Editorial Review

“A gritty, character-led novel filled with well-developed characters. Highly recommended!”

I must say, I very much enjoyed this rather gritty novel from the pen of talented writer, Kyle Farnworth. It’s the story of Ethan. He’s not your ‘typical’ hero; unhappy with his job, drinks too much, basically the sort of fellow you’d meet at a party and instantly forget. But when he offers a student (Aaliyah) a lift home and she ends up going missing, his life is turned upside down.

There were a number of elements to this story which, for me, stood out. Firstly, it’s very much a character study of (what I’d call) a normal man. The author is keen from the outset for the readers to get to know him, warts and all. In fact, in a way, the plot is almost secondary to this. I’m not grumbling mind; I loved that. I’m a big fan of ‘character’ novels, so this was right up my street. And, let’s face it, it’s never difficult to root for a down on his luck, common man. Secondly, the writing style is excellent; not too flowery, even workmanlike in parts, fitting the genre perfectly. And thirdly, I loved the New Bedford setting; a city which has seen better days – like many in the UK where I’m based. It adds starkness to the protagonist’s already rather stark life.

So, if you enjoy powerfully themed, character focused novels written in the first person, I’m happy to recommend Whalers to you. I think most readers will enjoy the dark atmosphere of city life, and watching Ethan grow as he attempts to uncover the truth. All in all, a bit of a gem!

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐