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Whisper My Name
As Professor Francesca Purnell helps her new lover, Detective Sebastien Durand, catch a serial killer who marks his female victims with a mysterious spider tattoo, she becomes the next target.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2007
50 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Smith
69 books805 followerspseudonym Naomi Chase
Maureen Smith is a USA Today bestselling author who has garnered critical acclaim for her sensual romances and heart-pounding romantic suspense. She has won a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award (nominated for seven total) and numerous Emma Awards. She also writes sexy women’s fiction under the award-winning pen name Naomi Chase.
Before becoming an author, Maureen interned with a former U.S. presidential candidate, worked at the famous Watergate complex, and enjoyed a stint as a reporter and freelance writer. She is married to her college sweetheart and they have two children.
Visit Maureen’s website and join her mailing list to receive updates about new books, current projects, and upcoming appearances.
Maureen Smith is a USA Today bestselling author who has garnered critical acclaim for her sensual romances and heart-pounding romantic suspense. She has won a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award (nominated for seven total) and numerous Emma Awards. She also writes sexy women’s fiction under the award-winning pen name Naomi Chase.
Before becoming an author, Maureen interned with a former U.S. presidential candidate, worked at the famous Watergate complex, and enjoyed a stint as a reporter and freelance writer. She is married to her college sweetheart and they have two children.
Visit Maureen’s website and join her mailing list to receive updates about new books, current projects, and upcoming appearances.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 11, 2022
4.0⭐️ This book really held my interest. It is a romantic suspense that strikes the perfect balance between the romantic aspects and the suspenseful parts.The story centers around Francesca, a young African American entomologist and a Cajun police detective, Sebastien. Francesca teaches at a local university, and her overall look, from head to toe, can only be described as frumpy. Behind her back, students and colleagues call her the “bug lady.” Despite the oversized muumuu she is wearing, Sebastien notices her, and he is intrigued. Just as he is going to introduce himself, he gets called away to a gruesome crime scene. There is a serial killer on the loose who tattoos a specific deadly spider on his victims before stabbing them to death.
That is the backdrop of the story. It is not a nail-biting suspense, but there was enough to keep me engaged. There were several persons of interest as Sebastien and his partner hunted the serial killer, and I was never able to figure out who the savage fiend was. That’s always a plus when I can’t figure out who the killer is. With that said, the resolution of the case could have been more prolonged and with a tad more intensity. Nonetheless, the suspenseful aspect of the book was fairly satisfying. Sebastien and Francesca develop feelings for each other, and their romantic interludes were peppered throughout the book-just the right balance. For those inquiring minds, the sex scenes were spicy and hot with no eroticism or kink. My best impression is that the sex was intense and very tastefully written—just enough to satisfy.
In conclusion, the book was entertaining—it was nice, sweet and sexy. No editing issues-AT ALL!!!! This book was a departure from my usual action-packed, thrilling, intense romantic suspense reads. But, that’s OK. Sometimes I need to add a little light reading fare, especially now amidst the stay-at-home mandate in my state, and all the senseless deaths from COVID-19, of healthcare workers who can’t get protective gear and patients who need ventilators, and the needed testing kits that were rejected by the Chump when they were offered by the WHO. Anyway, this book was a welcomed respite, and it allowed me to forget about things and spend a pleasant day with a light, enjoyable read.
That is the backdrop of the story. It is not a nail-biting suspense, but there was enough to keep me engaged. There were several persons of interest as Sebastien and his partner hunted the serial killer, and I was never able to figure out who the savage fiend was. That’s always a plus when I can’t figure out who the killer is. With that said, the resolution of the case could have been more prolonged and with a tad more intensity. Nonetheless, the suspenseful aspect of the book was fairly satisfying. Sebastien and Francesca develop feelings for each other, and their romantic interludes were peppered throughout the book-just the right balance. For those inquiring minds, the sex scenes were spicy and hot with no eroticism or kink. My best impression is that the sex was intense and very tastefully written—just enough to satisfy.
In conclusion, the book was entertaining—it was nice, sweet and sexy. No editing issues-AT ALL!!!! This book was a departure from my usual action-packed, thrilling, intense romantic suspense reads. But, that’s OK. Sometimes I need to add a little light reading fare, especially now amidst the stay-at-home mandate in my state, and all the senseless deaths from COVID-19, of healthcare workers who can’t get protective gear and patients who need ventilators, and the needed testing kits that were rejected by the Chump when they were offered by the WHO. Anyway, this book was a welcomed respite, and it allowed me to forget about things and spend a pleasant day with a light, enjoyable read.
August 18, 2008
It's not everyday that you come across a book that has everything that it advertises to be: suspense, romance, good characters, tight plot and enough red herrings to make solomon gundy.Yum.
Sebastien Durand is on the path of a serial killer, and he needs Francesca Purnell's help to search for the murder. You see, the predator leaves a calling card (a spider), and it's them racing against the clock before he kills again. Despite this tense time, they are attracted to each other, not knowing that Francesca is in danger...
This book pressed every kink I had, and then some. An imperfect hero with a past of pain and recriminations? Check. Interesting family history? Check. A sympathetic heroine? Check. Secondary characters who are just as fascinatng as the primaries? Check, check, check. A plausible mythos attached to the insect being studied? Yes, please!
The plot was really tight, there were no superfluous chapters or sentences, no clichéd turns of speech, and despite the various interplay of relationships (say, Durand joking with his partner Rodriguez, or a tender moment with his grandmother) you still felt the menace at the edges of the page, and you were all a twitter waiting for... something.
I stayed on the treadmill for an extra 20 minutes so I could finish the story. Some people might find the police humour a bit grim, or the heroine a bit of a geek (but geeks need love too), but you can't deny that Ms Smith writes a good yarn.
The shortcoming of the story is that Ms Smith could have made the killings a bit more atmospheric. Like, the killer seems big on ceremony, right? But you really don't get the full impact until later in the book, especially since he's on the hunt. Even then, it like, "Oh yeah," instead of "Oh yeah."
Either way, 4.5 stars, but since I can't do that, I'll give it a five.
Sebastien Durand is on the path of a serial killer, and he needs Francesca Purnell's help to search for the murder. You see, the predator leaves a calling card (a spider), and it's them racing against the clock before he kills again. Despite this tense time, they are attracted to each other, not knowing that Francesca is in danger...
This book pressed every kink I had, and then some. An imperfect hero with a past of pain and recriminations? Check. Interesting family history? Check. A sympathetic heroine? Check. Secondary characters who are just as fascinatng as the primaries? Check, check, check. A plausible mythos attached to the insect being studied? Yes, please!
The plot was really tight, there were no superfluous chapters or sentences, no clichéd turns of speech, and despite the various interplay of relationships (say, Durand joking with his partner Rodriguez, or a tender moment with his grandmother) you still felt the menace at the edges of the page, and you were all a twitter waiting for... something.
I stayed on the treadmill for an extra 20 minutes so I could finish the story. Some people might find the police humour a bit grim, or the heroine a bit of a geek (but geeks need love too), but you can't deny that Ms Smith writes a good yarn.
The shortcoming of the story is that Ms Smith could have made the killings a bit more atmospheric. Like, the killer seems big on ceremony, right? But you really don't get the full impact until later in the book, especially since he's on the hunt. Even then, it like, "Oh yeah," instead of "Oh yeah."
Either way, 4.5 stars, but since I can't do that, I'll give it a five.
March 3, 2012
Nice story with an atypical heroine--a dorky entomologist who specializes in spiders. Coupled with her lack of style in dress and the horn-rimmed glasses, people laughed at her and she was cruelly dubbed the Spider Lady.
I liked Francesca from the beginning. I empathized with her and wanted her to see herself the way Sebastien saw her. He looked past the frumpy clothes and the unattractive hair to the woman underneath. I was happy to see her break out of her shell and become more confident, embracing her sensual nature.
Two times I was proud of her. 1) When she stood up for herself and gave her no-good, trifling sister a piece of her mind. 2) When she strutted into the police station in her short skirt and heels to get Sebastien. All he could do was follow her out. Lol.
The suspense with the serial killer added another interesting dimension to the story. I was completely surprised in the end when I found out who the killer was.
Another solid read by Ms. Smith.
I liked Francesca from the beginning. I empathized with her and wanted her to see herself the way Sebastien saw her. He looked past the frumpy clothes and the unattractive hair to the woman underneath. I was happy to see her break out of her shell and become more confident, embracing her sensual nature.
Two times I was proud of her. 1) When she stood up for herself and gave her no-good, trifling sister a piece of her mind. 2) When she strutted into the police station in her short skirt and heels to get Sebastien. All he could do was follow her out. Lol.
The suspense with the serial killer added another interesting dimension to the story. I was completely surprised in the end when I found out who the killer was.
Another solid read by Ms. Smith.
January 16, 2016
I was definitely “caught in the web of desire”...Mrs. Smith crafts another HOT & SPICY romance...with some THRILLING suspense...and tops it off with loads of DRAMA...a well-developed and UNFORGETTABLE cast of characters...I love the chemistry between Sebastien and Francesca...and even though Mrs. Smith keeps me on the edge of my seat to the very end...I thought the conclusion could have been more developed and detailed like the rest of the story...it felt like she RUSHED the ending a bit...however, I was TOTALLY shocked at the outcome...I would have NEVER guessed...and I enjoyed catching up with some of her previous characters!
November 17, 2020
I was expecting More...
I love romantic thrillers, you had me hook, line and sinker. The killer storyline was very intriguing. And the mystery of it all, I was bummed we did not solve it and it ended with him being caught so easily. In my mind he had the girls more subdued so that they couldn't just simply yell and get attention. Because if all it took was Francesca yelling in her parents house wouldn't the first 2 females have yelled too? Like to me if it was that simple the other two would have yelled. The end just seemed rushed to me. And another thing if Sabastian heard the B&E call wouldn't the regular plain clothes officers gotten to her house first? It was just.. a let down.
I love romantic thrillers, you had me hook, line and sinker. The killer storyline was very intriguing. And the mystery of it all, I was bummed we did not solve it and it ended with him being caught so easily. In my mind he had the girls more subdued so that they couldn't just simply yell and get attention. Because if all it took was Francesca yelling in her parents house wouldn't the first 2 females have yelled too? Like to me if it was that simple the other two would have yelled. The end just seemed rushed to me. And another thing if Sabastian heard the B&E call wouldn't the regular plain clothes officers gotten to her house first? It was just.. a let down.
September 5, 2025
Loved It!!!
OMG!!! I don’t know how I missed this book! I thought I had read every book by Maureen Smith! As usual, she didn’t disappoint! This book had me all in my feelings. Police investigator Sebastian got his man though! I never saw it coming. Very well written!! I need more of the Wolfpack and friends!! Hint, hint! lol! ❤️🔥
OMG!!! I don’t know how I missed this book! I thought I had read every book by Maureen Smith! As usual, she didn’t disappoint! This book had me all in my feelings. Police investigator Sebastian got his man though! I never saw it coming. Very well written!! I need more of the Wolfpack and friends!! Hint, hint! lol! ❤️🔥
May 5, 2025
The introduction to these two characters was sexy and instant from the moment they saw each other. Sex appeal is not in the way your dress it's a part of who you are and Sebastien found Francesca (Frankie) sexy and appealing from the moment he laid eyes on her in the coffee shop in her god-awful clothing and messy hair. He knew she was the one. He told a friend it him over the head.
Even though this story was a crazy serial killer with a fetish for a spider tattoo, this was also about the displacement of people after Karina (Sebastien and his grandmother), taking too long to forgive (Sebastien and his parents), eventually standing up for yourself (Frankie telling off her sister), and seeing your worth and that love is not about outward appearances (Frankie seeing why Sebastien adored, desired, and loved her) but about attraction, compatibility, shared values, and what's in your heart.
Tommie, her sister was an awful character and Sebastien checked her real quick. I read Tommie's story first (No One Else) and in some ways she redeemed herself and repaired her relationship with sister, which was nice to read.
The villain in the end was surprise, I just knew it was Peter, Frankie's colleague at the University. This story and No One Else both have law enforcement villain as serial killers targeting sisters. Crazy.
This was an enjoyable read. Bought the eBook to be able to re-read.
Even though this story was a crazy serial killer with a fetish for a spider tattoo, this was also about the displacement of people after Karina (Sebastien and his grandmother), taking too long to forgive (Sebastien and his parents), eventually standing up for yourself (Frankie telling off her sister), and seeing your worth and that love is not about outward appearances (Frankie seeing why Sebastien adored, desired, and loved her) but about attraction, compatibility, shared values, and what's in your heart.
Tommie, her sister was an awful character and Sebastien checked her real quick. I read Tommie's story first (No One Else) and in some ways she redeemed herself and repaired her relationship with sister, which was nice to read.
The villain in the end was surprise, I just knew it was Peter, Frankie's colleague at the University. This story and No One Else both have law enforcement villain as serial killers targeting sisters. Crazy.
This was an enjoyable read. Bought the eBook to be able to re-read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2017
Great Read!
Loved Francesca's character and her growth through out the story. That may have been my favorite part. This one definitely kept me on the edge of my seat because I honestly had no idea who the killer would be. No spoilers here, but this was definitely worth the read!
Loved Francesca's character and her growth through out the story. That may have been my favorite part. This one definitely kept me on the edge of my seat because I honestly had no idea who the killer would be. No spoilers here, but this was definitely worth the read!
July 12, 2015
Great supense...I was surprised right up to the end.
So why only 3 stars??
The beginning of the story was kind of slow...and so many characters were introduced...some for no reason that I could tell. I mean I LOVE that I had no idea, right up to the end, who the killer was...but in my little opinion I would have spent more time in the mind of the mad man and less time with the fluff of the side characters.
Secondly, the sex seemed rushed to me...don't get me wrong I'm a true believer of love at first sight and if the feeling is right I say go for it...but with Sebastian and Frankie it just felt rushed...and marathon sex each time they do it??? A bit of overkill.
And lastly, the ending was soooooo rushed! :-( I mean all this time setting up the possibilities of who done it and then when we find out who it is we're given less than a couple of paragraphs as to why? Just felt rushed.
HOWEVER...I would recommend this book because it's an easy read and "listening" to Sebastian speak in French...Grrrrr baby!
So why only 3 stars??
The beginning of the story was kind of slow...and so many characters were introduced...some for no reason that I could tell. I mean I LOVE that I had no idea, right up to the end, who the killer was...but in my little opinion I would have spent more time in the mind of the mad man and less time with the fluff of the side characters.
Secondly, the sex seemed rushed to me...don't get me wrong I'm a true believer of love at first sight and if the feeling is right I say go for it...but with Sebastian and Frankie it just felt rushed...and marathon sex each time they do it??? A bit of overkill.
And lastly, the ending was soooooo rushed! :-( I mean all this time setting up the possibilities of who done it and then when we find out who it is we're given less than a couple of paragraphs as to why? Just felt rushed.
HOWEVER...I would recommend this book because it's an easy read and "listening" to Sebastian speak in French...Grrrrr baby!
April 13, 2012
I've been on a Maureen Smith kick for the last few weeks now. I read Like No One Else first and then this book. They are similar stories, way too similar for my liking. I liked the former book better.
Can I say that I did not like the cover models. The guy does not look sexy at all, not what I would imagine Sebastien to look like. He looks more like a thug than the sexy cop he's supposed to me (IMHO.)
I'm disappointed with who the killer turned out to be. Did not make much sense to me. Didn't like that the killer in LNOE was also in the same line of work as the killer in this book.
Also what was up with the title of the book? Why did the killer care or want his victims to whisper his name? His name was not that special.
****** Spoiler Alert *******
I thought Peter Ueno would have been a better killer. He was in a similar field as Francesca. He had the hots for her. He lied about being at the strip club. So why wasn't he the killer??????
Can I say that I did not like the cover models. The guy does not look sexy at all, not what I would imagine Sebastien to look like. He looks more like a thug than the sexy cop he's supposed to me (IMHO.)
I'm disappointed with who the killer turned out to be. Did not make much sense to me. Didn't like that the killer in LNOE was also in the same line of work as the killer in this book.
Also what was up with the title of the book? Why did the killer care or want his victims to whisper his name? His name was not that special.
****** Spoiler Alert *******
I thought Peter Ueno would have been a better killer. He was in a similar field as Francesca. He had the hots for her. He lied about being at the strip club. So why wasn't he the killer??????
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2015
Sebastian and Francesca mystery matters
A good detective always gets his perpetrators. I was impressed that Maureen was able to have the story of the Serial Tattoo Killer intertwined effortlessly with the romance of Sebastian and Francesca. The different dynamics still leave a few unanswered questions. However I did find the story engaging. It kept you wanting to know how Tomanisa and Francesca would resolve their issues. It kept you wondering how Sebastian would be able to set aside pass demons and force on the present. It was one of those stories that had you say, what happen. It is those what happen moments that have you invested.
A good detective always gets his perpetrators. I was impressed that Maureen was able to have the story of the Serial Tattoo Killer intertwined effortlessly with the romance of Sebastian and Francesca. The different dynamics still leave a few unanswered questions. However I did find the story engaging. It kept you wanting to know how Tomanisa and Francesca would resolve their issues. It kept you wondering how Sebastian would be able to set aside pass demons and force on the present. It was one of those stories that had you say, what happen. It is those what happen moments that have you invested.
March 14, 2015
mon Dieu
This book was sooo good that i couldn't put it down. From the moment Francesca and Sebastian saw each other in the cafe I felt the attraction. I couldn't wait to read the parts of the book when they were together. Tommie got on my nerves and I couldn't wait for Francesca to put her in her place. I also loved the suspense, I never would have guessed who the killer was. All and all this book was excellent!
This book was sooo good that i couldn't put it down. From the moment Francesca and Sebastian saw each other in the cafe I felt the attraction. I couldn't wait to read the parts of the book when they were together. Tommie got on my nerves and I couldn't wait for Francesca to put her in her place. I also loved the suspense, I never would have guessed who the killer was. All and all this book was excellent!
April 7, 2015
Another romance suspense set in San Antonio, TX. This story chronicles the budding romance of Francesca and Sebastien. I would recommend reading this one before Like No One Else. The murder mystery was interesting.
Smith does a great deal of research to develop the story line. Good story!
Smith does a great deal of research to develop the story line. Good story!
July 3, 2012
Loved it!
April 5, 2014
Wow!!! Did not see that ending coming.
September 19, 2014
started out as a good mystery ended as a bad love story
January 8, 2016
Not sure how I missed this gem of a book! I love a good who done it. Maureen has gives this book life from start to finish. A must read!
December 27, 2016
I love spiders too
I love spiders too and this was a good story but it drag a little bit. Good twist though and great suspects it just took me a while to finish it.
I love spiders too and this was a good story but it drag a little bit. Good twist though and great suspects it just took me a while to finish it.
January 26, 2017
Blessed15
Book was ok. . So far loved most of Maureen books but this one was different from the others I've red.
Book was ok. . So far loved most of Maureen books but this one was different from the others I've red.
December 18, 2019
I read this book in 2008 and in about 2014, GRs lost it in an update.
February 12, 2021
Great Mystery and Romance
A good balance of action and mystery with a lovely Romance. I enjoyed the main characters who had a lovely chemistry.
A good balance of action and mystery with a lovely Romance. I enjoyed the main characters who had a lovely chemistry.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews