Title: Whalers
Author: Kyle Farnworth
Genre: Literary Fiction
Book Blurb:
Winner of the LITERARY TITAN GOLD BOOK AWARD
⭐ "An emotional rollercoaster…captures the messy, complex nature of human imperfection." – Literary Titan
⭐ "A gritty, character-led novel…Highly recommended!" – The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
⭐ "Five stars, through and through." – Reedsy Discovery
Guilty or not, Ethan Callahan is about to lose everything.
When a former student goes missing, middle school teacher Ethan Callahan becomes the prime suspect. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun and a town desperate for someone to blame, Ethan is thrust into a storm of suspicion, half-truths, and buried secrets. But in a world where perception outweighs reality, does the truth even matter? As the investigation tightens around him, he must confront not just the case—but the darker parts of himself.
A genre-defying thriller that delves into guilt, redemption, and the power of perception, Whalers is a gripping, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page — a must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost at sea.
My Review:
This is a book about a character and that character is Ethan. He is a man who has a myriad of issues. This book allows you to journey with Ethan through the tilted pinball machine of his life.
He faces trials and tribulations, many of which are self-induced. This can be a fascinating journey for those who want to study humanity. Ethan's character could be the focus of a college English course for a week or two.
The character building here is the strong suit of the author. The characters that surround Ethan are so realistically portrayed, you begin to easily feel for each of them.
There is the maxim in writing: you write what you know. This book isn't so much a celebration of New Bedford, but it puts a bright light on what New Bedford now is. You couldn't get such a real understanding of the place without the author knowing it so well personally. New Bedford is a main character in this novel.
If you have old school reading tastes then I can say if you love Death of a Salesman, you will enjoy the life of Ethan. A realistic look at one man's life that could be any person's life. A worthwhile book to read in 2025. Get a copy today!
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW2ZHB2J
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DW2ZHB2J
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DW2ZHB2J
Author Biography:
Kyle Farnworth is an author and educator from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born in 1991, he grew up surrounded by the rich history and working-class resilience of his hometown—elements that deeply influence his writing.He earned a B.A. in English (Writing Concentration) from Bridgewater State University, followed by a Master's in Teaching (Secondary English) from Brandeis University. For the past decade, he has dedicated himself to teaching middle school English—spending five years in Newton, MA, before returning to New Bedford to teach in the community that shaped him.
Social Media Links:
Website https://kylefarnworth.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/farnzzzzz/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kylefarnz/
Reviewed by: Mr. N