The Fates were a triad, "each with a specific task. Clotho, who
spins the thread of life, Lachesis, who measures it, and Atropus,
who cuts that thread and ends it. None could function alone. A
thread might be spun, but endlessly and without purpose or its
natural course. [For] without the spinning, there's nothing to
measure, nothing to cut…three parts…one purpose."

Since her writing debut 22 years ago, Nora Roberts has been
credited with creating complex characters and strong, independent
heroines. Her female characters in her new book, THREE FATES, are
no exception. Roberts weaves the mystique right from the start,
explaining that, "Alone they would be nothing but ordinary if
interesting women. Together, the most powerful and honored of
gods."

The story revolves around three siblings --- Malachi, Gideon, and
Rebecca Sullivan --- and a family heirloom left by their
great-great-grandfather, a petty thief named Felix Greenfield. The
family heirloom is in fact one of three sculptures comprising the
Three Fates from Greek mythology, which Greenfield stole just
moments before the Lusitania sank after being attacked by a
German torpedo.

The statue, previous to being stolen by Greenfield, had been in the
possession of a rich collector who wanted to reunite the Three
Fates. A century later, the Sullivans go on a quest that takes them
from Ireland to Helsinki, Prague, and New York in order to reunite
the three statues and make their fortune. In the process, they are
tricked out of their family heirloom and must pit their wits
against an unscrupulous and completely evil antiquities dealer, but
they never give up on their goal of getting it back.

"To control any of the Fates is a powerful temptation...Three
beautiful silver statuettes of the Fates were made long ago,
designed to link together. Legend says that to possess any of them
brings good fortune --- and to possess them all brings power beyond
imagining."

The love stories contained within the pages employ the cliches of
romance --- opposites attract, instant chemistry, and predictable
moves --- but they work for Roberts in this novel. Thrown into the
mix is love, luck, fate, suspense, legend, destiny, suspense, and
even a murder. The book ends with the sisters living happily ever
after in idyllic Ireland where the three statues are also housed
temporarily. It's a fast paced, quick read; ideal for airports,
long road trips, and short breaks.