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Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England) The opening chapter is set in 1964, and gives no clue as to who is involved. This doesn't become apparent until later in the book. A haunting, twisty story about the power of secrets and rumours, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware’s The Turn of the Key and Lucy Atkins’s Magpie Lane. Reflect the Essence: Capture the essence of your cottage's surroundings, whether it's nestled in the mountains, by the water, or amidst a serene forest. This helps potential guests envision their experience from the start. Evoke Emotions: Choose words that evoke feelings of comfort, relaxation, or adventure. Think about how you want your guests to feel during their stay and weave those emotions into the name.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book and I liked how unpredictable the story was. The isolation that Stina feels, despite living next to a seemingly lovely neighbour, was really effective and helped build the tension. Yet, the slow pace of the story and the lengthy conclusion did lessen the overall impact of this spooky narrative. I didn't expect the last third of the book....but the story worked. It's enjoyable when a story goes in an unexpected direction, especially when it's better than what I thought was going to happen! Yet, Clark doesn’t fully invest in this narrative which I thought was a real shame. There is so much emphasis on the possibility of the supernatural that I did not want it to be explained by reason and logic. I thought this omission was a bit disappointing because of how many spooky and inexplicable events that occur as a result of interacting with Stina’s neighbour. Indeed, the death of one of the characters in the story felt so connected to Mrs Barley that I wanted my supernatural hunger to be fulfilled… but it never really came. This is a great place to try your hand at some traditional countryside pursuits! As well as the Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts the ‘Gold Cup’ (one of the highlights of the Polo calendar) every year in July – Cowdray also offers a Polo Academy. Why not take a once in a lifetime chance to have a go at the ‘sport of kings’ for yourself? Clay Pigeon shooting is also available on the Cowdray Estate.I was a little all over the place with the rating of this book. I loved the prologue and enjoyed the ending of the book. The beginning and middle were slow but enjoyable. The entire time I knew that the author was building the story, to be patient and wait. There is a very nice payoff at the end. Petworth is a small town, but brims with culture. Petworth Park House has an outstanding art collection, and there are numerous other small galleries selling traditional and contemporary art and sculpture in and around the town. The Petworth Literary Festival is another highlight, which always boasts some well-known names.
Also, many of the untoward incidents which were projected as Mrs. Bailey’s doing resolved without proper reasoning and a decent closure. Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book. For a more sedate countryside experience, choose a section of the 100-mile long South Downs Way to walk or cycle, and enjoy the Sussex landscape at it’s very best – or choose walks from your door in Lodsworth that run through woodland and fields and boast some stunning views of the South Downs and Rother Valley. Set in the heart of the village with much to offer, with attractive buildings, a lovely deli, cafe and pubs all within walking distance, and expanses of farmland and the Howardian Hills close by. Who is the mystery man? The one that sneaks in and out of Mrs Barley's summerhouse, the one that no one but Stina has seen, the man Mrs Barley claims she has no knowledge of.
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Overview: Wow...this book impressed me! I borrowed it from a friend months and months ago and the blurb sounded average and not exactly gripping so I put it to the bottom of my TBR pile. MISTAKE! Why didn't I read this sooner? It was amazing! I read it in 2 straight days and could barely put it down. It starts off drip feeding information that makes you go "ooooh" and "ahhhh" and "oh just one more chapter...". By the end I was so hooked I could barely put it down. And there's also the unexplained noises from the attic in the middle of the night. Yes, there are things that go 'bump' in the night . . . MY THOUGHTS: First off, I am going to state that I don't consider Whisper Cottage to be a psychological thriller. In my eyes, it is more of a mystery, and a very good one, a very enjoyable one. Overall, I thought this might have been a bit more of a gothic ghost story but it’s probably more a psychological thriller. If the length is reduced and unnecessary clutter removed then there’s a really decent story here.
Whisper Cottage is a slow burner. Clark takes her time in setting the scene, but I liked the way she did this, sewing little and seemingly inconsequential seeds of doubt that niggle like a burr caught in your clothing that you just can't find to remove. Language Play: Play with words, use alliteration, or incorporate a relevant rhyme to create a catchy and memorable name that's easy to remember and share. Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow’s garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel. And when she hears strange noises in the night, she is forced to question if Mrs Barley is what she seems. Highlight Unique Features: If your cottage boasts distinct features like a fireplace, a private garden, or a stunning view, weave these elements into the name to give it character and charm.
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Not so good points: To be honest, I don't have any negative to say. I liked the characters, even old Mrs Barley. Although she was pretty weird. The Hollist Arms is Lodsworth’s local pub; thronged with regulars at the weekends and with lots of cosy nooks and crannies, and a lovely open fire. The community shop next door offers a range of lovely local produce and can easily supply everything you need for a weekend away, including fruit and vegetables grown in the village, bread from the local bakery, and milk from the Goodwood Estate. I liked how chilling Clark makes the narrative. There are plenty of clues that would suggest Mrs Barley is a witch and I loved how Stina tries to argue logic, despite the evidence she has seen. Visiting her neighbour, Stina finds trinkets and odd ornaments in Mrs Barley’s living room. Coupled with the fact that people seem to get poorly if Mrs Barley has taken a dislike to them, well, I was expecting there to be a chapter featuring Mrs Barley stirring a cauldron! Finally, the ending didn't work for me. I felt like it was a bit of a let-down after the attempts to create a creepy atmosphere. There were long stretches when I did feel a bit paranoid for the narrator and wondered which of the people around her--if any--were intending her harm. But the end wrapped up too neatly and in a different direction.
OK, I'll be honest. What initially drew me to this book was the character's name - Stina. It is a shortened version of my name that was given to me by a child who couldn't pronounce all three syllables of my name some thirty odd years ago. However, this woman was christened the name which was said to be Swedish. Had it not been for that little tidbit I probably would have passed this book and never read it. The premise wasn't overly intriguing though it did have promise. So I held on to that in the hope it offered up something exciting. Remember, your cottage's name sets the tone for the entire experience, whether it's a weekend escape or a transformative company retreat. By blending creativity with practicality, you'll craft a name that resonates with your target audience and makes your cottage truly stand out. Lauren Moakes was the narrator, and her smooth, honeyed speech was well suited to this story and added to my enjoyment.
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I would like to thank #AnnWynClark, #Netgalley, #AvonBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #WhisperCottage in exchange for an honest review. Whisper Cottage by Anne Wyn Clark is a psychological thriller that is full of surprises, twists, and turns. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, Whisper Cottage will not disappoint.
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