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Touch of Evil #9

Whispers of Sin

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Prepare yourself for an exciting clash of intellects as two powerful opponents face off in USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne’s latest gripping thriller within the Touch of Evil series…

Lorelei Jameson, a woman of wealth and mystery, strides purposefully through the doors of S&E Investigations with a mixture of desperation and determination. A year ago, tragedy struck when her younger sister met a horrific end. The cause of death was heinous and a clear, plastic bag had been wrapped around the young woman’s head, effectively suffocating her. Now, an eerie sense of déjà vu grips a prominent town as news spreads of another victim succumbing to the same merciless end.

Former FBI consultant Brooklyn Sloane agrees to take the case. However, local authorities bristle at the involvement of a private firm muddling their investigation. Brook and her team are met with even more resistance when she reveals a crucial detail from her profile—the killer is a woman.

Brook and her team find themselves entangled with a master manipulator. Her relentless pursuit of justice will be tested like never before as the boundaries begin to blur between the hunter and the hunted. Who will be left standing when the twisted game of cat and mouse finally comes to a shocking end?

287 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2023

8 people are currently reading
339 people want to read

About the author

Kennedy Layne

235 books661 followers
Kennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her romantic thrillers in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. Kennedy also has a deep love for cozy mysteries, thrillers, and basically any book that can keep her guessing until the very end. They live in the Midwest with their menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace.

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5 stars
111 (43%)
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108 (42%)
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34 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Shelby.
583 reviews99 followers
January 5, 2024
I'm at a cross roads...I want Jacob to get what he deserves but the other side of it I don't want this to end. I love Brook and her team, I do not like what the end of book 9 has eluded to, especially since I have to wait forever for the next book to release.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,350 reviews172 followers
October 26, 2023
Its taken 9 books to finally get the flashback of Brooks college roommate murder. AND it was sooo worth it. I love getting the past flashbacks of Brooks and Jacob's past at the beginning of each book and then the last chapter always being in Jacob's POV.

Don't get me wrong the cases that Brooklyn and team work on each book are just as fascinating.

This is such a great series and I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book.
1,507 reviews35 followers
October 20, 2023
Holy Cannoli…

This series is so dang good. Every book gets better and better. I’m addicted. What a unique concept. I can’t get enough. But this author better not break my heart. I’m nervous for the next book. This is a must read series for fans of crime thrillers.
Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,975 reviews64 followers
October 19, 2023
Outstanding❣️

Whispers of Sin is the ninth book in the Touch of Evil series and boy of boy are you in for a treat with this one☝️

Brook is approached by Lorelai whose sister is murdered a year previously. It remains a cold case and she’s eager to find justice for her sister. Brook and the team undertake the investigation and move temporarily to the town. The team goes where the leads take them….and you’ll be surprised where it leads😳

Some more reveals about Jacob and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book🤩
Profile Image for Angela.
8,695 reviews122 followers
December 2, 2025
4.5 Stars


Evil touches our lives every day.
We don’t always see it, hear it, or touch it…but it’s there all the same.
Follow along as Brooklyn Sloane, a former consultant for the FBI, takes on cold cases that are thrown on a random desk to gather dust without a second thought to the victims’ families left behind. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one left with nothing but unanswered questions. Her renowned career as a federal profiler was built on apprehending only the most notorious serial killers who made the front page of the national newspapers. Unfortunately, she failed to bring to justice the one who stained her soul—her very own brother. He is still out there hunting, but she fully intends to be the one who ends his reign of terror.

Whispers of Sin is the ninth book in the Touch of Evil Series by Kennedy Layne.
Touch of Evil is a gripping blend of psychological intrigue, suspense, and raw emotion and follows Brooklyn Sloane, a former FBI consultant turned private investigator, as she tackles cold cases and confronts her own haunting past.
Brooklyn is a standout FMC – she’s intelligent, determined, and yet deeply flawed. Her relentless pursuit of justice, particularly as she hunts for her estranged brother, who is a cunning serial killer, definitely added extra intrigue as well as a deeply personal layer to the overarching story. Ms. Layne seems to easily manage to delve into Brooklyn’s psyche while also maintaining the tension of the mysteries.
Each book is a carefully crafted puzzle, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The dark, moody tone is balanced by moments of vulnerability and humanity, making the characters feel real and very relatable. Ms. Layne’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that draw you into the world of crime and justice.
It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys a story that challenges the mind and tugs at the heartstrings. Prepare to be captivated - and maybe even a little haunted - by this unforgettable series.
Happy Reading…
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.5k reviews543 followers
August 21, 2024
I really like this series and usually the case that the group works on keeps me engrossed, but for some reason this one didn't. By the time that the bad guy was revealed and why, I thought what a waste, of the dead people and the bad guys' reasoning for the crimes.

It was interesting to see Brook work with the locals and play in their political field. She pretty much mowed them all down telling them it was her way or the highway. Some took it better than others.

Once again I found myself more intrigued with what was going on with Jacob. I like that Brook now seems like she has a starting point with "why" Jacob is the way he is, but fear that will end up being a mess. I'm also wondering if Jacob planned the encounter that might make is escape possible or if it was truly a moment of chance. With Jacob being Jacob, it seems like it will be the former, he doesn't leave much to chance.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,418 reviews8 followers
December 29, 2024
Jacob had a lot more time through flashbacks and planning from Brook to foil his plans. Brook and team are on another case in a wealthy community where the secrets are abundant. No one is quite telling the truth, but that doesn’t stop Brook, Theo, Sylvie, or Bit from diving in and figuring out the killer and their motivation. This was one of the more intriguing of cases as there was a lot of pushback and interactions with people who had secrets. The notes from the killer and the Jacob research added another element as well. Graham wasn’t there much, but his presence at the hospital spoke volumes. The ending was fierce for Brook, and troublesome due to the ending and what Jacob alluded to! This is an amazing series.
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,749 reviews317 followers
October 23, 2023
Great book. It just keeps getting better. I hate that I have to wait a year! Hopefully I will still be alive but I can't wait for Jacob to go down. he is so evil. I love how she figures things out but I must admit sometimes she annoys me. Very strong character so maybe I am just jealous. Lol. I'm a wussy. I love Theo but I am worried about Bit. Something is going on there. Loves who the killer was. Quite the shock but I do admit I thought about it early on. I just love this series. Wish she could write faster.
Profile Image for Jennifer Haddad.
109 reviews
August 27, 2025
Not my favorite in the series — it felt like it dragged a bit in parts, and I found myself waiting for the pace to pick up. That said, I still love the team and how they work together; their dynamic continues to be a highlight for me. I'm really enjoying seeing Brooke open up more — her character development is subtle but meaningful. The tug and pull as she unravels the mystery around her brother adds an intriguing layer that keeps me curious.
Profile Image for Sharon Bell tabbert.
571 reviews6 followers
May 4, 2025
This is a great series and this book did not disappoint. I love to see if I can figure out who the bad person is in the story and I didn't get this one till almost to the end. Love it. You must try out this series, the characters will make you keep reading till you have read them all. I am on to number 10. So glad I found this author.
Profile Image for Leila Mota.
667 reviews6 followers
March 25, 2025
Ainda interessante o suficiente para continuar lendo a série (não vejo a hora de uma conclusão sobre Jacob Walsh), mas fiquei na dúvida se a autora estava fazendo propaganda do airbnb, de tantas vezes que se fez menção a ele.
Profile Image for Erica.
132 reviews7 followers
December 18, 2025
This one takes you on a ride! So many suspects, all of them strong, confident women. The killer is convinced she’s smarter than Brook, turning the case into a sharp cat-and-mouse chase. She really thought she had Brook beat and that made the ending even better.
223 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2023
Amazing!

Whispers of Sin kept me hooked from start to finish.

Twists & turns and BIG revelations!

Oh I need the next instalment like yesterday!
2 reviews
November 13, 2023
The book was good! Not excited about the wait for book 10.
Only complaint is there were several typos or the wrong name used more than once in the book.
317 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2024
This was okay. The whole story was confusing and the writing style is less engaging. It’s almost pretentious.
Profile Image for Allena.
1,458 reviews
April 7, 2025
I really didn’t like the male detective in this book and the influence exerted by the rich and privileged was annoying.

Another page turner that kept me guessing till the end.

41 reviews
April 29, 2025
This one was a little tricky, first time with a female serial killer in the book series. A good read!!
Profile Image for Dawn Gee.
3,000 reviews12 followers
June 20, 2025
Brook and team work to solve the case. There could have never predicted what happens. This is another must read for this series.
Profile Image for R.E. E. Derouin.
Author 9 books8 followers
January 31, 2026
Whispers of Sin by Kennedy Layne 12/23/2025. Kindle

S & E Investigations has a new client, Lorelei Jameson, who hires them to investigate the murder of her sister. The victim was a curator in a local art gallery. A second murder with similarities too close to ignore compounds the case. Brooklyn Sloane and her associates enter the art world of the victim when a painting closely resembling the murdered woman brings attention to a host of suspects.

This is a relatively recent addition to the lengthy series. I had difficulty keeping the characters straight as they were referred to by different titles at times. Although I have not previously read this author, I plan to try more of their work. While it isn’t among my favorites, I found it entertaining and would recommend it to others.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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