"Great Gothic"

Her son died and her husband accuses her of their child's death. He refuses to share his grief with her or allow her to mourn. Robert adds to Catherine Reed's distress when the former Confederate soldier kills himself. Stunned by her husband's actions and still mourning her losses, Cat endures strike three when she receives an urgent message from her older sister Elizabeth McMahon to come immediately. Since the two siblings have not communicated during the recent Civil War years, the note is not only a shocker, but Elizabeth is unaware of Cat's losses. Still Cat runs home to the family plantation.

At Whispering Oaks, Cat learns her sister is missing and her brother-in-law John seems unconcerned. When Elizabeth's corpse is found, a non-mourning John simply asks Cat to marry him for the sake of her niece Rebecca who he insists needs a caring adult female in her life. Reluctantly, Cat agrees, but when she returns from her honeymoon, she begins to hear the whispers of doubt about her new spouse.

WHISPERS OF GOODBYE is a perfect novel for those readers who enjoy an old fashioned Gothic romance. The story line is 200 proof Gothic with a foreboding tone and whisperings in and around mansion, a dark mysterious hero, and a doubting damsel in distress. Though often over melodramatic, the plot grabs the reader with its twists and turns that Karen White cleverly ties together in a stirring but stunning climax. Sub-genre fans will really like this tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 4, 2001

Summary

WHISPERS OF GOODBYE is the story of Catherine deClaire Reed, alone in the world with nothing left to fear, and John McMahon, a man from whom Catherine unwillingly seeks protection, but who is intent on hiding a very dark secret.

Set against the backdrop of a Louisiana sugar plantation, admidst the humid air and cloying Spanish moss, Catherine must fight her growing passion for John to uncover the secrets he hides. But will her discoveries release her from her darkest nightmares or threaten her very life?