REVIEW: High Noon by Nora Roberts
A Review Category / A- Reviews / Book ReviewsNora-Roberts16 Comments
Dear Ms. Roberts:
Most readers say the same thing about you and that is you consistently deliver good, solid reads. But as with all authors, particularly those with ginormous backlists (and yes, ginormous is now an official word), some books are better than others. When I started this book, I was a little apprehensive wondering if this was Eve Dallas redone. While I saw hints of Eve Dallas, mostly in language idiosyncracies, Lt. Phoebe MacNamara is a character all her own and High Noon is one of the best Roberts books I’ve read.
Phoebe MacNamara is a negotiator whose life has been marred by tragedy. You wouldn’t know it to see her in action, talking jumpers off the edge and hostage takers into the light. While Phoebe is out saving strangers everyday, she can’t seem to save her own family. When Phoebe was a young girl, she and her family were taken hostage. She was able to prevent physical harm to her family but her mother became agoraphobic and has not left the house for decades. Phoebe’s daughter has an absentee father. A close family friend hasn’t been able to shake off the vicious verbal abuse Phoebe’s grandmother heaped on her for years.
Duncan Swift first meets Phoebe when she is called in to talk one of his employees out of jumping off the side of a building. He’s impressed with the way she handles herself and wants to get to know her better. Phoebe isn’t interested at first, but Duncan is persistent. He’s intrigued and believes that given the chance, she’ll return his interest. In order to convince Phoebe that they could have a life together, Duncan must make every woman in Phoebe’s life fall in love with him too. It’s a negotiation of the heart and the mind for him.
What made High Noon so memorable for me was that the entirety of the story was about saving lives, those of the hostages and Phoebe’s family and that emotions and fear can hold you hostage more effectively than a man with a gun. It’s a story of how Phoebe saves and is saved herself. The central romance was very strong and nicely balanced against the action. My one complaint was that it did seem similar to the Eve / Roarke dynamic in some ways. Duncan is a caretaker much like Roarke is. I suppose with a backlist of 170+ novels, its hard not to have one compared to another. This story, regardless of some similarities, goes on the keeper shelf. A-
Best regards
Jane
Oh Good! I’ve been reluctant to buy Nora for a while. This one sounds like one I’ll have to check out.
Ginormous thanks to you for reviewing it.
This review seems right on to me, and since I’m not the biggest JD Robb fan (I like Nora better–okay, I hear the boos), I wasn’t bothered by similarities to those characters. She’s still the only author I buy in hardcover (fortunately I just received an early birthday gift card Chez Target).
It’s fun to see the evolution of even the bestselling authors. I just reread an oldie but goodie, The Reef, perhaps my all time favorite book of hers. I’m not sure why–perhaps the setting, or what was going on in my life when I read it. Just got in my heart and stayed there.
Thank you, Jane. I’m really delighted you enjoyed the book.
I started HIGH NOON last night, and I’m lovin’ it! Nora, I see you are posting, so I’m going to say it directly–you are an amazing story teller! I have endless respect for your talent and creativity.
That said, it’s back to HIGH NOON!
I really enjoyed this book because it just spoke to me personally. That Duncan Swift is one memorable guy.
I can’t wait to read this one – I don’t often buy Nora in hardcover anymore (except for the InDeath series) but I’ve heard so many good things I’m definitely making an exception!
Just adding to the chorus to say I loved it too!
Your review changed my mind. I will now buy this book.
I have an extensive Nora Robert’t book collection and I have to say that although I think all her books are amazing, High Noon is definitely a top three favorite! I couldn’t put it down. I think LT Phoebe MacNamara’s character represents such strength, courage, and incredible determination. Nora’s books always seem to inspire me in some shape or form. High Noon gets two thumbs up from me!!
I have read and own nearly all of Nora Robert’s books and am a huge fan of J.D.Robbs series. I bought HIGH NOON as soon as it came out. I have just fininshed reading it and I think that it is one of her best books. My only complaint is that I feel it was left unfinished. A sequel is needed to let us all know what happens to the rest of the family. All and all though it was excellent.
Please consider a sequel! I’ve never read Nora Roberts’ books, but I’m hooked thanks to High Noon. I’d love to see what happens with Phoebe, Duncan and crew…(Dave/Ava, etc.)
I recently finished reading High Noon and loved it! Seriously, I wasn’t really a fan of Nora Roberts prior to completing this book, but now I can’t wait to get my hands on another. Also, I saw that High Noon is being made into a Lifetime movie..? I hope that they do it justice!
Am i the only person who thought after reading the book the movie was crap. Where’s Ava character. SO crappy. I hate it
I love Eve and Roarke. I want more of them. I love J.D. Robb and Nora Roberts books except the extreme supernatural ones. I can take a little but not much