Review: The Witness by Nora Roberts

Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Putnam
Narrator: Julia Whelon
Audiobook: Brilliance Audio
Date of publication: April 2012

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man's seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever. Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.

I loved this book! I think The Witness is one of the best books that Nora has written in a long time.  I wouldn't even really call it a "Romantic suspense".  There really was no suspense or who dunnit to figure out. The secret that Abigail is hiding is a no-brainer.  The beginning was intense and horrifying, but no real mystery.  There is a small twist in the end, yet, it fit nicely and helped to wrap things up.

For me, the romance was the star of the book.  I loved the relationship between Abigail and Brooks.  Brooks is such a great guy.  The way he worms his way into Abigail's heart was just sigh worthy.  Brooks has been watching Abigail from afar for months.  When he sees her in the store with a gun on her hip, he decides there is more to her reclusiveness than meets the eye. As police chief, he decides it is his duty to figure things out. Getting to know her will just be a bonus in his mind. Abigail trusts no one.  Given her past, she has good reason.  It was enjoyable to watch her learn how to trust someone.  The way the two of them navigate a relationship with each other was very sweet. 

The other characters in the book, especially Brooks's parents and sisters, round out the book nicely. Through them, Abigail is able to find something she has been searching for her entire life...love and a home.   She has never had either.  I think that endeared Abigail to me all the more.  I felt so badly for her. No one should have to grow up that alone.   There are some very amusing scenes in the book that are reminiscent of Eve Dallas and her bafflement at social behavior.  I loved that!

I listened to the audiobook version of The Witness.  Julia Whelon did a wonderful job with the narration.  Definitely pick this one up if you haven't already.  I know any Nora fan will love it!