Review: Seduction in Death by J.D. Robb

(More like 4.5 feathers!)
Seduction in Death

(In Death #13 )

by J.D. Robb

The pursuit of love has never been so deadly. A killer seduced by the idea of love targets victims of an online poetry chatroom where after making an arrangement to meet, he wines and dines them, slipping potent and rare date-rape drugs into their drinks until all they feel is euphoria and desire. These unsuspecting romantics continue to be targeted by this anonymous killer. Coming in to stop this string of murders from occurring, Eve Dallas uses everything in her arsenal to take this killer down. Unfortunately for her, her own past keeping veering her concentration off the case. As Eve tries to battle her own personal demons, McNab and Peabody engage in their own dance of bitter lovers.

 I LOVED the idea of this book. The seducing killer was such an interesting idea that I think it really made this case stands out from the others in my opinion. In this book, Eve’s past is played up a little more and we see a much more graphic and tortured scene painted before us. It really made me love Eve more. As a reader you can sympathize with her and what she has gone through when you read the parts about her dark childhood, but as Detective Eve Dallas, you also experience a side of Eve that is strong and competent and confident. I like that we see so many facets of Eve in one single book.

This time I listened to the audio of this book and noticed right off the bat that Susan Ericksen tweaked the voices a little bit. The most notable was Peabody. Our favorite aid no longer has that nasally voice anymore, which to be honest, was a little annoying in the previous recordings. But I found that I really liked the changes that Ericksen made in this book.

Of course, no UTC review of an In Death is complete without Roarke. Still as endearing and desirable as ever....Roarke doesn’t need a date rape drug to seduce such willing victims, his charm and that Irish lilt is all he needs. I love him.

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb

 

(more like 4.5 feathers!)

Delusion in Death

(In Death #35)

by J.D. Robb

Eve and Roarke will always have a place in my heart. Even after 35 books, Robb is able to captivate me and take me on a ride that is thrilling and exciting and new.

In DELUSION IN DEATH, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called in when an entire bar is slaughtered, leaving the number of deaths in double digits. With few survivors and out of character behaviour, Eve is again stumped at the occurrence of events. It seems that everyone in the bar attacked one another, causing a bloodbath that even an experienced cop like Eve has to look away. Survivors speak of experiencing an intense headache that slowly builds to these horrific delusions where angers flare and fear rises which results in them to act out in defense or attack.

Eve gets her goons in place and tries to solve this mystery as quickly as possible. However, Eve believes that this could be the works of a terrorist. As fear rises of another attack, Eve works doubletime to catch the killer.

Meanwhile, Roarke has been pushing Eve to see Dr. Mira where she can confront her past head-on and finally battle those demons that have haunted her for so long. Eve does and it’s such a great leap of faith because readers now feel as if Eve sees light at the end of the tunnel. That she finally believes that she can overcome this and simply not just bury those experiences in the hopes that they will just fade away in time. I loved that Eve took initiative and it displays her emotional strength well.

As with all of Robb’s books, I was totally engrossed in this story. While there is more focus on Eve’s case, there are still some memorable moments between Roarke and Eve that make it to my favorite moments list. I love that there is still so much heat between them even after all this time. Their love is potent and that comes across in each of these books, especially in DELUSION IN DEATH.

*ARC provided by publisher

 

 

 Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb

 

Betrayal in Death

( In Death # 12)

by J.D. Robb

A trained killer is on the loose. He is attacking people who work for Roarke and has been having his merry way with them. He beats then, rapes them and then finishes them off with his trademark weapon, a silver piece of wire. This guy is a slick criminal, both intelligent and cunning as a cat. He manages to always slip out of Eve’s grasp like water.

But Eve Dallas still won’t give up this fight because this case hits a little closer to home. Roarke is now feeling responsible for these deaths because of their involvement with them. He believes that they wouldn’t have been targeted if they didn’t work for him. His grief is palpable and shadowing and it was nice to see how the tables turned in this one. Usually, it’s Eve who feels the weight of the grief and horror of her job, but in this book Roarke shows another side of him that I wasn’t expecting. Robb continues to enhance her characters in a way that makes me love them more. She is able to portray both the light and dark times of their lives in a way that you feel like you can relate to them.

A couple of twists and turns are evident in this book, making this one an easy one to devour. I also really loved reading from Yost’s POV because it offered a look into a killer’s mind. You can see his plans, see how his mind works and in comparison to Eve’s mind, it was a refreshing glance at two sides of a coin.

There’s some trouble in paradise between Peabody and McNab. Their casual relationship is now strained because it seems that McNab has an different idea of their relationship. My fingers are crossed that things work out for them, but for now, the ride is a little rough as they try to work out their differences.

In the end, I found that BETRAYAL IN DEATH was one of my favorites of the series. I find it harder to choose the best one since all of them are equally great. I still don’t know how Robb manages to keep things fresh without repeating the same notions over and over again. Somehow, it all just works.

 

 

 

 

Purchase Links:  Amazon

Review: Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb

 

Midnight in Death

(In Death #7.5)

by J.D. Robb

Romantic Suspense

Eve is on someone’s Christmas list....

Didn’t matter that book was shorter than all the rest. The fact is that Robb has written a damn good story with just a quarter of the word count. Not many authors can pull off novellas, but J.D. Robb can.

This story takes place right after the previous one where the Christmas holidays are in full spring. But Eve and Roarke can’t enjoy it because a man who Eve had the pleasure to catch before has escaped and is killing once again. But this time, his ultimate target is Eve. So much for having a Happy New Year.

Although there isn’t much character development in this novella, there’s plenty of suspense and action. The last few pages were particularly engaging, but that’s no surprise as it is with all of her books.

Eve’s still badass. Roarke is still too good to be true. And Peabody is still my favourite sidekick that any could have.

 Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb

 

Vengeance in Death

(In Death # 6)

by J.D. Robb

Romantic Suspense

VENGEANCE IN DEATH is ice, frigid. Or as the eccentric Mavis would say, mag. I think this book just topped my previous favourite, RAPTURE IN DEATH. There were so many good things about this book that I’m not sure where to start. First off, the case that Lieutenant Dallas has been dealt is a gruesome one. It hits a little closer to home because of the violation that these victims have endured and it all seems to lead to Roarke’s past.

As you know, Roarke hasn’t always been the polished and powerful businessman he is now. Once, long ago, he was a just a kid in Dublin trying to make ends meet that likely got his hands dirty. It was his acts in Dublin years ago that seem to anger someone enough to push them into a killing spree.

This book is much more gritty and bloody than the previous books and I loved every moment of it. It always showcases a lot of Dublin, the place where Roarke is from. I loved reading the little bouts here and there were his Irish brogue revealed itself. It was sexy.

There’s also the introduction of Ian McNab from the EDD who has come in to assist Eve in this case. With his colourful choice of clothing and his flashing earrings and smart mouth, McNab has easily become one of my favourite characters! I am hoping for more appearances from him in future books. I see something between him and Peabody, whether its attraction or irritation, I don’t know yet, but I LIKE IT!

 

 

Purchase links: Amazon

Review: Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb

 Holiday in Death (In Death # 7)

by J.D. Robb

Romantic Suspense

Even the Christmas holidays are filled with death in this series! But I guess when you work as a Lieutenant like Eve in New York, you’re bound to meet a few dead bodies along the way.

HOLIDAY IN DEATH is another keeper! In this book, Eve Dallas finds herself in another jam, where a murderer is on the loose, approaching people in a Santa costume and binding and raping them before he kills them. Yeah, this person is a sick one.

And it’s Eve’s job to find the killer before they kill more people.

I loved this book! It seems that Robb isn’t capable of writing a bad book. I honestly have nothing to say that hasn’t been said before. She weaves such fantastic stories, keeping you engaged until the very last pages of the book. And it’s those very last fifteen pages or so that really set Robb’s books apart from other authors. She unravels the mystery quickly in the end, revealing who the murderer is while also uping the ante of the action. And this makes for such an amazing ride as a reader.

I really can’t compare her writing to anyone else I’ve read. She’s in a league of her own.

I also want to mention how happy I am to read about McNab again in this one! I love his character! That smart mouth of his always gets him into trouble, but he enjoys the punishment anyway. I’m hoping to read more of him and Peabody!!

And, of course, as tradition I have my Gandy Candy....

 

Purchase links: Amazon

Review: Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb

Ceremony in Death (In Death # 5)

by J.D. Robb

Romantic Suspense

Robb can weave such great stories and CEREMONY IN DEATH is another great installment to this series. It seems that anything she writes is gold. What’s great about this series is that she is able to keep things fresh but still familiar.

Lieutenant Dallas has a case involving the death of a fellow police officer. More and more clues point the finger at Selina Cross, a crazy Satanic worshiper who participates in dark rituals. While the whole Wicca and Satanic thing didn’t hold my attention as much as the previous books, it was still a solid read for me. I liked that Robb showcased Eve as a nonbeliever in the slight paranormal twist to this book. It is so Eve, who is based on fact and evidence. Then there’s Roarke who doesn’t hold the same opinions as Eve and is more open to the idea of magic. I loved the little detail of the Celtic protection writings engraved in Eve’s wedding ring. Of course Roarke would do that. He’d do anything for Eve.

I really enjoyed Jamie who is Alice’s brother. I thought he was a great new character. He brought that spark of humor that Peabody usually brings. Peabody doesn’t have that usual sparkle of mischief in this one because she is down with a cold, but her presence is still enjoyable.

And then there’s Roarke whom I fall in love with more and more. It seems that my list of favourite scenes with him grows with each passing book.

I absolutely loved this scene:

For once, he slept first. She lay in the dark, listening to him breathe, stealing a little of his warmth as her own body cooled. Since he was asleep, she stroked his hair.
“I love you,” she murmured. “I love you so much, I’m stupid about it.”
With a sigh, she settled down, closed her eyes, and willed her mind to empty.
Beside her, Roarke smiled into the dark.
He never slept first.

Purchase links: Amazon

Review: Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

Rapture in Death (In Death # 4)

by J.D. Robb

Romantic Suspense

Starting off with a sexy pic of Roarke again...because I can. 

RAPTURE IN DEATH is by far my favourite of the entire series and that’s quite a statement since I loved all the books leading up to this one. There was just something about this book that lured me in from the get-go. In this one, Eve Dallas is happy for a change. This is not to say that she was morbid and depressing in the previous books, but there’s this spark within her that I noticed right away. She’s a woman in love and it’s just so great to read how her relationship with Roarke grows with each passing book.

Lieutenant Dallas’s case this time involves a series of deaths that seem to be caused by self-termination. But upon closer inspection, Eve believes that another factor is causing these rich and relatively happy people to become suicide victims. As she explores various avenues and leads, she finds herself meeting an associate of Dr. Mira, a woman named Reeanna Ott. Dr. Ott is also a psychologist whose beliefs are that experiences do not shape people’s lives and that the fate of a person relies on who you are at birth. I loved this side of the story because psychology is my field of study. All that frontal lobe damage and psych talk was definitely my thing.

Then there’s Mavis and her gig with a new character named Jess. Jess sees potential in Mavis’s overall music career and he wants to be the man behind it. So Mavis, along with her beau, Leonardo and Jess put their heads together to make a demo for Mavis which premieres at a party that Roarke hosts. All in all, Robb crafts an amazing story. There is so much that goes on, but she manages to keep the pace moving.

And I haven’t even mentioned Roarke yet! Wow, there are so many scenes with Roarke in this book and it’s partially the reason why I loved this book so much! Eve and Roarke steam things up in this book! There is one particular scene that has topped my favourite scenes with Roarke and it’s the car/lawn scene that involves Eve putting the pedal to the metal, flashing lights, torn and ripped clothing and some bite marks. This scene alone is enough reason for you to start this series!

Here's a pic of sexy Roarke after this hawt sex scene...

Another great thing about this book is PEABODY! I love her! Delia is becoming more and more prevalent in this series and I’m so excited about it! I love the idle banter between her and Eve. They’ve become such great friends. And Peabody cracks me up whenever her ovaries start taking over.

I can’t wait to read the next book! There are soo many reasons why you should start reading this series. I don’t think I could name them all. But perhaps this last picture of Roarke will persuade you.

(You're welcome.)

Purchase links: Amazon