Helpful Score: 11
This was a good fast read. More a thriller than a mystery, as you end up knowing who's-doin-it pretty early on. Roberts did a good job with the research on fire and fire sciences.characters are really likeable, too. Big Italian restaurant family and friends. Made me want to eat a lot of pizza while I was reading.
Helpful Score: 4
Great thriller/suspense/romance from Roberts. Highly enjoyed. About an arson investigator and the people and catastrophe that follow her as she grows up.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved how Nora didn't make this a sole love story. It had real, mystery and suspense that some of her other novels lack.
Helpful Score: 3
Not one of her best books, but still enjoyable. Nora Roberts never disappoints - her books are always worth reading.
Helpful Score: 2
As a former firefighter, I found Nora's attention to detail very enjoyable. She 'did her homework' on this one.
This was my first time reading Nora Roberts and I really did enjoy this book. It moves along rater nicely and I found myself wanting to see what happens next. I will read more from her.
Helpful Score: 2
I thought this was a pretty good thriller for a Nora Roberts book. I read her books when I want a quick romantic escape from the dark thrillers I usually read. The book had romance story line but I felt the mystery and fire fighting info was emphasized more.
Helpful Score: 1
Nora Roberts has out done herself with this book. This is one of the best books I've read. Very well written.
Helpful Score: 1
Another great thrilled by Nora Roberts about a fireman named Reena who tracks down the person who's killing those close to her by fire. Great read.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun, fast paced read. I couldn't put it down! Another great Nora Roberts.
Helpful Score: 1
A good Nora Roberts novel!
Helpful Score: 1
Great book--up there with her best.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not a Nora Roberts fan but this book was really good. I enjoyed it very much.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the story of a woman fire fighter in the arson division and the terrifying situations she faces. A very fasinating story.
Onr of the best Nora Roberts I've read!
Awesome -- could not put it down.
Another good Nora Roberts book!
An outstanding book! I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Wonderful sense of family and all that entails and an intriguing storyline as well. You will love it!
I enoyed the book, but then again, I enjoy all of this author's books.
Not as much romance as some of her other books, but very good.
Not as much romance as some of her other books, but very good.
Very very good book
Real page turner!
"Fast and exciting."
-The Washington Post Book World
-The Washington Post Book World
Excellent story
An arson investigator, haunted by tramatic events from her childhood, finds love and murder.
Very enjoyable, loved the dtory.
Very entertaining read. Couldn't put it down once I got into the heart of the story.
This is a good Nora Roberts' page turner. The story is one of the four that have become TV feature films and that will be shown on a Monday night in the next three weeks.
A good read. Hard to put down.
Reena Hale- beautiful and strong. Is she unlucky in love because of her great beauty? or because of a man who stalks her?
Good read!
Good read!
Great read, I really enjoyed it.
Exciting and suspenseful. One of the best Nora Roberts books I have read.
As usual, I really enjoyed this Nora Roberts' book with both romance and mystery! The story was captivating...and I liked the characters alot. This was a great book for my flight to Ireland this summer.
Nice stand alone about a women haunted by fire. Fans of Roberts will enjoy this mystery.
Was a great read....Nora Roberts never loses her touch, unlike other authors. A fresh storyline from her.....I loved the characters, Reena and her family were wonderful, the pizzeria locale was fun and who could not love Bo, the hero who finally meets his "Dream Girl"?
I love Nora's writing, but this book combines her mystery writing with her regular fiction writing. Basically, it's a murder/mystery.
As a child, Reena Hale witnessed a horrifying but in some way compelling fire that engulfed her family's business. Now she's an arson investigator and finds her strenth and wits constantly tested - although sometimes the job feels like a snap compared to her lovelife. Now someone is stalking her..and setting fires.
This book will keep you turning the pages. Compelling characters and plot, nicely paced, and a love story that will make you smile. And Reena's oh-so-Italian family is truly memorable.
This book will keep you turning the pages. Compelling characters and plot, nicely paced, and a love story that will make you smile. And Reena's oh-so-Italian family is truly memorable.
Roberts pretty well abandons the romance format here, with the story of a young woman whose fascination with arson investigation springs from a family tragedy and leads her to a career in the field. The suspense subplot is pretty transparent and wobbles a bit at the end, but it's an engaging read anyway.
I really wasn't into this Nora Roberts book. It seemed to me she was attempting to write a character similar to Eve Dallas although with an intact family and only a shadow of trauma affecting her. It seemed unsuccessful to me, personally.
One of my favorite Nora Roberts book; love the suspense and the romance. In fact, it might have been the book that got me started on reading Nora Roberts again after taking a break from her for many years.
A book that binds you in it's spell.
Fun read
Nora Roberts' latest. A fast paced book that binds you in its spell.
First time I've read Nora Roberts, and I totally enjoyed this book. Good mystery, good romance, just right.
Loved the suspense in this one! Nora Roberts at her best!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat for days ...GREAT book!
Excellent reading. Fast paced,well written and interesting subject.
One of my favorites. Good book from first to last page.
Very good read!!!!!
Standard Nora Roberts. Good storyline, although a little jumpy in places.
If you like Nora Roberts, than you will love this new one. Great characters wiht this typical Italian family flair...a must read.
Great attention grabing/holding book
Great read I couldn't put it down. Nora Roberts once again grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let you go!
Loved this book!
Fun read taking place in Baltimore. Fun, fearless female character.
One of Nora Roberts' best!
Good suspense, sweet romance, great fire scenes.
Great read!
Reena became an arson investigator because of a fire that destroyed her family's pizzeria when she was young. But her job is easier than her love life. But she meets Bo, who seems different. Unfortunately, there is a man haunting Reena with phone calls and horrifying crimes. Reena tries to figure out what is going on.
Reena Hale's destiny was shaped in the destructive- yet fascinatingly beautiful - fire that leveled her family's pizzeria when she was young. Now an arson investigator, she finds her strength and wits constantly tested - although sometimes the job seems like a snap compared to her love life. Then she meets Bo Goodnight, who seems different. Bo has been trying to find Reena every since a long-ago night when he glimpsed her from afar. Now that he has found her, he has no intention of letting her go and nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life.
another excellent NR book
Great book about a little girl who witnesses the burning of her families restaurant and how it shapes her life to be an arson investigator. Alot of mystery.
I generally like Nora Roberts' books, but this one had a rape scene that was a too violent for my tastes. The plot was fairly predictable, but mostly the violence was a huge turn-off for me.
excellent read, like all of Norab Roberts's books
Nora Roberts is always a fast and easy read...One of her trilogies got me interested in gardening....the one with flower names:) This one was obviously good enough to make into a tv movie.....
Another good book by Nora Roberts. Kept wondering if the main character was really going to make it and do what she wanted to......
Very good, hard to put down.
Absolutely loved this book. Totally addicting to read.
This book was wonderful. I couldnt put it down from start to finish. The characters are great, full of suspense and love. A must read for Nora Roberts fans.
This was an intriguing story about a woman who suffers sevaral tragedies involving arson and death. She loses several boyfriends to these seemingly unrelated fires. Could they all be connected? I enjoyed this audio book very much. It was fast paced and suspenseful. Another of Nora Roberts greats. It was read nicely by Joyce Bean.
As always, well written with engaging characters and a well delivered plot.
Another great one from Nora.
Also a nice read, one you know will be good.
One of Nora Roberts best!
Intense and a bit different than Nora's normal books. Still a good read and complicated story line.
Excellent plot and great characters
Good read, I enjoyed it thoroughly!
Another excellent one by Nora Roberts! If you love Nora, you'll love this one.
Patty J. C. (theblue-greenlight) reviewed Blue Smoke (Audio CD) (Abridged) on + 66 more book reviews
Good, enjoyable, definitely recommend.
I always read her books, this one was great!!!
Classic Nora Roberts. Good read.
GREAT book!
A smothering tale of suspense that keeps you wanting to read more.
not nora robert's best but i still enjouyed it
This is a dark suspense with rather violent undertones. The violence is not used for shock factor but perhaps could have been toned down just a touch.
Renna Hale's life is changed dramatically one August night when her families' pizzeria is set aflame. The investigation that follows uncovers the arson and eventually the arsonist is arrested. Thinking that this part of her life is over and that she can move on, Renna focuses all of her effort on her long-term goal. She is going to be a fire investigator. Fire has shaped the girl and the woman she has yet become. While trying to see to her dream of school and the job she wants, Renna focuses on school and not on a social life. But when she finally finds "the one" she begins to think that she can have both, until a fire takes the life of her boyfriend. Once again fire plays a role in her life. This sets off a series of events one more horrific then the last. Will Renna be able to figure out who the psychotic serial-arsonist, killer is before he manages to take another life of a man Renna learns to care about?
Renna Hale's life is changed dramatically one August night when her families' pizzeria is set aflame. The investigation that follows uncovers the arson and eventually the arsonist is arrested. Thinking that this part of her life is over and that she can move on, Renna focuses all of her effort on her long-term goal. She is going to be a fire investigator. Fire has shaped the girl and the woman she has yet become. While trying to see to her dream of school and the job she wants, Renna focuses on school and not on a social life. But when she finally finds "the one" she begins to think that she can have both, until a fire takes the life of her boyfriend. Once again fire plays a role in her life. This sets off a series of events one more horrific then the last. Will Renna be able to figure out who the psychotic serial-arsonist, killer is before he manages to take another life of a man Renna learns to care about?
A great book, pretty fast paced & you fall in love with the characters.
cover is worn
Typical Nora Roberts, fast-paced, suspenseful, keeps you turning the pages.
Great read!
This is a story about a women who is a fire investagtor, after her parents pizzeria is burned she grows up fighting fires. Then she is stalked by a fire starter and she has to solve the crimes. Very good book
My husband even liked this book!
Beautiful Reena Hale, trained arson investigator and policewoman, is unlucky in love. The men in her life die tragically, often by fire. A series of fresh arson fires sets the stage for this appealing, suspenseful romance, which combines a large Italian family, their pizza restaurant, a new love interest, a mystery, and a pyromaniac with revenge on his mind. Joyce Bean delivers the goods with a cadence that matches the suspense. The secondary plot involving Reena's sister and her unfaithful husband is stellar, matching voice to mood with choking tears and harsh breathing. Bean's versatile vocal range skillfully portrays male and female parts without hesitation.
A wonderful tale following the life of the main character starting at a pivotal moment of her childhood, and how things and people impact each other in fascinating ways. This book reminds you of the butterfly effect, of how one glance or chance sentence can affect life around you!
I really liked it!
very spell binding
Good book although I found itpredictable. Still had a good story line...
When Catarina "Reena" Hale was eleven years old, she watched with her family--father Gib, mother Bianca, sister Francesca, sister Isabella, and brother Xander--as their family business, Sirico's, burned to the ground. The case came to a swift conclusion, when the father of a boy who had attempted to assault Reena is picked up for arson. The family rebuilds their business, their family ties stay strong, and their love and respect in the neighborhood grows.
We fast-forward to Reena in college, where she's finally decided to lose her virginity to Josh, a fellow student who yearns to be a writer. After her sister Bella's dream wedding, Reena has sex with her boyfriend, returns home, and later discovers that Josh has died during a horrific apartment fire--after supposedly falling asleep in bed with a lit cigarette.
Again, fast-forward. Reena is still in training to become an arson investigator, her life-long dream. She's a member of the police force, has worked actual fires with her fellow firefighters, and now needs to finish her training. A firefighter she was thinking of dating dies in an apparent robbery, shot and left in his burning truck.
Still farther into the future, Reena is a full-fledged arson investigator, and tragedy finds her once again. Only days after earning her gold shield, Luke, a boyfriend whose marriage proposal she turned down, has his Mercedes burned sky-high, and of course Reena is the main suspect. After she's cleared, she's only more determined than ever to make fire her job--to find out who sets it, and why, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Then she meets Bowen "Bo" Goodnight, her new next-door-neighbor, and feelings and emotions get jumbled up with the fires that seem to dog her every step. Because someone has made her their vendetta, and will stop at nothing to make sure that his own brand of justice is served.
I loved BLUE SMOKE! Although it took me four days to read, weighing in at 437 pages and spanning twenty years, the book is a wonderful mix of engaging family saga, taut police/arson procedural, and down and out thriller. I don't agree with the other reviewers who said this book was "horror" or that Ms. Roberts delved too deeply into the mind of the killer--most romantic suspense (and this is definitely one of those books) these days go more into the who, how, and why and less on the fluff. I commend Ms. Roberts for another winning story, one which I was sad to see end. I loved reading about the Hale family and their extended relations, and I'm sure you'll be as enthralled by them as I was.
**I have to also say that BLUE SMOKE reads a lot like Nora Robert's alter-ego, J.D. Robb, in a lot of instances. Some of the short sentences, rapid-pace dialogue, and out-loud ruminating are reminiscent of Eve Dallas, but that only adds to the allure of BLUE SMOKE, instead of taking away from it. Kudos on another winner!
We fast-forward to Reena in college, where she's finally decided to lose her virginity to Josh, a fellow student who yearns to be a writer. After her sister Bella's dream wedding, Reena has sex with her boyfriend, returns home, and later discovers that Josh has died during a horrific apartment fire--after supposedly falling asleep in bed with a lit cigarette.
Again, fast-forward. Reena is still in training to become an arson investigator, her life-long dream. She's a member of the police force, has worked actual fires with her fellow firefighters, and now needs to finish her training. A firefighter she was thinking of dating dies in an apparent robbery, shot and left in his burning truck.
Still farther into the future, Reena is a full-fledged arson investigator, and tragedy finds her once again. Only days after earning her gold shield, Luke, a boyfriend whose marriage proposal she turned down, has his Mercedes burned sky-high, and of course Reena is the main suspect. After she's cleared, she's only more determined than ever to make fire her job--to find out who sets it, and why, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Then she meets Bowen "Bo" Goodnight, her new next-door-neighbor, and feelings and emotions get jumbled up with the fires that seem to dog her every step. Because someone has made her their vendetta, and will stop at nothing to make sure that his own brand of justice is served.
I loved BLUE SMOKE! Although it took me four days to read, weighing in at 437 pages and spanning twenty years, the book is a wonderful mix of engaging family saga, taut police/arson procedural, and down and out thriller. I don't agree with the other reviewers who said this book was "horror" or that Ms. Roberts delved too deeply into the mind of the killer--most romantic suspense (and this is definitely one of those books) these days go more into the who, how, and why and less on the fluff. I commend Ms. Roberts for another winning story, one which I was sad to see end. I loved reading about the Hale family and their extended relations, and I'm sure you'll be as enthralled by them as I was.
**I have to also say that BLUE SMOKE reads a lot like Nora Robert's alter-ego, J.D. Robb, in a lot of instances. Some of the short sentences, rapid-pace dialogue, and out-loud ruminating are reminiscent of Eve Dallas, but that only adds to the allure of BLUE SMOKE, instead of taking away from it. Kudos on another winner!
Another good Nora Roberts. This book starts when the heroine is a young child and takes you through her life as she studies and becomes an arson investigator.
This another good book from Nora. This is about a women getting in fighting arson by joining the fire dept.and finding the right guy to fall for.
A novel about a woman who dares to face the fire and fight back
Great read loved it. Just watched the Movie and hated it. The book was so much better.
So-so read. Not one of her best books, but it'll do in a pinch.
I absolutely loved this book and I didn't want to put it down! Nora Roberts at her best!
The blaze that night at her family's pizzeria changed young Reena Hale's life in more ways than one. Neighbors and relatives would pull together to help the Hales get through the crisis and rebuild. The Baltimore authorities would arrest the arsonist responsible. But as Reena gazed into the fire, beheld its brutal beauty and destructive power, her destiny began to take shape. She would study, struggle, and walk the gauntlet to understand and master its terrible force-and one day become an investigator herself.
But she is not the only one fascinated by the flames. Someone else sees their power as well-and is obsessed not with conquering the fire but with controlling it, owning it, using it to exact vicious revenge.......
When Reena achieves her goal and joins the arson unit, her strength and wits are constantly tested. Though sometimes the job seems like a snap compared with her love life. One relationship after another has ended for her-some in tragedy or drama, some not with a bang but with a whimper. And she can't always blame them-after all, a soot-caked woman barking orders and smelling of smoke isn't the biggest turn-on in the world. Then she beets Bo Goodnight, who seems different. He's been trying to find Reena for years, and now that she is close enough to touch, he has no intention of letting go.
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life-with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tried desperately to trace the origins-of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction-she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...........
The blaze that night at her family's pizzeria changed young Reena Hale's life in more ways than one. Neighbors and relatives would pull together to help the Hales get through the crisis and rebuild. The Baltimore authorities would arrest the arsonist responsible. But as Reena gazed into the fire, beheld its brutal beauty and destructive power, her destiny began to take shape. She would study, struggle, and walk the gauntlet to understand and master its terrible force-and one day become an investigator herself.
But she is not the only one fascinated by the flames. Someone else sees their power as well-and is obsessed not with conquering the fire but with controlling it, owning it, using it to exact vicious revenge.......
When Reena achieves her goal and joins the arson unit, her strength and wits are constantly tested. Though sometimes the job seems like a snap compared with her love life. One relationship after another has ended for her-some in tragedy or drama, some not with a bang but with a whimper. And she can't always blame them-after all, a soot-caked woman barking orders and smelling of smoke isn't the biggest turn-on in the world. Then she beets Bo Goodnight, who seems different. He's been trying to find Reena for years, and now that she is close enough to touch, he has no intention of letting go.
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life-with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tried desperately to trace the origins-of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction-she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...........
Great book - couldn't put it down.
This book is smokin'! Great crime novel mixed with great romance.
Great Nora Roberts read!
Nora Roberts at her best--love and mystery!
Fantastic read! Reena witnessed the fire destroy her familys' business, starting her love of fire. As she pursues her career as an arson investigator someone is watching every move.
This was one of my favorite Nora Roberts books. Loved the storylines, the suspense, and the closeness of the family. It had me laughing out loud as well as some tears.
Not one of her best!
As always Nora Roberts has told a story that I love to read and re read. I also watched the movie after and liked that as well.
One of my favorite books by Nora Roberts.
another great one by Nora
Not one of Nora's best. I wasn't all that into it. Too much despair.
I really enjoy Nora Roberts and this was no exception. I loved the characters and the interactions with Reena's family. Very, very good.
A very interesting story that reflects a knowledge of Baltimore.
If you are a Nora Roberts fan this will no disappoint you! Great read!
You won't want to put this book down. Suspense, romance... This book would make an awesome movie. My Nora faves -- Carolina Moon, Northern Lights, Divine Evil, and Blue Smoke.
Among the best of Nora Roberts.
Another great book by Nora Roberts!
Very good, enjoyable characters.
Nora Roberts continues to draw you in about a woman who dares to face the fire and fight back.
Another great book by Nora Roberts. It did not grab me at the beginning like Northern Lights (which is still my favorite) But I did enjoy it after the first few chapters it started to pick up.
I enjoy anything NR writes.....this is a really good one
good mystery about a woman haunted by some fire bug from her childhood to her adult years .. she finally catches him in the end ..
good story.
good plot with lots of intrigue and romance. One of NR's better books
Mystery novel filled with love, arson, secrets, and danger to a young girl now grown into a woman.
starts out slow,but gets very interesting. good read.
Catarina "Reena" Hale's life was changed forever when, at the age of 11, she watched her family's restaurant in Baltimore's Little Italy go up in flames. Determined to become a fire inspector like her hero John Minger, the man who, in large part, found out who torched her parents' pizzeria, Reena eventually graduates college and becomes a detective on the Baltimore Police Department's arson task force. And although she seems to have it all -- a loving family, good friends, and a promising career -- Reena's love life is disastrous. Her first boyfriend died after allegedly falling asleep while smoking. Another relationship was tragically cut short by a bizarre death on a back road. Reena's lonely existence is changed, however, when she buys a house that is next door to a hunky carpenter named Bo. But when a man who onced stalked Reena reappears and begins to turn up the heat by targeting her loved ones with his deadly fires, she must track down the psychopathic arsonist before she and her new lover get burned -- permanently.
Very good book, keeps you turning the pages!
Reena Hale's destiny was shaped in the destructive--yet fascinatingly beautiful--fire that leveled her family's pizzeria when she was young. Now an arson investigator, she finds her strength and wits constantly tested--although sometimes the job seems like a snap compared to her love life. But she can't always blame the men. After all, a soot-caked woman barking orders and smelling of smoke isn't the biggest turn-on in the world. Then she meets Bo Goodnight, who seems different. He's been trying to find Reena ever since the long-ago night when he glimpsed her from afar. And now that she's close enough to touch, he has no intention of letting go.
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life--with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins--of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction--she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...BLUE SMOKE
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life--with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins--of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction--she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...BLUE SMOKE
"Fast and Exciting" The Washington Post Book World
"Classic Roberts" Library Journal
"Classic Roberts" Library Journal
Romantic suspense queen Roberts (Blue Dahlia, etc.) lights up Baltimore's Little Italy with this appealing story of love, family, food and arson. Eleven-year-old Reena Hale, watching her family's restaurant go up in flames, decides to become an arson investigator. The fire shapes another child's destiny, too, as Joey Pastorelli sees his father go to prison for setting the blaze. Reena's close-knit Italian family rebuilds; Reena grows up and completes police and firefighter training. Despite inheriting her mother's good looks, Reena proves unlucky in love, mainly because her beaux tend to die in fires, but her fortunes look up after she meets hunky carpenter Bo Goodnight. Bo gets along with Reena's family, friends and co-workers, and handles the demands of her career with patient humor, so nothing stands in their wayexcept an obsessed, pyromaniac stalker determined to kill any man Reena loves. Although it does take Reena an inordinately long time to identify her nemesis, Roberts portrays investigative procedure more accurately than her many imitators. Well-sketched supporting characters with potential subplots of their own suggest that the prolific Roberts will put her feet to the fire again. Main selection, the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
Reena Hale's destiny was shaped in the destructive-yet fascinatingly beautiful-fire that leveled her family's pizzeria when she was young. Now an arson investigator,she finds her strenth and wits constantly tested- although sometimes the job seems like a snap compaired to her love life. But she can't always blame the men. After all, a soot-caked woman barking orders and smelling of smoke isn't the biggest turn-on in the world. Then she meets Bo Goodnight,who seems diffrent. He's been trying to find Reena ever since the long-ago night when he glimpsed her from afar. And now that she's close enough to touch,he has no intention of letting go.
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life-with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins-of the calls,the fires,the hatred aimed in her directon-she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life-with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins-of the calls,the fires,the hatred aimed in her directon-she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...
Hard to believe Nora Roberts can cover so many topics, so well. Her heroine this time is a young girl who watches the family restaurant burn, and becomes an arson inspector. Like all Roberts heroines, she is brave and strong, and eventually finds everything she is looking for.
Novel about a women who dares to face the fire and fight back.
My wife loved it.
great quick read - Nora Roberts does a great thriller and love story once again
Another GREAT book by Nora Roberts.
Wow, another exciting story by Nora Roberts. You can't put it down!
One of Nora Roberts' best!
I have never read a Nora Roberts book that did not captivate me from the beginning. Enjoyed every page of this book.
Loved it! Not your typical boy meets girl. This one has it all...murder, romance and a wacko bent on revenge through arson all rolled into one great book.
Her writing just gets better and better. I loved this book. The characters really came to life.
Reena Hale's destiny was shaped in the destructive--yet fascinatingly beautiful--fire that leveled her family's pizzeria when she was young. Now an arson investigator, she finds her strength and wits constantly tested--although sometimes the job seems like a snap compared to her love life. But she can't always blame the men. After all, a soot-caked woman barking orders and smelling of smoke isn't the biggest turn-on in the world. Then she meets Bo Goodnight, who seems different. He's been trying to find Reena ever since the long-ago night when he glimpsed her from afar. And now that she's close enough to touch, he has no intention of letting go.
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life--with taunting phone calls and a string of horrigying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins--of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction--she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...
Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena's life--with taunting phone calls and a string of horrigying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins--of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction--she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...
I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts and was very disappointed in this book. I have never read anything of hers that I didn't like but this was it. Very slow moving, and I guess I didn't like the storyline of people getting burned up. She still is the best author around! This just wasn't my cup of tea.
Intense, suspenseful & very good.
A good read with a strong heroine. Seems to be well-researched to convincingly describe arson.
If your a Nora Roberts fan this was one of her best! About a arson investigator putting together clues of who is trying to destroy her family & friends through fire.
Good story, as usual with Nora Roberts... Fast paced, exciting and good read.
Nora Roberts always delivers a great story!
Great story and characters. A fun, fast read.
Good reading
One of NR's best. Her writing just keeps getting better. Even though you know early on who is the bad guy you're kept in suspense wondering what he is going to do next. The main characters are ones you would like to have as neighbors. If you're lucky you do.
Enjoyable chick-lite read. I loved the family in the story and want them to adopt me.
Renna Hale's life is changed dramatically one August night when her families' pizzeria is set aflame. The investigation that follows uncovers the arson and eventually the arsonist is arrested. Thinking that this part of her life is over and that she can move on, Renna focuses all of her effort on her long-term goal. She is going be a fire investigator. Fire has shaped the girl and the woman she has yet become. While trying to see to her dream of school and the job she wants Renna focus on school and not on a social life. But, when she finally finds "the one" she begins to think that she can have both, until a fire takes the life of her boyfriend. Once again fire plays a role in her life. This sets off a series of events one more horrific then the last. Will Renna be able to figure out who the psychotic serial-arsonist, killer is before he manages to take another life of a man Renna learns to care about?
a story about a woman who faces the fire and fights back. whats not good it is written by nora roberts.
I really enjoyed this book! It's a bit of a departure from her usual writing, and it was great!
great summer read by Roberts.
Another awesome Nora Roberts novel!!
Another great book by Nora Roberts. Loved the characters.
A great book by Nora Roberts - as usual. Though I was a little disappointed that I knew right from the start who the bad guy was, while the main character was blissfully ignorant of who it was and never connected the dots (which were blatantly obvious) until the very end. Beyond that, it was well written, and a page turner.
THis is a great mystery/romance novel and I couldn't put it down. Better than some of her books and I like them all.
Fast moving, great story! Highly recommend.
This is a fabulous book. I couldn't put it down.
this is probably one of the best nora roberts i've ever read, and i have read a lot of her books...a must read!!!
Great! Classic Nora Roberts!
book is much better than the tv movie - much much better
fast pace - very readable in an evening or holiday weekend
its a story about stalking and revenge and sure romance too
not normally a nora roberts fan but this was a good one
fast pace - very readable in an evening or holiday weekend
its a story about stalking and revenge and sure romance too
not normally a nora roberts fan but this was a good one
Nora Roberts has not failed me yet. Blue Smoke was extremely interesting.
Good reading that keeps you interested. Liked the story line.
An absolutely great book. I am dissapointed that there wasn't a series of these. The only reason I am posting it is that I have 2 copies. It is a keeper for sure.
Great family, great story!
Great book. About fires and it is really suspenseful.
I love Nora Roberts --but this book took it a whole life further! Excellent book, suspenseful with just enough romance. 5stars
This is one of her newer books, just came out last year. I really enjoyed getting into the life of Reena. The books starts with her as just a child and we get to watch her grow into a woman.
Excellent storyline. Keeps you turning the pages
This is a great book. I found it very hard to put down. There was a lot of action. I also like the characters in this story.
Wonderful story with a main character you watch grow up in her strong Italian family. Set in Baltimore.
Roberts weaves a great story here with family, job and love all wrapped together.
Roberts weaves a great story here with family, job and love all wrapped together.
good read
Kept me awake
Even though I am a Nora Robert's fan, this book is not one of my favorites. The ending is too predictable and some parts are too crude for my taste.
I started reading this but it is not my bag. I didn't think it was terrible but just not connecting.
Good read
This book was a good one.
this book was good i could not put it down
great read!
Great Nora Roberts story.
Hardcove book. Great read! Reena watches her family's pizzeria burn down. She decides to become an arson investigator. She achieves this dream and is happy, until a serial arsonist comes to town.
THE BLAZE THAT NIGHT AT HER FAMILY'S PIZZERIA CHANGED YOUNG REENA HALE'S LIFE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.SHE WOULD STUDY,STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND THE FIRES TERRIBLE FORCE--BECOME AN INVESTIGATOR HERSELF.BUT SOMEONE ELSE SEES THE POWER AS WELL--AND IS OBSESSED NOT WITH CONQUERING THE FIRE BUT WITH CONTROLLING IT,OWNING IT,USING IT TO EXACT VICIOUS REVENGE.... I LOVED THIS ONE ITS AGREAT READ!!!!
Ex library book....labeled accordingly
