I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this latest offering by Norah Roberts and enjoyed Whiskey Beach. Would I enjoy this one even more?
Naomi Carson is a survivor. As a child, her family was torn apart by a shocking crime. It could have destroyed her, but Naomi has grown up strong, with a passion for photography that has taken her all around the world. Now, at last, she has decided to put down roots. The beautiful old house on Point Bluff needs work, but Naomi has new friends in town who are willing to help, including Xander Keaton – gorgeous, infuriating and determined to win her heart. But as Naomi plans for the future, her past is catching up with her. Someone in town knows her terrifying secret – and won’t let her forget it. As her new home is rocked by violence, Naomi must discover her persecutor’s identity, before it’s too late.
This certainly started with a bang – I was quite shocked at the start of the book when we are in the viewpoint of an eleven-year-old right in the middle of this terrible adventure. That said, it is very well handled and I loved the fact that this book mostly deals with the aftermath. News reports are always full of the terrible events surrounding a major crime – but we don’t get to see the devastating impact on those who have the bad luck to be related to those caught up in such events.
Naomi comes across as entirely credible and I love the way that Roberts builds up all the small details about her daily life and her plans for updating the neglected house, which also works as an effective metaphor for her life. Did I guess whodunit before we got to the denouement? Oh yes, but I think Roberts wrote it that we should – and this story isn’t necessarily a huge mystery about the perpetrator, more about why anyone would want to do such dreadful things, anyway.
This author is one of the most successful genre writers on the planet – her output is formidable. I began to see why as I read far later into the morning to finish the book as I simply did not want to put it down. If you are looking for an engrossing mystery with a dash of romance featuring a strong, complicated female protagonist then head on to your library – one of the advantages of reading someone so popular is that they are bound to have a copy. Or buy it – this prolific author is clearly at the top of her game with this book.
9/10
Brainfluff 