“Hunted” by Karen Robards (Gallery Books, 384 pgs., $26)

Compared to other books out at the moment, “Hunted” is among the best.

Compared to Karen Robards’ past novels, it’s not.

The book is well written, with interesting characters who come to life from the first page. The intrigue ensnares you from the start and you become invested in the drama immediately.

The problem is, while there is tension (romantic and suspense) there isn’t enough plot twists and surprises to keep a reader’s interest for 384 pages. Too much of the story is spent in a charmingly shabby shack in a bayou, where Caroline and Reed spend a lot of time resisting the passion simmering between them.

Until they don’t.

The mystery isn’t really a mystery, since everyone pretty much knows the bad guys from the beginning.

Caroline is summoned to a hostage situation on Christmas Eve. She’s the police department’s negotiator, but this is tricky situation because her estranged father — the superintendent of the New Orleans police department — is one of several VIP hostages being held by police detective Reed. Reed has his reasons, but he’s reluctant to share them with Caroline. He has his reasons for not sharing. Caroline doesn’t like any of those reasons.

Eventually, Caroline and Reed become a team. Their banter is engaging, and Caroline’s spunk is fun to see.