Nora Roberts
Bestselling novelist Nora Roberts, author of numerous hits sold in the millions, offers a story blending romance and suspense in the fascinating world of luxury antique dealers with her highly entertaining new novel, The Collector.
Nora Roberts imagined the story of Lila Emerson, a young author of teen novels who earns her living by house-sitting for wealthy clients when they go on vacation. She also indulges in a curious pastime: watching the neighbors through the window. This rather entertaining habit takes a dramatic turn when she witnesses the murder of a young woman.
Ashton Archer, a young painter, attempts to convince Lila that his brother, suspected by the authorities, could not have killed his girlfriend before taking his own life. Lila agrees to help him. Together they embark on a thrilling investigation that will take them from Manhattan to Florence, into the very closed world of luxury antique dealers. Their target: a collector willing to do anything to get his hands on a mysterious Fabergé egg.
Nora Roberts loved immersing herself in the fascinating world of luxury antique dealers, marveling at all the wonders she discovered throughout her research. “I wanted to write a story set in New York, in a very urban setting. I also wanted to incorporate Fabergé eggs, history, a bit of romance, and a plot, of course, with a murder. I mixed it all together and had a lot of fun writing it,” she exclaims during a rare telephone interview.
An Aura of Mystery
The novelist is completely fascinated by the Romanov saga and by the aura of mystery surrounding the fabulous Fabergé eggs, those masterpieces of jewelry at the turn of the 20th century. “When I began my research, I learned that several Fabergé eggs were reported missing. No one knows where they are or if they still exist. Just as the book came out, one of these eggs was found!” adds the novelist. The value of the piece miraculously recovered at a flea market is estimated at $37 million.
Everything about Fabergé eggs interested her: their history, the fineness of their craftsmanship, their value, their recipient. “I thought it would be interesting if the villain in my story collected them, along with other works of art that were reported missing or stolen. Fabergé eggs are so unique and incredible that I wanted my entire plot to be built around them.”
A True House-Sitter
Lila Emerson, her main character, is a house-sitter, those people hired to take care of a residence in the owners’ absence. “I didn’t know it was a profession, but I learned that these people travel all over the world to take care of the house, the garden, the pets. It’s a somewhat bohemian lifestyle and at the same time, a fascinating way to discover the world.”
“I love her way of finding solutions for everything, her competence in fixing things, her habit of carrying duct tape and tools in her purse, just in case. I’m not at all like that, but my daughter-in-law is!” she says.
Nora Roberts wanted Ashton, the handsome artist who makes Lila fall for him, to be the reliable and responsible type. “He has a very strange family, but everyone knows they can confide in him. He’s an artist, very creative, but at the same time a very grounded man who takes everything on his shoulders. I love this contrast between them.”
A Tribute to Hitchcock
Nora Roberts is a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense films. “Rear Window, with Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr, was absolutely brilliant. There isn’t a Hitchcock film I don’t like, but that’s one of my favorites. I thought it would be nice to play with that concept: when you look out the window and see something terrible, what do you do?”
What Are the Neighbors Doing?
“I live in a very rural area and I don’t have neighbors, but when I’m visiting New York, I look out the window. When I see a man sitting at his desk in the building opposite, I wonder what he’s working on, if he’ll be able to go home soon, that sort of thing. I think many people do that!”
Every Book Is a Challenge
After writing so many books, all of which have become bestsellers, Nora Roberts still considers each new book a challenge to be met. “If it wasn’t a challenge, you probably wouldn’t write very well. Every book I write is like a first book: there are new characters, new situations, a new plot, so you have to approach it as if it were a first book.” She has a well-established routine: “Writing is my job, so I work eight hours a day, every day. That’s my way of doing things. It’s a habit that must not be broken, because otherwise, it’s easy not to sit down to work…”
In Montreal with Her Grandson
Nora Roberts visited Montreal a few weeks ago with her 11-year-old grandson, who wanted to discover Canada. “We stayed for four days. We visited the Biodôme and La Ronde. My grandson did the SkyVenture and I took photos. We had a lot of fun, and my grandson learned a French phrase every day. It’s a superb city, we had an excellent trip, and I would return to Hotel Le St-James anytime!”
A Strong Presence in Boonsboro
Nora Roberts is extremely proud of the inn she had renovated in the heart of the village of Boonsboro, in western Maryland, The Inn BoonsBoro. She restored the historic building constructed just after the American Revolution to its former glory, transforming it into a boutique hotel where each room is named after a happy couple from literature.
She also owns a charming little bookstore on Main Street—Turn the Page Bookstore. She regularly makes appearances there, offering signing sessions that are extremely popular with readers, who come from far away to meet her in person. “We just held an event to celebrate our 20th anniversary: my signing session lasted six hours! It’s very rewarding to meet my readers.”
EXCERPT
“The window shattered. The woman was thrown into the void, arms spread, legs flailing, her golden hair fanned out, and crashed brutally fourteen floors below.
“Oh! my God, my God…” Trembling, Lila dialed 911.
“Emergency services, how may I help you?”
“He pushed her. He pushed her and she fell out the window.”
“Ma’am…”
“Wait, wait!”
She closed her eyes for a moment, tried to control her breathing. Be clear, she told herself, as precise as possible.
“My name is Lila Emerson. I witnessed a murder. A woman was thrown out a window, from the fourteenth floor.”
— Nora Roberts, The Collector
Source: Article by Marie-France Bornais
http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/08/23/mystere-dans-le-milieu-des-antiquaires-de-luxe