Possession: Whispers of Obedience: A Slow-burn Erotic Psychological Thriller of Obsession & Control

by Vicky Zander

She thought she was just an employee. She didn’t know she was the experiment.
Kara Sinclair wanted a career, not a leash. But Virellium is no ordinary company and its CEO, Julian Kingsley, plays by rules that blur desire with domination. Behind the polished offices and precision rituals lies a world of power that seduces as much as it scars.
Julian, magnetic and merciless, punishes and rewards with equal intensity. Rhea, Kara’s fierce confidante, finds worship in submission and whispers Kara toward her own altar. Marcus, the enforcer, kneels with pride, while Dylan trembles on the knife edge between betrayal and devotion. All of them are waiting to see whether Kara will stay Julian’s loyal creation, or become the mistress of her own empire.
Dark, addictive and charged with erotic power games, Whispers of Obedience is a psychological romance thriller of loyalty, lust and betrayal, perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Silent Patient and Fifty Shades with sharper teeth.
Read at your own risk. Surrender tastes sweeter than freedom.
Desire is proof. Worship is power. And altars never stay empty for long.

Tropes You’ll A young woman pulled into a seductive corporate underworldA ruthless CEO who punishes with precisionA haunting mix of shame, surrender and obsessionDreams that reveal truths the waking mind refusesA powerful woman building her own secret empireFound family clashing with ruthless hierarchyA morally grey love triangle that turns into a harem’s beginningCorporate espionage laced with seductionA descent into shadows where innocence doesn’t surviveA final choice between submission and supremacy

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2025

Reviews

[Aubrey Cleeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the outset, Possession: Whisper of Obedience by Vicky Zander establishes the boundaries that the characters have as they dive deeper into their passions. Kara desperately wants more and dreams about power, dominance, and submission, but holds herself back, unsure of how to approach it despite her desire. The interview opens up her world and she soon jumps deep into the mash up of a corporate world and the exploration of desire.

I liked how the author lay down these boundaries, first with Dylan but often reinforced by other characters, including Kara. Rhea was the stand out character for me - unashamedly brash, a powerful aura, and a tease, her relationship with Kara soon helps establish Kara’s role and removes her naivety. Their dialogue was quick and witty, but soon led them to other places.

The story moves at a steady pace and soon takes them to the watchful eye of the ministers. The mix of corporate life and lustful desire was interesting, and something that would be inappropriate for any other workplace, but Zander balances this well and respectful. I love the use of language and metaphor, such as ‘She took the compliment and put it in her pocket like a coin’, which makes the book a steady and powerful read.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Possession: Whispers of Obedience” by Vicky Zander is an unsettling and strange story. It’s told in 3rd person, past tense, although the tense is inconsistent, and moves at a leisurely pace. Kara, who works at a café, has a dream in which she submits to the orders of several shadowed figures and is disturbed by how aroused she becomes. The following day, she applies for a dream job at an established firm, a high-salaried position that would solve her financial woes. She is hired. The training is weird, disturbing, and to Kara, compelling as well. The company requires nothing less than complete obedience, but this does not deter her, and she is attracted and/or intrigued by many of her managers or fellow employees. Kara excels in the training and work assignments as her nightly dreams continue, and she embodies and transcends her training, so much so, that she may take her manager by surprise.

[Harriet S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, Possession: Whispers of Obedience pulled me into a world of slow-burn intensity and psychological depth that I didn’t want to leave. The author crafts an addictive blend of desire, power, and vulnerability that kept me turning pages long past bedtime. The characters feel complex and alive — their loyalties, betrayals, and obsessions unfold in ways that surprised me and grounded even the darker moments. I especially loved how the emotional tension built gradually; it’s not instant gratification but a story that rewards patience with emotional payoff. The erotic elements are bold but integral, woven into the narrative rather than feeling gratuitous. This book isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you enjoy psychological romance with real grit and atmosphere, it’s a standout. I finished it feeling both satisfied and eager for more from the author. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series!

[Bailey Hartfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to start off this review by stating that this genre is not the usual type of genre I am used to reading. I was intrigued by the comparison to “the Housemaid” but realized this was going to be much different from the start.
There is no doubt that Vicky Zander compels with their writing. The structure, the thrill, and this very ominous way of leading up to whatever the hell is about to happen keeps you turning the pages. Each of the characters brings out something in the main character, Kara, that surely captivates this deep, dark and desirable theme.
“Possession: Whispers of Obedience” is a riveting read for lovers of the genre that seek exploration of passion and lust in a very NSFW setting. Not exactly a genre I am wanting to explore again, but still giving it 4 stars because it was well structured and well-written.