JJ Lumsden The Hidden Whisper Book Review
I’ve just finished reading The Hidden whisper by JJ Lumsden and thought I’d try expanding my repertoire by becoming a book reviewer !
I read the book with reviewing it in mind and also with an eye, as regular readers will be only too aware, to writing a novel myself
The book is a paranormal thriller-mystery and features parapsychologist Luke Jackson.
Jackson is a well formed character, given depth and colour by the author. He certainly has the legs to become a series character.
The credibility of the character as a paranormal researcher is well established thanks to the author’s personal expertise in this area.
All of the other characters are well formed as well with JJ Lumsden avoiding the error too often seen in mystery novels of concentrating solely on the main characters and leaving those with lesser parts almost like cardboard cut outs.
The novel has a feature rarely seen in fiction, a reference appendix at the back. Words, facts and statements throughout the book are numbered and you can turn to the appendix for further in-depth explanation.
This is normally the preserve on non-fiction and without wishing to be critical I am not sure how well this works.
There are two ways of looking at it. When reading a thriller type novel then flow and “page turnability” is key and constantly referring to the back of the book could be regarded as an interruption.
The flip-side to that coin is that it does allow for greater technical explanation without miring the story down.
In fairness, the decision to use the appendix as you read is entirely in your hands and enjoying the book is not pre requisite on it.
The book has the feel of being split between a mystery and an educational work which is no bad thing in my opinion. I learnt a lot about parapsychology and paranormal research. If the subject is already of interest to you then the book is well worth seeking out.
Likewise if you think it may be of interest then give it a go.
If the whole area is of no interest at all then you may find the book too heavily geared toward its subject matter.
Having read the book I feel moved even more to give penning a book a go !
Please note: I’ve written this review in a ‘clipped’ style which suits reading on the internet rather than reading in a book or newspaper etc. Hence the bullet point style.
The Hidden Whisper by JJ Lumsden is published by Bennion Kearney at £10.99. ISBN 978-0-9559-1140-8
Witches of Eastwick said,
October 28, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Rod,
We’d love to write a book. Trouble is, as we understand it, you have to have the whole plot in your head to start with and rough guidelines at each stage already sketched out…. bit like an architectural blue print perhaps? We could easily kick off with a rip roaring first page but after that who knows, certain we don’t and subsequently we’ll probably never write a book. However, it must be said that having our say on here is gratifying and we would urge others to do the same. The book review is a good idea so stick with that one.
Meanwhile on with the plot ….. A group of strangers are about to meet for the first time in the entrance of a small, quirky, second-hand book shop……
WoE