Silver Alert

By: Lee Smith

Narrated by: Caitlin Davies

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

This funny and endearing novel of family, secrets, and aging follows an elderly man who heads off on a joyride with a new young friend—who may have some secrets of her own.

A driving force in literature, the one and only Lee Smith returns with a road trip novel, a story full of hope and humor about not going away quietly—at any age.

Aging Herb’s charmed life with his dear wife, Susan, in their Key West house is coming undone. Susan now needs constant care, and Herb is in denial about his own ailing health. The one bright spot is the arrival of an endlessly optimistic manicurist calling herself Renee. She sings to Susan during manicures, gets her to paint, and brings her a sense of contentment.

But then Herb and Susan’s adult children arrive to stage an intervention on their stubborn, independent father, and as a consequence, Renee’s gig with Susan—and her grand plans for her own life—start to unravel as well. So much had seemed as if it could change for Renee, who is not the happy, uncomplicated young girl she pretends to be. She is actually named Dee Dee, and she’s fleeing a dark past.

And Herb can’t just let go of all that he has ever had. So, he suggests one last joy ride in his Porsche. And the two take off north out of Key West, soon setting off a Silver Alert. As the unlikely friendship between Herb and Dee Dee deepens, we see how as one life is closing down, another opens up.

In this buoyant novel, the masterful Smith asks: What do we deserve? And how do we make it our own? Sometimes, you just have to seize the wheel.

Fans of Smith’s many books in her storied, bestselling career won’t want to miss her newest novel. And listeners of novels like Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes will adore Silver Alert.

©2023 Lee Smith (P)2023 Algonquin Books

Critic reviews

“Silver Alert is Lee Smith at the top of her game, and that is a high bar indeed. It’s brilliantly paced with some of the most energetic prose I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The characters of Herb Atlas and Dee Dee are a pair for the ages, who you will long remember after the fall of the last page.”—David Baldacci, author of Dream Town

"There are many ways to read Lee Smith’s excellent new novel Silver Alert, but I view it as the toll old age has taken on her characters, with all its indignities and absurdities, as well as a wry view of America itself. Staged in iconic Key West, the improviser’s Paradise, it’s an implied prayer for our expressing kindness in gestures large and small."—Ann Beattie, author of The Accomplished Guest

“Smith skillfully pivots from wry humor to real tenderness toward her quirkily engaging characters. Beneath the novel’s occasionally frothy surface beats a compassionate, generous heart. A warmhearted story of improbably matched characters trying to reclaim their lives.”—Kirkus Reviews

So good!

The story was very entertaining and even more so due to the great performance! I love it when narrators change voices for different characters as it gives so much more personality and vitality. I just recently visited Key West, so it was a lot of fun to actually visualize the setting for this story.

Different but….

Quirky and fun but lots of profanity. Characters unique but believable. I almost turned it in but glad I didn’t. Editors summery very poor. Hang with it. Almost a novella.

Great Book!

Great story, easy to listen too hard to put down. Would definitely recommend this book!

Couldn’t turn it off…

Great story very well, written, and very easy to listen to. Couldn’t wait to finish it.

Very entertaining!

I really enjoyed this story and didn't want it to end. Herb was so funny, and I was rooting for Dee Dee.

What a fun adventure!

Lee Smith takes readers on an adventure in Florida involving an older couple and their caregiver. It’s a Southern Fiction great read. The narrator was just amazing.

For readers who do not like curse words, there are lots of curse words in this book.

Great storytelling!

A Lee Smith masterpiece! Silver Linings is told from several different perspectives, but super easy to follow on Audible. The narrators voice is perfect. It made me laugh out loud a few times, although it certainly explores some very serious modern day issues. It also made me want to go to Key West! The only reason for 4 stars is a rather abrupt ending. I really craved more of the story in the end.

A book of hope and determination

It took a couple of chapters to get into the book but then I couldn't stop listening. I wish there was more of an ending but there was hope. The story gave insight into sexual exploitation. There was too much profanity and I didn't like the narrator's voice which was whiny. Should have had a more natural voice with a mountain accent. I have been reading Lee Smith's books for years and love her writing.

Very good story

I enjoyed this little gem of a book.
Good story and meaningful .
Recommend .
This was my first Lee Smith book

Silver Alert Delivers

Once again, Lee Smith’s characters spring from the page and invite us in to really understand their humanity-with humor and empathy- we experience their lives. The story never fails to drive forward in surprising and powerful ways. I have the book and hearing the audiobook was delightful!