DNF @34%. I loved the first couple of chapters... talk about spooky. I think Caroline Mitchell would be a great horror author. The police chapters with Sarah were dreadfully boring. She's 40 years old but has the confidence of a 12-year-old. Also, was not a fan of the constant reminders about how fat Elsie is. No other character's weight was mentioned except for Elsie. We get it, she's fat. It's 2022, can we try something new?

I give all DNFs 3 stars.

Unbearable! You will not put this down, with every chapter ending you are going to want more. Creepy and thrilling…..you’ll want to leave the lights on and cuddle under a blanket with this one.

What a fabulously creepy book in true Caroline Mitchell style, complete with birds!
The black-eyed children, the whispers, the knock at the door...argh she gets me every time.
The people of Slayton have had some strange goings-on for the last twenty or so years.
There is a back story relating to some children from the travelling community who went missing. And there seems a cover-up going on, with locals staying tight-lipped over what happened.
The recent murder scenes were horrific.
I liked young Elliot and his personality. He really connected with Detective Sarah Noble, who was a friend of his mother, Maggie.
I thoroughly recommend this book, it is part of the Slayton series but definitely can be read as a standalone. In fact all books by this author are brilliant, great writing and fab characters.
Certainly a book to keep you turning the pages, giving you chills down your spine.
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy in which I give my honest opinion.
Will post to blog on publication day.

This is the second dark killer thriller novel in the Detective Sarah Noble series. Sarah lives and works in Slayton, a close knit community that looks after their own. She is one of the local police force working hard to keep the public safe. The current investigation begins with the creepy and certain knowledge amongst the community that the woods and parks in Slayton were deemed to be infested by whispers in the night. Nobody knew why or who or how, but it felt intrusive and menacing. It had never happened before. Slayton is quiet and friendly to incomers. Soon the scary rumours are passed around the town.
Next the whisperers invade the darkening lanes and shadowy paths in the town and finally two children with black eyes and clad in black clothing are spotted knocking on doors and begging to be let in. They are poor children, shivering, hungry and seemingly lost.
Sarah is asked to check out the property of Rosemary and her disabled son Geoff on her way home. She lives in the same street as Rosemary and Geoff, so she agrees to go and see if everything in fine in their household. There has been a report that they have not been seen since two children dressed all in black and with black eyes knocked on their door one night. What Sarah finds is that a very disturbing barbaric and brutal crime has been committed. They are both dead in a pool of their own blood, their throats severed; their eyes removed. The hunt is on and Sarah is determined to do her very best to apprehend the perpetrator.
This novel has supernatural elements, evil criminality beyond belief and a perturbing mystery in its core. The story is well told and the characters are relatable, that is all but the mysterious slayer who has an agenda of his own. The back story of this novel has a huge influence on the main thread of the story and when the two threads merge, the truth gradually comes to light. Caroline Mitchell was once a career policewoman specialising in helping the underprivileged. Her story is therefore authentic in the detail of police procedure and knowledge of criminals. I was invested in the story and enjoyed the exciting chase. Although I enjoyed reading this novel I found some of the detail harrowing and very distressing. It is extremely dark and disturbing. It is not like the previous novels of hers that I have read and reviewed.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Embla Books through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. I thought the story was freaky, creepy, eerie and haunting. My review is 3.5*

I absolutely love Caroline Mitchell's work so I was in reliably excited to get stuck in to this new release and I wasn't disappointed. This is so eerie and creepy and I had to sleep with my dogs whilst I was reading this one lol. The characters are all very well established and described. It's a cleverly written book with twists and turns yoh won't see coming. It all flows beautifully and at a good pace, there is constantly something moving the plot forwards. The previous book is mentioned once or twice in this but i don't think its essential reading, this works quite well as a stand alone. if you're anything like me, you will be downloading every book she's ever written after getting stuck into this one. It did get a little confusing at parts n I had to re read to understand what was going on or who was being discussed but it's just such a captivating book. The setting and the descriptions beautifully capture the darkness and that feeling and confusion. Noone is who they seem and I absolutely love the addition of Elliot and has abilities. Is it real or is he just a little boy with an over active imagination?! This will have you absolutely hooked

Caroline Mitchell is a fabulous writer. I love her straight procedural novels, but the ones that involve supernatural elements are my favorites. This the second entry in the Slayton series, and it is even creepier than the first. Rookie cop Sarah Noble is back with an unexplainable case right next door. An old lady and her disabled son have been murdered after calling to say two little kids were at the door. Can there be anything creepier than little kids? Well, of course, little kids missing their eyes! Sarah has a gift, so she knows that there is something dark underneath their latest case. Her friend’s son Elliott, who also has some kind of sight, agrees. Just like last time, there are supernatural elements in play, but also more terrestrial baddies. As the bodies pile up, Sarah and her team will need to figure out who’s doing this. All the twists were unexpected but, eventually, made so much sense. The final surprise had me cringing and screaming and cheering all at once and the ending was very satisfying. I’m very invested in the characters now, so I can’t wait for the next installment.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Embla Books!

The way this author describes her setting and her characters will send chills down your spine. Her level of creepiness is breathtaking and it pulls you right into her books.

Detective Sarah Noble’s neighbor Rosemary and her son Geoff have been particularly quiet the last few weeks. The neighbors are concerned for their well being and Detective Noble has been asked to check up on them. 🕵️‍♀️
The shades are closed and everything seems normal until she goes around and enters the back door. She finds the brutal murders of both Rosemary and Geoff. Their throats are slashed, there’s blood everywhere and their eyes are missing. 👀
Before Rosemary’s death, she called a friend and told her that she invited two young children into her home. There’s no way two young children could have done this, right?!
Slayton has had its fair share of demons. Some people in the town have heard whispers coming from the woods and have seen 2 children, with no eyes, stalk the neighborhood around them.
Secrets are being kept throughout town but when they’re revealed, it’ll blow your mind!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat and kept my attention. When I read this at night, I was scared to turn the page, knowing that the children with no eyes would take another life.

I would have given this book 5 stars but I noticed a lot of confusion within some paragraphs. I would be reading about a character and then the next paragraph would jump into a different character and I had to backtrack to figure out what was going on.

I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell and I was not disappointed in this one! Full of supernatural creepy mystery! I loved it, once I started I didn’t want to stop!
I didn’t realize this was a follow up from the Midnight Man. I’m going to order it now!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla books for allowing me the privilege to read the advanced copy!

This is the second book in the ‘Slayton Thriller’ series by one of my favourite authors Caroline Mitchell.

Detective Sarah Noble returns to investigate another dark case that is sending shockwaves through Slayton. A couple are discovered dead with their faces frozen in horror; there is talk of children with dark eyes who bring death wherever they go.

This is more of a scary dark story than my usual read but still found it very entertaining and a thrilling read. Well written and very atmospheric which left me chills running down my spine.

This book is sure to thrill the authors readers and leave them wanting more.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Embla books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A supernatural mystery that was completely gripping right from the start. Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. A great read.

Detective Sarah Noble is back investigating a spine chilling case in the town of Slayton. Beware the children whose eyes are black as night, their whispers slowly build until the night there’s a knock on your door! Forget the innocent children’s game of “knock out ginger” it’s more of a case of “run for your life, it means death is approaching” If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to give me the heebie-jeebies it’s creepy children especially when there’s more than a hint of the supernatural thrown in. Well, I have to say The Night Whispers freaked me out from the opening chapter. The pages crackle with menace. I felt compelled to check the locks on the front door, just in case!

The claustrophobic town of Slayton is the perfect setting for this book. It’s shrouded in buried secrets and urban myths that give the town a sense of malevolence that simmers and bubbles away below the surface. Detective Sarah Noble, like many fictional Detectives has her fair share of demons, but it’s hardly surprising when you learn more about her horrifying backstory, it’s great to see her character growing, as the series progresses. One thing I love about this series has to be the characters who live in Slayton. They’re such a quirky bunch. Some you will love, others you will hate, but each has a part to play.

I’m rather partial to a gruesome crime scene in fiction, that is! Caroline Mitchell’s descriptive crimes scenes aren’t for the fainthearted, but they add to the creeping sense of dread as the plot progresses. I loved the fact that you're never sure if this is a crime thriller, horror or supernatural read. Are the black- children just a ghostly story passed down through the generations? Or is there something far more sinister at play? So many questions for Sarah Noble and her team to get their head around, as to the answers. Well, you will just have to read the book to find out! I loved The Night Whispers. It’s superbly chilling and delightfully creepy, a cracking read that I would happily recommend.

I am a huge fan of Mitchell’s and was thrilled to see this follow up to The Midnight Man. Detective Sarah Noble is looking into another supernatural mystery in the town of Slayton. This time she’s investigating the deaths of a couple found dead, seemingly scared to death. Rumors fly about black eyed children that come creeping through the dead of night, it sounds far fetched, but if Sarah has learned anything about Slayton, it’s that the dark and troubled stories that haunt this town are far from fictional. Another chilling tale from a fast rising author

I was so excited to see another book in the Slayton series. This town is too creepy for its own good! Detective Sarah Noble is called to the scene of a gruesome murder, where an elderly mother and her disabled son were discovered brutally slain. The only clue they have is that the woman had called a friend regarding a pair of strange children that had shown up at her door, alone and cold. There's no sign of these children at the scene and the police can't figure out how they would be connected to this crime. Pretty soon it's the talk of the town, these wandering children said to have black eyes. There are plenty of ghost stories in Slayton, but this one just might be true.

The town becomes suspicious of some travelers that have parked up in the forest. Surely, the timing of their arrival can't be a coincidence? Noah and his mother have returned to find out once and for all what happened to his siblings decades ago when they vanished without a trace. What is it with Slayton and haunted children?! Sarah wants to trust the travelers, but she knows they have a strong motive to seek vengeance on the townspeople. They received no support when Noah's siblings vanished - no pleas for information, no fliers, no search parties, nothing. Sarah understands that they want answers, but how far are they willing to go to get them?

This was such a fun story with the thinnest of lines between reality and the supernatural. It's easy to see how past horrors could leave a permanent stain on the town and its inhabitants. Slayton has its share of nightmares, but the worst offenders are all too real.

4 stars
What an excellent book! Creepy and dark and just all around wonderful for my horror/thriller needs.
I did not realize this was second in a series, so after finishing I immediately ordered the first one! Having not read the first one, I do not think it took away from my reading experience.