Hush

By: Tal Bauer

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 19 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Federal Judge Tom Brewer is finally putting the pieces of his life back together. In the closet for 25 long years, he's climbing out slowly, and, with the hope of finding a special relationship with the stunning Mike Lucciano, US Marshal assigned to his DC courthouse. He wants to be out and proud, but he can't erase his own past, and the lessons he learned long ago.

A devastating terrorist attack in the heart of Washington, DC, and the capture and arrest of the terrorist lead to a trial that threatens to expose the dark underbelly of America's national security. The Russian president is gravely injured and fixated on revenge, while a gay Russian dissident is arrested and put on trial in Judge Tom Brewer's courtroom. As Russia beats the drums of war and the United States struggles to contain the trial before it races out of control, secrets and lies, past and present, collide in his courtroom, before his bench.

With the world's attention fixed on Tom and this case, secrets from his past explode during the course of the trial, which place him at the very center of the case and make him the only man who can try to stop the world's slide into war.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Tal Bauer (P)2018 Tantor

crushing hard on Tal

This story was beyond amazing, just like his executive series and Joel does a brilliant job at delivering these characters and giving them another dimension.

Tal’s Words & World Always Leaves Us In State Of Wonder

Another epic novel brought to us by The Tal Bauer.

Mr. Bauer is known for weaving his story in such a way that he brings you into the scene, making you feel as if you were there. You can hear the sounds of DC metropolis, the music blaring from the speakers on Pride day, the protests and rally. You can envision the sights and colors. Your mouth even waters as you wait to be served an imaginary taco. That is just a part of how Tal Bauer writes his stories. It’s a total experience.

Hush did not disappoint. It has a different feel than the Executive Office series. The earlier chapters of the book gives us background and circumstance of each character.

Tom, the baby judge, has been struggling with his inner demons due to an awful bigot of a mentor. It is difficult to read Tom’s struggle. His emotional trauma from the past, the paralyzing fear, it had him getting in his own way. He has already accepted he’ll be going thru life alone.

That is until Mike.

Inspector Mike, a deputy Marshall, in charge of federal judges’ safety, including Tom. Mike’s character is easy to love. He has his dream “Prince Charming” but because he thought of himself as undeserving, he settled. A lot. As you read Mike’s journey to establishing a healthy amount of self respect, taking risks and facing his fears, you can’t help but root for the guy.

And there’s Etta Mae. Princess Bassett hound, seeker of attention & queen of Tom’s home & heart. She’s my favorite character.

Around halfway is when the story really picks up the pace. It’s instensity, complexities and challenges are up to par with Tal’s writing style.

19 hours seems long at first glance, but as the book ends, you can’t help but ask for more time with the characters Tal has given us.

Joel Leslie is an execellent narrator, he’s one of those narrators I look forward to listening. However, for this story, I felt like Michael Pauley would have been a better fit. Not that Joel did an awful job. Michael Pauley does an excellent narration for law enforcement/mystery/action books. He’d have been epic at this one too.

Long but captivating

I really enjoyed this. Mike and Tom and the whole political mystery was very intriguing.

Wonderful Romance, Exciting Thriller

It's been awhile since I've read Tal Bauer, and Hush is a good one. I like that it isn't a slow burn, and focus is firmly on the couple for most of the story. Bauer does a great job with the way the mystery picks up gradually, gaining steam till the explosive conclusion.

Interesting story, and a really lovely romance.

Audio by Joel Leslie who manages to get 4 stars from me. He does a good job with all the American accents, keeping the 'narrator's' voice separate, as well as managing good variety with the other nationalities represented in Hush.

Tal Bauer brought to life by Joel Leslie!

One of my favorite authors read by one of my favorite narrators?! Yes, please! Mr Leslie absolutely brings the many and diverse characters of a Tal Bauer international romp to vivid life with his impeccable interpretation. Both the dramatic and tender scenes are handled with perfect finesse, and even the fast-paced courtroom banter flows smoothly with easily differentiated voices for each character. Honestly, the only ones I had any trouble separating were the MCs, but Mr Bauer’s writing makes it easy to keep up. In tandem, these consummate professionals deliver a gripping and emotional story that keeps the reader engaged til the very end. Could happily listen to these two collaborate forever!

Teared up several times

Tal Bauer always makes me cry. Combined with Joel Leslie's emotional narration, this book is lethal. I loved how JL voiced Tom. The sheer emotion in his voice was devastating in the best ways.

Great listening

Overall great story. Started a little slow but picked up and as easy listening. Loved the twist on the average spy story.

Holy moly 😲

First off, this was such a thriller! This storyline had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The plot had numerous twists and turns. The narrator had such a range! It was a delight to listen to the narration!

ALL THE STARS FOR TOM & MIKE!!

Tal Bauer always comes out of nowhere for me. Like, I know I love his books and the way he can always touch the deepest parts of my soul but when I read a new one, I haven't read before it is like I am rediscovering my love for his stories all over again.

“But his tower was in a lake, an ocean, an ocean made of tears, tears of all the men in all the years, decades, centuries before him, who had their dreams crushed, their lives destroyed, when someone found out their secret.”

Part love story, part political thriller Hush takes you on the journey of Judge Tom Brewer as he rediscovers a part of himself, he thought gone forever. That is until U.S. Marshal Mike Lucciano awakens that part of him, he never thought he would get a chance to know again. The man who could be entranced by the way another man's skin felt against his or the way one look could change his whole outlook on the day.

For Mike Lucciano he is no stranger to another man's embrace but there is something about Tom that has shaken him to his core. Always the strong one to hold everything together, he never let himself believe in that happily ever after but now that he is starting to experience life with Tom, he is seeing a whole new future of possibilities.

Until the day a terrorist attack in the heart of DC shakes up the very fragile life Mike and Tom are just starting to discover. With every eye in the world on Judge Tom Brewer he can't make even one mistake, or it could be career exile for the baby judge. As the trial starts to heat up and secrets are revealed Tom and Mike start to realize that the happily ever after they were building seems impossible. Can these two keep their love a secret long enough to make sure no more lives are lost?

It is no secret Joel Leslie is not my favorite narrator but that might have changed after listening to him perform Hush. And that is exactly what he did, he performed it, and I feel like I might have judged him a bit too harshly before I got to see what he could really do.

Hush was so much better than even my hopes could have anticipated it being but now that I have finished this book it is time for Whisper. I might need the emotional hand holding for that one though, I know it is going to rip out my entire heart.

Vla2112

I LOVE IT ! STORYTELLING AT IT'S BEST ! It drew me in and kept my attention the whole time!