Rebecca Netley

It's 1860 and Elspeth Swansome is alone in the world. Trying to escape painful memories and the ghost of her life in Edinburgh, Elspeth accepts the position of nanny to a family on the remote island of Skelthsea.

When she gets there, though, she discovers that her new charge, Mary, hasn't spoken since the death of her twin, William. A death no one wants to talk about. Soon, strange things start occurring in the house and an eerie whistling can be heard at night... and Elspeth will be left wondering whose secrets haunt the halls, those of ghosts or of the living?

The Whistling is a novel in the best gothic tradition, that kept me glued to the pages and gave me quite a few chills. It's an absolutely perfect read for a dark winter night (or afternoon, if you're like me and need to read spooky stories in the light). The author did a great job in creating a haunting atmosphere with a strong sense of foreboding, while at the same time letting the story eerily play out in the space somewhere between dreams and reality.

I absolutely adored the setting in this. The island and the house were both drawn so well I could almost see them and feel the cold, the fog, the sea... and the whistling. This book is beautifully atmospheric and reminiscent of classic gothic novels in its style and setting.

The characters were also compelling, with Elspeth and Mary certainly being the best ones in terms of characterisation. The bond that develops between the two of them is so tender and adorable that I couldn't help getting attached to them too! The rest of the cast is quite varied, and I enjoyed seeing snippets of island life through them, and the colourful characters that live there. I did occasionally find Elspeth to be a tad too naive, but I suppose that added to her charm somewhat and didn't end up annoying me too much.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this, it came just short of blowing me away. Mostly, I think, this was because I had a strong sense of having seen all this before. There are hardly any original elements here, and the story follows pretty closely the template of other ghost/gothic island stories. The author does a fantastic job with it, but it just needed a little bit more for it to go from a really good read to a great one for me. This possibly won't be a big issue for anyone just looking for an entertaining haunting read, but genre aficionados might not appreciate it as much.


I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.… (plus d'informations)

Annie goes to live in a sprawling old house set in the Yorkshire Moors. Edward her husband is a widower and lives also with his sister Iris who is a medium. Annie and Iris become friends but both women have their own secrets.

I quite enjoy this genre, rambling old house, family secrets and ghostly goings on. I did enjoy this book but I did feel that their are plenty of books out there very similar and I've read a lot of them.

The story certainly had atmosphere and I loved the setting. Lots of spooky goings on as the family secrets are eventually revealed. I did feel this story had Rebecca, and Bronte vibes which is not a bad thing.

I wouldn't say this book was scary but it did have some chilling moments. I'm not easily scared though when reading but more likely to jump when visual.

I think I would have appreciated this book a little bit more had I have not been unwell. Due to my health I could only read for a few pages at a time so couldn't fully immerse myself into the story.

As I enjoyed the book I would read more by the author. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the book to review.… (plus d'informations)

I adore Gothic fiction and I'm always on the lookout for new tales. I found a fantastic read in Rebecca Netley's debut novel - The Whistling.

Isn't that cover delicious?! Ominously promising...

All the right bits for Gothic fiction are present...a young woman running from her own heartbreak in the big city takes a position as a nanny in a crumbling manor house on a remote island in 1860's Scotland. What else is needed? Unfriendly staff, a secretive owner of the home, a previous nanny who left with no notice, rumors, odd villagers who warn of.....

I'm going to leave it there and let you discover what has happened and is happening through the eyes of Elspeth, our protagonist. Is that truly someone at the attic window? And ears as well.....what is that singing late at night and what is the whistle for?

Netley has created a wonderfully atmospheric setting. She masterfully builds the tension of her story with every page turned. Seemingly innocent items, such as a doll and how a pair of shoes are set by the fire take on an insidious tone. This is much more frightening than an overt event.

The Whistling is a mystery on many levels and a tale that perhaps is home to one or two ghosts. Or is it?

A brilliant book and an easy five stars.… (plus d'informations)