ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita have worked at Truviv, Inc. for years. The sudden death of Truviv’s CEO means their boss, Ames, will likely take over the entire company. Each of the women has a different relationship with Ames, who has always been surrounded by whispers about how he treats women. Those whispers have been ignored, swept under the rug, hidden away by those in charge.
But the world has changed, and the women are watching this promotion differently. This time, when they find out Ames is making an inappropriate move on a colleague, they aren’t willing to let it go. This time, they’ve decided enough is enough.
Sloane and her colleagues’ decision to take a stand sets in motion a catastrophic shift in the office. Lies will be uncovered. Secrets will be exposed. And not everyone will survive. All of their lives—as women, colleagues, mothers, wives, friends, even adversaries—will change dramatically as a result.
"If only you had listened to us,” they tell us on page one of Chandler Baker's Whisper Network, “none of this would have happened."
LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT:
MY REVIEW:
Whisper Network by Chandler BakerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker is a 2019 Flatiron Books publication.
A scathing, darkly humorous novel of suspense-
When the CEO of Truviv, Inc. dies suddenly, his probable replacement, Ames, is a man who has been the subject of whispers amongst female employees about his dubious treatment of women. His possible promotion has placed four women, in particular, on edge.
Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita have each had a relationship of sorts with Ames over the years. Knowing his proclivities, they decide to prevent him from adding another notch on his belt by protecting the newest female hired at the company from his advances. However, their plans seem to have gone awry...
I've had this book on my TBR list for over a year. I'm still trying to find books that will take my mind off the headlines, which means I'm not always grabbing the newest releases anymore. This book had an interesting premise, so I plucked it out of the middle of the pile, and thankfully it was a good choice. This book challenged me enough to hold my attention from start to finish.
One reason why the story was able to distract me so thoroughly, was the author's unusual presentation, which, apart from using traditional dialogue- depositions, interviews, and other devices are employed to further the story along. This approach kept me guessing and on my toes.
One small downside is that while the book is a mystery and can be suspenseful at times, it's not a thriller in the traditional sense. The pacing in not overly brisk, and there is very little action. It's more of a story that delves into various issues women cope with, in and out of the workplace- both in the past and the present.
While acknowledging some progress, the challenges women face is a constant battle, with lots of room for improvement. It is also a lesson on how to recognize the signs of harassment and bullying to prevent future generations from experiencing the same treatment.
An added bonus for me was the setting- Dallas, Texas- which is within driving distance from my location and so I am pretty familiar with some of the landmarks mentioned.
The book is spot-on in many ways, and definitely depicts the need for a #MeToo movement. It is certainly thought-provoking and I think many women can relate to these characters in one way or another, understanding the pressure to look and behave in a certain way, as well as the subtle and not so subtle forms of harassment that cause so many conflicted emotions and even guilt.
The dialog is witty, sharp, snarky, and occasionally laugh out loud funny. The characters develop nicely, and the format is fresh and unique.
Overall, this is a timely and relevant story that tackles heavier issues in a stylish and entertaining format.
GRAB YOUR COPY HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Network-Novel-Chandler-Baker-ebook/dp/B07GV9R83F/
https://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Network-Chandler-Baker-audiobook/dp/B07L972KN5/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whisper-network-chandler-baker/1129417233
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chandler Baker lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and toddler. She works as a corporate attorney and is the author of five young adult novels. Her first adult novel, Whisper Network, was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick as well as an instant New York Times Bestseller.
