Born in Death by J.D. Robb
Though it’s freezing cold and 4am, intrepid detective Eve Dallas can cope with the gruesome murder of an affianced couple from a high profile accounting firm better than the birthing coach class she and her multimillionaire husband Roarke attended the evening before for Eve’s friend Mavis or the images of birthing that were Eve’s nightmares aterward.
Emotionally traumatized with childhood familial issues, Eve and Roarke are completely out of their element supporting Mavis through the final stages of her pregnancy in easily the most hilarious read of this long running series despite the grisly murders. Things become more complicated for them after Mavis pulls the friendship thread when a single expectant mother doesn’t show up for her baby shower.
The international and financial implications and insinuations of the murder case bring distress to the Dallas/Roarke household but doesn’t lack for suspects as Eve begins to work the possible kidnap Mavis’ friend and persistently searches to find a common thread to see if the cases overlap. All the secondary characters are onboard to help more doggedly than ever in this fast paced suspense tale.
Rating:5stars
Haunted in Death by J.D. Robb
Radcliff Hopkins planned to restore Number Twelve to the former glory and untarnished reputation it had when his grandfather owned the building a century ago. But that was not to be. Radcliffe’s murdered just outside the building with an antique and illegal handgun adding frills to the already rampant urban legend that the address was haunted or cursed.
Though the team is excited, spouting theories that fit supernatural assistance, haunting, the curse and the facts at hand, pragmatic Eve is having none of it. She won’t be swayed to accept the possibility of improbability and impossibility having a place in her investigation. Not even when an 85 year old murder case is inexplicably linked to Radcliff’s murder. While Roarke helps he keeps his own counsel.
This outing colors outside the lines with a supernatural thread taking it away from its usual police procedural formula. The usual elements of the series are condensed in this shorter read and fans don’t miss what they’re used getting when they visit the 2060 gang this time.
Rating:4stars
Memory in Death by J.D. Robb
No sooner than the Icove case wraps and thanksgiving with family passes than Eve’s family of a sort arrive in time for Christmas. Regrettably her former foster mother’s convinced Eve’s capability and wealth are a result of their time together and recognition in coin to her would be proper but Roarke and Eve don’t buy it. This isn’t a fuzzy feeling reunion and there’s nothing wrong with Eve’s memory.
With the holiday festivities going full blast, Eve needs closure and she and Roarke plan to ensure their messages were received loudly and clearly. When they arrive at the hotel Eve’s first on scene to discover the unfortunate woman in a congealed pool of her own blood. Eve had a clear memory of a kindness the victim’s son extended as she approached the family left behind.
As Christmas descends, flimsy evidence and niggling suspicion both mount for our brilliant detective as she closes in on a suspect. Once intrepid Eve caught a whiff of motive and method this dangerous villain’s days of freedom were numbered despite being daring, provocative, elusive and quite clever as the elaborate plan unfolded. .
The team was in cameo mode doing what they do best with a nod to their own holiday plans but their bits were fitting for this personal story. While most of the character pieces showed Roarke and Eve’s intimate, multi-faceted relationship helping Peabody and MacNab personally and clearing the air personally and professionally with Charlotte further mellowed Eve’s curmudgeonly persona.
While this reader is not a fan of every case connecting to or flashbacking to Eve’s traumatic childhood, for this outing it was definitely apropos but markedly restrained. Flawed Eve is very good at being herself but this installment certainly left readers a new and somehow improved, socially awkward, whole yet very flawed Eve to go forward with.
Rating: 4.5stars
Origin in Death by J.D. Robb
In a private and heavily secured facility closing a case, Eve and Peabody are stunned hear Eve’s name over the paging system. Rushing to find out why, they’re surprised to find they’ve been called to attend renowned cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Wilfred B. Icove, Sr., He’s definitely been murdered and it looks like a professional job.
Eve and her team search but can’t find a motive. Convinced no one that age had no blemishes in his past, Eve and her team dug deeper. Discovering incomplete information puts Eve on the trail of wisps of a motive. The middle of that trail has Eve facing the murder of Dr. Wilfred B. Icove, Jr. But the killer left bread crumbs and Eve gobbled them up and quickly came up with a theory.
An engrossing conspiracy tale with an exciting end and an extreme minimum linking the case to Eve’s past all appealed to this reader. Brief appearances by the usual support cast made sure fans got glimpses as well. Also, I enjoy the subtle changes in Eve over the last few outings. While humanizing Eve more, her social awkwardness gained another dimension.
Rating:4.25stars
Survivor In Death by J.D. Robb
The household was asleep and so was Nixie Swisher’s best friend but Nixie wanted a snack and snuck out of bed to get it. That saved her life. Shadowy men make their way through the house and murder everyone else unaware of the tiny witness that was able to call the police. Nixie attaches herself to Dallas and a still healing Peabody makes her case for Dallas to be Nixie’s caregiver for a few days.
While Eve doesn’t have the capacity to give Nixie all she needs, Eve does give her as much as she can and is able to separate her own trauma in perspective and apart from Nixie’s as she pulls in the other help she needs. Nixie’s impact on the household has the staunch and stalwart Summerset dusting his parenting skills as he pitches in to help and Roarke fumbles his way through as well.
Nixie’s heartbreaking as she tries to find her way through things she doesn’t understand while Eve and company are treated to an intense cat and mouse chase across the city as the body count rises when the culprits try to secure anything that could lead back to them. Their actions lead Eve to a thread without a knot in it just waiting to be pulled.
The breezier writing style of this enjoyable and fast paced outing also had easy to invest in secondary characters and a tight storyline. Scenes from Eve’s past are usually the worst part of the read for my taste but were apropos as they easily underscored Eve’s thought process for this case.
Rating: 4.75stars
Visions In Death by J.D. Robb
Eve and Peabody are stumped by their latest case of a mutilating killer rapist that poses the victim’s remains as supplicants. A psychic comes to offer her services with seemingly accurate details of the killing including the body found was not actually the first victim, shortly afterward another body is found across town. With no excuse to turn her down, Eve reluctantly accepts the resource.
Peabody and Eve’s new working relationship begins to settle into equality as the partners chase clues and complement each other’s styles. Eve tones down Peabody’s perkiness over her own life changes and Peabody humanizes Eve to the point she shows off her new human traits and vulnerability while she shares pieces of herself. It’s also great for Roarke to reap the benefits of a human wife!
While subtle, the more procedural vein of this outing was noticeable with a twist that surprised. Also the supporting characters were more involved here. While I like and sometimes enjoy this series enough to want to binge on it, especially watching robotic Eve imitate humans, the exhausting trope of every single case being linked to Eve’s childhood saps that desire.
Rating: 4stars
Divided In Death by J.D. Robb
Former secret service Reva Ewing can’t believe her devoted husband Blair would cheat, let alone with her best friend, former, Felicity Kade. But those facts have to be faced when the couple’s found dead during their latest and last interlude and Reva finds herself the prime suspect. Slam dunk of a case! Well not so fast, Dallas’ unfailing instincts are on Reva’s side.
Naturally Reva has a past with still desirable man about town, Roarke. But as a security specialist for Roarke Enterprises and assistant Caro’s daughter it’s all business related. Roarke’s more active role in this outing gives him plenty to do besides be supportive of Eve. In fact actual conflict arises when the couple lands on opposite sides of conspiracy and privacy issues.
For this reader’s taste, the tone of the book felt ‘off’ as if the characters were a bit foreign to the writer. Nonetheless, the read was interesting and it was a good first outing for Detective Delia Peabody. Especially enjoyable were the wealth of suspects and the insidiousness of the computer crimes, victims and villains.
Rating: 4stars
Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb
Eve’s latest fan, a copy-cat killer admires good work and decides Eve could be the ticket to fame if not fortune and a reproduction of a Jack the Ripper style murder would be the perfect way to announce his intentions. When Eve arrives at the gruesome murder scene of a street companion, not only is the victim literally shredded a pristine invitation to catch him at the game accompanies the body.
Several possibilities muddy the suspect pool while Eve and Rourke take advantage of Somerset’s waning vacation and Peabody is set to take the exam. Other fan favorites, like the EDD guys and Mavis have cameos and not much book time. This reader confesses the intrigue of this outing was a little fuller than usual making the villain not as easy to determine. Overall a satisfying read.
Rating: 4.25stars
Portrait In Death by J.D. Robb
Eve is thinking best day ever! Summerset will be gone for the next three weeks, nothing could be better despite the sidewalk melting heat. When she answers the phone he realizes just how right she was. The call leads Eve to a busy corner and a body stuffed in a disposal like so much garbage. Not only that but this murderer likes to pose and take pictures of his victims.
As Eve follows the leads she ends up someplace she’s never been learning about something she never considered. She’s completely out of her element at the college learning more about imaging and data streams than she’d care to. But Eve isn’t the only one out of her comfort zone as Roarke gets news that takes him on an emotional sojourn resulting in a trip to Ireland.
For a change it was good to see Eve give Roarke the same unconditional support he gives her in every outing that she usually reserves for her cases. This reader is completely bewildered how every serial murder case, which are the only kind Eve works, triggers memories of Eve’s own abuse.
Rating:4stars
Purity In Death by J.D. Robb
A conspiracy sweeps the city as terrorist vigilantes show their dissatisfaction in the justice system by meting out justice on those they feel the legal system fumbled. Trust the intrepid Lieutenant to catch the scent and jump on the case with unwavering dogged determination.
This favorite outing is of the locked room mystery variety though readers are very aware of the how and the why but the who is a bit cloudy. Eve didn’t lack for suspects. Her very full pool ran the gamut through cop central, the courts, government offices and agencies, and private homes. The only people innocent are in Eve’s expanding circle of family.
Eve’s social awkwardness never fails to amuse and the scenes here were no exception when her created family needs her strength as this outing strikes at her heart when they get banged around a bit instead of her. Once again Eve’s past rears its ugly head but for this read it was appropriately and gently mentioned. Roarke’s role also satisfied this reader and was meatier than usual.
Rating:4,5stars
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