Whiskey Beach    by Nora Roberts Order:  USA  Can Putnam, 2013 (2013) Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Martina Bexte After suffering through months of public scrutiny and suspicion for the murder of his estranged wife, Boston lawyer Eli Landon leaves his former life behind to seek privacy at Bluff House, the three hundred year old family mansion that's also seen it's share of heartbreak. Hoping the quieter setting will help him get on with life, Eli pursues the writing career he'd toyed with in college. His grandmother is recovering from a nasty fall, leaving the brooding old mansion empty with not a soul around to disturb him - until Abra Walsh comes barging into his life. After fleeing her own dark past Abra has found peace, sanctuary and plenty of friends in the tiny village of Whiskey Beach. The whole town has fallen under Abra's sunny spell - all except Eli Landon. Eventually though, he too falls for Abra's giving nature, positive disposition and nurturing ways. She gives him the push he needs to quit playing the victim and work towards clearing his tattered reputation. That both are intensely attracted to one another is only icing on the cake. But it doesn't take long for a determined Boston police detective as well as an unscrupulous paparazzi to track Eli down. He vows to ignore them, but when Abra is dragged into his mess, the gloves come off. It's time to turn the tables on those responsible for framing Eli for the murder of his wife. Roberts' latest offers up a competent, if unoriginal storyline and two uninspiring leads who evoke very little romantic chemistry. Eli's belligerence becomes grating and Abra's multi-tasking abilities seem unrealistic. That she found time to fall in love as well as investigate a murder mystery only pushed the envelope further into 'I don't think so' territory. Even the villain and his motivations are clichéd. Overall Whiskey Beach is a disappointing and ho-hum romantic suspense. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews