Whistle by Linwood Barclay

I expect an excellently plotted suspense thriller from Linwood Barclay, so I was pleasantly surprised to see he has switched genres. This latest book is a paranormal horror story with all the tension and pacing one gets with a good thriller. 

Annie's life is in freefall. First, her husband is killed in a hit-and-run accident, and then a young reader of her popular children's book series tragically dies. Seeking solace, she and her young son Charlie move from New York City to a small town in upstate New York. All seems fine until Charlie discovers a model train set in a shed. Mysterious events begin, and their retreat no longer looks so idyllic. 

Two months after September 11, 2001, a new store opened on Main Street in the small town of Lucknow, Vermont. Run by an eccentric man known as Edwin Choo, the store offers model train sets that appeal to young and old alike. When people and pets begin disappearing, police chief Harry Cook notices a pattern related to Mr. Choo. Could he be more than he appears?

Switching back and forth in time between Annie and Harry, Barclay expertly leads the reader through a maze of paranormal circumstances that tie the two storylines together. Whistle is a dark and creepy read with interesting characters and plot twists. I hope Mr. Barclay continues to explore this new, darker side. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 20, 2025.

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The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn

 I love a good story about witches, my favorite being A Discovery of Witches. This is a different take on witches and their powers, and I got sucked into the story from the first page.

Piers is trying to escape an abusive marriage by faking her death and making it look like her husband murdered her. She has made her way to an elderly aunt's home in a remote village in New York, where she learns her high tolerance for poisonous plants is not only a family trait but a weapon used by the female members of her family. Calling themselves Bane Witches, they use their poisonous powers to kill men who prey on women and children. As a new member, Piers must prove herself worthy or face death at the hands of the Bane Witches. As the body count rises, Piers finds herself not only the focus of her witch sisters but also the local sheriff. When a predator gets Piers in his sight, she faces her biggest challenge--kill or be killed.

This is a cautionary tale about strong women who possess the power to eliminate evil men. Piers faces a moral dilemma and must come to terms with dishing out justice outside the law. The reader is carried along on Piers's journey of discovering and then honing her powers, all while she is under a possible death sentence herself. Hers is a tightrope balancing act with deadly consequences. I sometimes had to suspend disbelief, but overall, this is a satisfying read. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 18, 2025.

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House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias

 I love Gabino Iglesias's book The Devil Takes You Home. It is eerie and spellbinding, and this book is equally spellbinding and suspenseful, with interesting characters.

Gabe, Bimbo, Xavier, and Tavo are friends with tighter bonds than most blood brothers. Their pact of defending each other goes back to their childhoods in Puerto Rico and still holds today: mess with one, and you mess with all four. When the island's leading drug dealer kills Bimbo's mother, they vow to get revenge for her. They quickly realize they are in over their heads when they discover the drug kingpin's allies are not of this world and are not easily killed. Can their determination overcome evil spirits as well as their human enemies?

This interweaving of myths and legends provides an intriguing plot that is the basis of the dangers the friends face. As the four face formidable obstacles in their quest for vengeance, the reader watches as each character transitions into manhood. A story of love, revenge, and loyalty, this powerful book tests the bonds of loyalty and reality. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mulholland Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 6, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble