The Collector

I didn't want to like it--but couldn't stop!

It grates on me to buy a book considered chic lit in some circles. Even Audible classified this as "romance". I like cerebral mysteries with good character and plot development.

Even though Roberts' women all echo the same stubborn independence, an abhorance for gold-digging, are the reluctant ones in the "perfect" love matches, and nearly always marry wealth, somehow she manages a good and unique plot line in each of the books I have read. Her characters are well-developed and sympathetic. And, she somehow conjures up good mysteries while brimming with often steamy sex.

So, I didn't want to like this, but it's an incredibly engaging story. It has suspense, introspection, artistic interpretation, and is just plain interesting.

The peeping house-sitter witnesses a murder, befriends the victim's brother (of course all out of kindness and empathy), and, although predictable, the rest is a fun and wild ride.

I don't understand how an author who pumps out so many books can come up with so many plots, in spite of the main strong female character remaining essentially the same. The narrator was quite good, and managed the male characters equally as well as the variety of female intonations.

It's definitely worth a credit, you won't regret the choice. And, it's really not just "chic lit".

137 of 138 people found this review helpful

At Last-a good Nora Roberts!

I've been so disappointed with the past few NR books that I was hesitant to buy another..however this book is Nora Roberts at her best.

No triplets with powers, no cool cop or haunted house her..just a good mystery/romance in classic Nora Roberts style.

I found the story arc excellently crafted and the protagonists believable. The plot was nicely contrived and the villain excellently bad. I really enjoyed this listen and recommend it to those who are NR readers as well as those who are new to her work-this would be a great place to start!

Buy it and ENJOY.

45 of 45 people found this review helpful

Good author and good narrator

I am a fan of Julie Whelan. I purchased this book because of her. I am also a fan of Nora Roberts, but I have disappointed with her books a few times recently. I stayed up late into the night listening to this book. It was worth the credit.

99 of 104 people found this review helpful

Fresh Romantic Adventure

This was a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the characters, and the romance. With a great setup and magnificent world-building (a Roberts specialty) the story was entertaining and the characters relatable.

The performance was super too, and I loved the villain! Highly recommend - one of my favorite Nora Roberts titles.

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

One of Nora's best in years

I am not into witches and supernatural so I skip the Nora Roberts books that involve such. This was a romantic mystery that involved interesting characters, pets, and a pretty decent story. It held my attention and left me happily satisfied. Let's hope her alter ego JD Robb can do as well next time.

54 of 58 people found this review helpful

Definitely not one of Nora Roberts' best

I'm normally a big fan of Nora Roberts' standalone books, but this one just didn't work for me. The hero, Ash, was meant to come across as the strong guy, the guy the family counts on. Instead, he comes across as controlling and condescending, and frankly, had Lila been my friend, I would have encouraged her to look for another prince among the frogs. Ash's persona was made worse by the narration, which interpreted him as pretentious, right down to the snooty nasal voice.

The other characters--Lila, Julie, and Luke--are actually lovely and I stuck it out to find out what happens to them. However, the story just didn't come together well. Julie and Luke sort of disappear about two-thirds of the way in to the story. Then the story just...ended.

There are many, many Nora Roberts' books are bring out again and again because listening/reading them is comforting, like hanging out with old friends: The Villa, Tribute, Montana Sky, the Three Sisters Island trilogy, Angels Fall, and the books written under the name J.D. Robb. The Collector, sadly, is a one-timer.

66 of 73 people found this review helpful

Compelling story framing an interesting romance

The story pulls you in quickly and doesn't let go. I didn't like the overbearing nature of the male lead (Ashton) but could still like him as a character. Lila is strong enough to push back on him and has a wonderful quirkiness that really makes her endearing. The narrator did a great job of dramatizing the book, and overall her voices were good. I'm not a big fan of the 'whispered' male voice that some female narrators (like this one) use, but I guess it would be hard to go down an octave for the entire reading. The Witness had you on the edge of your seat more often that this one, but I still found myself wanting to stay in the car to get to the end of a section. Well worth the credit!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

A Disappointment

Any additional comments?

I can't believe this is a Nora Roberts book!

The premise of this book sounded really interesting so I pre-ordered it. And it was Nora Roberts, so how could I go wrong?

The story is flat, the characters are unlikeable and the dialogue drags. The narrator misses opportunities to turn dialogue into the humorous banter for which Nora Roberts is well known. I read the preview chapters and started out expecting I would like this book. I was so disappointed when I didn't - I couldn't finish it.

The biggest problem is the story. Even taking into account suspension of belief I find it impossible to imagine that an artist and a house sitter would decide they could circumvent the police, withhold valuable evidence and attempt to chase a contract killer all over the world. Themselves. The sheer stupidity exhibited by Ash and Lila throughout the story prevented me from liking either of them at all. Not only is that premise unrealistic, but the idea that the police would actually allow it is ridiculous. Lila and Ash would have rightly been slapped with obstruction charges about 100 pages into the book. Yet the police call and report to Ash - the ARTIST - on a regular basis. I couldn't get past it.

I love Nora Roberts and have bought every book she's come out with for at least the last decade. I respect and like her work tremendously and it's understandable if she misses the mark once in a while. But after the last couple of books I'm going to wait for the reviews to come out before I pre-order.

48 of 56 people found this review helpful

Patty and Selma Bouvier Narrate

This is the worst audiobook I've ever purchased. In a moment of utter folly I thought I needed a romance novel. What I got was long hours with Marge Simpson's smoking sisters. First, I thought this was a grown up Nancy Drew mystery; friend Georgie was sounding fun. But then the sexy love interest came on scene, sounding like Patty or Selma. Through 6 grueling chapters the female narrator's low pitched croaky drone portraying the central male character (supposedly too hot and sexy to resist) dragged on. I haven't finished the book and never intend to. I don't recall the main character's name, the male lead's, do not recall what crime was committed here... oh wait, yes I do , that was the choice of narrator. A voice as distracting as nails on a chalkboard. Do not put The Collector in you collection.

42 of 49 people found this review helpful

Right up there with "The Witness"

When Lila Emerson an unsuspecting writer and professional house sitter, is a witness to the brutal murder of a man and woman in a high rise across from where she is staying, she is pulled into a whirlwind of the upper echelon of a family dynasty. As the police end up at a dead end and then there is another torturous murder in the same family, she is approached by Ash Archer, the elder brother one of the decedents for some answers.

Lila and Ash find themselves searching for a ruthless, female assassin who is not just doing the bidding of her employer but who now has acquired an agenda of her own. Greed, revenge and historical obsession draw them deaper into the mystery behind some priceless heirlooms.

The story was full of suspense and I thought it was almost as good as, "The Witness", another Nora Roberts book I enjoyed very much. Both of these were admirably narrated by Julia Whalen who some may know from, "Gone Girl".

4 of 4 people found this review helpful