Suspicious (Silhouette Special Products) [Paperback]

In "Partners," rival news reporters Laurel and Matt end up involved in a murder investigation after the a woman approaches Laurel with suspicions that her sister's "accident" wasn't an accident at all. This was a decent story. There's some biting repartee between the two, which adds an element of fun, and their attraction is steamy. I enjoyed it, but thought it nothing particularly distinctive.

In "The Art of Deception," renowned artist Adam Haines is invited to the estate of an eccentric artist, and sparks fly with the artist's daughter, Kirby Fairchild. But does Adam have ulterior motives for his visit? I didn't particularly enjoy the suspense element of this one, which was a bit unpleasant, and I didn't appreciate Adam's deception. Luckily, for much of the story, the "suspense" takes a back seat to characterization and relationship development. Kirby and her father are wonderful, charming characters, and I laughed out loud throughout this story. Thoroughly enjoyable.

In "Night Moves," famous celebrity Maggie Fitzgerald moves to a small town and ends up hiring landscaper Cliff Delaney. Sparks fly between the two of them, but then the landscaping work uncovers a ten-year old skeleton, and tensions rise, both in the town, and between Maggie and Cliff. This was the weakest story of the three. The relationship development between Maggie and Cliff was weak, and Cliff was sort of a jerk to Maggie. In addition, the "mystery" wasn't all that threatening, even at the end.

All in all, this is a decent collection of older Roberts stories, for her major fans. If you're not a Roberts fan, though, or you're reading her work for the first time, you may want to stick with her newer stuff. I highly recommend "Three Fates" and "Birthright."

1. In partners, fellow reports Laurel and Matt are working together (reluctantly) to solve a high society murder. Laurel has famiy ties to the victim's family and was once infatuated with the prime suspect. Matt tries to be objective, but his feelings for Laurel color his judgement. Laurel and Matt try to work thru their feelings for each other as well as solve the mystery in time to prevent other murders.

2. In art of Deception, Painter Adam has come to stay with sculptor Kirby and her eccentric father. But Adam has not come only as a friend, he has come to investigate forged art pieces. Art of Deception shows Nora Robert's great flare for characterization- Kirby is unique and eccentric with a refreshing outlook in life. Her fathers, servants and even pets, are equally fascinating and amusing. Adam, like the readers, becomes entranced with them and their world, but his secrets may come between him and Kirby. The identity of the villain is surprising.

3. Night Moves is about composer, Maggie who has moved into the wilderness. She hires landscaper Cliff and they soon find an old skeleton in her property. They also find out long buried secrets that are decades old. Despite this, maggie finds herself in danger.

All 3 novels are romantic mysteries with each couple vastly different from the other. Even early on, Nora Roberts shows great promise as she effectively combines romance, mystery, suspense and humor. For Nora Roberts fans, Suspicious is one of her better collections.