Category: Contemporary

Shadows In Death by J.D. Robb

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery1 Comment

Shadows in Death (In Death, #51)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: In Death #51
Publication Date: 9/8/20
Number of Pages: 368

OMGoodness – how can the fifty-first book in a series be as exciting, action-packed, adrenaline-fueled, and riveting as the first book? This series just never gets old for me and I definitely hope the author doesn’t get tired of writing them. This author has to have one of the most creative and imaginative minds around because some of the technology she writes about, some of the social issues… Well, she just comes up with some really good stuff.

When a shadow from Roarke’s past turns up at a murder scene in Washington Square Park, things get really personal – really fast. This crime isn’t just a shadow into Roarke’s past, it is also a shadow into Feeney and Whitney’s past as well. It doesn’t take Eve and Roarke long to decide who the murderer is, but it will take Eve’s entire team and some help from Interpol to catch him. With more than twenty years of experience and hundreds of professional kills under his belt, this killer now has his sights set on Eve and Roarke and maybe even Somerset.

While Roarke and Eve are attending the theater, Eve catches a murder case and they leave for the scene of the crime. The victim, a lovely, wealthy, young wife and mother has been brutally murdered. Nothing is missing – her money, credit cards, phone – everything – are all still in place — someone wanted the young woman dead – very badly. As Eve is tending to the business of securing the crime scene, dispatching officers to interview witnesses, Roarke is standing by – scanning the crowd. Roarke sees a face from his past – one he could do with never seeing again. He made quite sure Roarke saw him and Roarke immediately knows that the man is the assassin who murdered this young woman.

Even knowing who the perpetrator is doesn’t make it easy to find and apprehend him. He is very wealthy now and has all the assets he needs to disappear – except he really doesn’t want to disappear. He wants to taunt Roarke, torture him, and make him suffer before he finally kills him as well. Eve and all the resources of the NYPSD will do whatever it takes to see that doesn’t happen. Roarke is one of their own now and they’ll take care of him.

I love that each new book humanizes Eve a little more and we learn more about Roarke’s past life. I love that Roarke’s and Eve’s love and passion for each other hasn’t diminished – it has grown.

You can’t go wrong if you choose to read this excellently-written, imaginative, well-plotted book – and the rest of the series as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve re-read the books in this series and I never get tired of reading and re-reading them.

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

The Stolen Letter by Paige Shelton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, MysteryLeave a comment

The Stolen Letter (Scottish Bookshop Mystery)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #5
Publication Date: 4/7/20
Number of Pages: 304

I thoroughly enjoyed this complex, intricately woven, fun story. I love that there is just the tiniest tad of the paranormal in the series – not enough you’d hardly notice, but it adds a fun bit to the story. I’ve loved Delaney from the beginning when she was in the US and found the intriguing advertisement for a position at a lovely Scottish bookshop – and the series was off and running. This can certainly be read as a standalone book, but to really understand Delaney and her relationship to all of the folks in Scotland you really will want to read from the beginning.

Delaney is so very, very excited. She and Tom have just returned from their glorious two-week honeymoon on the continent and she’s headed back to the very best job at the very best place in the whole world. She adores the bookshop, The Cracked Spine, at which she works, and her co-workers are more family than not. As she’s on her way and happily anticipating seeing everyone, she bumps into an older lady – literally. But – WHOA – that lady looks exactly like an older version of Delaney – they could be mother and daughter.

Delaney, Tom, and Rosie are invited to the woman’s home for dinner – and what a dinner it is. The lady, Mary Stewart, believes that she was Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, in another life – and her home is a replica of a castle. Delaney senses some tension among Mary’s family members, but nothing really overt. When Mary’s husband, Henry, dies in an explosion the next day – well – the mystery gets started in full.

There are unhappy things going on at the bookshop as well. Can the two be related? Why would they be? Stranger things have happened though. Edwin is enigmatic as always, Tom is handsome and supportive, Rosie is sweet, Hamlet is smart, and Inspector Winters is respectful. Can this crew solve both mysteries? How will Tom’s ex-girlfriend fit into the picture? Can she and Delaney become friends? Oh – you’ll have to read the story to find all the answers.

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