That’s why I was happy to – literally – jump on Heidi Perks’ latest novel, The Whispers. I jumped. I could not resist the appeal of the author’s excellent writing with a clever plot revolving around friendships. In 1997 Anna and Grace were the best of friends. Sure, Grace was more of a mother hen to Anna, who lost her mother early in life, and in turn rebelled with a seemingly constant need for attention, but they're as close as can be. When new girl Heather moved to town and strikes up a friendship with Anna, Grace feels threatened and paranoid she'll lose her bestie to another more exciting girl. Fortunately for her fate intervened when Heather disappeared, never to be seen again. Or was it fate or something else?? The disappearance was never solved and the case went cold. I really loved it. The Whispers is a big-hearted psychological thriller about the dark corners that lurk in even the closest of friendships. Heidi Perks reads like Liane Moriarty at her Big Little Lies best as she brilliantly mines the jealously, spite and rage that lurk behind the polite smiles at every school gates. Highly recommend' TONY PARSONS

Of course with so much time having past from the days of Grace and Anna’s friendship Anna now has a life of her own. Grace does her best to fit in with Anna’s group of friends even tagging along on a night at the pub but she leaves the party earlier than Anna. The next morning Grace learns Anna never made it home. The women are also heavy drinkers which doesn't help and as the night progresses arguments and angry whispers stir within the group leaving Grace clueless and feeling unwanted as Anna has pretty much avoided Grace throughout the entire evening. When Grace feeling relief finally goes home while leaving the group behind notices that heated discussions continued to crop up around the table. This is, by no means, an anti-feminist book but Perks also does not invest any time in political correctness. She bravely explores the plight of those who choose to give up their sense of self once they become mothers. The women in the story are so plagued by perpetually temporizing husbands that they develop co-dependent friendships. One’s husband is a pervert who forces himself on her friend, another’s lives thousands of miles away in Singapore, leaving her to manage home and their eight-year-old, and yet another shares her life’s biggest regret only for her husband to claim the higher moral ground and chastise her.

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The story is a slow burner which could have had a bit more suspense early on but this does allow for the tension to build slowly and then ramp up once we start to hear more of Anna’s voice later in the novel. It’s more of a psychological suspense than a mystery with the need to delve into the thoughts and motives of both Anna and Grace. The prologue ensures that there is always a feeling of foreboding, as we know a body will be found at the end – but just whose body will it be? 3.5★ I really loved it. The Whispers is a big-hearted psychological thriller about the dark corners that lurk in even the closest of friendships. Heidi Perks reads like Liane Moriarty at her Big Little Lies best as she brilliantly mines the jealously, spite and rage that lurk behind the polite smiles at every school gates. Highly recommended'' TONY PARSONS The thriller flirts with a psychological condition but doesn’t delve deep thus ensuring the plot does not turn any murkier. Perks tactfully leaves the question hanging: Is this character struggling with an inherent, clinical condition and if so, do such people ever change?

The Whispers by Heidi Perks was a very slow building novel which isn’t always my favorite type of read. The story focuses a lot on building the relationship between the women then tosses in a bit of suspense to move it along. There are some twists to the plot along the way but for me the overall novel didn’t engage me enough to finish thinking this one was more than just an average alright read.

At the school gates, it''s not long before the rumours start. Anna''s oldest friend Grace is beside herself with worry - desperately searching for answers, and certain that someone is hiding the truth.

A girls night out with Anna, Grace, and Anna’s friends is the perfect time to drink, talk, laugh, and really get to know each other. The next morning, Anna is not present at school drop off. Three days later still no sign of Anna. This is highly out of character for her and her husband and son begin to worry. Grace also starts worrying about where her best friend could come possibly be.Tight-knit and cliquey, she and the other women, Nancy-Rachel-and Caitlyn-are constantly linking arms, saving seats and whispering amongst themselves on the other side of the playground from the other mums from year four. In their town the woman are very cliquish and Anna seems to have her own small trio of friends who aren't very welcoming or friendly to Grace. Anna also appears distant and seems to avoid Grace as much as possible which is surprising and uncomfortable and difficult for Grace to understand. Although she has noticed one of the women is overbearing and controlling especially of all the ladies' conversations particularly of Anna's. One night shortly before Christmas Anna finally invites Grace out for a ladies's night with her friends. Grace has mixed feelings about the invitation yet she's happy to be with Anna for the evening.

This story excels in taking you hostage, holding you to ransom and reluctantly letting you go when it thinks you finally understand the complexity of what its telling you. When Anna goes missing, Grace steps up and wants answers. Why won’t her so-called friends or her husband go to the police? Why is no-one out there looking for her?This was an enjoyable and entertaining story although it was a slow-burn up to a certain point and then the fun really starts! Some unpredictable twists came into play and they were well received. Anna and Grace were both complicated characters and I thought I understood them but I was delighted to realize I was wrong. When the book finally let loose the real history was told about both women and it was a doozy! Most of the characters are not likeable which was fine but I just didn't feel real emotions coming from them so I was a little disappointed with a lot of their dialogue and actions although it didn't keep me from enjoying the story. I really enjoy reading books by Heidi Perks and hope to read more in the future. The writing in this novel starts out strong, but midway goes into subplots that do not add much to the story. The plot has high school "tit for tat" type jealousy between the characters which becomes the central focus for a considerable amount of time. There are enjoyable high points in the writing such as Grace's mom making warm childhood memories for the girls. I look forward to reading more books from the very talented Heidi Perks. Em has no idea who Laila is, or that she has been watching her and her teenage sons and husband so intently. MY THOUGHTS: No. I didn't find this thrilling, or suspenseful. It was largely repetitive. I was considering abandoning this at 60% when there was a twist that piqued my interest. But I was soon struggling again. Simmering tensions and double crossings will have you racing to the dramatic finale '' SUNDAY MIRROR