Book & Audio Review: The Target by Catherine Coulter

The Target
Author: Catherine Coulter
Narrator: Sharon Williams
Series: An FBI Thriller (Book 3)
Publication: Berkley (August 1, 1999); Brilliance Audio (July 17, 2008)
Length: 362 p.; 11 hours and 4 minutes

Description: FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are faced with the case of an abducted child in this “absorbing” (Publishers Weekly) FBI Thriller.

Escaping unwanted media attention after a notorious incident, Ramsey Hunt retreats into the solitude of a cabin high in the Colorado Rockies. But his isolation is shattered when he rescues a small girl in the forest and strangers invade his private meadow with intent to kill.

Molly Santera, the little girl’s mother, catches up with Ramsey and her daughter, mistaking him for the kidnapper. When she discovers that he instead saved Emma, there’s little time for thanks. With the strangers in pursuit, the trio flee to Chicago for sanctuary.

With an unexpected assist from FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock, Molly and Ramsey begin to unravel the clues, and in the process they make an astonishing discovery as to the true nature of the target.

My Thoughts: District Court Judge Ramsey Hunt has retreated to a cabin high in the Rockies to get away from the publicity and paparazzi who have haunted him since he took down killers in his courtroom when they attacked. Things are quiet until he finds an unconscious young girl in the woods near his cabin. She has been assaulted and raped and is mute. Ramsey is determined to protect her, which includes keeping her away from cops and reporters. Over the course of a few days, they bond and she begins to trust him.

But the bad guys are still on her trail. When they come pretending to be drunk, Ramsey defeats them, chases them off with gunshot wounds, and is shot in the thigh himself. While he is still recovering, they are found by the little girl's mother Molly Santera who first believes that Ramsey was the kidnapper.

The two adults are determined to protect young Emma even if it means taking her to Molly's crime lord father. But the attacks keep coming and Molly's ex-husband rock star Louey Santera is a victim when a car meant for Ramsey, Molly and Emma explodes.

The problem is that none of them know who is behind these attempts on Molly. Ramsey and Molly's father both have enough enemies to provide lots of possibilities. Ramsey asks his friend Dillon Savich for some help and she shows up with his new wife Sherlock.

The story had lots of twists and turns and was filled with action. I liked that Ramsey and Molly fell in love despite all the other things going on around them. Emma was a real sweetheart and I enjoyed reading about her. 

Sharon Williams did a great job with the voices and with the pacing of the story. 

Favorite Quote:

"Life is one day at a time and trying to enjoy each day we're given. You've got to discover the knack for doing that. Do you understand?"

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.