Series Recommendations: In Death series by J.D. Robb

…In Death, a futuristic crime series set in mid-21st century New York City, is written by Nora Roberts under pseudonym, J. D. Robb. The series features NYPSD ("New York City Police and Security Department") Lieutenant Eve Dallas, a tough cop with a dark past, and her even more mysterious love interest, Roarke.

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Jess says: I could not recommend this series enough. You'll pick up one book and won't rest till you've read them all. Eve Dallas is a sassy hard ass you will ultimately love, and her dashing husband Roarke is the fictional male you'll all want to get into bed with. Although the series is filled with countless numbers of serial killers, each murder is refreshingly original. Roberts crosses the police procedural with science fiction, and let's face it, she did it justice. Each book will keep you on the edge and the endles psychological foreplay will keep you thinking until the killer's locked behind bars.

Fun fact: After the publication of Fantasy in Death (in February 2010) Nora Roberts will have published 190 full-length novels.

Series order

01. Naked in Death
02. Glory in Death
03. Immortal in Death
04. Rapture in Death
05. Ceremony in Death
06. Vengeance in Death
07. Holiday in Death
07.5. Midnight in Death (novella)
08. Conspiracy in Death
09. Loyalty in Death
10. Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5. Interlude In Death (novella)
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5. Big Jack (novella)
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
22. Memory in Death
22.5. Haunted in Death (3x short stories)
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent In Death
24.5. Eternity in Death (novella)
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
27. Salvation in Death
27.5. Ritual in Death (novella)
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred In Death
29.5. Missing in Death (novella)
30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
31.5. Possession in Death (novella)
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas (In Death)
33.5. Chaos in Death (novella)
34. Celebrity in Death
35. Delusion in Death
36. Calculated in Death
37. Thankless in Death
38. Concealed in Death
39. Festive in Death
40. Obsession in Death

Total Count
40 novels
9 Novellas

Book Review: Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb

Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Technology may be different in 2060 New York, yet the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. But as ever, some murders receive more attention than others—especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed—and strangled—with cords of black velvet.

It doesn't surprise Lieutenant Eve Dallas that Thomas Anders's scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation to the public—and of humiliation to his family. But while people in the city are talking about it, those close to Anders aren't so anxious to do the same. With some help from her billionaire husband, Roarke, Eve's soon knocking on doors—or barging through them—to find answers.

But the facts don't add up. Physical evidence suggests that the victim didn't struggle. The security breach in the apartment indicates that the killer was someone known to the family, but everyone's alibi checks out. Was this a crime of passion in a kinky game gone wrong—or a meticulously planned execution? It's up to Dallas to solve a case in which strangers may be connected in unexpected, and deadly, ways.

My review

I can't say this has been one of the best books in the series because it really hasn't. The spark you expect with an In Death book wasn't there. Looking at the title and summary alone you knew that Roberts was going down the 'Strangers on a Train' route. All of that psychological mind play and expertly placed twists Roberts is so good at were no longer an element of surprise in this novel.

As soon as Eve began her investigation into the death of Thomas Anders, a prominant businessman, found by his Housekeeper with his arms and legs tied to his bed and a cord around his neck - I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Where is the second murder? How do they connect? It doesn't take you long *spoiler* to realise that Baxter and Trueheart's cold case was in fact the second or let's say first murder in this 'Strangers on a Train' storyline. But let's just take a moment to talk about Trueheart. SUCH A CUTIE PIE. I just want to see more and more of him. I loved the little awkward, bumbling routine he had to play with *spoiler* Ava *spoiler*. Played to perfection.

I don't want to get too deep in case related detail in fear of spoiling the plot but it was to an extent disturbing to see a woman sift through potential candidates to find someone to murder her husband. And, Oh boy did she find the perfect person. By perfect, we mean worst. It's never the best idea to be hard-faced bitch and want your husband dead, let's face it.

Sub plot. Sub plot. Sub plot. I absolutely loved how the relationship development between Charles and Lousie arose in this novel. I could really see where Eve was coming from - with her issues of seeing Louise date a man who got paid to have sex with other people - so to see him take that huge leap and quit his job, buy a house and propose all for the sake of bettering himself was damn good to see.

The little argument between Roarke and Eve over money was something really interesting to see and I'm glad we did. What couple hasn't argued over this particular issue once, twice or a million times before. Realism. We like it.

Ultimately, it didn't feel like there was too much at stake emotionally for the main characters - it's generally those books where the emotional stakes are set high that come out as being memorable and un-puttdownable. Conflict (especially between Roarke and Dallas) can really drive these novels like no other.

The 30 or so pages, however, totally made up for the lack of spark from the rest of the book. This was when the ball really got rolling, Dallas already on her A game. The battle of brains between Eve and *spoiler* Ava *spoiler* was intense. Who's the top bitch? We all know the answer to that one and watching Eve prove it will never get old.

Book Review: Creation In Death by J.D. Robb

Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eve has seen this crime scene before: the artfully arranged body of a young brunette, arms spread, palms up, body marked by the signs of prolonged and painful torture. Carved into her torso is the time it took her to die - in hours, minutes, and seconds. And on the third finger of her left hand has been placed a silver ring. Eve is catapulted back to a case nine years earlier, when a man whom the media tagged 'The Groom' put the city on edge with a killing spree that took the lives of four women in fifteen days.

Eve and her partner Feeney, her friend and mentor, couldn't stop him before he disappeared, only to resurface in other parts of the world to kill and kill again. But now The Groom seems to have come back to where he started. When it turns out that The Groom's most recent victim was employed by Eve's billionaire husband, Roarke, she brings him onto the case. A move that proves fitting when it becomes chillingly clear that the killer has made it personal. The corpse was washed in products from a store Roarke owns and laid out on a sheet his company manufactures. With the Groom's monstrous return, Eve is determined to finish him once and for all. Familiar with his methods, she knows that he has already grabbed his next victim. But his sights are set on the biggest challenge of his illustrious career - an abduction that will test his skills and that promises to give him satisfaction as he's never known.

Time is running out on another woman's life and for Eve.

My review

I absolutely loved this book and it instantly become another one of my favourites. Creation in Death is definitely not the best In Death book in the series so far but is defintely hovering around that top spot.

The novel explores Eve and her team hunting down a serial killer whom the media dubbed 'The Groom' - 9 years ago. The killer seems to have resurfaced to finish what he started - painfully torturing women for prolonged periods of time, carving into their torsos the time it took them to die. On the third finger of their left hand is placed a silver ring. This time, however, the killings become a whole hell of a lot more personal with all the victims being employees of Roarke.

'The Groom' case was an extremely good one for bringing out some variety with how characters react and interact with each other - most particularly the strain it caused between Eve and Feeney. I enjoyed the fact that Roarke got a more hands on approach with this case - being involved every step of the way - and got more of a feel of how cops operate during high-profile/intense cases.

The fast pace of the narrative was a very nice additition, helping reflect the speed the killer ets through his victims as well as highlighting the non-stop buzz within the team as the tried to hunt him down. It would have been extremely interesting to see if Robb was abale to incorporate more twists but the plot worked regardless.

I absolutely loved 'The Groom's' last victim, Ariel. She was brilliant in trying to prolong her life and her interaction/connection with Eve was something that made me smile. I'd love to see her in a future novel even if only mentioned in passing.

In the future of the series, I hope we get to see Eve in a little bit more danger, and by that I mean, where Eve is put into a position where Roarke, Feeney, Peadbody etc have to work hard to get her back. Physically make a huge effort. An effort that may last a few days where we get to see the strain it places on everyone involved. I don't want the team to already be legging it towards the place Eve is being help minutes after she's been captured. Other than that, this was a well written book, with another cracking case and more brilliant characterisation.

Book Review: Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb

Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am head over heels in love with this series and you'd think that after 24 novels that would dissipate? It hasn't. Robb/Roberts manages to make each book better and better and 'Innocent in Death' is by far my all-time favourite book from the series.

This book was 'unputtadownable', protagonist Eve Dallas catching the case of a well-liked teacher poisoned at a posh private school. With no clear motives and no suspects, Robb/Roberts wields a tale of mystery filled with numerous twists and turns that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats.

With minimal action this book is all about the psychological thrill.

Whilst Eve battles to find the killer she has to deal with the emotional turmoil surrounding her marriage to Roarke, when one of his ex-flames returns to rekindle their romance. This situation is one that I have waited a long time to witness and Robb/Roberts didn't let me down. There have been a number of books where Roarke and Dallas have been at odds but never have I felt so much pain for them like I did with this book. Summerset's involvement as he comforted Eve (in his own little way) proved the extent to which a rift had surfaced between the couple.

In Death is a must-read crime series and Innocent In Death is one that can't be missed.