A federal judge running from the truth.A U.S. marshal running from his past.A trial that can plunge the world into war.Federal Judge Tom Brewer is finally putting the pieces of his life back together. In the closet for twenty-five long years, he’s climbing out slowly, and, with the hope of finding a special relationship with the stunning Mike Lucciano, U.S. Marshal assigned to his D.C. … assigned to his D.C. courthouse. He wants to be out and proud, but he can’t erase his own past, and the lessons he learned long ago.
But a devastating terrorist attack in the heart of DC, and the subsequent capture and arrest of the terrorist, leads to a trial that threatens to expose the dark underbelly of America’s national security.
As Russia beats the drums of war, intent on seeking revenge, and the United States struggles to contain the storm before it races out of control, secrets and lies, past and present, collide in Judge Tom Brewer’s courtroom. With the world’s attention fixed on Tom and this case, he suddenly discovers he may be the only person who can put everything together in time to stop the spark of a new world war.
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In a word – Explosive!! Hush is an adrenaline RUSH, with a slow-burn budding romance for about the first half of the book, then the plot kicks into to the suspense/thriller aspect of the novel; harrowing, pins & needles, chewing nails, kind of thriller!
If you are a fan of such great mainstream blockbuster suspense/thrillers featuring Jack Reacher (Child), John Puller (Baldacci), Jack Ryan (Clancy), or John Rain (Eisler), you’ll love the gay spin on the MCs!
A rating…LOVED this book. So complex with amazing characters and some shocking surprises that kept me guessing.
Another book by Tal Bauer is under my belt. I enjoyed the story in all its detail, suspense and love between men who are on the same page and know what they want from life. I genuinely do not care for in the closet trope – all the fear of discovery and possible second hand embarrassment give me the jitters. But the plot twists were so good, the characters were so well written and the amount of research was amazing that made me feel like I was right there with Tom in the court room swayed me to overlook my less than favorite trope.
Mike and Tom were so good together. The build up to the start of their relationship was so intense. Oh, the longing and the doubts, the covert glances and silent yearning made the story so exciting! They were so good for each other. Mike finally had someone to cherish and shower with affection and Tom finally found a man to love and be brave to come out for.
I enjoyed the everyday court proceedings and even the case with the mountain of evidence. All the relationships between marshals, lawyers and judges were so intricate. It felt like getting into a nest of vipers! It was fascinating! The case and the subsequent bread crumbs trail to the truth was clever and fast paced, well written and I never saw some things coming. Love that!
One big surprise was the presence of Kris Caldera from Whisper, I didn’t know that these two books were interconnected. But I am glad to say that it was best to read Hush first and follow it with Whisper which I will do shortly. I so want to know Kris’s story. Overall, the story delivered what I wanted from it: wonderful story arc, diverse fleshed out characters and, of course, indelible love story.
When you find the right person for you….
Judge Tom Brewer has been hiding his true self from everyone for twenty-five years and it can get very very lonely, especially when you are getting older and older.
Deputy U.S. Marshall Mike Lucciano is out and proud, he is proud of who he is. Although he has been unlucky in love, so far. Maybe he has been looking in all the wrong places.
Thrown together because of their work, it can’t be helped that they become closer, got to know each other more. Tom is starting to feel the loneliness of having been alone for all these years and Mike wants to settle down but he cannot seem to find the one for him.
Add to all these complications is the fact that Tom is about to preside over a case that the whole world will be watching. A case that could result to an all-out war!
This book is amazing, the details and the history researched and put into words to make the story come to life is nothing short of spellbinding in its thoroughness and depth. Congratulations Mr. Tal Bauer, I may be late to the party but I will be definitely be devouring every story you have ever made. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
I have not read many of Tal’s books, and I think I am so slow with reading them, because they are sooo good and I want to savor them. This one was no different. First, you have two mature MC’s, Tom & Mike. They are both extremely likeable characters and you just want everything for them. Mike is a Marshal who is tasked with the D.C. federal courthouse and making sure it is guarded/protected from threats, so he gets to know Tom, the newest federally appointed judge. Tom, is a fair judge and wants to follow the letter of the law. Their relationship is gradual and beautiful. It is not without it’s challenges, as Tom has been closeted for 25 years and Mike is worried he will not be what Tom is looking for, now that Tom decides he wants to be open and honest about himself. But, in the end they figure it out.
Now, the story is about a case involving the attempted assassination of the Russian President and the conspiracies surrounding such. Tom’s first love makes an appearance, and the case is so intriguing. I did figure out early on, that something was definitely amiss, but I could not have guessed exactly what it was. I thought this was done very well.
Finally, Mike and Tom are reunited, and I wanted more of this!! It was very quick. Joel Leslie did a phenomenal job on the narration!! I cannot wait to pick up all of Tal’s books.
Amazing story, amazing characters, amazing writing…amazing everything. Tal Bauer once again created another engaging, suspenseful, and beautiful story. Mike and Tom are compelling characters, each conquering different internal struggles while developing their relationship. Tom’s growth throughout Hush is heartbreaking and beautiful. I am looking forward to reading more about Kris and his journey since very little is revealed about his last and present. You won’t go wrong with any Tal Bauer book but don’t miss this one!
5 stars. As always stellar writing and simple fun to read.
Mike is a United States Marshall working at the DC courthouse. His job is to protect the members of the judicial system who uphold the laws of the nation. Federal Judged Tom Brewer is one of those members who falls under Mike’s protection. But there’s more to Tom than the black robes he wears. Together, Mike and Tom find love with each other and face down a threat that could tip the world into World War III.
Absolutely amazing. That was my first reaction once I started really getting into the story. I never have high expectations for thriller books, especially thrillers that deal with the federal government. There are so many little details that authors get wrong that make it hard to sink into the story and truly lose yourself. Tal Bauer, however, has a talent for details. His understanding of the federal government and the different agencies and personalities of those agencies was masterful. He incorporated little details that just brought the story to life and set down a solid foundation that once the dramatic, thrilling action happened, I could fully suspend all disbelief and enjoy the heck out of the plot. And oh my, what a plot this was – full of action, romance, mystery, with a wonderful dose of Russian/US politics thrown in.
Mike and Tom were such wonderful characters. They were fully developed with many different layers to their personalities. Tom was a bit too emotional for my tastes, and sometimes I felt that he was a bit emotionally weak for being a federal judge, but overall that didn’t detract from how much I ended up loving the two men as a couple. There’s a lot of sweet and tender romance between the two men, and I really enjoyed that. I also really enjoyed all the insight into a fictionalized version of Russia/US politics and schemes countries will go through in order to be on top. It’s all pretty dramatic, but so well done that I was gripped by the plot instead of rolling my eyes. I highly recommend this book.
Joel Leslie was a fabulous narrator for this book. His performance was spot on with the different voices he used for characters, and the energy he put into his voice. He narrated the action scenes with excitement and the romance scenes with tenderness. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.
New to me author. This is a mm contemporary story set in the USA. USA vs Russia, spies, assassins and good vs evil. Tom a Judge and Mike an us Marshall. Are the main characters. This book was very USA and Russian political.
This book checked all my boxes:
* Legal (Federal Court)
* LEO (US Marshals in this case)
* Good Mystery ~ no, I didn’t guess the bad guy before he was revealed
* Awesome romance ~ slow burn, good sex scenes
* No insta-Love ~ these guys have known each other for years
* Pets ~ Etta Mae (I listened to this, so I’m not sure how to spell her name) the Bassett Hound is adorable as is how loving both Tom & Mike are to her.
I will say I felt like the first half of the book dragged on a little too long while these guys were getting their relationship off the ground. Maybe if there could have been some action/suspense spread out a little it would have helped. It wasn’t horrible, but I was feeling like Tom’s internal struggle/musings could have been pared a bit.
After the 45% point, things picked up and I didn’t want to stop listening.
I loved Mike & Tom as individual characters and together as a couple.
Joel Leslie does a great job with all the accents, voices, & emotions. He’s definitely in the “one man can serve as an all star cast” caliber of narrators.
It looks like Kris has his own book (though this isn’t listed as a series) and I’m looking forward to his HEA as well as hoping we get a peek at how Tom & Mike are doing.
This might be my favourite Tan Bauer book so far. Stayed awake till midnight to get it finished. Just loved it to bits. Thanks Mr Bauer!!
Audible Review
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Loved everything about this!
Hush will for sure be part of my Top Reads of 2019 when they end of the year rolls around, I loved this story so much!
It’s a definite slow burn, especially in the first half as we get to know Tom and Mike, and they’re getting to know each other. The action does pick up in the second half or so, but this was very much a character driven story, and that’s what I really loved about it. Yes, the mystery and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, but I was all about Tom and Mike, and their relationship.
Everything tied together so well, I really didn’t want the story to end- I could have listened for another 19 hours.
And yes, a large part of that is due to the impeccable narration of Mr. Joel Leslie. He really is one of the best out there. He had a lot of characters to give voice to in this book and he nailed them all. Joel is so great when it comes to showing the more vulnerable sides of a character, he never fails to make me cry!
This was my first Tal Bauer book, but it will not be my last, not by a long shot.
Hush is such a superb book as you find yourself there in the courtroom .
Federal Judge Tom Brewer who is 46 has hidden who he is after dreadful ramifications of being a young gay man at university in the 90’s.
He has made a huge personal sacrifice he is lonely , very lonely.
He is one of the newest judges named a “baby” judge .
Mike Lucciano Court house Marshall who is assigned to his D.C. Court house..
Mike is openly gay has had awful choices with guys , he has just thrown his latest out…
Tom is trying to slowly come out of his closet ..
Mike and Tom work together and the first half of this book is about their relationship how it builds and grows.. Written and spoken beautifully.
The second half is a political thriller, courtroom drama , terrorist attack in the heart of DC the capture of the terrorist , lies past and present all in Toms courtroom …
I rated the book 5 stars plus .
I rate the audiobook 5 stars plus ..