The Search Book Review

Title: The Search

Author: Nora Roberts

Huge Paperback (supposed to be hardcover), 488 pgs

Published: July 6th 2010 by Putnam

Cover rating: A

Book rating: B

Goodreads:

 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 rescue. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare... 


Several years ago, she was the only survivor of a serial killer - a madman who stalked and abducted young women, strangled them, and left them buried with a red scarf on their bodies. As authorities were closing in on the Red Scarf Killer, he shot and killed Fiona's cop fiance and his K-9 partner. 

On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. Yet 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 is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and intensely private artist, known for creating exquisite furniture. 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 the laws of attraction. 

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...

My Review:

The first time I read Nora Roberts was when I bought the trilogy of Morrigan's Cross, Valley of the Sun and Dance of the Gods. They were incredibly good!! I thought her style was only cheesy-girly-romance kind of books, but I was wrong. The Search is the fifth book I read by her and it was very good. 

The story was quickly paced and it kept me entertained. The writing was easy to read and the sentences were simlple and well crafted. The plot was like a romantic-passion story, with a mix of dogs, crime and cozy suspense. Roberts did a good job on the balance of all of them.

The plot twists are really good. When there was a romantic scene... or something bad happened and another girl was found or it just moved on. I didn't know what to expect, and the twists were very well handled.

I liked Fiona. She is not the typical weak, whiny character. She is a dog trainer of S&R, and surviror of a serial killer. She is an independent, strong woman whose life is totally dedicated to her dogs and she has a lot of guts and courage. She has a good sense of humour 'training the dog and the human'.
Mia is the local vet and she is a funny character with her online dating issues. Syl was just awwesome, sweet and comprehensive. Her connection with Fiona is almost perfect. Simon is a tough guy who inside is all sweet.. although he was a bit cold and mean when he met Fiona and I thought he was a jerk. 
The dogs. I loved the dogs! Fiona's dogs all so adorable and obedient (I have a dog who is NOT)    and Jaws...that puppy just took my heart.

I didn't like the fact that Simon just took the puppy to her classes and then they began an affair-kind of relationship so fast. She was always telling him about her dead fianc'e and he kept telling her she was not his kind and a coulpe of unflattering things...quite confusing right? I also expected more of a big suspenseful ending when they are searching..not just one chapter. I felt like Roberts ran out of ideas and finished the book as soon as she could. The book lost a star there..so I will give it a 4/5.