Normally, I’m a psychological thriller kind of reader—the more murder and mayhem, the better. But I decided to branch out and picked up Three Fates by Nora Roberts. While there was plenty of romance, it didn’t completely overshadow the plot, which centers around a hunt for three ancient Greek statues, one of which was stolen during the sinking of the Lusitania.
The story follows the Sullivan siblings—Malachi, Gideon, and Rebecca. Malachi, unfortunately, was swindled by a sociopath who stole the First Fate from him. He soon partners (and very predictably falls in love) with Tia. Gideon tracks down the Second Fate and gets involved with Cleo, a loyal and quick-witted performer. Rebecca, a brainiac, meets Jack Burdett, a security expert with ties to their thieving nemesis and the Third Fate, and they also spark a romance.
I enjoyed all three women—Tia’s shyness, Becca’s intelligence, and Cleo’s loyalty each resonated with me in different ways. Roberts did a nice job making the women distinct and likable without falling into clichés.
The plot weaves in the mythology of the Three Fates—the Greek figures who spin, measure, and cut the threads of life—and ties it into the modern treasure hunt. It added some depth, even if the mystical elements were about as convincing as a $2 crystal ball at a street fair.
The romantic relationships were believable enough I guess, but didn’t fully engage me. I'm more of a ballgame-and-beer person than a champagne-toasts-and-long-stares type, so I might not be the target audience for that part. The pacing was steady—enough character development and action to keep the story moving without dragging. And when it got too soppy for me, I just turned a couple pages.
A standout secondary character was Eileen Sullivan, the siblings' mother. She ruled her family with love, no-nonsense advice, and the kind of resilience that makes you want her in your corner. If she had been in charge of the treasure hunt, she could have wrapped it up by chapter 5 and still had time to bake cookies.
In short: if you enjoy romance blended with adventure, mythology, and family loyalty, Three Fates will hit the mark. If you’re looking for more bodies and dark basements, you might want to stick with the thrillers. Either way, it’s a fun, satisfying ride—no life jacket required.
