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The Whispers

By: Ashley Audrain
Narrated by: Jill Winternitz
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Publisher's summary

“Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered….[The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you’ll have to read twice to believe.”—The New York Times Book Review

“[An] electrifying…razor-sharp page-turner.” —Carley Fortune, #1
New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After

Featured in summer reading recommendations by Good Morning America, TIME, ELLE, The Washington Post & more

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Push, a propulsive thriller about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens—and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses

On Harlow Street, the well-to-do neighborhood couples and their children gather for a catered barbecue as the summer winds down; drinks continue late into the night.

Everything is fabulous until the picture-perfect hostess explodes in fury because her son disobeys her. Everyone at the party hears her exquisite veneer crack—loud and clear. Before long, that same young boy falls from his bedside window in the middle of the night. And then, his mother can only sit by her son’s hospital bed, where she refuses to speak to anyone, and his life hangs in the balance.

What happens next, over the course of a tense three days, as each of these women grapple with what led to that terrible night?

Exploring envy, women’s friendships, desire, and the intuitions that we silence, The Whispers is a chilling novel that marks Audrain as a major women's fiction talent.

©2023 Ashley Audrain (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“In The Whispers Ashley Audrain explores the combustibility of secrets and rage among mothers in a small community… expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered….[and] she delivers a sucker-punch ending you’ll have to read twice to believe.” The New York Times Book Review

“Audrain delves into the minds of women entering midlife who must now face the choices they made as well as their own complicity in shaming those who prioritize something different for themselves.” The Washington Post

“Keen, observant...The Whispers examines the role of envy among friend groups, the power of maternal love and the ties that bind a community.” —Zibby Owens for Good Morning America

What listeners say about The Whispers

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Impressed again

I was a huge fan of the push and this one did not disappoint. Finished it quickly!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Obsessed with her first, disappointed by her second

I preordered this book because I loved her first book so much. I never got into this one and finishing it felt like a chore or an obligation,

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love a good tangled web

Following all the different characters/ couples was a little tough in the beginning but overall, good story! It kept me engaged. But it’s not The Push. Still, worth a read. Great ending.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ashley Audrain does it again!

Fast-paced, nail-biting and painful at times, AA knows how to write complex, twisty stories. She shines a light on dark topics and doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable, and horrible secrets in her characters hearts.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story! Keeps you wanting more

Great story! Told from multiple perspectives and the ending leaves you wanting more. I review I read said it should be a TV series and I completely agree! Def a good read!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

heartfelt reading experience


"The Whispers" is a relatable and emotionally charged novel that I rate four stars. This book delves into the complexities of grief and the enduring power of family bonds, making it a poignant and relatable read.

The story follows the protagonist as she grapples with the loss of her mother and navigates the challenges of caring for her younger brother. The narrative is heartfelt and authentic, offering a realistic portrayal of the emotions and struggles that come with loss and responsibility.

One of the strengths of "The Whispers" is its relatability. Many readers will find themselves connecting with the characters' experiences and the universal themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

However, I'm rating it four stars because, while it is a moving and relatable story, there were moments when the pacing felt somewhat slow, and certain plot developments could have been more engaging.

In conclusion, "The Whispers" is a touching exploration of grief and family dynamics. It's a suitable choice for readers who appreciate emotionally charged narratives that tug at the heartstrings. While it may not be a perfect five-star novel, it certainly offers a relatable and heartfelt reading experience.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow what a story and that ending shocking

The characters in the whispers are over come with these slight soft sounds. Whispers of doubts, beliefs, both calculated and unfounded gossip of a tight knit community of neighbors come together to create quite the atmosphere. The slight illogical regional criticism would be Las Vegas people don’t talk to their neighbors so that part didn’t connect with me personally. But I have no reason to believe that people in other cities don’t actually become friends with the people they live near, sounds like a real thing that happens.

Also shout out to the narrator for her restraint and tasteful use of the accent. People don’t think with an accent but speak with one.

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  • Overall
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Loved it.

Very interesting characters all flawed with a great ending. I highly recommend. Very well written

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So good

Looooved this book and the narration. I can’t get over the ending and how the tone can change in one sentence. Highly recommend

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    4 out of 5 stars

She did it again!

Loved The Push & loved this one as well. A page turner (but audiobook style) loved all the characters & their intense backstories. It’s a wild ride. Loved the narrator as well which is big for me because I am so picky.

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1 person found this helpful