Behind the Lens

By: Jeannée Sacken

Narrated by: Nicole Swanson

Eight years ago, seasoned photojournalist Annie Hawkins Green barely survived a Taliban ambush that left her military escort dead and a young Afghan girl dying in her arms. Since then, she has managed to suppress her memories of that brutal day - until she returns to Afghanistan to teach a photography workshop at the girls’ school run by her expat best friend, Darya Faludi. As the Taliban gain prominence in the once peaceful region, Annie’s nightmares from her last time in-country come roaring back with a vengeance. But are they just dreams? The unshakeable feeling of a grim, watchful presence makes Annie think otherwise.

As Annie struggles with her nightmares, more trouble brews with the suspicion that Darya’s teenage daughter is sneaking away at night to meet her shadowy boyfriend. Meanwhile, Annie’s own daughter wages war with her father and stepmother back home, feeding Annie’s all-consuming mom-guilt. Her only comfort, the poetry-writing U.S. Naval officer who saved her life all those years ago, is now at the other end of a satellite phone 7,000 miles away. How can he possibly keep her safe? How can anyone?

©2021 Jeannée Sacken (P)2022 Jeannée Sacken

Fantastic. I couldn't stop listening.

Behind the Lens, by Jeannee Sacken, is set in Afghanistan, where danger lurks around every corner and enemies may be disguised as friends. This book has everything a reader could want: adventure, mystery, family issues, and even romance. Since both the author and the novel’s protagonist are photo journalists, it feels very authentic. I couldn't stop listening, staying awake until the wee hours of the morning to finish. Behind the Lens is a book I won’t forget, with characters I hated to let go. The narrator was wonderful. Highly recommended.

Slow start but great story

Good mix of current events, complicated domestic life and growing love story … 12 words enough

A heartbreaking but excellent story

Excellent. Timely. Heartbreaking. We see war on tv, but understanding it’s true impact on human life and communities is almost unbearable. Sacken does an incredible job honoring life. Her protagonist, flawed, heroic and very real, is someone to spend time with.

This is so good

To be honest, I started this series as the reader is a friend of mine, and I wanted to support her work. But, I finished this one and listened to the next two because they are so good.
The story is unique, the pace is excellent, and the reading is marvelous. I love the respectful use of accents to define characters, read with care, and it comes through with the story.
This is one that will be hard to pause or stop.