The Final Target

by Nora Roberts

A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire―and rage―in the gripping new thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude―but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

432 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 26, 2026

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little predictable but oh, what a wonderful journey to get to the end. Beautifully descriptive places, people and relationships. In depth character development of not just the main characters but all their families and friends and even the protagonist. I enjoyed the characters, plot, and the mystery.

Thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Talk about edge of your seat!! Nora has done it again, a mystery/ romance/ thriller. This book kept me up past my usual bedtime many nights. The characters are well developed and I felt like they were my good friends by the time I had finished it. I will miss them! I also need to visit the PNW. I’m not going to go to in depth with details so just take my word for it and get this book! But be prepared for some late nights!!! I was gifted an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Stacy40pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Target by Nora Roberts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Arden is a new successful author when she meets Dustin who wants advice writing. She makes a major mistake by ignoring her warning bells. Her ends up with a short sentence due to a wealthy family and Arden is left to pick up the pieces.

I love a stalker thriller and this was no exception. The stalker in this case was truly terrifying because he was absolutely insane and out of touch, which almost seemed a bit unrealistic but it was entertaining. The book is pretty long and some of the conversations were probably longer than they needed to be, but it would get right back into the action. I loved the sub plot of a little romance and was happy with how Arden didn’t necessarily need to be saved as she could protect herself.

“Something in him is missing, or turned wrong, but he’s not sane.”

Read this if you like:
-Stalker thrillers
-Mental health thrillers
-Insane, wealthy misogynistic characters
-Light romance sub plots

The Final Target comes out 5/26.

[Beth Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does Nora Roberts continue to be my favorite comfort read author? Yes, and this book will be one of my favorites when stacked with her others. Does it have flavors I’m familiar with in her work? It does, and clearly I like what I’m reading. Loved these characters, loved the tension throughout the book, loved the dialogue and love all the dogs in the book. Perfect read for the holidays and even though I’ve finished it and it won’t come out until May I look forward to reading it again. If you liked Mind Games, Night Work, The Liar or Whiskey Beach this is another of her greats!

[Cheri Sitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…it’s all so layered. You need that solid script, and actors who can make you believe it’s real, but you have to have someone with the vision and the skill to put it all together.”—Nora Roberts, The Final Target.

This quote from the book was about a movie director. By the time I reached it (page 208) I was already completely invested in the books’ characters. Change the word actors to characters and this perfectly describes Nora Roberts and this, her best book out of hundreds!

The depth of the characters, the background tidbits about interior design, woodworking, scene descriptions across multiple states, all of it just melds together to become one unforgettable book! The book writing lead character is delightful and inspiring. “It’s a tremendous gift to be able to do what you love, what you want and wanted. It makes me want to be good at it, do it right.” (Page 239) yes!

Thanks to St Martins Press for my ARC! I received the book in the mail yesterday at 5 pm and finished it today at noon. 419 pages. It’s THAT good!

@StMartinsPress

[Georgia Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Target by Nora Roberts is another best seller book! This book has something for everyone. The Final Target includes: mystery, romance, thriller, fiction which will keep you trying to figure out the final outcome. The character development is exceptional, which is true of all of Nora Roberts books. The main characters are Arden, an author and Dustin, an aspiring writer. Dustin has been released from a psychiatric hospital and his motives are questionable. There are so many twists and turns that will keep you reading for hours! Again, this is another good book from Nora Roberts! I highly recommend reading this book! I received an advanced copy from Goodreads!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I happily received this book from the giveaways. Second, this was a very good book, about a budding author who is attacked by a supposed fan. He had developed an obsession for her, for her red hair. He is arrested, but instead of being convicted for attempted murder, he is sent to a mental hospital for five years. Does he come out healed or does he seek revenge for losing five years of his life?

[Terrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I like Nora Roberts and her JD Robb books. This is another winner. Disturbing, engaging and a main character I cared about.

I also loved that it is partially set in the PNW.

It has great pacing and once I was a couple chapters in it became hard to put down. Probably a couple day read if it hadn’t been during December that I was reading it. Too much travel and holiday get together. lol

Very much recommend.

[MAB LongBeach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense. The romance is satisfying, but it's a fairly minor portion of the book. The protagonists are appealing, especially Arden, who finds her strength after a terrifying ordeal.

Fairly minor Roberts. That doesn't mean that it's bad, of course! Just not quite as good as I had hoped.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin Samolinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Robert’s does not disappoint! I won an uncorrected proof of The Final Target. It has an amazing story with a strong female lead. I do have warn that there concepts that were hard to read. These concepts while hard to read were handled tastefully. The story flows with natural progression and leaves you not wanting to put it down.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

Quick thoughts:

I love Nora Roberts's romantic suspense and this one checks a lot of boxes.

I loved the character Arden. She overcame a lot and while it took time, she began to thrive in the aftermath.

I loved how her whole family was determined to protect her and how Gideon loved her.

[Sarah Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I won the advance reader copy in a Goodreads giveaway and I was pleasantly surprised! This is my first Nora Roberts book and I really enjoyed it. It was quick at the start, slowed down a little towards the middle, and then picked back up in the end. Great read!

[Lizenbyl]

Arden has suffered in her personal life with the loss of her parents, but her Aunt and Uncle with extended family helped her grieve and become the writer she wanted to be as an adult. Arden was stalked by Dustin and there were several nuances to the stalking process. No more or spoiler alert.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss.plus

Review to come

[Lorrie Ann Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a great book . I fell in love with Arden's family and her group of found family. I could have enjoyed a book in just them alone.

[Charee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the progression of the story, the characters and their backgrounds. Great message to end with!

[Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong main character surrounded by friends and family made this an enjoyable story

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Nora Roberts! Vivid characters and a decidedly messed up villain. Roberts has a way of writing that immediately pulls you into the story and keeps you coming back.

[Judy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the start! Arden a strong, determined, knows what she wants in life female fights to reclaim her life. She learns to live and love again.