THE SEARCH

Author: Nora Roberts ISBN: 9780399156571 7/2010 SUSPENSE Publisher: PUTNAM

To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare... Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner. On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end. To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones. As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE SEARCH is by far one of Nora Roberts' best books yet! Filled with emotion and suspense, it pulled me in right on the very first page and held me captive until the very last. And when it was over, I wanted more. Yes, I can be a glutton when it comes to such good writing!

I never had any particular interest in learning about rescue teams or dog training, but after reading this book I'm not only interested but amazed, as well. Fiona, a woman whose past would disable a less hardy soul, works diligently with her team of rescuers on all sorts of cases. Whether she's tracking down a little boy in his pjs or an elderly man who's wandered off, she and her canine workers show how incredible the whole search process can be. I admired this character, so when bad things begin to threaten her safety, I was annoyed—big time! The despicable terror stalking her, and killing other women, was so well-written that while I was anxious to see what went on next, there were moments when I was afraid to turn the page. It's not often that I become so reeled in by a book that I forget dinner, but that's what happened here.

Surviving a serial killer should be one of those things that can be left in the past, but not so for Fiona. Thankfully she's got her dogs and the responsibilities of training to distract her from the fact that she's once again being stalked. More fortunately, a handsome man with an unruly canine comes to her island retreat, so she's not alone when things begin to get scary. The way these two learn to work together, and their growing feelings for each other, make the mystery even more compelling. It seems that just when Fiona might have a chance at happiness, the past might claim her.

Nora Roberts is a master storyteller, and she does not disappoint with THE SEARCH. A fabulous story with enough edge-of-your-seat moments to satisfy any suspense fan, it is a sure to please!

Kay James