Wow, how can we be on the eighth book of the Silence Jones Action Thrillers series already? I guess it is really a true when people say that times flies when you are having fun. And let me say...
Wow, how can we be on the eighth book of the Silence Jones Action Thrillers series already? I guess it is really a true when people say that times flies when you are having fun. And let me say that I have enjoyed this complete series quite a bit. It is like watching a TV series that gets better and better the longer you watch it. Let me say that it is no different with the latest installment in the series, “Don’t Speak”. It is heavy on the action, adventure, and intrigue. There is rarely a dull moment while listening and one feels a sense of adrenaline flowing while partaking of it. I think that Erik Carter has done an exceptional job of making each story in the series feel unique, but there are themes that run though all of them. One thing that I found very interesting was that a book titled “Don’t Speak” has Silence using his voice more than I recall he has in previous tales. Sneaky how the author did that! None of these stories would have felt as alive and engrossing as to have my favorite narrator at the microphone, Gary Bennett. I know I have said it before, but this is a duo hard to beat when it comes to my listening pleasure. If what I said above interests you, I would recommend you give this audiobook, and the series, a listen.
Silence, returning from a mission which the watchers assigned him, finds himself entoiled in a small town’s affairs that begin to grow at a rapid pace. As with all stories in this series, this one opens with action and mystery. It takes some time before we find Silence walking into this thick mire of events. What I do like is that the author drops in bits and pieces of past events or interactions along the way, so a listener could pick up any of these audiobooks in the series and give them a listen. However, for those who have listened to them in sequential order, these small flashbacks are wonderful reminders allowing one to connect with the events once again. Belonging to a clandestine organization, the Watchers are always doing just that; watching. And in this story, we get a little more detail on how the Watchers react to a supposed agent that has gone rogue. There are so many wonderful tendrils making this story a pleasure to listen to. We get to meet both some newer and older characters along this journey as well. Falcon, Silences direct report, is just as cranky and by the books as one can be. Again, the Watchers are a group devoted to justice, no matter how extreme, for those who have none. Much like Javert from the story of Les Misérables. Little compassion when other are found to have violated the law. However, we do see the dichotomy here as Silence Jones is a man devoted to Justice, but he also has a compassionate side to him as well.
Being a bit more mature (older that is), I always have enjoyed the little pokes at technology in the mid-80s. There are references to floppy disks with secret data, tablets which are precursors to the iPad, and enough raw firepower and testosterone keeping listeners on their toes. One thing that often runs as a theme in all these stories is remembering that nothing ever is what it seems to be. There is always more than what is believed at first glance. Add your standard local thugs and some federal crimes, all happening in your local small-town environment, and you have the basis of this story. Will this be the last we see of Silence? Has he gone too rogue or has his initial debt to the watchers been fulfilled? For this, you will have to give the audiobook a listen. Needless to say, when it comes down to the ends justifying the means, I have a feeling we will see more of Silence in the future. The action is hard and fast, the characters are lively, and the story rather interesting. I like the research that goes into these stories, and the technology and weapons needed to complete the goal. We did have a bit more of CeCe’s input as this story unraveled and I enjoyed his continued faithfulness and desire to have her in his life. It is the only thing that continues to tie him to his old self. What at first glance feels like a stone-cold killer, Silence has an emotional side, which often gets him in trouble along the way.
Narration of this audiobook was wonderful. The audio quality was flawless and the character voicing top notch. Just as the author writes in a clever way, the narration also contains some of those subtle elements that make it unique for the listener. I felt sorry for Mr. Bennet as he had to voice more of Silence in this audiobook which I’m sure can give you a sore throat if done too often. I find that I enjoy these audiobooks even more when a great narrator is there to enhance the story for me.
For parents and younger listeners, I still have to say that this audiobook, along with the others in the series, are meant for more mature listeners only. It contains some adult language and content as well as quite a bit of graphic violence and situations that may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
In summary, if you like clever action tales along with super high-quality narration, I cannot say enough for these two and the series. I like to often indulge and listen to large portions of the story when time permits. I often find myself not wanting to stop listening when life gets in the way. I would say that these are a sign of a good audiobook and one that I would recommend to others.
