Bait

by Karen Robards

Narrowly escaping an attempt on her life while on a business trip in New Orleans, attorney Maddie Fitzgerald is unnerved by attractive FBI agent Sam McCabe, who reveals that Maddie is being targeted by an elusive hired killer. By the author of Beachcomber. 150,000 first printing.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."

Reviews

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word: Fail.




Honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
As usual, a whiny, needy, old-school-stupid heroine ruined a solid 4-star read.
Or was it the lame plot in the second half?

>>>>>>>>>> MILD SPOILERS <<<<<<<<<<

The heroine was forced to work for the mob seven years ago. She was arrested and charged with being an accessory to first-degree murder as well as with money laundering and racketeering. But she never went to prison because she was super smart. She ‘died’, got herself a new identity and thus outwitted both the FBI and the mob. *snort*

Seven years later, she is attacked in her hotel room. She doesn't call the police when she stabbs her attacker. She just walks away. She thinks it’s the mob and starts blackmailing the mob. *snort*

Enter hot FBI agent. Because Hottie is badass, he doesn’t need to sleep. Literally. He doesn’t sleep for days. Seriously?

Hottie and his super competent FBI posse are super ingenious so they don’t need to contact the local police to get the details on the heroine’s attack. They can get the information directly from the heroine. On the street. No profilers or crime scene investigators or any other experts out of their little circle need to be consulted. They decide to solve the crime alone. Literally. From the heroine's home. Five FBI agents decide by themselves to sleep and live in and outside the heroine's home for days.



My God, I really hope the US law enforcement manpower is more competent and more intelligent than this.

I'm not going to lie, the story started off very promising. The beginning reminded me of Sandra Brown’s books but, sadly, the storyline took a sharp turn towards unbelievable and laughable. Full of clichés, stereotypes and nonsensical descriptions, the story lacked depth, originality and freshness and was too formulaic and unrealistic for my taste.

The only character that (almost) saved the book was Zelda, a cute, neurotic Pekingese. Sadly, she's just another element that added to implausibility of the story. Who feeds a dog a bag of peanut M&Ms and four large fries from a fast food restaurant ??



This won't stop me from reading more of Karen Robard's books though. I heard she’s got some great books. Her writing has potential so…. We’ll see.

[Linda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie Fitzgerald barely escapes being killed in her hotel room on a business trip to New Orleans. She hopes it was a random act and can get back to her life. Sam McCabe, FBI, thinks otherwise. To him she is the latest in a string of professional hits throughout the South being carried out by a serial killer leaving clues. So far they have been one step behind 9 murders. He thinks the killer will be back, thinking she might be able to identify him. He wants her under guard. Maddie has secrets that she can't afford Sam and his crew to uncover. She is truly caught between a rock and a hard place. This was action packed and suspenseful with a cast of likable secondary characters, except for the bad guys. And some real humorous scenes involving a dog named Zelda. Robards is a favorite and this is a good one.

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I have to make peace with the fact that romantic suspense is not for me. I don't like to generalize, but most of what I've read so far managed to be bad on both the romantic and the suspenseful sides: the romance is usually formulaic and insipid, and the detective plot is unsubstantial and unsatisfactory.
This book fitted perfectly that mold.

What I especially didn't like:
— the damsel-in-distress kind of heroine (she trembles, she shivers, she faints, she has to be carried around);
— the unbelievability of the damsel-in-distress syndrome, given her past (I mean, she escaped the mob. Where did her street-smarts go?);
— the unbelievability of the male lead as a detective: he wouldn't reach the right (and obvious) conclusions even when staring at them in the face;
— the sloppy job done about the police aspects of the book (sometimes the scenes where so carelessly rendered that they lacked the minimum requirements for credibility);
— the insta-obsession that rapidly turned into insta-love;
— the perfection of the main characters: because they are hot, they are good in what they do, they are nice, they are always right. Blah;
— the cardboard-cut side characters.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Fairly decent romantic suspense although showing its age with some doozies of inappropriate workplace sexual harassment and my personal favourite (not) the hero and heroine stopping off for some explosive sex in the woods whilst being chased by the bad guys! Nevertheless, Karen Robards can spin a yarn... enjoyable escapism.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Karen Robards is hit or miss for me. I've read a few of her books that were quite good and others, like this one, that were just fair. The theme/plot itself appealed to me but the execution didn't work as well as I'd have liked.

[Jessica Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story dragged alot for me. I found myself skimming alot. If you like suspense this book is for you. If your looking for suspense involved with romance don't read it. The romance began towards the end and never really got steamy for me.

[Linda C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was horrible. However, to be fair, I didn't realize that it was "romantic suspense", which saved it from being a one star. I found the audio version on-line through my local library and downloaded it to my ipod. Based upon the brief review that the library network provided, the book sounded like a crime suspense novel focusing on the FBI's hunt for a serial killer crisscrossing the country taunting the agents with clues to the next victim.

So the story had such a good foundation-- it should have been great. The first couple of chapters were really good, tight, suspenseful, murders, mistaken identity, etc. THEN, sadly, it became not a suspense novel, but rather a story about Maddie Fitzgerald, with a little (very little) suspense thrown in for good measure. If I had wanted to read about Maddie and her fledgling advertising agency, I wouldn't have chosen a mystery novel. Add to that, a lot of the writing was just plain bad.

There were scenes that should have been suspenseful, i.e. Maddie and Sam (the FBI love interest) coming into Maddie's office on Monday morning to find the office deserted... where were the other employees? Killed? Kidnapped? This scene had real possibilities to be something, but no... they were hiding in Maddie's office to yell "Surprise!" "Congratulation on landing the Bremer account."

Dumb, dumb, dumb, the book was dumb. The only reason that I kept listening to it (way too long, by the way) was that I wanted to find out who the killer was. Even that was anticlimactic-- again, should have been great. There was a nice twist ending that wasn't developed at all. What should have been the climactic scene was over in about 30 seconds, moving back to Maddie, the ad agency, the Bremer account and Zelda, the pampered dog. By the last two hours or so of the audio book, I couldn't care less if Maddie got whacked, got it off with Sam, lost the the Bremer account, whatever.

Also, the narrator kept referring to the killer as the U N S U B, as in spelled out with initials, where as any fan of Criminal Minds knows, it is unsub, as in a word. In fact, I would love to see what Criminal Minds could do with the plot, and actually have them search for the killer, rather than focusing on Maddie and the stupid Bremer account.

[Sunshine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was decent but the h was soooo annoying and
I found myself screaming at the book at times thanks to
her. She has like ten FBI agents trying to protect her
because a fucking serial killer is after her and she fights
them every step of the way. Where's your self-preservation
girl? After her past and what happened to her the night
the serial killer tried to kill her, I would have latched
myself to the H and not let go for dear life until the guy
was caught.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this suspenseful story and the interesting characters. Maddie has a near death experience and just wants to brush it under the rug, until Sam McCabe from the FBI enters the picture and wants to know all about it. With a past she wants to forget Maddie tries to get Sam out of her life but it seems a killer has other plans, for the both of them.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes! New author for me!

I really enjoyed this. Lots of action -- check. Heroine who was not tstl and in fact did stuff for herself -- check. Actual chemistry between leading characters -- check. Sure, there were a few plot holes and too-cute devices, but the pace of the story made this a very fun read.

For fans of Someone Like You.

[PRK Oregon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rating.
Not my genre (romantic suspense), it was a gift from a friend (thank you Gina!) - I do not care to read pages and pages of description of the male chest. This story did have a surprising twist at the end that should intrigue the author's many fans.

[Applefruit · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the most boring book I've ever read. The main character, Maddie, is extremely annoying. The "hero" Sam is yawn-worthy and inept as an FBI agent. Please, pass on this snooze-fest!

[Heav · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall I didn’t HATE the book. I was definitely interested and was able to get through it, but some parts of the book were unrealistic. I wish the ending showed more of the aftermath of the incident that occurred.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this thriller, but I didn't love it. The characters kept me invested in reading through to the end though.

[Elizabeth Hesseltine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the dog! Great action and romance.

[Fran (with the book addiction) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was hard to get into. The action parts were fantastic but it dragged in other places. Definitely not as good as shattered.

[ElaineY · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AUDIO & EBOOK; JULY 3, 2014: 3.8 stars
Narrator: Joyce Bean

I had put off reading this for years as I hadn't liked Robards' books that were written in the last ten years, apart from a few. I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised that this didn't end up a DNF, especially when the reviews haven't exactly been glowing.

The Story: The book starts off with a burst of action/suspense when Maddie escapes an attempted murder. It sagged somewhat after this despite my enjoying every scene that involved Sam McKade, the FBI special agent, who tasks himself with protecting Maddie from a killer out to get her.

We know Maddie is hiding something but what this is isn't revealed until late in the story. I felt that if more time was given to this aspect and less on Maddie's fledgling company and that annoying pooch, this would have been a solid 4 stars, if not 4.5.

The book only really takes off late in the second half and is what saved it from being a DNF because once we get past Maddie's escape from her would-be killer, all the time is spent on Maddie getting annoyed about having to be under protection. And while I understand her rationale about having to run her company, which has just won a ten-million p.a. contract, it still made for aggravating reading. How I'd love to find a romantic suspense where the heroine gladly co-operates with the cops or the FBI!

Despite these niggles, I found myself interested enough to listen through to the end and was happy for Maddie to find her HEA with McCabe. The action/suspense maintained a good pace 3/4 into the book right up to the end. I felt the Epilogue could have given me more of the H/h after the events instead of that dog! Somewhere in the story, when Maddie lets down her guard and is being open with McCabe, we see her express her longing for a family; for siblings, for a grandmother. These are what McCabe has and he is close enough to them to make it back home for all the major holidays. I could feel Maddie's longing, and later, when I read about what happened to her in her childhood and teens, I was hoping McCabe would take her home to meet his family. I wanted their HEA to tell me McCabe's family became Maddie's. I wanted to be there when he introduces her to them because they sounded interesting even though all McCabe said about them was "My dad's a former cop who retired last year, my mom's a home-maker who secretly rules the roost, and I have two brothers—one a cop, one a lawyer—and a baby sister, who is currently in grad school...". I was immediately thinking homey family meals, lots of loud conversation and laughter, ribbing and the mom fussing over them.

Instead, all I got in the epilogue was a tidbit about the pooch.

The Narrator: I couldn't believe it when Joyce Bean spelt out the word 'UNSUB'! This book was written in 2004 and I'd think everyone, reader or narrator, would already know what an 'UNSUB' is, and know that it's a word, not initials of a phrase. Once was bad enough but there are several mentions of the word and each time I swear I winced when Bean spelt out each letter.

[Barrie Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was actually pretty good. I skimmed very little of it. Yes, you have to suspend reality a little bit when you read this book; there are numerous plot holes.

One question I have with many of her books: How do the main characters maintain their killer physiques? The men have six pack abs; wide, strong shoulders that taper down to slender waists; and muscular legs. The women are always petite with slender legs, flat abdomens, round asses, and perfect breasts. However, exercise, especially the kind needed to have a rippling six pack and a pert ass, is never mentioned.

I didn’t like how Maddie was the instigator in the relationship here. Sam was almost reluctant to get together with her. I hated the part where he prided himself on his control as she was obviously throwing herself at him. He had a green light, she “practically had a ‘do me’ sign”, but he resisted. There wasn’t much lead up to his feelings about Maddie so it kind of came out of nowhere. I like reading about how the main male character is so taken and infatuated with the female lead from the beginning. Sam eventually came around, though.

This is my eleventh Karen Roberts book in a row and I need to take a break. You can bet I will be back but, with the exception of the Guardian series, some of these books are running together.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie Fitzgerald, owner of a small advertising agency in St. Louis, travels to New Orleans in hopes of snaring a large account to save her struggling company. While there, a man breaks into her hotel room and tries to kill her but Maddie manages to escape. Only to be followed by FBI agents, headed by Special Agent Sam McCabe, who's tracking a serial killer and thinks Maddie is his next victim. Maddie does not trust the FBI and refuses their offer of protection, but when someone shoots at her in her apartment complex, she catapults into McCabe's arms and agrees to be bait for the killer. A treacherous game of cat and mouse follows, placing both in peril, along with the added danger of their fatal attraction for one another.

Although this plot has been done more than a few times, Karen Robards adds an extra zing all her own. Filled with hot romance and spine-tingling suspense, this is a fun read for mystery and romance lovers alike.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI Special Agent Sam McCabe is tracking a serial killer who leaves one-word clues to the identity of his next victim. When the next clue is the name "Madeline", the search for the next victim starts. But, they're too late. In a New Orleans hotel, a woman named Madeline Fitzgerald has been murdered. But, surprisingly, there is a second woman with the exact same name staying at the hotel too. This Maddie was attacked in the middle of the night and somehow got away from the killer. In order for Sam to figure out which Maddie was the target, he needs to use her for bait to entice the serial killer out of hiding.

This is romantic suspense at it's best. Maddie doesn't trust the FBI because of things in her past and really thinks she can handle the whole situation on her own. Of course, Sam knows that isn't possible and pledges to keep her safe. Good twist as to the identity of the killer. My rating: 5 Stars.

[Sassafrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars*

I thought this was good. granted I think I liked it more because I listened to it on audio instead of reading it. When listening on audio I'm able to zone out a little bit when stuff gets boring. I think that the author spent too much time trying to lead us on about Maddie's past. I think more could have been done with letting us in on the secret much sooner.

The killer was whack! the whole reveal was so crazy. I felt a little let down with that.

Zelda the dog was my favorite character although I did like Maddie and Sam too as well as Wynne and Gardner, but you gotta love a dog who loves McD's fries.

But, as an introduction to an author this wasn't bad. I wish the epilogue had been longer. It would have been nice to see how the gang faired after all the dust settled. I really wanted that and I was definitely disappointed that I didn't get it.

[Vettech · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good romantic suspense read. The main characters Maddie & Sam made for an interesting couple. At first they were like oil & water...then you could see the way they gave each other "the look", and so did everyone else. There was no hiding the attraction between them. I felt so sorry for Maddie, all the crap she had been through in her life and the terror she was experiencing in real time as well.

The love scenes between Maddie & Sam were hot and steamy to say the least.

Loved the little dog in this story "Zelda"....she turned into quite the fast food junky!!

Of course I was very happy with the ending....the bad guys were all caught and the happy couple along with Zelda lived happily ever after.

I recommend this book to all you crazy ladies out there who are spoiling for a spunky female lead who ends up with the hunky FBI agent in the end!!

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maddie has just been attacked by a man in her hotel room. Sam is the FBI agent who is investigating the attacks. She is not the only victim.

During the investigation Sam figures he could use Maddie as his bait to catch the attacker. Sam falls for Maddie, but resists getting close to her. Eventually he does get involved with her only later finding out that there is more to Maddie then meets the eye. Sam's team has run the fingerprints in the hotel room hoping to find the attacker and the only set of prints that are flagged are Maddie's. What's the secret? Will Sam forgive Maddie? Will he find out who the attacker is and catch him?

If you enjoy shows like CSI and NCIS then you will enjoy this book. It is not on the edge of your seat book, but worth the read.

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters, and a complex plot, but not, in my opinion, Ms. Robards's best book. The characters, particularly the "good guys and gals," are well-developed, but the villain is not--he's one-dimensional.

The heroine is a strong woman, who has a lot of baggage, but has overcome her past and made a success of her life. The hero, an FBI special agent, has a traditional background, little or no baggage, and a fiercely strong work ethic. Their romance develops slowly, but surely, despite his discovery of her past. It's a believable plot and an even better romance, but the villain and the rather convoluted plot made it a less compelling read than most of Ms. Robards's books.

[Carly Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good, solid romantic suspense/thriller. I enjoyed it, there were some interesting twists and I really liked how strong Jay, the female lead, is - she pulled herself up out of a lot of horrible life situations. I don't think I'll be rereading this book, but it is definitely worth reading and I plan on checking out more of Karen Robards' work.

[Thomas Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robards' descriptive abilities painted vivid pictures but the extent of detail was often annoying.

From my point of view, not a page turner.

I didn't care about the heroine (Maddie) until very near the end when her back-story was revealed.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with a bit of humor,sadness,suspense & of course love:)

[Jill Ranella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too far fetched, couldn't do it any longer!

[Di · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a load of crap. Who, when being chased by the mob, decides it's a good time to have a quickie.??
Did not hold my interest. Not a good one from Karen Robards.

[Kathy Regehr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable, with boring characters.