I liked the characters, especially Ma Bee and Duncan. Ma Bee
understands Duncan like no other - the only mother figure he'd ever
known. Duncan is a take charge kind of man, one who does what he
wants when he wants, and pursues Phoebe like a pitbull - jaw locked
and refusing to let go. Phoebe needed him to balance her, and I'm
glad they found each other. And Carly, Phoebe's 7-year-old daughter
- very much like my own 7-year-old daughter. The only difference is
my daughter likes numbers, LOL!
I liked the plot, even if there were loose ends. It's not very
often when you have a hostage negotiator as the main character. I
liked how it all played out. I'd have liked to see Duncan settly
into Phoebe's house, them getting married, more about Phoebe's
mother as well. And her trademark is all over this book - all the
descriptions she gives buildings, gardens, etc…, they suck you into
the story. You're seeing the building like you're standing in front
of it. You smell the flowers in the garden. And it was pure delight
how the very flower that Duncan first gave Phoebe is my absolute
fave flower.
However, the climax of the story happens in the last chapter -
something I don't ever remember NR doing before; where the climax
and closure of the story happens in the last chapter - about 10
pages. Lots of dialogue, lots of action and suspense that gives it
the perfect height of the story, the tension everyone feels in the
situation. But all crammed into the last few pages of the last
chapter? Come on! I'd have liked to have seen them settle, maybe a
little more something from Arnie.
I really enjoyed how the characters came together I found that a
lot of the scenes between the characters were so much like my
family; ie: for instance, the banter between Duncan and his best
friend's wife, Louise. They're banter is very close to the banter
my husband has with my best friend - and I got a really good kick
out of that! The family closeness - how they treat each other - is
very much like my own family, and I like it so much when NR makes
me feel like I'm part of the characters' families.
But the ending… that's the only reason why this doesn't get my
usual NR 5-star rating.