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.

This is the third copy of The Witness that I've purchased to give as a small gift of reading enjoyment. To a daughter and to a daughter-in-love, I billed it as a really enjoyable *beach read*; they found it to be that, or, as a nice getaway for a few stolen moments in their busy mom-career lives. My husband has enjoyed it from the standpoint of having a fun book to look forward to picking up at night. He, usually, is involved in historical biography, econ or political books, or, the occasional Wallander/other detective book, so it's been an entertaining departure, as I'd hoped! I first read/listened to the Audible version, which I found entirely entertaining, easy to get into and a pleasure to look forward to the next listening session. I have listened to it twice, now, a few months apart, as I like the characters and the textures of the settings; the plot is also different from what I usually read. Those to whom I've given this book as a gift, have also found it to be a well-written, pretty fast-paced, interesting diversion read. There's no way it's great lit, but, not every read needs to be that and this is just plain ol' fun to pick up. I liked the snapshot/cracked window peek into witness protection, the Russian Mafia and, I really liked the protagonist -- she is unusual. I don't care for romantic series that are so popular now, nor, do I care for a cookie-cutter formulaic approach, which Nora Roberts sure does! However, I found that The Witness developed at a good pace, changed and evolved interestingly, kept my attention the entire way, didn't disappoint (though it didn't amaze, either), and, during each read and through to the end, I was glad I was reading it/had read it. Good job, Nora Roberts. I'm hoping you have a few more stories up your writing sleeve that are as good as this one, as slightly different from cookie cutter and as easily entertaining as The Witness.

This is a not-too-miss read! The characters are well developed and grab your heart. The story has so many elements; you will laugh, want to cry, be furious and stand to cheer them on. One of the better books by Nora Roberts that I have read.

Okay...I'm mildly biased about LaNora books. She is my all time fave author. (Yes, I know some will roll their eyes. Seriously, between work ethic and pure talent this woman deserves every success she's had.) Brooks and Abigail will stay with me for a long time. Abigail made me laugh, cry, want to fight, and ultimately made me just sigh in pure happiness. This character has been so much and still had a core of goodness and openness that is astounding. The one thing she wanted was someone to love her--she'd pushed the idea of it away from her for so many years she simply had no idea what she needed until Brooks Gleason walked into her life. Brooks. *sigh* Fun loving, fierce, loyal, brave, honest and a host of other things that makes a woman swoon. Not too perfect. Not so that you were sickened. He knew how to compromise. He knew how to love. His family is and will always be the most important thing in his life. He's a cop, but he's not a black and white one. His shades of grey made him even more appealing and real to me. The line of suspense shook you from the beginning and always lingered in the back of the story. The overlapping plot and parallel storyline based in the little town highlighted all the things she was running from and made for one more satisfying layer to the story. It never slowed down for me. Even in the peaceful moments, it drew me in and seemed to spotlight the ever fascinating way that Abigail's mind worked. As an aside, her social awkwardness reminded me a lot the Bones character from the Fox tv show, but it was definitely a different level. Just that logical mind that had to learn to bend and grow and maybe even learn just a little bit more to let love in. Because man...Brooks was SO worth it. A must read for the Nora fans and a brilliant way to draw new readers as well.

This is one of the best NR books I have read. The story is gripping, the flow is even, the loose ends are tied up. It is not a whodunnit. But you will keep reading it to find out how the couple bring down the mafia family. I like the way Abby/Liz does not turn into Superwoman (I am talking about Eve Dallas, here) but utilizes the skills she has to bring down an empire. She has trained herself for protection but is not foolish enough to think she can do this on her own. She is also aware of her physical weaknesses. It does not have the usual NR staccato speech. The characters are allowed to have their own likes and dislikes without having the entire cast stand in judgement. Brooks cannot fathom Abby's liking for NYC, but Abby's description of the city makes it clear she liked the city. Abby relies on guns; NR does not seem too sure of that personality trait, but she has done her best to avoid sounding condemning. She still could not resist a little lecture on Second Amendment though! I took away the one star because of this - the characters, except for Abby are the same old NR ones. There is the beta hero with the normal family. There are the hippie parents with the mother being the undeclared boss of the clan. There are the sisters. There are even the staple minor villains / gray characters - the town drunk who has good in him and the rich man with the spoiled brat of a son. Why do good moms in NR books have to be either hippie types who nevertheless managed a traditional family or the traditional homemaker. Why couldnt Dr Susan Fitch be a cold hearted bitch of a business woman AND a good mom? That is actually my personal fear talking - I happen to be a working mom and I live in guilt that I am depriving my kids of precious time. Hopefully 20 years from now, they are not going to conclude that I did not 'bond' with them and that it was a 'lack' in me (the quotes are for words Abby uses in the book)