The Witness. Finished 7-22-14, rating 4.5/5, romantic suspense, pub.2012

Unabridged audio expertly performed by Julia Whelan.  16 hours, 30 minutes.

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever. 

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems — and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something — and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

from Goodreads

I am not a big Nora Roberts fan but have enjoyed her books from time to time, so when I saw Sheree’s review I knew I’d have to give this one a listen.  Like Sheree, I have to give major props to narrator, Julia Whelan.  She really did elevate the story.  And, also like Sheree, I was riveted.   I do think it could have been a tad shorter but that is my only minor complaint.  This is a win from Roberts.

I fell in love with the very smart Elizabeth from the beginning.  Her time as a teen was my absolute favorite part of the book.  She was a smart girl who was controlled by a cold mother and one night she decided to live a little and act her  (young) age.  When the night ends in murder, the Russian mob, and a chase, Elizabeth ends up in the Witness Protection Program.  Okay, I guess I do have another small squabble with the book.  I don’t think Roberts portrayed this program accurately, but it’s fiction so that’s okay, I guess.  This section of the novel had me on the edge of my seat, and surprisingly, a little teary.  Not a reaction I’ve had from any previous Roberts work.

Fast forward a few years and Elizabeth is now Abigail and as much as she likes to remain invisible she catches the eye of small town police chief, Brooks Gleason.  Brooks was everything she wasn’t- charming, laid back and surrounded by a loving family.  Obviously, they hook up at some point (this is a romance after all) but what does that mean for Abigail’s anonymity?  It’s worth the listen to find out!

I checked this out of the library.