At the school gates, it's not long before the rumours start. Anna's oldest friend Grace is beside herself with worry - desperately searching for answers, and certain that someone is hiding the truth. At the school gates, it''s not long before the rumours start. Anna''s oldest friend Grace is beside herself with worry - desperately searching for answers, and certain that someone is hiding the truth. Heidi Perks is an incredible writer. It took no time at all and I was gladly ripping my own heart out of my chest, take it, I no longer have a need of it…dramatic but that’s how she made me feel. The book seems to have the secret formula to dissecting relationships. Perk’s narrative leaves you searching for the missing pieces of your heart for the entirety of the novel. Misdirection at every turn, whispers is a novel that leave a shadow upon the soul. DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Whispers by Heidi Perks for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Despite her new friends, not warming to Grace, Anna reluctantly invites her to join them at their next “girls night out”-one that Anna won’t return home from. She doesn’t arrive for the school drop-off the next morning either-or the one after that.

Heidi Perks'' new novel takes ''sinisterness at the school gates'' to a scary new level. You''ll be watching your step'' JANE CORRYThis was an enjoyable and entertaining story although it was a slow-burn up to a certain point and then the fun really starts! Some unpredictable twists came into play and they were well received. Anna and Grace were both complicated characters and I thought I understood them but I was delighted to realize I was wrong. When the book finally let loose the real history was told about both women and it was a doozy! Most of the characters are not likeable which was fine but I just didn't feel real emotions coming from them so I was a little disappointed with a lot of their dialogue and actions although it didn't keep me from enjoying the story. I really enjoy reading books by Heidi Perks and hope to read more in the future. By then I was already deep in the throes of Now You See Her. I met the amazing Nelle Andrew from PFD who offered me representation and after a year we had two incredible pre-empts for the book from Emily Griffin at Century and Marla Daniels at Simon and Schuster in the US. Twenty Two years ago, Anna and Grace were the BEST of friends-more like sisters- until Grace and her family relocated from the UK to Australia. The prologue reeled me in with its eerie tone and promise of a dead body. A date, a place, and so many questions. What was I suppos I want to thank the publisher "Gallery Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

The writing in this novel starts out strong, but midway goes into subplots that do not add much to the story. The plot has high school "tit for tat" type jealousy between the characters which becomes the central focus for a considerable amount of time. There are enjoyable high points in the writing such as Grace's mom making warm childhood memories for the girls. I look forward to reading more books from the very talented Heidi Perks. I really loved it. The Whispers is a big-hearted psychological thriller about the dark corners that lurk in even the closest of friendships. Heidi Perks reads like Liane Moriarty at her Big Little Lies best as she brilliantly mines the jealously, spite and rage that lurk behind the polite smiles at every school gates. Highly recommended'' TONY PARSONSAs Grace searches desperately for answers, everyone seems to have a different version of the truth. A very original, clever and gripping thriller about toxic female friendships with a killer twist. Highly recommended'' CLAIRE DOUGLAS One night, all the friends decide to have a girls night out except, she didn’t go home with the others. She didn’t return. The story is a slow burner which could have had a bit more suspense early on but this does allow for the tension to build slowly and then ramp up once we start to hear more of Anna’s voice later in the novel. It’s more of a psychological suspense than a mystery with the need to delve into the thoughts and motives of both Anna and Grace. The prologue ensures that there is always a feeling of foreboding, as we know a body will be found at the end – but just whose body will it be? 3.5★ A surprising plot and lots of twists with interesting characters. I loved the writing style and the setting of the story'