LOVED. THIS. BOOK. Nora Roberts has done it again. This is a masterfully told story with well developed characters and an amazing plot. Thea Fox and her younger brother are in Kentucky visiting their grandmother when something happens that will impact the rest of their lives. Do yourself a big favor and read this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!

I'm a sucker for a story about family and this one delivers pretty poignantly.

Thea and her family have so much love and joy until someone doesn't approve and ends it.

I really appreciate the small bits Roberts give us of Riggs. He and The as enemies is extra fascinating when you consider their ages, which I didn't until halfway through!

There was one part that kinda stuck out to me, it seemed like conflict for the sake of conflict but on the whole this book is excellent and I would highly recommend it!

Whoa…..where do I begin! This newest book by Nora Roberts checked so many genre boxes, from romance to mystery to paranormal thriller.

Thea and Rem Fox enjoy spending two weeks every summer with their Grammie in the beautiful and idyllic countryside of Kentucky. But the summer they are twelve and ten, tragedy strikes the family and Kentucky becomes their permanent home. Like all the females in her family, Thea possesses a “gift”, the psychic ability to see into other peoples minds. This family saga, with a great cast of characters, takes the reader through the emotional journey of loss, grief, love and self discovery.

I absolutely enjoyed the first third and final chapters of the story and was immersed in all the emotions of the plot and characters. However, I felt the mid section was long and somewhat repetitive and the inconsistencies of dialogue in the way one of the child characters spoke was troublesome for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Publication date: May 21

I have been reading Nora Roberts for as long as I can remember. There is a comfort in the familiarity of her formula and reading one of her books is like a warm hug.

Thea is the main character of Mind Games and she witnesses something horrible as a child. The first half of the book focuses on this plot point and how she and her family deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. The women in the Lannigan family all have what they call the "sight" and Thea's is particularly strong. It adds a unique element to this story and ties her to the killer in an unexpected way.

Thea does have a love interest in the second half and I enjoyed how he was linked to her childhood. I don't want to spoil it, but I will say the man/boy/dog connection warmed my heart. There is some romance, but I would classify this as more of a contemporary suspense novel with family and romantic elements.

The way the title plays out through various aspects in the story is very well done. The characters are all loveable and the setting of Redbud Hollow is perfect. The conflict wrapped up a little quickly, but overall it was gripping and had me engaged the whole time.

Nora Roberts is a Queen and I will always read her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Mind Games is another winner by Nora Roberts! The unique connection Thea and Lucy share is very interesting to explore as the author shares the womens' experiences with their gift. A gift some would call a curse...It was fascinating getting into the mind of a killer and Thea's mind.

I did greatly enjoy the life the kids built with their grandmother after their parents were gone. That part of the book ws wonderful and uplifting and definitely reminded me of simpler times.

Nora Roberts is the queen for a reason and Mind Games is yet one more example of the author at her best. You'll definitely not want to miss this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts, as always, are my own.

I read a digital copy of this new novel thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press. I requested the book because I am a big Nora Roberts fan; I have read and enjoyed dozens of her books.

Nora Roberts is a skilled storyteller; her writing style is easy to read; She builds fleshed-out characters and introduces them so that her readers care about their lives and their problems. She outdid herself in the opening scenes of this book. It was emotional, suspenseful, and fully hooked me from the first words. Writing suspenseful and emotional scenes is definitely a strength of this writer.

However, the genre and subject matter of this book is almost completely out of my wheelhouse. I have learned in recent years not to expect the pure romance or simple mystery of Ms Roberts's early writing; but this novel left me puzzled. I know (and care) little about gaming or rock music, and fantasy/supernatural is one of my least-favorite genres of novel. I likely wouldn't have requested the book if I'd read a thorough blurb first even though I greatly admire Nora Roberts's writing in general.

Another thing that kept this book from being a 5-star read for me was the language of the characters. The author seems to think that all characters speak in the coarse and crass way that these (and most of her recent) characters do. I found the vulgar, common, low-brow dialog distracting and puzzling in these characters. I wonder if Nora Roberts is still actually writing the books that come out in her name.

Overall, in spite of these distractions and defects (IMHO) the book was interesting and entertaining.

Thea Fox comes from a long line of women gifted with the sight. 12-year-old Thea mostly keeps her visions to herself until the night she awakens having seen her parents' murders and knows that she has to tell the police what she's seen in order to help find their killer. The first half of this book is so emotional and such a powerful depiction of grief and a compelling family portrait that I forgot it was also a romance. This is just as well since the love interest doesn't show up until nearly halfway through the book. The story is genuinely creepy at times, but also so warm and beautiful when painting a picture of the rural Kentucky setting and the strong bond Thea and her brother have with the grandmother that raises them after their shared tragedy. I don't know when Nora Roberts sleeps, but I'm never going to complain that she keeps churning out these hits.

ARC e-book via NetGalley
Provided by St. Martin's Press
Publication: 21 May 2024

Mind Games is a fantastic new book from the prolific Nora Roberts. It has a lot of the same elements that other books of hers has, but this is an interesting new spin on the serial killer/stalker genre. Mind Games has wonderful characters - almost too good to be true - and a smart psychological aspect that keeps you interested throughout the entire story.

Nora Roberts' "Mind Games" is a captivating journey into the realms of tragedy, trauma, love, and family, woven intricately with the suspense of a chilling mind game. From the very outset, the narrative grips you tightly and refuses to let go.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Appalachia, the Fox family's annual pilgrimage to their grandmother's home sets the stage for a series of events that will change their lives forever. Thea, our protagonist, emerges as a multifaceted character whose growth we witness from her childhood to adulthood. Roberts' skillful storytelling ensures that every character, every setting, becomes a living, breathing entity within the narrative.

The interplay of psychic abilities adds a layer of intrigue and suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The special bond shared by Thea and her grandmother Lucy, their unspoken connection through visions and nightmares, adds depth to their characters and serves as a catalyst for the unfolding events.

Roberts masterfully builds tension throughout the novel, skillfully balancing moments of quiet introspection with heart-pounding action sequences. The ongoing mind game between Thea and her parents' killer is crafted with such finesse that it becomes impossible to put the book down, each twist and turn leaving the reader craving for more.

Nora Roberts' "Mind Games" is a must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and spine-tingling plot, it is a testament to Roberts' storytelling prowess and a testament to the enduring allure of the human psyche. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions, because once you enter the world of "Mind Games," you won't want to leave.

This was a fantastic read! The story was very interesting and the characters were engaging. I would highly recommend this author and book!

LOVE everything Nora Roberts writes!! This book pulls you in and keeps you hooked. Just like every June, the Foxes take their two children to spend a couple weeks with their grandma, Lucy. Thea and Lucy both wake in the middle of the night knowing what happened to Thea's parents even though they are hundreds of miles away. Will the authorities believe a young girl. It's a thriller!!

Nora Roberts always delivers an excellent romantic suspense. This book had me at the edge of my seat. Nora Roberts is always an auto-buy for me.

Mind Games has a little bit of everything: mystery, thrill, romance, and a beautiful coming of age story. I do think the book is longer than it needed to be, but Nora Roberts has a way with writing words so beautifully. The beginning definitely delivers a gut punch and emotions are palpable off the page throughout the story. I would have liked to see more from the romance side of the story, it doesn't get introduced until about the halfway point, and the ending seemed a bit rushed. Overall this book was an entertaining and enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting thriller. It bounces between two timelines and has a supernatural element. Nora Robert's story telling is classical and so it's all fade to black but rich in character development. I loved growing up with the Foxes in the little Appalachian town and experiencing everything the small town had to offer. It was a slow moving story that had plenty of action. Thea spends her life mind battling her parents killer and as she grows up she realizes they both can't exist. It's the unraveling of the thread that was so interesting and made it an action packed read.

I will read any book by Nora Roberts, and this book was no exception. It has the paranormal, appealing characters, and a dream setting that makes you want to move there. The villain is absolutely terrifying. That said, this novel seemed to me to be “Nora Roberts lite” with too good to be true elements. I also thought the book needs to be shorter and have better editing.

By now Nora Roberts has some standard plots, and this is one of them. The story competently hits all the expected marks, the setting is gorgeously described, the good guys are lovable, the villain is horrible, and we know how it is going to go. But sometimes that is exactly what we want in a book, and Roberts delivers.

Thea Fox shares a mind reading ability similar to her Appalachian Grammie. At her young age, Thea hasn't quite mastered how to manipulate it, but it does give her insight to the worst night of her life when her parents are murdered. While the killer is behind bars thanks to Thea, he is also able to see back into Thea's mind. For years, this continues on, the two of them pushing into each other's brain and seeing what the other is up to. This plot is more suspense rather than romance, although there is a love interest for Thea introduced later.

As far as emotions go, this one pulls different strings starting with gruesome tragedy and the grief afterwards. Thea keeps her world small and simple because her ability hinders her from trusting people in an intimate relationship. She feels more connected to the world on her farmland and in her office, working on a computer game evolved from a fantasy in her mind. She's steadily rebuilt her life after the loss of her parents by staying close to her grandmother and brother, as well as her childhood best friend.

I was definitely fascinated and entertained by the actual mind games between Thea and her parents' murderer. Even though he is not leaving prison, he still wreaks havoc where he is at and in Thea's mind, which leaves her imprisoned in certain ways, too. Ultimately, it's a test of wills and which of them can outsmart the other to finally end this connection between them. For Thea, it's a matter of justice, freedom and not letting this perpetrator take yet another thing away from her. If she wants to live out the life she always dreamed of after meeting the man of her dreams, she needs to succeed. I was obviously advocating for Thea and loving the life she's carved out for herself with all the hope that she could continue to thrive, but without the burden of her parents' killer continuing to have a hold over her. The ending was certainly creative and satisfying regarding karma. My only comment is that sometimes the dialogue in Nora Roberts' books is hard to follow with regards to keeping track of which character is the one talking and this happens quite often.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

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…
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There is almost nothing I anticipate more than a standalone suspense novel from Nora Roberts, and this year's offering did not disappoint. The story captured me immediately, and I found myself invested in the lives of these characters from the very beginning. The descriptive writing brought me right to the setting of Appalachian Kentucky, and I found myself going there in my mind and living the timeline of the events along with Thea and her family. I loved the exploration of Thea's otherworldly abilities and their passage down her female lineage, and I felt they were wound masterfully throughout the story. There was a romantic element to the story, as can be expected in a NR book, but it was not the main event...instead it complemented the rest of the storyline. I was sad to say goodbye to the residents of Red Bud when I came to the end of this book, and I am so glad that I had an opportunity to get an early look at this one. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Nora Roberts and her writing style!

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

With a setting like this in the beautiful Appalachian hills of Kentucky readers this book is a winner. It is a step back in time. The characters are pure Appalachian, even though the crimes against the children are urban. A grandmother takes in the orphaned grandchildren in her home in Kentucky. Their parents are the victims of a man who set out to kill them, a man whose mind is full of hatred, jealousy, and evil. One of the children has the "gift". She grows up to become an accomplished author and her destiny is the story that is being told. Her gift is challenged by the evil that killed her parents and threatens her, the Appalachian lifestyle she has chosen, and her beloved family and friends in Kentucky and beyond. Nora Roberts weaves a beautiful tale as her characters grow into their heritage and find love, grow families, and dwell in the peaceful hills and valleys of their Kentucky ancestry. Thanks to #NetGalley#MindGames#NoraRoberts for the opportunity to be an early objective reader of this book.