Tribute

Nora Roberts

Cilla McGowan has bought her grandmother's home in the Shenandoah Valley from her mother. Her grandmother, Janet Hardy, was a famous actress who committed suicide after her son was killed in a car accident. Her mother is an actress and Cilla was a child star on a hit television series. But when she grew up she couldn't get the magic of acting back. She then discovered she loves rehabbing old houses. Normally she rehabs a home and "flips" or resells it. But she wants to live in Janet Hardy's home herself despite her mother's protests.

As she's going through her grandmother's possessions still in the house, Cilla discovers a cache of old love letters. It seems Janet Hardy had a local married lover in the last year or so before her death. Out of curiosity Cilla would love to know who it was but doesn't plan on exposing the man to scandal from over 30 years earlier.

Cilla learns her nearest neighbor is also a local. Ford Sawyer is now a famous graphic novelist, but grew up in this community. When he sees Cilla he envisions his superhero for his next novel. They become friendly and Ford lets her know he'd like them to be closer. Cilla holds him off because she's not ready for any personal relationships. She's failed too many times in the past, including in one marriage. But when a friend is attacked on her property and her property is destroyed, Cilla turns to Ford for help. When threats are made on her life Ford plans to protect her - if he can.

I listened to the audio book format of Tribute. It never quite comes together into the exciting story I know Nora Roberts can write. I liked the characters well enough, but could not get involved with them.

Janet Hardy was a Judy Garland type character, a child star fed drugs all her life who also made it as an adult movie star. She died before she was 40. The reader quickly realizes that the actress didn't commit suicide but instead was murdered. That's an advantage to being the person on the outside who knows the general storyline of this type of romantic suspense. I didn't figure who the murderer was - only who couldn't have done it.

The most interesting part of Tribute is the is the rehabilitation of the house. I was able to picture it as it came together. I have traveled in that part of the country so was able to put the outdoors scenery around the house. That would be a great house to live in.

Notice: Strong sexual content