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

Bring T. Jefferson Parker into your life!

I am just beginning to discover T. Jefferson Parker's work; and it makes me happy to see that I have many more of his audiobooks to look forward to. "Silent Joe" -- though old, now -- still holds up to modern listening, and delivers the goods. If you like Michael Connelly's work, then you will enjoy Parker's novels, as well. Like Connelly, Parker writes about Los Angeles -- its seamy underbelly and its corrupt machinations, as well as the way a good human spirit can navigate unscathed through all that corruption and still triumph. Of course, that probably couldn't actually happen in real life -- corruption corrupts -- but in our novels that we listen to for entertainment, we like having the good triumph. That definitely happens in "Silent Joe." The reader, James Daniels, has a nice voice, and does a good job distinguishing the characters from one another, even voicing the female characters -- which male actors sometimes have a hard time portraying on audiobooks -- believably. I recommend "Silent Joe" pretty much without qualification.

Parker is Old Reliable

Parker seems to challenge himself with uniquely flawed characters that somehow he has to build a compelling story around. He succeeds again here, with a very solid A- effort, not quite his best, but still a very good story that is very well read.

Better than the rest . . .

All of Parker's books are entertaining, but this book along with "The Fallen" has deeper emotional resonance. The skillfully done first person narration adds to the effect, as does the wide range of themes the book taps into from identity, duty, trust, forgiveness, love, acceptance, etc. Parker, along with Michael Connelly and Stephen Cannell seem to be among the best when it comes to delivering thrillers with literary merit. To quote a catch-phrase from the book: "If you can't be happy, be quiet."

Politics . . . Crime . . . Law Enforcement

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

Liked it!

I really liked this book. It was very well-written - LOVED Parker's prose. Great story told well. I did figure out the ending before we got there, but that just made me feel clever. Maybe Parker's intention all along.

Delivery just right at 3/4x

Listening to the narrative delivery of Silent Joe was much more realistic in 3/4 speed. It brought on a melancholy feeling to the story of Joe's life.

It's okay but not great

What did you like best about Silent Joe? What did you like least?

It has a slow pace, and was hard to keep my attention.

If you’ve listened to books by T. Jefferson Parker before, how does this one compare?

no

Which scene was your favorite?

didn't really have one

Do you think Silent Joe needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

yes

A very likeable "Silent Joe"

Where does Silent Joe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very good book and the character of Joe is refreshing and likeable. If you like books about Orange County, CA, Michael Connolly, or James Lee Burke, you will probably like T. Jefferson Parker and "Silent Joe".

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe Trona is tough, somewhat innocent, gallant, and honest. He was cruelly scarred as a baby and seems grateful every day of his life that he was adopted by the Tronas.

Have you listened to any of James Daniels’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book was very interesting and well written. I would have liked to listen to it in one sitting and wished there was a series with Joe Trona.

Any additional comments?

Great read!

I get why this won the Edgar!

Would you listen to Silent Joe again? Why?

Yes, lots of subtle character relationships, smart writing that engages the listener to enter the complete world and put things together for himself. Fascinating interactions.

Which character – as performed by James Daniels – was your favorite?

The narrator is a nuanced talent. Many characters and they are so well differentiated that it sounds like multiple voices. Smooth and professional presentation.

Any additional comments?

After several listens I have been impressed by how well the author ties everything together with

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.