Originally posted on The Canon! {http://canireadeverything.blogspot.co...}I snagged Hidden Riches off the shelf at my library for one reason: it was the only Nora Roberts book there that I hadn't read yet. I didn't glance at the back, didn't look at the book cover...and, boy, I'm glad I did. THE CHARACTERSI was pleasantly surprised by the two main characters in Hidden Riches. Although the character types are fairly familiar - the gruff and reluctant hero falling for the warm, engaging heroine - Dora and Jed were fascinating. Jed's harsh exterior and soft inside made for an intriguing combination, especially as he began to slowly let more details about his sudden 'extended leave' from the police force come to light. His love for the badge and sense of justice and honor created a character outside of the stereotype he was built from. His character really shone through during his interactions with other characters, especially his former partner, Brent. Dora, in turn, is essentially an open book, except when the crazy starts to happen. Her family's theatrical background sets her up as a little bit of an outsider, opening a curio shop instead of following in the family footsteps on the stage. The support and love from her family is overwhelming, especially for someone who might be considered the black sheep. Dora's character was fun because she was so warm, gentle, and kind but could be strong, defensive and clever. The "sinister international smuggler" really surprised me. I didn't expect such a violent and passionate character to be so fascinating. His motives and thought processes kept me reading his scenes. THE PLOTThere isn't much more a mystery/thriller novel needs than an antique shop, a dirty dealer, and some romantic tension. The mystique of these old items sets up an air of mystery and whimsy that (strangely) fits perfectly in the novel. The side character plots fit well into the main mystery, an element I really enjoyed. Jed's struggle with his identity, role in the world and with his grief allows him to grow as a character within the grand scheme of the mystery he and Dora are trying to unravel. Out of the two main characters, Jed definitely has the bigger growth. Dora remains static throughout the book, with little bumps and spikes here and there. It is Jed's story that truly dominates. THE WRITINGHands down, I loved the mystery in this book. Although I found the beginning a little slow, once the plot picked up, so did the tension. About halfway through the book, I found it impossible to put down. The writing was smooth and flawless. It became easy to sink into the characters and the plot, especially with the dual perspective. During some scenes, the additional point of view from the opposing character added depth that helped the novel's texture.FINAL THOUGHTSHonestly? Why on earth didn't I read this before?
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLYNot sure if this is even a 3 for me. More like 2.5, however, I did like Jed's storyTHE CHARACTERSI was pleasantly surprised by the two main characters in Hidden Riches. Although the character types are fairly familiar - the gruff and reluctant hero falling for the warm, engaging heroine - Dora and Jed were fascinating. Jed's harsh exterior and soft inside made for an intriguing combination, especially as he began to slowly let more details about his sudden 'extended leave' from the police force come to light. His love for the badge and sense of justice and honor created a character outside of the stereotype he was built from. His character really shone through during his interactions with other characters, especially his former partner, Brent. Dora, in turn, is essentially an open book, except when the crazy starts to happen. Her family's theatrical background sets her up as a little bit of an outsider, opening a curio shop instead of following in the family footsteps on the stage. The support and love from her family is overwhelming, especially for someone who might be considered the black sheep. Dora's character was fun because she was so warm, gentle, and kind but could be strong, defensive and clever. The "sinister international smuggler" really surprised me. I didn't expect such a violent and passionate character to be so fascinating. His motives and thought processes kept me reading his scenes. THE PLOTThere isn't much more a mystery/thriller novel needs than an antique shop, a dirty dealer, and some romantic tension. The mystique of these old items sets up an air of mystery and whimsy that (strangely) fits perfectly in the novel. The side character plots fit well into the main mystery, an element I really enjoyed. Jed's struggle with his identity, role in the world and with his grief allows him to grow as a character within the grand scheme of the mystery he and Dora are trying to unravel. Out of the two main characters, Jed definitely has the bigger growth. Dora remains static throughout the book, with little bumps and spikes here and there. It is Jed's story that truly dominates.
What do You think about Hidden Riches (2004)?
I feel bad giving this book such a poor rating because it wasn't as bad or boring as some of the books I've rated 2 stars, but it also isn't a 3 stars book in my opinion so idk think of it as a 2.5, ok? My main problem with the book was the romance, it seemed cliché and the whole "troubled man who never loved gets magically cured by loving woman" trope was really annoying to me. Actually, the male character was annoying but I loved the female character, she's really interesting and honest and if every Nora Roberts book has such good female characters, I can understand why so many women love these books. The other problem was the writing, not really the writing style (because it was fine, not great but not awful) but the narration: I think it would have been so much better if we didn't have as many POVs of the thief/killer, it would have build suspense and made everything so much better! The ending was also a bit abrupt (view spoiler)[and the whole "catch the criminal thing" was done so quickly I didn't even get scared with anything that happened there (and it was supposed to be scary) (hide spoiler)]
—Ritta
Parts of this book I really love, parts of this book I skim, and that might be part of the problem for me. I like the parts in her building, in the store, in the apartments over it. I don't care for the scenes where they are traveling all over the place, I don't know why. It's been a while since I read the whole thing but I do read parts of it over and over again. When the two of them are together, it's bright and sparkling and witty, when they are off chasing after whatever it was they chased after - and I don't remember any more - it lost some of the sparkle for me. Maybe it's that Ms Roberts has made those parts of the book more vivid, more detailed. That house almost became a character in its own right.The book is cleverly crafted, high crime in the world of art. I maybe should reread the book again, see if I like the other parts better the next time through.My favorite is the last 40 pages, and the reconciliation. I love when a guy comes riding to the rescue - and his rescue almost came too late.
—Mary
