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Chance O'Brien #1

When an Angel Whispers

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In a terrifying romantic thriller from Tess Thompson, a young FBI agent is forced to relive her greatest fear.

Macy Adams, a beautiful law student, is abducted and assaulted by a vicious serial killer known as the Bayou Butcher. She escapes with the help of a guardian angel and Houston Police Detective Chance O’Brien.

After fleeing her captor, she begins to build a new life, but is plunged back into his murderous grasp by circumstances beyond her control. More women are murdered, and only Macy can help the FBI catch the Butcher before he kills again. What they don’t know is that this time he is out for revenge and is pulling Macy into his carefully planned trap.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2015

229 people are currently reading
112 people want to read

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Tess Thompson

21 books17 followers

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5 stars
225 (69%)
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64 (19%)
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25 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Bonnye Reed.
4,725 reviews117 followers
Want to read
September 20, 2019
TheFussyLibrarian
Authors Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson
825 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2018
This is a great mystery that is not your typical police story. I received the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book begins with the main character, Chase, starting his first day as a detective with the Houston PD. His investigation revolves around the missing then murdered young blonde college coeds. Early in the book we think the crime has been solved, yet the last victim (Macy) who Chase saved, believes there were two men holding her hostage.
The story then takes an interesting turn in following Macy as she recovers from the incident and builds a new life in Florida. This I found really interesting because it did not “fix” her immediately. She had to work with a psychologist and come up with coping technics to handle her anxiety from what happened to her. It gave the story a more realistic twist.
The other part of this story that was unique was Chase’s grandmother, his babushka that seemed to have some mystical elements that helps many of the characters. It was an added element to the story that was very interesting without being too hard to believe. The story is compelling and kept me reading and guessing until the end. Makes me feel better that other reviewers did not figure it out either!!
2,582 reviews43 followers
December 24, 2018
An intriguing and thrilling ride from beginning to end. Macy Adams was abducted and subjected to torture, locked in a box and knew that she was going to die. While in the box, a voice whispers to her that she must remain strong and look for any chance to escape. While Macy is suffering her abuse, an elderly woman lies, near death, in a coma. Her grandson, Detective Chance O’Brien, visits her and knows that it is only a matter of time. Macy will escape and kill her captor, but she is sure there was two men. Chance will help rescue her and be assigned the case. The killing stops, but years later the killing will begin again. Macy has moved on with her life and is now an FBI Agent. She will come back to her home town to assist in the investigation. When she does, she reconnects with Chance. The book spans years, but Ms. Thompson takes us through both Macy and Chance’s life in such a way that you move through their lives in a satisfactory pace. We will see the hope and courage that it took for Macy to move on with her life. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more books in the series. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Profile Image for Bookborne Hunter.
46 reviews4 followers
January 30, 2020
*Minor Spoilers*
When I first saw this novel and read the blurb, I got excited. It told me I'd be looking at one my favorite genres to read nowadays. Not sure I'd categorize it as romantic suspense rather than crime fiction since the romance part didn't really follow the pattern of romantic suspense. However, I loved Chance! ❤ Such a hottie. My only complaint with this was, and this totally could be because I read so many (and write) of these things, was the predictability of who the bad guy(s) were. I was able to figure it out pretty quick. But!! Without a doubt, I loved this! Loved Macy being a profiler and loved the crooked cop angle. Really nice work on behalf of the authors!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,457 reviews8 followers
December 12, 2023
Reread~
I enjoyed the book just as much the second time. Great characters and a captivating story. Vilma/Babushka is the MVP and I love her presence throughout the story.


Original~
Gripping

Good storyline and balance of intrigue and romance. There is a dash of paranormal, but it works great with the suspense and the romance. The villain is predictable, but the steps to find him play nicely. Good pacing and characters. Great ending and look forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for Clara Atkinson.
1,200 reviews56 followers
February 10, 2020
When An Angel Whispers by Tess Thompson

Another amazing story by this sister duo.This story was intense, suspenseful, action packed, intriguing,raw,dark, gritty and an emotional rollercoaster. Chance O'Brien is a detective for the Houston Police Department and on his first day he is assigned a big case when a womans body is discovered in the bayou. Only later to discover she is the victim of the "Bayou Butcher" serial killer. Only this time they have a clue that will help save the latest missing girl. Little did they know they had a villain hiding in plain sight only to resurface years later to cause havoc.
Macy Adams a law student and the latest victim being held captive by the serial killer finds herself alone in a dark box tied and scared out of her mind. When she hears a voice

“Macy,” a soft voice spoke to her from the darkness. A woman’s voice. “Macy, hush.” The voice caressed her. “You aren’t alone. I am here with you.”
A whisper in her ear. A soft flutter on her skin. “I will not leave you. You are a strong woman. You will survive. I know this. I have seen it. Hush now. He is back, and you must pretend to be asleep.”
“Shhh. Evil is here. Close your eyes now. Be brave ,” the voice whispered as it moved away.

After being brutally beaten,tortured and nearly killed she is rescued by Detective O'Brien. After years trying to get her life back she is thrown back into the same evil case when the serial killer reappears in the same place he took her. Only this time they need her expertise to bring the killer down.
Chance and Macy have always had this undeniable connection due to her trauma but it's so much more than that. The twist and turns that that tie them together are unique and one might say meant to be.

Macy is courageous, heroic, brave, resilient, caring, generous, fierce, independent,smart and loving heroine.
Chance is loyal, determined, supportive, caring, strong and loving hero together they are both a force to be reckoned with. The secondary characters bring another dimension to the story especially babushka and her mysterious guidance.

5 heart pounding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received a free book from Booksprout for my honest review.

Oh if you haven't read Crimson Rose it's also a heart pounding five star read.
4,852 reviews16 followers
March 5, 2020
Isabelle was the office manager at Quade Security and Investigations. But she wanted to become an operative and work in the field. Her best friend and work colleague was Jayden Price. Also in his mind he was her personal trainer. Jayden was away on a mission to take down a Russina Mafia crime boss. Jayden’s dog is a big goofball of a Bernese mountain dog and while Jayden is away Isabelle is taking care of him. Isabelle’s grandmother called her as she was getting ready to leave for work and said it was urgent she came over. Isabelle wasn’t looking for her happily ever after. She had caught the love of her life cheating on her in their bedroom. Her grandmother told Isabelle she had an ex boyfriend who needed her help. Jayden and her would be the perfect people on this mission. It would also show her boss what she could do. The man-Bernard- wanted to talk to Isabelle and Jayden face to face. They would have to stay at Paradise Springs Resort in Hunting Beach. They would have to go undercover as a happily married couple. One thing Jayden had learned was women had issues with a man who isn’t around as much as they want. Jayden got shot in his arm and Isabelle knew he had a serious authority complex when it comes to following physicians orders. He was to be on medical leave for at least three weeks at least.
This was a friends to lovers book. It’s a fun easy read. It had a lot going for it. I loved Jayden and Isabelle together and how they interacted. I loved the mystery and intrigue in this book. I loved the pace and plot. It caught my attention in the very beginning and held it until the ending. Once I started this book I didn’t want to put this down. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.
2,636 reviews26 followers
March 2, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "WHEN AN ANGEL WHISPERS" Tess Thompson did a fantastic job writing this amazing mind-blowing dark intense serial killer storyline, full of suspense, intrigue, angst, rape, torture, abuse, twists & turns so addicting a definite page turner.
Macy Adams a beautiful law student that get abducted by a crazed vicious killer with an accomplice kept her locked in a box thinking she was going to die until she heard the voice of an Angel telling her to survive.
Chance O'Brien was a detective with Houston PD he's the one who arrived in time to rescue Macy before she was killed by the Bayou Butcher serial Killer.
Macy recovering in hospital Chance visits frequently she remembers the voice of Angel that spoke to her telling her she wasn't alone, she would survive, I'm hear with you, you are strong, hush now I've seen it hold on.
Macy & Brett her fiancé got married but things didn't work out she took a job as an FBI Profiler they divorced her partner Kris Holt told her they were requested on a case in Houston.
Chance sees Macy when she walks into the station with Kris her partner its been 7yrs since they've seen one another the attraction is still there he fell a little in love with her but knew she was engaged.
I loved the journey Chance & Macy went on to get their HEA so much happens looking for the other monster killing woman she killed Sabien one of her captors the night she was rescued now they need to get this other guy.
I definitely recommend to get this fantastic book such a great book I SO can't wait for book 2 "" STUDENT BODY"
also book 3 "THE DEVIL MAKES THE RULES" in the Chance O'Brien Series.
1,965 reviews9 followers
January 26, 2020
Do you believe in angels? Macy realises that she will never leave this box and that she will die alone by the hands of a monster. Chance is on a new case another young coed has been found murdered but this time a young boy saw something that changes everything. Will he be able to find the latest victim before it is too late? Macy knows that she needs to be strong to get out of this box and she knows that her guardian angel is watching over her. Chance is able to get Macy out of the building before it catches fire but will she ever recover? Macy knows that there were two men but the Police haven't been able to find any evidence so the case goes cold. Chance knows that he needs to step away from Macy she has enough to deal with it. They lose touch over the years but their attraction is still very strong when they finally see each other again. Macy is no longer that brutalized young woman she is FBI agent who needs to find final closure but she knows coming back could make her a target. Will her & Chance be able to explore their feelings at long last? Will the killer be found at long last? A good read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy in exchange for my honest review. What I liked most about the story was that they were able to reconnect after all years and that Macy never gave in to her demons and that she became stronger and that she never stopped believing in fate.
187 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2018
Looking For Light In The Darkness

This is the first book I have read by Charlene Tess and it makes you forever ask the question “how well to do you really know someone”. It had such an intriguing, suspenseful storyline with a touch of mysticism and remarkable characters.
Macy is a truly remarkable young woman who endures a horrendous situation which shapes her into a strong kick-a$$ FBI agent. I loved the connection that she and Chance shared from the very beginning. Chance was the perfect book boyfriend, stepping back when he thought it was need, supportive, and oh so loving. The were destined to be together even if it took years.
Babushka had a unique presense in the story with her unique gift. There were a great cast of supporting characters to round out the story including the hiding in plain sight villain, which I didn’t see coming.
What can you say about a book when you can’t wait to finish reading it but are sorry that it’s over. I am looking forward to the other books in this series.
Pick up this book for an amazing read.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
1,445 reviews5 followers
February 8, 2020
What an amazing book!! We follow the primary story of Macy when she is a law student, who gets abducted by a serial killer and is left in a box until she is rescued by Chance, a Houston Police Detective. I really liked how the author does not have us assume that Macy is instantly okay again after she was rescued but instead, lets us see the lengthy process involving sessions with psychologists, learning ways to cope with the trauma as well as the strength of Macy herself in working to establish a new life for herself as an FBI Agent. When the killing begins again after they had stopped for many years, Macy once again meets up with Chance and the attraction felt between them but never acted upon from all those years before is secondary to finding the killer and giving Macy the closure she needs. This is so very compelling and thought-provoking and unfortunately is something of an apt reflection of the times we live in and the danger that lurks in the shadows of our everyday lives. I will definitely look for other books by this writing duo!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided to me by NetGalley.
Profile Image for Kristy Halseth.
469 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2019
I received this as an advanced reading copy.

I thought I was getting a romance. It is a typical mystery with a side romance, something found in a lot of mysteries so not really unusual. While I loved the mystery in general, there is a clue very early in the book, in one of the first chapters, that gave it away for me. So the end was no surprise. I loved how the characters developed and interacted. As the book jumps years, I felt it was handled reasonably well.

I did feel that some of the Lead FBI agent's actions were unprofessional and didn't seem in context with the character. But all the other characters' romantic relationships seemed to have the appropriate tensions for their given situations.

If it wasn't that one clue making the killer obvious at the beginning, I would have given this a 5 star rating.
313 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2021
This is a great book that sucks you in from the first page.
Macy wakes up in the pitch dark unable to move. That's already her biggest fear but it gets worse when she realizes the real danger she is in and the nightmare she is living. She has a guardian angel but only hopes she will live through this all.
Chance O'Brian has just been promoted to a Homicide Detective when he gets the case of the serial rapist/murderer causing terror in Houston. He has a family who supports him and maybe baby's him a bit but he plans on doing well and hopes to stop this guy before the newest victim dies.
This book has amazing characters (whom I look forward to read more on), the story is great and keeps you sucked in and trying to figure it out.
The story ends in a happy for now but leaves it open for more adventures.
Profile Image for Gwen Shafer.
2,284 reviews42 followers
December 29, 2018
Wow this was an intense book full of so much suspense twist and turns that you have to read it all in one setting. Pretty blond females are being murdered. One gets away and years later comes back as an FBI agent trying to solve the murders that are occurring now. Little does she know the person is right under her nose. Had me hooked from the very beginning to the very end. This is the first book I have read in this genre and I loved it. The next two are on my to read list. This is a page turner you won't want to put down until you figure out who is doing it and even then you won't believe it. So well written page turning gripping suspense thriller. Loved it. Highly recommend.Can't wait to read the next one in this series.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,120 reviews12 followers
February 22, 2020
Not having read this author before I found a gem in this one plus it is the beginning of the series. What has been my favorite to read of late is suspense so this one captivated me right away. This will also be a romance so it became a bonus read. The detective you follow will require all your attention it is that good. Chance is after a serial killer and it is not pretty. Whom needs to help also has to overcome quite a bit with Macy being in the middle of this also. If you do not like pins and needles do not open this one haha. So much intrigue and suspense it made my reading with having when I finished with this one I have to have more, in will need more from this author.
Profile Image for Diana Brown.
1,157 reviews25 followers
February 23, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and Tess Thompson for giving me a copy of When an angel whispers for a review. A new author for me, I absolutely loved this romantic thriller. Macy Adams, is abducted and assaulted by a serial killer known as The Bayou Butcher. She is escapes with the help of an angel and police detective Chance O’Brien. Years go by and Macy becomes an FBI agent, but is lured back when more women are being murdered. The story flowed nicely, the characters were great. I enjoyed Macy and Chance together and Chance with his family, and the side story of his grandmother. I was happy to see that this was book 1 of a trilogy. Can’t wait to read the other books!
Profile Image for Tammy Hall.
401 reviews22 followers
February 12, 2020
This book needs a series! I love a story that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. When an Angel Whispers is just that kind of a book! The story is great and the characters are so well written. I loved Macy! She is very heroic and so alive for me! Chance is a great guy and they deserve to be together! I totally can't wait to find out more about them. This whole book is a fast paced thrill ride that is a must read! My only complaint is that the story ended and reality hit! I look forward to more books from Tess Thompson!
Profile Image for Brandy Jo.
425 reviews14 followers
December 28, 2018
This was an amazing story. The one thing that sticks out to me was how real and raw the emotions of the story was. I loved how courageous Macy was throughout it all. She really fought through the darkness, literal and mental, and came out stronger. The book is an emotional journey with a suspenseful edge and I was addicted from the first chapter. The ending couldn't be more perfect. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,929 reviews27 followers
February 9, 2020
This is my first read and I definitely want to read 2&3! Starts off with action right at the start. I thought I knew who it was, then was misdirected. Love the red herring. Enjoyed the bits of the sight strown through and the family rocks. There are triggers, rape, abuse, murder, all needed for the story. I would definitely recommend this to people who like suspense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,281 reviews98 followers
February 11, 2020
This story is about a young Detective and a girl who is abducted by a serial killer by saved by Detective Chance O'Brien. But she is pulled back into danger when the killer continues his murderous crime, and she, Macy is the only one who can help identify the killer. There is some paranormal theme here but it isn't all voodoo and witches. A very good story in my opinion. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout. I bought it because I want to continue with this series.
429 reviews
January 24, 2024
What the heck?

Someone is raping and killing young blond women students from the local college! Several have disappeared only to be found in the bayou! One escaped, killing her captor. But the memories convince her that there was more than one rapist! Years later, coming back to the “scene of the crime “ as a profiler with the FBI, she’s convinced that the current deaths are the work of the same man who was one of her rapists! Will she find him before he comes after her?
1,788 reviews15 followers
December 28, 2018
This story starts off fast and grabs your attention right from the first paragraph.

The book is an exciting blend of suspense and human emotion with lots of twists that leave you guessing until the very end. I great read!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book for Hidden Gems
712 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2019
This is a sleeper!!

I liked the title and thought that it would help a cold afternoon slip by quickly. Boy, was I ever mistaken!!! The plot pulls you in at the beginning and when the villain is unmasked you keep saying No! No, I can't believe it! I am hooked on Macy and Chance and don't forget Grandma!!
764 reviews8 followers
September 25, 2019
Wow, I absolutely loved this story! I would compare it to books written by Heather Graham. Amazing characters, Macy was an unforgettable heroine, her bravery, perseverance and ability to hold her own are just some traits that make her a wonderful strong female character. Awesome storyline and and shocking ending!
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,758 reviews88 followers
February 6, 2020
This was a great book. Truly wonderful and the epitome of the romantic suspense genre. Amazing characters, solid storyline, and unexpected twists and turns. The first chapter is definitely material that could be a trigger for people. I can’t wait to read subsequent books!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tracie R.
2,143 reviews
January 24, 2020
A good suspense with a touch of romance. When an Angel Whispers is and engaging read with its raw emotions, and suspenseful I was hooked from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more by this author
2,416 reviews
February 11, 2020
This was such a great book. The story grabbed me from the start and kept me until the end. The storyline is well written and interesting. I definitely recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christy .
531 reviews
February 18, 2021
I liked the intrigue of the story and the characters. It wasn't fabulous, it wasn't bad, it is, what I consider, a good steady read. I picked the serial just a few pages in but I still second guessed myself throughout the book, which made for an entertaining read.
3 reviews
March 23, 2022
good read

This book was good and had a good story line. It was a little wordy for me with the romances of three couples. But if you like a fair amount of romance and a moderate amount of intrigue this is for you. Happy reading.
1,471 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2023
Great police thriller

This story w you on your toes until the end. Loved the main characters. Loved the twist as to whom the killer was. Loved the happy ending between Chance and Macy. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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