The writing of Erik Carter and Audible narrator Gary Bennett involving the “Silence Jones Action Thriller” series just keeps getting better and better over time. Much like an aged wine or cheese, one sees that the latest release titled “In the dead of night”, is one of the best yet and we are on the eleventh book and counting. If you like your action and adventure more on the gritty and messy side, I cannot recommend this series enough. I have found that Erik Carter’s storytelling and writing style resonate with me, and add to this the exceptional voicing of Gary Bennett, and one has a winning series on their hands. Here in the eleventh book, we have some additional background details around Silence himself and quite a bit of trouble brewing in the secret organization called the Watchers. There were a few times I was almost late to my meetings as I did not want to stop the audiobook. This audiobook, and the series, has always had wonderful twists that often are not predictable. I like when an author uses smart or clever ways to get the hero out of a given situation. If you like your vigilante justice served at the end of a pair of Berettas, I think you will find this story well worth your credit. These audiobooks never seem to be too long nor short, they are in enjoyable bite-sized pieces.
I know I have said this previously, with other audiobook in the series, but I do like when an author takes some time to provide a prologue chapter. Even a few sentences or paragraphs to give the listener some background detail greatly assist me in getting back into the story. I also felt that the author spent more time on allowing the audience to learn more about Silence Jones and get a glimpse at his personality. And even with him being a hired assassin, there is a side of him that is humble, joyful, and fun. In this audiobook we get a bit more of what makes him tick and I found that rather insightful. What starts off as a routine hit on a drug dealer, quickly escalates to something that even Mr. Jones could not have expected. This leads him down a path of a modern-day Jones’ Town incident along with some trouble inside the Watchers that could turn the tide of this organization who exists to help those who do not get justice in other ways. I can say that this story turns up the action and adrenaline knobs compared to previous ones in the series.
With all the backstory and details leading up to the main goal of the audiobook, this story took a bit longer to get to Silence passing off his business card to the intended target. I guess I had been used to this happening early in the tale, so this was another first in this series. With so much happening, it was a bit of a twist to see how one’s past becomes the bonds that can lead to future blackmail. Even when you think others are unaware of your past, here we see that such things never go unseen or unnoticed for future leverage. It was also rather interesting to see how our main character was going to be vulnerable in this audiobook. Silence has never felt invulnerable to me, but often his strength and wit gets him out of most situations in the end. Here though, we see that strength and knowledge are not always winners when it comes to drugs. A simple dose of a given drug can impair one’s judgement and reduce them to a near catatonic state. Here again, we are given some wonderful flashbacks and a view into how one’s past often has consequences in the present or future. Silence needs to remember all he had done to try solving this mystery. It may surprise you the level people will go to when it comes to revenge.
Let me say up front that I very much enjoy Mr. Bennett’s narration work as it is always near perfect and professional. He can keep the voicing consistent along with knowing his material and reading as if describing a movie or TV show. I always feel engrossed in the story as I listen to his smooth and pleasant voice. I did notice a few audio patches/plugs while listening to this audiobook which I do not recall from others in the series. This did not take away from my enjoyment of the story, but I do know there are some that like when I mention such in my reviews. With so many near perfect narrations under his belt, I can give some grace when it comes to a few bumps. Mr. Bennett is still one of my top narrators on Audible.
For parents and younger listeners, I would not recommend this series of audiobook for younger audiences. They contain a fair amount of graphic violence along with some rather mature subject matter (sex, drugs, etc.) which may not be appropriate for less mature listeners. Outside of these, the storytelling is rich and exciting.
In summary, many authors would stop a series halfway from where this one is now. Being at the eleventh one, it is hard to believe this series is still going strong, and I do not see it running out of steam anytime soon. Even with a few audio edits, the narration was what I have come to expect from this narrator, professional and engrossing. I have not once walked away from one of the audiobooks in this series feeling let down. Just the opposite, it is thrilling and exciting nearly all the way. Keep up the great work both of you.