Whispers and Lies (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Joy Fielding (Author) "She said her name was Alison Simms..." (more)
Key Phrases: Myra Wylie, Erica Hollander, Roger Stillman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An ending worthy of Hitchcock rewards readers able to weather the false clues and emotional angst of Fielding's latest page-turner. Once again, the bestselling author (Grand Avenue; The First Time; Missing Pieces; etc.) tests the complex ties that bind friends and family, and keeps readers wondering when those same ties might turn deadly. Since Terry Painter's mother died five years before, the single 40-year-old nurse has been renting out the cottage behind her Florida home. When an appealing young woman calling herself Alison Simms arrives from out of town, Terry offers her not only the cottage but also her friendship. Alison pries into Terry's personal belongings, brings home rude young men, tells lies about her job and family and pops up everywhere unexpectedly and uninvited, while Terry's inner critic, in a voice sounding much like her mother's, fuels her suspicions. Threatening phone calls from a man who seems to know a lot about Terry and the tenant who occupied the cottage before Alison add to her growing paranoia. Despite these worries, Terry finds time to get involved with the son of one of her patients, an elderly woman named Myra. Careless, friendly Alison and responsible, guarded Terry are a study in contrasts, but as the novel progresses, Fielding makes it clear that they both have secrets to hide. The brutal denouement will shake readers lulled by the tale's cozy trappings, but those familiar with Patricia Highsmith's particular brand of sinister storytelling will recognize the mayhem Fielding so cunningly unleashes.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Veteran novelist Fielding, whose previous book (Grand Avenue [BKL Ag 01]) was a domestic melodrama, delivers another page-turner, this time a suspense novel with a shocking plot twist. Nurse Terry Painter is so kind she is considered a godsend by her elderly patients. When she rents out the cottage behind her house to a new tenant, Alison Simms, Terry begins to feel that her benevolent nature has made her an easy target. Alison seems especially interested in Terry's financial standing, and her extensive questioning makes Terry uneasy. Furthermore, every time they get together for a meal, Terry seems to become violently ill. Is someone tampering with her food? She is also being harassed by a mysterious caller who seems to think she knows the whereabouts of a previous tenant. When Alison's creepy brother comes to visit, Terry becomes afraid for her own life. As Terry plans a retaliatory strike against those who would harm her, Fielding delivers a plot turn so surprising that all previous events are thrown into question. The author keeps the tension high and the pages turning, creating a chillingly paranoid atmosphere. Joanne Wilkinson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (July 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743448642
• ISBN-13: 978-0743448642
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #355,700 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book left me feeling depressed, March 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Whispers and Lies: A Novel (Hardcover)

This was the third book I have read by Joy Fielding. I loved See Jane Run and Grand Avenue, so I had high hopes for Whispers and Lies.

Right away I knew this book wasn't going to reach that high, as I disliked the main character, Terry, from the start. Allison wasn't much better -- I found her annoying at best. There's a part when Terry ponders 'listen to your instincts' and, as a reader, you want to yell WHAT DO YOUR INSTINCTS SAY ABOUT A 40-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO HANGS OUT WITH 20-SOMETHING DRINKERS AND DRUGGIES?

Ranting over, the book isn't bad, but unbelievable. When the "surprise" twist at the end finally happens, you think "A-HA!" for about a minute, then realize this is just as boring as the first 280 pages.

If you are a fan of Fielding, don't hold this book against her. If you've never read a book by her before, don't read this one first. It will turn you against her writing and she has some great stories out there. Read those instead.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I liked this book in the beginning and HATED it in the end., August 23, 2002

By	mamareadssomuch "mamareadssomuch" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whispers and Lies: A Novel (Hardcover)

While this book was quite a pageturner (I read it in one night), it's ending was quite a twist and really bothered me. It was well written and grabbed the reader's attention and for that I give it 3 stars. BUT ~ the direction in which the book went was terrible and I was upset for hours after I finished it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars HATED the ending, March 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Whispers and Lies: A Novel (Hardcover)

I won't summarize the book because too many other people already have. I will say I was intrigued through a lot of the story as to what would be revealed in the end about the intentions of the strange renter. But I was severely disappointed - I feel like the end was a total cop out and a blatant attempt to manipulate the reader. Every time I think about it I'm mad that I read this book. I don't know if I'll try any other Joy Fielding novels; this one left such a bad taste in my mouth I feel like I'd be an idiot to subject myself to it again.