Listen [Paperback]

Rene Gutteridge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 2010

Nothing ever happens in the small town of Marlo . . . until the residents begin seeing their private conversations posted online for everyone to read. Then it's neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, as paranoia and violence escalate. The police scramble to identify the person responsible for the posts and pull the plug on the Website before it destroys the town. But what responsibility do the people of the town have for the words they say when they think no one is listening? Life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clever novelist Gutteridge (the Storm series) has consistently upped the ante of Christian storytelling by offering her readers intelligent and entertaining texts. Her newest work delves into the deepest recesses of the human heart via the spoken word. The small town of Marlo, where nothing newsworthy ever happens, is blindsided when a mysterious Website begins posting the private conversations of its citizens. Intrigue and suspicion mount quickly and everyone is suspect and suspicious. When one of Marlo's police officers dies, newspaperman Damien Underwood commits himself to pursuing the site's creator. Damien's search hits close to home as he attempts to protect his wife Kay and two teens, Jenna and Hunter, from the escalating mistrust, lies, and deceit. Swirling acts of violence and voices of condemnation serve to heighten an already tense and fragile citizenry. Gutteridge's skillful handling of the power of words will have every reader quietly introspective. (Feb.)
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From Booklist

Belief in the power of words led Damien Underwood to a career in journalism and a job on his hometown newspaper, the Marlo Sentinel, where he uses words to persuade in op-ed pieces. But when an anonymous person records private conversations in people’s homes and posts them on a new Web site, Listentoyourself, words turn even loved ones against each other and threaten to tear the town apart. Suspicion about the originator of the Web site centers first on Underwood’s best friend, police officer Frank Merret, then on Underwood himself, before he finally discovers the source. The meanness of teenage girls, particularly against each other, also leads to violence and near tragedy, but the more relentless message is that “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Gutteridge is fine at telling a story and portraying characters, including Underwood’s well-drawn teenage daughter and son, but her primary point about the power of words, with its religious undercurrent, would be more persuasive if it were less incessant. --Michele Leber

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Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414324332
• ISBN-13: 978-1414324333
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 1.1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rene Gutteridge is the author of eighteen novels, including Escapement, Possession, Listen, Never the Bride (2011 Carol Award Winner), The Boo Series, The Storm Series, The Occupational Hazards Series and My Life as a Doormat, a Women of Faith selection for 2006. She has a degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in screenwriting and twenty years of experience writing, directing and publishing comedy sketches. She writes in both comedy and suspense genres. Her upcoming releases from Tyndale House Publishers: Heart of the Country, Misery Loves Company and Old Fashioned. From B&H Publishers: Greetings from the Flipside co-written with Cheryl McKay.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 96 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery with life lessons! February 1, 2010

By M. E. McFadden

Format:Paperback

Listen, by Rene Gutteridge, takes place in a small any-town called Marlo which has almost non-existent crime, a friendly community, and someone who wants to make a point. A web site has cropped up, listing private conversations. A stark finger points to gossip all through the town. Life-long friendships are questioned. Suspicions lead to a dead pet, a teen-age girl kidnapped, and a policeman murdered.

Damien Underwood, a newspaper columnist who also does the crossword puzzle, tries to protect his family while looking for clues to how this is happening and who could be so malicious.

Listen was not an easy read. The gossip was annoying--especially since I saw myself in some of the characters and their actions. "Harmless" gossip damages not only the people you talk about, but it desensitizes us to how we should feel and care about people around us. I recommend this book as a way to spotlight what happens when we don't "tame our tongues."

By the way, it's a great mystery, too!

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Story of Words September 25, 2010

By booklover1983

Format:Paperback

I loved this book. It was amazing. Words are so powerful and most of the time we do not even think about what we are saying or the impact they might have both negative and positive. I was riveted by this book and read it in one morning. The characters and plot were interesting and unique. It had a suspense and mystery aspect to it also as we race to discover who is posting every one's private conservations on the Internet and stop them. The main characters are the Underwood family. Damien the father is a reporter, Kay the mother sells real estate, and the two teenage children are Hunter and Jenna. A typical small town American family. Also an important character is Frank Meritt, a long time cop best friend to the family. I do not want to give away all the plot details but this book was definitely thought provoking and well written. I feel convicted for sure and will be watching my words better. The last part of the book is "Speak Kindly. Love Powerfully. Listen Fully." Highly Recommended. :)

Review copy provided by Tyndale House Publishing.

39 of 48 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Implausible March 18, 2010

By gaylelbf

Format:Paperback

Listen takes place in the small town of Marlo in contemporary times. One of its residents is Damien Underwood,an editorial writer who wants to be an investigative reporter. Damien's son, Hunter, is a computer expert and his daughter, Jenna, is rebelling, especially against her mother, Kay. His best friend is Frank Meret,a maverick police officer, who is still in love with his ex-wife.

Everyday life in Marlo is severely disrupted when someone starts posting private conversations on the Internet. As a result of reading these conversations, conficts arise and fights break out. A pastor's cat is hung from a tree and he acuses the deacon whose critical words against the pastor were recorded on the website. That deacon becomes angry at his wife because he thinks she passed on the information. He throws a remote control in rage, hits his wife in the head and almost kills her. And that is just the beginning. It becomes vitally important to Damien and Frank to catch and stop the person posting these private provocative conversations.

This is an interesting story, but it is very far-fetched. Some of the plotlines are not resolved. The pace is slow. It needs much more suspense. Also, I did not identify with the characters. For these reasons I am giving the book only two stars.