The Negotiator: The O'Malley Series, Book 1

This is the kind of book you hate to see come to an end. It's exciting to know there are more in the series! My husband enjoys these as well and so on our long trips to visit the kids we listen to these. Makes you not want to stop for dinner

I agree this book series is a little trite, but actually, Ms. Henderson has obviously done good research into the individual careers of her protagonists. I like the stories. I just ignore the trite-ness and I'm glad that the world of relaxation literature has some good interesting Christian stories. What an awesome way to explain the gospel and the proofs of Jesus and the church. That got the extra star handsdown.

This is the first installment in the O'Malley series. I enjoyed this book, it was suspenseful and it had a great christian theme. I think there could of been a little more romance but the book was still good. I have listened to the entire O'Malley series and this is one of the best, though the entire series is very good. I think it is good to see christians operating in these type of roles.

You find yourself entwined in the lives of the O'Mally family. You want to know their history. You want to be at the family gatherings.

This is a start to a series of intrigue and excitement. It is so easy to identify with the charaters and grow to love them, you actually become so involved you become part of the book and they become "your" family. The thread that continues through the series is so involving yet each book is completely stand alone capable. It is well researched with lots of details about the government agency that each works for and the thought provoking text is very well written. I am glad that I didn't find this series until all the books were available because it would have driven me crazy to have to wait for the next one. I strongly suggest if you like an exciting, involving and truly romantic story, that you choose this book as well as the rest of the series. This series is a combination of intrigue and excitement with the knight in shining armour fairytale that we all dream of.

Before you listen to this great book, PLEASE read "Danger in the Shadows" first (winner of multiple book awards). You will better understand people that come in and out of this story after reading that book.

Kate O'Malley is a negotiator, and the first story of the O'Malley "family," orphans who met in a home and who made the decision to become a family...they chose their own last name, and the books slowly reveal bits and pieces of how they came to the home, met, and became family. I love every single book...I read them when they first came out, but hearing them just adds another dimension to the great stories.

I loved the story. The male narrator just didn't do justice to the female voices. This was a real disappointment to me. Why use a male narrator with a female star and vice versa? I love to lose myself in these books. I couldn't with this one, because sometimes I wasn't sure who was talking. Don't mean to be cruel. To me it was a wonderful book that was spoiled, not to the point of returning it though.

STORY - The Negotiator is an inspirational book but, foremost, it is an excellent mystery/romance. The excitement starts early in the story and doesn't let up. There is a complex crime, interesting investigation, emotional hostage negotiations and an engaging romance. Sprinkled through the 10 1/2 hours there is about 30 minutes of religious conversation, but it fits with the story line well and is not overpowering. The language is clean and there is no sex or alcohol, but do not mistake this book for wimpy religious chick lit!

NARRATOR - The narrator is okay, but there are much better ones out there. He doesn't do female characters well, and occasionally I got confused who was speaking. Sometimes he pauses midsentence and then reads the rest of it like he lost his place, but these minor irritations don't detract from the total experience.

BOTTOM LINE - This is a very good book. I'm moving on to the next one in the series.

I love Dee Henderson's dramatic but sensitive style and the wit that is always present.

I have heard other books and thought, "Wish I were reading this myself". However, not so with Tom. It was as if I WERE actually reading it. He picks up the wit and drama very well.

I will listen to the Negotiator again and again. It is like a good movie that you will gleen something new each time your hear it.

The moment Kate was in church and realized what faith is.

I do remember him on any other books, but he has a voice that melts me to my soul.

Again the church - moment of knowing for Kate.

The characters could all be someone we know. The situation could happen, but the intergrating of the characters, explaining their emotions, the background of each person. was amazing. I feel as if I could see them in person I would know them instantly.