Clay Chapman

"Two narratives--Richard in present day, settingling into a quiet but pleasant life as a newly married art teacher; Sean in 1980s Virginia, when cult leaders, serial killers, and stranger danger are on the rise--converge around a few small lies that spiraled into a terrible tragedy. Thirty years later, it seems someone is out for revenge."--

A Novel

Whisper Down the Lane

Alfredo santos

The right elements, interesting story, good dread feeling throughout, and nice plot twists. 

It might not be a literary masterpiece but it's a book entertaining enough to keep turning the next page. 

The interesting part is that this is inspired and partly based on some real events. It's just astounding to see how people would flame up to massive proportions the smallest of flickers as long as it had the word occult. Also, it's very shocking to see how kid psych interviews were held. I'm not trying to spoil the book so won't go into details, but just for those parts, the book is worth it. 

I think this for me was more of a 3.5 stars than actually 4. It was entertaining. It has great plot twists, some obvious, some not. The good bits are the psychological aspects and "inside view" of someone apparently "losing it" and all that internal dialogue. I love when books go all Hunger. Also really liked that it was narrated from the protagonists perspective instead of third person. 

As for the horror factor, there was certainly a good dread build up, making you feel on edge and jumpy, while not being a full fledge horror novel. 

It's a bit light on the "satanic rituals" side, but you already know that from the blurb. 

I recommend if you find that period interesting or remember it (that means you're an 80's kid). If you're into occult, rituals or cults, this is not the right book.

Emily C Peterson

McKayla Bohnsack

Ashley Lock

Skyler Hess

Clay McLeod Chapman

Inspired by the McMartin preschool trials and the Satanic Panic of the ‘80s, the critically acclaimed author of The Remaking delivers another pulse pounding, true-crime-based horror novel. Richard doesn’t have a past. For him, there is only the present: a new marriage to Tamara, a first chance at fatherhood to her son Elijah, and a quiet but pleasant life as an art teacher at Elijah’s elementary school in Danvers, Virginia. Then the body of a rabbit, ritualistically murdered, appears on the school grounds with a birthday card for Richard tucked beneath it. Richard doesn’t have a birthday—but Sean does . . . Sean is a five-year-old boy who has just moved to Greenfield, Virginia, with his mother. Like most mothers of the 1980s, she’s worried about bills, childcare, putting food on the table . . . and an encroaching threat to American life that can take the face of anyone: a politician, a friendly neighbor, or even a teacher. When Sean’s school sends a letter to the parents revealing that Sean’s favorite teacher is under investigation, a white lie from Sean lights a fire that engulfs the entire nation—and Sean and his mother are left holding the match. Now, thirty years later, someone is here to remind Richard that they remember what Sean did. And though Sean doesn’t exist anymore, someone needs to pay the price for his lies.

Whisper Down the Lane A Novel

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