Author: J. T. Patten
Genre: Horror - Thriller - Dark Fiction
Publisher: Helbound Productions - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 18, 2022
Read: December 17-20, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Trigger Warning: Contains references to domestic violence, child abuse, racism, The Holocaust, and scenes of graphic violence and medical procedures.
Synopsis from Publisher: Neurodivergent, young Dwight Skinner considers his mental challenges to be a superpower, but it's a pure bloodline that will put him in danger. When a tragic event brings a mysterious Romani neighbor, Mr. Mortimer, out of seclusion and into the Skinner family's lives, Dwight and his emotionally overloaded mother find an unsuspecting protector in this dark whisperer. Death and horrific secrets trail the unfolding life of Mr. Mortimer's past, and questions soon arise as to who has the more sinister of intentions, Dwight or the "Gypsy" he unconditionally trusts. The whispers have the answer.
Note: Whispers of a Gypsy is a story about how purity of heart dies in a world of hate. Using the word "Gypsy" refers to members of the Romani people (and/or their sub-groups Roma, Sina, etc.). The G-word, however, is pejorative. It is used in this case for conscious correction and to relate to an Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp book and the over 500,000 Romani killed by the Nazis. This group was one of the foremost peoples who suffered inhumane tests while in the camps. Na bister 500,000
Review: J. T. Patten is a former government intelligence and special mission advisor, and it clearly shows in his writing. Whispers of a Gypsy is more than a horror story. It's both a historical in its scope and contemporary in its tone. It's both a spy thriller and a commentary on modern society. It's both a "whodunnit" and a supernatural horror show. It's a blend of genres, beholden to none, and I loved every page of it.
The plot is complex and spans decades from the horrors of Auschwitz and Josef Mengele to the modern-day Chicago suburbs. It touches on both Jewish and Romani folklore with references to both dybbuk and golem legends and even blends a little Shelley's Frankenstein and zombies into the supernatural aspects to create a truly unique version of an anti-hero. Told in alternating timelines of past and present as well as multiple points of view, the overall effect is a dark tale rooted in historical fact with far too plausible outcomes.
Whispers of a Gypsy is a thought-provoking novel that treats one of the most horrific episodes of human history with care and the reverence it deserves while also spinning a yarn of contemporary fantastical horror and international intrigue. Any fan of dark fiction will be delighted by J. T. Patten's work, and I look forward to his next book.
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