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Until Stina sees a mysterious figure in the widow’s garden, and her happy new life begins to unravel. And when she hears strange noises in the night, she is forced to question if Mrs Barley is what she seems. A haunting, twisty story about the power of secrets and rumours, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware’s The Turn of the Key and Lucy Atkins’s Magpie Lane. Tailor to Purpose: Consider the primary purpose of your cottage, whether it's a cozy getaway, a team-building haven, or a romantic escape. Aligning the name with its intended use sets the right expectations.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK audio, Avon via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of Whisper Cottage written by Anne Wyn Clark and narrated by Lauren Moakes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Set in the heart of the village with much to offer, with attractive buildings, a lovely deli, cafe and pubs all within walking distance, and expanses of farmland and the Howardian Hills close by. This is a great place to try your hand at some traditional countryside pursuits! As well as the Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts the ‘Gold Cup’ (one of the highlights of the Polo calendar) every year in July – Cowdray also offers a Polo Academy. Why not take a once in a lifetime chance to have a go at the ‘sport of kings’ for yourself? Clay Pigeon shooting is also available on the Cowdray Estate. There are whispers all throughout this book, least of all in the small minds of villagers whose gossip ends up being a form of Chinese whispers where what begins as one thing ends up something completely different! So the whispers of the past and the whispers of the villagers become the whispers in her own mind. And as Stina begins to question her own sanity she also starts to wonder just who her neighbour really is.Step into the property into the cosy lounge with wood burner and relax on the comfy sofa, enjoying a film on the Smart TV/DVD or reading a book. There is a drop leaf table and chairs in the lounge enabling you to enjoy some home cooking orperhaps sample some of the local produce.A door takes you through to the pretty kitchen/diner, well-equipped with electric oven and hob, washing machine, fridge/freezer andmicrowave. From the kitchen/diner there is a door which leads out to the garden. Heading upstairs to the first floor you will find the two bedrooms, one king-size and one single bedroom. Also, on this floor is the stylish bathroom with shower over bath and WC. Whisper Cottage by Anne Wyn Clark is a psychological thriller that is full of surprises, twists, and turns. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, Whisper Cottage will not disappoint. Overall, an enjoyable book that I wished had more oomph in the middle. But it did entertain and had me guessing. I love trying to figure a book out and had a few guesses about how things would turn out. I was wrong and was pleasantly surprised at how tings unfolded at the end. Overall, I thought this might have been a bit more of a gothic ghost story but it’s probably more a psychological thriller. If the length is reduced and unnecessary clutter removed then there’s a really decent story here. OK, I'll be honest. What initially drew me to this book was the character's name - Stina. It is a shortened version of my name that was given to me by a child who couldn't pronounce all three syllables of my name some thirty odd years ago. However, this woman was christened the name which was said to be Swedish. Had it not been for that little tidbit I probably would have passed this book and never read it. The premise wasn't overly intriguing though it did have promise. So I held on to that in the hope it offered up something exciting.
I was a little all over the place with the rating of this book. I loved the prologue and enjoyed the ending of the book. The beginning and middle were slow but enjoyable. The entire time I knew that the author was building the story, to be patient and wait. There is a very nice payoff at the end. The Hollist Arms is Lodsworth’s local pub; thronged with regulars at the weekends and with lots of cosy nooks and crannies, and a lovely open fire. The community shop next door offers a range of lovely local produce and can easily supply everything you need for a weekend away, including fruit and vegetables grown in the village, bread from the local bakery, and milk from the Goodwood Estate.Choosing the perfect name for your cottage is key in creating a memorable and inviting atmosphere, especially when considering different uses like Airbnb rentals or company retreats. Here are 10 unique and essential tips to guide you through the process: Remember, your cottage's name sets the tone for the entire experience, whether it's a weekend escape or a transformative company retreat. By blending creativity with practicality, you'll craft a name that resonates with your target audience and makes your cottage truly stand out.
I seem to be in the minority here, so I'll start out by saying this book might just not have worked for me. However, I had several problems with it.Also, many of the untoward incidents which were projected as Mrs. Bailey’s doing resolved without proper reasoning and a decent closure. And there's also the unexplained noises from the attic in the middle of the night. Yes, there are things that go 'bump' in the night . . . Anne Wyn Clark's writing really shined with the unease and sense of doubt she created throughout the book. I wondered as well, was Mrs. Barley a lonely outcast who lived on the fringes of society for too long? Was she misunderstood and eccentric? Or was there something more sinister going on. I loved the dubious assumptions made in this book.
The story opens with a puzzling prologue that drew me in immediately. It's 1964 and a young baby screaming as its mother failing to soothe it in the presence of its somewhat grumpy father who silently swears he will teach that child a lesson or two the next time it dares to scream.
For a more sedate countryside experience, choose a section of the 100-mile long South Downs Way to walk or cycle, and enjoy the Sussex landscape at it’s very best – or choose walks from your door in Lodsworth that run through woodland and fields and boast some stunning views of the South Downs and Rother Valley. Petworth is a small town, but brims with culture. Petworth Park House has an outstanding art collection, and there are numerous other small galleries selling traditional and contemporary art and sculpture in and around the town. The Petworth Literary Festival is another highlight, which always boasts some well-known names. Overview: Wow...this book impressed me! I borrowed it from a friend months and months ago and the blurb sounded average and not exactly gripping so I put it to the bottom of my TBR pile. MISTAKE! Why didn't I read this sooner? It was amazing! I read it in 2 straight days and could barely put it down. It starts off drip feeding information that makes you go "ooooh" and "ahhhh" and "oh just one more chapter...". By the end I was so hooked I could barely put it down. Finally, the ending didn't work for me. I felt like it was a bit of a let-down after the attempts to create a creepy atmosphere. There were long stretches when I did feel a bit paranoid for the narrator and wondered which of the people around her--if any--were intending her harm. But the end wrapped up too neatly and in a different direction.
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