20–6862
“Louis Dodge’s new hero is named Robert Estabrook, and it is Beakman, the very unpleasant city editor of The News, who gives him the nickname of ‘Whispers’ because of his defective speech. Estabrook—or Whispers—arrives in Missouri City shortly after the murder of old Pheneas Drumm, a dealer in masks and costumes, reputed to be very rich, and goes first to the office of the highly successful News. But not liking the looks either of Beakman or of The News office—whereby he shows his good sense—he decides to try to get a position on the rival paper, The Vidette. This he does. Also, Whispers promises to solve the mystery of the Drumm murder within two days. Of course he makes good.”—N Y Times
Booklist 16:280 My ’20 + Cath World 112:121 O ’20 90w
“Mr Dodge has written a uniquely interesting book. The plot itself is simple enough, the dénouement not surprising; but from the very beginning a subtler interest is aroused by the genuine appeal of the characters revealed and the picturesque quality of the city newspaper life.”
+ − N Y Evening Post p3 My 1 ’20 480w + − N Y Times 25:240 My 9 ’20 350w
“Once the main thread begins to unwind, ‘Whispers’ plunges into an exciting series of dangers. Either through his own, or the author’s clumsiness, Estabrook does not display much craft in his sleuthing.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p11a Je 27 ’20 250w
“The long arm of coincidence is applied to its limit, but the story is entertaining.”
+ Wis Lib Bul 16:237 D ’20 20w