Muller and McCone both growing to maturity...

books:

	• Listen to the Silence (Sharon McCone Mysteries) Marcia Muller Mysterious Press, 2000 - 304 pages average customer review:based on 23 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Fast, Interesting Read

This was my first Muller book and I selected it because of the American Indian influence. Not sure how I'd like her others, but I wasn't disappointed in this. I saw that one person picked it apart. Too bad. You see that most people liked it and I'd take a chance. I thought it was clever and is one of my favorite mysteries. Sharon will stay with you, especially if you have even a passing interest in Indian issues. She doesn't go to deep in that either, but it's pleasant.

A story worth your time.

Mystery authors have created numerous awards, many it might appear primarily designed to influence our buying behavior, to improve current and future sales of the nominated and winning authors. The process progresses with these authors then recommending other authors on their jacket blurbs, thus providing a useful marketing network. In spite of the often self-serving nature of these awards, they often can help to point us to works that focus on our reading interests, but they may also screen out works that deserve our attention. Unfortunately, in more than a few cases, I found award-winning works or their authors somewhat wanting, and I often find personal recommendations far better than award recognition.

Thus, when starting Marcia Muller's "Listen to the Silence" I was somewhat wary, as I had selected this not because of a personal recommendation, but on Muller's status as a Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Fortunately, I need not have been concerned. The story starts strongly and continues that way to the end. Instead of the typical division of the story into chapters, Ms. Muller divides the story into days. The story begins on September 2nd and ends September 28th. In the course of just these few days we learn a good deal about Sharon McCone and her background, and are treated to an intriguing mystery along the way.

This novel is like the early movie serials where each chapter builds interest so you want to return to the theater next week to see the next episode. Each day of this story ends that way, i.e; you will want to continue reading to see what the next day will bring. The mystery Sharon sets herself to solve involves the solution of some of her own family's secrets. In the course of its resolution, we are gently exposed to some Shoshone history, culture, and traditions.

In summary, this is an exceptionally well-told story without "dead spots". It moves along quickly, with new revelations occurring each day, and it ends has a pleasant and surprising twist. This is a story that will hold your interest from beginning to the end, and Ms. Muller's easy writing style makes in readable in one sitting - definitely recommended.

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Another Muller Masterpiece

Another flawless Marcia Muller mystery with the perfect blend of personal life and mystery. This entry in the Sharon McCone series offers a deeper look into McCone's past, including some earthshattering news she discovers after the death of her father.

I like how Muller's books further every facet of her characters' personalities, instead of ignoring the personal in favor of the professional (a la Sue Grafton's latest books) or vice versa (as many of the "cozies" do).

Great plotting, seamless storyline, great, unique characters. A terrific book as either a standalone mystery or an entry in the series.

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not as good as others in the series

I just recently discovered this author and the Sharon McCone series. One of the things that I loved the most were the strength and intelligence of the main character. The author does not have her character constantly doing really stupid things to advance the plot. The other great thing about the series is the author's willingness to let the character and those around her grow. Too many other series keep the characters in a boring time warp - same plot, over and over again.

I was disappointed in this entry of the series. I thought the mystery part was really easy to figure out and I was disappointed at some of the stupid moves Sharon makes to move the plot along- including conveniently forgetting to investigate some important clues until it as too late..

If you have read other books in the series, this one is worth reading for the changes that happen to Sharon. If you are new to the series, I would recommend other earlier titles to start with.

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Muller and McCone both growing to maturity...

I just read Marcia Muller's Ask the Cards a Question and can say that I wasn't very impressed. But a friend of mine encouraged me to try another book (Muller is one of her favorite authors), and I'm happy to report that Listen to the Silence is a big improvement. Not only has Sharon McCone (San Francisco private investigator) grown as a character but Muller has definitely improved as a writer as this series progressed.

As Listen to the Silence opens, Sharon McCone receives two back-to-back bombshells. First, her father dies suddenly. Then, as she is cleaning out his papers, she discovers adoption papers--for herself. With strong Native American features, McCone looks nothing like her 4 siblings. She was always told that she inherited her Shoshone great-grandmother's genes. But now she's not sure who she is or where she came from. Her mother refuses to give her any information about the adoption and McCone is only able to gather bits and pieces of clues about her background. So she puts her business on hold to travel to the Flathead Reservation in Montana to discover her roots.

Unfortunately for McCone, there is a deep, dark secret that someone is trying to keep hidden about her adoption. The closer McCone gets to discovering the truth, the more her life becomes endangered.

When first introduced to McCone in Ask the Cards a Question, I thought she was a woman without substance and the plot was terribly trite. But Muller has developed the PI into a multidimensional character, and Muller herself has shown much growth as a writer. We also get a mini-lesson in Native American Affairs involving the US Government. Now I know why Muller has such a strong following.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

When Sharon McCone receives the distressing news of her fathers death, she immediately goes to San Diego to help her brother scatter their fathers ashes and settle his affairs. But while going through his legal papers, Sharon uncovers a 1959 petition for the adoption of a Baby Girl Smithan infant who, from the day of adoption, has been known as Sharon Elizabeth McCone. Now, determined to find her biological parents, Sharon finds herself deep in Idahos Flathead Reservation. Met with resentment, she discovers a few locals who will stop at nothing to make sure certain secrets are kept hidden. Marcia Muller is the recipient of the Private Eye Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award. Her previous eight novels for Mysterious Press were Main Selections of The Mystery Guild. Her books have received critical praise and have been translated into eight languages. This novel is slick and fast with a well plotted mystery. In short, vintage Muller. ~ The Globe and Mail on A Walk Through The Fire The novel hits an increasingly, intriguing, stride that keeps its surprises and uncertainties going to the end. ~ The Toronto Sun on A Walk Through The Fire

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