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A review by rowena_m_andrews
Whispers in the Wine Cellar by Keeley Webb
4.0
This was a clever, well-written psychological thriller. I would say that it is not a book for the faint-hearted, because it does not shy away from the brutality of the crimes being committed, and while I enjoy that grittiness and detail, it may not be for everyone. Beyond that though, this a book that worms itself into your mind. It puts me very much in mind of shows such as Criminal Minds, with its approach to the world of serial killers and the psychological aspects of the crime – from childhood, to present and on to the unravelling of the killer, as well as the wider impacts it has on those involved in the case.
Whispers in the Wine Cellar was fascinating because it provided such a variety of points of view from those directly involved in the crime itself – the victims and the killer, to the police, and the people surrounding the central character. Not only does this give the narrative greater context and realism, but also greater impact, as often we only see the immediate impact and not the ripples that spread further and further from start to finish.
The entire cast of characters were well-developed, and each had a unique voice which made their part in the narrative stand out. Edward was a fascinating but uncomfortable character to read, and there were times, when it felt as though he slipped into my mind, he was so well-written, which was a chilling sensation. Jenny and Lucy stood out as more than victims, which made their story all the more harrowing because it was so easy to empathise with them and imagine yourself in their shoes. DCI Carver was a fantastic counterbalance to Edward, and you can’t help but like him, and cheer for his progress on the case.
This was an eerie, tour-de-force exploration of the darkest parts of the human mind. A captivating, sometimes overwhelming so read, that left you needing to keep reading but afraid of what you might find. I would highly recommend for anyone who wants a psychological thriller that can creep under your skin and stay there for a while.
*I received a e-copy in exchange for an honest review*
Whispers in the Wine Cellar was fascinating because it provided such a variety of points of view from those directly involved in the crime itself – the victims and the killer, to the police, and the people surrounding the central character. Not only does this give the narrative greater context and realism, but also greater impact, as often we only see the immediate impact and not the ripples that spread further and further from start to finish.
The entire cast of characters were well-developed, and each had a unique voice which made their part in the narrative stand out. Edward was a fascinating but uncomfortable character to read, and there were times, when it felt as though he slipped into my mind, he was so well-written, which was a chilling sensation. Jenny and Lucy stood out as more than victims, which made their story all the more harrowing because it was so easy to empathise with them and imagine yourself in their shoes. DCI Carver was a fantastic counterbalance to Edward, and you can’t help but like him, and cheer for his progress on the case.
This was an eerie, tour-de-force exploration of the darkest parts of the human mind. A captivating, sometimes overwhelming so read, that left you needing to keep reading but afraid of what you might find. I would highly recommend for anyone who wants a psychological thriller that can creep under your skin and stay there for a while.
*I received a e-copy in exchange for an honest review*