Customer Reviews

The Negotiator (Christian Softcover Originals)

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

That's right, you caught me reading a...gulp, dare I say it?...romantic mystery. First, let me say I originally purchased Henderson's novel for my wife. No, really. Second, I must tell you, this book is more mystery than romance. At least from this male's point of view. Oh, sure, Kate meets Dave, Kate falls in love with Dave, Kate and Dave face obstacles, and...well, I shouldn't tell you the end. But romance is in the air, no doubt.

A true mystery is also at work here. Dee Henderson lays out the groundwork of her story with spartan efficiency--sometimes lacking a definitive narrative style-and tosses in enough details to make you buy into it. She's done her research. The dialogue, in particular, flows naturally and breathes life and personality into these characters. Though the assortment of minor characters might be confusing to some, I assume Henderson was fleshing out the story for this and future books in the O'Malley series.

My wife, not an avid reader, finished the book a day before me. That's a good indication of "The Negotiator"s intrigue. The mystery is resolved, the roma--I mean, relationships come to satisfactory conclusions, and the lessons learned are Biblically sound and relevant.

I've since purchased Henderson's "Danger in the Shadows"--for my wife, of course. But if you read my review here later, don't say I didn't warn you.

Kate O'Malley faces the insanities of the world on a daily bases. As Hostage Negotiator Kate is legendary, her courage, wit and talent in her field has brought her to the top.... but nothing has been able to cure age old wounds. Dave Richman, an FBI special agent has spent his life protecting people, his courage, wit...and belief in God has led him to the top. When these two meet it is under a dangerous and stressful situation, but nothing can disguise the instant attraction they feel for each other. But can Kate open her heart enough to believe? And can Dave love a woman who has shut God out of her life? Soon secrets and old time enemies threaten both parties and both Kate and Dave will learn that God certainly does work in mysterious ways. The Negotiator is a wonderful read. Dee Henderson spins a beautiful love story and a suspenseful thriller. Only moderately predictable, Ms.Henderson sometimes relies on the cliched to pull her out of a rough spot. Such predictability can be overlooked in the wake of strong characters and a moving story line. The "inspirational" aspect is just that, inspirational, never "preachy" or high handed, God is softly intertwined with the characters and emotional plots and subplots. Satisfying to the end The Negotiator will have a place on my library shelf.

Get two copies, one to keep and re-read and one to share with friends! Have read it twice already and enjoyed it both times! Dee Henderson has the wonderful ability to combine friendship, family, caring and crisis in this can't put it down story. Find her web page and read her other stuff also - you won't be disappointed! I may need to start a support group for "fans waiting for the next Dee Henderson book"..........keep up the great work Dee!

Now I'm not normally into romance, whether it be in book or movie format. (At least that's what I tell myself and loudly proclaim to my friends). But with the Negotiator, Dee Henderson managed to grip me with the action side of the story early enough to take me beyond my prejudice. I'll have to get my sisters' reactions before issuing a final judgment, but for now I'll say it's got great appeal.

This is the first in a series on the O'Malley clan, a group of orphans that all adopted each other, changed their names, and became their own family of seven. Kate O'Malley is a top negotiator in hostage situations. During one such incident, she runs into FBI Special Agent Dave Richman. As they begin to come closer through many tough crises, Kate continues to struggle with her faith, ultimately leaning on Dave and her younger sister Jennifer.

I often struggle with those types of books where the woman is dependent on the man to "show her the way." Here, however, Dee Henderson has created a strong heroine, who (like my sisters) could whop any man who says otherwise. She's tough, yet knows where to go for help when it's called for. And the book is all the stronger for it.

The O'Malley family is a tight group bound by love for one another. They met as orphans and formed a unity so strong each one changed their surname to O'Malley. Kate was the one who was at the orphanage the longest, having been taken out of a bad environment when she was nine. She serves as a loving, surrogate mother to her brood even as she works as a hostage negotiator for the Chicago police force.

Kate does not readily trust people so her life turns complex when she meets FBI agent Dave Richman during a hostage situation and finds herself attracted to him. He reciprocates her feelings even though both know there is no hope for a relationship to form. He strongly believes in God while she rejects the thought of an omnipotent being. When someone blows up a plane killing two hundred people, the perpetrator links Kate to the vicious crime. Kate and Dave work closely together trying to uncover a nasty felon even as their attraction blossoms into love.

Dee Henderson has written a triumphant inspirational fiction tale that has wider appeal than just to genre fans that will cherish this superb novel. The O'Malley clan is a dynamic family who to the elation of readers will each have their own story told. Kate's exciting tale is a woman's search for faith and love that is so beautifully narrated that the audience will place this on the O'Malley keeper shelf.

Harriet Klausner

What is a family? For the O'Malleys it has nothing to do with blood, who as orphans decide to become a family. Each one has a unique talent that serves mankind but their loyalty is to the family. So when one hurts they all do, especially Kate when she learns her sister's secret. Dee Henderson running high on the triumphant success of DANGERS IN THE SHADOWS has returned with her promised THE NEGOTIATOR; delicious Dave's story.

FBI agent Dave Richman finds himself trapped in hostage situation, hidden from the captor but not the police negotiator. All becomes quite complex however, when the negotiator is a woman which terrifies Dave. Yet, Kate is like no other negotiator or woman he was seen before and quickly takes command of the captor with no help from him. What he can't understand is his sudden attraction to her and why that bothers him?

Kate O'Malley. as a police negotiator, had thought that she had seen it all. Of course who would have thought that a cocksure FBI agent would find himself a hidden element in this scenario. Now she has to keep her captor cool and the agent from doing anything stupid. But Dave is not stupid as he quickly realizes that Kate is one exceptional negotiator let alone woman. A woman he wants to get to know more, something that has always eluded him as he cared for his sister. Yet, as he later meets her family he senses that making time with Kate is going to be no easy task. But there are other even bigger hurdles to jump for both Kate and Dave.

Ms Henderson has crafted a vividly intense story of a young woman's search for answers to a child's strange past, accept without fear the love of a man she has come to cherish and how it is all possible when one accepts God's love. This story takes the reader on a incredibly plotted roller coaster ride full of suspense sure to keep the reader's heart in their throat as an especially evil element surfaces from Kate's past. THE NEGOTIATOR is the first of a number of planned O'Malley books; save keeper space because the men and woman of the O'Malley's are sure to learn what being wrapped in God's love means for each of them. Ms. Henderson's work has always been considered gourmet Inspirational Romance, but those who read other romance genre' need only to tantalize their palates with any of her wonderful offerings to learn what a truly gifted storyteller she is.

"The bomb goes off at 11:15. The plane is talking to the tower. Tell Kate O'Malley I haven't forgotten the past." Just when Kate thought that her week couldn't possibly didn't get any worse, she heard the message threatening to blow up a plane and had a personal message directed at her. As a hostage negotiator she was used to being able to handle situations like this and bring them to a peaceful resolution. She was also used to threats from those convicted through her job as a negotiator.

This time however, the rules are different. In the midst of all of the chaos her sister Jennifer and new friend Dave expect her to turn to the God that she blames for the turmoil in her life. One night when she can't sleep she reads the book of Luke and writes out the questions that she has. Jennifer and Dave really want her to believe, but don't they realize that it's not that simple? Believing is about trust, and Kate's life experiences have taught her not to trust easily.

Will Kate be able to overcome the obstacles that arise when she is tied directly to the bombing that caused the deaths of 214 people? How will Kate react when she is brought face to face with a past that she thought she had left behind for good?

This was an excellent novel. I found it hard to tear myself away from the characters and either go to work or to bed. I enjoyed meeting the O'Malley family and continuing getting to know Dave from "Danger in the Shadows" where he protected his sister Sara.

This is a fantastic series of inspirational romantic suspense. The characters are all members of the O'Malley family. These are characters you wish were real people so you could spend more time with them. This is the first book of a six book series. The Negotiator grabs you with one of the best opening scenes I have read in a book and doesn't let go throughout the book. Hostage negotiator Kate O'Malley and FBI Agent Dave Richman have amazing chemistry and seem to jump off the page. I highly recommend this series and all of Dee Henderson's books. You won't be disappointed.

Ok, So I wasn't a fan of christian fiction until I read this book. I couldn't exactly escape reality in the Left Behind Series, and I really don't like my fiction to mix with my reality (So, I'm a chicken...). Dee Henderson has become my FAVORITE Christian Author. She has a style that is so fresh, and so wonderful. The story she potrays of Kate and Dave is amazing. Read this book, and you'll be looking for a man like Dave. (Or Marcus, BTW...The Guardian is on the tippy top of my faves). I now have the ENTIRE O'Malley family series. I will be starting book 3 as soon as it comes. I'm so excited. These are the best of the best. Don't just take my word on it, go, read, NOW. Trust me, God will bless you tremendously if you open your heart, and learn. God Bless.

I read this book in a week. I couldn't put it down!! I fell in love with the characters and the story line. I'm new to Dee Henderson's writing, but I intend on reading every single one of the "O'Malley" series books. I'm currently reading "Danger in the Shadows" which was the prequel to the O'Malley series and I'm already in love with these characters. I was hoping for a little more romance, which is the only reason I gave it 4 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a little romance thrown in. Sometimes the investigation became confusing because the author detailed the police work and it was hard to follow but somehow it always wound up making sense and coming to together through the dialouge of the characters. Overall an excellent book.