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The Whistling

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The Whistling

By: Rebecca Netley
Narrated by: Lois Chimimba
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

WINNER OF THE EXETER NOVEL PRIZE

Alone in the world, Elspeth Swansome has taken the position of nanny to a family on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea.

Her charge, Mary, is a strange child. Distracted and secretive, she hasn't uttered a word since the sudden death of her twin, William - just days after their former nanny disappeared.

With her charge defiantly silent, Elspeth turns to the islanders. But no one will speak of what happened to William.

Just as no one can explain the hypnotic lullabies sung in empty corridors.

Nor the strange dolls that appear in abandoned rooms.

Nor the faint whistling that comes in the night . . .

As winter draws in and passage to the mainland becomes impossible, Elspeth finds herself trapped.

But is this house haunted by the ghosts of the past?

OR THE SECRETS OF THE LIVING..?

Chilling, twisty and emotionally gripping, The Whistling is an atmospheric page-turner with shades of the classics, yet a unique character of its own. Perfect for fans of Susan Hill and Laura Purcell.

© Rebecca Netley 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Ghosts Horror Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Haunted Scary Paranormal Fiction Highlander

Critic Reviews

Assured debut . . . This wonderfully atmospheric read offers both a satisfying puzzle and some genuinely eery moments
If you're looking for a chilling tale as we head towards Halloween, you've found it . . . It's not easy to pull off a genuinely unsettling ghost story, but this evocative mystery succeeds beautifully
Gripping, chilling and very, very satisfying
A perfectly conjured setting and an unfolding mystery that will keep you guessing to the very end . . . Atmospheric and eerie, it will chill you to the bone (Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones)
A terrific, all-absorbing read. A wonderfully eerie haunted house set-up is given new life by brilliant, atmospheric writing, and by those rare things in any ghost story: real heart and feeling. I loved it! (Gytha Lodge, Sunday Times bestselling author)
While The Whistling is an intricately plotted ghost story, it is also a beautifully poignant study of grief that kept me guessing right to its satisfying end. A must read! (Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora)
Dripping in gothic melodrama, this chilling mystery is the perfect read for a cold winter's night
A genuinely creepy book with a gripping mystery at its heart. For fans of Laura Purcell and gothic historical fiction, this is a must!
If you love haunted house ghost tales that are as psychological as they are supernatural, then you'll love Rebecca Netley's atmospheric debut
A beautifully written and intricate gothic tale with an atmospheric setting
All stars
Most relevant
such a mystery that captures the heart and mind. leaving you intrigued and wanting to hear more.

Held captivated

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This wasn’t a book I would have normally stuck with but it was worth it.

Interesting !

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Keeps you guessing, amazing storyline, looking forward to listening to more from this author Rebecca Netley

Stunning Book

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Great story! Brought to life by the superb narration from Lois Chimimba. Looking forward to Rebecca Netley’s next book coming out x

Loved it!

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I enjoyed this book, with its haunting and atmospheric gothic horror. The setting and period added to the storyline and chill. Several twists kept it interesting and the narrator's accent made it authentic. My only issue was that the references to photographs in an 1860 era, which seem to be plentiful in the storyline, are unrealistic.

Atmospheric gothic horror

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