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The Witness by Nora Roberts, book cover

The Witness

by Nora Roberts

Spice 3 out of 5, Steamy3/5 · Steamy: Open door

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she works at home designing sophisticated security systems. Her own security is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.

The mystery of Abigail Lowery intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and a professional level. Her sharp, logical mind, her secretive nature, her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, even if he doesn’t know what — and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

Accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, Gleason is about to walk into the sights of very powerful and dangerous men. And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both.

Spice
3/5
Burn
Slow
Pages
~488
Ending
HEA

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is The Witness?

The Witness is a 3 out of 5 on our spice scale: steamy (open door). On-page sex scenes, a handful of them, with some detail. Spice supports the plot. Spice starts around the middle.

  • Steam: Open door
  • Burn: Slow burn
  • When: Spice starts around the middle
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: Third person, dual POV (both leads)
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 1 content warning
  • Graphic violence

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    The Witness: quick answers

    How spicy is The Witness?

    The Witness is a 3 out of 5 on our spice scale: steamy (open door). On-page sex scenes, a handful of them, with some detail. Spice supports the plot. Spice starts around the middle.

    Is The Witness a standalone?

    Yes, The Witness is a standalone. You can read it on its own.

    What tropes are in The Witness?

    The Witness features small town, smart / nerdy heroine, secret identity. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does The Witness have content warnings?

    Our notes for The Witness include: graphic violence. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after The Witness?

    If you loved The Witness, try Burying Water by K.A. Tucker, Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey, Northern Lights by Nora Roberts. They share its small town and smart / nerdy heroine energy at a similar spice level.