What do you think?
Rate this book
Iowa Mysteries #3
The Whisper Place
The latest thriller in the USA Today bestselling Iowa Mysteries series starring Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick, an unlikely pair of private investigators who specialize in finding people who don’t want to be found.
How do you find a woman who doesn’t exist?
As a former police officer and a psychic detective, Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick may not be the most conventional business partners. But together, they have years of investigative experience, and opening Celina Investigations feels like a natural decision.
When a man walks into their office searching for his missing girlfriend without a past or even a name, Max and Jonah realize their newest client may present their hardest challenge yet. Their first task: find out why he refuses to go to the police.
Meanwhile, a woman drives across the country with all her belongings packed into a car, desperate to escape a dark past. The question posed to the fleeing woman is the same one that keeps Max and Jonah awake at night: can you ever really change your life?
From an 80’s-inspired bakery to a horrifying house at the edge of the woods, Max and Jonah unearth the missing woman’s shocking past, and in the process, put themselves directly in the path of the terror she was trying to outrun.
How do you find a woman who doesn’t exist?
As a former police officer and a psychic detective, Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick may not be the most conventional business partners. But together, they have years of investigative experience, and opening Celina Investigations feels like a natural decision.
When a man walks into their office searching for his missing girlfriend without a past or even a name, Max and Jonah realize their newest client may present their hardest challenge yet. Their first task: find out why he refuses to go to the police.
Meanwhile, a woman drives across the country with all her belongings packed into a car, desperate to escape a dark past. The question posed to the fleeing woman is the same one that keeps Max and Jonah awake at night: can you ever really change your life?
From an 80’s-inspired bakery to a horrifying house at the edge of the woods, Max and Jonah unearth the missing woman’s shocking past, and in the process, put themselves directly in the path of the terror she was trying to outrun.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published September 16, 2025
25 people are currently reading
3478 people want to read
About the author
Mindy Mejia
12 books1,221 followersMy name is Mindy Mejia and I’m a writer. I write because, ever since I was six years old, my favorite game has been pretend. My life doesn't have symmetry, theme, symbolism, or meditated beauty and I gravitate toward these things like a houseplant to the sun. I love the perfect words; I love how 'fierce' and 'confounded' and 'swagger' look on the page and how my chest expands when I read them. I write because I believe in the reality of my fantasies, the truth in my fabrications. I’ve always had stories sneaking around my head, thrillers like LEAVE NO TRACE and EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE, and sometimes I inhabit those stories more than my own life. (Best not to mention that last part to my husband, kids, or boss.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 30, 2025
A gruesome event has Kate on the run, if possible to the end of the earth.
On a break from the road she meets Blake who runs a pastry shop and needs a helping hand. The women connect deeply and Kate decides to stay.
Unfortunately the past catches up with her and Kate goes missing.
With two PI's handling the case, the reader finds out what happened in past and present.
The Whisper Place is a fast paced exciting story, set in modern day Iowa. It moves from sweet baked goods and wide open country with fresh air to rotten wood, an old smelly car trunk and dense forest where past and present collide. A constant power struggle between darkness and light.
This well crafted intense psychological thriller kept me on the edge of my seat.
Thank you Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC.
On a break from the road she meets Blake who runs a pastry shop and needs a helping hand. The women connect deeply and Kate decides to stay.
Unfortunately the past catches up with her and Kate goes missing.
With two PI's handling the case, the reader finds out what happened in past and present.
The Whisper Place is a fast paced exciting story, set in modern day Iowa. It moves from sweet baked goods and wide open country with fresh air to rotten wood, an old smelly car trunk and dense forest where past and present collide. A constant power struggle between darkness and light.
This well crafted intense psychological thriller kept me on the edge of my seat.
Thank you Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC.
August 19, 2025
Pub Date - 9/16/25
One day, a man walks into the office of Celina Investigations requiring their PI services. Max and Jonah run the business. Max is an ex police officer and Jonah is a psychic detective. The man is looking for his missing girlfriend, only, he doesn’t know her name.
A woman is on the run. Will the past finally catch up with her?
This was like a breath of fresh air. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely gets dark! The writing is stunning. The characters are fleshed out. There’s even a little romance thrown in as well. And guess what? I loved it!
I highly recommend this unique story. It is the 3rd book in a series but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. So, if you have it, GO READ IT! If not, add it to your TBR.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out
November 1, 2025
Slow burn with fast paced ending (last third of book).
Multiple points of view.
Third book in Iowa Mystery Series.
Can be read as standalone.
If you like more detailed characters, then read the first book in the series to learn more about the two private investigators (one is an ex-police officer and the other is a psychic). Better yet, read the first two books in this series prior to reading this novel.
Spooky good story. 👻
Mindy Mejia captivates her audience by telling a good a story. 🔥 🧡
Multiple points of view.
Third book in Iowa Mystery Series.
Can be read as standalone.
If you like more detailed characters, then read the first book in the series to learn more about the two private investigators (one is an ex-police officer and the other is a psychic). Better yet, read the first two books in this series prior to reading this novel.
Spooky good story. 👻
Mindy Mejia captivates her audience by telling a good a story. 🔥 🧡
October 27, 2025
I have loved every book in this series and each book just gets better and better. You can read each of these as a standalone, but this one ties in characters from the first two books and I think I had an enhanced reading experience as I knew them already. Mejia is great at storytelling, and in here this case is fantastic, she perfectly balances it with the personal lives of the private investigators, resulting in a thriller that I got through in one sitting, I just could not put it down.
Thank you to Atlantic Crime #partner for the gifted finished copy to review.
Thank you to Atlantic Crime #partner for the gifted finished copy to review.
April 13, 2025
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!
★★★★☆
┈┈・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!
August 6, 2025
The Whisper Place (book three of the Iowa Mysteries Series,) by Mindy Mejia
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
4 stars
I didn’t realize that this novel was the third in a series. I really enjoyed the main characters in this story so I will definitely be going back to read the first two novels to get more backstory on Jonah and Max.
Regardless of the fact that I had not read the first two installments, Mejia was descriptive and detailed enough with the writing that the pieces fell into place relatively easy and I don’t feel like coming in on the third book left me at a disadvantage.
Charlie walks into Celina Investigations with a complicated case. He desperately needs help locating his missing girlfriend BUT he doesn’t actually know a lot of information about her. Darcy mysteriously showed up in his town, works in his sister’s bakery and never really gave up too much information about herself. Max is adamant that there is nothing his office can do for Charlie but ultimately money talks and Charlie lays down a stack of bills equaling 10k and a contract is signed. Max’s partner Jonah learns of the job after Max has already committed them to the case and they quickly realize this will be a near impossible case to solve.
There are three POV’s that we follow, Max’s, Jonah’s and Darcy’s. We learn Darcy’s story and what led her to the bakery where she met Charlie and his sister. Max and Jonah have to devise a plan to locate Darcy with only Charlie’s help because he refuses to involve the authorities.
I enjoyed the found family aspect in the story. Max and Jonah are not only close like brothers but they rely on each other’s skill set, Max is a former police officer and Jonah has psychic abilities. This makes them quite a dynamic duo. Darcy finds a sense of home and family, something she never thought she would have, with Charlie and his sister Blake.
This was a solid read that was easy to immerse myself in. It was suspenseful with well written characters, small town theme and exploration of grief, trauma, the past catching up with you and the power to move forward.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
4 stars
I didn’t realize that this novel was the third in a series. I really enjoyed the main characters in this story so I will definitely be going back to read the first two novels to get more backstory on Jonah and Max.
Regardless of the fact that I had not read the first two installments, Mejia was descriptive and detailed enough with the writing that the pieces fell into place relatively easy and I don’t feel like coming in on the third book left me at a disadvantage.
Charlie walks into Celina Investigations with a complicated case. He desperately needs help locating his missing girlfriend BUT he doesn’t actually know a lot of information about her. Darcy mysteriously showed up in his town, works in his sister’s bakery and never really gave up too much information about herself. Max is adamant that there is nothing his office can do for Charlie but ultimately money talks and Charlie lays down a stack of bills equaling 10k and a contract is signed. Max’s partner Jonah learns of the job after Max has already committed them to the case and they quickly realize this will be a near impossible case to solve.
There are three POV’s that we follow, Max’s, Jonah’s and Darcy’s. We learn Darcy’s story and what led her to the bakery where she met Charlie and his sister. Max and Jonah have to devise a plan to locate Darcy with only Charlie’s help because he refuses to involve the authorities.
I enjoyed the found family aspect in the story. Max and Jonah are not only close like brothers but they rely on each other’s skill set, Max is a former police officer and Jonah has psychic abilities. This makes them quite a dynamic duo. Darcy finds a sense of home and family, something she never thought she would have, with Charlie and his sister Blake.
This was a solid read that was easy to immerse myself in. It was suspenseful with well written characters, small town theme and exploration of grief, trauma, the past catching up with you and the power to move forward.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 4, 2025
Admittedly, I've not read the two books in this series that preceded this one. But reading a bit about the main characters - private investigators Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick, enticed me to dive in (as did previous experience with this talented author). And now, I'm already eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Despite having what I'd call a tenuous relationship, Max and Jonah are trying to keep their firm, Celina Investigations, afloat. Their specialty? Finding people - especially those who have gone to extreme lengths to not be found. Their success, to a large degree, comes because of Jonah's special ability - he's a psychic who's able to "read" what's in the minds of other people (not always a plus, as when his target person is Max).
The latest case, though, seems especially difficult; a man named Charlie is looking for his missing girlfriend, who showed up at his sister's pastry shop alone and shaken and agreed to stay and help out. But Charlie knows almost nothing about her - not even her real name (she calls herself Darcy). Photos? Nope. Max, who's in the office by himself, has serious doubts - but when the man hands over more than enough cash to get the team going, he agrees he and Jonah will give it a shot. The other problem? He's just broken a rule of the partnership: No cases will be accepted unless both partners agree. Whoops - welcome to the first of many "blunders" that threaten their already tenuous relationship.
Charlie also emphasizes that the police are not to be involved, adding even more tension because Max is a former cop. Finally, Charlie finds something that suggests the woman's real name may be Kate and that she seemed to be running from something or someone terrifying - although that doesn't provide much to go on. As all this is going on, Jonah is trying to deal with his infatuation with scientist friend Dr. Eve Roth, but he's sure she's far too intelligent and beautiful to ever look twice at someone like him.
The story follows the efforts of Max and Jonah to track down "Kate," especially when it becomes clear she could be in mortal danger. That, in turn, puts the investigators in mortal danger and provides edge-of-seat experiences for readers all the way to the end. My only issue, and it's a minor one, is that I found it difficult to keep the timeline straight (meaning not fully understanding when what I was reading actually took place. But it all came together in a gruesome, but satisfying way and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to meet the quirky and intriguing characters by way of a pre-release copy. Bring on the next one - I'm ready!
Despite having what I'd call a tenuous relationship, Max and Jonah are trying to keep their firm, Celina Investigations, afloat. Their specialty? Finding people - especially those who have gone to extreme lengths to not be found. Their success, to a large degree, comes because of Jonah's special ability - he's a psychic who's able to "read" what's in the minds of other people (not always a plus, as when his target person is Max).
The latest case, though, seems especially difficult; a man named Charlie is looking for his missing girlfriend, who showed up at his sister's pastry shop alone and shaken and agreed to stay and help out. But Charlie knows almost nothing about her - not even her real name (she calls herself Darcy). Photos? Nope. Max, who's in the office by himself, has serious doubts - but when the man hands over more than enough cash to get the team going, he agrees he and Jonah will give it a shot. The other problem? He's just broken a rule of the partnership: No cases will be accepted unless both partners agree. Whoops - welcome to the first of many "blunders" that threaten their already tenuous relationship.
Charlie also emphasizes that the police are not to be involved, adding even more tension because Max is a former cop. Finally, Charlie finds something that suggests the woman's real name may be Kate and that she seemed to be running from something or someone terrifying - although that doesn't provide much to go on. As all this is going on, Jonah is trying to deal with his infatuation with scientist friend Dr. Eve Roth, but he's sure she's far too intelligent and beautiful to ever look twice at someone like him.
The story follows the efforts of Max and Jonah to track down "Kate," especially when it becomes clear she could be in mortal danger. That, in turn, puts the investigators in mortal danger and provides edge-of-seat experiences for readers all the way to the end. My only issue, and it's a minor one, is that I found it difficult to keep the timeline straight (meaning not fully understanding when what I was reading actually took place. But it all came together in a gruesome, but satisfying way and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to meet the quirky and intriguing characters by way of a pre-release copy. Bring on the next one - I'm ready!
December 29, 2025
I LOVE THIS SERIES!! The 80’s themed bakery added a nice nostalgic factor to anchor in the midst of the horror and evil lurking. Can’t wait for the next one!
September 16, 2025
I just finished an ARC of The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia, and I had no idea going in that this was part of a series. That said, the author did a great job writing it in a way that works as a standalone. You can definitely follow along without prior context. Still, I bet I would have understood some of the backstory and characters better if I had read the earlier books first.
What really stood out to me was how every character had their own story woven in. I also really loved the way it was written in multiple POVs, moving between past and present. That format kept the tension building while adding depth and perspective.
The cast was likable, the overall plot was strong, and it all felt fresh and different from what I usually read. The suspense built nicely and there were some solid twists at the end that I didn’t see coming.
I especially loved the relationship between Kate “Darcy” and Blake, it added a really nice emotional layer to balance out the tension. My only real fuss is that the ending felt a little abrupt. After everything that went down in the woods, I wished we had just a bit more to settle into the conclusion.
Overall, this was engaging, surprising, and unique, and it definitely makes me want to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
What really stood out to me was how every character had their own story woven in. I also really loved the way it was written in multiple POVs, moving between past and present. That format kept the tension building while adding depth and perspective.
The cast was likable, the overall plot was strong, and it all felt fresh and different from what I usually read. The suspense built nicely and there were some solid twists at the end that I didn’t see coming.
I especially loved the relationship between Kate “Darcy” and Blake, it added a really nice emotional layer to balance out the tension. My only real fuss is that the ending felt a little abrupt. After everything that went down in the woods, I wished we had just a bit more to settle into the conclusion.
Overall, this was engaging, surprising, and unique, and it definitely makes me want to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
June 23, 2025
The Whisper Place is the third book in the series featuring private investigators Max, a retired cop, and Jonah, a psychic as they join forces to find missing persons, aided by Jonah’s visions. In this edition, the duo are hired by a boyfriend to locate a young woman who has disappeared from a small town. The problem: her boyfriend won’t go to the police, and he doesn’t know her name. The first part of the book moves quickly, with the pair using their respective skills to try and identify the woman, uncovering a shady past of a woman apparently on the run. But the book gets slowed down as Jonah grapples with his relationship with his new girlfriend Eve, a client from a previous case, made even more difficult due to his psychic abilities. Some of the narrative is also confusing as the scenes shift timeframes, but those shifts aren’t clearly marked, so it takes the reader a second to decipher exactly where you are in the story, a minor annoyance that could have been eliminated with a graphic. All in all it’s still an entertaining read, the pairing of the two partners works well, and Jonah’’s issues aside, it’s a suspenseful story. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2025
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!
May 17, 2025
Publication date: 16 September 2025
Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the eARC.
The third instalment in Mindy Mejia’s Iowa Mysteries series—but my first!—and I’m happy to report it works perfectly as a standalone. This is a suspenseful, character-driven thriller with a touch of the unconventional: a former police officer and a psychic detective teaming up to find a woman who may not even exist.
Max and Jonah are such an engaging duo—complex, mismatched, and somehow exactly right together. Their new case begins when a man shows up at their private investigations office claiming his girlfriend has gone missing… except there’s no record of her at all. No ID, no past, not even a real name. Why won’t he go to the police?
The narrative moves between multiple POVs, including a woman on the run from something (or someone) she’s desperate to escape. As Max and Jonah dig deeper, the case takes them from charming small-town landmarks to chillingly remote corners of Iowa—and what they uncover is far darker than they expected.
Atmospheric and fast-paced, The Whisper Place blends emotional stakes with sharp twists. I’m already adding books 1 & 2 to my TBR to see more of Max and Jonah’s backstory.
Recommended for fans of small-town thrillers, complex partnerships, and mysteries that ask: can we ever really leave the past behind?
Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the eARC.
The third instalment in Mindy Mejia’s Iowa Mysteries series—but my first!—and I’m happy to report it works perfectly as a standalone. This is a suspenseful, character-driven thriller with a touch of the unconventional: a former police officer and a psychic detective teaming up to find a woman who may not even exist.
Max and Jonah are such an engaging duo—complex, mismatched, and somehow exactly right together. Their new case begins when a man shows up at their private investigations office claiming his girlfriend has gone missing… except there’s no record of her at all. No ID, no past, not even a real name. Why won’t he go to the police?
The narrative moves between multiple POVs, including a woman on the run from something (or someone) she’s desperate to escape. As Max and Jonah dig deeper, the case takes them from charming small-town landmarks to chillingly remote corners of Iowa—and what they uncover is far darker than they expected.
Atmospheric and fast-paced, The Whisper Place blends emotional stakes with sharp twists. I’m already adding books 1 & 2 to my TBR to see more of Max and Jonah’s backstory.
Recommended for fans of small-town thrillers, complex partnerships, and mysteries that ask: can we ever really leave the past behind?
April 4, 2025
*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
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
July 13, 2025
First time reading this author. Decent mystery as the pace move's fast at the Beginning gets bogged down at the end and somewhat confusing, but still an entertaining mystery
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy
September 28, 2025
love Jonah.
October 30, 2025
I couldn’t keep track of everybody but listened on audible. May be better one to read
September 26, 2025
I was really excited to be given the option to read the third book in the Iowa Series via NetGalley. The series is unique in the investigative psyche abilities of Jonah, a subject I’m not sure I believe in, But Mindy Mejia has made me believe it is possible. I enjoyed this book, structured differently than past novels, with an intentional twist, that caught me! If you have not read the previous books, this can be a stand alone read, but I believe it is better with the full history of the repeating characters.
April 28, 2025
I would happily read Mindy Mejia’s grocery list, but luckily I got my hands on the third book in her Iowa-set mystery series instead. In THE WHISPER PLACE, PI partners and long-time friends Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick can’t turn down a lucrative offer to seek out a missing woman despite not even knowing her real name. What follows is a seamlessly-structured narrative that alternates between the investigation and the mystery woman’s dark and complicated past. Jonah’s extraordinary ability to sense the truth about both suspects and victims plays beautifully against former detective Max’s pragmatic approach. I flew through this masterful and affecting thriller in a weekend and loved every minute of it.
July 8, 2025
I have not read the other books in this series, but I don't think I lost anything with this book because of it. (ok, the "my partner is psychic" reveal early on felt hysterically blunt to me, but I assume that was only because it was already addressed in the other books.) There's basically only one thing I want from a mystery, thriller, or suspense book, and that's an ending you can't call before you even reach the halfway point. I truly could not predict the end of this one, and the twist was actually surprising. After having read this, I'll be looking into the other books in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for my ARC copy.
September 24, 2025
Thanks to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for this captivating eARC.
Mindy Mejia's Iowa mystery series is one of my favorites (living in Iowa adds to my personal addiction, but this is an amazingly talented author you won't want to miss).
On to my review..
Series: Iowa Mysteries #3 (equally as enjoyable as a standalone)
Mindy Mejia’s The Whisper Place is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that trades the paranormal shimmer of its predecessors for a raw, pulse-pounding realism. It’s a gamble—and it pays off. This third installment in the Iowa Mysteries series reintroduces psychic PI Jonah Kendrick and former cop Max Summerlin, but strips away the metaphysical scaffolding to expose something more unsettling: the terror of truth.
Max and Jonah are thrust into a case that’s as much about identity as it is about disappearance. Parallel to their search, a woman flees across the country, haunted by a past she refuses to name. Mejia masterfully braids these narratives, leading us from an 80s themed bakery to a house at the edge of the woods, each location steeped in dread and memory.
The Whisper Place asks: Can you ever truly escape your past? Mejia doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, she crafts a found-family thriller that explores trauma, reinvention, and the fragile hope of redemption. The relationship between Max and Kara—antagonistic, paternal, and painfully real—is a highlight, forcing both characters to confront the collapse of their usual support systems.
Mejia’s prose is lean yet evocative, her pacing relentless. One late-book sequence had my heart racing so hard I checked my blood pressure —just to ensure I wasn’t in danger myself.
.The suspense is nerve-shredding, but never gratuitous. Every twist feels earned, every revelation a gut punch. And while the paranormal elements are dialed down, the emotional intensity is dialed way up.
This is Midwest noir at its finest: cynical, existential, and deeply human. Mejia’s Iowa is a backdrop as well as a character, a place where cornfields conceal secrets and small-town charm masks generational pain. Her attention to scientific detail—medical, zoological, even physics in earlier books—adds texture without overwhelming the narrative.
The Whisper Place is a fiercely humane thriller that stands on its own while enriching the series. It’s a story of broken people making questionable choices, of terror that doesn’t need ghosts to haunt you. Mejia proves that sometimes, the scariest place isn’t supernatural—it’s the one you carry inside.
⭐ Recommended for readers who love:
- Gillian Flynn’s psychological grit
- Tana French’s character-driven mysteries
- Found-family dynamics with emotional complexity
- Thrillers that make your heart race and your mind reel
Mindy Mejia's Iowa mystery series is one of my favorites (living in Iowa adds to my personal addiction, but this is an amazingly talented author you won't want to miss).
On to my review..
Series: Iowa Mysteries #3 (equally as enjoyable as a standalone)
Mindy Mejia’s The Whisper Place is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that trades the paranormal shimmer of its predecessors for a raw, pulse-pounding realism. It’s a gamble—and it pays off. This third installment in the Iowa Mysteries series reintroduces psychic PI Jonah Kendrick and former cop Max Summerlin, but strips away the metaphysical scaffolding to expose something more unsettling: the terror of truth.
Max and Jonah are thrust into a case that’s as much about identity as it is about disappearance. Parallel to their search, a woman flees across the country, haunted by a past she refuses to name. Mejia masterfully braids these narratives, leading us from an 80s themed bakery to a house at the edge of the woods, each location steeped in dread and memory.
The Whisper Place asks: Can you ever truly escape your past? Mejia doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, she crafts a found-family thriller that explores trauma, reinvention, and the fragile hope of redemption. The relationship between Max and Kara—antagonistic, paternal, and painfully real—is a highlight, forcing both characters to confront the collapse of their usual support systems.
Mejia’s prose is lean yet evocative, her pacing relentless. One late-book sequence had my heart racing so hard I checked my blood pressure —just to ensure I wasn’t in danger myself.
.The suspense is nerve-shredding, but never gratuitous. Every twist feels earned, every revelation a gut punch. And while the paranormal elements are dialed down, the emotional intensity is dialed way up.
This is Midwest noir at its finest: cynical, existential, and deeply human. Mejia’s Iowa is a backdrop as well as a character, a place where cornfields conceal secrets and small-town charm masks generational pain. Her attention to scientific detail—medical, zoological, even physics in earlier books—adds texture without overwhelming the narrative.
The Whisper Place is a fiercely humane thriller that stands on its own while enriching the series. It’s a story of broken people making questionable choices, of terror that doesn’t need ghosts to haunt you. Mejia proves that sometimes, the scariest place isn’t supernatural—it’s the one you carry inside.
⭐ Recommended for readers who love:
- Gillian Flynn’s psychological grit
- Tana French’s character-driven mysteries
- Found-family dynamics with emotional complexity
- Thrillers that make your heart race and your mind reel
September 16, 2025
📚 ARC PUB DAY BOOK REVIEW 📚
The Whisper Place By Mindy Mejia
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Atlantic Crime | Grove Atlantic
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to Atlantic Crime #partner, Grove Atlantic, and the Atlantic Crime Readers program for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Happy Pub Day to The Whisper Place, a compelling and scintillating thriller from Mindy Mejia! This book kept me awake long after my bedtime because I simply couldn't rest until I finished it. It started off immediately grabbing my attention and its heightened tension pulled me right in.
Wildly intense and suspensefully gripping, this book is told from multiple POVs across dual timelines in alternating chapters. These facets all worked together in a synchronous way to maximize the suspense of the story-telling and keep me reading "just one more chapter" until I had finished the book in one sitting.
Former police officer Max and psychic detective Jonah are unconventional business partners & best friends with their own PI firm. But when a man comes into their office and asks for their help in finding his missing girlfriend, who has no known past and no clear identity, Max & Jonah face their biggest challenge yet. From a 1980s-inspired bakery to a horrifying house at the edge of the woods, Max & Jonah work diligently to piece together this woman's past and try to find her -- before it's too late.
I loved the characters in this book, which Mejia wrote with such authentic detail that I could perfectly picture each of them and their every action in my mind, as if watching the story play out on-screen in front of me.
My heart pounded as I waited for all of the pieces of the puzzle to come together and reveal the final picture. And just when I thought I'd figured out the biggest twist....there was more to come. This book was a heart-pounding thriller that absolutely blew me away. It may have been my first read from Mindy Mejia, but it sure won't be my last. It's listed as book three in the series, but I thought it worked perfectly well as a standalone. I'll definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series though!
Atlantic Crime, if this is what I have to look forward to with the books you send to your influencers, I'm so grateful to have been chosen as a part of your team. Wow -- bring on my next Atlantic Crime read!
#TheWhisperPlace #MindyMejia #AtlanticCrime #GroveAtlantic #atlanticcrimereader #fivestarreads #thrillerreads #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #crimefiction #bookreviews #bookrecs #booklover #bookaddict
The Whisper Place By Mindy Mejia
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Atlantic Crime | Grove Atlantic
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to Atlantic Crime #partner, Grove Atlantic, and the Atlantic Crime Readers program for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Happy Pub Day to The Whisper Place, a compelling and scintillating thriller from Mindy Mejia! This book kept me awake long after my bedtime because I simply couldn't rest until I finished it. It started off immediately grabbing my attention and its heightened tension pulled me right in.
Wildly intense and suspensefully gripping, this book is told from multiple POVs across dual timelines in alternating chapters. These facets all worked together in a synchronous way to maximize the suspense of the story-telling and keep me reading "just one more chapter" until I had finished the book in one sitting.
Former police officer Max and psychic detective Jonah are unconventional business partners & best friends with their own PI firm. But when a man comes into their office and asks for their help in finding his missing girlfriend, who has no known past and no clear identity, Max & Jonah face their biggest challenge yet. From a 1980s-inspired bakery to a horrifying house at the edge of the woods, Max & Jonah work diligently to piece together this woman's past and try to find her -- before it's too late.
I loved the characters in this book, which Mejia wrote with such authentic detail that I could perfectly picture each of them and their every action in my mind, as if watching the story play out on-screen in front of me.
My heart pounded as I waited for all of the pieces of the puzzle to come together and reveal the final picture. And just when I thought I'd figured out the biggest twist....there was more to come. This book was a heart-pounding thriller that absolutely blew me away. It may have been my first read from Mindy Mejia, but it sure won't be my last. It's listed as book three in the series, but I thought it worked perfectly well as a standalone. I'll definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series though!
Atlantic Crime, if this is what I have to look forward to with the books you send to your influencers, I'm so grateful to have been chosen as a part of your team. Wow -- bring on my next Atlantic Crime read!
#TheWhisperPlace #MindyMejia #AtlanticCrime #GroveAtlantic #atlanticcrimereader #fivestarreads #thrillerreads #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #crimefiction #bookreviews #bookrecs #booklover #bookaddict
Read
December 16, 2025THE WHISPER PLACE is book three of the Iowa Mystery Series, and I regret not reading or being aware of the first two, so I cannot compare it to them. But if those two were half as good as this one, then these are two books I will seek out soon. Mindy Mejia has created a most likable pair of characters with Jonah Kendrick and Max Summerlin as partners, a definite odd couple in the world of crime solving.
Summerlin is a former cop, and Kendrick is a psychic who uses that power to try and get a jump on a case when it comes to resolving them. They are not always reliable. The pair are definitely not finding their phone ringing off the hook with a heavy case load. In fact they are not flush with a lot of cash, basically living life from one case to another. Then Charlie Ashlock comes into their office, with a request to find his missing girlfriend. She has vanished without a trace, and when he is asked for her name, he says he no idea what her real name is. But he offers them a boatload of cash, piles of cash that are in the thousands of dollars. He says money is no object, and that surely is incentive for destitute crime solvers to accept the case, no matter how odd it might seem.
But Charlie may not be as honest as he appears to be, with a few secrets of his own that may hinder the investigation. The book is told through multiple points of view from Jonah, Max, Darcy, and Kate, the latter two apparently the mystery woman. Darcy appears to be in major trouble, now on the run for some mysterious reason. It is apparent that her life is in danger, and every step she takes, danger is not far behind.
It is apparent there is a death that Darcy/Kate is part of and the burial of a body. But the people coming after her after connected it seems to the death, and as Jonah and Max seem to zero in on the woman and her secrets, it seems they are stepping right into as much danger as the mystery woman is facing. Jonah’s psychic vibes and powers seem to be fizzling out, not having the same urgency and importance as they seemed in the past.
While Charlie was intent of locating his girlfriend, it seems that she is more adamant than ever to stay a ghost, and the harder she tries, the more she is in the crossfire for those who want to silence her once and for all. The more we read, the more we like, and the tension is explosive with more deaths, and those a step or two from their own death.
Don’t whisper about THE WHISPER PLACE. It is a book that deserves to be recognized for its impressive plot and characters.
Summerlin is a former cop, and Kendrick is a psychic who uses that power to try and get a jump on a case when it comes to resolving them. They are not always reliable. The pair are definitely not finding their phone ringing off the hook with a heavy case load. In fact they are not flush with a lot of cash, basically living life from one case to another. Then Charlie Ashlock comes into their office, with a request to find his missing girlfriend. She has vanished without a trace, and when he is asked for her name, he says he no idea what her real name is. But he offers them a boatload of cash, piles of cash that are in the thousands of dollars. He says money is no object, and that surely is incentive for destitute crime solvers to accept the case, no matter how odd it might seem.
But Charlie may not be as honest as he appears to be, with a few secrets of his own that may hinder the investigation. The book is told through multiple points of view from Jonah, Max, Darcy, and Kate, the latter two apparently the mystery woman. Darcy appears to be in major trouble, now on the run for some mysterious reason. It is apparent that her life is in danger, and every step she takes, danger is not far behind.
It is apparent there is a death that Darcy/Kate is part of and the burial of a body. But the people coming after her after connected it seems to the death, and as Jonah and Max seem to zero in on the woman and her secrets, it seems they are stepping right into as much danger as the mystery woman is facing. Jonah’s psychic vibes and powers seem to be fizzling out, not having the same urgency and importance as they seemed in the past.
While Charlie was intent of locating his girlfriend, it seems that she is more adamant than ever to stay a ghost, and the harder she tries, the more she is in the crossfire for those who want to silence her once and for all. The more we read, the more we like, and the tension is explosive with more deaths, and those a step or two from their own death.
Don’t whisper about THE WHISPER PLACE. It is a book that deserves to be recognized for its impressive plot and characters.
September 16, 2025
4.5 stars
As with the other books in this series, this story has multiple POVs. There are Max and Jonah, who are from the previous books and run a PI business together. I’ve read those books, but from what I gather from other reviews by people who haven’t, you don’t need to in order to enjoy and understand this story. In this book, we also get the POV of Kate/Darcy. For her part, there is a lot of flashback for the reader to see what Jonah and Max may be missing, as well as to be filled in on things as the mystery unfolds. I loved these flashbacks.
While this is a mystery/thriller, there was enough friendship and romance to keep my romance-reading heart happy. Darcy/Kate finds herself absorbed into the lives of Blake and Charlie. Blake takes her on as an employee at her bakery, no questions asked. Very quickly, they became fast friends and even roommates. When Blake’s brother, Charlie, enters the picture, Darcy starts finding more and more hope in her life. As we look back on how Darcy wound up on Blake’s doorstep, I found myself rooting for her while dreading what was inevitably to come. She deserves all the nice things in life.
Although Max and Jonah are on the case, there are still things going on in their lives they need to attend to. Max is working on his marriage and being more present for his wife and child. Jonah is finally taking steps to move his relationship with Eve out of the friend zone, which is a huge step for someone like him. I enjoyed how matter-of-fact Eve was with Jonah about their relationship, about what she could handle, and about who decides what she can handle. Jonah and Eve together were such a bright spot for me in this story. Although there is a “blip on the radar” moment, and a few words uttered in passing, that have me anticipating that Eve’s woes from the first book may not be over. Or, perhaps, a new trouble is on its way?
Again, you don’t need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. But watching Max and Jonah grow as this series progresses is wonderful. Their dynamic could have been called toxic in the first book. They are now at a place where they are listening to each other and learning to be honest about their wants and needs when it comes to their partnership and their friendship.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
As with the other books in this series, this story has multiple POVs. There are Max and Jonah, who are from the previous books and run a PI business together. I’ve read those books, but from what I gather from other reviews by people who haven’t, you don’t need to in order to enjoy and understand this story. In this book, we also get the POV of Kate/Darcy. For her part, there is a lot of flashback for the reader to see what Jonah and Max may be missing, as well as to be filled in on things as the mystery unfolds. I loved these flashbacks.
While this is a mystery/thriller, there was enough friendship and romance to keep my romance-reading heart happy. Darcy/Kate finds herself absorbed into the lives of Blake and Charlie. Blake takes her on as an employee at her bakery, no questions asked. Very quickly, they became fast friends and even roommates. When Blake’s brother, Charlie, enters the picture, Darcy starts finding more and more hope in her life. As we look back on how Darcy wound up on Blake’s doorstep, I found myself rooting for her while dreading what was inevitably to come. She deserves all the nice things in life.
Although Max and Jonah are on the case, there are still things going on in their lives they need to attend to. Max is working on his marriage and being more present for his wife and child. Jonah is finally taking steps to move his relationship with Eve out of the friend zone, which is a huge step for someone like him. I enjoyed how matter-of-fact Eve was with Jonah about their relationship, about what she could handle, and about who decides what she can handle. Jonah and Eve together were such a bright spot for me in this story. Although there is a “blip on the radar” moment, and a few words uttered in passing, that have me anticipating that Eve’s woes from the first book may not be over. Or, perhaps, a new trouble is on its way?
Again, you don’t need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. But watching Max and Jonah grow as this series progresses is wonderful. Their dynamic could have been called toxic in the first book. They are now at a place where they are listening to each other and learning to be honest about their wants and needs when it comes to their partnership and their friendship.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
November 12, 2025
📚The Whisper Place
✍🏻Mindy Mejia
Blurb:
The latest thriller in the USA Today bestselling Iowa Mysteries series starring Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick, an unlikely pair of private investigators who specialize in finding people who don’t want to be found.
How do you find a woman who doesn’t exist?
As a former police officer and a psychic detective, Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick may not be the most conventional business partners. But together, they have years of investigative experience, and opening Celina Investigations feels like a natural decision.
When a man walks into their office searching for his missing girlfriend without a past or even a name, Max and Jonah realize their newest client may present their hardest challenge yet. Their first task: find out why he refuses to go to the police.
Meanwhile, a woman drives across the country with all her belongings packed into a car, desperate to escape a dark past. The question posed to the fleeing woman is the same one that keeps Max and Jonah awake at night: can you ever really change your life?
From an 80’s-inspired bakery to a horrifying house at the edge of the woods, Max and Jonah unearth the missing woman’s shocking past, and in the process, put themselves directly in the path of the terror she was trying to outrun.
My Thoughts:
The Whisper Place, a compelling and brilliant thriller., a gripping blend of psychological suspense and classic detective mystery with a supernatural edge. ! This book kept me awake long after bedtime, I wanted to know what happened.
Intense and suspensefully gripping, this book is told from multiple POVs across dual timelines in alternating chapters - all working together in a arising way to maximize the suspense of the story telling and keep reading saying just one more chapter. I finished in one day. If you enjoy thrillers that mix private eye grit with psychological depth and a touch of the uncanny, The Whisper Place is a must-read. It’s fast-paced, haunting, and impossible to put down.
Thanks NetGalley, Atlantic Crime Publisher and Author Mindy Mejia for the complimentary copy of "The Whisper Place" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AtlanticCrimePublisher
#MindyMeija
#TheWhisperPlace
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Mindy Mejia
Blurb:
The latest thriller in the USA Today bestselling Iowa Mysteries series starring Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick, an unlikely pair of private investigators who specialize in finding people who don’t want to be found.
How do you find a woman who doesn’t exist?
As a former police officer and a psychic detective, Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick may not be the most conventional business partners. But together, they have years of investigative experience, and opening Celina Investigations feels like a natural decision.
When a man walks into their office searching for his missing girlfriend without a past or even a name, Max and Jonah realize their newest client may present their hardest challenge yet. Their first task: find out why he refuses to go to the police.
Meanwhile, a woman drives across the country with all her belongings packed into a car, desperate to escape a dark past. The question posed to the fleeing woman is the same one that keeps Max and Jonah awake at night: can you ever really change your life?
From an 80’s-inspired bakery to a horrifying house at the edge of the woods, Max and Jonah unearth the missing woman’s shocking past, and in the process, put themselves directly in the path of the terror she was trying to outrun.
My Thoughts:
The Whisper Place, a compelling and brilliant thriller., a gripping blend of psychological suspense and classic detective mystery with a supernatural edge. ! This book kept me awake long after bedtime, I wanted to know what happened.
Intense and suspensefully gripping, this book is told from multiple POVs across dual timelines in alternating chapters - all working together in a arising way to maximize the suspense of the story telling and keep reading saying just one more chapter. I finished in one day. If you enjoy thrillers that mix private eye grit with psychological depth and a touch of the uncanny, The Whisper Place is a must-read. It’s fast-paced, haunting, and impossible to put down.
Thanks NetGalley, Atlantic Crime Publisher and Author Mindy Mejia for the complimentary copy of "The Whisper Place" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AtlanticCrimePublisher
#MindyMeija
#TheWhisperPlace
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 15, 2025
Mindy Mejia’s The Whisper Place is a captivating psychological thriller that begins with the familiar tension of a missing woman and a suspicious boyfriend but quickly evolves into something far more layered and unpredictable. What starts as a seemingly straightforward case soon unravels into a gripping web of secrets, lies, and shifting truths that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.
Mejia excels at building intrigue. Every chapter adds a new layer of complexity, ensuring the story never feels stagnant. Just when you think you’ve figured out where the plot is headed, a twist emerges that forces you to reconsider everything you thought you knew. This steady escalation of tension creates a deeply immersive reading experience—you’re not just following a mystery, you’re caught in a whirlwind of revelations that make it nearly impossible to put the book down.
The characters are a particular strength. While the missing woman and her boyfriend serve as the entry point into the story, Mejia develops a cast of individuals whose motives, secrets, and vulnerabilities are slowly revealed. No one feels flat or one-dimensional; instead, every character plays a role in pulling the reader deeper into the central mystery. This layered approach ensures that the suspense doesn’t rest solely on the plot twists but also on the intricate human drama at its core.
The writing itself is sharp and engaging. Mejia has a gift for blending atmospheric tension with precise storytelling, creating a novel that is both compulsively readable and emotionally resonant. The pacing is spot-on—fast enough to keep the momentum alive, but deliberate enough to allow the suspense and emotional stakes to build naturally.
Ultimately, The Whisper Place is more than just a missing person story—it’s a thriller that thrives on misdirection, character depth, and the kind of twists that keep readers second-guessing until the very last page. Mindy Mejia has crafted a unique and thrilling narrative that will satisfy fans of psychological suspense and leave them eager to see what she creates next.
Mejia excels at building intrigue. Every chapter adds a new layer of complexity, ensuring the story never feels stagnant. Just when you think you’ve figured out where the plot is headed, a twist emerges that forces you to reconsider everything you thought you knew. This steady escalation of tension creates a deeply immersive reading experience—you’re not just following a mystery, you’re caught in a whirlwind of revelations that make it nearly impossible to put the book down.
The characters are a particular strength. While the missing woman and her boyfriend serve as the entry point into the story, Mejia develops a cast of individuals whose motives, secrets, and vulnerabilities are slowly revealed. No one feels flat or one-dimensional; instead, every character plays a role in pulling the reader deeper into the central mystery. This layered approach ensures that the suspense doesn’t rest solely on the plot twists but also on the intricate human drama at its core.
The writing itself is sharp and engaging. Mejia has a gift for blending atmospheric tension with precise storytelling, creating a novel that is both compulsively readable and emotionally resonant. The pacing is spot-on—fast enough to keep the momentum alive, but deliberate enough to allow the suspense and emotional stakes to build naturally.
Ultimately, The Whisper Place is more than just a missing person story—it’s a thriller that thrives on misdirection, character depth, and the kind of twists that keep readers second-guessing until the very last page. Mindy Mejia has crafted a unique and thrilling narrative that will satisfy fans of psychological suspense and leave them eager to see what she creates next.
March 18, 2025
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.
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.
September 2, 2025
The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia is a highly recommended investigative thriller and the third novel in the Iowa Mysteries series.
Max Summerlin, a former police officer, and Jonah Kendrick, a psychic detective, are private investigators who specialize in finding people who don’t want to be found. When Charlie walks into their business, Celina Investigations, he wants them to find his girlfriend Darcy, whose real name is likely Kate. He also offers them $10,000 cash to start, which Max can't turn down. Charlie has his own reasons for not wanting to go to the police. Finding Kate is going to be tricky since Charlie doesn't know her last name either. The investigation leads to some dark and dangerous situations.
The well written, fast-paced narrative is told through the points-of-view of Max, Jonah, and Kate (Darcy). Max and Jonah begin the investigation, trying to find out information about someone who doesn't want to be found. All the discoveries made and lines of inquiry they make are presented and logically followed. Kate's account provides her story and we know immediately that she is a young woman who is on the run from something, but we don't know exactly what until later in the plot.
Even though this is the third book in a series, I think it could be read as a stand alone. There is enough information about the characters provided to easily follow the plot along with their personal lives. Additional character development occurs in this third book for those already reading the series. There is enough action and suspense going on to keep you engrossed in the plot right to the end. The only drawback is I'm not a fan of Jonah's psychic abilities.
The Whisper Place is a good choice for those who enjoy investigative thrillers. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/0...
Max Summerlin, a former police officer, and Jonah Kendrick, a psychic detective, are private investigators who specialize in finding people who don’t want to be found. When Charlie walks into their business, Celina Investigations, he wants them to find his girlfriend Darcy, whose real name is likely Kate. He also offers them $10,000 cash to start, which Max can't turn down. Charlie has his own reasons for not wanting to go to the police. Finding Kate is going to be tricky since Charlie doesn't know her last name either. The investigation leads to some dark and dangerous situations.
The well written, fast-paced narrative is told through the points-of-view of Max, Jonah, and Kate (Darcy). Max and Jonah begin the investigation, trying to find out information about someone who doesn't want to be found. All the discoveries made and lines of inquiry they make are presented and logically followed. Kate's account provides her story and we know immediately that she is a young woman who is on the run from something, but we don't know exactly what until later in the plot.
Even though this is the third book in a series, I think it could be read as a stand alone. There is enough information about the characters provided to easily follow the plot along with their personal lives. Additional character development occurs in this third book for those already reading the series. There is enough action and suspense going on to keep you engrossed in the plot right to the end. The only drawback is I'm not a fan of Jonah's psychic abilities.
The Whisper Place is a good choice for those who enjoy investigative thrillers. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/0...
September 17, 2025
Private investigators Max Summerlin, a former cop, and Jonah Kendrick, a psychic, are hired by a nervous young man desperate to find his missing girlfriend. The problem? He can't provide even the most basic details about her identity, and he refuses to involve the police. At the same time, a woman carrying only a backpack and a lifetime of trauma is on the run, desperate to leave her past behind but always looking over her shoulder. As Max and Jonah follow the trail through small town Iowa, where a bakery, lonely stretches of woods, and unsettling whispers in the dark hide more than they reveal, they begin to uncover disturbing truth about who this woman really is and what she is fleeing from. Past and present collide in dangerous ways, forcing both investigators to confront questions of trust, trauma, and whether anyone can truly escape the shadows of their past.
The Whisper Place was one of those books that from the opening pages there's a constant hum of unease that makes you want to keep reading. While part of a series, I felt like this can definitely be read as a standalone. The dual story lines, Max and Jonah investigating a missing girlfriend, and the woman on the run, interlock beautifully with just enough mystery to keep you guessing until the pieces click together. I loved the dynamic between Max and Jonah. Their contrast, skeptical ex-cop versus psychic partner, adds tension but also heart. The missing woman's perspective was the most compelling for me. Her past is dark and painful, and it gave the book an emotional depth beyond the mystery. The pacing in the beginning did feel a bit slow but once the story hit its stride it built up the suspense steadily. If you like mysteries that mix psychological depth with a touch of supernatural and characters who feel as haunted as the crimes they're chasing, The Whisper Place is worth a read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mindy Mejia, and Atlantic Crime for this eARC! Publication date is September 16th 2025.
The Whisper Place was one of those books that from the opening pages there's a constant hum of unease that makes you want to keep reading. While part of a series, I felt like this can definitely be read as a standalone. The dual story lines, Max and Jonah investigating a missing girlfriend, and the woman on the run, interlock beautifully with just enough mystery to keep you guessing until the pieces click together. I loved the dynamic between Max and Jonah. Their contrast, skeptical ex-cop versus psychic partner, adds tension but also heart. The missing woman's perspective was the most compelling for me. Her past is dark and painful, and it gave the book an emotional depth beyond the mystery. The pacing in the beginning did feel a bit slow but once the story hit its stride it built up the suspense steadily. If you like mysteries that mix psychological depth with a touch of supernatural and characters who feel as haunted as the crimes they're chasing, The Whisper Place is worth a read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mindy Mejia, and Atlantic Crime for this eARC! Publication date is September 16th 2025.
June 27, 2025
I reread the first book in this series earlier this year and then read the second installment, so I was primed and ready for this newest installment (which comes out in September). The last book was a bit disappointing, partly because I didn't love the narrators; I was happy to discover that THE WHISPER PLACE is told through the perspectives of Max, Jonah, and Kate (the missing woman Max and Jonah are hired to find). Max isn't the most dynamic of characters, but Jonah is much more interesting. Kate is sympathetic and likable enough although she's not very unique or memorable. Eve and Earl (my favorite characters in the series) make several appearances in this installment, which made me happy. I just wish they had played a bigger role in the story.
As far as plot goes, this book is just as exciting as its predecessors with lots of conflict and action to keep it interesting. The story's vibe is darker and more disturbing, though. It's not very original either. That being said, the novel is still a page turner. I kept reading because I cared about the characters and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. So engrossed was I that I whipped through THE WHISPER PLACE in about a day.
The first book in this series is still my favorite. I'll stick with the series, though, because I like the characters and I want to see how they develop and progress over time. I'd love to see more Eve and Earl. No matter what, Mejia knows how to tell stories that draw me in and keep me reading. Whatever she writes, I'll read.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, and sexual content
As far as plot goes, this book is just as exciting as its predecessors with lots of conflict and action to keep it interesting. The story's vibe is darker and more disturbing, though. It's not very original either. That being said, the novel is still a page turner. I kept reading because I cared about the characters and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. So engrossed was I that I whipped through THE WHISPER PLACE in about a day.
The first book in this series is still my favorite. I'll stick with the series, though, because I like the characters and I want to see how they develop and progress over time. I'd love to see more Eve and Earl. No matter what, Mejia knows how to tell stories that draw me in and keep me reading. Whatever she writes, I'll read.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, and sexual content
September 8, 2025
The Whisper Place, soon to be released by author Mindy Mejia, is her third book in the Iowa Mysteries Series featuring ex-cop Max Summerlin and his best friend and partner in Celina Investigations, Jonah Kendrick. Max and Jonah have been friends since college. Jonah is a psychic; he struggles with visions and dreams of missing persons and has issues forming close and intimate relationships; Max provides support and balance. For the most part they make an ideal team, yet they are still in the growing phase of their business- establishing and maintaining boundaries. In the Whisper Place they have accepted a case for Charlie Ashlot, a relatively new hobby farmer growing a rather lucrative product to find a woman he has fallen in love with in the month he has known her. He knows her only as Darcy; one day they were blissfully happy and the next she went out for a run, and never returned.
Darcy obviously has secrets as she doesn't share personal details with Charlie or his sister Blake and appears to always be on guard and fearful of dark and closed places. How do investigators find a young woman without a name or any background information? It is definitely challenging and dangerous, and makes for a suspense filled psychological thriller that is captivating from start to finish. The eclectic cast of characters is well developed as is the intriguing storyline - together they make for a can't put-it down extremely satisfying read. I thoroughly enjoyed Mejia's writing style, and look forward to reading the first two books in her series and hopefully more in the future. Thank you to NetGalley, Atlantic Crime and Mindy Mejia for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Whisper Place, this review reflects my candid opinion. 4.5 stars.
Darcy obviously has secrets as she doesn't share personal details with Charlie or his sister Blake and appears to always be on guard and fearful of dark and closed places. How do investigators find a young woman without a name or any background information? It is definitely challenging and dangerous, and makes for a suspense filled psychological thriller that is captivating from start to finish. The eclectic cast of characters is well developed as is the intriguing storyline - together they make for a can't put-it down extremely satisfying read. I thoroughly enjoyed Mejia's writing style, and look forward to reading the first two books in her series and hopefully more in the future. Thank you to NetGalley, Atlantic Crime and Mindy Mejia for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Whisper Place, this review reflects my candid opinion. 4.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews