The Whisper Network

I wanted to like this book. I tried really hard to like this book. And okay, it wasn’t completely unlikable to me. But I had a tough time making it through.

Here’s my biggest issue. The book (at least on the platforms I hear about it) was advertised as a thriller and murder mystery. I had reached the halfway point and was still confused when either of those characteristics would be making an appearance. Honestly, I am not sure they ever did.

Next issue. Speaking as a POC, there were some cringe-worthy moments when the author tries to bring in diversity and race that had me questioning if I should be bothered. I felt like it was a classic example of someone trying to prove they are woke and an ally, but they missed the mark.

Okay, now on to the good.

It was well written and brings to light real issues that women deal with in the workplace. There are many moment I could actually relate as a woman in the workforce, and I appreciated that Baker didn’t shy away from tougher topics. Had I gone in expected a fictional story about #MeToo, I would have been much happier, but as a thriller/murder mystery it was way too slow for me.

I predicted most of the ending, and the plot twist I didn’t guess was not enough to save this as a thriller for me. So, overall? If I knew this would be a fiction about #MeToo… maybe a beach read. Definitely not a thriller. I’d be much happier. Instead, I’m disappointed because I was expected a fast-paced thriller about being a woman in the workforce, and it did not live up to my expectations.