• The Silence of the Lambs

  • By: Thomas Harris
  • Narrated by: Frank Muller
  • Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (7,923 ratings)

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The Silence of the Lambs  By  cover art

The Silence of the Lambs

By: Thomas Harris
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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Editorial review


By Seth Hartman

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS IS AS CHILLING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING AS EVER

At its core, the setup for Silence isn’t all that novel. It follows a classic "unlikely allies" plot, as FBI trainee Clarice Starling is compelled to team up with psychologist and serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter in order to crack a high profile case. What makes this story stand out is the special care it takes with these characters and their relationship. Dr. Lecter is a psychopathic genius who takes great pleasure in toying with people, yet it is clear throughout the story that he seems to have a soft spot for Clarice. This feeling often manifests as a playful demeanor, with Hannibal taking great pleasure in making her squirm while still providing her with useful help. Clarice, on the other hand, is justifiably afraid of the doctor and takes great measures to appear professional and "hard" in front of him. As they work on the case of "Buffalo Bill" (a murderer whose methods seem to copy Lecter’s), Hannibal employs his advanced analytical skills to slowly but surely chip away at Clarice’s defenses, waiting for any advantage he can find to play this situation to his advantage.

Silence of the Lambs taught me that horror can show itself in many forms. The true horror of this story is not found in the serial killings, but in the uncomfortably fraught relationship between Dr. Lecter and Clarice. Despite being behind bars for the vast majority of the novel, the power Dr. Lecter wields with words alone is staggering. He is, without a doubt, among the most terrifying villains in modern storytelling, yet he brandishes his power while doing little more than pacing around a jail cell.

While the film adaptation of this novel dragged me mercilessly into the twisted world of Hannibal Lecter, it wasn’t until years later that I dove into Thomas Harris’s extended Hannibal Lecter series. Getting a chance to read about Hannibal’s reign of terror before he was incarcerated as well as his other exploits added a level to this character that I never knew I needed. This coupled with Frank Muller’s masterful voice work in the audiobook makes the listening experience of these novels an absolute treat for any horror fan.

Continue reading Seth's review >

Publisher's summary

A serial murderer known only by a grotesquely apt nickname—Buffalo Bill—is stalking women. He has a purpose, but no one can fathom it, for the bodies are discovered in different states. Clarice Starling, a young trainee at the FBI Academy, is surprised to be summoned by Jack Crawford, chief of the Bureau's Behavioral Science section. Her assignment: to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter—Hannibal the Cannibal—who is kept under close watch in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

Dr. Lecter is a former psychiatrist with a grisly history, unusual tastes, and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs—and ingenious, masterfully written book and an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction.

Please note: This is an historical recording. The audio quality represents the technology of the time when it was produced.

©1998 Thomas Harris (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Scary Tales are always best when told out loud, which is why a novel such as The Silence of the Lambs works so well on tape." (Playboy)

"Even if you’ve already loved the movie and the book, you’ll still love this production of this wildly successful thriller.... This telling should not be missed. Acclaimed and popular narrator Frank Muller does his usual great narration by changing timbre and the level of his voice and sometimes his accent. The characters sound exactly as they should in this wonderful production. It’s probably wise to stay away from listening to this while eating, but otherwise it’s a triumph." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: Listen Before You Watch—The Biggest Page-to-Screen Adaptations in Fall/Winter 2022


It’s not just crunchy leaves and cozy vibes that autumn brings. This fall and winter, television and movie fans also have a lot to look forward to, with major page-to-screen adaptations slated from streaming and theatrical releases. So, as your next listen, consider tuning in to the original works that have inspired what are sure to be our new book-to-movie and book-to-television obsessions.

What listeners say about The Silence of the Lambs

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As good as the first read.

Definitely a good listen for mellow moments, I listened while cooking and cleaning worth it.

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Great Narrator!

Loved this book and movie. The narration is perfect. Highly recommend. I have listened to it several times.

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I would recommend the audiobook but not the book

The book is better than the movie but sometimes the plot has the same confusing twists. the narration was great. lots of teeth licking (strange) and fat appreciation (nice to see in a book so old)

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Great movie and better book!!!

Frank Muller does a great job in this book and his voice for Buffalo Bill is creepy!!! If you have seen the movie you will love the book- it's one and the same!! Dr. Lecter and Starling are a duo meant to be together. Hannibal gives the soon to be FBI agent all the clues and it's up to Clarice to stop Buffalo Bill. This is the second book in the series and so far both are great.

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Best Read with Company at Hand

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Had read the novel and seen the film before reading again via Audible. Even though I remembered the story very well, it was as if it were a new experience. Great story with memorable characters resulting in a modern classic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's a book filled with memorable characters but the "favorite" must be a couple not an individual. The scenes with Clarise and Hannibal are spellbinding.

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

He is very good but I have to admit I had a bit of a problem listening to this recording when driving that I don't typically have with other readers. In a quite room with no distractions, however, he was perfect.

If you could rename The Silence of the Lambs, what would you call it?

Hannibal Falls in Love.

Any additional comments?

Thomas Harris is a very skilled writer and I wish he had expanded his work beyond the his first novel, "Black Sunday" and the Hannibal Lector novels.

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great book and fantastic narrative job!

another great tribute to fantastic narrative work of Frank Muller!!

the book is just amazing, couldn't stop listening, excited there are other books by Thomas Harris!

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Amazing

Loved it...have never watched the movie (I know, right?) but now I will. This was absolutely wonderful.

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Amazing. Frank Muller is once again the best

A crazy story wonderfully read by the late great Frank Muller. Anything he does is perfect

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One of the best audiobook experiences of the past several years of my life

Extraordinary from start to finish. Impeccable and chilling performance, a truly terrifying and thrilling mystery that deals with really disturbing subject matter in a way that lets it be truly horrifying without feeling grueling on the reader salacious on the part of the writer, unbelievably good thriller pacing with some gasp out loud moments, a few really touching and insightful moment, and many memorable & impactful lines.
And extraordinary book. It’s so clear how it changed our popular culture in far-reaching ways.

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Excellent

Franks narration is excellent he captures all the words honourably he evokes all the emotions ever so darkly. The story itself is excellent.

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