The House of Whispers: The thrilling new novel from the bestselling author of The Clockwork Girl!

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Undeniably, the manner that the paintings are described did remind me a bit of Dorian Grey. The release that Abi gets from her art, combined with the ferocious passion that is depicted in her creations, made me connect with Dorian Grey because of the psychological impact it had on Abi. Even though she experiences a degree of catharsis from her work, it still plagues her in a way that total peace is never fulfilled. It was unsettling to watch her fall apart after seeing such a stable character at the beginning of the story. In addition, the way the story develops did make me feel quite chilled, such as the references to the child’s clothes in Abi’s attic, the drawings and even the abandoned toys. There is something about old, left behind toys that is really rather sad. The house is frequently personified and I think this adds to the spookiness of the story.

Cleverly, the author begins the novel with a transcript from an interview with Rohan Allerton, the husband of our narrator Abi. These transcripts are scattered throughout the novel, the reader knows that something has happened to Abi, what we don't know what it is.As for Dante... I am sure his characterization is a portrait of the way men behaved, at the time. If only I could say there aren't any like him left... He added a lot of tension and fear to the story, making him important for the plot to progress, but I will not say I regret his end. An artist and her high-flying businessman husband move into an old house that contains the remnants of a child's belongings. As soon as they move in, the husband has to go away on a trip so an old university friend comes to stay. But all is not well. Hester Why has changed her name and moved to Cornwall to look after the ailing Ms Pinecroft. Ms Pinecroft barely speaks or moves, spending her days in a freezing cold room filled with china. Let’s take a look at the plot: Abi successfully rewrites her life story after painful, traumatic teen years by forming a full filled relationship with her husband Rohan. And first time she goes against his wishes: convincing him to buy an old house which needed hell of a job! But she needs a distraction after the dry spell about her artistic works( she’s under a lot of pressure as the next exhibition date of her paintings approaches) My stomach churns along with the waters below. One of the few consolations I had cherished before this night was that I should behold the ocean at last. I had imagined it blue, serene. What seethes beneath me is dark, frighteningly powerful; a cauldron of demons”.

When I see a book by Laura Purcell now I snap it up instantly. I also know what to expect - something Victorian, gothic, slightly creepy, containing lots of accurate historical fact, well written and very enjoyable.And something that I found the most effective was the fact the author seems to use the house itself as a character. This gave the story an added layer, making it even more terrifying. Parts of this felt entirely rushed, like Purcell wanted to bring the plot up to speed, but by doing this, she missed out key developments, which would have been handy for the reader. Soon she starts to wonder whether the house itself is trying to give up the secrets of its mysterious past - secrets that Dante seems so determined to keep hidden. Eva finds herself tutoring a young girl and she gets drawn into the strange circumstances that take place in the home. Widower Dante Cavallera is charismatic, and Eva finds herself falling under his spell. Curious about the death of his previous wife, Eva wonders who or what might be responsible for the strange events taking place in the house. When she moves in as Dante’s new wife, the events become stranger.

I enjoyed reading the two separate parts of Louise's life and trying to work out what had really happened in the past. Then came the totally surprising ending and I realised we will never really know. I usually hate endings that leave things unexplained - for some reason I do not mind when this author does it! What will she write next I wonder.Abi seems to have it all: a lovely house, a supportive husband, and the freedom to follow her passion for painting. However, when an old friend from the past asks to visit, Abi finds her life being turned upside down. Whilst grateful for the company when her husband is away working in America, Abi recognises that Grace’s behaviour has not changed since they parted ways at university. Gradually, Abi becomes all-consumed by a new collection of paintings that she is creating yet, this has an alarming impact on her health and living standards. Kent makes a point of showing how much Abi turns to alcohol, as if this helps with her inspiration, but it appears that Abi cannot escape the demons that are pushing her to paint.

Small World #1; Guide to the Know Keys #1; "Face the Music"; ...In Pale Battalions Go... #1–3; Hell & Gone #1–2 Eva chooses the latter. At some point she says: "Of course it bothers me, more than that it distresses me. Sometimes I almost don't want to think about it. Sometimes I just want to be able to live my life, the same as everybody else does, and focus on things I can control." Cleverly plotted, I really felt for Abi, the inner turmoil she seemed to be suffering from felt impossibly raw.One of the downsides was that it felt heavy handed at times. Books should show instead of tell, and I felt like this one did a bit too much telling. Eva spells out every single argument and line of thought in arguments with her Jewish and homosexual friends. She draw a parallel between people keeping their heads low and her mother who was trying to avoid her father's violent outbursts, but made it slightly too obvious. Where is the line between accepting life as a lamb to the slaughter and making the best out of a terrible situation? Set in Rome 1938, as the world hovers on the brink of war, the story follows pianist Eva Valenti as she navigates her way through these extraordinary times. With Fascism on the rise, Eva is more determined than ever to hide her true heritage as a Slav, and as she grows closer to the wealthy Italian family whom she works for as piano tutor, and in particular to the widowed father, Dante, it seems Eva might have a chance of putting her past behind her and starting afresh, with a new identity. Yet, the Cavallera household seems to hold its own secrets and dangers, with Dante seemingly not quite the man that Eva initially thought he was.