The Witness, as her 200th book, has a lot to live up to. From her contemporary romances and beloved trilogies to her pseudonym J.D. Robb's futuristic mysteries, Nora has written lots of really enjoyable books. But The Witness is a cut above the rest. And if I can be so bold as to call myself an "authority" on Nora's books, I will say that it's her best book. Not just this year. Or this decade. Ever.
The Witness is the story of innocent, brilliant Elizabeth Fitch, who, after a fight with her stringent and domineering mother, has herself a nice, ear-piercing, hair dyeing, fake-ID-making rebellion. She winds up at a club with an acquaintance from school and what starts out as the night of her life turns to tragedy, as Elizabeth witnesses two brutal murders and must run for her life.
Fast forward 12 years, and Elizabeth, now known as Abigail, is living a solitary life in rural Alabama, miles away from the nightmares of her youth. But secrets can only stay buried for so long, particularly when there is a very persistent (and attractive) chief of police in town. Soon Abigail is fighting again for both her life and her freedom.
Abigail is one of Roberts' better developed characters in recent memory. Her intellect, combined with a total lack of social skills, make her a different type of heroine than Roberts typically creates. As always, Roberts draws her characters with charm and a delightful understanding of human nature. Abigail has had years of isolation, on the heels of a childhood devoid of love but filled with criticism, and at the time she meets Chief of Police Brooks Gleason, she has never even been told the words "I love you." Part of the pleasure of this story is watching Abigail learn what it means to be part of a family, and how to love and be loved.
