This is the 3rd book in the Iowa mysteries series. I haven't read the 1st two books and I wish I had. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and felt a connection with them. I love watching shows about psychics so this was an added bonus.

My mistake in not knowing that this was a third book in a series, so I was a little confused early on but was able to sort through thanks to some of the backstory being trickled in for the potential new reader. I enjoyed the main characters unlikely teaming to help solve the case of a missing woman.

Thank you Grove Atlantic & NetGally for this ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have ready Mindy Meija's books before, this one was a slow burn at the beginning for me, I think because it is book 3 of a series, had I read the first two books I would have probably followed it a little more. However I enjoyed the character and the plot of this story. I feel like Mindy does a great job with her character building and really painting a great picture. I will definitely be checking out other books in this series!

The Whisper Place
Iowa Mysteries Series, 3
Mindy Mejia
Atlantic Crime
09/16/2025

The Whisper Place is Book 3 in the Iowa Mystery Series following Jonah Kendrick and Max Summerlin and their not so traditional private investigation firm, Celina Investigations. First of all, let me say the first two books are fabulous and the more you read, the more invested you are in Jonah and Max and their quirky but fun relationship as friends and co-workers, but if you don’t have time to read those, it is safe to jump in here. The author will give you just the right amount of information to catch up and not be repetitive for the series readers.
With Max Summerlin’s law enforcement past and Jonah Kendrick’s psychic gifts, they’re an unlikely pair—but exactly the team you’d want on your side when someone goes missing. One day Charlie walks into their office and asks them to find his girlfriend. This is where the questions start. (1) He does not know her last name and a lot of other basic information; (2) He has stacks and stacks of cash and; (3) It is obvious he is holding some secrets of his own.
This story tells us about Darcy (maybe Kate) who is running from something, but what or who is unknown. The Whisper Place is told in a linear timeline, through multiple POV’s with gut wrenching and heart-breaking flashbacks. This book is part mystery and part psychological thriller. Mindy Mejia doesn’t just tell a story—she drops you right into the heart of it. You feel every ounce of the trauma and terror the main character endures. The pacing? Flawless. Just when you think things are settling down, Mejia hits you with a twist that pulls you right back in. The red herrings? Constantly keep you guessing. I won’t be missing a single thing she writes.

Fantastic book! I would highly recommend both this book and other books by this author. Be sure to read this book!

Thank you Netgalley & Grove Atlantic for this E-Arc.

★★★★☆

┈┈・୨ ✦ ୧・┈┈

Going into this book I wasn't sure what to expect. I haven't read any other Mindy Mejias books so everything was new to me.

The first 20% of this book I was a bit confused, which is all on me! Like I said, I've never read any other books by this author, and as this is book 3 in the series, there was some backstory I didn't know. The author did a great job at recapping the important stuff so people like me wouldn't be left in the dark, which was really nice!

I really enjoyed the multiple povs, they all made sense when they appeared so I wasn't necessary looking forward to one specific pov throughout the book.

I binged the "last" 70% of the book because after the original confusion, I really got into the story. I wanted to know what happened, how they were handling the case & how it would all end.

Even though I'm most likely already spoiled for the earlier books, I'm really considering picking them up. The writing style is something I want to experience again!

So thankful to Mindy Mejia and Grove Atlantic for allowing me to read an ARC of The Whisper Place, the third book in the Celina Investigations series. I was excited and worried about how Mindy would continue after how incredible the second book, "A World of Hurt" was and I was thrilled TWP is another beautiful installment. I adore the male friendship, the discussions of human nature and relationships, and the realism of life in Iowa. I love the characters who came back from the first two and featured differently. I loved how the pandemic is referenced as it happened in our real lives. I am ride or die with this series!

I like this authors writing and feel she knows how to craft a story that is readable and keeps you guessing till the end . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

This was a good read! A missing persons case of a woman, it's hard because they don't even know their name. A well build story that keeps you reading. You 2ant to know where she is and throughout the book the story unfolds.
A medium-paced, gripping story. Good for a few nights of reading!

The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia is a gripping and emotional story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The author does an excellent job of creating a haunting atmosphere, blending mystery and psychological depth. The characters are complex, and their journey is both suspenseful and touching. I found myself deeply invested in their struggles and the twists that kept the plot moving. If you're a fan of suspenseful, character-driven stories with a touch of mystery, this book is definitely worth reading.

This was a great book!! I love the way the thriller builds and how mysterious it is. I really did enjoy the way that this author writes. It kept me engaged from page one. I really think I will be checking out more work from this author

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

*A Solid, Suspenseful Thriller*

Mindy Mejia's "The Whisper Place" is a gripping addition to the Celina Investigations series. Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick make a compelling team, and their unique blend of skills - Max's police background and Jonah's psychic abilities - adds a fascinating layer to the investigation.

The case itself is intriguing, with a missing woman who seems to have no past, and a client who's reluctant to involve the police. Mejia expertly weaves together the threads of the mystery, taking the reader on a suspenseful ride filled with unexpected twists.

The writing is atmospheric and immersive, with a keen sense of setting and character development. Mejia explores themes of identity, trauma, and the power of the past to shape our lives.

While the pacing occasionally falters, and some plot threads feel slightly convenient, "The Whisper Place" remains a solid, suspenseful thriller that will appeal to fans of the series and newcomers alike.

*Rating:* 3.5/5 stars

Can You Ever Really Escape Your Past? 🔮🚔
Mindy Mejia’s The Whisper Place grabs you from the first page with a tantalizing question: Can someone truly change their life, or will the past always catch up? If you love mystery thrillers with a supernatural twist, psychic detectives, and heart-pounding suspense, then buckle up—this book is for you!

A Dynamic Duo: Max & Jonah 🕵️‍♂️🔍
Meet Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick—former police officer and psychic detective turned private investigators. Their chemistry is undeniable, their investigative skills razor-sharp, and their cases? Anything but ordinary. When a man walks into their office searching for a missing girlfriend with no past and no name, they quickly realize they’re in over their heads. Why won’t he go to the police? And what exactly is he hiding?

A Mystery That Hooks You 🏚️😱
Meanwhile, across the country, a woman is on the run, trying to leave her dark past behind. But as Max and Jonah dig deeper, the paths of these characters intertwine in chilling ways. Their investigation leads them from an ’80s-themed bakery (yes, please! 🍩✨) to a terrifying house at the edge of the woods, where danger lurks in the shadows. The tension is high, the stakes are deadly, and every twist will leave you gasping.

What Makes The Whisper Place Stand Out? ⭐🔮
✅ Supernatural Elements: Jonah’s psychic abilities add an eerie, intriguing layer to the investigation.
✅ Thrills & Chills: Mejia expertly blends suspense, mystery, and psychological tension.
✅ Characters with Depth: Max and Jonah’s personal struggles make them feel real and relatable.
✅ Cinematic Settings: From a nostalgic bakery to a house of horrors, the atmosphere is vivid and unforgettable.

Final Verdict: A Must-Read Thriller! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you love gripping thrillers like The First Lie Wins or The House in the Pines, The Whisper Place should be at the top of your list. With its eerie mystery, well-crafted characters, and supernatural intrigue, it’s a binge-worthy read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t read this one alone at night… unless you want to be looking over your shoulder! 👀💀

This book should come with a warning label! So, so good!!

When Charlie falls hard for a girl who disappears, he turns to a psychic PI. The story unravels hard and fast. This book is a wild ride and I loved every second of it!

A really interesting read. One of my favorite ARCs I've had the opportunity to read yet. Great suspenseful, hauntingly tense novel. I love how the author weaves the past, present, and future together without the reader even realizing it until the story is already unfolding. I enjoyed getting to know the characters the author created: the unique, telepathic Jonah and his best friend/business partner Max; the mysterious, unsettled Kate/Darcy and her eccentric boss/friend Blake. Definitely look forward to reading more stories by this author soon.

Celina Investigations sigue a Máximo Summerlin, un ex policía, y Jonah Kendrick, un detective psíquico, quienes se asocian para resolver casos complicados. El caso de este libro llega cuando un hombre, Charlie, les pide ayuda para encontrar a su novia desaparecida, Kate, quien no solo no tiene antecedentes ni nombre, sino que también guarda un oscuro secreto. A medida que avanzan en la investigación, Max y Jonah descubren que este caso podría ser el más difícil de todos, mientras lidian con el misterio de por qué el hombre se niega a involucrar a la policía.

La historia se narra desde tres perspectivas: la de Máximo, Jonah y un tercer personaje, cuya conexión con el caso es incierta, pudiendo pertenecer al pasado o al presente. A lo largo de la investigación, Max y Jonah se adentran en una serie de lugares y secretos, desde una panadería inspirada en los años 80 hasta una casa aterradora en el borde del bosque, desvelando el pasado sorprendente de la mujer desaparecida y enfrentándose a un peligro inesperado. Un thriller lleno de misterio, tensión y giros sorprendentes.





Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick might not fit the typical mold of business partners, given Max's background as a police officer and Jonah's skills as a psychic detective. However, their combined years of investigative expertise made the launch of Celina Investigations a seamless choice. When a man arrives at their office seeking help to locate his missing girlfriend, who has no history or even a name, Max and Jonah quickly realize they are facing one of their toughest cases yet. Their initial challenge is to uncover why this man is hesitant to involve the police. 2. At the same time, a woman is making her way across the country, her car filled with her possessions as she tries to escape a troubling past. The question that haunts her is the same one that keeps Max and Jonah awake at night: is it truly possible to change one’s life? As they navigate through an 80’s-themed bakery and a chilling house on the outskirts of town, Max and Jonah delve into the missing woman's startling history, inadvertently placing themselves in the midst of the very danger she was attempting to flee.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
I must admit, I didn’t realize The Whisper Place was part of a series when I requested it, but surprisingly, I never felt lost in the narrative. The book stands strong on its own.
The Whisper Place apart is a blend of mystery and psychological thriller elements. The pacing is thoughtful, allowing the reader to savor each twist and revelation without feeling rushed. The story delves into themes of memory, identity which adds a layer of depth to the overall plot.
The story was intriguing, and while I enjoyed reading it, it didn’t quite make it to the top of my favorites list. However, that doesn’t take away from its merit—it’s a captivating read that I would still wholeheartedly recommend to fans of mystery and psychological thrillers.
Thank you @Netgalley and @Grove Atlantic for allowing me to review this book.

I just finished The Whisper Place, it was a good book. I felt connected to the main character Kate/Darcy. This one is worth checking out!
Thank you @netgalley for letting me read an advance copy.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. It was the first one I read in the series, and missing the back story might have been the problem. The premise and the characters were interesting, yet I never got into this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The Whisper Place was a great read that had me hooked from the beginning and kept my interest all the way through. This is part of a series which I didn’t realize when I started reading it. Though I’m sure I would have understood some of the relationships better had I read the other books, Mindy Mejia does a great job giving you enough that you can read this as a standalone.

The story starts with Charlie walking into Celina Investigations with a stack of cash begging Max an ex-detective and Jonah a psychic to find his girlfriend who disappeared. The thing is Charlie doesn’t even know her real name. The story unfolds perfectly with lots of mystery, suspense, and thrills. We move between alternating timelines of the search for Charlie’s girlfriend by Max and Jonah, the story of Charlie and his girlfriend, and his girlfriend’s past. Everything is woven together beautifully and Mindy Mejia’s writing keeps you wanting more with every chapter until a very satisfying end.

Highly recommend this read, you won’t be disappointed.