The Seven Rings

This satisfying conclusion to bestseller Roberts’s Lost Bride trilogy lovingly spotlights various kinds of family while slowly building to a thrilling finale. The story picks up where The Mirror left off, in the aftermath of a tragic vision showing the brutal deaths of the seven ghost brides of Lost Bride Manor, all of whom were murdered over the past two centuries by the evil witch Hester Dobbs. To free the spirits from Dobbs’s continued torment, the house’s living owner, Sonya MacTavish—supported by her lover, Trey; best friend, Cleo; cousin (and Cleo’s lover) Owen; and their menagerie of pets—must find the seven brides’ rings, break Dobbs’s curse, and bring peace and renewal to the manor once and for all. Despite these seemingly high stakes, much of the novel focuses on the pleasant mundanities of summer in a picturesque coastal Maine town, with regular interruptions from Dobbs to keep the plot moving. With plenty of wish fulfillment and strong character work and relationship building on full display, Roberts once again showcases what she does best. Agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House. (Nov.)