ANGELS FALL by Norah Roberts
Norah Roberts is a genius in that she can create characters so charismatic you care about them from the first pages of her novels to the last. It is almost magical how she gets readers to invest in these characters and stay involved with them continuously. Such is certainly the case with Reece Gilmore in Roberts' latest novel ANGELS FALL.
Reece is a woman on the run - from her past. She doesn't know if she will ever trust anyone again, or if she will ever feel safe again. She has been through a traumatic experience and now all she wants is to escape her past and have a decidedly low key present.
Her car breaks down in the town of Angel's Fist, Wyoming. It is close to Jackson Hole and seems nice enough. Quickly she finds a place to stay and even gets a job at a place called "Joanie's." She becomes a short-order cook, which is as natural for her as falling off a log.
Thins settle into a dull but peaceful routine - until she witnesses a murder. At least she thinks she has seen a murder, but the sheriff can't find a body or any disturbance at the scene of the crime. The only one who seems to believe her is a writer named Brody. Everyone else thinks she is just imagining thing.
Norah Roberts lays out these pieces of her plot puzzle with easy confidence. She gives just enough information to keep the reader longing for the next bit of data that will help explain the story. This peeling of the onion goes on till the very end when everything is explained.
Reece is the perfect heroine for a story of this type. She is mysterious, kind, vulnerable and smart. She starts out being a bit standoffish but as she becomes comfortable with the other characters she begins to relax. And as she relaxes she becomes more and more likable. As her friend and potential romantic interest, Brody is as masculine as Reece is feminine. He and she trade quips and barbs as they play the game of love and these little zingers add fun and spice to the story.
ANGELS FALL is a fun read from start to finish. It is full of mystery, danger, romance and humor. What more do you need! When Norah Roberts is good she is very, very good and with ANGELS FALL she is at her best.
ANGELS FALL is published by G P Putnam's Sons. It contains 448 pages and sells for $25.95.