Plot Summary
One act of rebellion can change your life forever.
Elizabeth Fitch's life was planned even before she was born. When her mother leaves for a medical conference, Elizabeth sees her chance for a shot at freedom. A trip to the mall, a couple of fake ID's, and an adventure at one of Chicago's hottest nightclubs seems like a bit of harmless teenage rebellion until the unthinkable happens: Elizabeth becomes the witness to a mob murder. Twelve years later, Elizabeth has rebuilt her life under the name Abigail Lowery. Abigail's silent self-sufficiency sparks the interest of police chief Brooks Gleason, whose professional and personal interest in Abigail throws her well-ordered world off center. Is being alive enough, or does Abigail dare to really live?
The Witness is Nora Roberts' 200th published novel and displays her trademark combination of nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping romance. A Maryland resident, Roberts says that her love of writing was born in a blizzard in 1979. Trapped in her house with a three and six-year-old, Roberts was desperate for some entertainment that didn't involve Candyland. She picked up a pencil and started writing. Her first novel, "Irish Thoroughbred", was published two years later. Roberts says that she has always lived her life surrounded by men and that experience has given her the insight into the male mind that delights her readers. Robert says that she really had no choice but to figure out the way men think - it was either that or run away screaming. Apparently it worked - Robert's heroes are one of the things her fans love about her books. Of those 200 books, 180 have been New York Times bestsellers. In fact, since her first bestseller in 1991, Nora Robert's books have spent a total of 949 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list - the equivalent of 18 consecutive years.
"I really enjoyed this book! We follow Elizabeth Fitch full circle from a teenager scared and running to an adult who comes to terms with her situation and has grown tired of being afraid. She settles in meets a local chief of police and begins to let go and move forward in her life physical as well as emotionally. Elizabeth shows courage and intellect and uses it to right wrongs from the past and to seek justice for her dead friends. A great addition to Noras career!"
—
Layla (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
In her stunning 200th novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts proves why no one is better “when it comes to flawlessly fusing high-stakes suspense with red-hot romance" (Booklist, starred review).
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.
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About Nora Roberts
Cristina Panfilio is a voice talent, audiobook narrator, and actor whose credits include Fallen Angels at Indiana Rep, The Merchant of Venice at Notre Dame Shakespeare, Twelfth Night at Chicago Shakespeare, Mirandolina, Seascape, Laughing Stock at The Milwaukee Rep, and Memory House at Renaissance Theaterworks. She was also part of touring productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and five wonderful seasons with the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival in Iowa City.
About Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan is a novelist, screenwriter, lifelong actor, and multiple award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and creative writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. She is a former child actor who has appeared in multiple films and television shows.