Review: Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman

Review: Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman

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clay mcleod chapman, horror, Reviews, whisper down the lane

Whisper Down the Lane

by Clay McLeod Chapman

Thanks so much to Quirk Books for this amazing copy.

Publisher: Quirk Books
Publish Date: April 6, 2021
Hardcover
304 Pages
Standalone
Genre: Horror

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.

My Review:

Well well well... hello Satanic Panic and the devastating repercussions that came from that crazy time in the '80's.  I was just a kid then but still full of horror loving so even as a tiny human I was fascinated and remember reading up on it later on as an adult.  If y'all aren't familiar, go google it... while I don't think it's a necessity to read this book based on these true events, I do think it'll give you a better appreciation for the story within.

Chapman introduces us to Sean and Richard - both the same person but Sean is a child back in the 80's and Richard is Sean, all grown up with repressed memories that start to surface as he takes on his new family consisting of his wife and soon to be adopted son.  I was definitely more riveted to Sean's part of the story because WOAH. To be quite honest, this part of the story kept me riveted to the pages. (I did find myself going glazy eyed over some of Richard's parts... oops).  However, both are obviously very necessary.  We see how the past comes to disrupt the present and Chapman does keep us on the edge of our seats... because both the child and the man he becomes aren't easy characters to get behind.  But how can you blame a kid ... kids are easily coerced and when reading the his interviews with Kinderman made me so damn angry.  I HATE adults who question kids in a way that persuades them to answer in a particular way. Don't even get me started here....

I think anyone expecting this to be full on gory, graphic horror will be disappointed - it is not that, though there are a couple of animal brutality scenes that we do get.  This is more a psychological suspense as we see how Richard starts falling a part.  I really don't know how I feel about the ending though.  I kinda get it because well.... it's a reflection of what actually happened during those times but I still also felt a bit wanting.

★★★

clay mcleod chapman, horror, Reviews, whisper down the lane

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