Review: Whistle by Linwood Barclay – Creepy Trains, Chilling Storyline 🇨🇦

Whistle is a chilling paranormal thriller that blends suspense, supernatural elements, and well-drawn characters in a story that will keep you riveted.

Summary:

After a tragic year marked by her husband’s death in a hit-and-run and a scandal involving her children’s book, Annie Blunt moves with her son Charlie to a small town in upstate New York for a fresh start. Charlie discovers an old train set in a locked shed, and while Annie is relieved to see him happy, unsettling events soon follow—strange sounds of a train at night, odd neighbourhood happenings, and Annie’s compulsion to draw a disturbing figure. As the eerie occurrences escalate, Annie begins to fear that they’ve stumbled into something far more sinister than just bad luck.

My Thoughts:

What a story! Linwood Barclay has crafted a thriller that will have you looking at toy trains in a very different light. Blending elements of paranormal suspense and outright horror, Whistle is a novel that will linger in my mind for a long time.

Children’s book author Annie Blunt has had an unimaginable year. After losing her husband to a tragic hit-and-run accident, she’s left to raise their young son, Charlie, while battling her own overwhelming grief. On top of that, a scandal tied to one of her bestselling books has further derailed her life. Hoping for a fresh start, Annie relocates with Charlie to a charming small town in upstate New York, where she hopes they can begin to heal. But what happens is far from what she had imagined.

The house they rent is beautiful, and at first it seems like the change of scenery might do them some good. Charlie, especially, is eager to explore—something he couldn’t do as freely back in their New York City apartment. But when Charlie hears what he believes to be his late father’s voice, calling him to open a locked shed on the property, everything changes. Inside, he discovers an old model train set—one that seems to be far more than a simple toy.

The novel unfolds in two timelines: Annie and Charlie’s story in the present day, and a second thread set in the months after 9/11, in a small town a few hours away. In this storyline, we meet Harry, the local sheriff investigating a series of disturbing murders, and Mr. Choo, a mysterious new shop owner selling train sets with unsettling powers—ones that ultimately alter the town forever.

I don’t typically read horror, but as a long-time fan of Linwood Barclay’s thrillers, I was drawn to this one—and I’m so glad I picked it up. The story absolutely gripped me. The pacing was spot-on, revealing just enough at the right moments to keep me eager for more. The characters were well developed and layered, with intriguing backstories that added depth to the chilling supernatural elements.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version of Whistle, performed by one of my favourite narrators, Eva Kaminsky. She was fantastic—bringing each character to life with distinct voices and adding a perfect sense of atmosphere and suspense. Her portrayal of the eerie train sounds was also a delightful (and creepy) touch—she handled those tongue-twisting effects with ease!

Final Thoughts:

Whistle is an unsettling, cleverly constructed thriller that I won’t soon forget. If you enjoy a suspenseful read with a touch of the supernatural, I highly recommend giving this one a try.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Linwood Barclay:

Take Your Breath Away

Find You First