Hush

De: Tal Bauer

Narrado por: Joel Leslie

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.

Outing love

Made me long to find a man to make me feel so longed for! to know no matter what happens he will be there.

Gay romance written by a gay male author

Wonderful love story.

The first book I read by Tal was "Enemies of the State" and his two sequels are engrossing books that are a little far fetched to me. I loved them, but didn't want a repeat so I avoided Hush for a while. Then when I started reading "Hush", I had the tapes of the previously read series going thru my mind and I was 20% distracted thinking "when will it take a divergent twist"?

This was a "normal" suspense novel with some new technology that I previously knew about. It is a great love story. Tal writes such realistic characters and the dialog is done so well. Tal's personal life experiences allow him to bring realism to the details which makes the story for me. I know people like Tom who are so afraid to come out. Mike's story is a little less so to me only because I have not met someone like him. He seems too good to be true, but I've fallen in love with him anyway.

Joel Leslie gave a great performance and totally enhanced the actual book. There is a lot of location descriptions in this book and I like to look all this up on Google Maps. A lot of the descriptions go by fast, so I reverted to the book many times which made it easy to compare them. Joel created very believable vocal pitches and characteristics for both Tom and Mike plus he gave nuanced and OTT enhancements to several minor characters as well. Plus he conveys dread, urgency, love, fear and all human emotions. It's almost like watching a movie with Meryl Streep quality actors.

Highly recommended.

Joel Leslie is incredible

This book was great!! I was worried at first because of the length (19 hours long.) But I am glad that I listened to it. Joel’s narration was fabulous and brought the book to life for me. I feel like the characters are people I know. The writing was great and never did I feel like this was a 19 hour long audiobook.

This book was such a great listen that this is the first review I felt like I had to write.

Edge of my Seat

Wow!! This is the 2nd book by Tal that I have listened to and I am just blown away by the Edge of your seat happenings that are within each book.

I Never guess his endings and this one was No Different. I was so worried about who was working with the terrorists - and I Still got it wrong.

This is such a 5-star listen. Joel Leslie does a great job, particularly with the Russian accents.