Category: Audiobook

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Futuristic, Mystery, Part of a Series2 Comments

Bonded in Death (In Death, #60)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #60
Publication Date: 2/4/25
Period: Future New York 2061
Number of Pages: 368

Sixty books!!! I fell in love with this series with the first book – was that about 30 years ago (OMGoodness)? Each book since has been filled with exciting, breath-holding action, outstanding plots (this writer has an exceptional imagination), wonderful and formidable characters, wit and humor, and yes – a romance for the ages. No, this isn’t a romance book, but the relationship between Eve and Roarke outshines any romance book I have ever read.

Listening to the audiobooks is always a MUST for me because the narrator, Susan Ericksen, nails it every time. Her unique voice for each character brings them to life in a way no one else could – and she has narrated every book in the series. She IS Eve Dallas; She IS Roarke; She IS Peabody; She IS Feeney; She IS Mavis; Well, you get it – and the way she says “Darlin’ Eve” as Roarke will curl your toes and send shivers down your spine. I hope Susan Ericksen and J.D. Robb continue this series for at least another 60 books!

One of the things I love about the series is the character development – no cardboard, caricature characters to be found. We’ve always known there were many things hidden in Summerset’s past because we’ve seen glimpses of them. Bonded In Death gives us a closer look at Summerset during the Urban Wars when he was young. Those times have come back to haunt Summerset and the group of twelve patriots with whom he served – and it is up to Eve to find the enemy who is determined to pick them off one by one.

Robb quickly pulls us into the story with the murder of Giovanni Rossi who was a warm, loving, family man. Rossi was falsely lured to the US and was then murdered with a nasty, old-fashioned weapon from wars past. As the investigation continues, Eve realizes this particular murderer is determined to take out all of his targets – and he doesn’t care how much collateral damage he inflicts to do so. Eve is equally determined to protect the citizens of New York, Summerset and his group, and apprehend a very nasty villain.

This is one of my favorite books of the series – and I can easily say that because I have just re-listened to the first 59 books and they are all fresh in my mind. Overall, it is an exciting, breath-holding, tale filled with twists and action-filled turns that will keep you Flippin’ Pages as fast as you can read! This is a long series and to thoroughly enjoy the characters and their growth, you must read from the beginning. However! I fully believe you can jump in at any point in the series – but – you’ll quickly realize you WANT to go back and read all of those earlier books. So, if you haven’t tried the series (WHAT!!) jump in – and then you can use the time between this book and the 61st (coming in September) to read the first books in the series.

The publisher provided a complimentary digital copy of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

View all my reviews

An Assassination On The Agenda by T.E. Kinsey – Review

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

An Assassination on the Agenda (Lady Hardcastle Mystery, #11)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #11
Publication Date: 5/21/24
Period: Interwar – Bristol and London
Number of Pages: 317

Lady Emily Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong solve another edge-of-your-seat, breath-holding mystery on behalf of the Secret Service Bureau (SSB). While they enjoy rusticating in the bucolic setting of their little village, they often wish for a bit more excitement. They definitely find excitement – along with danger, murder, assassination attempts, treachery, and treason in some unexpected places. It always amazes me how this writer can cover such serious subjects and still make me chuckle, and often laugh out loud.

There has been a murder in Brighton and since they live close by, Lady Hardcastle and Flo are dispatched there by the SSB. Not to solve the murder – No, they are to take over the investigation and keep the local police from identifying the body. Luckily, they are personal friends with both the coroner and the lead police inspector. But . . . They end up with two bodies and a murderer who has to be the worst shot on the planet, or he is trying to muddy the waters.

The next stop is London where the powerful men in a trade organization try to sidestep Lady Hardcastle and Flo. We all know how well that is going to work, don’t we? They try shutting Lady Hardcastle and Flo out of the information flow so they cannot do their jobs, but where there is a will, there is a way. The red herrings and misdirections don’t work at all and Flo and Emily are off to the races. Not only do they outwit, out-think, and outmaneuver that slick bunch of old men, they solve two murders and save the country from the brink of war. I’d say that was a nice day’s work.

This was a fun, interesting, light-hearted read with a great mystery. If you have never read a Lady Hardcastle, then you should definitely give one a try – and – if you have (or haven’t) read Lady Hardcastle, you will love this one. Happy Reading!