Whisper down the Lane- Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Quirk Books

Publishing date: 6th April 2021

Genre: Psychological thriller 

Gifted very kindly by the publishing team 

Synopsis:

From the author of The Remaking, a mind-bending psychological thriller for fans of horror and true crime, inspired by the McMartin preschool trials and the Satanic Panic of the 1980s. Richard doesn't have a past. For him, there is only the present: a new marriage to Tamara, a first chance at fatherhood to her son Elijah, and a quiet but pleasant life as an art teacher at Elijah s elementary school in Danvers, Virginia. Then the body of a rabbit, ritualistically murdered, appears on the school grounds with a birthday card for Richard tucked beneath it. Richard doesn't have a birthday but Sean does . . . Sean is a five-year-old boy who has just moved to Greenfield, Virginia, with his mother. Like most mothers of the 1980s, she s worried about bills, childcare, putting food on the table . . . and an encroaching threat to American life that can take the face of anyone: a politician, a friendly neighbour, or even a teacher. When Sean s school sends a letter to the parents revealing that Seans favourite teacher is under investigation, a white lie from Sean lights a fire that engulfs the entire nation and Sean and his mother are left holding the match. Now, thirty years later, someone is here to remind Richard that they remember what Sean did. And though Sean doesn't exist anymore, someone needs to pay the price for his lies.

Rating: ★★★★

Review 

As soon as I read the synopsis I knew this book was for me and it sure did not disappoint!! Iv'e not read many occult books but do enjoy a well written horror/thriller and this was also my first read from Clay Chapman. 

The narrative is focused on two timelines: 1983 and 2013 and follows interchangeably the view point of two people. 

First being 5 year old Sean whose story is told in 1980's who suffers at the hands of bully but equally wants to protect and make his mother happy as he has a feeling she is hiding something. Sean enjoys kindergarten and his teacher Mr Woodhouse. In an unfortunate turn of events of not fitting or settling in and Seans mother noticing his bruises caused by the bully, Sean decided to tell little lies  that eventually leads down a dangerous path.

Sean gets entangled in a scandal that involves 6 teachers at his school including Mr Woodhouse, whom are being investigated for satanic practices and child abuse. 5 year old Sean is now being questioned and asked questions but gains almost popularity for speaking up. A media frenzy causes a domino effect on many students and Mr Woodhouse. The only character I didn't gel with is the psychiatrist and her choice of words, which made me have more sadness for Sean. 

Secondly is Richard, who we learn is a newly wed to Tamara, ready to be an adoptive parent to Elijah and is an Art teacher. All seems well until Richard subconscious starts to stir and past memories awaken in him causing his to lose a sense of reality. We learn Richards starts to receive items for Sean which sends Richard in a spiral. 

The author did a fantastic job at layering the characters and their development. I felt I was almost in the minds of Sean and Richard as the writing style brought out the fears and hopes expressed. You soon learn how Sean and Richards stories mirror each other without it being overly complicated. 

Some parts aren't for the faint hearted such as the slaughtered rabbit but overall a good read.

I wasn't aware that the book was inspired by real life events in America in the 1980s called the satanic Panic. This was another element I liked about this book, that drops history in and Iv'e learnt something new.