Tag Archives: J.D. Robb

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

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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 43rd 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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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

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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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Down the Rabbit Hole – Anthology – a Review

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Down the Rabbit Hole – Anthology – a Review

 

Down the Rabbit HoleAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description
You’re late for a very important date…
 
Enter a wonderland of mesmerizing tales. It’s a place that’s neither here nor there, where things are never quite as they seem. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s whimsical masterpiece, ranging from the impossible to the mad to the curiouser, these stories will have you absolutely off your head.
 
Don’t be afraid to follow them…

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Contains:
Wonderment in Death by J. D. Robb
Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney
iLove by Elaine Fox
A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas
Fallen by R. C. Ryan
Review:

Down the Rabbit Hole is an anthology loosely based on a Alice in Wonderland theme, consisting of 5 authors, including J.D. Robb and an In Death novella.   I will be writing a review on Wonderment in Death by Robb, as most of you know, I am an In Death fanatic. I will briefly touch base on the other 4 novellas in this anthology.

Wonderment in Death by J.D. Robb

I really do enjoy Robb’s novellas, which gives us more of Eve and Roarke. Anything I can get my hands on that is part of this fantastic series, and time with Eve and Roarke, makes me happy. In Wonderment in Death, Eve must find a dangerous killer, who uses his hypnotic powers & drugs, to make people commit murder. A woman still grieving over the loss of her parents, goes to visit her brother with exciting news about her upcoming marriage. He ends up dead, and she throws herself off the roof to her death. It is up to Eve Dallas, with the help of her gorgeous hubby Roarke, and her team to find out why. Will Eve be able to find out the why and who? Your kidding, right. Eve always finds the killers. 🙂

 

Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney

I not read this series that precedes this novella. However, it was a nice story about two people, who have difficulties with making their relationship permanent. Alice and Weston are our heroes, and as they travel separately they are whisked away 200 years into the future.

Alice especially cannot get over all the modern things, not to mention how far women have come. Weston finds some idea to help him fix his financial situation back in his time. What made this fun was watching their shocked reactions of the future. When they return to the past, Weston finds away to show Alice that her families past should not stand in the way of them getting married. This was a simple, but cute story.

 

iLove by Elaine Fox:

This was an interesting story, but it really did not keep my interest. It is about a woman who dumps her boyfriend because he pays more attention to his phone then her. He gets sucked into his phone’s ILove app and must llove to get out. This enables both the heroine and hero to learn more about themselves and each other.


A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas:

This was different and interesting, using a slight Alice in Wonderland theme, and even a Christmas Carol (revisiting her life troubles). It was an ok read.


Fallen by R. C. Ryan:

Next to the In-Death novella, this was my favorite story. I really enjoyed our heroines Colin and Beth, and the Highlander background. This was another one of those where the girl goes back in time and meets the man, she was supposed to meet, but in her current time. This was a fun read, though I wished it was a bit longer.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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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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