Publication
New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2013.
Collection
Call number
Fiction R
Physical description
484 p.; 24 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Suffering an intense year of public and police scrutiny after being wrongly implicated in his fiance's murder, Boston lawyer Eli Landon takes sanctuary in a centuries-old family home and falls in love with resident housekeeper Abra Walsh, with whom he is entangled in an old, life-threatening mystery.
Genres
User reviews
LibraryThing member cookiemo
This book from Nora Roberts adds a little bit of mystery into her usual romance style. It makes the book even more enjoyable to read. Some lovely characters appear in the story too.
LibraryThing member writestuff
Bluff House has stood for more than three hundred years overlooking Whiskey Beach. Its secrets are well hidden. But now Eli Landon has come home to find refuge behind its walls. Accused of murdering his wife, he is free due to a lack of evidence, but his reputation is shattered and his career as a
Whiskey Beach is a bit of a chunkster at over 450 pages, but Nora Roberts reels in the reader with her signature romance, suspense and captivating characters. As Abra and Eli give into their passions and then become a team trying to solve a centuries old mystery, the novel picks up pace. At times the plot felt a bit contrived to me, and some of the “twists” were a little predictable…but what makes the novel work is Roberts’ skill at connecting her characters and creating chemistry and sizzle on the page.
I don’t tend to read a ton of Nora Roberts, but when I do, I always enjoy this guilty pleasure. Whiskey Beach is a terrific summer read – not overly heavy, but with plenty to keep the reader glued to the pages.
Readers who enjoy suspense-romance novels will not be disappointed in Whiskey Beach.
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Boston attorney is over. Eli’s beloved grandmother has been hospitalized after a nasty fall down the stairs of the home, and Eli has agreed to watch over the place until she can return. But once back in the home of his youth, Eli becomes distracted by Abra Walsh, a feisty woman who keeps house for Eli’s grandmother, teaches yoga, works as a massage therapist and makes jewelry. Almost immediately there is tension between Abra and Eli…and a growing attraction. But if Eli thought he could escape his past and start over again at Bluff House, he couldn’t be more wrong. When Abra is attacked and other strange things begin to happen, Eli once again becomes the focus of a murder investigation and Bluff House’s dark past must be unraveled to give Eli back his life.Whiskey Beach is a bit of a chunkster at over 450 pages, but Nora Roberts reels in the reader with her signature romance, suspense and captivating characters. As Abra and Eli give into their passions and then become a team trying to solve a centuries old mystery, the novel picks up pace. At times the plot felt a bit contrived to me, and some of the “twists” were a little predictable…but what makes the novel work is Roberts’ skill at connecting her characters and creating chemistry and sizzle on the page.
I don’t tend to read a ton of Nora Roberts, but when I do, I always enjoy this guilty pleasure. Whiskey Beach is a terrific summer read – not overly heavy, but with plenty to keep the reader glued to the pages.
Readers who enjoy suspense-romance novels will not be disappointed in Whiskey Beach.
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LibraryThing member Conkie
A good story by Ms. Roberts and a decent narration by Mr. Berkrot. The Hero's voice was well written, but the Heroine's was not. She seemed to take the opposite response to different situations, than someone with her back ground would have taken. The mystery's conclusion was not a surprise, the
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reader could discern the "bad guys" easily and early. Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
One of the best of Roberts recent books. Good mystery. Distinct if not unique characters. As always well-written, holds your interest and moves along quickly. Not too grisly as Roberts' books can occasionally be. The love scenes are sort of sweet and not too intrusive on the narrative.
LibraryThing member KarinS1
I was pretty happy with it. Romance and suspense.
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Roberts’ world seemed to have too many elements and too many factors for me to thoroughly enjoy Whiskey Beach.
Opening Sentence: Through the chilly curtain of sleet, in the intermittent wash of the great light on the jutting cliff to the south,
The Review:
I never thought the day would come when I wouldn’t fall in immediate love with a Nora Roberts story. That was the case for Whiskey Beach. I wasn’t sure in the beginning why I couldn’t connect to the story. Was it the voice? Could it have been the main character? Or maybe it was because the narration was a little off.
Eli Landon has had a rough year. A son of a whiskey empire, he found out his wife was cheating on him for a year. Eli was angry and upset, and went back to their house to retrieve his grandmother’s ring. It belonged to Eli’s family, and since his wife and him were no longer one, he had a right to take it back. But when he went to the house, he found his wife dead in the library. There were no other suspects to Eli’s wife’s death. All the fingers pointed at him. Eli was never arrested or imprisoned, because there wasn’t enough hard evidence to convict him. But in the year of media and public speculation, he was practically ousted from his career and supposed friends.
After a year, Eli retreated to Bluff House on Whiskey Beach. It was the Landon house that whiskey built. While his mother is recovering from an accident, he is keeping the house for her. And also because there is always a Landon in Bluff House. There he meets Abra, a housekeeper that is also a jack of all trades. But that isn’t all Eli finds. He finds that his troubles have followed him to Whiskey Beach, but who is responsible is something he may find out too late.
Eli is a good main character on paper. But I didn’t completely connect to him. The way Roberts narrated his voice was different to me. At least that’s how it seemed. The transition from one character thought to another threw me off, and it prevented me from fully getting to know who he was in the beginning. Eli was hurt by a cheating wife, only to be accused of murder. The scrutiny he must have endured was heart breaking. Who he was in the beginning of Whiskey Beach was a lot different than who he became in the end and it was a nice progression.
Abra is a quirky character. She was all over the place. There were so many facets to her life and to her personality that it was difficult to understand her. I couldn’t get to the heart and soul of who she was. Abra has a past of her own, but with all the different details of her life, it was hard to grasp. If I follow her life in a timeline, I understand, but when I read the chapters, it’s a little baffling.
It saddens me that I couldn’t connect to Whiskey Beach. The mystery and lore of a hidden pirate’s bounty was fascinating. The element of murder was intriguing. The thriller aspect was a little predictable, and while I normally don’t mind it, this just added to the different things that I didn’t connect with. There is a romance, as in all Roberts’ books, but it was not my cup of tea. Both Eli and Abra have this quick-wit banter between them, and then it was instant romance. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around it.
Roberts’ world seemed to have too many elements and too many factors for me to thoroughly enjoy Whiskey Beach. I wanted a little simple love story with a heroine and a hero. For me, this just wasn’t the case.
Notable Scene:
He’d walk– somewhere – call, breathe, and when this nagging stiffness, this endless aching played out, he’d just text her – better to text—and tell her not to come.
But first he’d take her advice, go down to the beach, take a picture of Bluff House. And maybe he’d wheedle some information out of his grandmother about Abra Walsh.
He was still a lawyer. He ought to be able to finesse some answers out of a witness already biased in his favor.
As he followed the path he’d cut down through the patio, he glanced back and saw Abra in his bedroom window. She waved.
He lifted his hand, turned away again.
She had the kind of fascinating face that made a man want to look twice.
So he very deliberately kept his gaze straight ahead.
FTC Advisory: I purchased this copy of Whiskey Beach. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Roberts’ world seemed to have too many elements and too many factors for me to thoroughly enjoy Whiskey Beach.
Opening Sentence: Through the chilly curtain of sleet, in the intermittent wash of the great light on the jutting cliff to the south,
Show More
the massive silhouette of Bluff House loomed over Whiskey Beach.The Review:
I never thought the day would come when I wouldn’t fall in immediate love with a Nora Roberts story. That was the case for Whiskey Beach. I wasn’t sure in the beginning why I couldn’t connect to the story. Was it the voice? Could it have been the main character? Or maybe it was because the narration was a little off.
Eli Landon has had a rough year. A son of a whiskey empire, he found out his wife was cheating on him for a year. Eli was angry and upset, and went back to their house to retrieve his grandmother’s ring. It belonged to Eli’s family, and since his wife and him were no longer one, he had a right to take it back. But when he went to the house, he found his wife dead in the library. There were no other suspects to Eli’s wife’s death. All the fingers pointed at him. Eli was never arrested or imprisoned, because there wasn’t enough hard evidence to convict him. But in the year of media and public speculation, he was practically ousted from his career and supposed friends.
After a year, Eli retreated to Bluff House on Whiskey Beach. It was the Landon house that whiskey built. While his mother is recovering from an accident, he is keeping the house for her. And also because there is always a Landon in Bluff House. There he meets Abra, a housekeeper that is also a jack of all trades. But that isn’t all Eli finds. He finds that his troubles have followed him to Whiskey Beach, but who is responsible is something he may find out too late.
Eli is a good main character on paper. But I didn’t completely connect to him. The way Roberts narrated his voice was different to me. At least that’s how it seemed. The transition from one character thought to another threw me off, and it prevented me from fully getting to know who he was in the beginning. Eli was hurt by a cheating wife, only to be accused of murder. The scrutiny he must have endured was heart breaking. Who he was in the beginning of Whiskey Beach was a lot different than who he became in the end and it was a nice progression.
Abra is a quirky character. She was all over the place. There were so many facets to her life and to her personality that it was difficult to understand her. I couldn’t get to the heart and soul of who she was. Abra has a past of her own, but with all the different details of her life, it was hard to grasp. If I follow her life in a timeline, I understand, but when I read the chapters, it’s a little baffling.
It saddens me that I couldn’t connect to Whiskey Beach. The mystery and lore of a hidden pirate’s bounty was fascinating. The element of murder was intriguing. The thriller aspect was a little predictable, and while I normally don’t mind it, this just added to the different things that I didn’t connect with. There is a romance, as in all Roberts’ books, but it was not my cup of tea. Both Eli and Abra have this quick-wit banter between them, and then it was instant romance. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around it.
Roberts’ world seemed to have too many elements and too many factors for me to thoroughly enjoy Whiskey Beach. I wanted a little simple love story with a heroine and a hero. For me, this just wasn’t the case.
Notable Scene:
He’d walk– somewhere – call, breathe, and when this nagging stiffness, this endless aching played out, he’d just text her – better to text—and tell her not to come.
But first he’d take her advice, go down to the beach, take a picture of Bluff House. And maybe he’d wheedle some information out of his grandmother about Abra Walsh.
He was still a lawyer. He ought to be able to finesse some answers out of a witness already biased in his favor.
As he followed the path he’d cut down through the patio, he glanced back and saw Abra in his bedroom window. She waved.
He lifted his hand, turned away again.
She had the kind of fascinating face that made a man want to look twice.
So he very deliberately kept his gaze straight ahead.
FTC Advisory: I purchased this copy of Whiskey Beach. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member breena31
Another satisfying read from the amazing Nora. Even though I guessed the murderer pretty much towards the beginning of the book, I was so caught up in the characters lives that it didn't impact my enjoyment of the story.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Eli Landon's life falls apart when his wife dies and he's the obvious suspect, found not guilty he's still hounded by the investigator, and being chased by private detectives. When his grandmother falls and has to recouperate with his parents he agrees to go to the family home and use the time to
He's helped in his healing by Abra Walsh, who has also survived trauma and changed her life, she's been housekeeper for his grandmother for ages and now she's determined to help him, whether he wants it or not, the bonds created are helping.
But there's a shadow, someone is out there with a plan and it doesn't bode well for Eli's future.
There are chunks of predictability in this story, but I enjoy the journey with Nora Roberts to the conclusion, it did keep me guessing until the end about why and who was involved and I enjoyed it immensely.
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write. His career as a lawyer has been destroyed by the suspicion and the accusations.He's helped in his healing by Abra Walsh, who has also survived trauma and changed her life, she's been housekeeper for his grandmother for ages and now she's determined to help him, whether he wants it or not, the bonds created are helping.
But there's a shadow, someone is out there with a plan and it doesn't bode well for Eli's future.
There are chunks of predictability in this story, but I enjoy the journey with Nora Roberts to the conclusion, it did keep me guessing until the end about why and who was involved and I enjoyed it immensely.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
WHISKEY BEACH was another powerful romantic suspense title from Nora Roberts. I fell in love with both Eli Landon and Abra Walsh. Eli has come back home to Whiskey Beach to try to rebuild his life after being accused of killing his estranged wife. He has lost his career as a criminal defense lawyer
Abra Walsh is a relative new-comer to Whiskey Beach but she had managed to build a satisfying life for herself. She does some housekeeping at Bluff House and for others too. She teaches yoga, gives massages, and serves drinks at the local bar on Friday nights. She is also rebuilding her life after personal trauma and has regained her cheerful, positive attitude. She sees that Eli needs some help and starts working her way into his life.
When Abra is attacked in Bluff House and together she and Eli discover that someone is digging in the basement, the questions just keep building. Is the attack related to Eli's wife's death or his grandmother's assault? Are the long-held rumors of buried treasure at Bluff House true?
The story was filled with tension and the growth of a realistic relationship between Eli and Abra. I liked that both characters were still healing and were cautious about getting involved again. I liked the way the tension in the story kept building and building.
This one is highly recommended.
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is in a state of depression. He is also being harassed by the Boston police detective who is sure he is guilty despite a lack of evidence. He is back at the family home -- Bluff House -- because his grandmother had a serious fall and almost lost her life. She wants a Landon to live in the house as they have since the Revolutionary War. Abra Walsh is a relative new-comer to Whiskey Beach but she had managed to build a satisfying life for herself. She does some housekeeping at Bluff House and for others too. She teaches yoga, gives massages, and serves drinks at the local bar on Friday nights. She is also rebuilding her life after personal trauma and has regained her cheerful, positive attitude. She sees that Eli needs some help and starts working her way into his life.
When Abra is attacked in Bluff House and together she and Eli discover that someone is digging in the basement, the questions just keep building. Is the attack related to Eli's wife's death or his grandmother's assault? Are the long-held rumors of buried treasure at Bluff House true?
The story was filled with tension and the growth of a realistic relationship between Eli and Abra. I liked that both characters were still healing and were cautious about getting involved again. I liked the way the tension in the story kept building and building.
This one is highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member jbarr5
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
Eli Landren was back in town writing his novel.
Some others in town think he did kill his wife as they had argued earlier that day.
the woman neighbor, Abra Walsh next door makes pancakes and cleans his house, does his laundry and will give him a massage. Abra is very
His dead wife, Lindsey, her parents were filing a wrongful death suit and his lawyer are working on the case.
Love all the down home cooking done as it's the way I cook also. Quite the mystery as to who is seeking information about him and how now others are attacked.
Things really heat up in the house and with their relationship as their lives are threatened and those of their loved ones... They plot to surprise who they think is the culprit.
His ancestors and what's up in the attic may hold the solution.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Eli Landren was back in town writing his novel.
Some others in town think he did kill his wife as they had argued earlier that day.
the woman neighbor, Abra Walsh next door makes pancakes and cleans his house, does his laundry and will give him a massage. Abra is very
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good friends with his grandmother.His dead wife, Lindsey, her parents were filing a wrongful death suit and his lawyer are working on the case.
Love all the down home cooking done as it's the way I cook also. Quite the mystery as to who is seeking information about him and how now others are attacked.
Things really heat up in the house and with their relationship as their lives are threatened and those of their loved ones... They plot to surprise who they think is the culprit.
His ancestors and what's up in the attic may hold the solution.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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LibraryThing member mchwest
Good job Nora Roberts! For the first time in a while I couldn't figure out the who did it part of the book. I so enjoyed your descriptive writing about the beaches and the old manse house, family history and the characters were well made. Enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member Patbilly
A very good read, if a bit long and drawn out in most conversations. The backstory was soewhat incredible, but as the fantasy story went, it made for a fun and interesting tale.
LibraryThing member Patbilly
A very good read, if a bit long and drawn out in most conversations. The backstory was soewhat incredible, but as the fantasy story went, it made for a fun and interesting tale.
LibraryThing member rashiel
what an interesting story it was. Good book about Eli and Abra who are at a whiskey beach where he is trying to figure out about his wife murder
LibraryThing member IceQueenTN
Great mystery & love story.
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Still under suspicion for murdering his wife, Eli Landon returns to Whiskey Beach and Bluff House to rest, recuperate, and pursue a career as a writer. And bumps smack into his grandmother's housekeeper, a sylph-like blond with a penchant for massage, yoga, and managing everyone's lives. Of course
This read well and quickly, and as always Roberts develops relationships and characters with a deft hand. But neither Eli nor Abra (the housekeeper/romantic interest) really grabbed me. A good story, but not a gripping, will-definitely-reread one.
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he didn't murder his wife, and of course there's a hidden treasure involved, and of course there's a happily ever after.This read well and quickly, and as always Roberts develops relationships and characters with a deft hand. But neither Eli nor Abra (the housekeeper/romantic interest) really grabbed me. A good story, but not a gripping, will-definitely-reread one.
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LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
A captivating story with a lot of great elements – coastal town, historic home, past hidden scandals, treasurers, romance, envy, family love, cooking and entertaining, lawyer turned writer, an adventurous yoga instructor with an intriguing background, murder, plus much more – offering a good
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read and does not disappoint--Nora definitely knows how to entertain! Show Less
LibraryThing member ClarisaO
My favourite book by this author. It was amazing!
LibraryThing member msphotogirl
Love love the narrator - Luke Daniels. He is awesome. Great story.
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
I usually enjoy Nora Roberts' romantic thrillers but Whiskey Beach seemed to fall a little short.
Eli Landon, a Boston lawyer, has been hounded by the police after the murder of his estranged wife. Even though he has never been arrested he's still under suspicion for the murder. He moves to his
Abra seemed one dimensional to me and I found her actions toward Eli to be more of a mother than a lover. I felt sorry for Eli and he wasn't the typical romantic hero that we usually see in a Nora Roberts novel. Both Eli and Abra seemed a little lackluster. I really liked the dog, Barbie, though!
Whiskey Beach was not Nora Roberts' best but she can probably still count on me for her next one since I have really enjoyed some of her other romantic thrillers (The Witness, The Search). I would recommend either of those before Whiskey Beach.
Eli Landon, a Boston lawyer, has been hounded by the police after the murder of his estranged wife. Even though he has never been arrested he's still under suspicion for the murder. He moves to his
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family home, Bluff House on Whiskey Beach. There he meets the beautiful and quirky Abra Walsh. She wants to help Eli heal and become his former self and they want to find his wife's killer. But someone wants to stop them from finding out the truth.Abra seemed one dimensional to me and I found her actions toward Eli to be more of a mother than a lover. I felt sorry for Eli and he wasn't the typical romantic hero that we usually see in a Nora Roberts novel. Both Eli and Abra seemed a little lackluster. I really liked the dog, Barbie, though!
Whiskey Beach was not Nora Roberts' best but she can probably still count on me for her next one since I have really enjoyed some of her other romantic thrillers (The Witness, The Search). I would recommend either of those before Whiskey Beach.
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LibraryThing member B.J.O.
4 "Proving His Innocence" Stars for the story and narration.
Lovers of romantic suspense titles with strong independent heroines are sure to enjoy Whiskey Beach. Combining an undeniable attraction, with a race against the clock to find a killer, Whiskey Beach will keep you on your toes.
Former
However, the fall is not the only strange, mysterious thing that has happened in the historic home--someone has also been breaking into and digging in the basement. Fortunately for Eli, he has an ally who defends his viewpoint wholeheartedly. Her name is Abra Walsh, and Abra has suffered her own past heartbreaks. Having come to Whiskey Beach to also heal, Abra has become the jack of all new age trades. From massages and spiritual introspection to house cleaning, Abra attends to it all. And once Eli arrives on the scene, that includes her conviction and determination to prove him innocent.
Will this couple on a joint-mission find more than just the true villain? Even if love is in the cards will they be able to solve the mystery before one of them gets irrevocably hurt?
Peter Berkrot delivers a talented narration in Whiskey Beach. Perfect to voice Eli's perspective, you can easily sit back and imagine you are listening to Eli tell his story. Mr. Berkrot provides a higher pitched voice for Abra, which although I must admit was not my favorite, I think did adequate justice to her new age, high-spirited style. Additionally, Mr. Berkrot adequately varies the pace of his delivery to provide maximum effect to this romantic suspense title.
All in all, Whiskey Beach is an entertaining romantic suspense title that will keep you guessing. My only observation was that I felt that the heroine was a little too quick to jump on the hero's side--it almost seemed like she never for one moment paused to think whether he could have committed the crimes himself. Nonetheless, Abra's resilient personality and determined spirit, did provide an interesting perspective as she navigated the treacherous waters set by the full-cast of secondary characters, and the suspense angle of this story was well developed for maximum sleuthing enjoyment.
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
Lovers of romantic suspense titles with strong independent heroines are sure to enjoy Whiskey Beach. Combining an undeniable attraction, with a race against the clock to find a killer, Whiskey Beach will keep you on your toes.
Former
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lawyer, Eli Landon has had a life altering event. Needing a respite to recover some semblance of normal after his wife is murdered--and the cops begin to take a serious look at him as a potential suspect--Eli takes his grandmother's invitation to stay and take care of her historic home in Whiskey Beach, while she recovers from a mysterious fall. However, the fall is not the only strange, mysterious thing that has happened in the historic home--someone has also been breaking into and digging in the basement. Fortunately for Eli, he has an ally who defends his viewpoint wholeheartedly. Her name is Abra Walsh, and Abra has suffered her own past heartbreaks. Having come to Whiskey Beach to also heal, Abra has become the jack of all new age trades. From massages and spiritual introspection to house cleaning, Abra attends to it all. And once Eli arrives on the scene, that includes her conviction and determination to prove him innocent.
Will this couple on a joint-mission find more than just the true villain? Even if love is in the cards will they be able to solve the mystery before one of them gets irrevocably hurt?
Peter Berkrot delivers a talented narration in Whiskey Beach. Perfect to voice Eli's perspective, you can easily sit back and imagine you are listening to Eli tell his story. Mr. Berkrot provides a higher pitched voice for Abra, which although I must admit was not my favorite, I think did adequate justice to her new age, high-spirited style. Additionally, Mr. Berkrot adequately varies the pace of his delivery to provide maximum effect to this romantic suspense title.
All in all, Whiskey Beach is an entertaining romantic suspense title that will keep you guessing. My only observation was that I felt that the heroine was a little too quick to jump on the hero's side--it almost seemed like she never for one moment paused to think whether he could have committed the crimes himself. Nonetheless, Abra's resilient personality and determined spirit, did provide an interesting perspective as she navigated the treacherous waters set by the full-cast of secondary characters, and the suspense angle of this story was well developed for maximum sleuthing enjoyment.
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member BevFuller
Good book.
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Whiskey Beach
3 Stars
Under suspicions for the murder of his wife, Eli Landon finds refuge in his old family home in Whiskey Beach. There he finds solace both in his writing and in the arms of Abra Walsh, a Jill-of-All-Trades housekeeper, Yoga teacher, jewelry maker and unrepentant busybody. But
Not up to Nora’s standards. The pacing is too slow and Nora’s trademark skills at building tension is sorely lacking in both the romance and the suspense plots. It is like she was simply going through the motions to publish another book.
The mystery revolves around two separate threads. The first focuses on the murder plot, which is predictable with an unsatisfying climax and a bland resolution, and the second revolves around the history of the Landon family and Esmeralda’s Dowry, which is interesting but also glaringly obviousDuh, of course the family spent it all! . Even the small town setting, which is usually one of my favorites, is prosaic and uninspired.
Eli and Abra have both suffered in their pasts and while their strength in the face of adversity makes you want to root for them as a couple, they have absolutely no chemistry and their romance falls flat. The secondary characters have a lot of charm from Eli’s tenacious grandmother and loving family to Abra’s loyal friends and quirky neighbors. It is a pity that the rest of the book does not live up to their example.
In sum, an unexceptional addition to Nora’s repertoire and there are much better books of hers out there.
3 Stars
Under suspicions for the murder of his wife, Eli Landon finds refuge in his old family home in Whiskey Beach. There he finds solace both in his writing and in the arms of Abra Walsh, a Jill-of-All-Trades housekeeper, Yoga teacher, jewelry maker and unrepentant busybody. But
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someone has it in for Eli and will stop at nothing, not even murder, to fulfill his twisted agenda...Not up to Nora’s standards. The pacing is too slow and Nora’s trademark skills at building tension is sorely lacking in both the romance and the suspense plots. It is like she was simply going through the motions to publish another book.
The mystery revolves around two separate threads. The first focuses on the murder plot, which is predictable with an unsatisfying climax and a bland resolution, and the second revolves around the history of the Landon family and Esmeralda’s Dowry, which is interesting but also glaringly obvious
Eli and Abra have both suffered in their pasts and while their strength in the face of adversity makes you want to root for them as a couple, they have absolutely no chemistry and their romance falls flat. The secondary characters have a lot of charm from Eli’s tenacious grandmother and loving family to Abra’s loyal friends and quirky neighbors. It is a pity that the rest of the book does not live up to their example.
In sum, an unexceptional addition to Nora’s repertoire and there are much better books of hers out there.
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LibraryThing member alco261
If you are looking for an endless recitation of wild sex and detailed information about meal preparation then this book is for you. If, as I did, you made the mistake of believing you were going to get a mystery then you will be extremely disappointed. I got the book-on-tape version for a road
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trip. Unfortunately, because of its length (13 disks) I didn't bring anything else. What little mystery there is in the book is completely overshadowed by food and sex. Fortunately, around disk 3 or so, I had listened to enough of the author's writing style so that I was able to discern when we were going to go back to the bedroom for another physically impossible romp in the hay - thank heavens for the skip button. To me, the only mystery is how anyone would find this kind of reading interesting. I wish we had the ability to give books negative star ratings because this one deserves at least a negative 100. Show Less
LibraryThing member MHanover10
Enjoyable story. I feel like I've read this story before. I searched different websites to see if it had been published before 2013 and couldn't find it listed anywhere. Drove me crazy that I felt like I had read it before. Nice story, likable characters, you got to know them and their quirkiness.
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I would recommend it. Not a deep book as most Nora Roberts book are, but she is a good writer and entertains the reader. I wasn't disappointed and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2013-04-13
ISBN
9780399159893