Black Orchid

by Karen Harper

Black Orchid by Karen Harper released on Apr 25, 2006 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Suspense

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor

Reviews

[Marlene Chabot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I've read by Karen Harper. It's a romantic suspense novel set in Florida's Everglades and beyond. The main character Jordan Quinn ends up back in the area she grew up in due to her husband Lawrence's research work with the Panthers. The novel's author is familiar with the Naples-Everglade area since she's spent much time here and shares a wealth of information about the Seminole Indians and their way of life.
If you've ever visited Southwest Florida, you'd enjoy the plot.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to read a book set in Southwestern Florida, a place I recently visited. I felt like I could really see in my mind some of the places the characters visited. It also gave me a healthy appreciation for the plight of the endangered panther that lives in that area.

[Karen Medlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a native Floridian I especially enjoyed it because it was set in the Everglades. A surprise twist at the end that I didn't see coming. The action began in the first chapter and never let up.

[Carol Wippich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[Joanne Timm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story

[Linda Lockwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not very concise.

[Tabi34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
Quick summary - Jordan lives in Naples Florida and has a flower shop - specializes in orchids. Her soon-to-be ex husband is studying wild Florida panthers. While out looking for orchids, Jordan finds members of the panther team who have been poisoned by Seminole darts. Her first husband (annulled) is now the chief of the Seminoles. He is framed. She fights to save him. People around her die. Her family isn't who they say they are. Lots of complications and a good ending.

There was enough suspense to make me fear for the heroine at times, which I haven't found in many books lately. Nothing terribly gruesome just good old fashion terror. There is a bit of romance and a small amount of sex - which I guess sells books. Not totally necessary, but a nice touch.

Looking for more books by Karen Harper.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a good new romantic suspense author, you'll enjoy Black Orchid. Jordan Quinn is an orchid grower in the Naples area, who's estranged from her husband, when she gets embroiled into the mystery of his disappearance and then death. What makes it hard for her, is her attraction to her former lover, Seth Cypress, a Seminole Indian. When people from the Panther team are killed or attacked, she feared from her life, as her late husband Lawrence might be onto a miracle cure for the lenti-virus on animals. As she gets closer to the truth, she learns a shocking family secret that rocked the world, while she gets back together to Seth and his family. This is an enjoyable read.

[Laurie Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely my favorite book of all time, I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. Its not anything I can relate to, or that I would have gone out looking for, it just sparked my interest and I absolutely loved it!

[Beth Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not finish. Formula romantic suspense. I could almost read it with my eyes closed. Predictable characters wearing heart on their sleeves. Female character is wimpy and cowering. The writer could not make me care.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good suspense novel from Karen Harper. I felt that the story did not grab me in the beginning, but it ended up being a pretty good book.

[April]

I liked this book. It kept my attention.

[Wendy Chaney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never finished it...gave up after 3-4 times

[Jill Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Karen Harper. This is a new story with new characters but with the same fear and terror through out. She can tell such good stories with mystery!