Tag: J. D. Robb

Golden In Death by J.D. Robb

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, MysteryLeave a comment

Golden In Death Barbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #50
Publication Date: 2/4/20
Number of Pages: 400

What a wonderful milestone – fifty books – and we’re just getting started – I hope. I loved the story, but I had expected a bit more of a blockbuster. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great story and a wonderful addition to the series – it just didn’t hit me as a milestone story. I had thought we’d surely see Mavis, Crack, Nadine and more of the ongoing recurring cast – maybe even some nostalgia where they recount things that happened in earlier books, etc. Somehow, this case seemed a bit slower and less intense than most of the cases.

It is a bright and beautiful almost spring morning in 2061 when the much-beloved pediatrician, Kent Abner, receives an unexpected package in the mail. He has just gotten his husband off to work and intends to head out for a jog since it is his day off, but he has a couple of minutes to open the package. His body was discovered hours later when his husband, Martin Rufty, returns home from work.

When the medics arrive, they discover that the agent that killed Dr. Abner is a newly developed, nerve agent. The agent can be used to target one specific person. It acts quickly and dissipates almost as quickly. It would be worth billions if sold to terrorists, assassins, or even governments.

As the investigation continues, Eve discovers what a truly wonderful and remarkable man the victim was. Everybody loves him – and the one or two who didn’t, was because he had called them out on some bad act they’d committed. Why would anyone target such a wonderful man, doctor, husband, father, friend – and with such an awful weapon? Leads are thin to non-existent when there is another murder – same toxin – another well-loved, wonderful person.

There has to be a connection – but what could it be? Eve and Peabody rush from clue to clue, suspect to suspect, location to location to track down what connects the two victims. When they figure out the connection, how in the world does that fit and what could have possibly triggered the murders?

Definitely a recommended read. As always, the book is excellently written, well-plotted and the characters are exceptional. If you haven’t read any of the books, you should definitely consider reading at least the first couple so that you see Eve and Roarke’s love story. I love Eve – she takes some things so literally and is constantly questioning those old sayings – like – Fit as a Fiddle. Some of her reasoning and the conversations around them are priceless. Then, there is the romantic, handsome, gazillionaire Roarke who is absolutely, totally and completely besotted with Eve. Their love story is one for the ages – and the investigations they are involved in are epic. You can’t help but love the characters and the stories.

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

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.