The Witness by Nora Roberts [Review]

The Witness by Nora Roberts
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 27, 2024

Purchase Links: Paperback | Kindle

Nora Roberts
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth Fitch 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.

Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance security systems designer, her own protection is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.

The mystery of Abigail Lowery and her sharp mind, secretive nature and unromantic viewpoint intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and professional level. And while he suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, Gleason is accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, not the powerful and dangerous men who are about to have him in their sights.

And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both.

Thoughts on The Witness: Brilliant sheltered Elizabeth...except, she's not exactly sheltered. It's more like she's ruthlessly molded into the daughter her mother expects her to be. This is with no regard to what Elizabeth herself wants. Her mother has plans for Elizabeth and those plans are ridged and unmovable. So when Elizabeth rebels, it's in a big way.

Unfortunately for her, her rebellion lands her in the wrong place at the wrong time and has her witnessing something terrible. Being the conscientious young woman she is, Elizabeth agrees to do her part to bring this terrible act to justice.

And that's when things fall apart.

Years later, Elizabeth has become Abigail and she's become an expert at staying off everyone's radar. Well, except when it comes to Brooks. Brooks knows Abigail is more than she seems and it isn't long before he begins unraveling the mystery of the solitary woman who moved to his small town. The problem is that Abigail's enemies have a long reach and she doesn't want to put anyone in her new town in danger. And seeing as how Brooks has somehow managed to worm his way under her shields, that definitely means she doesn't want anything to happen to the first person to make her feel anything hopeful in a long time.

A whole lot of a danger, a police chief whose affability has him sliding past all Abigail's defenses, a quirky town, and a lady who has a hard time trusting (but when she does, she goes ALL IN). Another solid read with plenty of steam.