July 2019

I had seen lots of buzz about WHISPER NETWORK by Chandler Baker. So I quickly grabbed the audiobook, which is narrated by Almarie Guerra, and found it to be one really well-done listen. The book is set at a sportswear company called Truviv, where three women --- Sloane, Ardie and Grace --- have worked for years. The man in line to become the company’s new CEO following the sudden death of his predecessor is Ames Garrett, who women in the company had identified as “trouble.” No, it’s not about his business dealings, but rather about his “women dealings.”

An Excel document is now being sent around town noting the BAD (Beware of Asshole Dallas) Men. Is Ames on this list? As the buzz gets louder, Ames’ body is found, and it appears it has been hurtled from the roof of Truviv. Was it suicide, or something more sinister?

It’s the #MeToo era, and the women who come out with stories about Ames are vilified. But they know they are speaking the truth. Rosalita, the office cleaning lady, has seen a lot of what’s been going on, and she is siding with these women. But can her voice be heard?

Chandler does a terrific job of building out her characters and ramping up the suspense. I did not know what happened to Ames, and there is a twist at the end that was very well done. It’s brisk, and for book groups looking for a lighter read with lots of angles to discuss, this will be perfect.