Whispers and Lies Mass Market Paperback – May 25, 2021

This book is extremely underrated and here is my second review of it:----------------------------------------------------Revisiting "Whispers And Lies" - A Masterpiece Of Mystery By Joy FieldingIf there is one suspense book that strikes me the most PSYCHOLOGICALLY, it's Whispers And Lies (referred as W&L below), by Joy fielding, one of my favorite contemporary mystery writers. I wrote a review years ago, but that's not enough. I even wrote an email to the author a while after I read the book and was thrilled to receive her kind reply. I also purchased a copy for my friend in China. How my friend enjoyed it I do not know (her English might be obstacle of enjoying the story thoroughly), but all these years, this book remains as the best psychological thriller to me, and that's why I purchased another copy recently, and re-read some of my favorite parts of it.W&L starts slowly and gently, with the main character Terry Painter, a middle aged single woman and hard working nurse, interviewing her potential tenant of her cottage, the 29 year-old good looking Alison Simms:"She said her name was Alison Simms.The name tumbled slowly, almost languorously, from her lips, the way honey slides from the blade of a knife. ..."This is one of the most unforgettable opening lines I've read in literature, simple, casual, sensitive yet foreboding. Then the story line revolves around Painter's inner world, her psychological progress along the change of her life stirred by her new tenant Alison. Painter has an instinctive intimacy toward Alison, yet her long term single life made her extremely reserve and cautious toward others, so she cannot help to doubt Alison's kindness to her, and suspects her some seemingly very strange actions along with several new people come with Alison. The middle section of story is a bit slow, awkward sometime, however, the last 20 percent the story definitely worth patience: it's an explosion after long accumulation, like a volcano that erupts with silent text, word by word, blow readers' minds away.One of comment in goodreads compares Fielding's writing of her character's psyche to the knife of a surgeon, which I understand as extreme precision. Yes, regarding to revelation of distorted mind, the damaged heart beyond repair, I hardly find any other books can compete with this one. At the last part of book, Fielding leads us walking into the deepest pit of a sick mind so naturally, so invitingly and so realistically that even readers would feel like everything the murderer does makes perfect sense.This reminds Highsmith's books, Strangers On A Train, Suspension Of Mercy, Talented Mr. Ripley, etc. Except, I still feel the end of W&L is more thrilling. I would say, after reading this book, nothing else I read all these years in mystery genre have thrilled me that much. Not sure it's good or bad.It surprises me, or it doesn't surprises me I should say, that this book draws very little attention in North America. I guess the reason is simple, just like Highsmith's works, this book deals with sick mind. Living in US for about 20 years, I am convinced that this culture is for lightweight cartoon, superficial fantasy, exaggerated unfounded horror stories, not heavyweight psychological suspense like this. Guess nothing wrong with that either.I have read many other books by the same author but I don't find any on the par with this one. However, there's still several other books of hers I enjoyed very much, such as See Jane Run, Still Life, Missing pieces, Now You see her, and her newest: Someone Is Watching (which, definitely has one the best endings).I love Joy Fielding's style, because her "anatomy" of characters psyche. I hope in future I could read new works as good as W&L, but if not, I would say, by this book alone, She will remain as my favorite writer ever.

I struggled with how to rate this book. I thought about 5 stars because when I think back on this book I smile, I loved the ending, and overall, I enjoyed listening to it. However, it's not outstanding by any means. It starts off slow, some parts of it are unbelievable, and the writing is pretty basic. I can't give a book 5 stars that I don't feel is outstanding. Especially as this probably would have been 3 stars (if that) if not for the ending.This is an easy, pretty entertaining read with a nice twist at the end. This is my second book by Joy Fielding - the first was Mad River Road and I really didn't like that one. I barely made it through due to poor writing, repetition, unbelievably dumb characters... and unlike in Whispers and Lies, in Mad River Road I definitely felt misled by the author when the big twist was revealed at the end.I definitely don't want to write any spoilers but Whispers and Lies has a twist that actually makes sense - I almost certainly should have seen it coming, but I didn't, so I can't really call it predictable. I loved it. This book was more amusing than suspenseful, and occasionally slow, but it's a great book to listen to if you've got a drive to pass. To me the ending saved it from being mediocre. Recommended.

After reading all of the negative reviews of this book, I had to put in my opinion. This was the 1st of Fielding's books I have ever read, and when finished I (a) sent it to my friend out of state, (b) got on Amazon and ordered more of her books. Was so very happy to find another author to fit my particular tastes. Since reading this book, I am well on my way to reading everything and find her an excellent choice to entertain and thrill.To describe this novel -- it is like wearing a blindfold, turning around and around and then ripping off the blindfold. You are dizzy and stunned, but eventually figure out where you are and you love the feeling.

... this was a very boring slow moving story, only at the very end did it get interesting and quite crazy.

I really cannot give you a review as of this moment. I haven't had a chance to read this one yet. I'm sure like all of Joy's books, this one will not be a disappointment. When I have read it, I would love to write a review.

A very good book. It’s hard to put down.

Smaller size paperback with small print. I donated it as difficult to read for me

So many mixed emotions! Overall I really liked this book. It grabbed my attention quickly and I read the entire book in less than twenty four hours. As far as the writing style, creativity, plot, character development, etc.. I think Fielding did a great job. Many reviewers have noted that it seemed unrealistic that the protagonist would become involved with the younger crowd, but I have to disagree. The fact that she was a loner and suffered from insecurity and initially well-hidden mental illness made her a perfectly played "victim". As others have noted though, the ending was tragic. I hated it and it left me feeling very empty and contemplative for many hours afterwards. I guess that must be effective writing though! Long story short: If you want an interesting read with twists and turns that will keep you guessing, make you angry, and make you talk back to the characters, or when you like a story line where you're not quite sure who the good guy is and whom to root for, then this is a great book for you. If you're like me and don't mind tragedy in the story but expect everything to be fair, satisfying and happy in the end, you will walk away hurt, angry and disappointed. Had I reviewed the book immediately after finishing it, I would likely have given it a lower review because I was an emotional wreck, but in all fairness, it is a good book.

once again a nail biter book. she has a way that keeps me wanting more so i read her other books. a long time fan of her and her style of books. all seem similar but there is always something different. i just read two of her books back to back.

Excellent conditions. I read this book years ago, and I really loved it. Was looking for a good book for a dear friend and bought Whispers and Lies for her. I know that she truly appreciated it and read it in three days!

Da ich bereits einige Bücher von Joy Fielding (auch englischsprachige) gelesen habe, hatte ich hohe Erwartungen an dieses Buch. Die Sprache ist sehr gut verständlich und die Autorin schreibt einen sehr angenehmen, flüssigen Stil. Und auch in diesem Buch hat Joy Fielding es wieder geschafft, einem den Eindruck zu vermitteln, dass man die Geschichte genau durchblickt, man aber im letzten Kapitel erst erfährt was wirklich passiert ist. Sehr weiter zu empfehlen!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially the unexpected ending which I didn't anticipate at all. One of the best books I have read in ages. Only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I thought there were a couple of scenes in the book that were rather silly and far fetched ie the scene at the beach for example. This story would make a great film!

The book was in good condition,as advertised,but the musty smell was overpowering! I had to throw it out.