Tropic of Night

By: Michael Gruber

Narrated by: Margaret Whitton

Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Jane Doe was a promising anthropologist, an expert on shamanism. Now she's nothing, a shadow living under an assumed identity in Miami with a little girl to protect. Everyone thinks she's dead. Or so Jane hopes.

Then the killings start, a series of ritualistic murders that terrifies all of Miami. The investigator is Jimmy Paz, a Cuban-American police detective. There are witnesses, but they can recall almost nothing of the events, as though their memory has been erased, as if a spell has been cast on each of them. Equally bizarre is the string of clues Paz uncovers: a divination charm, exotic drugs found in the bodies of the victims, a century-old report telling of a secret place in the heart of Africa.

These clues point Paz inexorably toward the fugitive, Jane Doe, and force Jane to realize that the darkness she has fled is hunting her down. By the time her path intersects with Jimmy Paz's, the two will be thrust into a cataclysmic battle with an evil unimaginable to the Western mind.

©2003 Michael Gruber (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"First-time novelist Gruber keeps his far-flung locations, complicated characters, and anthropological information perfectly balanced in this finely crafted, intelligent, and original work." (Publishers Weekly)
"This intelligent thriller builds tension from the first page....This book has movie potential written all over it, which is no criticism of its depth, simply a compliment to its strong and colorful story line." (Booklist)

Loved this entire series!

I read the series years ago and then decided to listen... I really disliked the voice the narrator used for Dt. Paz--she sounds Russian, rather than Cuban--but that's my only major criticism. Really loved the rest and will try Valley of the Bones next. Michael Gruber is an excellent writer! He can really tell an interesting story about ideas that are totally new to me...and as an avid reader, I sometimes feel like I've read it all. But these are very original ideas and I got incredibly submersed in his stories. Loved it!

Intriguing story

I’m a huge fan of Gruber. His blend of historical, societal and mystic research with a great story is a fine escape and mind opener. He captures Miami perfectly. In the strange times we are living in now, I also thought, while reading this one, that there are some real possibilities afoot in our country.

Good Story

I enjoy the work of the author, Michael Gruber. and this is an interesting and well written thriller. Unfortunately, the narrator's constant mispronouncation of Cuban-African terms and names were difficult to listen to and ruined the rhythm of the story. A few minutes spent learning the correct pronounciation would have made this a 5 star listen.

Beware! Drastically shortened.

This is not the full, rich original. Acres of backstory eliminated. And much of it read with a disconcerting placidity.

Great book

I love the book but wish the audiobook was not abridged. I would buy it again if the unabridged version was available.

Pleasant Surprise

This greatly abridged version of the book was a pleasant surprise... It captured the essentials of Tropic and provided an entertaining storyline and good sketches of the characters of the principles... but the voice of Paz was unfortunate... should have had a a more smooth sophistication, better facility with his second language.

Abridged Audio Book :(... WHY! WHY! WHY???

What else to say?

Great female narrator Whitton's excellent characterizations bring new levels of depth to the story.

Great story beginning of Jimmy Paz tryptic series. Gruber's blend of fact and fiction in surreal Miami setting is superlative.

So Disappointing! As it is abridged and the full book is available and the same narrator does the unabridged story.

I've asked at least 3 times over the past years... Maybe you should ask too!

All I get is a form letter saying thanks for whatever.

Come on Amazon get it together and get the whole series in unabridged form!

I'll buy all three tomorrow!

Why was this abridged or butchered?

I love this story, and the Valerie Leonard reading. Jane Doe has NO HUMOR in this version, and the diary entries are gone altogether. I will never choose an Audible reading of an old book without more scrutiny. Did Michael Gruber have any input in this butchering?