I'm sorry but this was a 'Did not like' for me. I enjoyed the setting in the first book of this series but didn't get on with The Night Whispers at all.

What I enjoyed about the first book was the development of Sarah from an under confident and isolated character into one with budding friendships and someone with confidence in their natural ability within the job. Yet, for me, Sarah was not only back at square one in regards to her job in this book but she somehow seemed worse. She came across as a wet blanket, backing down to anything and anyone who gave her any sort of challenge. I think this genre is saturated with the sassy, take no prisoner types, and I don't want Sarah to be like a Lara Croft of Slayton, but she needs something more about her to keep me interested.

I also enjoyed the creepiness of the setting in book 1, but this one just didn't have the same level at all. Although creepy child ghosts usually get me, these ones didn't.

I do like the paranormal elements that run through. They aren't the main plot point and because that makes them feel understated, it seems to make them more plausible.

Aside from the first murders nothing really happens until about the 70% mark. Most of it is just Sarah walking round saying, there is something dodgy going on in Slayton. I know in the first book we had Sarah's past and then the current murders being uncovered, so we were perhaps missing the subplot here, but it just felt so sparse through the middle.

The endings felt like they were there for 'twists' and shocks but they felt so underdevloped. I really did cringe a couple of times because it just didn't feel right at all. There was no foreshadowing, and then the karma ending was just too much.

There were also bits that I thought were incorrect. In chapter 24 they started referring to a Greg, but I had no idea who they were talking about and I think it was meant to be Geoffrey? But maybe I did just miss something.

I really did want to like this one but it didn't feel developed or polished enough and the plot let this one down.

I'm not sure if I would dip back in to the series. Maybe go for book 3 as a decider because there is one I did like and one that I didn't.

I wanted to like this one, it started out pretty strong but for some reason I just never got into it and I struggled to get excited to pick it up again. I would definitely still try more from this author because I enjoyed previous titles but this one just wasn't my favorite.

I have said it before and will say it again….I am loving Caroline’s new darker style of writing. Like always she never fails to disapoint. Having read all of her books this series is my absolute favourite.

Set in a town called Slayton Caroline sets the scence for a creepy and atmospheric read with a blend of supernatural. Which will certainly send shivers down your spine.

Slayton is a town you really dont want to live in. It is very creepy with plenty of urban myths. It gets you thinking what is real and what is a myth. In this book we follow Detective Sarah Noble on a dark and twisty case in book two of the series. If you havent read the first one I recommend that you do, because this book refers back to it throughout the story and we also catch up with characters from it.

The Night Whispers is full of OMG moments that will have you on the edge of your seat…I could’nt read this fast enough. Trying to work out what was going to happen next! Once again Caroline brings us another nail biting read keeping me guessing until the end.

Don’t read this with the lights out! ( Kindle Readers)…..Caroline Mitchell is without a doubt the new queen of horror….My only question is now…..When is the next book out?!

Massive thank you to Embla books for a copy, all thoughts are my own and not biased in anyway.

The town of Slayton is only just starting to recover from the horrors of the Midnight Man so when two children with black eyes appear on the doorstep of Mrs Simmons and her wheel bound son Geoffrey, nobody is prepared for what comes next and Detective Sarah Noble has another big case to solve, but can she and the team discover who is behind it all before there’s another death in Slayton?

The atmosphere is set right from the start of this latest crime thriller, the second in the Slayton series by Mitchell. It’s a tense and chilling read with an element of the supernatural which hooked me right from that first page and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, this author really knows how to spook her readers! We met some of the characters in the first book in this series, so it was good to see them make a return in The Night Whispers and get to know them better, especially Elliott who I still wanted to protect from the evil surrounding him. This is a well-crafted story that will keep you second guessing and, although it can be read as a standalone, it’s better to read The Midnight Man first so you get the background of the characters. This series just keeps getting better and I highly recommend.

I’d like to thank Embla Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

The Night Whispers by Caroline Mitchell is the second in the Slayton Thriller series.

Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Slayton is a town that is seemingly run by bigwig Simon Irving, and he has powerful friends.  But Slayton is a little strange, where the "odd" is the normal, where the myths and legends seem to mingle with the everyday life.  Detective Sarah Noble owns Blackhall Manor, but Irving wants it.  She is determined he won't get it.  Her boss Gabby is becoming a friend, and their boss is Bernard, a DI who is retiring.  Sarah's best friend Maggie has a child who "knows" things.  Elliott's dreams terrify him, but he helps Sarah solve crimes, and there is usually something strange going on in Slayton.  Her other friend Elsie is a romance author, and her natural nosiness also helps Sarah.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Elliott is having nightmares again.  Two children, Mercy and Mikey appear to him and want his help.  But they are rather scary.  They have black eyes.

Rosemary opens the door to two young children.  The next morning she and her wheel-chair bound son are found murdered.  Sarah finds the bodies.

It is the anniversary of the disappearance of Noah's younger siblings, and he and his grandmother are camping in the area.  This is the year that Noah hopes to find answers.

Gerard is in town to make sure that Sarah doesn't sell Blackhall Manor, but he is staying for another reason.

Arnold is racked with guilt over what happened years ago, but he struggles to confess.

Not all survive.


My Opinions:   
This was another fast and compelling, if a little dark, read.  I like the somewhat supernatural feel to the whole town.

I absolutely love the characters in this series....well, most of them, and I fear we have not yet heard the end of Irving.  Sarah is a wonderful and caring individual, and I wouldn't mind having her as a friend myself!

The plot held my attention, but I think that the book dragged on a little too long after the mystery was solved.

Bottom line....I can't wait for the next one in this series!

Note to self - <i>NEVER STEP FOOT IN SLAYTON! </i>

It began with whispers in the night. The Black-eyed children are out there and then they are at your door, knocking and wanting to come in! Here's some advice, never open your door, especially at night when strangers come knocking.

When Mrs. Simmons and her adult son are found viciously murdered, the children who knocked on their door are nowhere to be seen. Mrs. Simmons felt bad for them, thought they were lost, welcomed them inside, offered them hot chocolate...…

Detective Sarah Noble was doing a welfare check after a call was received from a concerned neighbor, and found the grisly scene, hoping this will be the last, but it won’t. It’s only the beginning!

Reader are first introduced to Sarah and many of the characters in this book in [book:The Midnight Man|58758671], the first book in the series. It was so nice to see how many of them were doing after the events of the last book. If you have not read that book, I highly recommend it.

As Sarah and her department begin to investigate the murders in this book, it is very clear that there is more (so much more) going on here.

For me this book was not scary or frightening but was creepy and sinister. Plus, they eye stuff, ack! I’m not quite sure why no one has moved out of Slayton, but the residents all seem to know and understand that there is evil here. Evil that will do anything to keep its secrets.

Caroline Mitchell wowed me (and won a fan) with her first book in the series and she continued to impress me with this book. Her use of tension, dread, and atmosphere added to the sinister and creepy vibe of the book. She has me looking forward to the next book in the series!

<i><b>Tense, sinister, atmospheric, and dark! </b></i>

#TheNightWhispers #NetGalley


Thank you to Embla Books 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.

I did not read the first book and felt it was easy to read this one without the first, few references to first book but not pertinent to the story line. The night children are creepy, didn’t get scared feeling exactly but good descriptive writing of a creepy scene for sure. Story is told from several characters perspectives but easy to follow. You will be wondering who you can trust? Is the whole town in on the cover up and who has the biggest secret to keep. Great read I’d think for fall.

Thanks to Netgalley and Embla books for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this was creepy!
Little children running around with hollowed-out eyes and whispering, can it get any more disturbing?!
Right from the beginning, I was hooked; this book just had a way of luring you in and keeping you there. Even if it was 1 am, and you were terrified by what you were reading, it compelled you to keep going! And this did spook me; I was scared to close my eyes and be in the dark! It was very well written!
Before starting this one, I didn’t remember much about the first Slayton book, although the more I read of this, the more I remembered the characters. Things that had happened in the past were alluded to, but I think just an odd paragraph might have been helpful, just briefly recapping at that point. I couldn’t remember Sarah’s history, although I remember it being shocking, but I just needed a gentle reminder. Nothing major just something to stop me from trying to rack my useless brain for information that just wasn’t stored.
Once I tried to stop remembering and just enjoyed the story, I flew through the book. It was a terrific story, and all the characters were really interesting. The ending was perfectly twisty and everything is wrapped up and tied off.
I’m looking forward to the next in the series, and this time I will make some crib notes to remind me of who’s who!

Having devoured the Midnight Man by Caroline Mitchell I couldn't wait to gee my hands on a copy of The Night Whispers. I will say this, both of these books in the Slayton Thrillers series would work best read in the Autumn/Fall time (If you are anything like me and enjoy a book that's atmospheric). That aside The Night Whispers picks up again with Sarah our detective in the small town of Slayton and there is more trouble ahead.

I won't go much into what happens in this book as I feel its best to go in a little blind. If you enjoy a book that's a supernatural thriller then I think this will hit all the right notes for you. I adored Elliot in The Midnight Man and the opening chapter sets just the right edge with him and what you are about to experience. Sarah is still a good character although at times her indecisions and questioning of her own abilities does drive me a little crazy. This was the case with the first book too but didn't take from the story nor make me feel less for the character. IF you read the first book you get a greater understanding as too why she is the way she is.

I felt The Night Whispers mystery was much better than The Mightnight Man but the ending lacked as much of a bite. It was still a very good read. These books could be read as standalones but I feel are best read together in order (The Midnight Man is available on kindle unlimited so free if you subscribe to that). Over all, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading both of the Slayton Thrillers and am so glad to have found a new author who's work is consistently good. Caroline Mitchell I praise you and your writing of the people of Slayon! A solid 4 star read, thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for the early ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.

When two little kids come to elderly woman Rosemary’s door asking for help late at night, she lets them in. The next day, she and her wheelchair-bound son are found brutally murdered, with the two kids nowhere in sight. Sarah is one of the local police, and is helping with the case. Her friend’s son, Elliott, seems to have some insight, as these kids visit him at night, too. And there’s a rumour about town about two black-eyed children.

I really liked this. It was creepy. There were a lot of characters to try to keep straight. The chapters were short and the POV switched around. This was little background stuff, but I also liked that she worked a few COVID things going on (the lead-up as people started wearing masks, a slight opening up again, Zoom calls…). I didn’t realize when I got this that it was the second book in the series. It can be read on its own (obviously, I did, and I really liked it!), but there were hints as to things that happened in the first book, and I do want to back up and read it, too.

This book made me really uncomfortable, in the way only a book that crawls under your skin and makes you look over your shoulder while you are reading it can.
We are back in the creepy town of Slayton with its shadowy past and savvy Detective Sarah Noble. An elderly lady and her wheelchair bound son hear a knock on their door late at night. Two children stand on the doorstep, what would you do only take them into your home. The home owners are found dead the next day with their eyes gouged out.
As the death toll rises in the town, whispers are heard at night in the woods and stories of black eyed children have the whole town on edge.
The atmosphere of this book was so creepy, I found myself with goosebumps on more than one occasion. The writing was darkly fantastic and not for the faint of heart. Lock your doors and find a blanket to hide behind before you start this book!!! I give this book all the stars!!!

Hearing the whispers, what are they telling the people that can hear them?
Guilty people fearing being found out, The dark eyed children haunting their every move. If you hear a knock at the door, do not open it...A great creepy thriller.
Detective Sarah Noble investigates another case in Slayton. Great read that certainly keeps you guessing..
With thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited to read the sequel to last year's excellent The Midnight Man! The Night Whispers by Caroline Mitchell is an unputdownable police procedural thriller. The story revolves around a legend in the town of Slayton regarding black-eyed children - creatures in the woods who scare people to death - literally. When the black-eyed children kill again, it's up to Detective Sarah Noble to solve the case.

Here is a terrifying excerpt from Chapter 1:

"My name is Mercy. I am twelve years of age. I haven't seen my family in twenty-five years. I don't have a grave. When I do, my headstone will be overlooked by a stone angel. Daffodils will grow there when it crusts over the borders of my grave. My brother will be buried beside me. His name is Mikey. He is six.
Mother is calling our names. The faint sound of her voice used to be a comfort but now it makes me sad. She is both near and so very far away."

Overall, The Night Whispers is a terrifying police procedural and thriller that lives up to its excellent predecessor, The Midnight Man. One highlight of this book is how scary it is. I was absolutely terrified at points and couldn't go to sleep. Another highlight of this book is how cinematic it is. While I was reading it, it felt like I was watching a movie! If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that there were a bit too many characters to keep track of. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in July!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for a free ARC of this book.

Having read and loved The Midnight Man by this author, I jumped at the chance to read The Night Whispers. The book description and marketing promise a 'chilling thriller'; however, I found the plot, pacing, and characterisation lacking. The read is linear with no surprises, and the children didn't come across as that creepy. Also, they didn't feature large in the narrative. DC Sarah Noble felt as flat as a cardboard cutout, and I got utterly fed up with the amount of times the narrative used this character to explain basic police procedural to the reader when it wasn't needed at all. Honestly, readers do not need babysitting to this ridiculous degree. Some of this is so basic that, had I never read a police or crime novel in my life, I'm sure I would have understood the points without the unnecessary unpacking.

The writing is passive in the extreme and filler words such as 'she knew', etc., abound. Many sentence constructions read as clumsy; for example: 'Anger bloomed, raw and relentless, as he walked on, avoiding the main road, and saw the cottage in the clearing.' ... and ... 'She could feel her fillings virtually rattling in her head.'

So many times while reading this book, I asked myself if this were the same author as the one who wrote the wonderful The Midnight Man. I wanted to love this read, but it failed to deliver for me.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

Another heart stopping psychological thriller with hint of paranormal by Caroline Mitchell. Midnight man set a high bar of expectation but enjoyed this one even more. Though it can be read as a standalone, with the previous book setting up the location, atmosphere and characters you'd gain more by reading Midnight Man first.
It's creepy, atmospheric and the twists as secrets are revealed weren't what I was expecting.
Elliot with his knack of connecting with the other side remains the star.
Can't wait to see what is next for Sarah Noble and the creepy village of Slayton

Love this author! It began with the whispers. In the woods, in the park, and always at night. Then they came into town, down dark alleys, and in the shadows. Before long, the black-eyed children were moving closer, until finally there was a knock on the door.

When the couple were found dead with their faces frozen in horror, the children were nowhere to be seen. Until it happened again.

Join Detective Sarah Noble as she investigates another dark case in the town of Slayton.

Brilliant!

Creepy book but yet so good!!! Murder and black eyed children what else could give you the chills. Easy chapters and writing.
Waiting for the next book patiently..

Thanks to the author ,the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

I do love a Caroline Mitchell book! this is the second book in the Slayton series featuring police officer Sarah Noble. The Midnight Man a was creepy, page turner and The Night Whispers had me curled up under my blankets hearing every bump in the night.

Why would you want to live in the small town of Slayton? With it’s dark past, and creepy old house standing abandoned as a reminder to all. And now there is the fear of the ghostly, black eyed children!! An elderly woman and her wheelchair bound son are brutally murdered in their home. Sarah is sent to do a welfare check after a neighbour calls in worried about them. What she find is the stuff of nightmares. The victims have had their eyes removed and there is blood everywhere. Sarah find herself on the team to investigate. The town is once again on edge, scared that they will be next.

It really was a chilling story with some supernatural elements in there was well. I really like Elliot and his friendship with Sarah.

Thank you to Embla abooks and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.published July 28th.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this spooky book

if you heard the whispers dont answer the knock at the door...it might be the black eyed children

when sarah is tasked with a welfare check on one of her neighbours she wasnt expecting to find them murdered with their eyes gouged out.... and the place looked like an abattoir with blood everywhere

but its not long before rumours of the blackeyed children roaming around the town and if you saw or heard their whispers in the night then you had better beware

but as the body count goes up and strange things are occuring its not long sarah is in the thick of things

this book quite literally freaked me out... hit a few nerves there but on the whole i really enjoyed this one and realising this is part of a series i cant wait for the next one to come out, will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors books

Very atmospheric with a good dose of suspense. I enjoyed the first book and loved the way the characters continue into this story. It's an interesting blend of genres that just works. I hope we see more Slayton.