GOLDEN IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

In Death Series, Book 50

St. Martin’s Books

February 4th, 2020

978-1250207203

Thriller, Mystery, Action Adventure, Romantic Suspense, Serial Killer Thriller

Hardcover

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self-Purchase

5 Hearts

Eve Dallas is about to find her latest case is one filled with twists and turns that don’t make sense and will have her scrambling as she tries to discover the connection of who wanted Doctor Kent Abner dead.

When Kent Abner opens a package, he doesn’t anticipate dying within seconds as a toxic substance goes airborne and kills him. As Eve Dallas and her trusty partner, Det. Peabody try to figure out who would want to murder the friendly pediatrician, Eve has to sort through Kent’s past and when another dies in the same grisly manner, she is determined to find the madman behind it and stop another from dying.

GOLDEN IN DEATH is an amazing, enthralling story that will leave you breathless. Fifty books into this series and you wonder, what can the author do next to top the last book and J.D. Robb pulls out all the stops with this one. Her mystery of who the killer(s) were left me hanging until mid-way when I finally started seeing the clues as Eve, Peabody and the gang rustled them up as well. The story is full of twists and turns that just had me on the edge of my seat and I was glued to the pages till the very end since I wanted to see how this story would end.  GOLDEN IN DEATH is a true marvel as the author does a masterful job capturing the confusion Eve finds when she is assigned this baffling case. I just could not put this book down, even to go to sleep. It was that good.

What makes this series so beloved with her readers is the way the characters continue to grow with each book. Eve and Raork especially are connected on a soul level that comes across perfectly in GOLDEN IN DEATH. They have been through so much in the last several books that it is nice to see the connection between them grow stronger in this new book. Some may complain that not all of Eve’s friends, etc. are involved in this fiftieth book but then we wouldn’t have a story that is so compelling and addicting. We got the core group (Eve, Roark, Peabody, McNabb, etc.) involved with this one and it works just fine with the group that is needed by Eve. With an addition of a new secondary character or two, the reader can enjoy a storyline that could be cut right from the pages in the future.

GOLDEN IN DEATH works because the author delivers a complex mystery to solve filled with compelling characters that literally step from the pages and into your living room. They are bold, well written and just downright amazing in my opinion. This is an author that knows how to craft a story that will leave you breathless. If you enjoy a high-octane story that will eave you eager for more than I urge you to run to grab GOLDEN IN DEATH. It’s truly a masterpiece and now I can’t see where this author goes next in the fifty-first book.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

FESTIVE IN DEATH by JD Robb

An In Death Novel, Book 39
G.P. Putnam
September 9^th, 2014
978-0-399-16444-6
Mystery, Crime Fiction, Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Library
5 Hearts

Year 2060 is coming to a close and for Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her holidays are filled with murder…namely the murder of personal trainer Trey Ziegler. The case has Eve disgusted with the victim, chasing down leads all the while getting in her final Christmas shopping done and getting ready for her and Roarke’s annual holiday party for their friends and co-workers. When the case turns into who hated Trey more, Eve has to figure what the crime meant even as she races against the clock to catch a cold blooded killer because if she knows anything, once a killer gets a taste of killing, it is only a matter of time before they kill again. Join Eve, Roarke, Peabody and the rest of the gang as they solve the latest crime and find a way to ring in the holidays.

FESTIVE IN DEATH is a  another hit for author J.D. Robb and I got to admit, this one just captured my imagination and didn’t let it go until the very last page is read. This is an author who knows how to hook her readers’ right from the start and with the few twists in the story, I was riveted till the very end. The writing is tight, story flows smoothly and at a quick pace plus there is our favorite cast of characters ready to take down a killer and solve the murder. I do love it when the author lets the characters shine in a story. With her trademark storytelling, the author delivers a ‘who done it?’ mystery sprinkled with humor, twists and a few new characters to captivate the readers.

Eve is on the hunt when the murder of personal trainer Trey Ziegler lands in her lap. Now with her disgust over the victim growing by the many secrets he had being shown the light of day, Eve is determined to get to the bottom of it all. I got to admit even I had issues with Trey Ziegler especially after some revealing scenes left a bad taste in my mouth over the guy. Eve is starting to mellow out in her private life but she becomes all cop when she has to. I love the scenes at the party and of Eve trying to finish her shopping while in the middle of murder investigation. Those scenes gave lightness amid the darker tones the murder brought into the storyline. Add in some new characters that either had me hating them on sight or loving them to pieces I was lost within this amazing world Ms. Robb has created. The characters are well rounded, delightful at times and other times so intriguing I wanted to know more about them. I really loved how this author lets the authors take over, lets them show their vulnerabilities, strengths and makes the readers fall a little bit in love with them in the process.

FESTIVE IN DEATH is a perfect book to sit in front of a roaring fire and settling in to read on a cool autumn night. As a fan of this author’s work, this latest In Death book delivers a one-two punch that left my jaw agape and with me flipping the pages to see what happens next. After thirty-nine books, this series hasn’t gotten stale or boring. We have seen Eve, Roarke and the rest of the familiar and beloved characters grow as characters and find their path in life. I, for one, am now counting down the days till the next book is out in this entertaining series.

If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it. It is one that you can read as stand alone titles but I highly suggest starting at the beginning and letting yourself see how much Eve, Roarke and the others have come in the last thirty-nine books. Now all I can say to this author is…..More Please!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

CONCEALED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

An In Death Novel
Putnam
February 18^th, 2014
978-0-399-16972-4
Mystery/Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Self-Purchase
3.5 Hearts





When Lieutenant Eve Dallas gets a call from her husband, she has no idea she is about to face twelve murders and a case with enough twists that leave her scrambling for answers. She finds that the building her husband is renovating was once a shelter for runaways and troubled kids. What she finds out leaves her cold as the secrets from many years before come out in the open and when someone close to her is connected, loosely, to the murdered girls, Eve must use all her wits and resources to find the answers she needs to give these twelve girls justice.

J.D. Robb’s In Death series has over thirty books in it and as you expect, it can get a bit tiring but in her latest installment we find, for the first time, that Roarke is center stage and part of the story is in his point of view. Eve is more settled in her marriage and life and it shows in CONCEALED IN DEATH. But I can honestly say  I like this softer side of her especially as she has to figure out who murdered twelve young girls over fifteen years before that were found in her husband’s building project. Ms. Robb delivers a cold case that draws you in and keeps you glued to the pages until you along with Eve & Roarke find the answers to answer the multitude of questions. The writing is still strong and though you find Eve’s feistiness gone for this book, you still get a sense that the case matters to Eve, that justice will be served if she has any say in the matter. The characters are well written and engaging with familiar faces popping up to help the story along and the introduction to a new character that has Eve on edge. What really gets to me each time I open one of these books is the connections Eve has with these characters. From the Mira’s to her oldest friend Mavis to other characters the reader meets along the way in the series. Every character brings something to the series and I totally enjoyed the way Eve interacts with them. Plus the characters continue to grow and find themselves in each book which makes the stories in this series so much better in my mind.

CONCEALED IN DEATH is a slower paced story that may annoy certain readers expecting a fast paced, got to catch the killer sort of story that past books have had. This is more of a cold case kind of feel and the author does a good job in letting Eve and Roarke’s emotions, feelings come across more fully. I loved the softness that Eve displays while chasing down leads or finding out whom the twelve bodies are. Ms. Robb delivers a strong story that is full of twists and turns that leave a reader breathless in the end though I am looking forward to seeing Eve kick butt in the future In Death books. Now I need to see when the next book featuring these marvelous characters is coming next.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

THANKLESS IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

In Death Series, Book 37
September 17^th, 2013
Putnam
Mystery/Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Self-Purchase

5 Hearts

 

For Lt. Eve Dallas, this Thanksgiving is one fullof laughter and family as Roarke’s Irish family relations come over for the American holiday. But all is not going smoothly in New York City this Thanksgiving. For a twisted and psychopathic killer is on the loose and his victim tally are building. Jerry Reinhold is a sadistic yet one step ahead of Eve and the NYC police department. As Eve races to capture this elusive killer, she hopes that she isn’t too late, for Jerry has another victim in sight and it will take everything Eve and her team has in order to stop Jerry in time.

You know when you get into an In Death book by the talented J.D. Robb you are getting one kick-ass story as well as characters that continue to grow with each book. Now into her thirty-seventh book in this wildly popular series, Ms. Robb delivers a spine tingling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It takes a master storyteller to get into this madman’s brain and Ms. Robb does it with a satisfied glee as she keeps the reader glued to the pages as they race alongside Eve and her crack team made of fellow police offices as well as her civilian consultant/husband, Roarke, trying to solve the crimes even as the bodies start stacking up. I have to admit this is an author I auto buy no matter what. This series is by far so superbly written, I get lost in the book regardless of the time I started reading it. The one thing that makes THANKLESS IN DEATH stand a part a little from the other books in the series is we get to see Eve and Roarke celebrate Thanksgiving together as well as Roarke’s wonderful Irish family, which gives the storyline a lightness to balance out the murder case Eve is trying to solve. Each character grows with each book and in this latest addition into the series that is no exception.

In THANKLESS IN DEATH, you will laugh, cry, sniffle and sigh as you get emotionally invested in the story and find yourself eagerly flipping the pages to see what happens next. Ms. Robb is one talented author and knows how to keep her readers glued to their seats. After finishing this latest addition, I had to sit back and decompress. THANKLESS IN DEATH is a pulse pounding ride from start to finish and one I can’t get enough of. If you are looking for an emotional storyline that weaves a spell around you, then grab THANKLESS IN DEATH and settle in for an afternoon of reading pleasure. I now can’t wait for the next book in the series.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

 

 

MIRROR,MIRROR by J.D. Robb, Mary Blaney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas & R.C. Ryan

Berkley

September 24^th, 2013

978-0-515-15407-8

Anthology, Fantasy

Paperback ARC

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

 

In this latest anthology filled with stories from J.D. Robb, Mary Blaney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas and R.C. Ryan, we are transported to the fairytale worlds these five authors created out of our favorite childhood fairytales. Get ready for Mirror, Mirror.

Five stories that center around childhood fairytales hooked me right off the bat. MIRROR, MIRROR is an anthology that has something for everyone to enjoy.

First up is J.D. Robb’s Taken In Death, where Lt. Eve Dallas has to track down twin siblings who go missing.

Taken In Death is a lovely quick novella that gives this author’s rabid fans something to enjoy while waiting with bated breath for the next full length In Death Novel. We find Eve on a case a la Hansel and Gretel that had me on the edge of my seat, hoping Eve, Roarke and their friends’ race against the clock to find them. The story is pure J.D. Robb. This was a fast paced, intriguing storyline and this futuristic twist on a beloved fairytale that worked perfectly in my opinion. A perfect morsel to enjoy if you need your In Death fix l ike I do every now and again.

Then came If Wishes Were Horses by Mary Blaney delivers a wish granting coing that causes some to get their deepest desire to one that finds that maybe you don’t need a magical coin to find your dreams.

This was a solid story and Ms. Blayney delivers a story that was at turns, intriguing and romantic as well. A twist on Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, Ms. Blayney captures the story perfectly and I enjoyed the story immensely. A perfect second course in this anthology.

Then Elaine Fox’s Beauty Sleeping, which tells the tale of ghosts, haunted houses and a charming twist on the fairytale, Sleeping Beauty.

This by far was one of the best renditions of Sleeping Beauty I have read. Ms. Fox delivers a charming tale that leaves you spellbound even as you flip the pages to see what happens next. The characters are downright enjoyable and very well written. I really wished this one was a longer story after the last page was read.

In Mary Kay McComas’s The Christmas Comet, the reader is treated to a contemporary retelling of The Little Match Girl with a second chance at love story abit with a reluctant hero and a heroine who doesn’t take orders too well.

This was a bit more modern for my tastes but still enjoyable. I wasn’t too familiar with the fairytale this author used as inspiration but overall, the story was a delight to read. What happens when an overly generous activist and a cop who thinks he is too old for her find when affairs of the heart involved? Love comes a knocking for these two intriguing characters-Natalie, an activist who has a huge heart and Miles, a cynical man who finds he is drawn to this woman like no other.

Finally R.C. Ryan’s Stroke of Midnight, a retelling of Cinderella that captures the magic of Ireland and finds a teacher finding love and more in her father’s hometown.

This was a lovely ending for this anthology. Ms. Ryan delivers a story that gives a modern twist on Cinderella and captures the essence of the fairytale perfectly. What happens when you mix the magic of Ireland, an evil step-mother and a romance that steals your heart? A story that leaves you eager for more and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. This is an author who knows how to weave a spell around her readers until the very last page is read.

MIRROR, MIRROR is a perfect blend of historical, futuristic, contemporary takes on childhood fairytales that will warm your heart. With the right amount of happily ever after and intriguing characters, these five authors deliver their versions on childhood classics you grew up on. If you are looking for a great beach read, then this might be the perfect book for you to enjoy. I can’t wait to see if these five authors collaborate on another anthology in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

CALCULATED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

In Death Series, Book Thirty-six

Putnam

February 26^th, 2013

978-0-399-15882-7

Romantic Suspense, thriller/mystery

Hardcover

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self-purchase

 

When Lt. Eve Dallas is called to a scene one winter night, she finds a scene that looks like a simple mugging go bad. But Eve knows there is something more to the death of Marta Dickenson than even Eve imagines. This time she needs to wade into the world of corporate finance and she has her sexy husband, Roarke to guide her even as the killer gets bolder. Can Eve find a way to get the killer behind bars and the case solved before she finds herself in the crosshairs and next to be taken down?

When you have thirty-six novels in a series, you would think the stories coming would be dull and pretty half-heartedly done but that is not the case with J.D. Robb’s latest installment in the critically acclaimed In Death series. This time Lieutenant Eve Dallas has to solve a murder that is just the tip of an iceberg especially when she has to wade through the world of corporate finances and rich family money. This is a master storyteller at work when ever you open one of the In Death books. I always enjoy this author’s stories in the series and CALCULATED IN DEATH was no exception. The story starts off slow so be warned it takes a bit of time for the real meat of the story to get there. Stay with it and you will find yourself glued to the pages before long, like I did. I couldn’t put the book down; even to sleep a few nights as I needed to see what happens next. This series is like eating just one potato chip. You can’t have just one, you need to eat more and that is no exception for this one. This is an author who knows her world, her characters and the storylines are always so intriguing that the reader never gets bored by them all.

CALCULATED IN DEATH is a wild ride from start to finish and I wanted to read more after that last page was turned. The world building in this series is amazing. I am actually in awe of the author for keeping all the details together and the reader gets to see Eve slightly out of her depth in the world her husband lives and breathes. The way these characters grow, it is a joy to see. Each book, the reader sees a new dynamic or strength in the bond between them, either with Eve and Roarke personally or with their friends and co-workers. This is an author who lets her characters shine and shine they do. Ms. Robb has a wonderful way of engaging her readers with her books and you can’t help but fall under that spell.  CALCULATED IN DEATH may not be as emotionally charged as her past books were but it doesn’t lessen the enjoyment in her latest addition. The reader will enjoy the byplay between Eve, Roarke, Peabody and other secondary characters that we have all grown to love. With some surprising twists and a few plot points that the reader may unravel before the story, Ms. Robb delivers a satisfying read in her In Death series. Now if only I can wait for the next book…

This is an objective review and not an endorsement