BOOK REVIEW: LOYALTY IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 9 - PIATKUS - CONTEMPORARY CRIME

By: J.D. Robb

Published By: Piatkus

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from Library, 443 Pages

RATING: 4.5 PLOT STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Eve Dallas has been chosen by a deadly revolutionary group, Cassandra, as their one true adversary. While investigating the seemingly simple case of a jealous lover killing her partner, she receives a disk from  Cassandra, telling her to expect a demonstration of their power. Arriving just in time to see one of her billionaire husband Roarke's empty properties blown up, the link continues as more of Roarke's city landmarks are destroyed, testing Eve and her team to the limit and costing more and more lives.

Discovering that Cassandra is linked to a previous group, responsible for blowing up the Pentagon several years ago, things turn increasingly sinister as Eve realises that the murdered man and his family are implicated, and she races to break down the web of deceit and destruction before the city falls.


BOOK REVIEW:

9 Books and a novella story done and dusted. This is one of my top fave badass-long series to snuggle in bed with. 46 Books and still going strong. I bet the publishers pinch  themselves with excitement every time another is due for release. They snagged such an awesome storyteller.

Okay onto my personal thoughts.

Ooh the sexual tension between Peabody and McNab was so much fun to read in this installment. I love these two and their banter and their inability to stop what was happening between them.

I LOVED seeing Roarke quite speechless over something Eve did. It was moving and you can see how something as simple as an imperfect rose could mean a great deal to him. Especially to a man that has and can have anything in the world, or off planet.

I have to say, the case-to-solve part of this installment wasn’t as interesting as in previous books, but it was still very good. It definitely had its tense moments. I think the "cassandra" group irritated me a little. A case of it's me and not you.

I always enjoy Roarke coming to Eve’s aid with all his devices and transport. He’s rather sexy the way he does it. He just seems to get better and better each book. Such a well written character. I can't wait to see how his character reads by book 46.

Peabody’s bro makes an appearance and the poor love is a bit of a softy. A free-ager who falls hard pretty quickly. I did enjoy meeting Zeke. 

This was another really good installment in the In Death series. I would never have noticed this series if I wasn't doing a google search for 'similar to Stephanie Plum' , even though it's not even on the same level as Steph Plum series.

I do highly recommend this series for its intelligent writing and character growth...and ROARKE!!

I will invest in all these paperbacks for my shelves because I want my daughter to one day enjoy them.

BOOK REVIEW: CONSPIRACY IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 8 - CONTEMPORARY CRIME - PIATKUS

By: J.D. Robb
Published By: Piatkus
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 459 Pages

RATING: 5 6 ROARKE & PLOT STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

In the late 21st century, on the streets of New York City, a street sleeper is found murdered, his diseased heart removed with surgical precision. His death would typically drop to the bottom of a list of senseless and inexplicable killings, but Lieutenant Dallas, who "would stand for the dead and the living," is not about to let that happen.

When her research uncovers similar crimes in several cities that were dropped under mysterious circumstances, Dallas knows she's facing a killer cruel enough to prey on the weakest in society and powerful enough to conspire an extensive coverup.

To complicate matters further, Dallas faces an equally troubling threat to her career when she's linked to the death of a fellow cop. Now she must fight to restore her good name as well as track down the killer.



BOOK REVIEW:

6 STARS!!! And I don't often hand those out. 

This was my FAVE book thus far in the series. I do love them all, but this one was that little bit more.

Organ harvesting is not a fun topic, but this was the path Eve was on with her faithful sidekick, Peabody, as they worked the case of the displaced (homeless) people on the streets who are killed for their not so healthy organs.

I can’t express how much I love Roarke, he really is one hell-of-a-guy and I keep getting Christian Grey in my head whenever I imagine him, but with long black hair. Dude is drool worthy and always comes through for Eve, even when she doesn’t want him on the case.



They made an interesting picture: Roarke, sexy and elegant in suave black tie; Eve, long and lanky in her copper column; and Mavis, in a silver dress that looked wet to the touch and faded into transparency a wink below her crotch, while a temporary tattoo of a grinning lizard slithered up her right thigh.



I really enjoyed the injection of the ‘troublemaker’ in this instalment, just to add a little more to Eve’s plate. She was a doozey of a character.

Watching Summerset and Eve have a moment where they are both at odds with their normal behavior with each other was a little emotional. See, Summerset isn’t heartless towards Eve, he just likes to play it that way. I think by now he knows she's not a money hungry woman looking for an easy ride in life. 

Watching Roarke handle Eve when she needs him most, cements in my mind farther how suited these two are for each other.

Yup! There was a lot of depth to this instalment and the case to solve came with a more complicated plot, and that I really enjoyed.

J.D. Robb aka Nora Roberts really has a smashing hit on her hands with this über long series. I’m in for the long haul. I’m beginning to lag a little with enthusiasm for Stephanie Plum series (I’m at Explosive Eighteen #18), because nothing really changes. The In Death series really brings it all. I know they are chalk and cheese as far as seriousness, but it would be nice for a little depth with Steph and the gang.

I highly recommend In Death series, it is clever (even though sometimes the cases to solve are a little too easy), sexy, the characters are mature and can be funny and serious. Roarke is really exceptional, I think.

I have read Loyalty In Death, finished it this morning and this one is still my fave.

Time to reserve a couple more from the library. This is a series I will definitely invest in paperbacks for my personal shelves. 

BOOK REVIEW: MIDNIGHT IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH #7.5 - CRIME ROMANCE - PIATKUS

By: J.D. Robb

Published By: Piatkus 

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 139 Pages (Midnight In Death). 

RATING: 4.5 ADDICTED STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

The number-one New York Times bestselling In Death series explodes with intrigue, passion, and suspense. Now, Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, propels you into the darkest night of Lieutenant Eve Dallas's life...when a killer comes to call...

Eve's name has made a Christmas list, but it's not for being naughty or nice. It's for putting a serial killer behind bars. Now the escaped madman has her in his sights. With her husband, Roarke, at her side, Eve must stop the man from exacting his bloody vengeance...or die trying...

BOOK REVIEW:

A young man from Eve’s past has reared his evil head and written out his own deadly naughty list to get back at the people who helped to put him away.

Naturally Eve Dallas is on that list and time is of the essence to save those listed above her name.

Now the one thing that kinda screwed the plot a little for me was David wrote the order he was taking people out and left it for Lieutenant Dallas to find. Now bear with me, because I am a stickler on plot not having any flaws, it’s just my little OCD thing with reading a thriller/crime story. David was indeed taking out the people in order, so why didn’t Eve secretly wait with the person who was next on the list and capture the evil prick? If the names hadn’t been listed OR it was random order, then I can understand she simply didn’t know who was going to be taken out next—but she did. The only reason the list changed was if the person was put in a safe house, which was farther down list.

She could have still been investigating and trying to find the ‘hole’ David was in as he worked the people over and used Peabody and company to do the foot work while waiting with the third person on the list, because the first two deaths had proven the list was true. It seemed the simplest solution to me and BAM she would have David.

To further cement my comments, the police guarding one person against David, did not stop him from approaching and kidnapping the person on the list. The kid was simply clever in his approach—the cop was not.

Eve is a very intelligent, methodical character. Roarke is extremely off-the-charts intelligent. Surely giving away the list of names in order of their downfall would have you one step ahead and closely shadowing the next person on the list, like being their sticky-buddy. Hiding in their workplace, the backseat of their car when they went out, especially how the third person was taken. I know the cops were guarding them…but this is Eve and she knows what the kid looks like and again THIS IS EVE!

The kid wasn't that far ahead with his kidnappings and gross killings, which was set out for the reader to plainly see. The next on the list, Eve simply had to be waiting for him, with Peabody and no doubt Roarke.

For me just a simple tweak to the plot with the list would have made this a flawless plot, considering Eve’s personality and intelligence and the way the rest of the story played out.

It is my only gripe because the story itself I enjoyed very much.

Here are a couple of my fave Roarke moments.



He looked so… perfect, she thought. He was dressed casually for the day, in black, his long, lean body relaxing in a chair probably made two hundred years ago.

He had the face of a god with slightly wicked intentions, eyes of blazing Irish blue and a mouth created to destroy a woman’s control. Power sat attractively on him, as sleek and sexy, Eve thought, as the rich fall of black hair that skimmed nearly to his shoulders.



“That’s what I get for marrying a cop.” Ireland sang quietly in his voice, the lilt of a sexy poet. “For loving one,” he added, and tipped her face up to kiss her.



He combed his fingers through her short brown hair. “You’re what I want, Eve, the woman who leaves her home to stand over the dead. And the one who knew what a copy of Yeats would mean to me.”



Due to each Kindle book being a bit out of my price range I have been borrowing from library. #keepinglibrariesalive

I will be buying all the paperbacks for my personal library for my daughter to read one day, because this is such a fantastic series—and ROARKE!

I DID have Conspiracy In Death waiting on the reserve shelf for me to pick up tomorrow (public holiday today), but some inconsiderate #@(*@!!! took the book off the reserve shelf under my name. They took my slip out of it sometime yesterday and decided to jump the queue (who knows if they even swiped their card, because paper trail). 

Really? You can’t wait to reserve the book like I did and I waited like eight weeks for my turn? It had only been sitting on reserve shelf for 2 days! I'm feeling grumbly if you couldn't tell. I'll be pulling a Eve Dallas tomorrow and getting them to see if the dumbass swiped their card and they can ring them, because this is about the 8th time this has happened to me over various reserves I've had, and I am getting a little over it.

Fark me!

But there are worse things in life. :) 

Signed: A little grumbly, only because I'm addicted.

BOOK REVIEW : HOLIDAY IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 7 - CRIME ROMANCE - PIATKUS

By: J.D. Robb

Published By: Piaktus

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 395 Pages

RATING: 5 STARS

Blurb: Goodreads

No one likes to be alone during the holidays. For New York's most posh dating service, Personally Yours, it is the season to bring lonely hearts together. But Lieutenant Eve Dallas, on the trail of a ritualistic serial killer, has made a disturbing discovery: all of the victims have been traced to Personally Yours. As the murders continue, Eve enters into an elite world of people searching for their one true love--and a killer searching for his next victim. A world where the power of love leads men and women into the ultimate act of betrayal...


BOOK REVIEW:

What can I say about the In Death series and make it new each book I review, because there is a formula in place?

I know—Roarke!

Sure he’s in every book, but there was something more in this installment. I had wondered how Nora aka J.D. Robb was going to handle his character over 46 books when I am only seven in, and I think she will do just fine. Roarke just does things that would make any female sigh.

I adore the way he accepts Eve’s dedication-to-the-job and doesn't complain and he loves her possibly more each book. He always makes himself included in most cases in the takedown of the villain. He does it to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. He is there for her, even though he probably shouldn’t be inserting himself into her case—but he’s not going to let the fact he doesn’t hold a badge stop him.

Detective McNab and Peabody are so amusing and I know we are going to get a lot more from these two. His clothing attire appears quite flamboyant, which doesn’t match his personality—I feel. Maybe I’m wrong. He is very witty, but he seems to be rather overdressed for his job. Not that it matters, but it feels kinda off to me when he appears clothed the way he is. Eh, if anything it is a splash of color on the page. :) I know it's the future, but Roarke seems very Christian Grey attired in my head, or maybe I am not paying attention. I think this quirk with McNab bothers me, but it shouldn't.



Eve looked over and saw Ian McNab swagger into the room. He had a big, satisfied grin on his pretty face, a knee-length vest in eye-searing fuchsia over his Christmas-green jumpsuit, and a striped ribbon of both colors binding back his long sweep of glinting gold hair.


I think J.D. Robb showed us a more emotional Eve in this instalment. She does get cranky, she can upset Peabody, but she does it from her heart and how she sees Peabody as more a friend than just a work colleague.

This makes her more real to me.

She isn’t perfect. She has very real female moments, which are all her and not the job. She had an extremely rough childhood, no solid parenting and she’s floundering about a bit in how to be a wife and live in Roarke's social world and be a good friend.

I can read a book where I wonder why the guy even bothers with the female lead, because she isn’t making me believe she-is-the-one with her behaviour. I know the author wants me to be brainwashed with their words, but the connection simply isn’t there, due to the writing.

Roarke is a man who could have anybody on any of the planets he visits. He is a man that keeps showing us why he is so deeply in love with a woman who was broken so young. Eve is beautiful no matter how she walks through the door after a rough day on the streets. She doesn’t need the bells and whistles and he doesn't ask for them, but he will zip her up in a dress he has purchased for her, because she isn't a girlie shopper—far from it.  

This is so damn romantic.

She has access to squillions and spends virtually nothing on herself.

But he knows his wife and he provides.

He gives her what she needs when she doesn’t realise she needs it, purely out of love and devotion and never control. You feel this through the author’s words.

You could strip the murder case from each book and you are still left with substantial pages filled with Eve and her Roarke. 

Until the next book...

#teamroarke

BOOK REVIEW : VENGEANCE IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 6 - CRIME ROMANCE - BERKLEY BOOKS

By: J.D. Robb

Published By: Berkley Books

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 354 Pages

RATING: 5 ROARKE & EVE STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

In a time when technology links the law and the lawless, predators and prey can be one and the same...

He is an expert with the latest technology ... a madman with the mind of a genius and the heart of a killer. He quietly stalks his prey. Then he haunts the police with cryptic riddles about the crimes he is about to commit--always solved moments too late to save his victims' lives.

Police lieutenant Eve Dallas found the first victim butchered in his own home. The second lost his life in a vacant luxury apartment. The two men had little in common. Both suffered unspeakable torture before their deaths. And both had ties to an ugly secret of ten years past--a secret shared by none other than Eve's new husband, Roarke.


BOOK REVIEW:

MY FAVE!

Just putting it out there straight away.

OMG! ROARKE!

I so loved him in this installment.

Eve! Apart from the frustration of watching her  go after the obviously wrong bad guy—like seriously wrong bad guy—she was brilliant in this installment. I know she has to work all angles and I know the author is bringing the angst and a level of tension and all that good stuff. I do get that... But I found myself rolling my eyes and wanting to get past the wild goose chase quickly, even though there is still benefit in it with the reactions from the other cast members.

We go back to Roarke’s roots in this story and I so loved the change of scenery and more background information on his past.

McNab is a fun new addition.



At the sharp rap on her doorjamb, she glanced up, frowned distractedly at the man grinning at her. Midtwenties, she judged, with a pretty-boy face and a love of fashion.

He barely topped five-eight even in the neon yellow air boots. He wore denim above them, pants that bagged and a jacket that showed frayed cuffs. His hair was a bright new minted gold that flowed into a waist-length ponytail. He had half a dozen small, glinting gold hoops in his left earlobe.



He’s a little cheeky, a little flirty with Peabody—not that she is having any of it.



Peabody dropped the plate in front of McNab. "Enjoy."

“I will. See you, She-Body.” He wiggled his eyebrows when she turned and glared at him. And let out a little sigh when she stalked out. “Sure is built,” he murmured, then pushed up his sleeves and got back to work.



VILLAIN…OMG!! FINALLY one I couldn’t work out in advance.

YAY!!

So good this book.

Roarke and Eve are bloody brilliant together in this book.

The emotion.

The sex.

The tense situations.

The connection.



He wondered if she knew how staggering she was, standing there amid the glitter in her scarred jacket and smeared denim, her short, untidy hair haloing a pale face, accenting dark, tired eyes, her long, rangy body held straight through what he knew was an act of sheer will.



This one scene… God Roarke! We saw so much in him from that one scene. I can’t spoil but I can give a little quote.



“Darling,” he said mildly, “you’re not looking your best.”

Summerset and Eve have their moments.



“Roarke residence,” Summerset said in smooth tones, then his face went stony. “Lieutenant.”

“Put him on,” she demanded.

“Roarke is engaged on another call at the moment.”

“Put him on, you skinny, frog-faced son of a bitch. Now.”


A thoroughly amazing installment that has me reaching for Holiday In Death…but I really need to read some other authors before I read more from this series. I shall have to force myself to stay away from this cast of characters until December…which is in two days.

BOOK REVIEW : CEREMONY IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 5 - PIATKUS - CRIME ROMANCE

By: J.D. Robb

Published By: Piatkus

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 393 Pages

RATING: 4.5 ROARKE, JAMIE & EVE STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Even in an age of cutting-edge technology, old beliefs die hard...

Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong - and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

BOOK REVIEW:

Totally dug this installment.

Okay, so we have this lovable couple who grow more and more on me every book. I see why a man like Roarke made quick work of marrying Eve.

He's obviously bedded many a woman in the past as they do keep popping up. #Ifeelsorryforeveattheconstantreminder

Although the villain was easy to pick, there was a slight twist, which I enjoyed. There were pages spent trying to convince Eve to believe that it was another. They really were kind of  wasted pages because the reader can quite blatantly see the transparency there... but that is okay. What isn’t okay is a woman like Eve who is so thorough going down that track when we know it ain’t so. But these things happen in plot, but shouldn't in Eve's case as she is too intelligent to do that. She is too methodical with her process and always has Roarke's special devices to run her thoughts through. 

Roarke and Eve are just so delicious together, they truly are. He's just something special with her and their bedroom antics get a little saucier each book.

Peabody is a brilliant sidekick to Eve and I hope she continues to step into the limelight. Roarke was surprisingly surprised by her in this installment. #teampeabody

Mavis is adorable and quirky and in my head I can’t help hearing a young Melanie Griffith’s voice.

Enter Jamie, a new addition for me to enjoy. He outsmarts Roarke and that is intriguing. I hope he stays for a long time in this series. It will open up so much more storyline I think. 

The formula appears set in stone for this series…hopefully not for 46 books, but time will tell. I ain’t peeking. 

Another wonderful ride alongside Eve and Peabody, and of course Roarke. The man who is so super busy professionally—but always has time for his Eve and assisting in solving the case—while he takes on dominating the world with his business ventures and property purchases and also bedroom lurving.

#teamroarke

I do really enjoy this series. I only have another 41 books to go. I need to step my game up because the math is showing many years to get to book 46 releasing in 2018, but more will still no doubt be releasing after it. One a month isn’t gonna cut it. I need to aim for two minimum.

#challengeaccepted

BOOK REVIEW - RAPTURE IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 4 - PIATKUS - CONTEMPORARY CRIME

By: J.D. Robb
Published By: Piatkus
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 380 Pages

RATING: 5 EVE & ROARKE HOT-LAWN-SEX STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

The complex world of virtual reality takes on a whole new meaning as Lieutenant Eve Dallas weaves through the underbelly of New York's crime world of the future.

He killed himself, Lieutenant. He was hanging there, just hanging there from the ceiling light in the living room. And his face . . . Oh God.

Death follows New York City cop Eve Dallas everywhere—even on her honeymoon with Irish lover Roarke. When one of Roarke's employees is found dead, the post-mortem confirms suicide. An isolated case, or so Eve thinks.

But more suicides follow—strangers with nothing in common. The pathologist's report states each victim has an unexplained mark on their brain. Is this a genetic abnormality or a high-tech method of murder? With the body count rising, Eve must delve into the world of virtual reality to hunt down a twisted killer. A killer who preys on the minds of the innocent.


BOOK REVIEW:

Another awesome installment in the In Death series which is definitely formula driven and so far a little too easy to solve the case before Eve does—but I’m addicted.

People are self-terminating themselves and that’s not what you want to be called into when you are on your honeymoon…but that is exactly what happens.

And let the mystery begin.

Peabody and Eve are brilliant together. Peabody is the perfect sidekick who is enjoying some of the spoils of being partnered up with Eve.


Peabody sipped her coffee. “God. Oh God. It’s real.” Blinking in shock, she cupped both hands reverently around the mug. “This coffee is real.”


Roarke… if you know the series…then you know.


Roarke was a dark angel in what he would have seen as casual attire. The black silk shirt open at the collar, the perfectly draped black trousers cinched with a belt gleaming silver at the buckle suited him perfectly, made him look exactly as he was: rich, gorgeous, dangerous.


Then there was that humdinger hot-lawn-sex scene where Eve was very out of her Lieutenant character, because she simply had to get home!

His body simply peaked like an engine on maximum power, battered into hers, then erupted.


We delve deeper into Eve’s past and get more of a looksee into Roarke’s.


“We are what we’re born?” Eve thought of a filthy room , a blinking red light, and a young girl curled into a corner with a bloody knife.


Many more books for me to binge on in this series and to learn more about those two. But the more I read, and the more Roarke’s exes pop up in each book—appearing everything Eve isn’t—you know how lucky he was to find her.

Nothing about Eve is fake or enhanced. She’s the real deal.

I am looking forward to Ceremony In Death, next.

BOOK REVIEW - IMMORTAL IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 3 - PIATKUS - CRIME ROMANCE

By : J.D. Robb

Published By: Piatkus

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 404 Pages

RATING: 5 ROARKE STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

'She'd come to New York to be a cop, because she believed in order. Needed it to survive. She had taken control, had made herself into the person some anonymous social worker had named Eve Dallas.'

But in a few weeks she won't just be Eve Dallas, lieutenant, homicide. She'll be Roarke's wife. But Eve's wedding plans may have to be put on hold as her private and professional lives collide...

The victim in her latest murder investigation is one of the most sought-after women in the world. A top model who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted - even another woman's man. And Eve's chief suspect is the other woman in this fatal love triangle - her best friend Mavis. Putting her job on the line to head the investigation, Eve discovers that the world of high fashion thrives on an all-consuming passion for youth and fame. One that leads from the runway to the dark underworld of New York City where drugs can fulfil any desire - for a price . . .

Eve Dallas

Image inspiration pinched off another review

Thought they had it pretty spot on.

BOOK REVIEW:

I’m trying not to worry already an In Death series formula is becoming quite evident, each book I crack open. Janet Evanovich has got that covered with Stephanie Plum.

46th book releasing in 2017, I could skip to book 45 and see how that formula is going, but where would the fun in that be?

Like Stephanie Plum series, I am addicted, regardless of the formula.

Steph P series has Ranger reeling me back in each time and Eve Dallas has Roarke.

Giddy up!

The baddie of the story is pretty evident early on into Immortal In Death, but that is okay. I was hovering on two theories from the get go, but felt theory one was a little too directed by the author. That is when I know to look the other way.

What I like is Nora aka J.D gives us a platter of sub characters to choose from who could be the bad guy.

Bravo!

Pet hate is an author writing in this genre who gives us only one possibility because they are too busy pushing on the reader the one they want us to assume is the killer. Ya gotta be cleverer than that and give the reader a ride. J.D. did serve up a nice platter of suspects.

Possible Spoiler Alert:

Throw your hand over the screen and block out the paragraph below. Don’t peek!You can peek if you already read book 3.



I kinda feel bad with who we discover is the baddie because there was so much potential there for a Joe/Steph/Ranger thing.



I did like the title had  ‘Immortal’ in it and how it is brought into this mystery.

Oh... Roarke, you are so yummy. The more I read in this series, the more I see why Eve attracts you like a bee to honey, when you could have any woman.

The sub characters really do steal the show sometimes when Eve is getting rather clinical in her investigations.

Leonardo is a wonderful addition who is a great quirky character.



‘Leonardo, he’s this massive, and oddly attractive… I don’t know. Event. Heavy on the Native American blood, at a guess. He has the bone structure and coloring of an NA, biceps like astro torpedoes, and a voice that has a hint of magnolia.


(Say what? Magnolia? *scratches head*)



If only Pandora hadn’t been killed off, what a PITA addition she would have been to the series, but entertaining.



“You two-timing, back-stabbing, mother-fucking son of a bitch.” She made her leap, rather like a gorgeous mortar locked on target, and with a speed and grace brought on by pure fear.



Mavis and Leonardo are gonna make a wonderful story addition because they are such colorful characters.

Peabody! I just love her name, it is kinda manly, but who cares. I look forward to more of Eve and Peabody teaming up.

We learn things in this installment. Lots of things.

We get more of Eve and her past. Summerset learns things giving him a whole new perspective on Eve. It’s these parts of a long standing series that help me to stay on track and keep coming back for more, because although they are possibly part of the recipe (release an emotional tit-bit each book), they don’t read like the recipe.

Another addictive installment. I’m ready for Rapture In Death.

BOOK REVIEW - GLORY IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 2 - CRIME ROMANCE - PIATKUS

By: J.D. Robb
Published By: Piatkus
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 390 Pages

RATING: 5 INTELLIGENT STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

It is 2058, New York City. In a world where technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion-in the heart.

Even in the mid-twenty-first century, during a time when genetic testing usually weeds out any violent hereditary traits before they can take over, murder still happens. The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second is murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects -- including her own lover, Roarke.


BOOK REVIEW:

Book two is done and dusted, and just quietly, so is book three.

Mystery, murder and suspense and a nice helping of Roarke and his Eve—is what keeps me coming back for more.

I do dare a reader to not fall head-over-heels for a man like Roarke.

What is very brilliant about his character, as I am discovering is: he knows Eve better than she knows herself at times, he’s lived on the tough side, he’s intelligent, he’s street-smart, he has high-tech shit to help Eve with her investigations, he has a grumpy butler, he’s generous with his emotions and he’s a very patient man.

Diamond necklace, anyone?

Eve Dallas is always on a case, but she finds time for the billionaire who weaves his way into her investigations, either as a suspect or having contacts.

Prominent women are being murdered. Eve is on the case and with Feeney occasionally along for the ride. 

The villain had me flip flopping as to who it was. I thought I had the bad guy and then I was off the trail, but then on it again, but then off it again. I do like a book in this genre that makes the reader work hard theorizing.

Well, I like to theorize.


We get more of other sub characters. Summerset is always a joy to read. Who needs a mother in law when they can have Summerset giving them the stink eye? The man does not like Eve…but keep reading the series, they learn more about each other.

Mavis, Eve’s BF, the nightclub singer, shows up more and she’s really growing on me. Eve needs somebody like Mavis in her life, even if she is kinda the total opposite of her. In Eve’s case—can only be a good thing. Eve can be a little too serious sometimes.

Peabody makes her entrance.


Another really good book in the In Death series. Only 42 more to go, because #46 isn’t released yet, and I’m about to start # 4.

Addicted. Much.

BOOK REVIEW - NAKED IN DEATH by J.D. ROBB - IN DEATH # 1 - CRIME ROMANCE - PIATKUS

By: J.D. Robb
Published By: Piatkus
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 375 Pages

RATING: 5 ROARKE STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Named by the social worker who rescued her as a child, Eve Dallas is now a New York City cop who lives for the job.

While recovering from her latest case, Eve is sent to investigate the brutal execution of Sharon DeGlass. A high-class escort and senator's granddaughter, Sharon has been shot three times with an illegal gun and left naked and posed on her own bed.

All the evidence points Eve towards Irish billionaire, Roarke. With an instant sexual attraction between them, Eve and Roarke must work together to find a sadistic killer - but can Eve really trust a man whose past is as damaged as her own?

BOOK REVIEW:

I stumbled across this series—seriously I had no clue it was out there—when I was checking out series' similar to Stephanie Plum on google.

The Eve Dallas series, In Death, popped up so I took a squiz at it.

Sure I am starting from book #1 and book # 46 is soon to be released.

GAHHHH!!

Like Steph Plum series by Janet Evanovich, this series first started back in mid ‘90s.

I didn’t realize when I began reading that this series starts in 2058—well, okay. 

When I thought I was gonna get a whole pile of futuristic gadgets and jargon—there wasn’t a great deal. I liked what I read and it really didn’t date that much to the present. In a way it kinda swallowed some of the ‘futuristic’ up by starting this series in 2017... but that is okay. Only some of it, there was still that Sci-fi side of going ‘off-planet’.

There's a nice dose of violence and gore to set the mood for the series and a smart Lieutenant.

I like Eve Dallas.


He’d seen a tall, willowy brunette with short, tumbled hair, eyes the color of honeycombs and a mouth made for sex.


I love Roarke. I want his house.


His image stared back at her from the screen. He was almost ridiculously handsome: the narrow, aesthetic face; the slash of cheekbones; and sculpted mouth. Yes, his hair was black, but the computer didn’t say it was thick and full and swept back from a strong forehead to fall inches above broad shoulders. His eyes were blue, but the word was much too simple for the intensity of color or the power in them.

Maybe J.D aka Nora Roberts didn’t see 46 books and counting in the works when she wrote this one, but I thought the insta-love on Roarke’s part was a bit fast. In hindsight that could have been spread out a bit.


“And by the way, I don’t think I’m in love with you anymore. I know I am.”

(I did hear the record player screech to a halt there. LOL)

I am reading this series from the library because it is gonna cost a lot to purchase the Kindle or paperbacks. The Kindle books are priced between $9.00US and $13.00US and sometimes more than the paperback.

That’s what libraries are for.

I have finished Glory In Death # 2 and there is a definite formula I can see this early into the series forming, just like Stephanie Plum. I am at book 13 in that series.

I would not say the two series are similar—contrary to google telling me—but I am enjoying both. Eve Dallas is certainly a lot smarter than Stephanie Plum. Bahaha.

Stephanie Plum has more the silly, outrageous repetitive shenanigans going on where Eve Dallas is more serious.

There’s a lot to be said for the wide audience gained for both series over all these years and still counting.

Get your library card ready—ya know, if you don’t have deep pockets.