Deep Silence

I’ve enjoyed this series since the first novel patient zero. The amount of detail the author goes into describing even background characters really helps immerse you in the dms/Joe Leger world. In addition the amount of details provided in regards to the technology and equipment used by both sides in each book belies a deep understanding and knowledge only possible through painstaking research.
Unfortunately, in the past two books or so, more so in this latest addition there was a deep political bias ingrained in the story which I found annoying and jarring. Leisure reading is meant to be an escape not preaching political stances that will inevitably alienate at least half of your readers/fans. Prior to this and the penultimate entry into the Joe ledger series, the story has its own politics and intrigue that unfolded as part of the narrative. When you create politics around the Characters you enrich the lore of said character’s world, however when you bend them to fit outside politics, you detract from the same.
I’m ok with disagreeing or diametrically opposed political opinion, but I do regret paying to have someone else’s shoved in my face rather than get what I meant to be paid for, a good entertaining story.
Ps. Military branches are traditionally supposed to be capitalized as the author forgot to do in the end.

First off, I am a huge fan of the Joe Ledger series. I discovered this series a few years ago and since then have been reading the new ones as soon as they come out. That’s saying a lot because I love this series despite HATING the “snapshot” format of his chapters / pacing. This was a great story like all the others.

So why did I only give it three stars? Well, the political bias is so blunt that Mr. Maberry could have named this novel “Donald Trump Sucks, a Joe Ledger Novel.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some die-hard conservative who is in love with Trumpism, I’m actually a Libertarian and vote that way. I just don’t like being preached at. I understand that many people have very strong feelings about the political spectrum in the US at the moment, and I also recognize that Mr. Maberry has every right to do as he pleases. That being said, this novel took it a bit far and was Mr. Maberry clearly wanted to sway his readers to his particular viewpoint of the current administration.

A substantial number of Mr. Maberry’s readers are likely ex-military or action junkies, simply because this series would appeal to those people. A LOT of those people are likely Republicans. I think quite a few of them will be turned off by this novel, and given how strongly people feel on both sides of the aisle these days, this novel may cost Mr. Maberry quite a few readers. That’s a shame because I love his books and want him to keep writing. As long as he’s making money, he’s writing.

So, bottom line. Great story, but too preachy with regards to the current administration. Like I said, his viewpoint doesn’t offend me, I just don’t like sitting down to read a novel and instead finding myself on CNN.

Let me start off by saying, I love the series. I love Mr. Maberrys books. But Im tired of authors spoiling my leisure time by imposing their political views on me. Do I need your editorials? No. Im not going to pay for them either. You dont respect your readers enough to not offend them. Im done paying for your books.

First, Mr. Maberry’s take on Trump is not far off from what other serious people have said, eg, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, so you can feel free to disagree with him but there is no particular reason to hate his book simply because he has included that rather commonly held, unflattering picture of our President. Anyway, it’s fiction.

Second, and without trying to overstate something that is, after all, a book that occupies an inherently pulpy sub-niche, ie, horror/scifi-ish thrillers, Joe Ledger is a pretty well developed character. Maybe more so than more mainstream characters of “big” thriller series like Jack Reacher. Mr. Maberry invests his work with fear, loss, and every other dark human emotion; IMHO it comes across as deeper and more plausible than a lot of the other stuff I read (and enjoy), despite the “X-Files” universe it inhabits.

Finally, those who have enjoyed this series will definitely love this book unless they simply can’t accept its portrayal of the President, who is unnamed, by the way. And despite the Amazon blurb about it being the last chapter, I wouldn’t take that to the bank.

As a long time Maberry reader who has also read every Joe Ledger novel, I found “Deep Silence” to be deeply disappointing both because the Ledger “formula” is getting stale and, most significantly, because Maberry has inserted his poorly veiled but transparent personal politics and beliefs into what was once a great escapist entertainment series.

So the “Ledger Formula” is all here; cutting edge science developing world destroying weapons (earthquakes), a demented or resurrected villain, a president or someone in power working behind the scenes to destroy Joe and the DMS, heroic last second actions by Joe and his allies, etc., etc. Seems no one in government ever appreciates that DMS has saved the world multiple times.

In and of itself, this formula has exceeded it shelf life and could use something new to pep it up-but certainly not a screed against a President and party Maberry apparently despises. Authors and Hollywood elites have the right to color their products however they choose–at the risk of alienating much of their potential audience. For me, the choice is simple, I read escapist fiction to be entertained, not distracted by the author’s personal bias.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member