High Noon Review

Synopsis:

Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age when an unstable man broke into her family's home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she's Savannah's top hostage negotiator, defusing powderkeg situations with a talent for knowing when to give in-and when to jump in and take action. It's satisfying work-and sometimes those skills come in handy at home dealing with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old, Carly.

It's exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After observing her coax one of his employees down from a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. She's used to working solo, but Phoebe's discovering that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm's length.

And when she's grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her-in her own precinct house-Phoebe can't help but be deeply shaken. Then threatening messages show up on her doorstep, and she's not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?

Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear . . . before she becomes the final showdown.

 My Review:

Nora Roberts never fails to deliver in her standalone novels.  Action, suspense, intrigue, chemistry, romance - High Noon has it all.  And it'll be some time before I get that tune out of my head!  This one starts off with a bang - straight into action as Phoebe is called to the scene of a man threatening suicide.  As a hostage negotiator with the Savannah police department, Phoeboe goes out on the ledge to talk him down.  It's just another day in her life as a police hostage negotiator, single mother, caretaker of her mother & breadwinner of the family.  But things are changing as someone is stalking and tormenting her.  Dead animals are tossed on her porch steps,  she is attacked in the stairwell of her own police building, a man she has spent hours negotiating with is shot down as he walks out with his arms in the air, and Phobe doesn't have a clue who is taunting & terrorizing her.  As the violence escalates, she fears for her family and the man she can't seem to get out of her mind, Duncan Swift.

What works?  I loved the plot development and suspense in High Noon.  The story never lags as the action revs up with the mystery stalker growing more violent and braver day by day.  The author did a good job building the suspense while keeping the identity of the stalker hidden from both Phoebe and readers.  The family dynamics are intriguing and add another plot line to the story.  The chemistry between Phoebe and Duncan is believable with just the right amount of angst and obstacles thrown in their path along with a good dose of sizzle!  I loved Duncan - the character he portrays is the kind of man every girl deserves.  And yet, he didn't come across as too sweet or good to be true.  Although he's a gentleman, he's also a man who sees what he wants and goes after it with every intention of winning.  Phoebe never stood a chance. 

What doesn't work?  Honestly, it all works.  My only wish would be for an epilogue to tie up some sub-plot lines concerning relationships with secondary characters.  While the ending is satisfying with things wrapped up neatly with the main characters and the mystery, there are some other characters that also stole my heart.  While a hea was hinted at for them, it would have been nice to "see" them all about a year in the future.  But this in no way distracts from the overall enjoyment of the book.  This is a great read for fans of romance suspense.  As I said, Nora Roberts never fails in this genre, in my opinion.  A must read!

Rating:  4 Beautiful ♥♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!

 Cross My Heart...xxx

Sandra