INHERITANCE is the first book in a new Nora Roberts fantasy series, and once again, Queen Nora does not disappoint. With INHERITANCE, she breaks from form to create a story that focuses on developing the characters and the backstory instead of focusing on the action. Plus, it ends with one hell of a cliffhanger. 

Ms. Roberts never fails to impress me. She is such a prolific writer, but none of her stories are stale or repetitive. In INHERITANCE, she limits the supernatural aspect of the story to a haunted house, and what a house it is. The house is a character in its own right, courtesy of its resident ghosts. If you don't finish the novel wishing you had a ghost dj and a ghost housekeeper, this isn't the novel for you. 

Ms. Roberts' novels are so compelling because she excels at creating characters that are so real. It doesn't matter that they are all beautiful or talented. They work hard, and any success they can claim is a result of their efforts so you can't hate them. They are so charismatic, and their network of friends and family is enviable. When she throws in a dog, and there is always a dog, you can't help but be willing to follow them anywhere. This holds true for INHERITANCE. Sonya and Trey are adorable. Sonya and her mom are even more so.

What surprised me most about INHERITANCE is that we are not any closer to solving the mystery at the end as we are at the beginning. In fact, the ending is so sudden that I thought I was missing pages. I was wracking my brain to think of another Roberts novel that ends with such a cliffhanger, and I could not think of one. I love that she changed her formula so much at this stage in her career. I am in awe of her abilities.

I consider any Nora Roberts novel to be a special treat, but INHERITANCE was even better than I imagined. I fell in love with Sonya and Trey. And that house! Ms. Roberts makes me reconsider living on the coast as long as it is in an old Victorian with a widow walk and wraparound porches. I can't wait to see what happens next!