The Search

Okay, I admit it - I was a Nora Roberts virgin. I know, I know, 191 books in print - 169 of them New York Times bestsellers and I hadn't read a one. So trying to be a well rounded reader, I picked up her latest - The Search - on a hot lazy Sunday afternoon in the hammock. Perfect choice!

Fiona Bristow was the lucky one. Destined to be the 13th victim of the Red Scarf Killer serial killer, she fought back, escaped and he was captured, prosecuted and jailed. Fiona's fiancee was also a victim. She has retreated to Orcas Island where she works as a dog trainer and also leads a volunteer canine search and rescue group. Simon, a talented wood artist, is also looking for peace and quiet when he moves to Orcas. But his puppy Jaws needs show more professional help and he seeks out Fee. Well, sparks fly.... But danger is afoot as well. Although the killer is safely behind bars, someone seems to be on a mission to duplicate his work. Is Fiona in his sights?

Roberts has created a strong female lead in Fiona. Simon is the rough and ready, not looking for a relationship kind of guy (who of course just happens to be really attractive) The interactions between the two are entertaining if not wholly believable. I got a little tired of hearing Simon say shut up. There's some steamy sex scenes between the two that did a steamy day justice. For the most part, the story is more on their budding relationship with the killer taking a back seat. Yes the suspense is there, but those looking for a high level thriller won't find it here.

As a dog lover, what I did really like were the dog training scenes. Lots of good information, some I've tried - I've got one who likes to jump up on people - and it worked! I found the search and rescue operations and methodology just as interesting. Some readers may find this slows them down. Great dog quote from the book "One of the best things about dogs, to Fiona's mind, was their absolute joy in welcoming you home, whether you'd been gone for five minutes or five days. There lay unconditional and boundless love. 'And I really liked her descriptions of the setting she chose. A cute little cottage in the woods, with beaches nearby? Sign me up. Orcas Island is real.

So I enjoyed my first foray into Roberts' territory - great escapist reading that didn't tax my brain. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy Nora Roberts. It kind of reminded me a bit of Iris Johansen's writing. I can see why she's at the top of her game. show less

Very enjoyable read. In particular, I really liked all the information of dog training. It added an additional layer to the book beyond the romance and beyond the suspense. The characters were multi-dimensional. And the female protagonist was smart and took steps to protect herself from danger. The male protagonist was strong and not perfect, which was great.

After almost 200 novels - she releases her 200th novel this year - fans of Nora Roberts have gotten very familiar with her formula for success. They know that they will always receive a kick-ass heroine, a gorgeous man who supports more than rescues, a suspenseful mystery, drop-dead scenery, and more than one pulse-racing scene. What sets The Search apart from the rest is the addition of four very goofy and absolutely lovable dogs.

In each of her novels, Ms. Roberts presents some little-known facet of society. She has showcased actresses, bush pilots, waitresses, homemakers, store owners, artists, and so many more. A reader always finishes one of her novels with a better understanding of the heroine’s chosen profession and another show more part of the country. In The Search, Ms. Roberts tackles dog training, canine search-and-rescue, and the mind of a serial killer. It is an unusual combination but one that works well. In fact, one may successfully argue that the dogs are the true stars of The Search. Jaws steals every scene he is in, while Fee’s three dogs charm their way into the reader’s heart with little more than an unwavering loyalty and fierce protective mode. Dog owners everywhere will be able to laugh the dogs’ antics and at Simon’s frustrations about Jaw’s destructive modes, his hyperactivity and the just-as-sudden need for a nap. Ms. Roberts captures the relationship between dog and owner perfectly, and the result is a truly heartwarming tale that helps one appreciate his or her own dogs.

Ms. Roberts’ novels are always a comforting pleasure. Her story formula very rarely wavers but it never fails to be successful. A reader knows what to expect but that never detracts from one’s enjoyment. In fact, it is a testament to her skill as an author that one is continually drawn into each book’s world, where the scenery comes to life and a reader feels that s/he unequivocally knows each character personally. The dialogue remains refreshingly honest and realistic. While the characters may be drop-dead gorgeous, they are comfortingly human. Therein lies Ms. Roberts’ power. The Search is yet another testament to why Ms. Roberts remains one of the most successful authors of all time. show less

There is just something about Nora Roberts ability to tell a story, even though she works to a formulaic plot, that is strangely compelling. The Search is a romantic suspense - Fiona is being stalked by a serial killer who is an apprentice of the man who almost murdered her ten years earlier. To be honest, I didn't feel that this storyline commanded the attention it should have. The sense of a real threat was never really there and I was more involved in the other aspects of the story.Fiona has a real strength that I find appealing in a female romance protagonist - her history would have traditionally cast her as a victim yet Fiona is determined to be anything but. I think Roberts found a good balance between fortitude and show more vulnerability. Fiona is smart, likeable and sympathetic.I was less enamoured by Simon initially, but as Roberts revealed his character, his appeal grew. I think Roberts managed to skirt the stereotype of the hero (handsome, rich, reclusive, gruff) by the skin of her teeth because he was more emotionally complex than I expected.The best part of The Search for me was the relationship between Fiona and Simon - it's an unusual romance between two strong personalities. I enjoyed the banter and thought perhaps there were shades of Eve and Roarke (from Roberts' In Death series). It may not be a hearts and flowers courtship but there is genuine affection and healthy lust. I found the science of Search and Rescue dog operations and training very interesting, if anything I would have enjoyed slightly more depth to this aspect of the novel even though I recognise it would probably have slowed down the story too much. The Search is classic Nora Roberts with a tried and true formula that nevertheless offers something intriguing and interesting. I think part of the appeal for me is the way she builds a relationship between her characters and readers. I enjoyed The Search and think fans of the romantic suspense genre will as well. show less

Fiona Bristow survived a sadistic serial killer nearly seven years ago – although her fiance and his K9 partner did not. Now living on an idyllic island off of the coast of Washington, Fiona spends her days training her three search and rescue dogs while running a small dog training school for others. The search and rescue unit she created responds to call-outs and fulfills her desire to save the lost. When she’s not working and training, she spends her days with friends, and enjoys the company of her stepmother, Sylvia. Then a handsome, but rough-edged artist named Simon moves to the island and arrives on Fiona’s doorstep asking for help with his mischievous puppy Jaws. As Fiona and Simon begin to heat things up, Fiona finds show more herself unwittingly falling in love. But, she is not emotionally prepared when someone begins copying the crimes of the serial killer who tormented her. He’s behind bars, but could he be orchestrating everything behind this latest string of murders? And if so, what does that mean for Fiona – the only victim that got away?

Nora Roberts’ latest novel is fast paced with impeccably developed characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. There are some steamy sex scenes, but this is not your typical romance. I have to admit, I was reluctant to accept this book for review – I have always thought that Roberts’ books were typical romance books (a genre I don’t usually love), and when I heard The Search was about a canine search and rescue team, I was doubly reluctant. So many times, I find that fiction writers do not get it right when it comes to canine search and rescue. Often the facts are wrong, the procedures don’t mesh, and the relationship between dog and handler does not ring true. Since I was certified in Search and Rescue with my K9 Caribou in California, nothing bugs me more than incorrect information regarding the discipline. So, it was with great delight that I discovered an author who does get it right. Roberts’ descriptions are spot on. Her facts are obviously well researched and accurate. My only quibble with her was the radio chatter where the dialogue sometimes fell short of how law enforcement actually communicates during a search…but, this is a small complaint really.

Roberts’ authenticity and terrific characters made me forget I was reading a novel. I loved how she portrayed the strong women in the book, specifically their friendships with each other which felt honest to me. The plot moves forward relentlessly, building to the final scene of the novel which had my palms sweating. Nora Roberts is a great story teller – she knows when to push forward and when to hold back. She knows how to build tension. She knows all about conflict and its resolution. I can see now why Roberts has a huge fan following and why her books sky rocket onto the best seller lists.

The Search is not literary fiction, but it is a wonderful, plot driven novel with great characters. This is excellent genre fiction, one which falls somewhere between romance and suspense-thriller. Readers who like their novels gritty and real, and who don’t mind a little bit of hot romance in the mix, will love The Search.

Highly recommended. show less

This is my favorite Nora Roberts book to date. In The Search I felt Nora took her writing to a higher level, by further developing the characters' personalities through dialogue. The Search balanced mystery, suspense, romance and humor in near perfect proportion. The best kind of book, one I absolutely couldn't put down.

It is 8 years after Fiona Bristow was the sole survivor of a serial killer and 7 years after the death of her fiance and his K-9 as payback for that escape. Perry, the Red Scarf Killer is in jail for life. However, the killings have started again. Copy cat or protege? Fiona is now running a dog-training facility and volunteering with the Canine Search and Rescue unit on Orcas Island, WA, where she lives. A persistent reporter is putting her back in the news and bringing back unwelcome nightmares. Also, she now seems to be the focus of the killer who wants to make up for Perry's failure to kill her. Simon Doyle has also moved to Orcas to get some peace and quiet to work on his wood craft. He had a past affair with a prominent dramatic show more rock star and is not interested in being in the limelight again. But Simon's mother thinks he needs company and gives him a dog which brings him to Fiona. Jaws, a Lab-retriever mix is eating everything in sight (some hilarious scenes here). The build up in the relationship between Simon and Fiona is great; the dialog humorous and blunt. One of Roberts' best couples. This book has a very good suspense component but the biggest part of the book deals with the dogs, their training and their use in search and rescue. Like Blue Smoke and arson investigation and Chasing Fire and smoke jumpers, this book presented a lot of information in a well thought out plot. The couple relationships in all three were superior to those in her trilogies and quartets. Very good. show less