Silent Qiao

Author: Jefferson Parker
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Will is a highly charismatic politician in Orange County. When five-year-old Joe saw Will walking over at the orphanage, he had an epiphany—men should be as free and effortless, yet profound and powerful, as he was. From the moment he stepped into Will’s home, Joe fell in love with the family. At the same time, it was Will and his family who taught Joe confidence. As Will once said, "Love more people, but trust only a few." Joe deeply loved Will. In Will’s world, he received love and trust, becoming stronger and more complete. Will was both his father and his leader and boss. Joe, as his son, was also Will’s driver, secretary, and bodyguard. But one night, during a hostage rescue, Will was shot and killed! Without Will, Joe felt as if he had lost his footing. In Will’s world, everything was under control! Without Will, Joe had to face endless mysteries! Why was Will killed? Why did Jack, the son of a billionaire, take away his sister and demand a huge ransom from his father? As Jack’s mortal enemy, why did Will gain trust to handle the ransom and hostage transfer and negotiation? Why did Jack claim his son was the kidnapper in the media? Why did another political star turn against his ally overnight, voting to support Will instead? And why did his father pour sulfur on him? Who was his mother, and why did she disappear without a trace? Shut your mouth, open your eyes—you can learn a lot. Indeed, Joe learned a lot from Will! He knew that without Will, life had to go on. The world had to be supported by him! But the prerequisite was that he had to find the killer! He could ignore the mysteries one by one, but finding the killer was the only way for Joe to rebuild his world. His decision and unwavering actions were opposed by everyone, even his adoptive mother and two brothers, who strongly advised him to just live a normal life. Meanwhile, all sorts of temptations came his way. Just as Will was the center of Joe’s world, Will was also the center of all relationships in Orange County. He connected justice with injustice, goodness with hypocrisy. Perhaps people could seek the way without asking how it came to be! They could turn toward goodness without demanding why it came to be! The process of hunting the killer was Joe’s process of reevaluating the man he loved as his adoptive father. For Joe, it was an excruciating experience—like cutting meat and peeling the heart! Behind him, Will’s rivals pressed in with daggers and swords—Joe was almost buried alive! In the novel, Joe might set aside the mysteries one by one, but us, outside the novel, can’t rest easy! Unresolved mysteries leave the heart restless! Perhaps we can learn from Joe—shut your mouth, open your eyes—you can uncover the truth!