Tom Haire May 26, 2025
the silence of the lambs
The Silence of the Lambs 25th Anniversary Edition written by Thomas Harris, read to us by Frank Muller.
Why of all times listen to this seminal horror classic? Why in the middle of May of all months? Why not Halloween?
The answer is simple- when in need of a expertly written, read, and produced audiobook, this one is at the top of the list.
And this is about much more than murder- there are monumental mysterious of the human soul
No doubt readers know the tale from beginning to end: Trainee Agent Clarice Starling sent to visit serial killer Hannibal Lector for insight into recent slayings in the Midwest. Sounds like a typical Tuesday.
She believes her efforts got her there. Jack Crawford- her boss- sent her for her prowess, but also made the political choice. He figures a trainee can be more rough around the edges, and that her nature could disarm him.
Nothing new here. But the manner of delivery stands on its own compared to the book and the movie. Production was deliberate and could not be easy. It is certainly easier to have several narrators read the book and pick the best one than it is to shoot multiple versions of a movie and doing the same. What we have instead is one person giving us the story. The magic behind the entire production comes from the late and great Frank Muller.
Frank Muller
Narrator, The Silence of the Lambs
I’ve always been told the art of a narrator is to remain hidden. The characters, their actions, and the consequences take front stage, but the narrator themselves must be uncredited. A hefty feat. This might be a credential and priority for the narrator, but as a listener we cannot discount Muller’s skills. There are many challenges to a book like this. It is a specialized novel stuffed with legal and police procedures, psychology, geography, philosophy, and let’s not forget haute cuisine.
The challenge is to come of as fluent in all these things to the listener. Muller will interpret but not dictate. It is a delicate responsibility, not made easier by excellent writing (which this is). Muller is also required to voice multiple characters at once, multiple genders at once, maintain pacing, articulation, and breathing.
Sadly, Muller left us much too soon in 2008. Among the author’s he voiced for being Stephen King and John Grisham. A terrible loss to the arts.
What he gives us is a highly compelling version of Thomas Harris’s instant classic. It is also be a classic of its own.
The production is A-Class and haunting. The static only has room for Muller and allows the listener a calm tone to demand attention. It is in the silences that we have the greatest reactions, allowing crucial and visceral scenes to settle in our imaginations.
The largest variation of the story comes naturally from the movie (Demme, 1991). A nearly 11 hour read cannot be turned into a feature film, and we will protect that movie at all costs. So it is fun listening to Clarice count her dry fires on an empty gun, get advice from an instructor to hunt down a car, how she weaves through the legal process just to find the car; how Gumb acquired his skills, his obsession, and his large house; what Lector knew before the book begins, the money and medical supplies he stashed, the many jokes played on “Dr.” Chilton (who doesn’t have a real medical degree so you know).
OVERALL- DELICIOUS
When it comes down to it I think I prefer this version the best. This is my second listen and my recall is better than the book, but the movie is burned into my brain. However, with the level of information, expression, and storytelling there is no comparison. Sit back, relax with your morning coffee, and let your mind eat it up!
What to Expect: A thoughtful, brooding, smart, expertly narrated classic.
Where To Get It: Here
When To Listen: Anytime.