Cover Image: The Noise

The Noise

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Member Reviews

I don’t know what part James Patterson played in writing this novel, but he clearly was not at the top of his game. The Noise is a sci-fi thriller which begins at a survivalist settlement in the Pacific Northwest. Teenage Tennant and her younger sister, Sophie, are in the woods checking rabbit traps when they are assaulted by the sound of someone or something screaming. The noise rapidly builds in intensity and is so piercing that Sophie begins to bleed from her ears, nose, and eyes. Finding the girls, their parents secret them away in a storm cellar for their protection. Why the parents didn’t join them is just one of the many plot elements that is never fully explained in this novel.

The noise heard by the girls also affects everyone else in the colony and, when it finally stops, Tennant and Sophie emerge to find their entire community flattened. Tennant, while shaken, remains unchanged, but Sophie becomes violent and her sister has to restrain her to keep her from running toward a nearby bottomless gorge.

Enter the military and the scientists who are all trying to discover what is causing the noise and how to stop it. The girls are rounded up and serve, to some of these supposed experts, as guinea pigs.

The beginning of this novel was intriguing and held promise and, indeed, the saga of Tennant and Sophie was the only glue I found to hold the plot together. However, the endless military scenes and talk left me cold and I found it hard to maintain my interest in the story. Other than the two girls, I cared little about any of the other characters and, by the end (which I found to be completely unbelievable), I was glad the book was over.

Thus, I am unable to recommend The Noise, even to the most ardent sci-fi fans.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Little, Brown and Company, for providing me with a free copy of this novel.

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The Noise by James Patterson and J.D. Barker was received directly from the publisher and I chose to write and leave a review. I am not that much of a Patterson reader but Barker I read more often. I was under the impression this book was "Horror" but I call it more "Action/Adventure" with horror elements, depending on the reader. As always I will not go into plot lines but the action is fast paced enough I did not do much, if any, skimming. Skimming is so easy to do nowadays and when I recall doing it, I take away author points. If you, or someone you buy books for enjoys pacific northwest based, doom and gloom, end of the world(?) type books, give this one a read.

4 Stars

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AMAZING THRILLER THAT TOTALLY BLEW MY MIND WHEN THE NOISE WAS REVEALED. EPIC TWIST THAT KEPT ME BINGE READING THE BOOK.

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Such a unique story told by the great Patterson and one of my favorite authors, Barker.

This is one of those books where I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but at the same time I couldn't put it down. These authors kept me asking all the questions and needing all the answers.

I was engaged from the start. Unique characters. Unique plot. Great follow-through from start to finish. Well, almost finish. I had a tough time with the ending. Although, there weren't many ways the book could end, I just wasn't feeling the ending. It was too far fetched and abrupt for my liking.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I don't say that often with books more on the sci-fi side. In fact, I'm not big on the sci-fi to begin with.

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JD is truly becoming an unstoppable force in his writing. He is constantly churning out winning books where his writing chops are starting to get seriously noticed.

The noise is no different in that it is fast paced action, that can easily translate to screen - the norm for a Patterson backed novel.

Get it, devour it and be left wanting for more...

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I’ve been a huge fan of J.D. Barker since I first read his 4MK trilogy a couple of years back. I love how he doesn’t stick to a genre and jumps from police procedurals to action packed thrillers or stories with a touch of sci-fi or supernatural (She has a broken thing where her heart should be was one of my favorite books last year).

In his latest collab with James Patterson (how many words did he actually write besides his name on the cover?) a noise of unknown origin cause chaos and destruction in a small survivalists community. A teenager and her little sister are the only survivors but the small one is showing some weird behavior . Who or what caused the noise and how did it kill dozens of people without leaving almost a trace? Enter a team of scientist recruited to find out what happened in a race against time before the noise repeats itself and you have an action packed story with an original premise.

I gotta say I think the idea was fantastic and the first half was quite disturbing as the fear of another event unleashing at any moment was really palpable. On the contrary, I found the second half really repetitive and a bit long (I got physically tired reading so much about all those people running!).

The pace was relentless and that didn’t allow for much character development. They felt all a bit one dimensional. We’re first presented with lots of characters, which I had to make an effort to try and remember who they all were and what they did, for them to suddenly disappear for the rest of the story.

The novel presented some interesting theories but be ready to suspend your disbelief. I’m still not sure about the ending but with such an unconventional premise I’m not sure what would have been a truly satisfying ending.

Although not my favorite J.D. Barker book, it still had some enjoyable moments and I will read anything he comes out with.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I very much enjoyed reading The Noise, I was totally immersed in the plot and enjoyed all of the main characters. I lost a bit of focus when, about halfway through, I thought it was going down a different route which I found hard to believe, but turns out I was wrong and I continued to love it. Great book well worth a read.

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Another great book by both theses authors they really work well together...
Its a bit of a frightening read as i could see something like this happening when you hear this noise there is nothing that can save you, you just run and run even when ppl have body parts missing they are still running......
Sophie and Tennant are survivor's of the noise well tennant is not so much sophie as she was infected a group of doctors and scientists are sent to find out what’s going on.
I really liked the ending it was brilliant but i wouldn't expect anything else from these authors...
Thank you for my advanced copy i loved it....

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The Noise by James Patterson; and J. D. Barker is the first book I have read from these authors and I loved it. This book was a cracking read that was full of great twists and turns throughout that will have you gripped from the very first few pages right till the end of the book!

This will not be the last book I will read by these authors.

I highly recommend this book! Just brilliant

Big Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read

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Another JD Barker hit! The way this book is written is consistent with a great thriller that keeps you turning the pages. There are short chapters, filled with more reasons to keep reading.
The Noise grabs you from the beginning. Two sisters who live with their family in a small settlement “off the grid” are out trapping rabbits, when suddenly they hear a strange sound that they assume is the sound of a rabbit being trapped incorrectly. They start to rush to relieve the animals from their pain when their parents shove them into their cellar and trap them there. The loudness of the sound is painful and vibrates the cellar from all sides as though it is a natural weather event. Once it seems safe they are able to move to their family’s second meeting spot. Things are not as they seem and now their parents have disappeared as has the settlement. Everything is flattened and all the people are gone. The sisters are now on their own.
As is typical of Barker’s stories, there are twists and turns galore, as well as supernatural elements. This story keeps you guessing and turning the pages.
Highly recommend for all the Patterson and Barker fans. If you haven’t tried them, this one is totally worth it.
#TheNoise #Netgalley #LittleBrownandCompany

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As soon as I saw J.D. Barker was involved in The Noise, I snapped up the chance to read an advance copy and dove right in without even bothering to find out what it was about! I must say I really enjoyed this method of reading the novel, I had no expectations so everything was unexpected.

I loved the emerging doomsday plot and how it evolves throughout the novel. There were some great developments that I didn’t see coming and they really built the suspense well.

There’s not a lot I can say that won’t give away some of the most awesome plot points in the story, but I enjoyed the pacing and the themes throughout.

I recommend The Noise for people who enjoy atmospheric doomsday media like The Stand and A Quiet Place.

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I couldn't wait to read this, I love both these authors. I had high hopes and it started well, had me intrigued with great pace and premise. The sisters made me really emotional, I wanted to know they would be ok. Then the pace changed, got confusing and felt really rushed at the end. I need to read it again as I think I missed the point. I didn't realise the book had finished. I was left wanting more.
Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy.

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Although, this was a well written story that kept me at the edge of my seat wanting and biting my nails eager to know how this was going to end, there were times I felt it dragged on a bit. I have enjoyed other books by this author combo and looking forward to future ones. J.D Barker has become one of my favorite authors. I am currently trying to get my hands on his backlisted books. Thanks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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There is a vibration coming to town which does become annoying, overbearing, and then continues to build becoming so intense that one finds themselves screaming. For two young girls, Tennant and Sophia Riggin, saved for a time by their father's quick action, the noise becomes overpowering. Inside the storm cellar, they are petrified but Tennant has placed wax in her ears, while Sophia doesn't have protection. The noise seems to sweep everything away, their home, their town in the isolated woods neat Mt. Hood. Worse of all though is that their parents are missing and the world they once knew is turned upside down.

The government becomes involved sending Dr Martha Chase and Lieutenant Colonel Fraser, and others to contain the catastrophe and find out what has caused this noise that is unbearable to most, but where some have seemed to escape.

What follows is a wild ride into the who, what, and where was the origin of this tragedy. Sophie is affected, yet she can also provide the clues needed to solve this supposed enigma. There is a plethora of questions, starting with the elevated temperatures of those affected. As Sophie seems to become further entrenched in the noise, she starts to utter things that make no sense. Tennant is out to protect Sophie from harm and any government probing. However, there is little she can do, when her sister exhibits "otherworldly" traits. Both Dr Chen and Colonel Fraser are baffled and dig into all possibilities including an attack by a foreign nation, an attack from an alien source, or even a fulfillment of a prophecy.

All of this adds up to a spine-chilling story where excitement mixes with possibilities and the nature of the human race seems to be at the beck and call of the noise. When the President is called to action, he does what would be considered unfathomable but will it stop the pervasive prevalence of the noise?

Definitely different, and definitely one that combines so many elements of science fiction, horror, and dystopian. It's a dark read and one that can fill the reader with the sense of doom, and make one wonder could this ever be the ultimate end for humankind?

Thank you to James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and NetGalley for a copy of this eerie, intense, and mind blowing story that was published on August 16, 2021. story.

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Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5

I will read anything with J.D. Barker's name on it. He is an incredible writer and has become one of my favorite thriller/horror authors. He is on top with Stephen King in my opinion. James Patterson on the other hand, used to be one of my favorite authors, before he starting co-writing all of his books. I was excited to read this book more because of Barkers name on it than Pattersons.

The Noise was well written with short, multi-POV chapters which kept the story moving along at a fast pace. The plot was unique and interesting. A noise is making people run which is baffling the scientists, doctors, military and politicians. I could clearly see the input of Barker's horror writing skills in the story. One of the weaknesses with this book was Martha. For being a doctor and working with the military, she was recalcitrant and defiant. I had a hard time liking her. Another weakness was the ending. It felt rushed and instead of closure it left me scratching my head.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, James Patterson and J.D. Barker for a copy of "The Noise" in exchange of an honest review.

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Tennant and her sister Sophia live on Mount Hood with their parents who are survivalists living off the grid. One morning while checking traps for rabbits, a strange vibration begins and increases into a deafening pitch. Their parents order the girls into a storm cellar built into the ground while the sound continues to grow.
When the girls emerge, the world has changed, the forest and all their village is gone along with their parents and everyone who lived there. Sophia is also different, she attacks Tennant who ends up putting her in restraints.
Meanwhile a group of scientists from vastly different specialties are brought to a secret military installation to observe the aftermath. They are given a two hour window to observe and come to some kind of conclusions. Not all of the group is willing to cooperate and are demanding access to places those in charge are trying to hide. They are in a race against the clock to save not only two scared little girls but the world.
J. D. Barker is brilliant and fans of Robin Cook / Michael Crichton will love this sci/fi/ thriller. I had difficulty in connecting with the story so I waited until the audiobook was available and the production was outstanding. The narrators and sound effects help draw me into a story that was difficult to follow in e-form. While this is not my genre, I will continue to read anything Barker publishes.
Thank you to # netgalley and the publisher for the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion. This is available now.

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This story was immediately engaging. It had short chapters and a few different points of view, which kept it interesting and moving along at a fast pace. I did not want to put it down and kept wondering what was going on and what was going to happen. I love when I can't see all of the twists coming.

Early on there were a few characters introduced and it felt like a lot at once, but you quickly learn which of those characters are going to be the important players. Then, the focus of the story remains on those few characters.

There is one child in the story that comes across as pretty creepy some of the time and there is an overall feeling of danger and something impending throughout the story. If you're looking for a thriller with a touch of horror, this may work perfectly for you.

The tension in the story continued to build until the end and the writing was excellent as you would expect from the duo of Barker and Patterson. Unfortunately, I found the conclusion to be a bit confusing and the explanation never felt fully formed to me. Though this could just be my personal lack of understanding of the concepts, the wrap-up kept the book from being 5 stars for me. However, I did feel the end was at least unique and unexpected.

I will continue to accept every widget and read everything I can by Barker.

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One of the most disturbing but unique books I've read in a while!! It's one of those stories you finish and think what the actual.... ! Also not something I would like to EVER experience! At times my mouth was literally hanging open (definitely not a pretty sight I can assure you!)
It's a story that makes you look over your shoulder thinking "have the aliens finally landed" but then you think "hang on can this actually happen"?

We meet 16-year-old Tennant Riggin and her eight-year-old sister Sophie. They are fourth-generation survivalists who were born in the woods of Oregon and have never left. They have never seen the outside world. They live an uncomplicated life until the day of The Noise!  A sound like nothing you've heard before.
" What had started as a single high-pitched tone had grown to all sounds - high and low, both deep and shrill - screeching, shrieking, all at once"
The most horrifying thing that can happen to a person. It doesn't matter who you are. If Anna Shim wants you, you will start running.....

What is this anomaly? Why do they need the help of a climatologist, an astrophysicist, geologist, biologist, shrink and a Lieutenant Colonel? Will this mixed bag of people be able to figure it out before it is too late or will they pay with their lives?

I will now be signing off all electronic devices. If you are expecting a message from me please be patient. It may take a while to reach you because I don't have a pigeon that I can use and my parrot is on the old side!

If you want something different to read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and give you heart palpitations this is the book for you!

Thank you to J.D Barker, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

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This wasn’t the first book i read by James Patterson or j. D. Barker. I love both authors for their thrillers and therefore my expectations were sky high. And right from the start everything is happening fast. No room for errors or to rest. But with every chapter further into the story I wrestled with my mind. How could this be a thriller? A mystery for sure! So I kept reading and in the end......it was a thriller. And I hope and pray that this “Anomaly” is not something in the making.

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3.5 stars

Tennant and Sophie Riggin, are daughters of survivalists living in a remote and isolated village in Oregon, were going about their day when the vibrations/noise began. The screams, the noise, the terror, the blood flowing from their ears, eyes, etc. Their poppa put them in the shelter with their dog, Zeke, for safety and when they leave the shelter everything has changed - there is no one in sight, their village is destroyed, and Sophie is not acting like herself. Tennant decides they should move to another shelter when the noise/vibrations begin again.

What is happening? What is the cause of the noise? What is the word that Sophie keeps saying? How can Tennant help her sister? Where did everyone go? Where is Momma? Where is Poppa?

A group of elite government investigators are called in to investigate. On the team is Dr. Martha Chan, a psychologist who analyses long term medical emergencies. She studies them. Another team member is Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Fraser, a career military leader with a mistrust of civilians. He is sent to contain them. The noise is continuing and spreading across the Pacific Northwest, things are getting out of hand. But how do you study and contain when you don't understand what and why caused this "Noise" to happen? How can you stop something that you have to fight with every fiber in your being to resist?

There are several POV's being told in this book and there is a lot of minor characters as well. Readers will learn things as those in the book do. I liked the feeling of being unedge and unnerved not know what is happening. For me, this book is more horrifying than “true” horror, which in many ways makes the book more appealing.

This is a book that I was all over the place with rating. I loved the originality of this book and yet it had me thinking of other books due to the dystopian feel to it. I had flashes of The Stand, The Walking Dead, The Girl with All the Gifts and even I Am Legend while reading this. Not that this book's plot is like any of those, (it’s not!) but part of this book brought those to mind.

This book is highly imaginative, and I believe that this book would make a fantastic movie! I could see it playing out in my mind. There was everything but the kitchen sink thrown into this book! It's part science fiction, part dystopian, and as I mentioned earlier, horrifying.

My one issue with the book is that I didn't connect with any of the characters. I am speculating that so much time, thought, effort was put into the plot, the execution of the plot, the pacing, the action, and into the "noise" that the characters took second billing. The "Noise" is a HUGE character is this book and the others pale in comparison.

But I cannot deny that the execution of the plot was brilliant. I feel most of the credit goes to Barker for this. I can say that this is a book, I enjoyed more after I sat with it and contemplated it. Very creative and well thought out - again, I feel this is all Barker.

The ending was interesting...I wasn't sure what I thought of it at first. Honestly, I still don't know what I think of it. I have always devoured J.D. Barker's books and enjoy those by James Patterson. This collaboration was enjoyable but didn't grab me as much as their previous collaboration. Again, I think it is due to me not being overly invested in the characters.

.Creative, horrifying, original and tense!

Thank you to Little, Brown & Company and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

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