[.ca] High Noon (ISBN 1594132518)

Great Character Development of a Female Hostage Negotiator:
Many Nora Roberts fans will be surprised that this book explores how women can overcome violence in ways that are more along the lines of a Robert Crais thriller than a typical romance. If you don't care for violence, skip this book. If you are open to a story with lots of excitement, threat, and romance, you'll probably like the story quite a bit. Phoebe MacNamara has a challenging job as a hostage negotiator with the Savannah, Georgia police department. How does a young mother end up in such a line of work? Well, if you've been a hostage whose life is saved by a negotiator, that experience could be quite an influence. The romance part of the story opens quickly as Phoebe talks down a potential jumper and meets the attractive Duncan Swift who is immediately smitten. Swift plays a Prince Charming role in the story as an ideal man for a strong woman. The violence soon emerges, however, when Phoebe is attacked and has to fight for the respect of her colleagues. In the background, it's clear that someone has a deep obsession about Phoebe. Can she cope with these threats? Those challenges would be enough for a single woman, but Phoebe is the person who holds her family together . . . and has to deal with a mother who won't leave the house and a rambunctious seven-year-old daughter as a single mom. Her ex-husband puts even more stress on Phoebe before the book ends. The book is wonderfully developed in terms of exploring the psychology of a woman handling a dangerous job while trying to lead a normal life in all other ways. Ms. Roberts does a nice job of developing some abnormal psychology at the same time to put her heroine into context. I also liked the symbolism that covers the story as completely as Spanish moss covers the trees in Savannah. The title, for instance, has significance for the story that's quite impressive. The characters also are strongly influenced by perceptions based on past experiences and stories. For those who are interested in sexual roles, this book is also rewarding for explaining what kind of support structure is needed to operate and "have it all." I don't recall too many books that so thoroughly deal with women's issues and fears in pretty realistic ways. Only the romance is unrealistic . . . but such a dream element is fun rather than distracting . . . serving to further point out that strong women need accommodating men. But the romance is an important element of developing Phoebe as a character. Does she has the emotional courage to try to fit a man into her life? To me, the book is most interesting when Phoebe is at risk. Sometimes stress can bring out the best in us. That's a worthwhile lesson to remember from this book.

high noon:
this is a supensful book not to be confused with the movie hogh noon from the old west, this is a more modern verson with much supense, depth her characters move through the book ,the book itself holds you in your seat as if you are actually there excellent reading!

Pretty good but not her best work...:
I liked the characters, especially Ma Bee and Duncan. Ma Bee understands Duncan like no other - the only mother figure he'd ever known. Duncan is a take charge kind of man, one who does what he wants when he wants, and pursues Phoebe like a pitbull - jaw locked and refusing to let go. Phoebe needed him to balance her, and I'm glad they found each other. And Carly, Phoebe's 7-year-old daughter - very much like my own 7-year-old daughter. The only difference is my daughter likes numbers, LOL! I liked the plot, even if there were loose ends. It's not very often when you have a hostage negotiator as the main character. I liked how it all played out. I'd have liked to see Duncan settly into Phoebe's house, them getting married, more about Phoebe's mother as well. And her trademark is all over this book - all the descriptions she gives buildings, gardens, etc..., they suck you into the story. You're seeing the building like you're standing in front of it. You smell the flowers in the garden. And it was pure delight how the very flower that Duncan first gave Phoebe is my absolute fave flower. However, the climax of the story happens in the last chapter - something I don't ever remember NR doing before; where the climax and closure of the story happens in the last chapter - about 10 pages. Lots of dialogue, lots of action and suspense that gives it the perfect height of the story, the tension everyone feels in the situation. But all crammed into the last few pages of the last chapter? Come on! I'd have liked to have seen them settle, maybe a little more something from Arnie. I really enjoyed how the characters came together I found that a lot of the scenes between the characters were so much like my family; ie: for instance, the banter between Duncan and his best friend's wife, Louise. They're banter is very close to the banter my husband has with my best friend - and I got a really good kick out of that! The family closeness - how they treat each other - is very much like my own family, and I like it so much when NR makes me feel like I'm part of the characters' families. But the ending... that's the only reason why this doesn't get my usual NR 5-star rating.

I am, as always, looking forward to her next book.:
Nora Roberts is a master at creating characters, good and bad, who are fully-developed, interesting and have strong back stories. The relationships she establishes between her characters, the dialogue and the sense of place all are true and effective. Even though you know, because it is romantic/suspense, after all, that her characters are going to be fine in the end, the suspense has you on the edge of the seat and turning the pages. I don't think I've ever started one of her books without finishing it the same day, and High Noon was no exception. While we wait for Nora's new book, I'd like to suggest The Fates by Tino Georgiou; look for my review soon.

Great read:
This was my first Nora R. book and I am hoping it is not her best work otherwise the rest will be boring. This book is a good mix and love story meet mystery novel. All the story line work very well together. My only problem would be with a negotiator that has her boyfriend in the negotiation process. That part was lame since she did build up Phoebe (her main character) as being very strong. That part was a let down. I highly recommended this book.