Whistle, Linwood Barclay (Review by Shantell Krystal)

This was my first time reading a book by Linwood Barclay, and I was immediately captivated by his storytelling. It reminded me of the Stephen King classics I’ve enjoyed in the past, such as Firestarter and Cujo. The story introduces us to Annie Blunt, a children’s booksauthor who has been through some tragedies in her life. Seeking an escape from all the turmoil she decides to leave New York with her son Charlie and venture off to a small town up state to spend the summer relaxing and unwinding from all that has happened. They aren’t there very long when Annie hears a train whistle in the middle of the night. Impossible explains a neighbour, the train has not travelled through the area in years.This mysterious sound, combined with the peculiar behavior of the locals, leaves Annie unsettled and contemplating a return to New York. Charlie, meanwhile, discovers an old train set in the shed and becomes almost obsessively engrossed in setting it up. Anniewho is worried about how Charlie is coping with the death of his father becomes increasingly alarmed as strange and unexplained events with the trains set unfold. I found it challenging to connect with or like any one character fully, but I did feel empathy with Annie and her struggles. The story kept me on edge, eagerly wanting to find out about the trains, the sounds, and the neighbour’s stories about the house. As the narrative progresses, the introduction of a train-set shop in a nearby town adds another layer of intrigue, bringing the puzzle pieces together with startling revelations The setting is very eery, creepy and sit on the edge of your seat scary. Barclay’s descriptions of the home and the layout of the small town initially sound like a summer retreat, but it is anything but. The story’s structure alternates between Annie’s perspective, the Sheriff viewpoint and the view of the toy train store owner our antagonist. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a grippingmystery with a twist of despair and a touch of horror. If you enjoy Stephen King, this is for you.