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In the Arms of a Stranger
In The Arms Of A Stranger by Kristen Robinette released on May 23, 2003 is available now for purchase.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
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January 28, 2024
Dana Langston is a news reporter set to testify against a man accused of killing his son. After a public work breakdown, she's off for a break, but gets caught in a wild storm and her car nearly crashes. She sees another car, goes to investigate, and finds a dead woman inside. And the dead woman's baby! She takes the baby, and is shot at by a sniper. Coming to her rescue is police chief Luke Sutherlin, also caught in the storm. Convenient! He gets her to an abandoned ranger's station where they must wait out the vicious conditions...and the person trying to kill Dana!
This 2003 romantic suspense tale utilises the old hiding-out-at-the-cabin trope, which is one of my least favourites when it comes to this genre. It just doesn't lend itself to a dynamic pace, and this book is no exception. The proceedings are unfortunately very flat, and the suspense element is practically non-existent, despite a sniper apparently lurking outside. Neither Dana or Luke grabbed me as characters. Dana was too flaky and I'm not fan of heroines whose only aim in life is to be a mommy. Luke was an asshat, and presumably not very bright. When he learns of Dana's breakdown, he's pissed off and immediately makes her his number one suspect in the death of the baby's mother. I know sensitivity around mental illness wasn't a thing back in 2003, but even putting the casual ableism aside, it's a dick move on Luke's part and doesn't even make sense. You need a motive to go along with your suspect, Luke! (He also assumes his own father is a murderer, so Luke doesn't seem like the type of guy who's fun to be around.) The climax helps save this from 1 star, as ridiculous as it all is.
Romantic suspense just doesn't work if (1) there's no suspense, and (2) if the hero spends most of the book thinking the heroine is hiding something, lying, or accusing her of being a murderer. I think the publishers have since cottoned on to this, as its a trope you thankfully very see little of nowadays.
On a side note - this has nothing to do with my rating - but what's with that cover? It's utterly awful. I have no idea what it's even meant to be.
This 2003 romantic suspense tale utilises the old hiding-out-at-the-cabin trope, which is one of my least favourites when it comes to this genre. It just doesn't lend itself to a dynamic pace, and this book is no exception. The proceedings are unfortunately very flat, and the suspense element is practically non-existent, despite a sniper apparently lurking outside. Neither Dana or Luke grabbed me as characters. Dana was too flaky and I'm not fan of heroines whose only aim in life is to be a mommy. Luke was an asshat, and presumably not very bright. When he learns of Dana's breakdown, he's pissed off and immediately makes her his number one suspect in the death of the baby's mother. I know sensitivity around mental illness wasn't a thing back in 2003, but even putting the casual ableism aside, it's a dick move on Luke's part and doesn't even make sense. You need a motive to go along with your suspect, Luke! (He also assumes his own father is a murderer, so Luke doesn't seem like the type of guy who's fun to be around.) The climax helps save this from 1 star, as ridiculous as it all is.
Romantic suspense just doesn't work if (1) there's no suspense, and (2) if the hero spends most of the book thinking the heroine is hiding something, lying, or accusing her of being a murderer. I think the publishers have since cottoned on to this, as its a trope you thankfully very see little of nowadays.
On a side note - this has nothing to do with my rating - but what's with that cover? It's utterly awful. I have no idea what it's even meant to be.
Displaying 1 of 1 review