Manview: The Detective (Norcross Security #7) by Anna Hackett

Welcome to another Manview. For those of you who are new to Manviews,these are reviews of romance novels specifically from a man's perspective, the reader today is my very own Steve. You can find previous Manviews here.

The Detective (Norcross Security #7) by Anna Hackett
Purchase link: Amazon

My rating:     

Heat rating:        

In one or two sentences can you sum up your overall impression of this book and how you feel about it?

I think The Detective is the best in the series so far. The drama and tension felt personal, and the characters were easy to identify with.

What did you think of Hunt and Savannah?

I really enjoyed both individually and how they worked together. Hunt was less reluctant than other Norcross heroes to recognize his love, and need to love his woman. And Savannah was mysterious with an unknown past, and it was uncertain if that past was good or evil. The manner in which the relationship developed was much stronger, both in terms of excitement and realism, than what I have seen in most other romance novels. It had tension and angst but lacked the silliness you see in much of the rest of the genre.

Was there anything in particular that stood out for you in this book since you've read quite a few books in the series? What made it different?

This may be true for any series that is as mature as having released the seventh book, but I loved the relationships among Hunt and the previous male heroes, and how the female characters introduced in previous Norcross books have become family and easily accepted Savannah. Savannah was a real outsider, but she was Hunt’s woman, and that was enough for them. The level of trust each of the supporting male and female characters for each other stood out.

I also loved the ongoing description of Savannah’s art and talent and believe it added a rich additional dimension to her character and the book.

Do you have a favorite scene in the book?

There were are few, including early on when Savannah, an artist, stood up to their abusive neighbor. The scene introduced a side of Savannah that I was not expecting. But I think the scene of Savannah pleasuring herself with her toy, with Hunt hearing it has to be a top scene, followed by the next few scenes, were the best! (No spoilers, so you have to read the book to find out how this played out!)

What did you think of Savannah's situation and how she reacted to a relationship with Hunt based on it?

She was in a difficult position, previously always being alone and never able to trust or seek the help of others. She was always more concerned about protecting others, and she felt the way to protect Hunt was by leaving him. Based on her circumstances, she felt letting Hunt go was the way to protect him, and never considered that he could protect her. Her need for flight to do the right thing was an ongoing and interesting dimension of her character, limiting her ability to accept that maybe Hunt could protect her. This added sustainable tension throughout the book.

What did you think of the different settings in the story? Hunt's townhouse. The hotel safe house.

Haha, it certainly presented a difference between how the ultra-rich live and the middle-class lives! More importantly, it highlighted that people are people and need to help each other, and no matter how much money you have, friends are there for friends when it matters most. There would be few relationships where the wealth gap would ever be larger than between Easton Norcross and Hunt Morgan, yet that did not matter in terms of their friendship and reaching out and counting on each other for support.

Was there anything about Hunt that made you feel a special connection with him?

Two things: First, he was ex-elite forces, but a destroyed knee kept him from continuing in that role and he had to adjust to and find a new purpose in life. And he was successful in making the transition to a police detective. I admired his ability to accept and then make that transition. Second, I loved the bourbon he drinks. It is one of my favorites, Blanton Gold. The man knows a good dram and good value when he tastes it!

How do you think the camaraderie of the Norcross men and now the Morgan brothers adds to the character relationships in the book and the series as a whole?

I touch on this above, and the way they are there for each other and while two different families, they are one as a family, including the others who are part of their group. And this goes for the women as well as the men. They are not defined by their wealth or bloodlines; their relationships have been built and continue to exist on the bond they formed serving together and having each other’s back. And this is what great relationships, and great stories, are built on.

What did you enjoy about this story?

The story was gripping. And while plot drives a good book, what makes it special is the relationships and this book was all about relationships. It leveraged the previous books in the series and opens possibilities into future books that I am excited to read. And Savannah’s art and Hunt’s bourbon added contextual flavor throughout.

What's your next read?

The Laird's Willful Lass by Anna Campbell

 View all my reviews


About the author



Anna Hackett:  Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads - Amazon


About the reviewer



Steve Shipley: Website - Facebook - Twitter - Amazon


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