Murder At The Summit—A Review of "Dark Whispers"

I've read a ton during the holidays and I have yet to catch up on reviewing all these fantastic books. So today I'm reviewing a book I read in november last year.

The fifth installment in Helen Harper’s Firebrand series, Dark Whispers, takes us to London for the much-anticipated Supernatural Summit at the DeVane Hotel. With vampires, werewolves, ghouls, pixies, and druids all under one roof, the stakes are high as the supernatural community works toward easing tensions with humans. But when a human is murdered during the event, chaos threatens to unravel the fragile peace. Emma Bellamy has 48 hours to solve the case before the Metropolitan Police take over and everything spirals out of control.

What I Loved

Emma Bellamy’s Voice: As always, Emma steals the show with her dry humor, sharp wit, and no-nonsense attitude. Her ability to be both determined in her work and approachable in her interactions is what makes her such a compelling lead. She’s the kind of heroine who can make you laugh while still delivering on the action.

Fast-Paced Storytelling: Even though the plot didn’t blow me away, the pace was brisk enough to keep me turning pages. With a ticking clock and tensions running high at the summit, there’s no shortage of urgency in Emma’s investigation.

Fun Tropes: The series leans into several urban fantasy staples that shine here—Emma’s slow-burn romance with Lukas, her role as a sassy, crime-fighting heroine, and the “protective alpha” dynamic between the two. If you love a good whodunit mystery with supernatural flair, you’ll find familiar comfort in this book.

What Didn’t Resonate

The murder investigation, quite ordinary, took place in the midst of a supernatural summit. It was straightforward, without engaging plot twists or hidden motives, falling short of the excitement found in the previous books.

One of the highlights of the series has been Emma and Lukas’ slow-burn relationship, but in this book, things felt rushed. Their earlier dynamic, which took its time to build with tension and mutual understanding, seems to be moving a bit too quickly now, and it lost some of its charm.

While the fast pace of Emma’s investigation kept the story engaging, the lack of complexity in the plot made the book feel slower overall. It didn’t quite have the same punch or emotional stakes as its predecessors.

Tropes & Themes

• Slow-Burn Romance: Emma and Lukas’ evolving relationship continues, though it’s starting to pick up speed.
• Whodunit Mystery: A murder investigation at a supernatural summit brings suspense (if a bit predictably).
• Urban Fantasy Sassy Heroine: Emma’s dry humor and cleverness shine as always.
• Age Gap/Protective Alpha: Lukas fits the bill of a strong yet fiercely protective love interest.
• Crime-Fighting Duo: Emma and Lukas work together to solve the case, leaning on their mutual trust and partnership.

Final Thoughts

While Dark Whispers doesn’t quite match the intrigue and complexity of earlier books in the Firebrand series, it still offers a fun and fast-paced read. The strength of the series lies in Emma’s dry wit and compelling personality, and even with a more predictable plot, she remains a character worth following.

If you’ve enjoyed the earlier books, this one will still entertain you, though it may not stand out as a favorite. Fans of urban fantasy and crime-solving duos with slow-burn romance and supernatural flair will find plenty to enjoy. Let’s just hope the next installment brings back more of the twists and depth that make this series so special.