Did You Whisper Back?

by Kate Rigby

Did You Whisper Back? is a psychological novel about family secrets and a disturbing portrayal of the fragility of the mind.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

ebook

First published February 10, 2012

About the author

I've been writing for nearly forty years. Good gracious, that long? I realized my unhip credentials were mounting so decided to write about it. Little Guide to Unhip was first published in 2010 and is now updated and republished.

However I'm not totally unhip. My punk novel, Fall Of The Flamingo Circus was published by Allison & Busby (1990) and by Villard (American hardback 1990). It's now been re-kindled.

I received a Southern Arts bursary for my novel Where A Shadow Played (now Did You Whisper Back?)

Skrev Press published my novels Seaview Terrace (2003) Sucka! (2004) and Break Point (2006) and other shorter work has appeared in Skrev’s avant garde magazine Texts’ Bones including a version of my satirical novella Lost The Plot.

Thalidomide Kid was first published by Bewrite Books (2007)

The following books are available in paperback at the following place (or by following the Amazon links below):

Far Cry From The Turquoise Room:
https://www.createspace.com/3634041

Savage to Savvy:
https://www.createspace.com/4210694

Little Guide To Unhip:
https://www.createspace.com/4847276

Down The Tubes:
http://www.amazon.com/Down-Tubes-Kate...

She Looks Pale & Other Stories:
https://www.amazon.com/She-Looks-Pale...


E-books available:

Fruit Woman:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013...

The Dead Club:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V0Y73DC

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Fall Of The Flamingo Circus:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088E29H2

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

Suckers n Scallies (Formerly 'Sucka'):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WTARYY

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Down The Tubes:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UC51NK

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Seaview Terrace:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SV2DBG

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Break Point:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TNGRBU

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Thalidomide Kid:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008N3I904

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Far Cry From The Turquoise Room:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZF80N0

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Little Guide to Unhip:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C121N2E

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86...

Savage To Savvy
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ASBQAE

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

She Looks Pale:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00821360A

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

Did You Whisper Back?:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077E2M26

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

Lost The Plot:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

Tales By Kindlelight:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005J0HNSI

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...


Short stories of mine have been published and shortlisted including Hard Workers and Headboards in various collections and anthologies:

On Your Half Century:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SJIR2OW

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Sharing Sarah:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PNVD5I0
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Cutting Edge:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P1AQGLQ

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Coats:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P1A47SU

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Family Tradition:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RARWYS2

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hard Workers:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JW4OZM

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I'm also a reader - quit

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

DID YOU WHISPER Back is a psychological suspense novel by Kate Rigby dealing with family secrets and mental illness and how it distorts past memories.

This novel is set in the nineteen-seventies, and begins with Amanda Court seeking out her estranged twin sister Jo. Following a false lead, Amanda leaves her Merseyside home and family and goes to Devon where she believes Jo now lives. Amanda's new life is put on hold until Amanda feels Jo calling her back to Liverpool.

But what we find out is that there is no twin named Jo. Jo is just a figment of Amanda's distorted imagination arising from her mental illness.

Amanda is a withdrawn isolated young woman living in her own world…talking to herself, on the verge of a mental breakdown.

While this was a difficult book for me to read, I applaud the author to tackle and bring the issue of mental illness to the forefront, where it belongs.

Many thanks to the author and the TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the digital copy of this book.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Court is a young woman on the brink of insanity. She's never felt comfortable in most places and around most people. She stays in her room as much as possible, creating poetry, and talking to her twin sister.

Amanda thinks of her twin sister as her own reflection. According to Amanda, sister Jo was thrown in a dumpster as an infant, only she didn't die. Someone found her and she is alive and well ..somewhere. Her alcohol dependent mother won't talk to Amanda about her sister or her father.

Finding 'evidence' that her sister is in Liverpool, Amanda bravely packs her bags and moves to Devon in order to be closer to her.

She sinks further into her own mind .... her sister 'speaks' to her ... lamps talk and the ringing of a telephone terrifies her.

This is a journey, of sorts, through the fragile mind of mental illness. It's the story of a dysfunctional family with deep rooted secrets. It seemed a little slow in the beginning, but the more I read, the more I was drawn in. It's a complex and compelling read.

Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the digital copy of this psychological suspense. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did You Whisper Back? is a character led story that is very psychological as it focuses on mental illness, distorted memories of the past and delusions in the present.

Due to the lack of mental wellbeing of the main character, this is at times rather an unusual read, as the reader is taken on a downward spiral into the confused mind of a young woman. However, I love this kind of thing, so although not quite knowing where it was going at first, I was easily absorbed by this story and found it rather addictive.

This only took me about two hours to read, so it's an ideal length if you fancy something quick between full length novels.

My review is also available on my blog here:
https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh gosh! I was reading this thinking ‘what on earth is going on here?’ as I had forgotten it was about someone with mental heath problems. As I read on I realised that Alison was having a complete breakdown and everything was starting to make sense. This is a very gut wrenching story, a very real situation that can happen when someone is having a breakdown. If you are someone with serious mental health issues you will totally grasp what is going on but it might also be a trigger for you. Thankfully, as someone who has had mental health problems for over 20 years, it didn’t cause me too many problems but it was difficult. I found myself overcome with feelings and couldn’t make sense of them until I finished the book and twigged that it had slightly triggered by the events that occurred.
This will give insight into how mental health problems are something people do genuinely live with and hopefully help people understand how it is a very real problem.
Taking this as a story as a whole it is very well written. The characters are relatable even if at the start you feel disdain for them you will soon uncover why they are how they are.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my book reviews plus author interviews, excerpts and guest posts can be found on my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com

In Amanda, the author creates a convincing picture of a troubled young woman, withdrawn and socially awkward yet intelligent and creative.   Initially, Amanda’s notion that she has a twin, Jo, still living, from whom she was separated at birth appears credible. However, over time the reader’s suspicion grows that this may be the product of a psychological disorder with Jo’s existence being nothing more than delusion.

Amanda’s fragile mental state isn’t helped by her family situation. Rosalind, her biological mother, seems distant and unwilling to acknowledge Amanda’s condition is anything other than self-inflicted. Rosalind’s way of solving problems is to ignore them or seek answers in a bottle. Amanda’s stepsister, Angie, and her stepfather, Neville, have a close bond, leaving Amanda feeling left out and detached, especially as her mother appears closer to Angie than to her natural daughter. Only Billy, Angie’s boyfriend, seems to see Amanda in a different light, to detect that there is something intense beneath the seemingly placid exterior she presents to the world.

‘He now knows what makes her tick. It’s the bomb inside her. And one day it might explode.’

As Amanda’s mental condition deteriorates she imagines ‘punishing’ her mother, Rosalind, and her biological father, Rodney, for discarding Jo and separating the twins. Despite being told by her mother that Rodney died many years previously, Amanda is convinced he is alive and living under an assumed name. Amanda’s subsequent mental collapse is vividly depicted – the hallucinations, nightmares and periods of hazy nothingness.

Then, just when you think you know what’s going on, the story takes a different, shocking turn. Although the ending of the book is strangely opaque, the reader is left in no doubt about the emotional and psychological damage that can be inflicted by the actions of others.

Because of the subject matter and the dark places the story takes you, I can’t say I ‘enjoyed’ this book but I certainly admired it and there was some wonderful, descriptive writing, such as ‘The fresh salty air unwinds spools of hope, like invisible streamers behind her.’

I received a review copy courtesy of Neverland Book Tours and the author in return for an honest review.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of a girl who is convinced she is a twin is told in lovely lyrical words by Kate Rigby. Amanda believes her twin died as a baby and she herself is a withdrawn individual who succumbs to schizophrenia. We learn the story of her family background and her mother's complicated relationships.

The writing is flowing, gentle and very readable. The author engages us with Amanda's life and her own fantasies of her background. Altogether a good story.

[L A King · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first novel by Kate Rigby that I have read and it will not be the last. I found it hard to put down. Kate really gets into the mind of someone with mental health issues and the way she has interpreted the racing of the mind, the wings of bees flying around and not talking much sense is so eloquently written that you are taken into the book. Amanda Court seriously believes that she has a twin sister and is longing to be reunited with her. However, her mother Rosalind, has told her that she is not a twin. Amanda decides to go to Devon in the hope that she finds Jo, her twin. She returns to Liverpool as Jo has led her back there. Angie, her half-sister’s boyfriend finds it hard to talk to Amanda and thinks she needs to see a Dr. So do Rosalind’s husband Neville and Angie.
A lot of families have secrets. As the story progresses and her illness is diagnosed, Jo is an image of her mind. Many people are unable to cope with their loved ones like this and don’t know how to react to them. This certainly happens to Amanda and is detrimental to her wellbeing. You want to go and shout at them. I don’t like Rodney, her birth father and there are times I wanted to shout and scream at Rosalind but I did feel quite sorry for her, as she had been dealt quite a rough hand. This is a truly exceptional disturbing look at how fragile a mind can be. Thank you, Kate, for a fabulous book.

[Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read in Kate's usual flowing style, which is why it was so easy to read in a day. The characters are well drawn and sympathetic and once you really care Kate throws you a few curve balls until you aren't sure if anyone is who you thought. The edge of the seat ending is unexpected yet entirely satisfying!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did You Whisper Back takes the reader on a complex downwards spiral into mental illness. It is quite harrowing experiencing Amanda’s descent first hand and is a challenge to read her confused thoughts at times. This is a brave book that tackles a difficult subject with sensitivity and raw emotion.

Towards the end of the book once we learn the truth I felt angry that Amanda’s illness could most probably have been prevented had her family been honest with her. I ended the book still feeling frustrated as the reader is only given a hint of Amanda’s recovery.

I found this book to be an interesting and different subject. The subject matter was tackled well and the characters were believable. The story challenged my own thinking and gave me a greater understanding of mental illness.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading another of this authors books I was looking forward to reading this as she manages to write about uncomfortable issues in a sensitive way.

This book was no different. The descent of Amanda's mental health was complex but written beautifully. The other characters, including her alcoholic mother, all played their part. At least Billy tried to make amends for his part in her demise. I was so drawn in to Amanda's journey that the twist was a real surprise.

Although I enjoyed this book I found it very slow and sometimes confusing in parts. I was slightly disappointed by the ending as it left questions unanswered but I was expecting this as the previous book ended the same way, but that's just my personal preference.

[Michelle Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda goes looking for her twin sister who she believes was thrown in a dustbin at birth but survived after being found. Her mother wont talk to her about her sister so it's up to Amanda to track her down so that she can feel complete.

A book of family secrets with a focus on mental illness. I found this book thought provoking and interesting, a very worthy 4 stars from me.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda court is a woman is down in madness .
She takes in the room she’s staying in .
Her alcohol mother won’t talk about her sister and her father does not know her .
I thank you for Amazon and Goodreads

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did You Whisper Back? by Kate Rigby

Amanda Court seeks out her estranged twin sister Jo. But what she finds out is quite disturbing, there is no twin named Jo. We watch as Amanda and her family struggle with the hidden family secrets, lies and truths.

A fantastic story of suspense and what can happen when you keep a secret hidden for so long. I really love the writing style of Kate Rigby, she brings life to her characters, and knows how to grab the readers attention by getting into the minds of each person dragging (the) reader into the story as if they are actually there. Fabulous read.

[Steph Gravell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely addictive. The characters are addictive, the plot is all too real. Reading the description of someone going through utter torment... Which may have been prevented is so moving, and so draining. 10/10 for both the writing and the characters. I loved it.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book you will want to read in one sitting in my opinion, it’s easily doable in an hour or so and it keeps you involved if there are no distractions. A deep, dark journey into one girls’ mind that explores thoughts, feelings and mental illness.

If you suffer from schizophrenia it may be a *trigger* but it is so well written that the benefits of reading it show the fragility of the mind. I have suffered various mental health issues over the years so I am totally in agreement with any book/story that raises awareness and makes people think, accept and possibly investigate further.

Amanda is a young woman who comes from a broken dysfunctional family. She is intent on finding her twin sister Jo who was cruelly discarded as a baby. The relationship she has with her alcohol dependent mother, step-sister Angie and step-father all have secrets which torment her mind.

In her desperate bid to track Jo down she moves to Devon after finding a newspaper cutting that implies she may be there. Amanda takes a job as a chamber maid, tries to formulate friendships etc

As the book progresses the characters all begin to reveal their personalities, Amanda withdraws and the world becomes a scary place. I found this absolutely fascinating as she sinks into a total oblivion. My allegiance altered regularly, pretty much all involved provoked me to the point I wasn’t sure who to like or trust. They all had struggles which make this a compelling read.

By the end I was feeling fairly wrung-out at the conclusion but so pleased I read it. Did you Whisper is an incredibly powerful story.

This poem from the book says it all for me:

“Telephone telephone

Someone plugged you in

To the volts of their heart

That they may make you ring

Telephone telephone

Are you resurrected?

I don’t like you

Quiet and disconnected

Telephone telephone

Receiver like an arm

And wire that protects me

From every living harm

Telephone telephone

With your mouthpiece so black

When I whispered into you

Did you whisper back?

You cannot shout, you cannot curse

There’s only your refrain

So telephone, dear telephone

Let’s be friends again.”

Many thanks to Kate and Jenny at Neverland Blog Tours for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Caz C Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This psychological novel gives an insight into the frailty of a mind and the vulnerability of a young girl, Amanda, who never stood a chance.

Introduction

Twenty-one year old Amanda thinks she has puzzled it all out: she has a twin sister, who was thrown in the dustbin after birth. Somehow, Jo, the twin sister, has survived this nightmare and Amanda feels it is her duty to find her so that she will be whole again. Her drive is a desperate one but Amanda knows she has to persevere or she will always experience this feeling of missing something vital. Amanda would love to know more about her father, Rodney, but Amanda's mother Rosalind does not want to talk about him. That only adds to Amanda's imagination...

Storyline

Amanda lives with her mother, Rosalind, her stepsister Angie and, although he never married Rosalind, stepfather Neville. If you saw them, you would think Angie is Rosalind's biological daughter as they look and act alike. Rosalind sometimes wishes Angie was her daughter instead of Amanda, who is shy and hates any attention drawn to her. Angie is fun and outgoing and "gives life to her words" although boyfriend Billy is a bit irritated because of her ailments. When Angie has one of her migraines, Billy takes Amanda out instead and regrets it from the moment they walk out the door. Amanda does rarely speak and idle chit chat, which makes a date entertaining, is not Amanda's style. But Amanda has something nobody except for Angie knows: she writes poems. Angie knows people find her shallow and, as she is craving for some serious attention from boyfriend Billy, Angie wants to pose as the author of Amanda's poems.

They do not know it yet, but this is a turning point in their and Angie and Billy's relationship. At the moment, Amanda is more concerned with her cause of finding her twin sister Jo as Amanda is sure she is called. Amanda even goes to the length of applying for a job in Devon after reading Jo's story in an article. Jo's appeal brings a certainty in Amanda's heart that the Jo of the article is her lost twin sister and she will do what it takes to reconnect to Jo in order to get rid of the feeling of loss. What follows is difficult to understand for everyone but Amanda, whose lively imagination paints pictures to the events that must have happened and give meaning to her everyday existence. Every spirit has a colour and unless Amanda is able to find her twin sister Jo, whose spirit is "pearly pink or green or blue" Amanda's spirit cannot be defined. Only when the story moves forward, we have an idea of what happened and who Amanda is.

My Thoughts

I'm shaken up after reading this disturbing psychological novel. How dare people mess up a young girl's life? The behaviour of two of the characters in special, was simply appalling to me and I had to hold myself in not to shout at them - the trouble is that they got a second chance, something Amanda was deprived of. I cannot say any more as it would be giving the plot away, but let me say this: people are not pets or, even worse, objects you can dispose of or divide up. Kate Rigby has presented us with a well-written novel, in which we have a unique insight into a fragile mind and the devastating effects of lies and secrets on a vulnerable person. The book left me with so many questions but most of all with feelings of loss and sadness as well as an enormous resentment against those responsible - you have to read this psychological novel to understand my bewilderment.

Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/whispe...

[Sam (Clues and Reviews) · Rating 2 out of 5]

 The novel, set in the 1970s, follows a young woman, Amanda, who is desperate to reconnect with her long lost, twin sister, Jo.   Trying to piece together where she could be, she leaves her family home and tries to find her sister.   As Amanda becomes closer to finding Jo, she soon starts experiencing distorted childhood memories and frightening experiences. Is Jo a real entity? Or a figment of her imagination? Did You Whisper Back? is a psychological novel about family secrets and a disturbing portrayal of the fragility of the mind.

This read is fast paced and easily digested. It reads like a short story, which I really liked. There wasn’t a lot of fluff within the pages; Rigby is straight to the point and doesn’t beat around the bush. I really appreciated that.

I also really liked Rigby’s portrayal of the mental health piece within the pages; I think she did a fantastic job at reflecting this aspect of the protagonist. I also loved the diversity; it isn’t often that this is shown in plots.

I realize that this one was set in the 1970s, but truly, there was nothing atmospheric about it that made me really feel that. I was expecting there to be some social suggestions or clothing descriptions or something to make me OBVIOUSLY feel we were in the 70s. As far as I am concerned, this story could have taken place anywhere, in any time.  That didn’t necessarily bother me, but, for a novel that had that detail it the synopsis, I expected it to be more obvious.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book which explores mental illness, taking you into Amanda's strange and confused inner thoughts. It is an unsettling place to be at times and it contrasts with the everyday life of her step-sister. Written in the third person, it emphasises for you how dislocated Amanda feels from those around her. Brought up in a complicated family, with unacknowledged secrets, you sense how fragile she has become. There is a lot of detail and depth in Amanda's character but you have to unravel the clues. Starved of information about her family, her imagination runs amok, and she becomes increasingly difficult for people to reach. She constructs a fantasy as a safe place to retreat to.

Although the central theme of the book focuses on Amanda's mental state, the other members of her family and friends are featured. Her step-sister seems self-absorbed, passing Amanda's poetry off as her own, to impress her boyfriend. Amanda's early passivity and desire to be 'normal', means that she acquiesces. Most difficult to understand is Amanda's mother, Rosalind, who has her own difficulties and ignores too many warning signs. In this disjointed family, there is little true communication.
I felt that the latter sections of the story repaid its reading. It deals with a difficult subject but has surprising twists before the truth emerges.

In short: a psychological novel which delves beneath the surface of a disturbed mind.

Thanks to publisher for a copy of the book

[Rachel (Rae) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is full of secrets and lies with a family that is slowly unravelling bit by bit. I don't want to go into too much detail as I really would hate to ruin this story with spoilers. A few of the characters in Did You Whisper Back? have quite big flaws mainly due to the decisions that they made. It is quite hard for me to understand how they came to make them and how they ever thought it was a good idea. It's very easy to see how fragile Amanda is and it really is a rollercoaster of emotions as everything plays out. Along the way I definitely felt as if I was pulled into Amanda's life with details of how she felt and also her every day experiences.

It is quite a fast paced story and even though it is a shorter length there is plenty packed into the plot as Amanda's life slowly but surely begins to spiral out of control. It didn't take me long to read at all as I became invested in both the story and how everything would turn out for Amanda. There is a feeling of tension as the story progresses mainly because I didn't know which way the story would go.

Intriguing and full of secrets!

With thanks to Jenny at Neverland Blog Tours & Kate Rigby for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Joanne Cartwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did You Whisper Back is a window into mental illness and the isolation it can bring to sufferers. Amanda is searching for her estranged twin sister, whom she believes was found in a bin and taken in by another family and is hell bent on following apparent leads from Liverpool to Devon and back again to find her, with no success.
All the while her emotional state is declining and she has several moments where suicide seems a real option.
Towards the end new truths emerge for Amanda which shed a different light on a number of other characters whom I began reading with empathy and then turned into dislike!
This was a thought provoking and, at times, distressing read following the destruction of Amanda’s reality and the progression of her illness. I wanted to step into the pages to support Amanda (and to give a number of other characters a piece of my mind). Amanda stayed with me for several days after closing the book.

[Nicola Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a challenging review to write. The premise of the book is a difficult subject matter to get one’s head around. I must admit, I had to start it again as I couldn’t get to grips with the scene setting. I struggled to empathise with Amanda and found her thought processes very confusing.
I soon discovered why that was and I began to read her story with more care and consideration.
This is not a book to be rushed. It gives you food for thought and think I did. Mental health is individual and can manifest itself in different ways, which makes it harder to understand. Of all the people, who could have supported Amanda, it came in the unlikely form of her stepsister’s boyfriend in the first instance. Her mother was dealing with her own demons and was unable to take the time to deal with her daughter’s too. Not sure the story came to a satisfactory enough conclusion for me. A deeply sad tale.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amanda always felt as if a part of her was missing. That part was her twin Jo who she remembers dying when she was a baby- or did she just go away?

From the start we see that Amanda is a girl with a lot of problems. She finds social interaction difficult. Her step-sister tries to bring her out of herself but Amanda always feels like she is just playing a part. She goes away to work as a chambermaid in Devon, having an idea that maybe that is where she may find Jo. Although she copes quite well through the holiday season, when she returns her life spirals out of control. It is now obvious to the reader that Amanda has some severe mental issues. I felt very angry with her mother for not getting her help sooner.

This book portrayed Amanda very sensitively. It was very well written. However it was a dark somewhat depressing read and I was quite relieved to finish it!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did You Whisper Back? is a disturbing psychological account of Amanda's struggle with schizophrenia and the search for her twin sister Jo, who she believes she was separated from at birth.

Having spent most of her life in isolation, she bravely moves to Devon to find Jo, but her mental health spirals downwards even further. There is an unexpected, unsettling twist to the ending and I found it to be a challenging and thought provoking read, but Kate Rigby deals with what is still a taboo subject with great sensitivity.

Many thanks to the author and TBC Reviewer Request Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris Tunnicliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda feels her missing twin around her all the time, except her family tell her she doesnt have one.

This book follows her descent into insanity and the secrets in her family which lead to this.

I found this a bit hard to follow at times but this gave you a feeling of Amanda's chaotic thoughts and feelings. A challenging but worthwhile read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

 Did you whisper back is written with so much insight about mental health and schizophrenia. It feels as if you are actually a fly on the wall as Amanda slowly deteriorates.

The story begins as Amanda is beginning on a never ending search for her twin sister Jo, who she believes was dumped in a rubbish bin as a baby. I at this point thought I had the story figured out, this would be a simple tale of Amanda's journey. How wrong could I be!

It becomes very clear quite early on that Amanda's family are very disjointed and have no understanding of Amanda and the person she is. In fact a huge part of Amanda's problems are in fact her family. I wanted to shout at them, could they not see she needed help?!

The lies her Mother has told and the hidden secrets that surround Jo all contribute to Amanda's chaotic world.

At times it does become an uncomfortable read, this is no criticism of the book, in fact it's quite the opposite and shows just how well Kate has managed to capture the realism of schizophrenia.

There is a huge twist in this tale and the ending is definitely not predictable. I was hooked and longed for a happy ending for Amanda.

Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a tale with a twist!

[Amy Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting story about Amanda who thinks she has a twin sister Jo and she searches to find her. The story brings the reader into the mentally confused woman and her fantasies, as she seeks to learn the truth. This is a psychological and disturbing portrayal of a fragile mind and it is well written. The reader can feel the pain and angst of Amanda as the secrets of her life and mind are revealed, as well as the deep fantasy that she has built for herself, safe in her own mind.



**I received a FREE copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Chantelle Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told mostly through the eyes of a fragile young woman, Amanda Court, this book is a captivating exploration of mental illness. Amanda is a quiet girl, who can't seem to find a personality of her own. She lives with her mother Rosalind, step-father Neville and step-sister Angie. Amanda is really no trouble to anyone. She agrees with people, and tries her best to please them, although really she would prefer to be alone. Amanda does not know much about her real father, Rodney, and she also believes she once had a twin sister called Jo. It is Amanda's belief that Jo was thrown into a dustbin as a baby and she feels it is her duty to find Jo and be reconnected with her. In her desperate search for her twin, Amanda travels from Liverpool to Devon and back again. She does her best to fit in and act 'normal' but it becomes painfully obvious to the reader, that Amanda's mind is fragmenting. From hearing lamps talk to the unrelenting sound of telephones ringing. Amanda becomes increasingly haunted. Most of the book is from her POV but towards the end, we learn more about her mother Rosalind and her father Rodney. I felt angry with Rosalind for allowing Amanda to drift so far so quickly, but she did have her own demons to conquer throughout the story. It was scary to read, in truth. I felt drawn to Amanda's plight and felt her drifting further and further away. The end of the book had a twist I didn't see coming but then we were left not knowing how or if Amanda ever recovered. I would love to know if she did! Brilliantly conceived, expertly portrayed and beautifully crafted, I am in awe of the author's ability to understand and empathise with people.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you whisper back? By Kate Rigby.
 Set in the nineteen-seventies, Did You Whisper Back? begins with Amanda Court's longing to be reunited with her estranged twin sister Jo. Following a false lead, Amanda leaves her Merseyside home and family and goes to Devon to work as a chambermaid where she believes Jo now lives.

Gradually it emerges that Jo is, seemingly, just a figment of Amanda's imagination arising from distorted childhood truths.

Did You Whisper Back? is a psychological novel about family secrets and a disturbing portrayal of the fragility of the mind.

This was a good read with likeable characters.  I found it a little confusing at times and slow. 4*.