The Negotiator (The O'Malley Series #1) [Paperback]

Dee Henderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2005

FBI agent Dave Richman from Danger in the Shadows is back. He's about to meet Kate O'Malley, and his life will never be the same. She's a hostage negotiator. He protects people. He's about to find out that falling in love with a hostage negotiator is one thing, but keeping her safe is another! Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Veteran hostage negotiator Kate O'Malley has seen humankind at its worst. In fact, she has become something of a legend for her ability to parlay a successful outcome from even the most desperate situations. FBI special agent Dave Richman, introduced in Henderson's Danger in the Shadows, has every reason to have lost faith. But he hasn't and Kate has. From their first encounter during a bank holdup, these two very disparate people are inexplicably drawn to each other. But can they overcome the obstacles? Dave's Christianity is as much a part of him as his desire for Kate, while Kate claims no particular belief in God. And can Dave relinquish his need to protect Kate when it is her job to place herself in danger? But Dave may not have a choice when a secret from Kate's past returns to haunt her--or kill her. Full of surprises, Dee Henderson's The Negotiator is a walk on the wild side and readers will love every thrilling minute!--Alison Trinkle --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Henderson's series has an intriguing hook: the seven O'Malley siblings, who adopted each other and changed their names to reflect their new family. In this first entry, Chicago hostage negotiator Kate O'Malley meets Dave Richman (the FBI agent from Henderson's Danger in the Shadows) while she's talking a bank gunman into releasing hostages. Impressed by her professionalism and attracted to her personally, Dave starts courting the aloof Kate, only to discover that she's not a Christian, a major stumbling block for him. As he struggles to understand why she doesn't believe in God, a threat from Kate's past, an airline bombing, a family tragedy, and the discovery of a biological brother threaten to break this strong woman. Solid storytelling, compelling characters, and the promise of more O'Malleys make Henderson a name to watch. Highly recommended, with a cross-genre appeal.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprinted edition (October 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414310560
• ISBN-13: 978-1414310565
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (290 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dee Henderson is the author of 14 best-selling novels, including the acclaimed O'Malley series and the Uncommon Heroes series. As a leader in the inspirational romantic suspense category, her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RWA's RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, the Holt Medallion, the National Readers' Choice Award, and the Golden Quill. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois and is active online. Visit her at www.deehenderson.com.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#34 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#53 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#34 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#53 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars You Caught Me! July 8, 2000

By Eric Wilson TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Can Faith Change the human heart? Find Out in The Negotiator June 7, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars the pros, the cons, and too much chocolate June 25, 2012

By "abby"

Format:Paperback

If I could give 2.5 stars I would.

First, the pros. The book starts out very interestingly, good action, and incredibly, unlike other reviewers, I didn't think about how unrealistically perfect the o'malley family is. I simply liked the unique structure, and their commitment to each other. Its a "clean" book. It has a unique plot, and offers interesting views into police and airport work. It seemed to have everything for a great story, at first, but then it took a turn for the worse because of

the cons

Dave is a) a professional, highly-trained FBI agent. b) He is a strong and dedicated Christian. Given a and b, it seems highly implausible that he would invite a strange woman whom he is protecting (as part of his job) to live in his house. Not only that, at home and on the job, he is constantly touching her. Granted, in a brotherly plantonic fashion--but really, a top FBI man cotinually hugging, stroking hair, cheek, etc. someone on the job? Sitting on the couch hugging her? Where is his respect for her as a woman and as a fellow officer? His professionalism, though stated, is inevident. And this brings us to

Kate. At first a strong, intriguing, professional, described as enigmatic--someone with years and years work behind her--she changes to showing almost exclusively a weak, commonplace side, as though convieniently her expertise and professionalism, like Dave's disintegrates. Granted she is a dynamic character, and change would be expected. However, the change should be in tune with who she is in the beginning of the book. Yes, she's going through a tough time, but she should respond to it as the Kate we first meet. So one of the strongest cons is inconsistency in character development.

Also--would investiagors really permit family members of an officer to practically take over a branch of an investigation?

The book did keep my attention (I read 95/ in one afternoon), but at the end I felt like you do when you've had too much chocolate. Too much, to "sticky", wrong, somehow, somewhere. Its a pity. Especially because she seems to be laying groundwork for a story on each of them, which could be attractive, but I'm afraid the "something sticky, sweet, and wrong" would attain near fatal levels if read in close succession. Oh, one more thing--for writing style, think faintly Karen Kingsbury.

Give it a try...just don't expect it to be entirely plausible.