Silent Joe

By: T. Jefferson Parker

Narrated by: James Daniels

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

With the horrible remnants of a childhood tragedy forever visible across his otherwise handsome face, Joe Trona is scarred in more ways than one. Rescued from an orphanage by Will Trona, a charismatic Orange County politician who sensed his dark potential, Joe is swept into the maelstrom of power and intimidation that surrounds his adoptive father's illustrious career. Serving as Will's right hand man, Joe is trained to protect and defend his father's territory - but he can't save the powerful man from his enemies. Will Trona is murdered, and Joe will stop at nothing to find out who did it.

Looking for clues as he sifts through the remains of his father's life - his girlfriends, acquaintances, deals, and enemies - Joe comes to realize how many secrets Will Trona possessed, and how many people he had the power to harm. But two leads keep rising to the surface: a little girl who was kidnapped by her mentally disturbed brother, and two rival gangs who seem to have joined forces. As Joe deepens his investigation - and as he is forced to confront painful events of his troubled childhood - these two seemingly disconnected threads will intersect. Just how and why form the crux of this intricate, intelligent mystery that satisfies the mind as well as the heart - and reveals yet again the impeccable detail, vivid characterization, and emotional complexity that make a T. Jefferson Parker novel impossible to resist.

©2001, 2002 T. Jefferson Parker (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Edgar Award, Best Novel, 2002

Politics . . . Crime . . . Law Enforcement

Loved this one . . . full of dark mysteries . . . great detail . . . every twist and turn kept me listening . . .

Really Believable Story Line

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - from the development of the character to the twisted story line. I found Joe to be a particularly likeable central character - who gained your sympathy without being pathetic, and the different and difficult story line. Read it! You'll enjoy it.

Wonderful wonderful

Great story. Beautifully narrated. I recommend this book highly. The narration was so believable you'll forget its fiction.

A very satisfying book!

This was my first book by this author but I will be reading more. The main character was so totally admirable and honest. The writing was simply captivating. And the narration was great. Very much worth the credit and time.

Not Sure How This Was A Poe Nomination

The only reason I got this audible was that it was a Poe Nominee. I really disliked the book and don't understand how it won a nomination. In my opinion the author has too many story lines. The book would have been better if 2 story lines were told. Also, some of the story is hard to believe. Really, watching a father figured murdered, informing the family of the loss and pain associated with the loss, driving the father's blood soaked car to work the next day and actually working the next day. What? Who does that and what kind of employer allows that. Also, the narration was extremely bad. The narrator has horrible accents and at points I laughed when I heard different -- and so called different -- ethnic accents. The narrator needs to stick to only a male English accent.

I would only recommend this book if you are in need of an easy read or listen book - preferably a book while traveling.