The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide: Klune, TJ. Under the Whispering Door. Tor. 2021. First Edition. Hardcover.

The novel begins as Wallace Price fires a long-time employee from his law firm for a possible mistake. Two days later, Wallace dies of a heart attack and is horrified to see that the few people who attended his funeral are happy that he is gone. As his ex-wife Naomi rants about how terrible of a man Wallace was, he meets his reaper Mei who teleports them to a tea shop owned by a ferryman named Hugo. After Wallace is introduced to Hugo's dead grandfather Nelson, Hugo gives Wallace tea that reminds him of his life. Terrified and determined to live, Wallace flees from the tea shop but runs into the monstrous dead soul of another man who tried to run. Hugo saves him, promising that Wallace does not have to go through the door until he is ready.

Over time, Wallace begins to realize that his focus on his job made his life meaningless, even when he thought he was doing more than anyone could ask for. With the help of Hugo, Mei, and Nelson, Wallace understands that he was exceedingly lonely and plagued by guilt, especially concerning his divorce. He also learns that Mei was kicked out of her home at 17 when her mother could not handle Mei's reaper powers and that Hugo became a ferryman only three days after his parents died. Wallace begins to understand the importance of doing things for the sake of others instead of only for the benefit of one's self.

He also learns of a man named Cameron who turned into a husk after fleeing the tea shop. Secondly, he hears the story of Nancy and her daughter, Lea, who died of an illness when she was very young. Since Lea had a strong connection to life, she managed to draw Nancy to the tea shop but Hugo’s first reaper forced Lea through the door when she was not ready. This caused the Manager to erase the reaper from existence and assign Hugo Mei. Due to this, Nancy is unable to accept her daughter’s death, especially after a fraudulent psychic Desdemona claimed she could help.

However, when a new murdered ghost Alan is forced through the door by the Manager when he turns violent, the Manager tells Wallace that he has seven days left before he must cross. Determined to make something of himself, Wallace works with Hugo to convince Nancy that Lea has moved on and is safe. He also gives his tether from Hugo to Cameron in the hopes of giving him a second chance. Mei saves Wallace from floating away and he and Hugo are able to convince the Manager to let them rescue the husks. Due to this, the Manager gives Wallace a second chance at life and he trains as a reaper with Mei. Months later, Nelson decides to pass through the door himself, confident that he is leaving Hugo in good hands.