Hot Target (Troubleshooters, Book 8) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Cosmo's mother was driving him crazy..." (more)
Key Phrases: party girl producer, little faggot, Mercedes Chadwick, Jules Cassidy, Freedom Network (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Known for her adrenaline-laced Navy SEAL romances, Brockmann displays a new, more political side in this brisk but bumpy romantic thriller, which advocates gay rights. Though the book follows the exploits of sexy, silent Cosmo Richter, the man of mystery from Brockmann's earlier romances (Gone Too Far, etc.), Cosmo must share the limelight with Jules Cassidy, a gay FBI agent and also a recurring character in Brockmann's books. Both Cosmo and Jules are charged with safeguarding hot Hollywood producer Jane Chadwick, who has come under fire (literally) for making a movie dealing with two gay war heroes. A few contrived plot twists find Cosmo and Jane initially butting heads, then coming together as friends and finally burning up the sheets as lovers. More compelling is Jules's struggle to stay away from his egocentric ex, an actor who conveniently lands a starring role in Jane's film, and from Jane's brother Robin, who's so deep in the closet that he has turned to drink. At times, Brockmann goes too far in pushing her agenda—even Cosmo is a card-carrying member of PFLAG who, thanks to his gay father, "can name every Barbara Streisand album ever made"—and readers won't need second sight to foresee the story's twists. Still, Brockmann's uncanny ability to give each character an authentic voice and dialogue to match will pull readers through this shaky installment.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Jane Mercedes Chadwick has worked hard to cultivate her image, and having a bodyguard around would prove that her reputation as Hollywood's "Party Girl Producer" is more fiction than fact. But after she begins receiving death threats from a group of neo-Nazis who object to her latest project, Jane's studio ignores her protests and hires Troubleshooters, Inc. Babysitting a hot movie producer should have been an easy assignment. Then U.S. Navy SEAL Cosmo Richter meets Jane, and not only does he have to convince the sharp-tongued and sharp-witted Jane that she really is in danger but Cosmo has to convince himself that becoming romantically involved with a client really isn't a good idea. Several characters from previous books in Brockmann's Troubleshooters, Inc., series have roles to play in her latest riveting tale of danger and desire, including FBI agent Jules Cassidy, whose old romance with actor Adam Wyndham and whose present, somewhat confusing relationship with Jane's younger brother provide even more romantic complications for the plot. Brockmann's latest is funny, sexy, suspenseful, and superb. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345467930
• ISBN-13: 978-0345467935
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #652,903 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 8 in The Troubleshooters Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Usual Brockmann Page-Turner!, December 31, 2004

By	L. McCreadie "slmchicago" (Elmhurst, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There has yet to be a Brockmann book that I haven't loved. And this one is no exception - it contains her usual realistic dialogue, fully formed three-dimensional characters, and the perfect balance of a-plot and romance without tipping into the "too technical" abyss that could happen in such stories.

I did love the relationship between Jane and Cosmo. But...I have to say that I was slightly disappointed when Cosmo turned out to be not quite the "dangerous man with a mysterious past" character he had appeared to be in previous stories, but actually a very open-minded, generous-hearted and very understanding man. Don't get me wrong - I think these traits are absolutely necessary in a good hero. I just almost felt that Cosmo was too good to be true. There was no digging beneath the layers of toughness and mystery to find the tender jewel beneath his exterior - he pretty much laid it all on the table up front. And in the end, all of the dark mystery surrounding him was actually based on a bunch of gossip that had just gotten blown out of proportion. The truth of the story was very moving, and it made me fall in love with Cosmo. But I felt the "menace" of his character in past stories was missing in this one.

As for the heroine, Jane, at first I really didn't like her. What she did - using her bodyguards so expoitively to promote her own agenda - was really low. But she did redeem herself once she fully understood how what she had done affected those around her. And I was very touched by her reaction to the tragic events that occurred to others trying to protect her. It seemed to be a very realistic response.

I also loved that Brockmann has brought Jules Cassidy to the forefront as a leading character. I wanted to weep for him as he found himself on the verge of a wonderful relationship only to be thwarted by the hangups of his would-be-partner. Jules is such a wonderful man, and I want nothing more than for him to fall in love and settle down, since this is what he seems to want for himself. I'm hoping that perhaps, in a future novel, he'll meet Robin Chadwick again and Robin will be ready for him.

Which leads me to Robin Chadwick. Now this is a character I do hope Brockmann shows us more of. I felt so sorry for him - it was so obvious to me who and what he is, but that he feels he can't be that person is tragic. I prayed through the whole book that his feelings for Jules would be enough to allow him that freedom, and despite my sadness that things didn't work out the way I'd hoped, his actions seem very, very realistic given his history and his desires for the future.

My problems with this book - the reasons I didn't give it five stars - have been mentioned by others. Several characters where given voice when I didn't really see a need for it. For example, Lawrence Decker made a POV appearance on several occasions, but I'm not really sure why it was necessary. His story wasn't advanced in any way, nor was he integral to the two main romances at hand. Too, Max Baghat showed up in one scene only to fade right back into the woodwork. Sometimes I feel like Brockmann thinks she needs to remind us of her entire cast of characters so we'll remember them when they show up as the primary characters of future stories. A sort of name-dropping habit that really isn't necessary.

Also, I didn't much like the portrayal of the Adam character. He confused me. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to hate him or like him. Often he appeared to be a first class sleaze bag who used people shamelessly, only to do something mildly heroic. Instead of viewing these contrasting actions as making him three-dimensional, they seemed more out-of-character. I never understood what Jules had ever seen in the guy, so Jules heartbreak was hard for me to understand. Rather than throw the "lover from the past" into Jules' story, I would have loved more development of his relationship with Robin and how Robin's total denial of his homosexuality caused heartache.

Neither did I much like Patty, Jane's assistant. She was so incredibly naive, and Robin's treatment of her was horrid. I just felt sorry for her, but only in a pathetic way rather than in a sympathetic way.

These complaints aside, I did find myself unable to put the book down. Once again Brockmann has written a story that pulled me so completely into her world that I felt I was hanging out with old friends. And now, sadly, I'm back to waiting the long months until the next Brockmann release...

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some strengths and some weaknesses here, January 9, 2005

By	Girl on a hill (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Let me first say that I have read EVERYTHING S. Brockmann has ever written and I'm a huge fan. Let me also say that her last 2-3 books have been rather disappointing. I'm not sure what is happening...

My main criticism here is the shallow/weird romance between Cosmo and Jane. I didn't really find myself getting into either character. I actually felt more interest in Jules and his entanglements. Overall, though, the story lacked any real emotional satisfaction.

Regarding the gay romance theme... I don't mind this being in the book at all. HOwever, there was a little bit of overkill with the whole PFLAG, gay father, etc. Was this really necessary?

As I said in my review of her last book, what is going on? These trouble-shooter books just aren't cutting it. I actually look forward to another SEAL Silhouette book (Tall, Dark, & Dangerous). Brockmann may need a shorter book format in order to keep out all the annoying sidetracks. By the way, for those who never read them, DO IT! You'll LOVE all the TDD series.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars from a Brockmann Fan, January 7, 2005

By	E. Schwarz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first Suzanne Brockmann book I read was "Out of Control", and after that I bought or borrowed nearly every book she's ever written. Reluctantly, then, I give Hot Target three and a half stars, but not for the reasons many other reviews have given.

This is a story of a Hollywood director who is threatened by a fringe hate group because of the content of the movie she's filming. But the bad guys are never really fully described, and the threat never feels personal. (This is in stark contrast to another of her best books, "Over the Edge", where, with Gina's story, you feel the very real threat throughout the whole book.)

There is tension in this book, but it's mainly "please don't do anything dumb" tension as the main characters seem to make stupid decision after stupid decision, whether in their actions or their love decisions.

All of this being said, Suzanne Brockmann still writes a gripping story that I had a hard time putting down. I just hope she focuses more on action, on SEALs, and on her plot development in her next book.