The Witness

Since her artificial conception, Elizabeth Finch lived up to her practically robotic mother's every whim and expectation of her. But at 16, something snaps. No longer willing to do what it has been predetermined she should do with her life, she decides to rebel. That act of rebellion sets off a series of events that forever alters her destiny. Told in four parts, The Witness follows Elizabeth through the Before and After. The characters of The Witness are the best part for me. Elizabeth reminded me so much of the character Tempest Brennan from Bones...brilliant but socially awkward. I have to say that, other than career choices and WHAT their intelligence "specialty" was, Bones and Elizabeth could have been the same person...so much so that frequently the same words came out of Elizabeth's mouth that I have heard Bones say on the TV show. However, that didn't keep me from loving Elizabeth...maybe because Bones is one of my favorite TV characters. Brooks, the hero of the story, is a great guy...upstanding, but with a little bit of his wonderfully hippie mother in him. He is immediately intrigued by the new and mysterious woman in his town, and as the sheriff does what he needs to do to make sure she isn't up to mischief. Their love story is fabulous, their differences both complementing and playing off each other. Secondary characters in The Witness are well drawn and full of personalities that you feel like they are old friends or people you want to get to know. Roberts's single title books, like this one, are my all-time favorites of hers. They let her skills as a writer shine in their ability to make us care, to keep us intrigued and a little on the edge of our seat. Whereas some of her more recent work (the Boonsboro Inn trilogy, for example) left me feeling flat and unimpressed, The Witness took me right back to all that I love about Roberts. Great characters, interesting situations and a story that keeps me interested. Highly recommended!

Best book I've read in years. Exciting, sad, happy and Very interesting. Tense, sweet, scary, and happy! I'm very glad I read it.

First of all, unlike most of the reviewers here, I'm not a lifelong Nora Roberts reader. This may actually have been the first book of hers I've read, so I can't speak to the repetitiveness of the characters like other reviewers have. This review is coming from a Nora Roberts newbie. Also, no spoilers here, so don't worry. Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was really interesting, and my favorite part was having an intelligent heroine that actually does everything right. How often do you read a book or watch a movie where the heroine is in a difficult situation and you're wondering "Why don't they [insert intelligent and logical move here]?!". So many stories feature heroines that don't go to the authorities, that are unable to protect themselves, that aren't smart enough to outwit their opponents...not here. Abigail has the wits and intelligence to navigate the dangerous situation she finds herself in, and that's refreshing to read. Since I'm unfamiliar with Nora Roberts I have no idea who Bones is, but the heroine did remind me a little bit of Lisbeth Salander from the Dragon Tattoo series: a little socially challenged, but extremely intelligent and not someone to be messed with. I can't give this book 5 stars, however, due to its pace. The first 10-15% of the book was exciting as the stage was set, but the plot didn't really pick up again until about 80-85% of the way through. The middle of the book focuses almost exclusively on the relationship between Abigail and Brooks, with the only action coming from the shenanigans of locals, not from Abigail's situation. I found myself bored and had to fight through that portion until things started picking up again. But even when they did, I did't find it wholly satisfying; there was only 15-20% of the book left to wrap up the stories of both the locals' shenanigans and the Russians! I found it all wrapped up way too quickly and neatly for my taste, with not enough suspense. I would've been more satisfied with less romance and more action, with more unpredictable suspense thrown in. And even though some have frowned upon it, I will include thoughts about the price in my review. I know the price isn't set by the author, but value for your money is something that's included in reviews of all kinds of other products, so I will mention it here. This book was not worth $15 in my opinion. So much so that I almost knocked an extra star off the review because I felt I did not get good value for my money, but I left it at 4 stars. $15 is a lot to pay for an electronic book; I would've been happier paying $10. Also, this is a completely minor thing and didn't affect my rating in any way, but I found it annoying that there was a character named Sylbie and another one named Sybill. Since I was bored through the middle and therefore didn't read the book in one sitting, I found myself having to work to remember which name went with which character.

BOOK REVIEW The Witness by Nora Roberts Even if it’s not quite beach weather, The Witness might qualify as beach reading. Often “beach reading” is used as a euphemism for lighter literary fare. I suppose this book could qualify -- it is definitely not War and Peace. However, it has many qualities to recommend it. Certainly, the characters are multi-dimensional and the storyline gripping. It is a coming-of-age tale where a young girl’s first attempt at independence has far reaching and life changing results. As the title indicates, Abigail Fitch is witness to a horrifying series of events. Her very existence is threatened and she is forced to survive by her wits alone. Woven into this narrative is a love story. Abigail must learn to trust when everyone in her life has failed to earn her trust. We are “witness” to this flowering relationship and her eventual growth and ability to both give and receive the love of another. Unlike many novels of this type, Ms. Roberts vividly describes the backgrounds and scenery of Abigail’s world. For instance, she writes: “The rain that had blown in the night before teased out a little more green. Now, early-evening sun shimmered through those greening branches, splashed on the road, flickered on the busy water of the little stream that wound through.” At its core, The Witness is a tale of suspense. The reader is drawn into a dangerous place inhabited by the Russian mob and crooked cops. A good outcome is never guaranteed. Abigail’s safety is threatened as much by the gangsters as it is by law enforcement who insist they can protect her. A final twist at the end of the story leaves one both breathless and satisfied. This is a good read – regardless of the season.

O livro chegou no prazo e veio bem embalado. Indico a compra.

相変わらず生き生きとしたキャラクター描写、会話のテンポ、街の人々の息づかいまで、まるでそこで暮らしているかのように身近に感じさせる作者の筆力は圧倒的でした。曖昧なところがなく、ごまかしもなく、一貫したキャラクターが事の発端から結末まで生き抜く、そこに読んでいて安心感があります。Nora Roberts はいつもそうですが、今回もそれを裏切るどころか、いつも以上に研ぎ澄まされているように感じました。 今回の作品は、事件性というか犯罪性の強い作品で、ロマンスよりサスペンスの要素が強かったように思います。でも、その事件そのものにもドラマがあり、恐怖や感動で本を持つ手が震えるほどでした。そして、今回のロマンス描写はどちらかと言うと心の絆、思いの深さ、愛の強さに向けられていたように思います。「愛は灯りのように点けたり消したりするものじゃないよ」という意味の言葉が心に残りました。愛はそんなに簡単に消えないもの、ずっと続いていくものなんだということです。その愛が、彼女をラストで強くしていきます。愛と知性が勝利する、読み応えのあるラストは圧巻です。

Per me è un libro Bellissimo, appassionante lo consiglio a tutti quelli che hanno iil tempo di leggerlo tutto d'un fiato. Voglio dire......è molto difficile interrompere la lettura! Non ho letto altri libri di Nora Roberts, ma lo farò presto!

Great beginning, excellent ending, and a wonderful story joining both. This is probably the most popular standalone Nora Roberts romantic suspense in the library where I work, followed by The Search and The Obsession. I have loaned my own copies so often, that this latest purchase is my fourth since the first time it came out. [There are only so many pages yellowed by other people's hands that you can bear to turn]. The reason I keep buying it? Because I love to read it. And for any non re-readers, yes, I know what happens in the book. That's what you discover in the first read of the book. The other reads are slower so you can luxuriate in the way the words are put together. This is a book worth luxuriating in.

Amazing book with full of interesting twist and turns. Also intriguing. Worth every bit of time spent reading it. Both the main characters has been built with individually strong personalities. Must read for all the Nora Roberts fan out there.