Mind Games by Nora Roberts has a unique concept. I have been reading Nora Roberts since I was a tween, when the author published her first book. As with all of the author’s stories, I found Mind Games to be easy to read. The main characters are likeable (for the most part). The first third of the book was spent on Thea’s childhood. I understand providing background on the main characters, but this was a bit much (and it was a tad boring). I liked the paranormal premise, but it was tame. It could have been so much more. I wanted Thea to embrace her gift, hone it, and use it to help others. The love interest does not show up until the halfway point which is unusual for a romance. The ending was a letdown. I understood the video game aspect, but it was unexciting. My favorite character was Thea’s dog. Mind Games felt like it was written by another author. ( )

After seeing the death of her parents through her "gift," Thea Fox helps the police to catch their killer, but the connection she feels with the killer haunts her. As time goes on, Thea gets her degree and a job as a video game designer, while the mental blocks that she puts in place against her parents' killer fluctuates with her emotions. Her home in Appalachia where she can be near her brother and grandmother becomes her sanctuary until even that safety is threatened by a man with no hope of ever leaving prison.

Mind Games is an unusual novel and difficult to rate and review. Much of the story takes place in Thea's mind, hence the name of the book. The rest of the plot involves the day to day lives of the important characters, which involves slow moving but comforting events. The first half of the book deals heavily with grief and is difficult to read for that reason. The second half of the book shows Thea's life including her budding romance with her next door neighbor and former rock star. Although it has a satisfying ending, awkward time jumps and a senseless third act break up make this book difficult to enjoy. Overall, Mind Games isn't one of Nora Roberts' best efforts. ( )

Nora Roberts has written another nail-biting, nerve-jangling suspense saga in her latest, Mind Games! A touching story of love and grief with an epic battle of good versus evil personified! After their parents' brutal murders, Thea and her brother, Rem go to live with their grandmother. The grandmother, mother, and Thea have the gift of sight and Thea in her mind's eye sees how the parents were murdered. She helps the police find and convict the murderer, Riggs, who also has this gift. He is sentenced to life in prison. This ability causes havoc in all their lives. What a well written story that kept me reading and enjoying every word. What an amazing ending! ( )

Nora Roberts only gets better with each book! ( )

Althea "Thea" Fox is only twelve years old when her world is turned upside down by the murder of her parents. It's bad enough her beloved parents are senselessly murdered, but Thea "sees" the murder as it's happening. Thea and her maternal grandmother, Lucy "Grammie" Lannigan, are clairvoyant. Thea's vision of the murder helps the police to find, arrest, and charge the murderer. Police also learn, through Thea's visions, that this person has murdered several others. Thea and her younger brother, Remington or "Rem", lives change and they now reside with their Grammie. Thea and Rem adjust to their new lives and excel in their educational and career pursuits. Thea becomes an acclaimed game designer/developer, and Rem becomes an accomplished business manager. Both Thea and Rem return to rural Kentucky to live after college. Rem helps to expand his grandmother's cottage business of herbal remedies, handmade candles, lotions, and soaps, manages his sister's business as well as beta testing her games. Thea builds her own home close to her grandmother, continues to design and develop games, and assists police in cases as requested. Life would be great for all concerned if Thea didn't have to contend with continued intrusions by the warped psychic who murdered her parents. Although he's confined to prison for the rest of his life, his desire for vengeance against the person he blames for being in prison never ends. Will Thea be able to beat him at their mind games or forever be challenged by his warped and intrusive mind?

MIND GAMES was a helluva roller-coaster read. There were plenty of twists, turns, and surprises. Ms. Roberts offers psychological suspense, thrills, family drama, romance, and paranormal experiences. I enjoyed all of the characters, and yes that includes the bad guy. To give you an idea of how much I enjoyed this one, I read it twice within 7 days. MIND GAMES is being added to my "Favorites" for the year. I can only hope that if you read you'll enjoy it as much as I did. #recommendedread #romanticsuspense #psychologicalsuspense #thriller ( )