Review: The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

The Scream of the Whistle is a superbly spooky, supernatural mystery that completely captivated me as the tragic tale of a lost village unfolded: a tale of loss, of family and friendship and of hope.

Following her parents’ separation, twelve-year-old Ruby, her brother Sam, and their mother are staying with her Gram in the village of Melbridge, once a thriving railway village but no longer so.

When Gram takes Ru to the abandoned railway station to help her connect with her family history, she tells her that it is built on a ley line. Ru is more interested in her discovery: that following the railway track will lead her back home where she aims to get her mum and dad back together. But before she can put her plan into action, her Gram insists that she watches the lunar eclipse on May Eve, a time when she believes that a gateway between worlds opens …

As soon as an opportunity arises, Ru sneaks out at night and heads to the train track but she has not gone far when she hears the scream of a whistle and sees an old steam train waiting on the platform. The conductor, Mr Cribbins, assures her that he can take her home so she climbs aboard, but the train does not stop at her home station …

And so begins an unsettling, eerie and thrilling mystery, with some moments of horror, that most definitely sent shivers down my spine as Ru finds herself trapped on a train travelling towards terrible danger, with two new friends, Elfie and Malik. Why is Cribbins intent on keeping the girls on board the train as it heads towards its final destination? Why is Malik unable to leave? Is there any way to prevent the disaster that they are heading towards? There is a palpable sense of fear and tension as the truth is slowly realised, as the steam train moves inexorably through its horrifying history and as the children fight against what seems an inevitable tragedy brought about by one man’s desire for revenge.

Ru is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is hurting at the separation of her parents and hoping that, by getting them into the same room, she can bring them back together. This need is what leads her on to the steam train where she finds herself solving a mystery with two new friends, each with different reasons for being trapped on the train. She shows incredible courage in facing her fears and helping her friends as she comes to realise the reality of their frightening situation. And the ending brought tears – just perfect!

Jump aboard this spooky, mesmerising mystery for a terrifically thrilling adventure, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.