Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: In Death #49
Publication Date: 9/3/19
Number of Pages: 368

Anyone might think that after 49 books a series would start to decline, be repetitive or lose its focus. Thank goodness that isn’t even remotely the case with this series. I’m as excited for each new release as I was in the beginning – and I am NEVER disappointed. I adore all of the secondary characters and you can’t get a better set of main characters that Eve and Roarke. If you want to get a real buzz, listen to the audio version where narrator Susan Ericksen says – in Roarke’s lilting Irish accent – “Darlin’ Eve”. Whew – it is worth the cost of an audiobook just for that!

There is a new vigilante in New York. Lady Justice has begun to mete out her own version of justice to the men who have been cheating on, abusing and stealing from women. Just before dawn one morning, Eve gets the call from dispatch – there is a mutilated dead body and he is hers to solve. He’s identified as Nigel McEnroy and he lives very near where he was dumped. The following two mornings bring additional bodies, Thaddeus Pettigrew and Arlo Kagan. Their connection? They are victims of Lady Justice and each has a personalized poem written about him – telling the world about his misdeeds. It is readily apparent that Lady Justice hates men and Eve knows it is only a matter of time before she spreads from the group she’s targeting to any male.

As Eve and Peabody identify Lady Justice fairly early, but there is no proof – only a hunch. Lady Justice is smart, and she’s a planner. She’s gone through every move multiple times and has a contingency plan for whatever happens. How will they stop her if they can’t even get enough evidence to get a search warrant?

Eve sets a plan in place to trap Lady Justice – but again – Lady Justice is one step ahead. The fourth victim is now in her hands – can Even, Roarke, Peabody and the rest of the crew manage to save him?

As always, the book is excellently written, plotted and delivered. The characters are as wonderful as always – and Mavis, Leonardo, and Bella have some news to share.

Definitely highly recommend the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.