Unearth Dark Secrets: A Review of Linwood Barclay's 'Whistle' – A Nostalgic Horror Tale

WHISTLE

by Linwood Barclay

William Morrow, 2025

★★★★★

Annie Blunt has had an unimaginably terrible year. First, her husband was killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident, then one of the children’s books she’s built her writing and illustrating career on ignited a major scandal. Desperate for a fresh start, she moves with her son Charlie to a charming small town in upstate New York where they can begin to heal.

But Annie’s year is about to get worse.

Bored and lonely in their isolated new surroundings, Charlie is thrilled when he finds a forgotten train set in a locked shed on their property. Annie is glad to see Charlie happy, but there’s something unsettling about his new toy. Strange sounds wake Annie in the night—she could swear she hears a train, but there isn’t an active track for miles—and bizarre things begin happening in the neighborhood. Worse, Annie can’t seem to stop drawing a disturbing new character that has no place in a children’s book.

Grief can do strange things to the mind, but Annie is beginning to think she’s walked out of one nightmare straight into another, only this one is far more terrifying…

Dear Readers,

Today, I would like to discuss the recently published horror novel Whistle by Linwood Barclay. The title and cover design evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of inexpensive horror novels from the 1980s.

The narrative alternates between the past and the present:

In the past, Chief Cook faced a notably challenging case involving the mysterious disappearance of animals and the discovery of a deceased man. This discovery marks the beginning of a series of troubling events that Chief Cook must investigate. He becomes aware of an enigmatic train store, owned by a man referred to as Mr. Choo Choo, which appears to be under unusual circumstances. The store's unique trains are pivotal, as unsettling occurrences arise following the identification of their owners.

In the present, Annie is seeking a fresh start after enduring a year filled with profound heartache, loss, trauma, and public scandal. Following the tragic death of her husband and the controversy surrounding her beloved children's book, she hopes to create a tranquil environment for her child, Charlie. However, she is unaware that her circumstances are about to worsen. When Charlie discovers an antiquated train set locked away in a shed on their new property, he is filled with excitement. Conversely, Annie begins to hear unsettling noises at night... and horror and madness lurk in the darkness.

Perhaps my exposure to numerous horror books and films has led to an overactive imagination, yet one does not need extraordinary insight to recognize that such a situation is likely to culminate in dire consequences.

I approached Whistle with an open mind, not particularly inclined to read a horror novel at that moment, but I found the premise intriguing enough to continue. I must say, the experience proved to be quite engaging. The narrative was effectively creepy and dark, featuring many intense and nostalgic scenes that kept my interest as I turned the pages. Linwood Barclay successfully integrates elements reminiscent of Stephen King, John Saul, and Bentley Little, crafting his own distinctive and twisted interpretation of supernatural horror. It is an unsettling yet captivating read, best enjoyed in a dimly lit environment. All aboard!

⁓B.J. Burgess

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