Whisper Room

Geneva Chase #5

by Thomas Kies

Geneva encounters a deceptive cast of suspects who pull her into a high-speed chase into the Whisper Room, a dating app for only the most elite members of society—where affairs, blackmail, and murder are all on the menu. When wealthy men crave no-strings attached encounters, the Whisper Room promises to deliver. Escorts are turning up dead, and Geneva Chase is ready to dive into the exclusive dating ring and catch the killer. But then one of The Whisper Room's escorts turns up murdered—and she looks a lot like the blond in the blackmail video. The more Genie digs, the more blackmail victims and potential suspects she finds—and the more people she angers. Dangerous people, with links to organized crime and human trafficking. Will this story of a lifetime put a premature end to her own?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2022

About the author

Author of the Geneva Chase Mystery Series, Thomas Kies lives and writes on a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina with his wife, Cindy.

He has a long career working for newspapers and magazines, primarily in New England and New York, and is currently working on his next novel.

When he’s not writing mysteries, Thomas Kies is the President of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whisper Room by Thomas Kies is the fifth book of the Geneva Chase series, featuring a freelance crime journalist. Geneva attends a hostage drama to report for her local paper, the Sheffield Post. Knowing the local Sherriff gets her inside access as she tries to get to the bottom of the video of the local television presenter’s dalliance with an underaged paid escort. As Geneva investigates, tracing down the business owners, discovering the blackmail scheme and then a murder, when the body of a young woman is washed up in Long Island Sound. Struggling with her sobriety and dealing with a teenager doesn’t stop Geneva from putting herself in danger, as possible links to organised crime are made. Then another body washes up and the danger is visited upon her doorstep as she investigates to find the truth. An enjoyable tale of a flawed hero, with building tension and a dramatic finale making for a three and a half star rating. With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series with a slightly different slant on crime stories. Told from the viewpoint of a female investigative reporter, who has had her own history of drink issues, being fired, a stormy and troubled love life often involving married men.

As always, these stories move at a fantastic pace. Helped by short chapters. This story centres on an Escort service with a twist and blackmail,

Although this is book 5, you can read it easily without reading the others. But please go back to read the first 4 they are wonderful. Lets hope there is a book 6 soon.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and most of all Thomas Kies for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review

[mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)

Publication date: 02 August 2022
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Plot

A criminal reporter named Geneva Chase investigates a case in which an anchor-man held his wife captive because of being threatened with extortion by an escort company called The Whisper Room. But when escorts who worked for The Whisper Room are found deceased, Geneva is convinced that there is more going on. Will she be able to discover the truth prior to any further fatalities?

Thoughts

This is my first book from this author and I chose this book for the blurb. It’s also part of a series which I didn’t the previous books of but was still able to read it without feeling lost.

This book was fast paced, making it easy for me to read without putting the book down. I read it in one sitting because of the mystery it had. I liked Geneva’s resilience, she had her own issues in life but she got through them and put them aside for her to solve the case.

However, the book had a lack of flow at certain points and it also didn’t seem believable because of the sub plotlines. There also wasn’t much about Genie (Geneva’s) past other than in passing but I think it could have made her character development better.

[Aristotle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breakout the bubbly and promiscuous sex.
Geneva Chase is back!

Sex, escorts, murder, vodka and sex.
No vodka? What do you mean a club soda with lemon? What about doing the sex?

Thinking about doing the sex.
Wanting to do the sex.
Talking about doing the sex.
Wondering why they weren't doing the sex.
Who were they doing the sex with.
When were they going to do the sex.
Is her daughter having sex.

The fifth Geneva chase book. These are fast paced fun episodic reads. I like seeing the story unravel through the eyes of a reporter who likes sex and vodka.

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva Chase is back! I’ve been enjoying this series for quite some time and I honestly think it deserves much more attention than it gets. Engaging, fast paced plots and flawed characters that have shown some great development throughout the series…what’s not to like?

A local TV news anchor has barricaded himself in his home, taking his wife as hostage, after footage of him with an underage escort is aired. Freelance journalist and researcher Geneva Chase senses something is not right so she interviews him once he’s arrested. She finds out he was using an exclusive escorting app called The Whisper Room, which he claims blackmailed him to prevent the video from being leaked. Soon she will uncover a pattern of extortion between users of the app and, when one of the escorts is found murdered, Genie will not stop until finding out who’s behind it all.

Whisper Room was such a bingeable read. It moves at a perfect pace, not allowing for a single moment of boredom. The mystery pulls you in right from the start, and a complex investigation involving sex for hire, trafficking, organized crime, technology, blackmail and murder will keep you hooked until the very last pages.

I love it when recurring characters in a series show some growth, and Geneva is a perfect example of that. She’s not the same Genie we met in book one and, although still dealing with some issues in her personal live and fighting a daily battle with her drinking problem, she’s much more sympathetic and relatable, making it easier to connect with her and reading about her much more enjoyable. I really like her tenaciousness and how nothing will stop her to get to the truth.

I’m loving this series more and more with each new installment, as the mysteries are quite gripping and the main character is one you can not help but root for despite her flaws. Whisper Room was a fast paced, easy read that made for some great entertainment. Hoping to see Geneva Chase back pretty soon!

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Wayward Readers Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced, tumultuous novel based on an investigative journalist with her own troubled past. The book is part of a series and is offered as a stand alone, but characterization may be better understood if read in succession. The plot is multifaceted and intriguing, focusing on the dark subject matter of the desires, depravities, and demoralization of modern sex work.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the ARC of #WhisperRoom which was read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to see this is going to be a series because I really enjoyed Gen! I love mysteries told through the lens of investigative journalists and this one did not disappoint. Gen is a freelance reporter and researcher who is getting her life back on track with newfound sobriety and dedication to her ward, Caroline --- the fifteen year old daughter of her deceased boyfriend. While called to a hostage situation, she starts to uncover more about an exclusive escort app, "The Whisper Room". Her questions take her on a wild ride of blackmail, murder, cartels and more.

It was fast-paced, interesting, and a unique plot line. Although some of the twists were a bit predictable, still a very enjoyable read. Looking forward to more from these characters!

Thanks to NetGalley + the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura Solar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery from the Geneva Chase series. I didn’t know it was a series going in, but it truly made no difference when it came to understanding the plot. While I found the story entertaining, I did find it to be pretty unbelievable. Genie didn’t have any trouble getting people to talk to her and open up, and the way the resolution happened honestly just felt too easy. I could see the final big twist coming from a mile away, and based on what we know about Genie’s street smarts, it seemed very out of character for her to be so trusting of this person. I won’t be reading the other books in the series, but I would recommend these books to someone who enjoys a good amateur sleuthing!

[Riya Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is my first book by the author and it was a good enjoyable read.

The blurb is quite interesting and made me instantly want to read it. I flew through the book and kept it down only once I reached the end. This is more of a COZY MYSTERY and first book of the series which I enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

[Morgan Hamel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic and easily a new favorite. It’s a quick read, and the twists and turns don’t completely come out of left field, so I found the resolution to be very satisfying. I really liked all of the characters, too, and felt that they were well-developed without having long spiels that would slow down the pace. I see that this is the first book in a series, and I look forward to reading the others as soon as they’re out. This is the best thing ever, I need more.

I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pattyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Whisper Room
I did not know this was a series book but it did not matter because the plot and characters were like a stand alone book
Solid mystery and god ending

[Greg Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, compelling read. In fact, I read it in one day. I seem to be in a zone of reading stories that stretch the bounds of credulity, and this one definitely does that! Our heroine has great, gutty instincts, and she's "rewarded" for those instincts with getting exactly what she needs at that moment. (Like getting to interview a Fortune 500 CEO the same day she calls)

But in the end, I guess we get the real reward with a rollicking novel.

[Helen Desrochers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story- the characters were interesting and the story was easy to follow. I kept me interested from beginning to end. My only complaint is that the author for sure doesn’t know enough about tech to be writing about it, and (in the ARC I read), it wasn’t edited well enough that people’s IT jobs made sense.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Poisoned Pen Press and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


What a fun cozy mystery with likable characters. The premise has me intrigued and the story kept me going.

[Debra Berding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. I really enjoyed it, and I am thrilled to see that he has written more books. I will definitely read those in the future. I’d liked the main character especially, and the double twist at the end.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fast-paced and engaging mystery/thriller, veteran journalist Geneva Chase gets a tip that a local TV news anchor has barricaded himself in his home and has taken his wife hostage, after footage of him engaging with an under-age escort emerges. Though the situation is resolved peacefully, Genie can sense something is not quite right. Digging in, she discovers that the anchor was the user of an exclusive dating app, The Whisper Room, and was blackmailed to prevent release of the video. Genie quickly discovers that this pattern of blackmail is recurrent; and tracking down the owners of The Whisper Room raises further questions. Shortly after, one of The Whisper Room's escorts turns up dead – then another. Genie is quickly thrust in a complex, seedy world where nerdy app developers, sex for hire, human trafficking, organised crime and murder intersect.

This is the second book in the Genie Chase series, and whilst I didn't read the first, I thought the author does a great job of making the book relatively stand-alone so prior reading is not necessarily required. The recovering-alcoholic-reporter is a tried and tested narrative element, but adding in the fact Genie cares for a ward adds complexity to her character. For a shortish book, I thought the character development was really good. Perhaps my only critique is the fact that there are almost 2 plot devices that run in parallel for much of the book, and then intersect at the end. The book was an exciting read and interesting, but I kind of wonder about the believability of having all these events happen in one place.

All in all, an enjoyable read, and one that motivates me to pick up more from the author. 4/5 stars. The book is due out in August 2022. Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geneva Chase had worked as a crime journalist for nearly twenty years before joining Sheffield Post as a crime reporter.

She’d left the paper four months ago and now works for a company called Lodestar Analytics, primarily doing corporate and political background checks.

Earlier she had gotten a call from the Post editor, Laura Ostrowski informing her about a smug tv anchorman named Elliot Carlson who’s holding his wife hostage in their home.

Geneva has been seeing Michael Dillion the assistant chief of the Sheffield Police for a while but they called things off. Still, she reaches out to him when she needs to get more inside scoop on a case.

Apparently, Carlson is being blackmailed by an escort service called The Whisper Room. They have a video of him with an underage paid escort in a hotel room and have also threatened to release the video to his wife and all the news outlets if he doesn’t pay them twenty-five thousand dollars.

When Geneva finally meets with the owner of The Whisper Room she learns that their operations system was hacked and suspects a competitor is trying to scare their clientele away by blackmailing them.

Soon after a body was found in the water in Long Island Sound. Laura assigns Geneva to cover the case. Turns out the girl is an escort who works for The Whisper Room and bears a resemblance to the blond in the blackmail video.

As Geneva digs deeper into the case, the more blackmail victims and potential suspects she finds—and she’s left with more questions than answers.

Soon she realizes she must unravel the truth before the body count rises even higher.

I enjoyed the storyline. The mystery pulled me right in. I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend

Thank you to Thomas Kies, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc of this book.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prickly detective/reporter Geneva Chase returns in Whisper Room, the fifth in this excellent series by veteran newspaperman Thomas Kies. She’s still fighting her addictions, deciding between her “friends with benefits” and raising her teenage ward. A late night news call sends her to home of a local TV news anchor who has taken his wife hostage. She and the rest of the viewing area have seen the video of him having sex with what appears to be a minor. He’s also been blackmailed. As if this story isn’t x-rated enough, Genie discovers that the blackmail attempt came from Whisper Room, an app designed by Ivy League graduates to connect wealthy men with beautiful young women. More blackmail surfaces and lives are threatened, including Genie’s own before this complicated case is solved.

This exceptional series with fast-paced plots just keeps getting better! The Connecticut location (Fairfield County) is perfectly described. Genie has become a friend that I hope will continue trying to change her life. Other characters, especially Mike, John and Caroline, are favorites. I’m looking forward to what comes next!. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Thomas Kies for this ARC.

[Stefanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sound of chatter and laughter filled the restaurant. Silverware scraping plates and ice clinking in glasses. The air was jovial and people were enjoying their time out, but she was here on mission; no time for enjoyment. She kept her eyes on the two men in the corner as she discreetly sipped a drink at the fancy gilded bar. She was determined to bring them down.

Whisper Room follows a journalist who is looking into an escort service that seems to be blackmailing its clients all of a sudden. This leads to some dangerous situations and uncovering something so much more than blackmail.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main character, Genie. I just couldn’t connect with her. While there was definitely some suspense in this book and I was curious to find out what was going on, I found the ending to be unsatisfactory and it also left some things unanswered. I also guessed the big twist which left everything anticlimactic for me.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers that involve rich and famous people being blackmailed… then you may enjoy this one!

TW: Murder, Suicide, Infidelity, Prostitution, Sex Trafficking, Blackmail.

*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really nicely done fast-paced story for Geneva Chase. I can't tell if there will be another one or not, but I hope so. In this one, an escort app called The Whisper Room is the target of investigation as two bodies of its sex workers turn up dead. There's blackmail, dubious sex work, and potential trafficking with some Mexican mobsters in the mix. Could there actually be a serial killer in the mix as well? The whole thing is pretty full of layers, but eventually things clear up with a fantastic twist at the end. Geneva continues her sober journey but has moments of weakness where she almost caves. She's figuring out whether her and John will be a thing, or if he's too caught up in his job. Similarly, Cop Mike has some regrets on breaking things off with her, but will they end up back together? I don't love them together, though, his character seems to want her to be honest but isn't willing to do the same himself. But maybe she'll stay single and continue her growth journey...

Favorite Line ~ "My job, your job, there's always going to be a wall between us."

[Rachel Rager · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars!

An elite escort service app is suddenly at the the center of a very high profile case involving blackmail and murder and its up to investigative reporter Geneva Chase to find out who is behind it, but she must be careful, the deeper she digs the bigger the target she puts on her back.

I was a little apprehensive to read this book, I hadn’t realized that it was part of series of books involving the main character, and so I was worried that I would be lost. But I dove in any way because the topic was fascinating to me.

My fears were soon put to rest! Not only was it easy to get into but I didn’t feel it necessary to read the other books. This book was incredible on its own! It was incredibly fast paced and keeps you guessing right until the very end! I honestly felt like I was behind the scenes of an incredible crime thriller and I cannot wait to read more from this author! Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book!

[Chesney Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖Book Review📖
✨Title: The Whisper Room
✨Author: Thomas Kies
✨Format: eBook
✨Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
✨Publication Date: 08/02/2022
✨Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Trigger Warnings: Murder, Escort Service
✨Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery
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Thank you @netgalley and @thomaskies for access to the arc of Whisper Room!

I loved the trill of this book, I honestly thought I had it figured out, and was wondering why there were still 20 pages left, and then ANOTHER plot twist.

The only reason this book got 3 stars instead of 4 was the recap at the ending. It felt weird. The conversation between the two characters didn’t flow.
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#bookreview #bookstagram #bookworm #booklover #juneread #⭐️⭐️⭐️ #⭐️⭐️⭐️bookreview #⭐️⭐️⭐️read #thomaskies #thrillerbook #mysterybook #truecrimebook #netgalley #netgalleybookreview #netgalleyarc #arc #poisonedpenpress #whisperroomarc #whisperroom

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper Room by Thomas Kies.
When video footage of a local TV news anchor having sex with an underaged paid escort goes public, he takes his wife hostage in a desperate attempt to salvage his crumbling life. Although other reporters at the scene go home when the situation resolves peacefully, veteran journalist Geneva Chase knows there's more to the story. Following leads, she traces the blackmail attempt to an exclusive app called The Whisper Room. When she tracks down the business owners, she is left with more questions than answers. But then one of The Whisper Room's escorts turns up murdered—and she looks a lot like the blond in the blackmail video. The more Genie digs, the more blackmail victims and potential suspects she finds—and the more people she angers. Dangerous people, with links to organized crime and human trafficking. Will this story of a lifetime put a premature end to her own?
Brilliant read. I loved it. 5*.

[Shaye.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌛
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About : Geneva Chase is the main character on this story. A crime reporter who’s original goal is to write the paper of the scandal moment of one of the reporters getting a blackmail from a ‘hospitality’business (whisper room) .
An escort ‘app’ service that unclear what’s happening inside. As Gene (Geneva) Di e for more answer she didn’t realise she is digging for more danger .
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⚠️ Great for readers over 18.


. Insight : The first chapter of the story was captivating until at the end. I have to re read each sentence as it gotten mishaps on the end hence lacking the half of the stars.
Anyway, the story was different and the author can achieved more audience in this kind of plot story.
Definitely full of mystery and unexpected ending.

❤️Shaye.reads

- Thankyou #netgalley #poionpenpress #thomaskies for the arc copy of this book for a honest review👍

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fall in love with this series again and again with each new book. Whisper Room brought me back to journalist Geneva Chase and the regular cast of characters. This installment had a bit of everything, sex, intrigue, blackmail, murder, justice and so much more. The Whisper Room is an exclusive high-priced escort service whose members are being blackmailed and an employee found murdered. Genie, as always, is a dog with a bone and determined to drill down into this unsavory world and find out who is behind it all.

Quick read that captured my attention and didn't let go. I recommend starting at the beginning and really get to know these characters, it brings so much more enjoyment to each subsequent book.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advanced e-copy of Whisper Room in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jazzie077 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whisper Room by Thomas Kies. Pub Date: August 2, 2022. Rating: 3.5 stars. Featuring a freelance crime reporter/journalist, this book is a part of a series but I was pleasantly surprised that I did not feel lost or confused while reading this book due to the fact I have not ready any of the other books in this series. The crime journalist, Geneva Chase, has her own personal issues in which she is struggling with sobriety all while trying to figure out "The Whisper Room." The book focuses around a hostage situation in which an anchorman holds his wife captive due to being threatened with extortion by an escort company called "The Whisper Room." Filled with themes of murder, blackmail, cartels and dark situations, this book was a wild ride. I would recommend to any crime fiction readers! Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. This book was super interesting but it had a few missteps. One of the first things that comes to my mind is some of the very weird comments made by our protagonist. “That explains the exotic eyes” and “please stay a virgin. At least until you’re thirty”. Like maam what?! 🤢What even are these comments. These comments put me off Genie a bit. Also her romance with that one dude is also very off putting. When she admitted that he’s probably watching strippers dance nude in a club and might even be sleeping with a prostitue at one point but still wanted to be with him?! That man does not want you girl. When it comes to the plot of the book, I think it did well in keeping us guessing and wondering what’s going to happen next. Normally blackmail in thrillers can be kind of convoluted or boring but in this case it was much more than blackmail and the book had a decent ending.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley!

I was pleasantly surprised by this. I really liked Genie, a crime journalist, who is trying to solve some crimes involving an escort app called Whisper Room. Genie really makes the story as she is a firecracker! I solved it before she did, however. My one criticism is that I wanted to learn more about Genie. There are hints about her past that obviously affect who she is (her drinking, past relationships, her dead fiancee's daughter that she is raising). The crime stuff was also interesting, but I would like another book about her! I did find it a little creepy that there was all this weird sexual tension and passes made by men she used to date. She handled it really well. Hope there's another book with her in it!

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geneva Chase, an investigative reporter who's now doing background checks and struggling with sobriety and her teenage ward Caroline, finds herself in the middle of an intriguing and topical blackmail scheme and, of course, murder. Turns out the app the Whisper Room, which connects those who want, shall we say, escort service, has been hacked and the users blackmailed. Unfortunately, it's also meant the death of young women who work for it. Genie, a terrific and original character, learns more than she expected about apps and herself as well in this well written and entertaining thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books as this will be fine as a standalone. It's a page turner.

[Arathi Chitrapura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book turned out to be a part of series which I was not aware of, but I thoroughly enjoyed this as a stand alone book.

this book has blackmail, serial killing - overall it was a very intriguing book.
Geneva Chase and several other reporters are there on the scene when the local news anchor has held his wife hostage. What follows this is a series of unpredictable turn of events.
Geneve has to figure out who is blackmailing so many people who used the escort services from The Whisper Room and she also has to keep the people around safe as she cannot trust anyone.

This book was a gripping all the way till the end.
Thank you Netgalley, Thomas Kies & Poisoned Pen Press for approving the ARC.

I am off to find the first few books from this series :)