Author: Nora Roberts
Publication: Putnam Adult; First Edition first Printing edition (April 15, 2014)
Description: From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a novel of a woman who needs nothing, a man who sees everything, and the web of deceit, greed, and danger that brings them together—and could tear them apart . . .
When professional house-sitter Lila Emerson witnesses a murder/suicide from her current apartment-sitting job, life as she knows it takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the woman with no permanent ties finds herself almost wishing for one. . . .
Artist Ashton Archer knows his brother isn't capable of violence—against himself or others. He recruits Lila, the only eyewitness, to help him uncover what happened. Ash longs to paint her as intensely as he hungers to touch her. But their investigation draws them into a rarified circle where priceless antiques are bought, sold, gambled away, and stolen, where what you possess is who you are, and where what you desire becomes a deadly obsession. . .
My Thoughts: THE COLLECTOR was an excellent, heart-pounding romantic suspense title. House-sitter and YA author Lila Emerson has a habit of watching people and telling herself stories about their lives. One evening, while watching the apartment building across the street, she witnesses a murder. Being a good citizen, she calls the police and reports what she saw and tells what she has seen in that window in the past.
She didn't see the killer but she tells the police all about the man she has seen in the window in the past. That man is the brother of Ashton Archer. The brother is also found dead in the apartment. Ash is sure that his brother didn't harm his girlfriend and recruits Lila to help him prove it.
Ash is an artist who is also part of a very wealthy and powerful family. He is the one the family turns to when a problem needs solving. He is decisive and managing which rubs wrong against Lila who is used to be the one doing the managing in her own independent, gypsy lifestyle.
The story works its way into the world of art and those who collect it. Ash's brother got his hands on a Faberge egg and got himself killed for it. Now, Ash has the egg and is determined to find and punish the ones who killed his brother. Meanwhile, the collector and his henchwoman assassin are trying to find the egg too and are more than willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
The relationship between Ash and Lila is one of two independent adults forging a relationship through compromise. Ash, being decisive, is the first to know that Lila is the woman he wants for life. Lila is less willing to jump into a relationship. She is more the type who wants a plan and a guarantee. Both characters are wonderfully drawn and likable people. Both also have best friends who happen to have been married to each other in the past and who are now forging their own relationship.
I loved this combination of romance and suspense. Nora Roberts has another hit!
Favorite Quote:
"Fictional people are people, too, otherwise why would we care what happens to them?"I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.
Totally agree with you, I really enjoyed this book, both the romance and the suspense. When she writes well - she writes really well. I don't know how she manages to write so much.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that this plot is slightly similar to Rear Window, the old Jimmy Stewart/Grace Kelly movie that I love. If that is even vaguely true then I definitely will want to read this. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDelete