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    The Witness
    The Witness
    The Witness
    Audiobook16 hours

    The Witness

    Written by Nora Roberts

    Narrated by Julia Whelan

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateApr 17, 2012
    ISBN9781455818198
    The Witness
    Author

    Nora Roberts

    Nora Roberts is the bestselling author of more than two hundred romance novels. She was the first author to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Since her first bestseller in 1991, Nora’s books have spent more than two hundred weeks in the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. There are more than five hundred million copies of her books in print, published in over thirty-four countries.

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    Reviews for The Witness

    4.5/5

    397 ratings68 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 3/5
      I'm not a big romance reader so don't read much by Nora Roberts, but this book was supposed to be more mystery/thriller than romance, and it sounded like ti would be good. And it was, to an extent. The protagonist was a little too much caricature, and the plot was somewhat predictable. For my tastes, there was too much romance and not enough thriller. Also, the protagonist, who was supposed to be very independent and hated being treated as weak, thought, “She could belong to the man sleeping beside her...” and she meant this as a positive thing. A strong, independent woman wanting to BELONG to someone – gimme a break.I listened to an unabridged Audible version, and was somewhat dismayed when the narrator pronounced buffalo as boofalo. Is this some alternate pronunciation I'm not familiar with?This book is reasonable entertainment, but that's about as far as it goes.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      What happens when you are a witness to a murder? What happens when the murderer is a Russian mob enforcer/executioner? Can there be safety while you are on the run from the mob? Is there safety if you are placed in witness protection? These are just few of the questions that are answered in this romantic tale of being targeted by by the Russian mob. Of, wanting to have a life free of fear.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 1/5
      Was a good premise for a book, but geez... I should have known better. Someone at PT recommended it... and I was listening to it.. that made it even worse. Oh well.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I loved this book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book. Romance, mystery, and intrigue. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense with romance thrown in. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Enjoyable enough audio book. Main character was too perfect and resilient to be believable though the love interest and family were well developed.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I had forgoten how Nora Roberts sucks you in, keeps you there, turning the pages as she weaves her story.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I found this story very repetitive and the repetitions got tiresome. Otherwise, I thought Brooks was hilarious. His sense of humor was entertaining. Abigail's bad ass attitude was inspiring. Overall the story was pleasing and enjoyable.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      It seems to be the same plot as Identity! I read Identity last year and thus is my 2nd Nora Robert's book--do they all have the same plot? I'm a little more than 50%
    • 4/5
      I totally enjoyed this! The rendition was great also, looking forward to more
    • 5/5
      The Witness is one of those I come back to when I can't find anything "right" at the moment. It's one of my top NR books and the narrator is perfect for it.
    • 5/5
      Such an enjoyable story, finally a female that did not need the protection of an “alpha male”!
      In this story a young woman running from the Bratva, survived 12 years utilizing her intelligence, ingenuity, resilience and bravery. When she meets the man of her life, who helps her believe in people and taught. Her about love. Unite and between both of them they neutralize the danger. It was wonderful to listen to Nora Roberts again. The narrator was excellent.
    • 5/5
      The Witness by Nora RobertsNora Roberts Romantic Suspense has never failed to intrigue me, keep me interested, and entertain me. And this book was no different. Actually, I take that back---this book did so much more for me. The Witness kept me at the edge of my chair and biting my nails. It kept me rooting for the ‘good guy’ that was Abigail and praying, metaphorically, for the toppling of the bad guys. I kept wishing that the book was longer or I could read slower so it wouldn’t end.Elizabeth Fitch has an eidetic memory, is a genius, is only 16, is unloved by her mother and is ready to break out of the prison that is her life. And, break-out she does. Unfortunately it ended up being the worst thing she could have ever done and things will only get worse . so badly in fact, that she has to hide and assume a new identity. Fast forward 12 years and Elizabeth (now Abigail has moved to a small Southern town, is fairly happy with her life and is about to be invaded by the Chief of Police. Abigail is somewhat emotionally stunted after dealing with the type of things she has had to and can’t quite figure out what to do with Brooks Gleason the Police Chief. Brooks just knows in his heart that Abigail is running from something and may need protection. He sets out to break down Abigails barriers and eventually succeeds almost too well.“The Witness” has vividly drawn and fleshed out characters, wonderful descriptions, fantastic secondary characters and a secondary plot that was as fascinating as the main story. I loved watching Abigail grow, but I appreciated the fact that Ms Roberts did not change Abigail too much and turn her into someone she wasn’t meant to be.I loved this book so much that I really hated to see it end…I hope you will too.
    • 4/5
      16-year-old Elizabeth's moment of rebellion against her controlling mother ends in tragedy. A dozen years later, under a new identity, she moves to a small town in Arkansas, where the police chief becomes intrigued by the reclusive newcomer.Both romantic and suspenseful.
    • 5/5
      My favourite novel by Nora Roberts' to date, The Witness' main character, Elizabeth is a fantastic character who through trauma, ends up on the run. All of the characters have depth and the growth witnessed in Elizabeth is warming to watch.
    • 5/5
      Enjoyed the storyline and details. Enjoyed the narrator. Another Nora Roberts win!!
    • 3/5
      A fun light read on vacation, this little thriller, part espionage part romance, has all the right ingredients for proper entertainment. Elizabeth is a little too smart, Brooks a little too upstanding and the rest of the cast a little too much of what they need to be (evil, airy, bossy depending on the character) to be believable, but this perfection is what makes the genre fun - I certainly wouldn't expect it to be real! However, it's a page turner and never dull; the hours on the plane seemed all the shorter!
    • 4/5
      Excellent book about love and trust.
    • 5/5
      Nora Roberts never dissapoints! Great story plot & characters. Also loved the narrator Julia Whelan, with the subtle changes in her voice which totally fit the different characters!
    • 5/5
      Possibly my favourite Nora Roberts book.
      To have even an once of Abigail's intelligence, discipline and resiliency would be amazing !
    • 3/5
      I really enjoyed a lot of this story. The set up chapters were exceptional. I would really like to see Roberts write a general fiction book. I just get bored with the romance & sex. She is a good storyteller and doesn't need the "filler" to tell a story
    • 4/5
      THE WITNESS is a stand-alone about Elizabeth Fitch, a teenager with an eidetic memory, cultivated by her mother to bypass her teenage years, and fast tracked to become a brilliant surgeon. Elizabeth is just beginning to respond to the urges of teenage rebellion and a night out at a local nightclub ends in her witnessing the death of both her friend and a man they have newly met. The police put her into witness protection and then follows a further two deaths and Elizabeth goes on the run.When she surfaces twelve years later she comes to the attention of the local police chief and she still retains vivid memories of those earlier experiences.Highly intelligent, Elizabeth would probably be classified these days as being in the autistic spectrum, much of her outlook on life being generated by lack of experience and understandable fears.A very readable book.
    • 4/5
      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. (Amaz. Desc.)This book has Roberts' trademark combination of romance, suspense, fast pace and interesting characters. Abigail is particularly fascinating with her eidetic memory, genius-level IQ, and lack of social skills. She reminds me a lot of the character "Temperance" on Bones. Highly Recommended.
    • 5/5
      Good characters and an interesting plot made it a well done book. But, Nora has an ability to captivate the reader unlike most authors and I guess that’s why she’s so popular. Abigail witnessed a mob murder when she was sixteen and was able to get to the cops who put her in protective custody with the US Marshals. A mole found out the location and got inside and killed the Marshals and she ended up on the run – finally ending up in a small town in the Ozarks where she meets Brooks – the small town Police Chief. They fall in love; he helps her out; justice prevails; plus much more…
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this story of a woman who reminded me of Bones from the TV series. Abigail Lowery is a mystery and Brooks Gleason, the local chief of police is intrigued. He is part of the local community and he wants to know more about her. She has got too used to hiding, she saw a Russian mafia murder at 16 and they still are hunting her, she really has no choice but to try to hide out and appear to be not who she really is, however, the murder was 15 years ago and who she really is isn't clear. They have to work out how to move forward, possibly together.The two of these characters were great fun and I really enjoyed the read.
    • 5/5
      I love the characters in this book. Abigail and Brooks are so opposite in some ways, but perfectly suited in the best areas. I loved the Russian mafia parts, and that Elizabeth was so skilled in computer hacking - I thought it made the book very modern but not futuristic. It's a book I read back to back immediately. One I'll keep on the Nook to read again and again.
    • 5/5
      I liked it very much, the plot is interesting and different and the narrator is awesome!
    • 2/5
      I love Nora Roberts. I read all her romantic suspense titles. I always look forward the high-quality escapism with interesting characters in believable relationships and exciting story lines.This book annoyed me. All the way through. Every word that came out of Elizabeth/Abigail's mouth sounded like it came directly from Temperance Brennan of the Fox TV show "Bones" (not to be confused with Temperance in the books)I love Bones, so it was very disconcerting hear her dialogue coming from someone else's mouth. How could Robert's editors ignore this? How could her beta readers (I assume she has some) not call her on this?Aside from the appearance of plagiarism, there are specific reasons why it doesn't play.Firstly, Elizabeth starts eating up pop culture before she goes underground. It only makes sense that she would continue her pop-culture education in order to blend in better. Geek-speak is not a good strategy for someone who wants to be unnoticed, and she's smart enough to know that.Secondly, her relationship with the chief of police doesn't hit the right notes for someone who has never experienced intimacy.For a classic Nora Roberts read, pick up "Hidden Riches" or "Divine Evil" "Carolina Moon" or "Carnal Innocence".
    • 4/5
      This is a typical Nora Robert’s tale. It has a self-sufficient strong female lead with a weakness for a good-looking man that will not take no for an answer. It starts with a female in an unusual situation that captures your attention. There are several holes in the timeline and pacing that leaves little room for character development. This is the book to read if you are looking for a predictable intrigue type romance, which does not require much imagination.
    • 5/5
      This book is evidence of the amount of research nora roberts brings into her novels. Her main character, Elizabeth, is remarkable and her intellegence - roberts has us believe, is in fact believable. A great read, already one of my roberts favorites!