A story about the power of the mind and how it can be abused in the wrong hands.
Thea is 12 when her parents are murdered and she helps put serial killer Ray Riggs behind bars. This is not the end of their special connection and it will not be easy to brake.
A special story about the importance of family will have you taking it in at a fast pace.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for my ARC of this book.

Good story and more in keeping with her older novels

4/5

Nora Robert’s does it again 🤙🏻 I love the supernatural aspect to this family thriller, coupled with the budding romance for Thea, and gripping psychological mind games she overcomes!! I love Roberts’ writing style, she always delivers emotional and engaging prose.

I don’t have words for how amazing this book is! The emotions are just next level. I adore the characters and love following Thea and her family as she navigates her life through tragedy, heart break, love and family.

The plot, characters and setting are all just flawless. I was immediately drawn into the world of these Appalachian women.

Absolutely outstanding.

Loved reading this! I love a book that gets me invested with characters that make you feel for them. I think the narrative makes you feel for the leads and the characters murdered. I also liked how the supporting characters were fleshed.

A bit of a slow burn but the writing style ensures you never lose interest. I like how the book also touches multiple genres and themes. There is loss, thrilled, family, love and a bit of supernatural too.

Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK Piatkus and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Intriguing psychological thriller, which also features family, trauma, and navigating your way through your own life, with a bit of fantasy or paranormal elements sprinkled on top.

I am totally a fan of how the gift that plays a central role in this story takes shape. Based on the synopsis, I wasn't quite expecting it to be this, but I found it really compelling and cleverly put together. The first part about the main characters' childhood, followed by parts two and three that build further on it, all made up an enjoyable whole.

The pace of this book was perhaps a little slower, yet I kept wanting to keep reading to find out how the story would continue to take shape. The original elements and wonderful characters (who you can truly see evolving throughout the book) also provided a good counterbalance to the slower pace. The different main characters (and their struggles) felt very realistic, and on top of that I wanted to get to know them further ( except for the bad guy of course, from him I would prefer to stay very far away). Furthermore, the writing style gave me a very loving and embracing feeling, almost as if Lucy is taking care of you too. Reading this story also gave me very much the feeling of a sort of Southern hospitality, the writing style conveyed this well.

I really liked the psychological thriller aspect of the story. Even though, at first glance, there may not seem to be that much happening right away, there were actually all kinds of things going on. I haven't read any other books that really compare strongly to this one, which only gives it more points for originality. The only, minor, downsides for me were the slower pace, and that this story could also have been told in just fewer pages without losing quality. It is definitely a recommendable read for me, though.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Loved this book! There was so much I loved about it. The story line, the characters,.the relationship between the characters, how well written it was.
We follow Thea, along with her brother Rem and her grandma Lucy (Grammie). Lucy and Thea have a special ability to see things others don't and unfortunately this also includes the murder of her parents. The story is set over 16 years from when the children are young, 12 and 10 to 15 years on and what they are doing then.
I love where the story is set in Kentucky, near the Appalachian mountains, on a farm. It's quite a long story but it doesn't feel it when you're reading it as the author keeps you interested. Highly recommend - Nora Roberts is an amazing author!

I’m sorry but I’m not a fan of anything vey so this had to be a reason for me not to appreciate this book.

Thea Fox has been born with a 'gift' , one she shares with her grandmother . When , on a night staying at her
grandmother's home she wakes .............. horrified to 'see' her parents being murdered in her mind .
Her grandmother also awakened calls the police to check on Thea's parents - its true they are dead . The police
are unwilling initially to accept the detailed information Thea provides to identify the killer , a psychotic serial killer ,
but he is ultimately convicted and imprisoned

Years pass and Thea and her brother Rem have made a new lives with their grandmother - but her parents killer will not let Thea go for he has managed to forge a connection with Thea's psychic mind , unwilling to let her live in peace , determined that he will win the battle of their minds !
Can Thea use her psychic link with the killer to bring an end to game of cat and mouse and allow her to live her life free of terror .?

The book has a slow start but builds up nicely to a game of cat and mouse - but who is the cat and who is the mouse ........ the ending just
might surprise you - it did me .As always the Author writes books that draws a reader in culminating in a great finale ,
I look forward to reading more from the Author in the future

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

An interesting idea - about a talent I'm grateful I don't have! Poor Thea, I felt for her.

As ever with a Nora Roberts book I found the first third setting up the story was quite atmospheric but maybe a little slow. Engaging enough to keep me reading though. The characters, the 'mind games' idea and the romance were I thought of equal weight, so it's more of a romantic suspense that pure romance. As usual, I couldn't put the book down towards the end, when the tension and pace really picked up and came to a very satisfying conclusion.

Darker than some of her books, I still enjoyed this a lot.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I was intrigued, and it definitely did not disappoint!

Cora and John Fox drop their children off with their grandmother in the Appalachian countryside, where they can play, do chores, and essentially have a vacation. The children love their time with Grammie Lucy. Thea and Lucy wake up one night after witnessing through nightmares, the brutal killings of Cora and John. Thea, only twelve, has inherited the "gift" passed through the maternal bloodline, but it's much stronger than Lucy's. Not only did Thea witness everything that happened to her parents in real time, she could see it through the mind and eyes of the killer, but she's able to give the police enough details about the killer that he's soon found and put in jail. But putting him behind a locked door won't keep him out of Thea's thoughts. He knows that somehow she saw what he did, and he won't rest or leave her alone until she's as dead as the others.Cora and John Fox leave their children with their grandmother in the Appalachian countryside for a vacation. The children enjoy their time with their grandmother. However, Thea and Lucy wake up one night after witnessing the brutal killings of Cora and John through nightmares. Thea, only twelve years old, has inherited a strong psychic ability passed down through the maternal bloodline. She not only witnessed everything that happened to her parents in real time, but she could also see it through the mind and eyes of the killer. Thea provides the police with enough details about the killer, leading to his capture and imprisonment. However, putting him behind bars does not prevent him from haunting Thea's thoughts. He is aware that she witnessed his actions and is determined to eliminate her, just as he did with her parents.

Who's going to win this battle of wits?

Thank you to NetGalley and rhe publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

An absolutely gripping book, with stunning, emotive writing. I loved it and really didn't want it to end!

Every summer, Thea and Rem Fox stay with their grandmother Lucy, at her home in the Appalachian mountains, for a couple of weeks. They are a close family and the children enjoy helping Lucy on her homestead, caring for the animals and the land, and making natural soaps and candles. Together they enjoy the great outdoors, fragranced with pine and freshly baked bread.

This summer is one that changes the course of their lives forever, when Thea and Rem's parents are brutally murdered and Thea witnesses everything, in a dream, as it happens. Traumatised and terrified, the twelve year old is rebuffed by the police until they realise that her psychic abilities are real and they can't doubt the detail she described. But not only did Thea see the killer in the mirror, he saw her too and their psychic gifts have connected them, enabling him to continue to taunt her.

I can't find the words to accurately describe just how much I loved this book, feeling like I was a part of the Fox family, as invested as I became in the story, and watching the children grow into young adults and find their own ways in the world. I felt their joy, their heartbreak, their love and their unbreakable bond. There are some dark and thrilling parts of the books too, so buckle up and enjoy this fabulous ride!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Nora Roberts and Little, Brown for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Mind Games is my first read from author under her Nora Roberts' name. But I am big fans of her JD Robb one. Following a happy annual family summer vacation at grandma's house in Appalachia. The prose is rich and vibrant with details of the landscape. I personally want to take vacation at there and enjoy the peaceful life. But Thea Fox and her brother's life ruined those days. She found out her capability to see through the eyes of a man who breaking and murder her parents. Her abilities help police to arrested the man and Thea should move on with her life. Until the time when the man is release.

This story take long journey to get into the main plot. The first 30 percent are describe all I just write on first paragraph. I appreciate how author tried to make us knew all details about Thea, her brother also her perfect grandma.
The storytelling style is gorgeous and flowery, but I found out the conversation kinda off and not feel as real normal conversation at least in my life environment.

I enjoyed more when the plot picked up and thicker when Thea must using her gift to do cat mouse game and fight with her enemy. I am not really fans of the romance in here since I cant feel the real connection with the Male MC. Their relationship is less flesh out and lack chemistry.

This book is accessible and easy to follow. It is not okay but isnt my favorite.

Thank you Netgalley and Piatkus, from Little Brown Books Group UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 21 May 2024

Whenever I pick up a Nora Roberts book I know I am going to be in for a good time during the read. This book has far exceeded my expectations however and was just a totally incredible read which drew me in and took my breath away regularly.
It is one of Nora's darker themed books and this really is a very dark tale. It does have some lighter moments with the love story and the humour between Thea and her family and friends but the majority of the story that involves Ray is very dark indeed, totally amazing to read with an absolutely perfect resolution to it but one that I read with a little concern about where it was going.
Now that I've reached that perfect ending I can assess my feelings during it and a lot of the Ray/Thea storyline has reminded me of a Stephen King book I read many years ago, it had that sort of feel to it! I thoroughly enjoyed this darker tale and am now eagerly awaiting Nora's next book!

A heartbreaking journey of trauma and murder with the protagonist assisting in the apprehending of the perpetrator only to discover that he will invade her life and thoughts for the foreseeable future . Fans of Nora Roberts will love this long involved book which is multi faceted in delivering a mixed back of beautifully drawn characters, a unique if far fetched storyline and emotional intensity which her fans will be unable to resist. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is the first book I have read by this author and it was very different to what I'd expected. A brilliant story that is so sad but also so intriguing. I could definitely see this translated to the big screen.

Mind Games by Nora Roberts

Once again a fantastic read by this wonderful author , you can guarantee a brilliant read.
This one has it all and draws you in to the book and the plot from the very first chapter.
Didn't want it to end . Wonderful.

Quite a different feel to this Nora Roberts book. It was much more of a slow burner. The brutal murder of Thea and Rem'ss parents is felt intensely by Thea aged 12years. She has the unique gift of seeing and feeling the trauma, inluding knowing the perpetrator. As a result she is able to bring him to justice. However, he also has a version of this gift ,so can get into Theas mind with menace. Thea and Rem grow up in the loving environment of their Grammies home. The gift proves helpful at times as Thea is occasionally called upon to assist the police. The characters were carefully crafted so that we felt the development of Thea's gift grow as she grew older..Her passion for developing intricate computer games gives a modernity to this suspense. Throughout we feel the tension of Thea and the Murderer Riggs as they each try to dominate each others minds. Romance comes to Thea in time through the connections of this warm community
As usual a Nora Roberts book is well written and well researched.

Nora Roberts never lets you down. A thrilling novel about a killer, and the girl who put him behind bars. A fantastical world hiding among the ordinary, among dreams and fears. As always Roberts weaves together the normal, a single father and a young boy, a girl with a power, and a family among the Appalachian mountains with a magical world. Truly stunning.

** I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review **
3.5 stars

This was an interesting book, to say the least, an interesting concept with an interesting ending.
I had trouble connecting for the first third of the book and the story became slow until halfway through.
I feel that at the beginning a closer look into the grief and trauma the characters were feeling would've been a very helpful tool in connecting to them, especially the main female. I noticed that we were focusing on her 'gift' and ignoring the feelings that she would've been feeling at certain moments, taking this into account, the speed through her life until she had settled into a stable career and house had me trying very hard not to skim.
After the halfway mark the story was more steady and had me wanting to keep reading to find out more but the fact that it took that long to feel fully connected did make it a slower reading experience.