I am pretty sure ghosts don’t get enough love any more, especially the kind that haunts, not the kind you pseudo-make out with. Y’all, when the readathon rolled around, I was totally down for a few hours with a middle grade ghost story, because I knew there would be no kissy faces, just thrills and chills. The Whispering House by Rebecca Wade is a suitably creepy read, with mild flirtation but some totally goose bump inducing scenes — particularly if you are creeped out by dolls. And frankly, I’ll admit, dolls are kind of creepy now that I am an old.
Set in England, Hannah’s family must move out of their house because of a damaged foundation. Apparently the house is unlivable until it gets repaired. They end up moving into Cowleigh Lodge, a place that hasn’t really been inhabited for awhile, but the rent is definitely a steal. Hannah comes across an old book of fairy tales in her room, belonging to a girl named Maisie who died 140 years ago at the age of eleven. It is up to Hannah to discover the circumstances surrounding Maisie’s death in order to get Maisie to stop haunting her and The Whispering House.
Hannah is an awesome main character. I mean, she’s not exactly a loud, in your face character. However, she’s subtle. She uses her intellect to triumph, rather than brute strength. I love that she uses logic to get through her sleuthing. Plus, she keeps such a calm head during moments that would probably have me panicking. AND GET THIS, she has a great relationship with her parents, but maybe that’s common in middle grade? I’m not entirely sure, but it’s refreshing to see characters who don’t have those dysfunctional relationships. Also? There’s sort of a potential for romance in The Whispering House and I was like come on just kiss or something pleaseeeee and then I was like, oh yeah this is middle grade and that’s not bloody likely. Still, I liked Hannah’s characterization because it was different from the typical BAMF girl that I read about.
Honestly, I didn’t find The Whispering House by Rebecca Wade to be all that terrifying. I mean sure, it was good. There were moments where I was like, yes that’s kind of creepy. However, it takes either zombies or a whole lot to scare me. Plus, I read this in the light of day during a readathon. Thus, it wasn’t really a super huge deal. I think the target audience, actual middle grade children, might get a little bit nervous while reading, BUT given all the violence and gore and parents who are totally cool with their kids watching rated R movies at young ages, there’s not much here to give a kid nightmares. Yet, this is still a fun, slightly chilling Halloween or fall read.
If you’re looking for a seasonal read, but are kind of a chicken and can’t handle legit Stephen King style horror, then I think that The Whispering House by Rebecca Wade will be right up your alley. It’s got a good back story, interesting characters, ghosts, creepy dolls, friendships AND decent family relationships. The writing flows rather well and is free of purple prose. I quite enjoyed the brief amount of time I spent reading The Whispering House and think that middle graders will enjoy this book too.
Disclosure: Received For Review
Other reviews of The Whispering House by Rebecca Wade:
Charlotte’s Library – “I was so utterly engrossed by the ghostly shenanigans”
The Bookish Babes – “I will recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books”
Birth Of A New Witch – “a fun little mystery – light, fluffy, and an easy read”
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- A Christmas To Remember by Beverly Jenkins | Book Review - December 5, 2024
- Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake | Audiobook Review - December 4, 2024
- Christmas at Corgi Cove by Annie England Noblin | Book Review - December 3, 2024
Seems like it was a nice, scary-ish book.
perfect for the season.
It definitely was a fantastic read for the Halloween season. 🙂
Dolls are soooo creepy! This sounds like a fantastic read for Halloween.
Word. Dolls are freakin terrifying and I doubt I am the only person to think that.
This one sounds great – just the right amount of creepy, middle grade fun. Thanks for sharing your review!
Exactly. It’s creepy but not nightmare inducing and it’s definitely middle grade fun. Thanks for commenting Cecelia!
Dolls are SO creepy. While I was reading your review, I was thinking of some super creepy things that have to do with dolls:
1. That episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? where people start turning into dolls when they stay in the dollhouse too long.
2. An episode of Supernatural in the first or second season where they go to a haunted house and a spirit is stuck in a doll or something.
3. This horror movie I watched with my bestie wherein a ventriloquist dummy was coming after people (THIS WAS LEGIT SCARY)
4. Among the Dolls by William Sleator. Read this–it takes like two seconds and it’s creepy as all get out.
Okay, that’s it for now. I know what you mean about wanting two characters to make out or something and then remembering that you’re reading MG:) Ahhh, the trials of being a reader.
I have not watched Supernatural and totally need to get on that.
OMG I AM GOING TO ADD AMONG THE DOLLS TO MY TBR. That shiz sounds creepy and I love reading creepy books.
I am such a sucker for ghost stories. I don’t know what it is about them, but I can’t resist. I definitely need to check this one out. Have you read any of the MG Mary Downing Hahn ghost stories. They are awesome!
I’m a sucker for ghost stories as well.
The only Mary Downing Hahn that I’ve read that was MG was The Ghost Of Crutchfield Hall, which I liked but didn’t love. I’ll have to check out more of her books. 🙂
Oh yayy, I’m glad this is a good one. I’ve been wanting to read some good MG so I’ll definitely have to read this one soon. Great review!
Anna
Literary Exploration
I bet you’ll like this because it is decent MG. Plus it is a super quick read.
Ghosts totally don’t get all that much love nowadays. They are not the most popular paranormal creature at all. Also, when they do appear, people make out with them in public and it’s DUMB. *hack* HEREAFTER *hack*
Dolls are creepy. One time, I was staying at a friend’s house in the guest room and her family had this like lifesize child doll standing at the end of the bed so it was watching you while you slept and AHHHHH not cool.
Intellect to triumph? Holla! If I have to read about children, I want them to be clever ones, ngl. Pretty much all of the MG and children’s books I read are about little geniuses and I feel no shame about that.
Books don’t usually scare me very much. Actually, someone TELLING me the plot of a book is scary, but me reading the book generally isn’t. And movies turn me into a girly-screaming, whimpering, cowering pile of fail.
Yo, if a doll was watching me sleep, I would freak the hell out and probably turn it around so it couldn’t see me.
I also prefer children in books to be clever little geniuses, as they are apt to not get on my nerves.
Also, movies scare the hell out of me. Books, not quite as much although after reading THE STAND I totally got nightmares, but I still LOVEEEE that book.
This sounds seriously creepy, especially with the aspect of dolls! I do like reading MG every now and again, so maybe I’ll give this one a try. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Yeah a little bit of MG every now and again is a nice break from the angst of some YA. 🙂