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The Search

Review

The Search

Years ago while jogging one morning, Fiona Bristow was abducted
by the Red Scarf Killer, famed for strangling young women and
burying them with a red scarf around their necks. While Fiona was
the one who got away, the only one actually, the incident still
haunts her to this day. The serial killer murdered her fiancé,
Greg, who was a cop, and his K-9 dog, Kong, shattering her dreams
of marriage and a family. While the culprit is behind bars, the
imprint he left on Fiona's life will never fully fade.

Still, as so many do, Fiona triumphed amidst tragedy. She now
lives on beautiful Orcas Island, part of the San Juan islands off
the coast of Washington State, where she has a cozy home, close
friends, a good life and a booming business as a dog trainer. She
also has three canine companions --- Peck, Bogard and Newman ---
who are all trained to perform search-and-rescue missions,
something to which she devotes herself with great success.

When Orcas Island newcomer Simon Doyle enters Fiona's orbit,
life is ripe with possibilities. Brought together by Simon's
out-of-control puppy, Jaws, Fiona and Simon experience an instant,
vibrant attraction to each other. The sexy craftsman who creates
beautiful furniture and accessories out of wood is the strong,
silent type with a gooey marshmallow center when it comes to Fiona.
Just as things are heating up between the pair, though, the past
comes crashing back to disturb Fiona's newfound peace.

While the Red Scarf Killer is locked away safely, a copycat
killer has emerged and girls are disappearing once again, only to
be found strangled with the trademark red scarf around their necks.
Fiona's steady world is rocked to the core, and the past is brought
back with disturbing reality when the murderer sets his sights on
her, the only surviving victim.

Now it's up to Fiona and Simon to get the killer before he gets
her. The good thing is that they have found something worth
fighting for --- and fight they do. Fiona may have a murderer on
her trail, but this dynamic duo is not going to take it laying
down. Just as she escaped with wit, cunning and determination the
first time, Fiona will fight for her life again --- but this time
with Simon by her side. Can the two of them match wits with a
madman and win again?

THE SEARCH is one amazing book. Of course, everyone has high
hopes for a new Nora Roberts title. It's a given. She hasn't
written over 190 books with 400 million copies in print for
nothing. We understand that. But this latest entry blows straight
past the level of expectation I experience when I reach for her
novels.

Fiona Bristow is a character like no other. First off, she is no
damsel in distress. She's strong, smart and determined, and made of
sterner stuff than most heroines. But she's also warm, lovable,
likeable and just good fun. She springs to life on the pages and
leaves readers wishing they could find a friend like Fiona. The
same is true with Simon. Women the world over are sighing and
wishing they knew a man like him. Together, the two characters
combine to create a chemical reaction that is nothing less than
combustible.

THE SEARCH is not just about love, though. It's also about fear
and murder, and a deeply disturbed individual who will stop at
nothing to achieve his goal. It will cause goosebumps to rise on
your arms and make a chill ripple down your spine. We can be
reasonably sure that good will triumph over evil, but getting from
Point A to Point B is one bumpy and thrilling ride.

Reviewed by Amie Taylor on January 23, 2011

The Search
by Nora Roberts

  • Publication Date: July 6, 2010
  • Genres: Fiction, Romantic Suspense
  • Hardcover: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Putnam Adult
  • ISBN-10: 0399156577
  • ISBN-13: 9780399156571