Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age, when a violently unstable man broke into her family’s home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she’s Savannah’s top hostage negotiator, who puts her life on the line every day to defuse powder-keg situations. Phoebe knows when to reach out and when to pull back - and when to jump in and take action, even if it means risking everything. It’s satisfying work - and sometimes those skills come in handy at home when Phoebe deals with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old daughter, Carly. It’s exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After watching her talk one of his employees off a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. Phoebe’s used to working solo, but she’s finding that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm’s length. 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 being deeply shaken. And when threatening messages appear on her doorstep, 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.
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"The first Nora Roberts book I read, and this was the one that got me hooked, very good story, believable characters and kept me guessing most of the way through as to who the killer was, a few surprises that I didn't expect too."
— MJ (5 out of 5 stars)
" I love Nora Roberts and this book was a great mystery. Something was always happening to keep you interested in the book! Great, fast read! "
— Kelani, 2/15/2014" very different from the usual nora roberts books, this one actually had a decent plot, and fast-paced narrative. it was so refreshing to read something by her like this... in fact i guess its unpredictability alone is why i'd rate it so high... which isn't saying much about the book in itself.. "
— Sneha, 2/14/2014" Hadn't marked this one as read and I thought I'd read most of the last 5yrs or so stand alones. I got it from the library and yes I have read it. "
— farmwifetwo, 2/11/2014" I pretty much love all Nora Roberts books and this was no exception! "
— Vanessa, 2/8/2014" I am really enjoying the suspenseful Nora Roberts books! She has wonderful plot development and characterization. This was not one of her best but I did enjoy it. "
— Julia, 2/6/2014" Really well writen! The end had me on the edge of my seat!!! "
— Rachel, 1/30/2014" Great, Quick Read! My sister and I both read this book at the same time and we both loved it! Great love story but also incorporates suspense. Would definitely reccomend! "
— Kerri, 1/17/2014" I listened to this on tape as I rode to Texas with my best friend, Alicia. 12 tapes and it was way too long and a bit boring. "
— Betty, 12/23/2013" Mediocre - nothing really stands out about this one. "
— Jc, 12/8/2013" Another great one- it was exciting 'til the end and kept you guessing. Nora Roberts is great at the 'romantic-suspense' genre!! "
— Mel, 12/1/2013" Lame o book. Couldn't even finish reading it. Complete waste of my time, money and brain power! "
— Laura, 11/16/2013" One of her best, IMO. Phoebe has many characteristics in common with Eve Dallas, probably because they are both police officers; I like both women. "
— Kay, 11/3/2013" I've yet to find a Roberts book I dislike "
— Vech, 9/25/2013" It was my first Nora Roberts book and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised!!!:) Good book, fun and easy to read!!!:) "
— Vessela, 9/20/2013" I loved this book, another satisfying NR read. The male lead is a strong character, he might actually be one of my favourite NR male characters. "
— Rexine, 8/12/2013" Where was my Duncan Swift? As usual, a very impractical book, but it hooks you, so you end up finishing it. "
— Candace, 6/22/2013" A bit more exciting and mysterious than the typical Nora Roberts. "
— Tama, 6/5/2013" As of right now this is one of my favorite books!! I loved it so much I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in 2 days... with 2 kids lol. I stayed up all night just to finish it, but it was worth it!! "
— Crystal, 12/14/2012" Great book...........about half way thru you will understand about the title. Nora Roberts is really one of my FAVORITE authors. All her books are so very well written. "
— Wanda, 11/7/2012" Thriller that was hard to put down! It was about Phoebe, a police negotiator and her family... very interesting and fast-paced tale. "
— Marissa, 11/3/2012" The perfect read around the pool book! Murder, mystery, romance all in one! Strong female character. "
— Lisa, 8/14/2012" Started reading a realized already have read. Good book! "
— Linda, 3/14/2012" More of a suspence as Phoebe Macnamara tries to figure out who has it in for her, with a little romance thrown in. :) Loved it. "
— Isaura, 3/13/2012" This was the first Nora Roberts book that I've read and I can't wait to read more. "
— Bonnie, 2/3/2012" Don't let the title fool you. It's not a western. Good book. "
— Suzie, 11/14/2011" This novel was poorly written, especially the sometimes extremely unnatural dialogue. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed it, since it does manage to build suspense, and is certainly entertaining. "
— Emily, 9/12/2011" Mostly suspensful, with a little bit of romance. "
— Rebecca, 7/2/2011" I was expecting just a fun, beachy read but it really pulled me in. "
— Laurie, 5/14/2011" As someone else said on Facebook, sometimes I just read for fun. You know it is a good story when you find yourself caring about the characters. Picking it up every chance I get. "
— Tina, 5/11/2011" not my kind of book. "
— Veronica, 5/9/2011" Normally I love Nora Roberts, but this was only ok for me. A little too hard core with the sexual assault scene for what I was anticipating to be a good vacation read and the ending felt really rushed. I think I may stick to her non-thriller/suspense things from here on out. "
— Jennifer, 5/6/2011" Good read - One of the better for building suspense. Coudn't guess the ending on this one! "
— Irishcailin, 5/6/2011" Thriller that was hard to put down! It was about Phoebe, a police negotiator and her family... very interesting and fast-paced tale. "
— Marissa, 5/1/2011" Excellent! Couldnt put it down. One of the better ones I have read in a while. "
— Jeri, 4/25/2011" One of my least favorites of hers. Way too heavy and a little bit of a downer. "
— Jeanne, 4/21/2011" This book was romantic and suspenseful all at the same time! "
— Cheryl, 4/12/2011" This was a great read. I liked both the heroine -- her intelligence, her competence, her focus -- and her love interest who was pretty damned adorable. "
— chrisvee, 4/10/2011" This book was really good. I'm ready to watch the movie "
— Carrie, 4/8/2011" thrilling!!! i cldnt put down the book once!!!! the relationships and how the killer fit perfectly into her life made the book genius!!!!! good job nora roberts!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!! "
— Emily, 4/8/2011" De momento el mejor libro que he leído de Nora Roberts. Te mantiene enganchado y en tensión en todo momento.. Un 10! "
— Oly, 4/6/2011Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than two hundred novels. She is also the author of a bestselling futuristic suspense series written under the pen name J. D. Robb, her other pseudonyms being Jill March and Sarah Hardesty. She was the first author inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. There are more than 400 million copies of her books in print.
Susan Ericksen is an actor and voice-over artist. She has been awarded numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actor and director, she has worked in theaters throughout the country.