I don't think I could ever have fully understood the scripture quoted, Proverbs 27:4, at the beginning of the book, if I had not read this extraordinary story. How does one get to the point that envy and greed justifies everything else that an individual does in their life... Even Murder... And yet it happens, even more often these days, it seems...
Roberts latest novel, Mind Games, is well worth your consideration... It is unique yet the majority of the book's setting is one very similar to mine--in the country, taking care of farm animals, and meeting neighbors... Yet, for the main character, it is sometimes a scary--a very scary place!
Thea, who was just 12 that year, and Rem, her younger brother have just arrived at their grandmother's farm where they spend a full two weeks of the summer each year... They travel from Virginia, which is not too far away, to RedBud Hollow, Kentucky. For these children, visiting the farm is the best part of each year. This year is different, however, they will not be going back home... And they would have been thrilled, under different circumstances... But Lucy, their grandmother had been contacted to let them know that her daughter and son-in-law had been murdered! Even before that, though, both Lucy and Thea had known they were dead... This supernatural "gift" was passed down through the women of their family. Lucy found that Thea was much more attuned to things than even she. And that was what had caused the beginning of her nightmare, which would last for years... Thea had actually seen the murder happening and could identify the man who killed her parents!
Fortunately, for readers, Roberts has built a fascinating tale around the kind of life that happens in rural areas... Neighbors were close, bartering goods, or just providing to those in need... Lucy was a true homemaker, creating candles, soaps and other medicinal articles that were sold locally. Lucy was often the only person who was able to help when somebody was "ailing..."
The major concern for the two children was getting started at a new school, but by that time, they had met neighborhood children and were helped through that sometimes difficult time when needing to meet new people, and hopefully become friends, came about. Thea and Rem were also from their city life, fully active in gaming. But here, too, Thea was ahead because of her strong creative storytelling skills. In fact, the very first game she created, got her into training and then her first game was sold...
Other than the book trailers above, I've decided not to reveal anything other than that Thea identified the man who killed her parents. Sufficient enough to allow police to make a quick arrest. What I'm "not" talking about is that portion of the book that moves into thriller mode, like no other I've ever read about. The imagination, plus the technical gaming study required by the writer to be able to tell this story, is outstanding--both exciting and a touch of horror moves this multi-genre novel to the best of the best of books I've read by Nora Roberts, and under her pseudonym, J. D. Robb (which had always been my favorite books from her.)
The merge of the country setting and all it entailed results in a fascinating, unbelievable story that will awaken you to hoping for the possibility of seeing more of Thea and Lucy, along with the main characters, in a series... Thea's, especially, development is compelling, extraordinary and worthy of...seeing more of her in action! Highly recommended.
GABixlerReviews
Mind Games: A Novel
4.7 | 12,282 ratings
Price: 21.65
Last update: 08-21-2024
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