THE OBSESSION: A CHILLING SUSPENSE NOVEL

Megan Grobler

@megan.gro_bler

 

The Obsession, written by Nora Roberts and originally published on 12 April 2016, is a contemporary romance, thriller, and domestic fiction novel. The novel explores themes of childhood trauma, sexual assault and murder, as well as triumph and community.

 

The story follows Naomi Carson, formerly Naomi Bowes, who as a child outed her father as a serial killer and rescued one of his soon-to-be victims. In her adult life, she seems to always be on the move, tirelessly pursuing a career in photography, until she falls in love with a dilapidated home with a breath-taking view.

 

As the house is being turned into a home by a noisy construction crew, she meets an unlikely, and initially unwanted furry companion, some lifelong friends, and a rugged mechanic who just doesn’t seem to give up.

 

Just as she settles, the tight-knit town is struck by the murder of a lifelong resident, and shortly thereafter a second resident suffers the same fate. Initially seen as an unpredictable and tragic occurrence, a visit from Naomi’s brother and FBI-agent reveals that these murders may not have been as unpredictable as they seem. It seems someone from her past is not willing to let their obsession go.

 

Naomi is a driven and independent woman who doesn’t go down without a fight. Xander Keaton is a rugged mechanic with way too many books, a good heart and a strong will. Despite Naomi’s best efforts, she just can’t seem to shake him, as he too does not go down without a fight. It just so happens that he is inexplicably drawn to her mystery.

 

The novel is a beautiful, vivid, thrilling, and tragic story of love, loss, and triumph. Written in third-person perspective, with multiple points of view, the story is a well-rounded, insightful and suspenseful depiction of a woman haunted by her past, who learns to love, trust, and settle despite constant reminders of her blood-ties.

 

 

Edited by Simoné de Witt