Whisper Creek: one family's fight against nature and the evil plans of man

Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan is a thriller about one family’s fight for their land against enemies and a massive storm. After the sudden death of her husband, Ellen McKenna is determined to keep their family farm a success. With hopes to expand, they are facing tough times and more expensive than she ever imagined. Many of their neighbors are packing it in and selling land to a local businessman. However, Ellen refuses to break to the same pressure. To add to their troubles, a series of recent storms have ravaged the region with another massive heavy rain still on its way. With all hands on deck to prepare for the storm, the discovery of an injured dog and a man barely clinging to life, a victim of a home invasion. When Ellen’s younger kids check on a neighbor and unknowingly walk into a threat. With no way to call for help, Ellen and her family do all they can to fight back and survive. 

I was intrigued by the description of the story and I was expecting a “twisty, tense” combined with “family drama” with the “unforgiving power of nature.” The story did start off great with mood and tension building; however, the story faltered from there. It took way too long for any real action and it was obvious who was behind the threats and break ins. Overall, I did not find it thrilling, twisty or tense. There were times when I screamed at the character to do something instead of what they did. One instance is when Ellen, who checks on a pregnant neighbor, decides to take the neighbor back to her house to keep an eye on her and yet decides to stop at another neighbor's house “real quick” while worried about the roads flooding. It just didn’t make sense! If you are a fan of Allison Brennan, you may enjoy Whisper Creek. However, I did not enjoy this book and I do not recommend Whisper Creek. 

Whisper Creek is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

North of Nowhere: two teens running for their lives in a snowstorm, who do they trust?

North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan is a cat-and-mouse suspense. Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been in hiding for the last five years and the day they were dreading has arrived. Their murderous father, Boyd McIntyre, the head of a Los Angeles crime family, has found them! Along with a man who has kept them safe, they attempt to escape in a small plane, when gunfire hits the fuel line and they crash in the middle of the Montana wilderness with a storm moving in. Kristin and Ryan have been taught survival skills and they make their way to their safe house. Ruby McIntyre, Boyd’s sister and the children’s aunt, walked away from the family business to join the army. She vowed never to return; however when the call comes that her niece and nephew need her help, she doesn't hesitate to help them. Ruby soon discovers she and Boyd aren’t the only ones looking for Kristin and Ryan and whoever finds them first will determine if they live or die. 

I hadn’t heard of Allison Brennan or her books before; however, the synopsis intrigued me. From the opening paragraph, readers are promised an edge-of-your-seat suspense. And it delivered for the first two thirds of the story. The story started to falter a bit during the last third and there seemed a rush to finish as the action piled on for a spectacular finish. The ending was satisfying and overall, I enjoyed North of Nowhere. I cheered for Kristin as she fought to protect herself and her brother and was unsure who to trust. I enjoyed Ruby’s character as a hardened veteran who fears her family. Boyd was an interesting villain but the true villain is revealed near the end and he was terrifying. I may have gasped as he was revealed. As this book was my first by Ms Brennan, I am curious about her other books and will be checking out her backlist. If you enjoy suspense with a survival aspect, you will enjoy North of Nowhere. 

North of Nowhere will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on August 8, 2023