secrets and an increasing feeling of menace, The Whistling is a creepy gothic mystery that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. This is a book that builds the tension slowly, ramping up the fear as the story approaches an ending that chilled me to the bone.

Rebecca Netley has written a chilling and deliciously creepy ghost story that is dark and eerie, especially when reading late at night with the lights turned down low and the sound of the wind whistling outside your window. Maybe not the best idea I’ve ever had to be honest as it really did leave me feeling spooked as I turned the final page.

A dark and hauntingly beautiful ghost story that I would recommend. I loved it!

I loved the dark atmosphere and Gothic elements incorporated into every aspect of the novel. I felt that the plot was a bit predictable but this wasn't necessarily a bad thing: clues as to the resolution were nicely laid out through the story so that by the end I had pieced it together myself and was satisfied to see that I'd solved the mystery! I also really enjoyed the folkloric feeling of the whistling and the protagonist's interaction with myths and mythmaking processes. Highly recommended read, perfect for cool autumn and winter nights.

Perfect for this time of year, The Whistling is a gothic ghost story/horror story/whodunnit which just oozes atmosphere.

Set on a remote Scottish island in the mid 19th century, we have ghostly goings on, a mute child, murders, local folklore, a new nanny and a house that is a character in itself.

This one is prose heavy and all the better for it. I’m no literary snob and prefer a good yarn than beautiful writing but, this one is all about the atmosphere of the time, the place, the island, the house and it’s beautifully imagined here. There’s no overuse of words or descriptive passages, just beautiful writing adding to the spooky atmosphere and foreboding.

This one takes its time and suggests as much as it shows. The house really will get under your skin.

The ending I could take or leave to be honest but by then it didn’t really matter because I had already been taken on an otherworldly journey that I had thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC though Netgalley.

Elspeth Swansome is still grieving for her deceased younger sister, Clara, when she enrols as the new nanny to a family on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea. Her new home is plagued with the same suffering she knows innately as her young charge, Mary, hasn't spoken a word since her brother was taken from her. These two sad souls are drawn towards each other and ease the burden of their pasts with the solace of each other. But grief quickly proves to be the least of the entities they need to ward themselves against.

I was immediately immersed in this mysterious and eerie story. Mary's arrival was cloaked in drama and I felt the brooding setting become a silent character witnessing the events that occurred inside of it. I loved how the beauty of this isolated setting was offset by depictions of its loneliness, and also how many of the building's characteristics were shared by the central characters.

Menace seeped from these pages and I became as plagued with paranoia as the characters who featured inside the pages, and were constantly awaiting their next ordeal. Bumps in the night and shifting shadows were the least of all that occurred here...

The direction for this story was unforeseen, as was the root of the hauntings and mysteries. It proved to be the perfect spooky and Gothic read throughout and I am already eager to discover what mischief Rebecca Netley can next conjure.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Rebecca Netley, and the publisher, Michael Joseph, for this opportunity.

With Halloween around the corner (well, kind of!), I like to enjoy dark evenings with the rain beating at my windows curled up inside with a spooky book. The Whistling ticked all the boxes for this nicely -it’s a gothic historical horror in a remote part of Scotland, with a creepy house, a chilling family backstory and rumours of witchcraft.

The atmosphere to the piece is chilling and although I wouldn’t say the book is an outright horror, it’s a good read to make you question odd noises in your house late at night. Our main character is Elspeth who moves to a small Scottish Island to work as a nanny to a child who has not spoken a word since her brother died. I thought Elspeth was a good mixture of feisty and curious, while still having the delicate sensibilities of a woman from the 1800s. The claustrophobic feel of the village - with everyone knowing every piece of gossip about you and no ability to go anywhere by yourself without being watched was also presented well. I liked the relationship between Elspeth and her young charge Mary and the fact that she didn’t speak added to the horror side of the story.

I did feel that the book was a little slow at times and a better edit would have made this a more impactful story. The ending was also a touch predictable, but this is a debut and I’m excited to see what else Rebecca Netley will write – an author to keep an eye on for sure!

Overall, The Whistling is a slow-burn gothic horror which is perfect for reading as winter draws near. Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s this time of year that I start looking for spooky, atmospheric reads and THE WHISTLING fitted that category perfectly, from its cover to its claustrophobic setting seasoned with plenty of spooky vibes. Its basic premise is an oldie but a goodie: a nanny arrives on a remote Scottish island to take up a position in a grand old manor house, full of hope for a better future and to escape her own personal tragedy. She soon discovers, however, that there may be a good reason the previous nanny left in a hurry, never to be seen again. Elspeth’s charge, nine year old Mary, is so traumatised after the death of her mother and her brother, that she has been mute ever since. Her aunt, a stern, austere woman, will not speak of the past. And the house itself harbours secrets that may lay in a realm outside the human consciousness (let’s just come out with it, the house is haunted!).

I loved the way Netley set the scene. From the moment Elspeth arrived on the island, I could picture it all vividly. The rugged coastline, so stunning in summer, that turns sinister and dangerous in the cold, dark and misty days of winter. The old house, grand from a distance, but with signs of neglect that run deeper than just financial – and of course there are rooms that shall not be entered, and secrets that shall not ever be spoken of. Dark corridors, lit only by flickering candle light. Hostile servants. Whispers in the night, objects that are never in the same place, dusty portraits staring down from the walls, an eerie lullaby coming from the nursery at night. Netley’s descriptive writing brought it all vividly to life in my head. And Elspeth’s own tragic past made her a well rounded character whose motives and aspirations I could easily relate to.

From here follows a story that may not reinvent the traditional haunted house story, but runs with the tropes and uses them well to create a tense, eerie atmosphere. Apart from supernatural vibes, there is a whisper of witchcraft and wise women that fits in well with the era and the setting. I read this at night and got the full effect of the spooky atmosphere. The mystery at the heart of the story gave it extra depth, even though I felt that the ending felt a bit rushed to me after the deliciously slow and tense build-up.

All in all, THE WHISTLING is a beautifully written, haunting novel with a classical haunted mansion theme and a wonderful atmospheric setting. Netley’s writing has a dreamlike, almost wistful quality that made it easy to emotionally connect with the characters, the place and the era it is set in. If you love spooky old houses, the dark corridors of Skelthsea’s manor will lure you in and send shivers up your spine. If you are looking for a perfect Halloween read, and love slower, atmospheric novels in the vein of Laura Purcell or Michelle Paver, then look no further!

A slow burner but I am glad I kept on reading. The more I read the more intrigued I became. I actually read this book in one sitting and finally turned the last page at 2.am. A haunting ghost story and so much more. Beautifully written, set on a remote scottish island so very atmospheric and chilling. I felt like an invisible bystander witnessing first hand how the story unfolds. Historical intrigue and wonderful storytelling. A little gem .
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

The Whistling is a superior, well-written chiller set on a remote Scottish island.

Elspeth comes to the island of Skelthsea as nanny for a young girl called Mary. Mary has lost both her mother and brother in recent times and hasn't spoken since her brother's death.

As Elspeth gets to know her new charge, spooky goings-on start to abound and she finds herself beset by foes both human and supernatural.

Netley deftly creates both an ominous atmosphere and an intriguing mystery. At times the book is as much a whodunnit/whytheydidit as it is a traditional ghost story. Elspeth is a strong leading character and the supporting cast of islanders all provide colour.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone looking for a traditional ghost story.

This was a fantastic ghost story, I finished it in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down.

Set in the typical 1860 haunted mansion in Scotland, this beautifully written thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. I honestly didn't see the big twist coming and that's a true sign of a well-written mystery. I highly recommend this, especially as we're going into the cursed month of October.

The Whistling is chilling, it is cleverly constructed, it appears like a classic but has its own very special touch to it. Once started, I couldn’t put the book down. It was as if I was spellbound, shackled to the page, and even when the day passed and it was time to get up and turn the lights on it had me bound to my spot, even when the darkening room gave me more chills as I was hooked to the spooky story. There are many mysteries tangled with superstition and the past tragedies of Elspeth’s new working place, and every time I thought I had the right trace, a bit later on I was proven wrong.

This book has everything a spooky read needs: An isolated setting, a tragic past, myths and superstition, death, the weird children storyline, a new character brought into a tight-knit and strange community of people who all seem to be hiding something, and many, many secrets and mysteries that need to be unraveled. On top of that, The Whistling is beautifully written, and managed to captivate me from page one.

This is a perfect read in the lead up to Halloween, perfect for fans of Gothic tales! It reminded me a bit of Mrs England featuring a more sinister, eerie backdrop – 5 stars from me!

This was a very spooky story. Some very good characters and a compulsive storyline. Weird ancient beliefs and practices which stretch your imagination. Satisfying conclusion..

After finding herself alone in the world, Elspeth Swansome takes a job as a nanny on a remote Scottish island. Her charge Mary hasn’t spoken a word since her twin brother William died, just days after their nanny disappeared. No one will speak about what happened to William, likewise no one discussed the haunting whistling melody that Elspeth can often hear. As winter draws in, leaving the island becomes impossible and Elspeth finds herself trapped. But is the house haunted by ghosts of the past or the secrets of the living?

I really enjoyed this book. It’s strangely mesmerising and draws you in from the first page. The tension builds throughout as like Elspeth, you don’t know who to trust. A perfect read for Halloween, I would rate it 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Michael Joseph UK and the author for the chance to review.

A wonderful atmospheric Gothic chiller - just about sums up this tale !
Elspeth -still grieving from the loss of her sister -takes up a position as nanny to Mary
An orphan herself -Mary has been struck dumb after the trauma of losing both her twin brother William and her nanny Hettie -both in mysterious circumstances -and is being brought up by her aunt .
Whilst still setting in Elspeth is increasingly aware of strange goings on in the house -whistling ,footsteps outside her room and someone singing a lullaby night after night . But no-one else will admit to seeing or hearing anything .
Can Elspeth solve the mystery and save Mary from the evil that lurks in the house ?
Don't read with the lights off !

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

The Whistling is a hauntingly atmospheric story, set on a remote Scottish island and harnessing all the elements of Gothic tales to create a richly satisfying read.
Elspeth is a young woman, left upset after the recent death of her sister, who has come to a remote Scottish island to look after a young girl called Mary. From the moment she arrives she hears strange tales of the house and its inhabitants, the seeds of distrust are sewn and we watch as Elspeth tries to uncover exactly what is happening.
Her young charge is mute and suffers extreme nightmares. Elspeth quickly succumbs to the charms of feeling useful and developing a bond with this young girl who has not spoken since the death of her brother. No one can establish what has happened, but rumours circulate the island and the sense of oppression and menace grows.
As the story progresses we focus on the background to some of the characters, and the development of the suitably eerie island they call home. Unexplained events and strange noises are made to seem quite terrifying, and yet I admired the strength of character shown by Elspeth as she tries to navigate this place.
Perhaps this is to be expected, but our heroine makes mistakes and her own shortcomings are exploited perfectly by those who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. The final stages of the book shifted in a not wholly unexpected direction, though I have to say the actual revelation was deftly handled.
This was a book I found myself immersed in, and I’m grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read it prior to publication in exchange for my honest thoughts.