Nora Roberts' books receive praise from recently closed Kirkus Reviews

The Mystery Series Examiner speculated earlier as to the effect of the  recently announced closure of the prepublication review journal, Kirkus Reviews, would have on writers like Janet Evanovich who have occasionally been the object of its negative critiques. That article lead the Nora Roberts Examiner to investigate the prepublication review journal's past treatment of her subject as well.

 Cover screenshot made 12-14-2009 by Carol Thomas

A look at the past five excerpted Kirkus reviews available on the Barnes and Noble website reveals a surprising result. At least for these titles, that "reliably cantankerous" journal has largely exempted Nora Roberts from its frequent practice of what Motoko Rich's December 11, 2009 New York Times article, "End of Kirkus Reviews Brings Anguish and Relief," describes as "author flaying."

Barnes and Noble's most recent Kirkus review of Roberts' works is for High Noon (2007). "Nerve-wracking suspense leavened with romance and spiced with sex: another hit for the prolific Roberts," describes the reviewer.

Kirkus provides an even more enthusiastic response to Northern Lights (2004). "Jack London, move over. The Queen of Romance has you in her sights. Amazingly, Roberts ... doesn't miss in this wild and woolly tale of love and murder in Alaska ... Original characterization, brisk pace, and a great feel for the grandeur of the setting – not to mention a fabulously tough young heroine who puts her vapid chick-lit sisters to shame-add up to a wonderful read. Romance will never die as long as the megaselling Roberts keeps writing it."

The reviewer of Birthright (2003) offers more tepid approval. "Archaeologist finds a lost tribe: hers. ... Improbable plot is kept humming smoothly by Roberts ...whose fans oughta love it."

Roberts returns to Kirkus's full favor with The Villa (2001) Kirkus describes this work as "a smooth blend of suspense and romance. As ever, the author's trademark effortless style keeps a complex plot moving without a hitch."

The review of Midnight Bayou (2001), like that of Birthright, tempers its mild criticism with praise. "A gumbo seasoned with ghosts, love, and murder on the bayou. ... Agreeably credible lovers and a neat piece of home-restoration compensate some for the hokey hauntings on the bayou. Loyal fans will enjoy."

Nora Roberts herself has often criticized the negative response of many reviewers to the romance genre. In a July 18, 2009 broadcast of Weekend Edition Saturday with NPR host Scott Simon, she remarked, "“It seems easier to dismiss novels written primarily by women, primarily for women, as fluff, and not really worthy or not important.” Kirkus Reviews, as evidenced by its positive treatment of her work, appears to have avoided this routine dismissal of the romance genre, a fact that may cause Roberts to be among those who regret the closure of the journal.