Fantasy In Death by J.D. Robb | This Case Made Me Sad

Fantasy In Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #30
Date Read: Feb 4 to 10, 2018

First Published: 2010

Hardcover

Adult, mystery

Rating:

Re-Readability:

Bart Minnock, founder of the computer gaming giant U-Play, is found in his locked private playroom, in a pool of blood, his head separated from his body. Despite his violent end, Eve can’t find anyone—girlfriend and business partners included—who seemed to have a problem with the enthusiastic, high-spirited millionaire.
Of course gaming, like any business, has its fierce rivalries and dirty tricks—as Eve’s husband, Roarke, one of U-Play’s competitors, knows well. But Minnock was not naïve, and he knew how to fight back in the real world as well as the virtual one.
Eve and her team are about to enter the next level of police work, in a world where fantasy is the ultimate seduction—and the price of defeat is death...

So, I suppose it's no surprise to anyone that I love this series, considering this is the 30th book in the series. Granted, I haven't read all the previous ones, but I have read... what, twenty? Clearly; I'm a fan.

But some mysteries hit me harder than others, and this is one of those cases.

I know exactly what caused my fierce reaction; the theme of friendship. You see, I am a very loyal friend, and I have friends who I would die for... and I know they would die for me. Dramatic, maybe, but also fundamentally true.

The friendship in this book reminded me of that. The friends reacted so strongly to Bart's death that I prayed none of them did it. I wanted Eve to be wrong, just this once. For the killer to be someone unrelated; not one of these friends that Bart loved, and trusted, and cherished. Not one of these friends that appeared so ravaged by his death.

Their pain broke my heart, but the notion that one of them actually did it crushed the pieces into dust.

So... yeah. FANTASY IN DEATH was such a hard, painful read for me. It made my stomach churn and my anxiety level rise. It took me longer to read because I was honestly scared to read who'd done it.

The only pleasant part of this novel was Eve, Roarke, and the wonderful supporting cast. I have no idea how Robb does it, but these people are still as compelling 30 books later as they were in the first one. And they are "people", not just characters on paper. They are as real as you and me. The only difference is that they are fictional. I know that sounds contrary but just.. just think about it. You know what I mean.

Anyways, how come this series hasn't been adapted for a tv series yet?? Some of the longest running shows are detective shows with romance undertones like Castle, The Mentalist, and Bones--this would be perfect for that.

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb | The Start of an Incredible Series!

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #1

First Published: 1995

Paperback & Kindle

Adult, Mystery

Rating:
Re-Readability:

In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line--between seductive passion and scandalous murder... Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all--and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire--and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about--except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

I first read Naked in Death about five years ago. I'm not ashamed to admit - it was love at first read. These characters and the world they live in completely captured my heart and soul in just a few pages. It felt like watching one of the detective shows I love, only more satisfying because the romance is an integral part of it, but I didn't have to wait five seasons for it to happen nor did it take over the story and overshadow the case. You know how hard that is to balance?!

Wait, wait, I'm getting waaaaay ahead of myself, aren't I?

Meet Eve Dallas, a seasoned detective in futuristic New York. She is a snarky, dry homicide cop with so much heart it's crazy, even though she tries to pretend otherwise. There is nothing more important to her than bringing justice to the victims, and her personal life is a constant casualty due to it.

Here is a tough, badass woman, who cares. And we can already tell the source of that huge heart lies in her childhood. I remember the curiosity eating at me the first time I read this novel, wanting to hear more details even though I could tell it would be awful.

A prostitute is dead. This specific prostitute is also the grandaughter of a senator. And more pressing--the killer left a jarring note saying she is only the first of six. Now it's a race against time to find the culprit before he kills more people, and bring justice to the murdered.

Now, as far as mysteries go, this is a decent one. It's pretty hard to read at times, you might guess at the identity of the killer before Eve does (I did), and I will warn you you will be nauseated by the whole affair. This is not a bad thing.

But I think the importance of this case is not necessarily about the mystery itself, not in the grand scheme of the In Death world. There is a reason Robb decides to start with this specific case, and not a case five years prior or something like that (Eve has been a detective for quite a while). That's because this is the case that will change her life. This is the case where she meets Roarke.

“You know, Roarke, you’re kind of cute.”

Who is Roarke? Billionaire tech god, this guy is everything. Handsome, rich, funny and smart, he is the ultimate book boyfriend. Especially because of how hard he falls for the hard boiled detective (despite a sketchy past of his own) and how well he comes to understand her.

Guys, these two are at the TOP of my OTP list, and it starts right here. I had forgotten how completely J.D. Robb manages to make you ship these two from their very first scene together. There is just such incredible chemistry between them, and they fit like two pieces of a puzzle. You want them together.

Seriously, these guys are my crack. I have read almost 20 books in this series and they never, never fail to capture my heart and soul.

If you love mysteries with a dash of romance, compelling characters and great side story lines, pick up this fantastic series!

Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb | Book Review

Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #5
First Published: 1997
Paperback
Adult, Mystery
Rating:

Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warnning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong--and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

I swear, J.D. Robb keeps getting better!

This time the investigation centers around Wicca and Witchcraft, sprinkling the already wonderful mix of action, suspense and romance with a dash of fantasy; ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy in the latest installment in Eve & Roake's lives.

I love watching how, with every case, Eve trusts Roarke more. This time, she openly makes use of his abilities as she can't use her department's. Eve just keeps evolving, and I love her so much! That's not to say I wasn't annoyed with her in this installment. I kept shouting at her to listen to what her heart tells her - but she just wouldn't do it! Damn it, woman!

Roarke is a dream boat as always, and this eye-candy multimillionaire just got a whole lot more interesting when we learn he believes in magic. I swear, the guy gets more enticing with each read. Where is my own flesh-and-blood Roarke?!

Feeney kind of broke my heart in this one. The friendly geek mentor is grieving, and Eve is forbidden from bringing him on the case. That creates a bit of tension. And what I mean by that is that I was about to cry. For him and Eve and the whole messed up situation. I was being gutted from the inside!!

And the villain? I don't think you can shout messed up loud enough to convoy the right level of messed up. This time, Robb didn't even try to hide the killers, going as far as to show parts of their pov. *shudders*

Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb | Book Review

Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #4
First Published: 1996
Paperback
Adult, Mystery
Rating:

When the autopsies of three suspicious suicides reveal small burns on the brains of the victims, Eve's investigation turns to the provocative world of virtual reality games--where the same techniques used to create joy and desire could also prompt the mind to become the weapon of its own destruction. J.D. Robb is the pseudonym of author Nora Roberts.

With every book that I read, the In Death series seems to be getting better. Maybe I'm watching the growth of Robb as a writer in front of my very eyes. Maybe it's the characters developing. But whatever the reason, Rapture in Death is my favorite of the series so far, but something tells me it might not stay there for long--maybe not even as far as the next book.

We left Eve and Roarke finally married, and what comes after a wedding? a honeymoon! Only, a power couple like Eve and Roarke can't possibly have a normal honeymoon. Nope, their honeymoon has to end with a murder looking like a suicide.

Yikes.

If you don't know these books and are a bit confused, Eve is a tough homicide detective in 2058 New York whose sole mission in life is to bring justice to those who have been robbed of theirד. Her other half, Roarke, is the guy who owns half of this futuristic world. The guy who's picture you'd see in the dictionary underneath multi-billionaire. The guy who is the definition of wicked, smart and sizzling.

And if you're ever in search of a brilliant, sustaining, steady romance in books - this couple will always be at the top of my list.

The strongest part of this book was seeing the growth in Eve. She finally shows fear; both ordinary fears and emotional ones. That's a far cry from the detective we met in Naked in Death, who would've never even dreamed of letting someone else see her afraid.

Then there was the fact she finally trusts Roarke and his magical hands enough to go against procedures and the rules in exchange for a faster result. That is yet another thing she would've never done before.

But Eve isn't the only one developing - Roarke is, as well. We got to see a lot more of him and his past in this book, and we encountered his cruel and cold side when someone does something he can't forgive. Call me twisted or crazy, but I loved that side of him in this context. Sometime, a little evil is warranted.

And while this book deals with horrific murders, it never failed to make me laugh. I love that about J.D. Robb. The power to take something heavy and, without taking from it, make it into something a person can smile from is rare and valuable.

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb | Book Review

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #3
First Published: 1996
Paperback
Adult, Mystery
Rating:

She was one of the most sought-after women in the world. A top model who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted -- even another woman's man. And now she was dead, the victim of a brutal murder. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas put her professional life on the line to take the case when suspicion fell on her best friend, the other woman in the fatal love triangle. Beneath the facade of glamour, Eve found that the world of high fashion thrived on an all-consuming passion for youth and fame. One that led from the runway to the dark underworld of New York City where drugs could fulfill any desire -- for a price . . .

When I finished reading Glory in Death, the second book in the series, I was so hungry for more that I just had to read the next book immediately. Ultimately, I think this was not the right choice - because I feel fairly certain that I would've liked this book a lot more if I took a short break between the two books.

Why? Two reasons.

The first, I feel like I was kind of too in-sync with Robb and that helped me identify the killer the moment I met him. That made me feel like it was too obvious (or Robb is just very talented at radiating underlying evil-ness from her characters) and frustrated that no one figured it out sooner.

The second is the pacing, which was much slower compared to Glory in Death. While I loved the homey bits between parts of the case, I wasn't the biggest fan of how the investigation dragged. Not that the pace wasn't realistic, but still.

Speaking of which, the homey parts are the best. We previously left Eve and Roarke on a cliffhanger in the form of a marriage proposal. Immortal in Death opens up with the most adorable and funny exchange between the love birds about the upcoming wedding, ensuring that Eve accepted and that I am a happy, grinning, camper.

But nothing is ever simple for Eve Dallas. On top of wedding preparations--of which she is scared stiff--she's got to deal with a couple of murders, clear her best friend from said murders, and deal with her murky and abusive childhood.

But don't let that scare you - while these books always deal with harsh subjects, J.D. Robb is a master at balancing the ugly with the good, the cute and the heartwarming, through quirky dialogues, colorful and lovable characters and swoon-worthy romances, and she does it in a way that puts a smile on your face.

Speaking of the characters... Eve is, as usual, amazingly likable and kickass. I won't delve into too many general details about her 'cause I did that in my review of Glory in Death, but I will say that I love seeing her loyal side and deal with her emotions over her horrific father.

Roarke, her soulmate, is as yummy as always. This time we got to see another side of him, the side of him that can get upset with Eve. And if anything, it just added to their relationship.

A thing that kind of retracted from their relationship, or at the very least from some of the things that happened with it was how Robb squeezed in a worry Eve had over the wedding and their feelings in the last chapter. That was just so sudden and sprang put of nowhere. There was no need to add this one, especially not in the last chapter, and then solve it so easily.

An interesting character we got to know better in Immortal in Death is Eve's bestie, Mavis. I've always loved Mavis, with her ridiculous and over the top personality, but she somehow ended up being "just another character" in the book for me. She felt somewhat flat, as opposed to Peabody who positively shone!

I'm getting ahead of myself. Peobody is a young, ambitious cop who looks up to Eve. We met her before, but we got to see a whole lot more of her in Immortal in Death as Eve attaches her to the case. What we find is a witty, strong and smart woman who has a funny comeback to everything, but takes her job very seriously. She added much needed humor to the dry parts, but she was never just that. She was an integral and important part of the plot--not just comic relief.

J.D. Robb brings interesting, engaging, believable and likable characters to life in a complex web of mystery and intrigue, with no lack of sexy or heartbreaking times. This series is rapidly becoming one of my favorites!

"Don't Leave Me" from Glory in Death by J.D Robb | Noticeable Scenes

This was originally part of my review for the book, but I've decided that scenes that truly stood out to me in books will be featured separately on this new blog, because they deserve the spotlight. 

Kicking off this new feature is a scene from J.D Robb's Glory in Death.  

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #2

First Published: 1995

Paperback

Adult, Mystery

Rating:

It is 2058, New York City. In a world where technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion-in the heart.

Even in the mid-twenty-first century, during a time when genetic testing usually weeds out any violent hereditary traits before they can take over, murder still happens. The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second is murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects -- including her own lover, Roarke.

In this scene, the main character Eve Dallas comes to question her boyfriend Roarke in the middle of the night about his connections to the second murder victim. They are in the middle of a huge fight, and this questioning doesn't really go well.

As Eve turns to leave, she ends up crying, asking Roarke not to do it. Not to leave her.

(I've read the book so long ago that I don't recall the specific wording, but that's the gist of it).

When this happened, when Eve cried, I wanted to break down right there in my room. I had to stop reading, to close the book and take deep breaths to compose myself before I could safely continue. And even then, my eyes teared up again almost immediately.

My heart was clenching and there was no overcoming it. 

The power in this scene is that it's not a tragic scene. It doesn't need to be to involve all your feels and completely wreck you. 

The magic of it lies in seeing such a strong, fearless and fearsome woman just... break down. Break down because the thing that scares her the most is being alone again, when just a few months ago she didn't really know anything other than being alone.

It's... quite frighting, as Roarke said.

And moving.

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb | Book Review

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

In Death #2

First Published: 1995

Paperback

Adult, Mystery

Rating:

It is 2058, New York City. In a world where technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion-in the heart.
Even in the mid-twenty-first century, during a time when genetic testing usually weeds out any violent hereditary traits before they can take over, murder still happens. The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second is murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects -- including her own lover, Roarke.

While Glory in Death is the second book in the fantastic In Death series, it is the first I'm writing a review for. Because, reasons.

“In their eyes, Eve saw the wolf gleam. The story was the prey, ratings the trophy.”

The story is set in 2058 - but even in the future, with all the gadgets and advanced knowledge, murder happens, and it's Eve Dallas's job to figure out by whom and bring them to justice. Eve is a strong, dedicated woman who is constantly hard on herself. She takes it on herself to protect and serve those who have been robbed of their life and can no longer be heard.

She is such an inspirational, human character! But she can be a bit hard to deal with on a personal level.

Luckily for her, her soulmate is the powerful, dangerously sexy, multimillionaire, Roarke, who pretty much sees into her soul, and is willing to do anything to make her his in every way, shape or form. He challenges her and makes it his job to take care of Eve when she's too consumed by the dead.

Roarke is seriously one of my biggest book crushes ever. I want one of him.

The romance between these two is not a fairy-tale romance--because it's not perfect, but it's completely real. It has it's ups and downs but ultimately, you never once question the rightness of these two. That they're meant to be. You root for them even when you know it's not necessary because there is just no way there will ever be anyone else for them. No one less demanding could force himself into Eve's heart, and no one less good will be able to convince Roarke to change his path to a more lawful one.

A le sigh.

The only "lacking" part of this story was the murderer. As this is a mystery novel, the frame plot revolves around these atrocious murders. But the villain was easy to spot from the moment he walked onto the page because he was just so suspicious. And he pissed me off big time. 

So, thank you J.D. Robb. I felt very satisfied with what happened to him, in an evil, wicked kind of way *slow clap*

For a noticeable scene from Glory in Death, click HERE!