Mind Games by Nora Roberts Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on May 21, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Women
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon
The #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Identity presents a suspenseful new novel of tragedy and trauma, love and family, and the evil that awaits.
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...
My Review
Nora Roberts is probably one of my favorite authors of all time. Yes, her stories always seem to have some romance to them, but Reader, believe me when I say that there is so much more to a Nora Roberts book than just romance. Often, her books contain a mystery/thriller element, historical fiction, and she has been known to throw some fantasy in as well. As I said, Nora Roberts’s books are not just romance. Honestly, if you have not read one of her books, then please rush out to where you get books and pick one up. I do not think you will be disappointed. Mind Games is her newest release, and let me just say it did not disappoint.
This story starts out with a family road trip to Kentucky, where Thea and Rem will spend two weeks with their Grandmother, Lucy. The children always spend two weeks in the summer with her running free on the farm, playing with the farm animals, helping Lucy with her business (she sells candles, soaps, etc), and just having an all-around good time. These two weeks, however, will become unforgettable in the worst possible way. You see, Reader, once their parents make it back home to VA, their lives are about to take a drastic turn. It was only supposed to be a quick trip to the supermarket for a romantic dinner for two, but Ray Riggs had other plans for the night. Once he spots her in nice clothes and that watch on her wrist, he makes plans to own whatever it is that she has, no matter the cost.
Thea wakes in the night to a horrible nightmare. She rushes into Grammie Lucy’s room to discover that Lucy has also been awakened by the same terrible nightmare. Immediately, Grammie Lucy contacts her friend at the police station, who then contacts the VA police to check on her daughter and son-in-law. The news that Thea and Grammie Lucy receive in the late hours of the night will set their lives, along with Rem’s, on a completely different course. It will haunt Thea for many years to come.
Ray Riggs is savoring the high that comes from his latest victims as he plans where to rest before he makes his next move. He decides to crash in a cheap little motel on the side of the road for the night, where he can wash up and get a good night’s sleep. After all, being in that home with the picture of the little girl and feeling eyes on him was unsettling, to say the least. The thing that Ray does not understand is that the picture of the little girl will be his downfall. It is not long before the police find Riggs and arrest him. Once in custody, they discover that these are not his first kills but only his two recent kills. Reader, I must say that Ray was only around eighteen years old at the time, and he had already killed multiple people. Ray is not like other killers, though, because he has a gift, one that allows him into the minds of others. A gift that Grammie Lucy, and Thea also share. This gift will keep Ray connected to Thea for many years to come.
Reader, I am just going to say it here: Ray is creepy as (insert your own colorful word here). It is not often that I read a book that gives me nightmares, but Ray definitely had that effect on me. If you want a creepy, messed-up killer in a story, Ray Riggs is your guy. I like how Nora Roberts gave us a glimpse into his childhood, even though his love of cruelty is disturbing. It made me sad, but it also makes perfect sense as to why his parents were afraid of him. The man’s hatred and anger were frightening, to say the least.
Thea made a choice early on that despite losing her folks, she would honor their love by living a full life. Thanks to Grammie Lucy, Thea and Rem were able to do just that. Grammie Lucy was such a steady character throughout the story. She was always there for her grandkids, but she was also there for her own children. Honestly, Grammie Lucy is the kind of grandmother I think everyone would want. She is kind, caring, loving, present, wise, and always there when she is needed. In my opinion, Ray is probably one of the best villains I have read in a book in a while. His abilities, coldness, and hatred still give me the creeps weeks after finishing this story. If you are looking for a romantic thriller this summer, then I do not think you need to look any further because this could be your kind of book. The story is told so well, the character development is spot on, and the setting is everything I would want in every season. Reader, if you decide to pick this one up, please let me know your thoughts on it. I would love to know if Ray Riggs creeps you out the way he does me. Until Next Time, Reader, Happy Reading.