Women in our current culture live complicated lives that are precariously balanced between expectations of work and home life. While women long to have lives in which they are respected in their workplace for their intelligence and their abilities, they also long to have families and to live lives that allow them to be dedicated to their loved ones. This is not exclusive to women, but we live in a society in which men are praised for being so dedicated to their jobs and for any time that they take with their families, while women are often expected to be everything to everyone.

I understand where Chandler Baker is writing from. The idea of being pulled between the love of what she does, and the desire to be a mother is a strong one. Choices have to be made, and they are not always easy ones. Society is not set up for a mother to be up all night nursing their babies and then in the office all day. Choices are made about feeding, childcare, and so on. This is not new to our generation, but it seems to be that more and more of the current generation of women are choosing their careers over even having families, while in the past many women had to choose what to do with their children while they worked, or what to do with their career while they took care of children. In the past, more women balanced the two, while millennials (my generation) seem to be more apt to just put off having a family in general.

The other key to understanding the background of this book is to understand our current culture of sexual assault. We live in a world in which we say to "believe all women" and the "#Metoo" movement was big a few years ago. Yet we still often question the woman. Unfortunately there have been far too many women who have claimed to have been abused for the sake of notoriety and to gain something from the claim. There are women who have been punished for standing up and speaking up. And there are men who have been destroyed by abusive men. It is often a "he said/she said" situation. As a woman, I will never understand the power that men feel from taking sexual advantage of women, but I can understand how some women trap men into a position where THEY hold the power and can ruin the man's life. I think it is frequently looked at in one direction only and that much is missed by not looking at all parties involved.

The Whisper Network intelligently deals with both of these topics. It is very much from a feminist perspective, and I cannot say that I agree with all that Chandler Baker writes. But I do understand that there are dynamics between men and women that are often abused in professional situations (and between men and men or women and women but those are not dealt with in this case). I also understand that a mom who does not want to give up her career or sacrifice her family must make some difficult situations. And more than that, I remember vividly the pure exhaustion that comes with having newborns and other responsibilities. While I made the choice to sacrifice career to be home with my children, being home with your children day in and day out can be a very difficult job in and of itself.

The book would not have appealed to me at all if it had not been for the mystery that was unraveled throughout the book. Many stories were explored, characters understood, and reasonings behind the mystery were clearly laid out. I understood why the crime was committed, why all parties felt guilty, even if they weren't, and the need they felt to protect one another against this person and the sins of the abusers. These women could easily be women we encounter every day. Their motivations could be our motivations. And their lives could easily be our lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and McMillan Audio for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked this book. The Whisper Network is the story of five women who have had enough with sexual harassment in the workplace from their superiors and decide to speak out after the CEO of the company does and a new man is poised to take his place. Each woman has a different connection with the man named Ames and each of their stories are told in the style of a legal thriller, drama about female bonds, with a little bit of mystery thrown in. It was definitely a genre bender. This book was written in the wake of the "#MeToo" movement and it showcased all of the misygony that was brought to light during that time frame. All of the sexual harassment and sexual assault, but also unfair wage gaps and the dominance of men in the corporate world. I thought this book told a great story that I couldn't put down. Chandler Baker knows her stuff and it came out well on paper. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone. Although it was a tad bit slow in the beginning, it took off quick. 4.5 stars.

“We knew we shouldn’t be ashamed. We weren’t ashamed. We were grown-ass women—which is obviously why we paraded to the restrooms with tampons secretly stuffed into our cardigan sleeves as though we were spies delivering encrypted information.
....We pretended that all of this was a myth. That we had neither fallopian tubes, nor menstrual cycles, nor breasts, nor moods, nor children. And then we took it as a compliment when one of the men in the office told us we had balls. So, tell us again how this wasn’t a man’s world.”
― Chandler Baker, Whisper Network

Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita are women employed at Truviv, Inc. When the CEO dies suddenly, their boss, Ames, is poised to take over the coveted position. The women each have their own sorted past with Ames, and when a new woman joins the team, the team fears history is repeating itself. Having put up with the arrogant Ames, a manipulative and underhanded man, the women have finally reached their limit. The women band together to stand up for themselves and each other. Speaking up was no easy feat, but there are consequences of doing so that no one could have predicted. Interwoven into the narrative are snippets of depositions, cross-examinations, and police interviews.

I appreciated that the book thrusts the reader into the #metoo movement and portrays a somewhat realistic account of women who work in a male dominated corporate environment. Admittedly, the female characters were somewhat difficult to distinguish from one another for the first half of the book. However, when they did gain some traction, I began to empathize with each individual character more and more. Baker did a great job of bringing to life the sexist situations the characters had to deal with, which parallel real-world challenges all too well. This book was frustrating as a reader because I wanted such better treatment of these women! At times, I was even frustrated with how these women were treating each other but that seemed like it was done on purpose to demonstrate that women are treated poorly, even by other women, because we have all been influenced by the patriarchal way of thinking.

I saw this book was advertised as a thriller and I definitely don’t think this fits the bill. Although it kept me reading, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The book was also advertised as a murder mystery, but I dont think that was the most interesting part of the book. I more so enjoyed watching these characters navigate the difficulty of their circumstances, realize their worth, and empower each other to speak their truths. That being said, I do think the book lacked a diverse cast and played into stereotypes. Although there is a hispanic woman, she fills a very stereotypical role in the book. Her name is Rosalita and she is a cleaning lady, single mom, and speaks poor English, who is introduced in the book when she is collecting trash from one of the offices. For a book about the challenges of women in the workplace and society as a whole, it really only portrays one very narrow demographic.

I read this book without really knowing what it was about and not having read any reviews. I’d say if you’re expecting a tittilating thriller or murder mystery, this book may not tickle your fancy. Overall I enjoyed it. Regardless of the lack of diversity and the slow burn, I would recommend this book. 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley Books for my advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook of Whisper Network by Chandler Baker.
First, I don't know why, but the audiobook left out words when listening at 2.5 or 3x speed in the NetGalley app. So, I had to listen at 2x speed which is slow for me.
Now, onto the book. The story, while important, was a miss for me. Whispers around the office of sexual harrassment, yet no one comes forward. Everyone knows what is going on, but fearful for their jobs, they don't speak out.
This book tries to address too many issues: Postpartum depression, cyberbullying, sexual harrassment, rape, revenge, women supporting/not supporting women, work/life balance, wives making more than their husbands, affairs, women not being paid similar to their male counterparts. and more, it was exhausting.
I thought the best part of the book was the author's note at the end when she relates her own experience.

The Whisper Network - Chandler Baker

What a powerful read. I adored this book. I feel that this is a must read for bookclubs - but also for women in business.
Sloane, Ardie, Grace and Rosalita are working within corporate America and work together to speak out about their sexual harassment in the workplace. They want the truth to come out about their common predator who is up for promotion in the company Truviv.

This is a great book about how women are treated within the workplace but also for how these women treat each other during tough and stressful situations. This brought me back to the #metoo movement and i was very happy to read this. As a women in business - I feel this was a book that is super important.

I found this book was a slow burn mystery. I would not say it was a thriller/suspenseful novel. I would for sure recommend to those that enjoy Women’s Fiction.

Thank you for the chance to listen to this audiobook.

One of the those books that makes you feel seen. Any woman will connect with the story and the variety of females shown in this breathtaking novel. The characters were real authentic women, flaws and all. I love that I was able to connect with all the women in different ways. Grace, Ardie, Sloana, and Rosalita were amazingly well-written characters that came to life. I loved the author's choice to include snippets and peaks behind the curtain to the issues and problems women face on a daily basis. Everything was covered and nothing was shied away from. I didn't realize until listening to this book that I had those thoughts or that they were shared problems all females face. The book was enlightening, empowering, inspiring, and something I didn't know I needed.

The narrator did a spectacular job. I was able to clearly tell the difference between characters voices and feel their emotions. This was one of the best audiobook narrations I have ever heard. She did the full range of characters that she expertly brought to life. A fantastic job!

3.5⭐
This is a Me Too novel about women in a corporate world working in different capacities and sexual harassment. The novel to me is more a mystery drama than a thriller.

Told as a small flashback (three weeks), this story started with a bang! Then the reader gets more backstory for each main character. This is where it becomes a rather slow-burn and a confusing listening experience. Parts of the story are in other formats like messages and depositions, so the flow seems choppy without knowing what it is that I'm listening to. But after halfway I got used to it and I don't think I noticed it any longer. And of course, it was hard to put down. This turns out to be a riveting whodunit story.

I think we ladies can relate to some of these characters in one way or another. I have my own story, but not as drastic as these characters. The author's note at the end is worth listening to as well, you don't want to miss it!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this audiobook.

I enjoyed listening to Whisper Network! I listened to it at work which was the perfect setting. I am an accountant, so I related to the environment and work type of the lawyers. I do think the story was a slow burn, and it took me about 25% to get into it, but after that I was hooked! I will be recommending this to lovers of Big Little Lies as it reminded me a lot of that.

Looking at the press for this novel, there are a lot of comparisons to Big Little Lies. Those comparisons aren’t wrong, but they are a little reductive. Whisper Network follows four working women, three lawyers and one cleaning lady, as they navigate a workplace that has been dominated by a traditional boys club. That established power structure is threatened when an anonymous list of predatory men begins circulating among working women - a whisper network to warn their sisters in arms.

In truth, Whisper Network takes the themes of Big Little Lies and in moving them to the workplace dial the stakes up to eleven. Any woman who has ever worked with or for men (i.e. all women) will recognize something within these pages. There is even a subplot with one of the protagonist’s daughters to underline how our leniency with predatory behavior starts with children which I really appreciated.

The plot is somewhat predictable and the characters a little flat, but the truth of what this novel has to say is what makes it compelling, if at times infuriating. I especially appreciated the author’s note at the end that outlines her own experiences that led to the idea for the book.

As a female lawyer, this book hit on all the issues for females in the profession. Especially during the early years of practice. That time when your career is tentative and you are still young and vulnerable. Each character deals with an issue women face every day in the workplace. Sexual harassment. Guilt. Feeling like an outsider. It dead with heavy stuff, but it isn’t so weighty as to be depressing. I definitely recommend it!

*I received an audiobook copy from Netgalley, however this does not influence my decision *

Overall I really enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator’s audio was a little choppy but I think that’s because it’s an advance copy and not the published one. I like to listen to my audiobooks at 1.5 to 2.0 speed.

The story was compelling and highlights a really important issue of the abuse women deal with in the workplace. How once they become mothers, they are suddenly devalued to the company. Each character was unique and had their individual struggles that could be relatable to some.

Thank you NetGalley for an audio-ARC of the Whisper Network by Chandler Baker.
This is the second book Chandler Baker book I've read and will probably be the last. I think the books are well thought out and well written, but I am not a fan of the complaining by the working women. I did enjoy the twist at the end, and the author's note added to the purpose of the story.

"Whisper Network" was such a pleasant surprise. This thriller follows the stories of employees at a major sportswear company working in and with the legal department. Events escalate quickly from accusations, lawsuits, and harassment allegations, to murder. In the midst of the whirlwind are three friends, female lawyers, navigating their jobs and all related complexities along with raising children, managing personal relationships, and climbing their way up the corporate ladder. Their stories bleed together with others: a cleaning lady who is a single mother working to provide a better life to her child; a beautiful young attorney who guards her secrets jealously; a personal trainer who has learned to protect herself from predators; and an ambitious general counsel attorney with high hopes of becoming his company's next CEO.
Baker masterfully weaves together each story and plants legal interviews and depositions that lead the reader on an unforgettable journey of discovery. These elements are strategically introduced in a manner that will keep readers engaged and guessing until the final page. The icing on the cake is the narrator that details the inner monologue of millions of working women across the United States. And indeed the narrator's comments have been informed by hundreds of real women whose stories and insights will feel achingly familiar to female readers.
This murder-mystery thriller with #MeToo elements will shock and anger you and you will be hooked from the first page to the last. I have very few qualms with this book although I didn't love the way the narrator portrayed some of the character voices and personalities. I would recommend it to any reader (especially female-identifying readers) who enjoy a thriller or murder mystery.

A subtle and nuanced book about female friendships in the corporate world and the ubiquitous and demoralizing experience of sexual harassment. I really liked the theme of this book, which I think was influenced by a real news story - a spreadsheet circulating among working women, listing “bad men” who treat women poorly in the business world. This is just a tangible representation of the “whisper networks” that have been around for centuries in which women warn other women in private about the men to watch out for, while traditional legal and other channels fail to help us..

This book focuses on a close-knit group of friends who work for sports corporation TrueViv. We learn that each woman has had a different experience with Ames, the “bad man” at issue who is just about to ascend to the CEO position … just before his name appears on the list.

This book is more women’s fiction than thriller, although there is a death and plenty of intrigue. Less appropriate for thrill seekers and more appropriate for anyone who wants a little insight into sexual harassment — and not only harassment, but all the daily indignities and inequalities towards women in the corporate world. I liked the way this book focused on the complexities of female friendships and the different reactions of various women to sexual harassment, especially when it’s made public.

I thought the narrator did an excellent job. The book was somewhat slow at times, but always thoughtful and I was particularly drawn to the second half of the book when the drama picked up speed. There were a couple of interesting twists — some I saw coming, and some I absolutely did not predict. Chandler Baker is a smart and funny feminist author and I immediately picked up her next book to listen to after this one!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and the author for the ARC of this interesting audiobook.

An intriguing thriller/ murder mystery set right smack in the middle of #metoo. The book shifts between different women slowly peeling back the layers of their interactions with colleague and what he may or may not have done.

The narration was good, but I thought the story dragged a bit, so it took me a while to get through. The characters were a bit confusing in parts- especially found the lawyer interview sections were hard to track in the audio version at least.

Captivating read with an excellent narrator. I will definitely purchase this title for my faculty book club and suggest it to students that I know enjoy this genre.

In the context of the “Me Too” movement, this novel is very relevant. It is about the women who work at a law firm, secrets, sexual harassment, a spreadsheet and death. I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Almarie Guerra was well done. Additionally, I found the author notes at the end from Chandler Baker quite insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Thank you #NetGalley, #MacmillanAudio and #ChandlerBaker for the advance audiobook for my honest review.

At first glance, this book felt like a bunch of women in the work place gossiping over their hardships and the jerk men that they worked with. But after giving the book some more time, a beautifully complicated story unfolded; including the hardships that women face in the workforce, motherhood, marriage, and all that falls in between. I literally yelled out loud in my car while listening during certain parts. This book really refreshed my brain as to what women face on a day to day basis and it made me thankful for a job that is nothing like Truviv and will never have to deal with a man like Ames. As the story progressed, I fell more and more in love with the book (and Ardie and Rosalita). I wasn't sure what all the hype was about this one when I started, but by the end I was a huge fan.

Great story, many layers to this one a d as each is revealed, I can't wait for more. Realistic characters and situations. So timely