Month: August 2019

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery4 Comments

Vendetta in Death (In Death, #49)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.

Into Thin Eire by Sheri Cobb South

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Into Thin Eire: Another John Pickett Mystery (John Pickett Mysteries Book 9)My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: John Pickett Mysteries #9
Publication Date: 9/9/19

 

I think this is the best one yet – but – I think I say that with each new release. As always, it is impeccably researched and written, with compelling characters, and a change of scenery from the usual locations. I have a list of “mostly right” authors whose books I always reach for first – not just because their writing is good, but because they get the period details correct as well – and this author’s name is at the top of that list.

This book is quite an eventful and stressful one for John and Julia Pickett! John can’t take Julia with him on his new investigation, Julia is kidnapped, and John is offered an opportunity that would be hard to resist – a villain has escaped and is out for revenge. Oh! My! Goodness!

As John Pickett enters Bow Street early one July morning, he’s told that Magistrate Colquhoun needs to see him right away. Bow Street has received a request for two Runners – John (specifically) and another – to investigate a matter of ‘some delicacy’ in Dunbury. They are to travel to Dunbury and contact a man named Edward Gaines Brockton at the Cock and Boar. Colquhoun selects Harry Carson to accompany John. Harry is the bane of John’s existence and John is dismayed but understands the reasoning behind the selection. (I wonder if we’ll be seeing more of Mr. Carson in future books.) Of larger import to John is that he cannot take Julia with him since he’ll be traveling with another Runner.

When John receives word that Julia has been kidnapped, he rapidly collects his nearby brother-in-law and they all set off on a chase across England and Ireland. You’ll find evil, demented villains and brave heroes and heroines – not to mention a totally unexpected last three paragraphs!

Another great book in this series – highly recommend!

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