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Night Moves
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts’s Night Moves, a widow gets a second chance at happiness—only to unearth a long buried secret that threatens the new life and love she’s found.
When her husband died, Maggie Fitzgerald abandoned her career and place among the wealthy elite for a small town existence where she could grieve in peace and quiet. Her broken heart finds solace in the company of her landscaper, Cliff Delaney. But Cliff has a temperamental side, and when human bones are found on Maggie’s property, he becomes the police’s number one suspect. Obsessed with learning if the man she’s grown to love is capable of murder, Maggie puts her own life in a killer’s crosshairs…
When her husband died, Maggie Fitzgerald abandoned her career and place among the wealthy elite for a small town existence where she could grieve in peace and quiet. Her broken heart finds solace in the company of her landscaper, Cliff Delaney. But Cliff has a temperamental side, and when human bones are found on Maggie’s property, he becomes the police’s number one suspect. Obsessed with learning if the man she’s grown to love is capable of murder, Maggie puts her own life in a killer’s crosshairs…
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1985
1727 people are currently reading
2839 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,217 books60k followersNora 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
January 3, 2024
"Long ago she had learned that surface problems were best ignored. It was problems simmering under the surface, not quite visible, that had to be dealt with."
This book came as a bit of a shock to me as I really thought it was the sixth book in the Night Tales series. I don't always read summaries when it comes to my favorite authors, I just trust that whenever I open a book, I'm going to love it. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it, even if I only want more in the Night Tales.
This is one of her shorter romance stories, but it has the twist of mystery and murder just like all of my favorite Nora books. The only difference is the length, and of course, no true link to law enforcement. It was actually sort of cool to have no knowledge of the case as you went through this one simply because every other Nora book I've ever read has been quite the opposite.
I loved the concept in this story. The making of roots, the music, and finding happiness in the most unexpected of places. The only thing I didn't love were the characters. That's bound to happen, and I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Nora Roberts is just incredible. I'll always believe that.
This book came as a bit of a shock to me as I really thought it was the sixth book in the Night Tales series. I don't always read summaries when it comes to my favorite authors, I just trust that whenever I open a book, I'm going to love it. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it, even if I only want more in the Night Tales.
This is one of her shorter romance stories, but it has the twist of mystery and murder just like all of my favorite Nora books. The only difference is the length, and of course, no true link to law enforcement. It was actually sort of cool to have no knowledge of the case as you went through this one simply because every other Nora book I've ever read has been quite the opposite.
I loved the concept in this story. The making of roots, the music, and finding happiness in the most unexpected of places. The only thing I didn't love were the characters. That's bound to happen, and I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Nora Roberts is just incredible. I'll always believe that.
June 30, 2020
Apparently, I've read this story many years ago. I don't remember a thing. Reading it again was a completely new experience for me. But it's a nice story. Especially for one of the shorter books from Nora Roberts that tend to be rather middling.
And although in a month I will not remember neither the story nor the heroes of this story, I still think they are fine. For a fairly short story, the characters are well-styled and interesting. Even if they are confusingly similar to some of the other Roberts characters. The plot is fine too. It is not unique but interesting enough.
And although in a month I will not remember neither the story nor the heroes of this story, I still think they are fine. For a fairly short story, the characters are well-styled and interesting. Even if they are confusingly similar to some of the other Roberts characters. The plot is fine too. It is not unique but interesting enough.
October 2, 2016
Not sure why this was linked to the Night series as no relation to others, has totally new characters and new setting.
I enjoyed it but felt ending was rushed and finished far too abruptly with no epilogue!
I enjoyed it but felt ending was rushed and finished far too abruptly with no epilogue!
June 15, 2019
Gifted and renowned composer Maggie Firtzgerald moves to the other side of the country to get away from her frentic life in L.A., the home she purchases requires a lot of work, and whilst her agent thinks she’s crazy for wanting to leave L.A, Maggie is loving the peace and quiet, and enjoying the fact she is bring her new home back to life. The house and the grounds need a lot of work, so Maggie hires landscaper Cliff Delaney. Maggie’s desire for a small pond in her garden, results in her dog unearthing decades old bones, and the bones are very much human.
There were times where Cliff’s misconstrued assumptions about Maggie, were a tad annoying, but Maggie I really liked. The romantic suspense component of this book felt like it melted a little into the background, and overall the book didn’t have my pulse racing, but it was a nicely written book which was well-paced. I was a stumped to see there was no epilogue, the story did need one.
An easy, relaxing re-read, but I don’t know why it’s associated with the Night series, it doesn’t feel connected at all (maybe I’m missing something).
99p on Amazon 6th June 2019
There were times where Cliff’s misconstrued assumptions about Maggie, were a tad annoying, but Maggie I really liked. The romantic suspense component of this book felt like it melted a little into the background, and overall the book didn’t have my pulse racing, but it was a nicely written book which was well-paced. I was a stumped to see there was no epilogue, the story did need one.
An easy, relaxing re-read, but I don’t know why it’s associated with the Night series, it doesn’t feel connected at all (maybe I’m missing something).
99p on Amazon 6th June 2019
August 7, 2014
4 Stars ~ Maggie's a talented composer, which her Grammys, Oscars and Tonys attest to, but she'll always be the daughter of her celebrity parents who died in a plane crash when she was 18. Her entire life had been lived in the public eye, including the death of her husband and the circumstances that lead to his fatal car crash. It was only by chance that Maggie had come across the For Sale sign on the Blue Ridge mountain road. Far from her LA mansion and her celebrity life style, she immediately fell in love with the house and seen all the possibilities the surrounding land had to offer. A month after her purchase, here she was with all her treasured possessions, the baby grand the most prized. She'd hired a local contractor, Bog, for house repairs and he'd recommended Cliff to look after the landscaping.
From the moment Cliff had learnt who had purchased the old Morgan place, he'd had a bad taste in his mouth. He'd allowed prejudice for the rich and celebrated to judge Maggie, and from their first meeting he couldn't hide his dislike. Maggie was puzzled by Cliff, but he seemed to know his business and he appreciated the land. She hated that he'd stereotyped her, but he didn't have to like her for his company to do a good job.
When the excavator unearthed human remains, Maggie's quiet life suddenly spiraled into a murder mystery. The body turned out to be the former owner whose body had never been recovered when his car had been found in the river. There's no doubt he's been murdered and Maggie quickly learns that whole town had hated him, including Cliff.
I haven't read many books penned by Nora Roberts. This is her first and only book written for the Harlequin Intrigue line. It's also the 19th book in the line, and perhaps one that may have helped define the line's often edgy balance of intrigue and romance. Reading this one reminded me of how much I do enjoy Intrigues and that I should read more of them, especially these vintage gems. While this book has often been grouped with Ms. Roberts "Night Tales" series, it's only connection is the title.
Though far from her first, this is an early book by Ms. Roberts, written in 1985. As her popularity attests, she is a very talented story teller. I found this story compelling from the first pages. At first her rapid change from Maggie's POV to Cliff's didn't seem to flow but by the second chapter these characters had morphed into two vibrant personalities and that rapid change was most effective in heightening passion between them. The mystery plot is also very well done. I enjoyed this story very much and shall look for more of Ms. Roberts earlier romantic suspense stories.
From the moment Cliff had learnt who had purchased the old Morgan place, he'd had a bad taste in his mouth. He'd allowed prejudice for the rich and celebrated to judge Maggie, and from their first meeting he couldn't hide his dislike. Maggie was puzzled by Cliff, but he seemed to know his business and he appreciated the land. She hated that he'd stereotyped her, but he didn't have to like her for his company to do a good job.
When the excavator unearthed human remains, Maggie's quiet life suddenly spiraled into a murder mystery. The body turned out to be the former owner whose body had never been recovered when his car had been found in the river. There's no doubt he's been murdered and Maggie quickly learns that whole town had hated him, including Cliff.
I haven't read many books penned by Nora Roberts. This is her first and only book written for the Harlequin Intrigue line. It's also the 19th book in the line, and perhaps one that may have helped define the line's often edgy balance of intrigue and romance. Reading this one reminded me of how much I do enjoy Intrigues and that I should read more of them, especially these vintage gems. While this book has often been grouped with Ms. Roberts "Night Tales" series, it's only connection is the title.
Though far from her first, this is an early book by Ms. Roberts, written in 1985. As her popularity attests, she is a very talented story teller. I found this story compelling from the first pages. At first her rapid change from Maggie's POV to Cliff's didn't seem to flow but by the second chapter these characters had morphed into two vibrant personalities and that rapid change was most effective in heightening passion between them. The mystery plot is also very well done. I enjoyed this story very much and shall look for more of Ms. Roberts earlier romantic suspense stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2018
Maggie Fitzgerald bought a house in Maryland and is ready to live her life her way. She hires Cliff Delaney to do landscaping around the property while she tackles the renovations inside herself. But something is discovered in the property and it is a dead body.
Originally published in the 80s. The time when jerky heroes were quite popular. While Cliff was a bit of a jerk at times, he wasn't that bad in my opinion. He just had a takeover attitude and once he decided Maggie was for him, he expected no argument. Of course, Maggie has a say in her life and no one was going to tell her otherwise.
The romance was the star of the show with the suspense/mystery taking a bit of the back burner. The mystery of who the murderer was really wasn't that hard to figure but like I said, it wasn't the star. Felt a little dated but it was written over 30 years ago. But not too dated that I didn't enjoy it.
Originally published in the 80s. The time when jerky heroes were quite popular. While Cliff was a bit of a jerk at times, he wasn't that bad in my opinion. He just had a takeover attitude and once he decided Maggie was for him, he expected no argument. Of course, Maggie has a say in her life and no one was going to tell her otherwise.
The romance was the star of the show with the suspense/mystery taking a bit of the back burner. The mystery of who the murderer was really wasn't that hard to figure but like I said, it wasn't the star. Felt a little dated but it was written over 30 years ago. But not too dated that I didn't enjoy it.
November 12, 2019
Bu sefer olmamış be Nora :( Bu ne biçim bir erkek karakterdi sinirlerimi bozdu :/
March 19, 2023
2 stars out of 5 ⭐️⭐️
If you're looking for a novel where the male love interest is controlling, misogynistic, and arrogant, then THIS is the novel for you!
If you're looking for a novel where the male love interest is controlling, misogynistic, and arrogant, then THIS is the novel for you!
February 12, 2015
Can I give this a zero? The main man in this book borders on creepy harassment too often for me. When a woman tells you 'no' - whatever her reasons are - you back away and respect her wishes. Showing up and pushing yourself on her is simply not romantic.
June 16, 2015
Cliff was a little too overbearing for my liking. I wasn't a huge fan of his or the whirlwind romance here. I liked the mystery more than the romance.
January 17, 2022
The first time in all the books that I have read by this author that I had such a strong negative reaction to the two main characters. I did not like either of them at all. Seesh!
July 20, 2020
Nora Roberts is an author whose name I’ve heard a lot. In fact, it’s hard to avoid her name. The author has a large following, with numerous books on offer, which meant it was only a matter of time until I picked one up.
It is safe to say after reading Night Moves, I’m not crazy about picking up more Nora Roberts in the future. In fact, I’m surprised the author has such a large following when this one was so mediocre. In fact, it wasn’t even mediocre.
The story had potential, but the suspense aspect was quickly pushed aside for a back and forth between the characters that failed to grip me. I felt like I was reading the same things over and over again. A detail made worse by the fact the book contained one of my biggest pet peeves – head hopping. One paragraph would give what one character was thinking, and the next paragraph would give what the other character was feeling. It’s one of those things that really gets to me, and the more of this I read, the more annoyed I became.
All in all, Night Moves failed to show me why Nora Roberts is such a big name. It’s likely this is just a bad reflection of her work, but it doesn’t leave me eager to pick up more.
It is safe to say after reading Night Moves, I’m not crazy about picking up more Nora Roberts in the future. In fact, I’m surprised the author has such a large following when this one was so mediocre. In fact, it wasn’t even mediocre.
The story had potential, but the suspense aspect was quickly pushed aside for a back and forth between the characters that failed to grip me. I felt like I was reading the same things over and over again. A detail made worse by the fact the book contained one of my biggest pet peeves – head hopping. One paragraph would give what one character was thinking, and the next paragraph would give what the other character was feeling. It’s one of those things that really gets to me, and the more of this I read, the more annoyed I became.
All in all, Night Moves failed to show me why Nora Roberts is such a big name. It’s likely this is just a bad reflection of her work, but it doesn’t leave me eager to pick up more.
February 20, 2018
I thought this was a part of the Night series until I realized I was wrong. The story is a bit too short, I would have enjoyed a little more suspense. Also, there is no epilogue.
Cliff was a little too rude for my taste though I liked Maggie. I wouldn't definitely like a man who'd behave that way in real life.
Of course, Nora is a master at writing emotions and this is no exception. Only if the book was longer with more emotional scenes and mystery.
It'd have been nice to read the gradual transition of Cliff's lust to love, instead of hinting it in a few simple sentences.
Cliff was a little too rude for my taste though I liked Maggie. I wouldn't definitely like a man who'd behave that way in real life.
Of course, Nora is a master at writing emotions and this is no exception. Only if the book was longer with more emotional scenes and mystery.
It'd have been nice to read the gradual transition of Cliff's lust to love, instead of hinting it in a few simple sentences.
November 11, 2014
What dribble! This reminds me of those sleazy novels with the picture of a bare chested man in front of a beautiful women. Every other chapter was filled with Maggie's and Cliffs erotic moments. The story itself has been told many times and thankfully it is a very short book. Nora Roberts should be ashamed of herself for putting out such a pointless book.
February 12, 2022
Famous composer Maggie Fitzgerald bought a creepy, old house in the town of Morgansville, a world away from the glitter and glamour of Hollywood. Determined to fix the house and the surrounding land, she hires Cliff Delaney, the local landscaper. Even though sparks fly between them from the get-go, when they find a 10 year old skeleton of a murdered man everything changes. Because the killer might still be walking in their midst and Maggie might not be safe in her house.
One of those typical early Nora Roberts story and one who didn't age that well. The male protagonist is an asshole and the female a naive twat. The thriller-y aspect was fun and definitely the best thing about this book. Loved how you find out who the perp is at the very last moment. The romance was forgettable, these two idiots deserve each other, there was no depth to these characters at all. Not that much fun and not that great either.
One of those typical early Nora Roberts story and one who didn't age that well. The male protagonist is an asshole and the female a naive twat. The thriller-y aspect was fun and definitely the best thing about this book. Loved how you find out who the perp is at the very last moment. The romance was forgettable, these two idiots deserve each other, there was no depth to these characters at all. Not that much fun and not that great either.
April 20, 2024
I know a lot of people might forgive Roberts for this as it was written in 1985, but I am old and was alive then and, while I admit a lot of romance books from the time featured dominant arrogant men, I don't think this leading man would be anyone's romantic ideal during any era.
Yes, if you want to read a story where the hero stalks the heroine, speaks to her like she's something he's squashed under his boot, and has zero understanding of consent, then this is the book for you.
Even if I could forgive these sins due to its 'age', the couple had zero chemistry, the sex scenes were boring and the mystery plot wasn't intriguing enough to get me through to the end. (I sort of worked out what the outcome/resolution could be and, if the rest of Roberts' writing is anything to go by with this title, I doubt there's a breathtaking twist.)
1 out of 5
Yes, if you want to read a story where the hero stalks the heroine, speaks to her like she's something he's squashed under his boot, and has zero understanding of consent, then this is the book for you.
Even if I could forgive these sins due to its 'age', the couple had zero chemistry, the sex scenes were boring and the mystery plot wasn't intriguing enough to get me through to the end. (I sort of worked out what the outcome/resolution could be and, if the rest of Roberts' writing is anything to go by with this title, I doubt there's a breathtaking twist.)
1 out of 5
October 9, 2020
Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish i could rate it 10 Stars!!)
Review:
Another fact paced yet fun Mystery Thriller in this series by Nora!!
I still love the characters in this series and the storyline is still so fun and easy to get into!! Can't wait to read more by Nora in the future!!
Review:
Another fact paced yet fun Mystery Thriller in this series by Nora!!
I still love the characters in this series and the storyline is still so fun and easy to get into!! Can't wait to read more by Nora in the future!!
November 5, 2025
3.5 stars - 🎵workin' on my night moooves🎵
January 2, 2020
2.5 stars
April 14, 2018
Celebrity composer Maggie Firtzgerald moves to the other side of the country to get out of her frenetic life in L.A. She buys a house and decides to have a proper garden, hiring landscaper Cliff Delaney.
While they're digging up ground for her pond, they find human bones and it soon becomes clear someone didn't want those bones to be found and still doesn't want for the truth to come out...
This book was safely middle ground. It wasn't particularly exciting (either in the romance or suspense department), but it was still well-written and rather well-paced to keep the reader from getting bored.
The suspense left much to be desired, since it spent most of the book pushed into the background, and even the final reveal wasn't that intense, gripping and/or surprising.
The romance was quite disappointing, since I didn't particularly like either character (she had deep issues and he was quite a snob), and it felt rather rushed and unbelievable.
While they're digging up ground for her pond, they find human bones and it soon becomes clear someone didn't want those bones to be found and still doesn't want for the truth to come out...
This book was safely middle ground. It wasn't particularly exciting (either in the romance or suspense department), but it was still well-written and rather well-paced to keep the reader from getting bored.
The suspense left much to be desired, since it spent most of the book pushed into the background, and even the final reveal wasn't that intense, gripping and/or surprising.
The romance was quite disappointing, since I didn't particularly like either character (she had deep issues and he was quite a snob), and it felt rather rushed and unbelievable.
November 29, 2021
The mystery was very intriguing, I loved the small town setting, the female protagonist was an interesting character, and the male one was well done too.
I didn’t like the romance that much tho, I thought the differences between the two characters were a huge detriment to them being together and they got over them quite too quickly for it to be believable.
Also, the way Cliff treated Maggie at the beginning was quite irksome.
I didn’t like the romance that much tho, I thought the differences between the two characters were a huge detriment to them being together and they got over them quite too quickly for it to be believable.
Also, the way Cliff treated Maggie at the beginning was quite irksome.
November 2, 2011
Not like the usual NR books I read. The story is not really interesting and also not too many conflicts.
Well, for reaching my goal for this year I choose some HQ so that I can finish them quickly :P
Well, for reaching my goal for this year I choose some HQ so that I can finish them quickly :P
October 19, 2020
Meh found it rather bland
January 11, 2022
Although I loved the plot line I felt I couldn’t connect with any of the characters in this book. I felt some sort of substance missing… maybe I was itching to know about Maggie’s past life a bit more?
I couldn’t imagine her in my mind for the life of me.
Also I needed more detail for the SEGGSY TIME. Although this wasn’t so much a romance novel, I feel more detail would have allowed me to experience more emotion whilst reading it.
I read ‘Night Shield’ before this and felt more of a connection to the characters in that novel and enjoyed reading the intimate parts in that one more. Also I was able to picture the scenes a bit better too. Would 100% recommend 😊
I couldn’t imagine her in my mind for the life of me.
Also I needed more detail for the SEGGSY TIME. Although this wasn’t so much a romance novel, I feel more detail would have allowed me to experience more emotion whilst reading it.
I read ‘Night Shield’ before this and felt more of a connection to the characters in that novel and enjoyed reading the intimate parts in that one more. Also I was able to picture the scenes a bit better too. Would 100% recommend 😊
November 18, 2019
a 3 1/2 maybe - did not like the man's perspective towards the woman.
February 15, 2020
Meh. I bought the Kindle book on sale. If I had realized this was from 1985 I wouldn’t have bought it.
July 24, 2023
I want..NO I NEED a book about Maggie’s parents.
November 27, 2018
Das war tatsächlich das langweiligste und das schlechteste Nora Roberts Buch,das ich gelesen habe, schade...
April 8, 2015
All Maggie Fitzgerald wants to do is finish the musical score for an upcoming film in peace and quiet. On a whim she leaves the hustle and bustle of LA and buys a 'fixer-upper' in small town Morganville, MD. As she is settling in to rural life she hires a local landscaper to overhaul her 12+ acres of 10 year old neglected land. There is tension in the air and you know sparks are going to fly between these two in typical Nora Roberts fashion. Polar opposites attract, fight desperately to deny the attraction etc etc etc. In the midst of the romance Cliff Delaney's crew is working to clear a gully for a pond when her puppy Killer uncovers a skeleton. A 10 year old mystery is revealed along with the bones. Why was old man Morgan buried on her land? Who was the stranger prowling around in her attic and what did they take? What is Cliff's connection to Morgan family? As the murder and murdered come to light will Cliff be in time to save Maggie from harm? I gave this book 4 stars because I liked it as an easy quick read as only Roberts can deliver. Recommended as a vacation/beach read.
October 8, 2013
Nora Roberts'in Orginal adı Night Moves olan Bir Gece Ansızın isimli kitabı yazarın diğer kitaplarına biraz vasat bulsam da severek okudum.Polisiye temaları ile kurgulanmış duygusal bir hikaye idi..Dünyaca ünlü bir bestekarın kargaşa ve kalabalıktan kaçmak için taşındığı bir kasabaya yerleşme hikayesi idi.. Maggie yeni aldığı evi hem tadilat yapıyor hem yerleşiyordu..
Sıra bahçenin tasarlanıp düzenlenmesine gelince kasabada bu işlerin ustası Cliff Delaney ie anlaşır..Yeni evinde bir takım gizemli sesler de duymaktadır..Bahçe düzenlenmesinde bir havuz istemesi ile olaylar başlar.Çünkü kazıda kafatası bulunur. Bir yandan bu durum le uğraşırken bir yandan da Cliff ile arasında oluşan yakınlaşması ise derinleşiyordu..
Nora severler bu kitabı kaçırmayın...
Sıra bahçenin tasarlanıp düzenlenmesine gelince kasabada bu işlerin ustası Cliff Delaney ie anlaşır..Yeni evinde bir takım gizemli sesler de duymaktadır..Bahçe düzenlenmesinde bir havuz istemesi ile olaylar başlar.Çünkü kazıda kafatası bulunur. Bir yandan bu durum le uğraşırken bir yandan da Cliff ile arasında oluşan yakınlaşması ise derinleşiyordu..
Nora severler bu kitabı kaçırmayın...
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