High Noon

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age, when a violently unstable man broke into her family's home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she's Savannah's top hostage negotiator, who puts her life on the line every day to defuse powder-keg situations. Phoebe knows when to reach out and when to pull back - and when to jump in and take action, even if it means risking everything.

It's satisfying work - and sometimes those skills come in handy at home when Phoebe deals with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old daughter, Carly.

It's exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After watching her talk one of his employees off a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. Phoebe's used to working solo, but she's finding that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm's length.

When she's grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her - in her own precinct house - Phoebe can't help being deeply shaken. And when threatening messages appear on her doorstep, she's not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?

Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear - before she becomes the final showdown.

©2007 Nora Roberts (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Critic Reviews

"A courageous protagonist, deft plotting and the sultry Savannah backdrop all add up to another winner for consummate storyteller Roberts." (Publishers Weekly) 

"High Noon will enthrall readers with its irresistible combination of superbly crafted characters and a danger-rich plot." (Booklist)

Excellent narration and story - worth the credit

This is a great story, and read by an excellent narrator. I am actually writing this review after listening to the book a 2nd time. I had liked it the first time, but after being so fully engrossed the second I had to log in and give the book it's due praise. The narrator does a wonderful job with the voices, and there is a wild cast of characters that she gets to play with. A great love story but not to be out done by the mystery and suspense of the book. A strong woman character that you can believe in, like and root for. Truly a thumbs up in every way.

Wow Great!

This was fantastic all around! Great recording, great narrator, great story! Suspense , romance, funny, conflict, mystery! My first NOra Roberts book! Great choice!

great read

I found the characters and story line exciting. They were believable,romantic fun and I learned about negotiations with hostage situations. I would recommend this to everyone who enjoys Nora Roberts. I also thought the narrator did a great job.

Wonderful Storyline

I really enjoyed this book. The subject matter was interesting. I kept guessing at who the villian might be up until it was revealed. Recommend this book. Narrator did a good job. She really did excellent with the little girls voice--sounded just like a 7 yr old should.

A stunning "read"

and then it was finished!

The characters are "real" they have lives and history.

I just couldn't stop listening and then it was gone and in true Nora Roberts style I missed the 2nd book.

Thank you, well done it was GREAT!

High Noon

Great story as you would expect from Nora Roberts, I found the narration merged with the characters so you were often not sure who was talking.I found that a bit disappointing.

Couldn't get enough!!!

An absolute MASTERPIECE!! I was extremely said to hear it come to an end!! You had your drama, suspense, comedy, and romance all rolled up into one! Download it TODAY!!

Nora Roberts books are always great!

Would you listen to High Noon again? Why?

No. I enjoyed it, but the listening was difficult. I had difficulty differentiating the characters from each other.

What other book might you compare High Noon to and why?

Her books are always good. This one wasn't as easy to guess the ending as her books usually are.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I couldn't tell whether the men or the women were talking. She needs to change her tone or deflection more. It was a little confusing.

High Noon Review

It has been sometime since I was a reader of this type book. I enjoyed it from start to finish. The reader was articulate and made the characters come to life. Nora Roberts outdid herself again and I look forward to similar downloads.

One of my favorite Nora books!

I love the quirks in this book. The male lead won a lottery, but he's really a down to earth cool guy. The female lead has complex family relationships that require so many sacrifices from her, and give you an insight into living with a phobia. It's a lovely testament to the love of family overcoming adversity. As always, well written, good dialogue, strong and interesting characters, and suspense! Great listen!

Good performance but the story is only average

I really enjoyed the first part of this story but by the end, I was a bit done. I'm pretty sure Police procedures in the States don't allow the boyfriend of the Lt. into incident sites, no matter how well intentioned or muscular they happen to be.
That being said, it was read really well by Susan Ericksen and was easy to listen to. I always enjoy reading Nora Roberts but when the dialogue is read aloud, her heroes become very macho and I always lose track of the story a bit while pondering how hard I'd hit them and with what, were it me having to listen to them.

Another disappointment

I really enjoyed this book for the first few chapters, funny, charming in its way, and than it all fell apart. And the ending - too quick, as if she became bored by it all. I would have liked a little more. Another to go back. Liked the narrator by the way.

Excellent! If you can get over the cheesy narration

Loved this book, it took a while to get over the cheesy narration as it was a little cringe like! But the story and characters were great! Really well put together story and plot, another NR sure to delight readers and listeners

Negotiate a romance

There's something quite comforting about Nora Roberts' books, after getting a few unknown doozies lately, I knew I could rely on a tame drama with some romance, yay!

Phoebe is a hostage negotiator trying to cope with a nightmare work colleague, a possible mole in the unit and an agorophobic mum. Good thing a hunka chunka appears on the scene!

Loved it

I read this book several times I wanted something to listen to while I worked in wedding flowers, I loved the narrator! I loved her voice and the inflections she used. Highly recommend!

Fast paced murder story with romance

What made the experience of listening to High Noon the most enjoyable?

The story was very good, it kept me guessing throughout, Susan Ericksen read it very well and it was very easy to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

The detail that went into everything from the job to the houses.

Which character – as performed by Susan Ericksen – was your favourite?

I thought Ma Bee was played very well and she was a favourite of mine

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes I definitely wanted to stay and listen to this one till the end, I kept listening whilst ironing and cooking so that I could finish it.

Brilliant.

amazing story and kept guessing until the end. Narrator one of the best for voices yet.

Classic

You could feel the suspense throughout the book. Tender scenes and action packed into one heck of a story