The Final Target

By Nora Roberts

Book Overview

A young author becomes the object of a fan's desire--and rage--in the gripping thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie's debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake...

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude--but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin's wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250413583
• ISBN13: 9781250413581
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Heart Throbbing - Toe Curling Edge of your seat thrill.

I can honestly say I have never been on a more exciting or gripping ride with a book. The Final Target by Nora Roberts did not just keep me on my toes waiting for the next thrill- it completely pulled me in. But beyond the suspense and tension, this story carries a huge heart. The healing, romance, and recovery woven throughout the story make it incredibly relatable to the real struggles people face and everyday life. January LaVoy was a soul narrator of this audiobook, which runs over fourteen hours, and what she accomplished is truly remarkable. She performed more than seven distinct voices, each unique. I could instantly tell who was speaking simply by the tone and specific voice she used. I was genuinely surprised to learn that it was only one sole narrator performing both the female and male characters. Her vocal range and control are incredible. I was utterly shocked. Because the story is told through multiple points of view, we can see both the victim's side and the suspect's side unfold. That perspective pulls you even deeper into the story. I can generally say I have never been so caught up in a narration before. Being pulled into the mind of a person who is not all there, who is going through horrible thoughts, it's disturbing. However , the audio experience was intense, shocking, and thrilling, yet beautiful - the kind that keeps you listening for hours without realizing how much time has passed. Nora Roberts once again proves why she is such an extraordinary storyteller. The plot is powerful, the emotional depth is real, and it's clear she put careful research and genuine heart into this book. Just like every other book she writes. Paired with LaVoy's phenomenal voice narration, the results are something truly special. I truly cannot rave enough about this book or the audio. Even days after finishing it I am still thinking about it, still replaying moments in my mind, and still trying to find the right words to give this story the justice it deserves.

Nora Roberts at Her Best

After being violently attacked in her home, Arden had lost herself, lost her sense of safety. Staying at home scared her, leaving her home scared her. But she's tired of being scared. Determined to take her life back, she moves from her home in Ohio to the small town of Riverbend in the Pacific Northwest. It's there she is determined to settle, to be near family and to put the past behind her. Then she discovers the past has a way of coming back. As I would expect from Ms. Roberts, the pacing of this novel was perfectly on point. At times of rising tension and anxiety, the pace moves rapidly. The language is sharp, the mood harsh and uncomfortable. As Arden moves to create a new life, the pace slows down. The language evens out and takes a lighter, friendlier tone. The reader is offered a chance to take a breath, connect with the characters and get to know them. Still, the sense of anxiety and foreboding runs continually in the background. Ms. Roberts has a knack for creating interesting, well rounded characters, ones we want to get to know. As they became more familiar, the line between reality and fiction tends to blur. I find myself falling into the story, immersed in the action, the relationships and the emotions. Throughout story I gasped in fear, laughed at the humor and sarcasm, and cried both tears of pain and tears of joy. This story is Nora Roberts at her best.