Category: Futuristic

Framed in Death by J.D. Robb

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

Framed in Death: In Death, Book 61

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #61
Publication Date: 9/2/25
Period: Future New York – 2061
Number of Pages: 368

Sixty-one books and this series is still as fresh, new, and interesting as it was in the beginning. I continue to marvel at this author’s skill and ingenuity in creating exciting, interesting characters along with suspenseful mysteries. Thank goodness she gives us two books per year because I don’t think I could wait an entire year between books!

He was born to wealth, privilege, and an exceptional creative talent for painting. So, why do all of the gallery owners decline to feature his works? Why do they say his works are pedestrian? Well, he’ll just show them – he’ll outpaint the Old Masters and see how quickly those galleries change their minds. He’d begin tonight . . .

For a change, Eve is up and dressed when she gets the call from dispatch. She’d get all of her paperwork cleaned up before she started her day . . . but, dispatch and a vicious killer have other plans for her. When she gets a new body the next day, and the next, Eve knows she has to find the murderer before he kills again.

It’s all-hands-on-deck for Eve and her homicide squad, Roarke, PA Cher Reo, McNab, Feeny, and reporter Nadine Furst. The chase is on, and Eve and her crew always win, but this time, even if they find him, he might slip out of their hands.

I have read every book in the series, and I have also listened to the audiobook for each. The narrator, Susan Ericksen, has narrated the complete series, and she has done an outstanding job. Her characterizations are distinct for each character, and her voice conveys the emotion of the scene. You smile with her; you feel the anger; you hold your breath in suspense; you sigh with her during those softer scenes. Yes, this narrator is the perfect one for the In Death series.

Sometimes, when every work in a series is outstanding, you have to love some a bit less than others. So, while I loved this book, it isn’t one of my favorites because it has less action, less excitement, less suspense, and a slower pace than usual. As always, there is plenty of wit to cut the grim details, and we get a nice visit with Mavis, Leonardo, Bella, Peabody, and McNab in their new home. Now, I have to wait for February to get the next book.

I recommend this book, this series, and this author. If you are new to the series, I strongly recommend going back and reading at least the first few books in the series to get a feel for the characters and their development. Actually, after you read book one, you’ll be hooked and will want to read all of them!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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.

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