I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
The Search
by
Nora Roberts
romantic suspense in Hardcover edition on July 6, 2010 and has 488 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Irish Hearts, Montana Sky, Carnal Innocence, Playing the Odds, Second Nature, One Summer, Nora Robert, Serena * Caine, Daniel * Ian, Rebellion, Alan * Grant, The Witness, Time and Again, Shadow Spell, Blood Magick, The Next Always, The Last Boyfriend, The Perfect Hope, Irish Rebel, Year One, Of Blood and Bone, Legacy
A romantic suspense involving a dog trainer and a woodworker just outside Seattle.
In 2010, The Search was nominated for the Goodreads Choice for Romance award.
My Take
I want to be here! Well, not the serial killer parts, but I have fallen in love with Simon’s property and his workshop. I can smell the sawdust and the varnish, the brine of the ocean outside his door, the smell of the forest where he and Fiona walk with the dogs. Yup, I can smell the dogs after they’ve chased those balls into the ocean as well!
This is an amazing story. Well, yeahhh, it’s a Nora Roberts. Just because we expect her to be good doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate how she sets the scene and creates her characters.
I love that Simon is so abrupt and brutally honest. I appreciate even more that Fiona handles it all so well. There are no games between them. The suspense of the serial killer stalking Fiona is not the primary plot; it’s simply there to make this romance more interesting. The romance is probably the most tense and dramatic aspect of this story. I won’t say there aren’t moments with the serial killer, but it’s not horrific. Well, it is to his victims, but Roberts doesn’t write to this.
The underlying plot is the dogs. Training them (and their owners!) properly. All the work that goes into schooling a rescue dog and its handler. The knowledge that Fiona brings to the hunt for the serial killer, likening the profiling aspect to analyzing dogs with behavioral problems. A skill she makes excellent use of near the end! Whew…I was so worried for her!
Excellent suggestion about dogs obsessing over digging holes!
You can’t help but appreciate Simon, even his frustration with Jaws, LOL! Neither of them wants this and it’s baby steps all the way as they fight the need, the want.
I like that her friends have ethical lines they will not cross.
It’s nice that there are people in the world who want to believe the best of others. Just don’t take that gullibility into a prison.
There is lots of human interest in this. People are living their lives. Stressing, being happy. Worrying, working There are truths throughout. And I want that damned sink!!! At least a chance to wash my hands in it…sigh…
The Story
The story opens with an introduction to Fiona and her Canine Search and Rescue crew and continues into another introduction — to Simon and Jaws.
To a romance built between a frustrated puppy owner and a woman who appreciates his frustration and patience, and his forthright approach. Snapshots of Simon in his studio, walks with Jaws along the beach and in the woods.
A ridealong with Fiona as she trains and plays with dogs, interacts with her friends, and worries about the active serial killer. Who it can be. Is she a part of his plan.
The Characters
Fiona Bristow hadn’t had a purpose eight years ago, but events helped her to focus, to realize she wanted to work with dogs. And she is amazing. You may well want to read this for the dog-handling tips alone! Sylvia is her stepmother, widowed. She runs a shop on Orcas that sells beauty, including work by Simon Doyle. Bogart, Peck, and Newman are her own dogs and all are trained in search and rescue. They’re amazingly well-behaved and Fiona has a nice life with caring friends. Greg is the cop, the man Fiona was going to marry, who was murdered.
The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. – Samuel Butler
Simon Doyle is a taciturn man who enjoys his solitude. He crafts the most gorgeous pieces in wood and has recently moved to Orcas, buying a house with enough land that he has his woodworking shop next to the house. His mother, Julie Doyle, in her wisdom (I do like her!), has sent him a puppy. One badly in need of training. His name is Jaws and he’s true to his film namesake!
Deputy Davey Englewood keeps a close eye on Fiona. Mai is the local vet and one of Fee’s best friends. Seems Sheriff Ben Tyson from San Juan might be interested.
Special Agents Tawney and Mantz. Tawney was the agent who helped Fiona through Perry’s trial all those years ago.
On the Canine Search and Rescue team:
James is an old, old friend of Fiona’s and he’s fascinated with Lori. Meg and Chuck Greene have been married for decades and are still so in love.
George Allen Perry is the serial killer Fiona helped put away. And get away from. He may be locked up forever, but he can still maneuver. Francis X. Eckle is finally free and he intends to make the most of it.
Kati Starr is an unscrupulous reporter who doesn’t care whom she hurts to make her way up the ladder.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a fog-enshrouded forest, a black Lab standing in profile, waiting for his mistress. A woman who might never arrive if the red scarf draped over the last few letters in the title delivers what it promises.
The title is too apt and encompasses so many possibilities: the Search and Rescue team that Fiona trains, the FBI’s search for a serial killer, and Fiona’s own search for peace of mind.
