Tag Archives: In Death

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

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

 

Brotherhood in Death
In Death series – Book #42
by J.D. Robb
Release Date: February 2, 2016

Brotherhood in DeathAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Dennis Mira just had two unpleasant surprises. First he learned that his cousin Edward was secretly meeting with a real estate agent about their late grandfather’s magnificent West Village brownstone, despite the promise they both made to keep it in the family. Then, when he went to the house to confront Edward about it, he got a blunt object to the back of the head.

Luckily Dennis is married to Charlotte Mira, the NYPSD’s top profiler and a good friend of Lieutenant Eve Dallas. When the two arrive on the scene, he explains that the last thing he saw was Edward in a chair, bruised and bloody. When he came to, his cousin was gone. With the mess cleaned up and the security disks removed, there’s nothing left behind but a few traces for forensics to analyze.

As a former lawyer, judge, and senator, Edward Mira mingled with the elite and crossed paths with criminals, making enemies on a regular basis. Like so many politicians, he also made some very close friends behind closed—and locked—doors. But a badge and a billionaire husband can get you into places others can’t go, and Eve intends to shine some light on the dirty deals and dark motives behind the disappearance of a powerful man, the family discord over a multimillion-dollar piece of real estate . . . and a new case that no one saw coming.

 

Review:

Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb is the 42nd book in her fantastic In Death series. Most of you already know that I am a diehard fan of this series, and absolutely love my favorite couple, Eve and Roarke. As I have said before, besides this fabulous couple, are some of the best characters in any series that we always get to spend time with; Peabody (the banter is such fun), Mira, Nadine, Summerset, Galahad, and Eve’s great team, including McNab, Baxter, Feeney, & Truheart. In Brotherhood in Death, we get to spend more time with Mira’s husband, Dennis, who is such a sweetheart.

A quick refresher for those who have not read this series (really you need to start on this).   Eve Dallas is our heroine throughout the series, and she is a tough bad ass cop; this series is all about murder, violence, terrible villains, mystery and top notch exciting police work to find the killer before they kill any more victims. The wonderful hot sexy wealthy Roarke, who is the love of her life, also helps her solve these crimes.

Brotherhood In Death begins with Eve ready to leave the office and head home for a nice early evening with Roarke. A call comes in from a very upset Mira, telling her that Dennis has been hurt.   When Eve arrives, she learns that Dennis was trying to meet with his cousin Edward, to interfere with him trying to sell their grandparents old home. When Dennis enters the room, he sees Edward bleeding and then is bashed on the head unconscious; when he comes to, Edward is missing.   Eve takes on the case, even though there is no body. Since Eve is close to the Miras, she is determined to help them in what will become a dark adventure that will bring back horrific memories of her past. With Peabody at the scene, they do discover blood and missing tapes. But it will be at night, when she and Roarke will discover Edward’s violently abused dead body. When another victim is found in the same manner a few days later, Eve begins to suspect that the murders are revenge sex crimes by a woman or women,

What follows is an ultra exciting, very intense and emotional storyline that becomes darker as more victims are found. Eve, Roarke and her team are in a race against time to find out the women with ties to these men, before another murder happens. Eve begins to have her nightmares again from her childhood, which makes this case too close to home. This is a terrible case that will make us think if justice was indeed served.

It was an amazing story, one of the best by Robb, that had us on the edge of our seat, unable to put the book down.   The investigation that will open our eyes to politics, power, horrible crimes going back many years, and the emotions that are pulled as we feel Eve’s pain, and even sympathy. But she is cop, who follows rules, and will do what it takes to bring in the murderers.

J.D. Robb has done it again, with another sensational story with our favorite couple. I also loved the sweet and sexy scenes between Eve and Roarke. I adore the characters that have slowly been added to Eve’s life over time, and how she begins to care more and more about her friends. I can’t wait for the next book, and pray Robb will never stop writing this series.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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

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

 

Devoted in Death
In Death series – Book #41
by J.D. Robb
Release Date: September 15, 2015

Devoted in DeathAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Eve Dallas tracks a couple whose passion is fueled by cold brutality in the newest crime thriller from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Obsession in Death and Festive in Death.
 
When Lieutenant Eve Dallas examines a body in a downtown Manhattan alleyway, the victim’s injuries are so extensive that she almost misses the clue. Carved into the skin is the shape of a heart—and initials inside reading E and D . . .

Ella-Loo and her boyfriend, Darryl, had been separated while Darryl was a guest of the state of Oklahoma, and now that his sentence has been served they don’t ever intend to part again. Ella-Loo’s got dreams. And Darryl believes there are better ways to achieve your dreams than working for them. So they hit the road, and when their car breaks down in Arkansas, they make plans to take someone else’s. Then things get messy and they wind up killing someone—an experience that stokes a fierce, wild desire in Ella-Loo. A desire for Darryl. And a desire to kill again.

As they cross state lines on their way to New York to find the life they think they deserve, they will leave a trail of evil behind them. But now they’ve landed in the jurisdiction of Lieutenant Dallas and her team at the New York Police and Security Department. And with her husband, Roarke, at her side, she has every intention of hunting them down and giving them what they truly deserve . . .

Review:

Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb is the 41st book in her fabulous In Death Series. I have so much respect for J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), that she can write 2 full length and one novella a year, and keep us totally waiting with abated breath for her next book. I have said this before, the best part of this series, are the characters we get to spend time with in each and every book. There is no better couple then Eve and Roarke, and the wonderful friends and team they have added on over the years. Some of the best, including Peabody, Summerset, McNab, Mira, Baxter, Truheart, Galahad, etc.

For those of you who have unfortunately not read this series, it takes place in the future, but still very much like modern times; though I am a big fan of the auto chef, and some of the other great gadgets. Since Eve Dallas is our heroine throughout the series, and she is a tough bad ass cop, this series is all about murder, violence, terrible villains, mystery and top notch exciting police work to find the killer before they kill any more victims. But most of all, In Death series is Eve and Roarke at their best working together in solving the crime, as well as in love. I can never get enough of them.

In Devoted in Death, we have two young wild and crazy killers, who use their horrific crimes to feed their sexual lust for each other. What started out accidently in the south, becomes a cross country trail of victims that leads to New York, and Eve Dallas. Eve, Peabody and her team work through nights trying to find clues, to find these deranged vicious killers and save the latest victim.

Ella-Loo and Darryl are the killers, who profess their undying love for each other, as they torture their victims, leading to wild sexual exploits. They think they are unstoppable, but they haven’t come across someone like Eve Dallas. I will not give spoilers, only to say this was a very exciting, nail biting adventure, not to mention angst at the killers who have no redeeming qualities.

Once again, J.D. Robb gives us another heart stopping thriller. In between all the dark, there is always the light that keeps us going. The love between Eve and Roarke, and Robb does escalate this even more in this book; the fun we laugh at when Eve is with Peabody, and the camaraderie she has with her great team. I love this series, it is one of my go to reads, as I will never miss a book in this series, and I pray this will never end. If you have not read this series, you are missing a wonderful series, best couple, and fantastic characters.

Reviewed by Barb

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Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb – a review

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Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb – a review

 

Obsession in DeathAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She—and her billionaire husband—are getting accustomed to being objects of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person’s obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her—again and again…

With a murderer reading meanings into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate—and dangerous—psychological dance. And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her “true and loyal friend.” And in time, idols always fall…

 

Review:

Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb is the 40th full length novel (approximately 10 novellas) in her fantastic In Death series. Most of you know I am an In Death fanatic, and consider Eve and Roarke my favorite couple. You would think by the 40th book, the stories would become repetitious. However, I am happy to say that Obsession in Death was an awesome read, and I hope J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) never stops giving us Eve, Roarke, and all of our favorite characters we have come to adore in this series.

Obsession in Death starts with Eve and Peabody being called to investigate a homicide. The victim is someone they know from previous cases; a lawyer that Eve did not really like. The biggest surprise they discover at the murder scene is a written message on the wall addressed to Eve. The murderer expresses her admiration for her, and as a “true loyal friend”, she acted to punish the victim who wronged Eve in the past.

What follows is an exciting, fascinating story of a killer who is obsessed with Eve, and targets those who the killer feels has been disrespected her in past cases. The race is on with Eve, Peabody, her team to find the killer, who she suspects has some police background.   Dr. Mira has warned Eve that the killer will turn at some point against her, since she will not acknowledge the killers need for some kind of praise. Eve escalates defenses to all her family and friends, whom the killer knows she cares about, in order to protect them. It was nice to see those same friends and family express worry that Eve needs to protect herself.

The suspense is nerve wrecking, as Eve, Roarke and the team rush through the many obsessive messages and emails that she has received over the years. It is like finding a needle in the haystack.

One of the great things about this series is in between the tense murder investigations is the wonderful romance between Eve & Roarke; the fun relationship and banter between Eve & Peabody; and the fabulous secondary characters, which always manages to relieve any tension from the case.

Over the years, Eve has evolved so much from the young police officer, who had a tragic childhood, and would only let her superior, Feeney and her friend, Mavis into her personal life. Now besides her love for Roarke, she finds herself with many friends that make this case even more difficult for her, since she fears for their lives. What is great about this series now is the friends that are a big part of her life, such as Nadine, Mavis, Peabody, McNab, Feeney, Mira, Summerset, Morris,  Charles, Louise,Galahad, and her entire police team, whom we have grown to care about too. J.D. Robb has done a wonderful job creating a couple such as Eve & Roarke and surrounding them with those we have come to love over time.

Obsession in Death is an action packed, humorous, suspenseful, tense story that holds our breath through the exciting climax. I just never have enough of this series, not to mention my awe of JD Robb/Nora Roberts, who continues to amaze us with each new book.

Reviewed by Barb

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Festive In Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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Festive In Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

 

Festive in Death
In Death series – Book #39
by J.D. Robb
Release Date: September 9, 2014

Festive in Death Sept 14

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

 

Description:
Personal trainer Trey Ziegler was in peak physical condition. If you didn’t count the kitchen knife in his well-toned chest.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas soon discovers a lineup of women who’d been loved and left by the narcissistic gym rat. While Dallas sorts through the list of Ziegler’s enemies, she’s also dealing with her Christmas shopping list—plus the guest list for her and her billionaire husband’s upcoming holiday bash.

Feeling less than festive, Dallas tries to put aside her distaste for the victim and solve the mystery of his death. There are just a few investigating days left before Christmas, and as New Year’s 2061 approaches, this homicide cop is resolved to stop a cold-blooded killer.

 

Review:
Festive in Death by J.D. Robb, is the 39th book (does not count all the novellas, as she does at least one novella a year) in her fantastic In Death series. Of course, we all know (if you don’t, you are behind the times 🙂 ) that J.D. is really Nora Roberts. This my all-time favorite series that I anxiously await each book. The In-Death series is about crime, murder and mystery, which at times can be very violent, but the best part of this series are the leading characters that we get to spend time with book after book. My favorite couple, Eve & Roarke, and the best group of secondary characters ever – Peabody, Summerset, Mira, Nadine, Mavis, Baxter, McNab, Feeney, and Galahad, just to name a few.

Festive in Death was a bit different then the norm, as it was not terribly violent or a race against time to find the killer. There is a murder that starts off the story, as Eve is called to the scene in the middle of the night. But as she investigates, the victim is very disliked by all, with no one, including Eve and her team sympathetic. But Eve always stands for the dead, and even if the victim may have deserved his fate, the search for the killer is necessary. This is a story is a complicated mystery, with so many suspects, and as Eve, Peabody, Roarke delve deeper, the victim turns out to be even more despicable. Throughout the story, there are many twists and turns that you have no idea who the killer is.

While the investigation is ongoing, Eve must do her favorite thing. Christmas is close and she needs to shop for gifts. More so now, since she has built a group of friends over the years. Our beloved Roarke is throwing his annual Christmas party, which is so much fun to watch, as Roark and Eve’s co-workers, and friends mingle. I loves watching Eve give out the gifts to her special friends, and the whole holiday spirit. Once again, I have to mention how spectacular Eve and Roarke are as a couple. J.D. Robb does a super job showing us the love they feel for each other, as well as their love scenes, which are done so well, without being erotic, but feeling the chemistry and leaving so much to the imagination.

Festive in Death was an excellent and fun addition to this series. It was a welcome break from some of the squeamish violence in some of the past novels, and because of this, the action was a bit slower, with the focus more toward the mystery. I love this series, and look forward to the next book to spend more time with Eve, Roarke and friends.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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

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

Concealed in DeathLinks to order Concealed in Death: 
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.

The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.

Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.


Review:

Concealed in Death is the 38th novel in J.D. Robb’s In Death series.  Most of you already know that I am a In Death fanatic, and have read all 38 of the books, and all of the novellas, which Nora (she is J.D. Robb) writes a few times a year.  I love that that I can get my In Death fix without too long to wait (no less than 3 times a year, including the novellas).  Now to my review.

Concealed in Death begins with Roarke, who is and always will be the best and swoonworthy male character in the literary world.  Roarke has just purchased a broken down building, and while reviewing with his staff of what he wants done, he helps start the wrecking ball going by knocking down part of a wall. Of course, we knew something would happen, this is after all a murder mystery, and it is Eve Dallas, our fabulous murder detective.  Roarke calls in his wife, as behind that wall they found two bodies.

Before Eve, Peabody, and the rest of the police crew are done, there will be 12 bodies found, all bones, and all young girls between 12-15 years old.  What will make it a difficult case is that the murders took place 15 years ago. We get to meet a new interesting character, Garnet DeWinter, the new forensic anthropologist. There is an immediate clash of personalities between Eve & Garnet that will continue throughout the book, as they are both strong independent women at the top of their field.  Should be interesting where this will go in future books. 

While the bodies are slowly being identified Eve, her civilian consultant (Roarke), and Peabody delve deep into the history of the old building (The Sanctuary), which was a home for troubled, wayward children/runaways.  As is usual with Eve, we get to find out about the dead girls, at least some of them, such as Shelby, who was the leader of a group of girls.  The story revolves around her, and her friends, who are mostly dead.

With all the years past, and no clues, Eve will slowly begin to put the pieces together. Having had her own troubled childhood, will help Eve put herself in those children’s eyes.  We meet the people who ran The Sanctuary, Philly (Philadelphia) and Nash (Nashville) Jones, a brother and sister team, who had closed the The Sanctuary years before, as it was falling apart, and thanks to a benefactor, moved to a new, bigger and more exclusive building.

This was a different type of case then normal for the In Death series, with lots of details as they continue to dig into the past.  There was no tense murder that we normally witness or a horrible villain that we had to endure.  It was a sad story that came to life for us to see.  But it was an excellent story, one that kept your attention and one you had no idea who the murderer was.  The ending was filled with many surprises, and as I said before, totally different then usually done in this series, very well done.

As is with all the In Death books, there are always two stories that mesh together: the murder(s)/villians and there is Eve & Roarke.  They are such a great couple together, and their love for one another is just beautiful, sexy, heartwarming, and fun.  They are truly partners in every sense of the word.  38 books later, we can see Eve becoming more content in her life, letting her horrific past go, and opening up more to friends and family.  At the same time, Eve the cop, is still a tough, rough, in your face heroine, and that will never change.  She will always stand for the dead.  Concealed in Death is another wonderful addition to this fantastic series, which I pray continues for another 40 more. 

Reviewed by Barb

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

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

thankless in death

Links to order Thankless in Death:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble/ Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
In the latest suspense thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, the year 2060 is drawing to a close in New York City and loved ones are coming together for Thanksgiving. But sometimes the deepest hatreds seethe within the closest relationships, and blood flows faster than water…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas has plenty to be grateful for this season. Hosting Roarke’s big Irish family for the holiday may be challenging, but it’s a joyful improvement on her own dark childhood.

Other couples aren’t as lucky as Eve and Roarke. The Reinholds, for example, are lying in their home stabbed and bludgeoned almost beyond recognition. Those who knew them are stunned—and heartbroken by the evidence that they were murdered by their own son. Twenty-six-year-old Jerry hadn’t made a great impression on the bosses who fired him or the girlfriend who dumped him—but they didn’t think he was capable of this.

Turns out Jerry is not only capable of brutality but taking a liking to it. With the money he’s stolen from his parents and a long list of grievances, he intends to finally make his mark on the world. Eve and her team already know the who, how, and why of this murder. What they need to pinpoint is where Jerry’s going to strike next

 

Review:

Thankless in Death is the 37th book in J.D. Robb’s fantastic In Death series.  This does not include all the novellas over the years.  One thing is sure, you will never be disappointed by anything written by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), as this series has the best couple, as far as I’m concerned, in the literary world, in Eve & Roarke.  Just to spend time with Eve, Roarke, and all their great secondary characters, such Peabody, Mira, Summerset, just a name a few makes this series so highly enjoyable & anticipated. 

The villain in TID is Jerald Reinhold, a 26 year old bitter and lazy young man, who does nothing in his life, but expect others to serve him.  When his mother continues to nag him to get a job, Jerry goes out of control & turns psycho, killing her with many stab wounds, similar to the infamous Lizzie Borden.  He then goes on to kill his father, using a baseball bat. The bad thing is Jerry has finally found himself, he is happy and wants to keep on torturing those he feels maligned him. 

Eve and Peabody are assigned to this case, as they view the bloody mess they find at the Reinholds.  Right from the start, Eve figures out fast that Jerry is the murderer, but the hardest part, is finding him, since he has so many people he felt wronged him, it was hard to figure his next move. 

I found that Jerry was a sick & nasty villain, and though this series has many violent murders, he is one of the worst, and I truly hated what he did to his victims.   But Eve is a murder cop, the best, and she has a great team that respects and are totally loyal to her.  We have come to expect the horrible villains. You know in time they will find the killer, but the question is how long and how many horrible deaths will it take before our Eve gets him. 

In between this exciting, but violent case, we get a few wonderful added moments.  We met Roarke’s Irish family a few books back, and since this is Thanksgiving time, we get to see them all again.  It is truly a pleasure to see them, and fun to watch.  We also got to see many of those super secondary characters, whom we have come to care about throughout all the 40 plus stories.  Some of my favorites include the previously mentioned Peabody, Mira, Summerset, but also Nadine, Morris, Mavis, McNabb, Feeney, Baxter, Charles, Louise,  and the rest of her team.  We also got to see Eve and Roarke receive accolades for their always great work, and also see some wonderful characters from the past.  Eve may stand for the dead, but in this book, her friends, co-workers, family, and those she helped stand for Eve.  There were quite a few emotional moments that are rare for Eve.

One thing is constant, Eve & Roarke are such a great couple, each with their own unhappy childhoods, and their flawed past, but their love for one another is so real & true; when they are together, your heart just warms up.  There is nothing finer then watching our gorgeous & rich hunk, Roarke making sure his cop gets to eat, rest, dress well, and have a little sex in between.  I guess you can tell I love Eve & Roarke.

Throughout this non-stop violent wild ride, we got to see Jerry’s POV, which showed how dangerous and sick his mind was.  Even to the very end, Jerry thought he was in his right, and nothing was his fault.  Always a pleasure to watch Eve & Roarke narrow down the clues, work closely with her team to stop a vicious murderer.  What stops this from being just a violent book, is the joy and fun you get watching all of them interact with one another. 

The epilogue which was such a nice touch, was very emotional, as it brought back Nixie, one the youngsters Eve helped from the past cases.  With the theme of Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be able to read at least two books a year and a novella, which helps feed my addiction to Eve , Roarke, Peabody and all the wonderful secondary characters.  Thankless in Death is another winner for J.D. Robb, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Reviewed by Barb

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

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

calculated in death

Links to order Calculated In Death:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

Calculated in Death is another excellent book in J.D. Robb’s (Nora Roberts) wonderful In Death series.  Though this is the 36th novel in her series, I eagerly look forward to the next book, and just never get tired of reading about our Eve & Roarke, and team.  Calculated in Death starts off with the death of an accountant, which originally looked like a mugging, but of course, as Eve Dallas is called onto the scene, she knows right away, this is not a mugging, but a murder planned. 

The story is set in the financial world of accountants, audits, investors, etc.  Though this book has its normal multiple murders, many suspects, it is not as gruesome as some of the other In Death books.  We spend a lot of time early on, with Eve and Peabody investigating the crime scene, and questioning anyone who knew the victim, and by the time the day is over, they already know why the victim was murdered, and have their own list of suspects.   Did we expect anything less with Eve and Peabody?

It seemed like forever before our beloved Roarke came into the story, and when he did, life and the story got so much better.  Eve is a great detective, tough, smart, savvy, but it is Roarke who brings out her feminine and sexy side.  If you have read any In Death review by me, you will know I absolutely love Eve & Roarke together.  They are an awesome couple, and that never changes. 

The story moves quickly, as Eve deciphers the clues, with the help of Roarke.  The investigation does get somewhat complicated, within the financial aspects of the suspects, but we learn more, as Roarke explains much to Eve, and us.  I totally adore when the two of them work together at home to find the clues, as Roarke in between makes sure his cop eats, takes such loving care of her, and both take the time for their great sex. 

As usual, Eve and Peabody find themselves in danger, as the investigation hits close to home, and angers many of the high and mighty.  The world of accounting never looked more dangerous, especially with fraud and cover-ups. There are some surprises early on, with more deaths, as Eve and team race to find the killer before there are more deaths.  

In between this murder investigation, and there is the backdrop of the upcoming red carpet event of the premiere of the Icove video, we saw in the previous books.  Eve is never comfortable showcasing herself, even though her husband is one of the most powerful and richest men on any planet, but Eve will use this to her advantage.  Some of the fun is watching Eve dread the appearance of Trina to fix up her hair and makeup….humorous as usual.  It is also these types of events that allow us to see our old friends, like Nadine, Mavis, Leonardo.  Seeing Eve dressed to the max, and how Roarke is always helping choose her clothes is so much fun. I always enjoy seeing Peabody dress up too..such fun. 

This is what makes this series so special.  The wonderful recurring characters, who have become part of the In Death series, such as Peabody, Summerset, Mira, McNab, Feeney, Morris, Baxter, Trueheart, Reo, and our beloved Galahad (her cat who has saved her life twice).  As much as this series can be very violent, J.D. Robb has a masterful way of taking a very very tense moment, and making you suddenly break out into laughter, whether it be her byplay with Peabody or her confrontations with Summerset.  Another trademark of Robb is the sexual chemistry of Eve & Roarke.  They are the one of the most popular couples in the literary world, and my favorite.  Yet Robb does this so well, showing their chemistry, sexual, yet not erotic at all.  You see and feel their love, each and every time.

Calculated in Death is another wonderful edition to the In Death series, with an excellent and different storyline, and with the same exciting, dangerous, and complex murder investigations.  To be able to spend time with Eve, Roarke and their team always makes this series so fresh and enjoyable to read.

Reviewed by Barb

 

 

 

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

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

Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), is the 36th  book in the In Death series. With at least 10 novellas in this series, the number of times we get to spend time with our beloved couple, Eve and Roarke, and their friends is now in the high 40’s. Despite this high number, I never want this to end.  The In Death series is on my automatic buy, and I will drop whatever else I am reading to read the new book. On to Delusion in Death.

Description:
It was just another after-work happy-hour bar downtown, where business professionals unwound with a few drinks . . .until something went terribly wrong. And after twelve minutes of chaos and violence, eighty people lay dead.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is trying to sort out the inexplicable events. Surviving witnesses talk about seeing things—monsters and swarms of bees. They describe sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and rage and paranoia. When forensics gives its report, the mass delusions make more sense: It appears the bar patrons were exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and illegal drugs that could drive anyone to temporary insanity—if not kill them outright.  But that doesn’t explain who would unleash such horror—or why. And if Eve can’t figure it out fast, it could happen again, anytime, anywhere. Because it’s airborne. . . .

Review:

Delusion in Death is another excellent book, and J.D. Robb once again gives us an exciting thriller.  Delusion in Death begins as the work day in New York City is ending, and people are either rushing home or stopping for a drink with friends to unwind.  As the story starts we are at a local bar, a nightly hangout for executives. We follow along as 4 friends sit at a table making plans for dinner.  Soon one of them gets a headache, and out of no where becomes violently nasty.  The next scene brings Lieutenant Eve Dallas to the bar, as she was called in to investigate a horrendous crime scene. 

Even Eve, who is always exposed to terrible crime scenes, and vicious murderers, finds herself fighting to maintain her calm composure seeing this mass destruction. We learn early on that within 12 minutes, 83 people were dead, having attacked each other like animals. The few survivors describe seeing hallucinations, of being attacked by monsters, animals, insects, and reacted in their own maddening rage of self defense.  The virus is a short acting virus, but unless they can escape, no one can survive.

Eve calls in her entire team to help with the bodies, and begin their investigations as to what caused this behavior, and to move quickly before it happens again.  Of course, as normal, Roarke arrives on the scene to help, and we find out that he owns the bar, which isn’t much of a surprise, as Roarke owns everything. 🙂  Working with Morris and Dickie, it doesn’t take Eve long to figure out that an airborne virus from a mixture of lethal drugs was used, causing massive deaths.  The immediate worry was if this was a terrorist attack, and the threat and fear of more to come. The scary part was this was the type of attack that can come with no warning, at anytime, anywhere, with massive deaths, if this was not confined within a small indoor area.  

What I really love about this series is how you find yourself totally immersed into the case with Eve, as you see and know everything she is thinking, and you follow the case as if you were along side her.  It was an exciting story, as Eve slowly, with the help of Roarke and her super team, begin to thread through all the details of the victims, and survivors to find the clues to unravel this mystery before another mass murder happens again.  We also get to learn more about the Urban wars, and possible terrifying scenarios that may have begun from those ugly war days. 

This story also brings back memories of some previous books, as they reference some of those cases.  Eve still has her nightmares, but now they were in-twined with her dead mother and father, and the victims of this mass murder.  Eve seems to finally have moved forward, and perhaps we can put those monsters to the hell they belong in.

What can I say about Roarke; how much he loves his cop, and how he ensures she takes care of herself, even if he has to push her to eat, and sleep.  Eve Dallas is my all time favorite female in the literary world.  She is a tough cop, with a horrendous childhood, and despite the odds, made herself into the best there is.  But she is also madly in love with the most perfect man Roarke (he is also my favorite male character), and together they help each other survive in a wild and dangerous world. 

The last half of the book is extremely exciting, more violence, as Eve and her team race against the clock to find those responsible. Along the way to the exciting climax, there are some twists and surprises.

Kudos to J.D. Robb (Nora), for keeping this series fresh, allowing us to share our love of Eve & Roarke, as well as the best secondary group of characters around.  It was great to be able to enjoy Peabody, Mira, Summerset (it was nice to see them civil to each other), Nadine, Baxter, Trueheart, McNab, Feeney, Morris and the rest of the gang.  I did think though that this book missed some of the humor between those secondary characters and Eve, though there was some.  Make no mistake, the In Death series is about murder, police, violence; but it is the love of Eve & Roarke, and the camaraderie between those wonderful secondary characters that makes this special.  Hopefully we see more of that in the next book, coming in February, 2013..Calculated in Death.

Reviewed by Barb

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