Whisper Network: A Novel

Mystery =2.5 starsMe too commentary/feminist manifesto= 4.5 stars= 3.5 stars rounded upAs a commentary on #metoo/a feminist manifesto, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the commentary was often excellent and provided a deep and nuanced look into how these women navigate motherhood, womanhood and work. While I was initially unsure about the first-person plural parts, I did get used to them and found them engaging and that they provided a certain layer of depth. I highlighted many quotes and thought, "I've felt like that before," and most of them were the "we" quotes. I also liked that each woman was in various stages of motherhood and that there was a bit of a discussion about the complications of new motherhood and trying to return to work/a life similar to one before motherhood. The only reason why this wasn't 5 stars was because I felt like there could've been a bit more added about intersectionality. There was a hint of intersections with Rosalita, but it felt like it could've gone further. Now, for the mystery, this one is harder for me to review because it was a slow burn, and the actual mystery took a while to get there. I found the family drama scenes to be a little too long and that they dragged the book a bit. While I think some "at home" scenes were necessary, I think that some were not and that they just served to add more drama instead of to the plot. Moreover, I felt some of the descriptions/obsessions of appearances/brand names were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story. My biggest issue is that I didn't really like any of the characters - although there were some moments where I liked one better than another (mostly Ardie) or thought that their reaction, while maybe not likable, was realistic and understandable. I also really liked the idea of the whisper network and how this connected women from all over Dallas. I didn't see the ending coming, and I thought it was fitting - but I also would've enjoyed seeing where the characters were in a few months and the revelation's fallout. Overall, at its best, this book is an intriguing and intricate look at #metoo in a corporate workplace and how women navigate their complicated spaces as mothers and workers. At its weakest, it's a slow-burn (mostly engaging) mystery detailing the lengths women go to protect themselves and each other.