Many thanks to my partners @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.  

 

This was my first book by North, and I went in expecting to be <fully> spooked.  Unfortunately, I think I came away more confused than anything else.  

 

A serial killer.  A philosophical conundrum over fate.  Two things I love.  One of my friends told me that this storyline had the makings of a perfect read for me.  And she was right! The premise of this book is diabolical and thought provoking.  

 

And yet.  Was it the large cast of characters penned with broad strokes?  Was it the muddled transitions between POV?  I flew through the 30-40% eager to watch the unfolding.  But somewhere along the way the plotline started lacking and confusion began to set in.  

 

For me, the nail in the coffin was the HUGE plot hole in the ending.  (I asked numerous friends that I know are close readers… none of them could answer the gaping, central-to-the-story question.)

 

I can see where North’s writing draws people in, and I’m definitely going to give The Whisper Man a go.  But unfortunately, my first foray into North’s portfolio was a miss.  

 

🎧 The audiobook narration by Rosalie Craig quickly pulled me into the storyline.  Her nuance and tone were pitch perfect for the suspense.   But, I often found myself confused unless I had the physical book in hand.  (To be fair:  I often was confused even with the physical copy.)