Customer Reviews

Brazen Virtue (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper))

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Brazen Virtue" is a great romantic suspense novel, written in true Nora Roberts style.
Grace is a successful murder mystery author who is looking for some peace and quiet after a stressful book tour. When Grace discovers that her usually straight-edge sister Kathleen is earning extra money as a phone sex operator she is concerned. But because of the company's strict anonymity policy, she figures that Kathleen will be perfectly safe. Unfortunately, she couldn't be more wrong, as she returns home one night to find her sister strangled with the phone cord. It seems as though Grace has walked right into one of her books, only this time she is the dazed survivor.
Detective Ed Jackson, Grace's new neighbour is assigned to the case. But he is having trouble concentrating on anything but his attraction to Grace and his desire to keep her safe. Grace is determined to avenge her sister's death, so she sets up a daring trap to lure the killer to her. Ed doesn't like the idea one bit, and is concerned for this feisty woman he has fallen in love with.
But neither Grace nor Ed knows that Grace's trap has already worked and that this brilliant madman has turned his obsession to her. As the killer closes in it will be up to Ed to put things together and get to Grace in time to save her life!
This is a thrilling and fast-paced read with a lovely romance added to the mix. Grace and Ed will charm readers with their endearing quirks and mannerisms. This is a follow-up to "Sacred Sins" although it can easily stand alone (I read this one first and had no trouble following). This is a wonderfully entertaining book and I have no doubt that you will enjoy it!

"Brazen Virtue" was a great "love-mystery" mini-novel. I am used to reading Nora's romance stories, so this one threw me a bit. It was wonderful nonetheless. The sister of a murder victim helps her next door neighbor catch the criminal. I give it a thumb's up!!!!!

Also, try the Mackade Brothers' series.

Brazen Virtue was one of the first books I read of Nora's in the 1980's, along with Hot Ice and Sacred Sins. I couldn't put it down. I love the way she protrays her characters and keep the action moving. Nora has only gotten better through the years. I have probably bought every book she has written, even under the name J.D.Robb, and I keep looking for more. I usually read her books in one or two nights and then wait expectantly for the next one. Keep on writing Nora, you will always have a buyer in me.

I guess that is supposed to refer to the fact that this is a re-release of an old book. The book itself is okay, a little dated when it comes to references to music, pop-culture, etc... But it isn't anything new for the Noraholics who are waiting for the next release.

WHEN I FIRST PICKED UP THIS BOOK, I FELT THE CHARACTERS OF ED & BEN WERE FAMILIAR. IT TOOK ME A MOMENT TO REALIZE THAT THIS BOOK IS A "PARTNER" TO SACRED SINS. (BEN & TESS' STORY) IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF WONDERING WHY YOU FEEL A LITTLE LOST. READ SACRED SINS, IT'S GREAT. AS FOR THIS BOOK, I REALLY ENJOYED ED. HE CRACKED ME UP WITH HIS EATING HABITS & HIS LITTLE QUIPS THAT NEEDLE BEN.THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE 2 COPS IS A GREAT BALANCE. I DID FIND IT HARD TO FEEL PITY FOR KATHLEEN, THE VICTIM & GRACE'S SISTER. I FOUND MYSELF FEELING MORE SORRY FOR GRACE.(SHE'S THE HAPPY GO LUCKY TYPE) THE PLOT WAS GOOD, AND THE "BAD GUY" WAS A BIT OF A SUPRISE. (HIS AGE)THE ATTRACTION BETWEEN GRACE & ED IS IMMEDIATE, PLUS THEY HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.I DID GET A KICK OUT OF THE WAY GRACIE WENT ABOUT TRAPPING THE KILLER. IT DROVE ED NUTS, + IT MADE ED JEALOUS THAT SHE WAS DOING PHONE SEX. ALSO,THE WAY THE KILLER WAS ABLE TO USE A COMPUTER WAS VERY INGENIOUS. READ IT-AS USUAL NORA PENS A GREAT BOOK. I READ IT COVER TO COVER AS I ALWAYS DO HER BOOKS IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. IT'S AN ENJOYABLE READ.

I hate it when an author re-releases a book--and doesn't own up to it in the press release! (And, for that matter, why doesn't Amazon indicate that it is a re-issue? I know, I know, profit-motive at work again.) This book was first issued as a paperback in the 80's so re-issuing it as a hardcover for quite a bit more $$$ is a real jip. Nora Roberts, who publishes new books faster than I replace pantyhose, should be ashamed of herself!

I thought the book was fantastic. But, what Nora Robert's novel isn't. The first book I read of hers was "True Betrayals", and after that I just kept buying more and more of her novels. I especially liked Carnal Innocence. Keep them coming Nora!

I really enjoyed this book.
In true Nora Roberts style, we are kept on the edge of our seat wanting to know who the 'bad guy' is. What a surprise at the end.

I appreciated how the two main characters are thrown together in a situation far beyond their expectations. The sparks between Grace and Ed are electric. Grace is her own woman not afraid to do what she thinks needs to be done to find her sister's murderer. Ed is a cop through and through. What a combination.

Wonderful.

When it comes to Nora Roberts', I've most enjoyed the stories in which she has included a lot in the way of scenic description. Unlike her Irish stories, or the Three Sisters Island trilogy, this particular story is quite straightforward and lacking in descriptive narrative. However, the suspense is nicely built, and the ending avoids the trappings of those nice and neat, everything figured out in a nutshell, kind of things.

It is quite obvious that the story takes place in the 80's (she dates the clothing and music in an extremely overt fashion), and her storytelling ability was not as tight and as interesting as in some of her newer novels.

Readers who aren't familiar with Roberts may want to begin with one of the newer books, such as "The Three Fates" (a more intelligent read).

I truly love Nora Roberts and have read much of her work. Brazen Virtue starts off great with a chilling murder and a budding romance. The whole story goes well until the last two chapters where the sparks of the story abruptly fizzle. The killer's capture is completely anticlimactic especially since you're told early in the story who he is and what his "political connections" are. The only thing you don't know is his powerful father's name which doesn't mean anything anyway since I didn't learn much about him. The fear I hoped would be incorporated through Grace and Ed is dud. I know this was an early work for Ms. Roberts and thankfully her endings have gotten more thrilling.