Savannah police lieutenant and hostage negotiator Phoebe MacNamara suffers a major trauma at work when a man physically attacks her. Her assailant throws a hood over her head, making it impossible to identify him. Since that incident, dead animals have appeared on her porch in an attempt to intimidate her. Phoebe refuses to show any fear and continues to do her job. After all, when she was a child, Phoebe survived as a hostage to her mother's former boyfriend. Her quick thinking enabled the police to diffuse the situation without injury to her family.

When Phoebe successfully negotiates and stops a man threatening suicide after losing his job, she meets the man's employer, Duncan Swift. It's been a long time since any man has captured her interest as much as Duncan. A former cab driver who won the lottery, Duncan now is an unconventional entrepreneur. He's impressed with Phoebe's strong and confident manner and drawn to her regardless of the abundant baggage she carries. Phoebe has a complicated life. She's divorced with a seven-year-old daughter and her mother has severe agoraphobia. But Duncan cannot ignore the feelings she inspires.

Phoebe's problems intensify when her stalker becomes bolder. A murder occurs and threats are made against her family. Someone has targeted them, and Phoebe is desperate to find the killer before he strikes again -- too close to home.

Prolific author Nora Roberts writes great stories and HIGH NOON is no exception. The multifaceted characters include the city of Savannah, a lazy Southern city that charms with its eccentric citizens. Adding to the richness of the tale, Roberts incorporates the classic western lyrics from High Noon in the storyline to increase tension and leave readers with the music hauntingly playing in our minds as the suspense climbs.