Mind Games by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Description:
As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.

Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.

The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse―because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them―and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…

Review:

Mind Games by Nora Roberts is a fantastic standalone suspenseful novel, that had me unable to put the book down.   No surprise, as Nora Roberts/JD Robb never fails to disappoint.  With school out for the summer, the Fox family travels to Kentucky, so that the kids (12 year old Thea and 10 year old Rem) can spend two weeks with their Grandmother Lucy.  They love being there with the animals, gardens, mountains, and their Grammie.  Their mother and father return home to Virginia, giving them their own vacation; which leads them into a terrible tragedy about to happen. 

Thea awakens from a nightmare, as she saw her parents murdered, and she runs to her grandmother, only to realize that she saw the same nightmare. They both share a gift that is part of the female women in their family, which have the ability to see unique sights. Thea remembers everything about that nightmare, including the killer.  The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, the man who killed their parents has been captured and will spend the rest of his life in prison, with no parole.  Thea learns quickly that the killer also has the same gift, using his gift to tie himself to her; which over 15 years becomes a continual mental battle between the two of them. Thea’s gift is very strong, which allows her to help two detectives to find a missing girl.  Both of those detectives will come to Thea over the years asking for her help.

Thea was a fantastic heroine, as she was smart, strong, dedicated and determined to be one stop ahead of Riggs.  I loved her relationship with Lucy (her grandmother) and Rem (her brother).  It was heartwarming to see how they always there supported each other, including Lucy’s two older sons. All the characters were great, including her best friend Maddy.  Ty (a well-known musician) came into the picture about half way through with his young son, Bray; and in a short time, they both had strong feelings for each other. I loved Bunt, Thea’s dog. & his love of Bray. 

Thea was very good at her designing her own video games, getting hired by a firm to create those video games.  She manages to stop Riggs attempts to get through to her, but she wants a life without this evil villain, who always is trying to get into her head.  Thea decides to create a different kind of final game, just for him, as she knows how to mentally deal with him and closing his mind forever.

Mine Games is a fascinating and suspenseful story, that deals with drama, family, murder, psychic abilities, evil villain and romance. Once again, Nora Roberts gives us a fantastic story that has us unable to put the book down from start to finish.  Mind Games was so very well written by Nora Roberts.  You need to read this book, as it was great.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher