REVIEW: Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts

Published May 29th 2018 by St. Martin’s Press

 

“Sometimes, there is nowhere safe to hide.”

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book from Nora Roberts. When I came across this novel, I read the description and immediately added it to the top of my list.

In my opinion, “Shelter in Place” was another great read from Nora Roberts!!

Friday, July 22, 2005
Simone Knox and her two best friends, Tish and Mi are at the DownEast mall to see a movie. Simone orders what she normally does at the movies; a large Fanta drink and Swedish Fish.

She has no idea that these choices will likely save her life…

Halfway through her large Fanta, Simone has to run to the ladies room. Just as she’s heading back towards the theatre, she hears loud popping noises. It sounds like firecrackers. All of a sudden, the theatre door slams open and a man covered in blood comes stumbling out…

“Blasts and blasts, screams. And people, shadows and silhouettes, falling, running, falling. And the figure, dark in the dark, walking methodically up the rows.”

She doesn’t want to believe what she’s seeing. Her instincts kick in and she runs back to the bathroom and calls 911…

Reed Quartermaine waits tables at a restaurant in the DownEast mall. He’s just finishing up his break when he hears popping noises…then screaming. People are running towards him, falling, almost crushing each other. A man says there’s someone shooting. Then he sees a little boy all on his own. Reed doesn’t think, he just picks up the boy and runs for cover.

“The gunfire-and he would never, never forget the sound of it-came closer. Front and back. Everywhere”.

Officer Essie McVee is in the parking lot of DownEast Mall dealing with a minor car accident when her police radio squawks. Active shooter. She knows what she’s supposed to do, she had the training. Back-up is coming but they can’t wait….

“Locate, detain, distract, neutralize”

The shooting finally stops.

IN JUST EIGHT MINUTES – SO MANY LIVES DESTROYED

After the tragic events of July 22, 2005, the book follows the lives of many of the survivors and family members, Some can’t get far enough away, some are stuck and angry, while others used that day to find purpose in their lives.

BUT UNBELIEVABLY IT’S NOT OVER YET….

Someone doesn’t like how it all went down and wants revenge on those they feel screwed up their big plan. They want PAYBACK.

The opening of “Shelter in Place” was shocking and pulled me in immediately. Witness to a horrifying scene. Even though I had an idea of what was coming, I was still anxious and on edge. Nora Roberts sure knows how to write a gripping plot along with fantastic characters including diabolical villains. I know I’ve said this before but with fiction (especially thrillers) there will be times where we may need to suspend disbelief. However, I was so intrigued by the story, it wasn’t really an issue for me.

With its great cast of characters and a gripping and dramatic plot. “Shelter in Place” kept me engaged from start to finish. I definitely won’t be waiting long to read another book from Nora Roberts.

I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.