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".

227 people found this 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.

91 people found this 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.

36 people found this 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".

27 people found this 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.

119 people found this 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!

16 people found this 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.

67 people found this 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.

77 people found this helpful

Boring and Slow

I love Nora Roberts, but this one was a bore. I didn't like the storyline with the egg and Russia. It just wasn't interesting. I love Julie Whelan, her character voices are great. I was looking forward to the book because of her and was hoping it was as good as The Witness, which I think is the last well-written book by Nora. The Collector was not one of my favorites, but I will always come back to Nora Roberts.

21 people found this helpful

Stupid Story

Would you try another book from Nora Roberts and/or Julia Whelan?

Comparing this to another book by the writer, The Witness, you would not think it was written by the same person??? She pushed out a good book with her mystery/thriller the Witness and I was hoping for similar quality with this. Alas, it was not meant to be. However, it did meet the parameters of her chick lit books, of which there are many. I doubt if I will try another. It would have to have fantastic write-ups for me to put my toe into the water again. As for Julia Whelan. I'm not sure whether it was the annoying characters or whether she gave them annoying voices but right from the start it irritated me. I think I would have to listen to a decent size sample of her performing another book before I would jump into the water with Julia again, as well.

Has The Collector turned you off from other books in this genre?

This was portrayed as a romance/suspense by Audible and The Witness as Thriller/Suspense. I will steer clear of romance/suspense in future, yes. Perhaps, the 'romance' should be in emboldened typeface.

What didn’t you like about Julia Whelan’s performance?

The characters dialogue tainted her performance for me. I'll give her a second chance.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Collector?

All the treacly romantic stuff, except there would only be about 10% of the book left.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy a good thriller/mystery/suspense, this book IS NOT FOR YOU. However, if you enjoy happily every after romantic clap trap you will enjoy this book.

57 people found this helpful