Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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Description:
Nature versus nurture…
 
The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people were dead at Central Park’s ice skating rink. The victims: a talented young skater, a doctor, and a teacher. As random as random can be.

Eve Dallas has seen a lot of killers during her time with the NYPSD, but never one like this. After reviewing security videos, it becomes clear that the victims were killed by a sniper firing a tactical laser rifle, who could have been miles away when the trigger was pulled. And though the locations where the shooter could have set up seem endless, the list of people with that particular skill set is finite: police, military, professional killer.

Eve’s husband, Roarke, has unlimited resources—and genius—at his disposal. And when his computer program leads Eve to the location of the sniper, she learns a shocking fact: There were two—one older, one younger. Someone is being trained by an expert in the science of killing, and they have an agenda. Central Park was just a warm-up. And as another sniper attack shakes the city to its core, Eve realizes that though we’re all shaped by the people around us, there are those who are just born evil…

Review:

Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb is the 43^rd full length novel in her fantastic In Death series.  I am sure you all know by now that J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts.  Also, you must know from my reviews that the In Death series is one of my top two all time favorite series.  You would also think that 43 books later, not to mention the many novellas, the stories would slow down.  Not so in Apprentice in Death.  This was an awesome story, one of the best ones that Robb has written, if not the best. I was so engrossed in the story, that I finished the book in one day.  It also helped as I basked in my glory reading about my favorite couple in the literary world, Eve and Roarke.   The In Death series also has the best recurring secondary characters I have ever read.  Apprentice in Death was a thriller a minute, and Eve Dallas was her usual magnificent, tough, dedicated, take charge murder cop.  Now for my review.  😉

In Apprentice in Death, Eve Dallas is once again in the middle of trying to find a serial killer, who is killing innocents at random.  The first murders took place at the ice rink at Central Park, which resulted in 3 deaths.  Eve pulls her team together, including Roarke to put the pieces together on someone who has knowledge of special laser weapons that can be used at far distances.  Using some of Roarke expertise in his programming abilities, they narrow down where the attack originated.  In a short time, the killers are identified and the race is on before they kill again.  Much to the teams chagrin, the evidence points to a former cop, who learned all about laser rifles.  Before they can find the culprits, another attack takes place with 4 deaths, one a police officer, and soon Eve is able to pinpoint a pattern of revenge, with one true target in all the killings.  We know early on that a father (former cop) and young daughter are the ones they are looking for.  What follows is an exciting, tense story the will have Eve, Roarke, Peabody and the entire police force working overtime to find the killers.  After one of the murderers is captured, the pulse pounding adventure is non stop, with the lone vicious evil killer on the loose.  When another murder takes place at Madison Square Garden after a concert that kills 25 people, Eve must escalate the game using her skills to get the prisoner to reveal where the other is.  She will dangle temptation to get what she wants, and then when the pieces are in place, it will be her gut that will lead her to the killer.

Rather than tell too much more, the final 1/3 was a heart racing finale that not only put Eve’s life in danger, but also Roarke and Peabody.  It was also a story that focuses on decisions to be made, to fight evil at any cost, especially when a murderer is beyond redeemable. 

Apprentice in Death was another intense, wildly exciting, gripping story that held our breath throughout the book.  I do not know how J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) continues to give us such magnificent stories, not to mention make us love Eve and Roarke even more.  The epilogue was somewhat different, and very well done.  If you have not read this series, you really are missing a gem.  If you like murder mysteries, a great cop, her equally fantastic husband, and team/friends who you can’t wait to see again; then you should go back and read this series.  Even if it means 43 books.  I love this series, and I never ever want this to end.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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