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In Death #6-10
Vengeance in Death / Holiday in Death / Conspiracy in Death / Loyalty in Death / Witness in Death
“When it comes to finding a killer, the smart money is always on Eve Dallas” (Booklist). Join the New York homicide detective as she takes on five tough cases in these five superb thrillers in the gritty futuristic series filled with the #1 New York Times bestselling author’s trademark wit, passion, and pull-no-punches suspense.
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
ebook
First published July 5, 2011
798 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Robb
177 books35.3k followersJ.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Stolen in Death (St. Martin's Press, February 2026) will be the 62nd entry in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 6, 2020
5 Stars Over All
* * * * *
Enjoyed this group and the way you are able to just keep reading book after book is a delight.
Vengeance in Death (In Death, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Holiday in Death (In Death, #7)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(Midnight in Death (In Death #7.5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...- separate purchase)
Conspiracy in Death (In Death, #8)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Loyalty in Death (In Death, #9)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Witness in Death (In Death, #10)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * *
Enjoyed this group and the way you are able to just keep reading book after book is a delight.
Vengeance in Death (In Death, #6)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Holiday in Death (In Death, #7)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(Midnight in Death (In Death #7.5) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...- separate purchase)
Conspiracy in Death (In Death, #8)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Loyalty in Death (In Death, #9)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Witness in Death (In Death, #10)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
March 8, 2024
While the first 5 books established the core characters and the Roarke/Dallas romance, this second set develops the secondary characters in a very enjoyable process. While I didn't binge read these, I read them close enough in time to recognize that the structure of a couple were a bit too similar. The last one (Witness) being the exception - that was clever and fun and different.
I am enjoying this series and will continue it. The near-future predictions from the late 1990s are eerily accurate today.
I am enjoying this series and will continue it. The near-future predictions from the late 1990s are eerily accurate today.
January 8, 2023
Overall Rating: 4.5
*Warning; minor spoilers ahead*
Book #6 - Vengeance in Death - 5 Stars - Review:
Book #7 - Holliday in Death - 4 Stars - Review:
Book #8 - Conspiracy in Death - 5 Stars - Review:
Book #9 - Loyalty in Death - 4 Stars - Review:
Book #10 - Witness in Death - 4 Stars - Review:
*Warning; minor spoilers ahead*
Book #6 - Vengeance in Death - 5 Stars - Review:
Book #7 - Holliday in Death - 4 Stars - Review:
Book #8 - Conspiracy in Death - 5 Stars - Review:
Book #9 - Loyalty in Death - 4 Stars - Review:
Book #10 - Witness in Death - 4 Stars - Review:
February 5, 2022
Rereading is better than the first time
I've read most during books. Now I'm starting at the beginning and rereading in order. I love it as each character builds strength and comes together. In this book it was the stalwart Peabody and zany McNabb. This is an amazing book. I couldn't put down.
I've read most during books. Now I'm starting at the beginning and rereading in order. I love it as each character builds strength and comes together. In this book it was the stalwart Peabody and zany McNabb. This is an amazing book. I couldn't put down.
February 27, 2018
Own these titles, too.
March 13, 2024
Excellent boxed set with further development of Eve and Roarke's relationship, as well as other character's development. Enjoyed these very much and look forward to reading more in series
Read
April 11, 2015I completely am in love with this series! My only regret is that I can't find them all at my Libraries that I have access to! Specifically I'm looking for them in Audio books as I'm in my car a lot of the time in the day. I have one in my car, and I have a different one I listen to in my bedroom!
February 19, 2022
Vengeance in Death:
I’ve got to say I miss the days when Eve wore jeans and battered boots, had a shit work office computer and AC. Brings back the nostalgia.
Ah yes, I remember this one. The retribution, the revenge, that Roarke took all those years ago against the men who tortured, raped, and killed Somerset’s daughter…came back to haunt him. And Eve. Yes, I’m right. Liam’s son and wife are the culprits here. The wife is playing Audrey, Summerset’s “love” interest.
OH SHIT! Forgot this is where they first meet McNab. Love it 😍 Ah, She-Body.
I’d forgotten about the grubby little boy, Kevin, with his kitten, Dopey. Roarke fed them from a soy cart. I wonder if the little boy ever showed up again? Oh wait, now I remember. Kevin’s goes to live with Richard DeBlass and Elizabeth Barrister…the case in book one where Eve and Roarke met.
One of the things I really love in the evolution of this series (seeing as I read #54 today) is Eve’s relationship with Baxter, Jenkinson, Reineke, Carmichael, etc. grow. Right now, in book 6, they’re barely anything, but I know what’s coming.
Interesting how much has changed over the course of the series. These earlier books have Whitney and even Tibble, overseeing so much more than in later novels. In the later ones it’s almost as if Dallas doesn’t answer to anyone. Huh. Fascinating to re-read these in order and see the changes happening.
I think this is the book where Eve takes the full body stun protecting Summerset…love this one ~ YES, right again!!!
LOVE this book 💜💜💜💜💜
Holiday in Death:
If memory serves, this is the story with the brother and sister who are together together, if you get my drift. Pretty sure I remember who the killer is. And oh, Peabody…Roarke sees her naked and it’s her own personal highlight 😁
Yep, I remembered all of this very accurately.
I loved when Peabody and Dallas really started clicking. I kind of miss their old banter now. Peabody and McNab…so awesome seeing them fall in love all over again.
I admit that the last few of the more recent books in the series (#45-54) haven’t had Eve working herself into a coma. I kind of miss it. Weird, huh?
”Eve waited a beat. “Okay, but if you ever do hire twelve LCs to fuck you blind, I want details.”
Peabody sniffed, and managed a watery grin. “It’s just a little fantasy of mine. I don’t actually make enough to afford twelve at once. But I did have another little fantasy come true tonight. Roarke saw me naked.”
“Christ, Peabody.” On a shaky laugh, Eve pulled her close again. This time, she held on. “We’re okay.”
Wonderful holiday story!
Conspiracy in Death:
I was wondering which book Officer Bowers would first appear - the bitchy beat cop who tries to get Eve fired. OH, I had forgotten that Officer Trueheart was originally partnered with Bowers. This is one of my fave books and has several of my most favorite scenes.
Ah yes. Dr. Louise DiMatto. Who ends up married to my favorite ex-LC, Charles Monroe.
This is book eight in the series and they’re still going at it like rabbits. I guess I’m starting to show my age that I mostly skim through those parts and look forward to when it slows down some…like most marriages. 😝
“Proper procedure must be followed. An investigation into the murder of Officer Bowers is under way, and at this time, you are a suspect. It is my belief that you’ll be cleared quickly and completely.”
“Cleared? Of beating a fellow cop to death? Of abandoning everything I believe in and I’ve worked for? And why would I have done this?” Panic had a line of sweat, icy cold, snaking down her spine. “Because she tried to smear me in the department and in the media? For Christ’s sake, Commander, anyone could see she was on self-destruct.”
“Dallas.” This time Webster stepped forward. “You threatened her with physical harm, on record. Call your advocate.”
“Don’t tell me to call my advocate,” she snapped. “I haven’t done anything but my job.” Panic was growing teeth now, edgy and sharp. All she could do was fight it with temper. “You want me in interview, Webster? Fine, let’s go. Right here, right now.”
“Lieutenant!” Whitney whipped the word out, watched her head snap around, the fury in her eyes hot and open. “The department must conduct internal and external investigations into the matter of the death of Officer Bowers. There is no choice.” He let out a long breath. “There is no choice,” he repeated. “While this investigation is open and active, you are suspended from duty.”
He nearly winced when he saw her eyes go from hot and alive to blank and dazed. Nearly cringed when he saw every ounce of color drain out of her face. “It is with regret, Lieutenant, great personal regret, that I ask you to turn in your weapon and your shield.”
Her mind had gone dead, utterly dead, as if some electrical current had been shut off. She couldn’t feel her hands, her feet, her heart. “My shield?”
“Dallas.” He stepped to her, his voice gentle now, his eyes storming with emotion. “There’s no choice. You are suspended from duty, pending the results of the internal and external investigations in the matter of the death of Officer Ellen Bowers. I must ask for your weapon and your badge.”
She stared into his eyes, couldn’t look anywhere else. Inside her head was a scream: dull, distant, desperate. Her joints felt rusty as she reached down for her badge, then over to release her weapon. Their weight in her hand made it shake.
Putting them in Whitney’s was like ripping out her own heart.
They made a big fucking mistake when they did this.
She wasn’t sure she could speak, that the words would push through her throat, it burned so. And the rest of her was numb. Dead.
“They took my badge.” Suddenly it was real, the brutal reality of it punched like a fist. And grief gushed up, hot, bitter, to spill out of her eyes. “Roarke.”
“I know.” He was there, his arms hard around her, holding tight as she began to shake. “I’m sorry, Eve. I’m so sorry.”
“What will I do? What will I do?” She clung, weeping, not even aware that he picked her up, carried her inside, into the warmth and up the stairs. “Oh God, God, God, they took my badge.”
“We’ll straighten it out. You’ll get it back. I promise you.” She was shaking so violently, it seemed her bones would crash together and shatter. He sat, tightened his grip. “Just hold onto me.”
“Don’t go away.”
“No, baby, I’ll stay right here.”
She wept until he feared she’d be ill; then the sobs faded away, and she was limp in his arms. Like a broken doll, he thought. He ordered a soother and took her to bed. She, who would fight taking a painkiller if she were bleeding from a dozen wounds, sipped the sedative he brought to her lips without protest.
He undressed her as he would an exhausted child.
“They made me nothing again.”
He looked down at her face, into eyes, hollow and heavy. “No, Eve.”
“Nothing.” She turned her head away, closed her eyes, and escaped.
She stepped inside, the old running shoes she’d put on soaked through, her jeans wet nearly to the knees. She hadn’t stopped for a jacket before going out, and the sudden warmth had her swaying in mild shock.
Summerset watched her a moment, his lips tight, his eyes dark with worry. Deliberately, he fixed his most arrogant expression on his face and slipped into the foyer. “You’re filthy and wet.” He sniffed derisively. “And you’re tracking water all over the floor. You might show a bit of respect for your own home.”
He waited for the flash of temper, the cold flare of her eyes, and felt the heart she didn’t know he had squeeze when she simply stared at him.
“Sorry.” She looked down blankly at her feet. “I didn’t think.” She laid a hand on the newel post, noticed with a kind of distant interest that it seemed cold enough to snap, and started up the stairs.
Unnerved, Summerset moved quickly to the communication center. “Roarke, the lieutenant has just come in from outside. She wore no outer gear. She looks very bad.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s heading up. Roarke, I insulted her and . . . she apologized to me. Something must be done.”
“It’s about to be.”
AND MY FAVORITE PART:
“I’m not looking for a damn job, Roarke.”
“No? Well, my mistake. If you’ve decided to retire then, we can explore other options.”
“Options, for God’s sake. I can’t think about this.”
“We could consider making a child.”
The snifter jerked in her hand, brandy sloshing over the rim as she spun around. “What?”
“That got your attention,” he murmured. “I imagined we’d start our family a bit farther down the road, but under the current circumstances, we could easily push it up.”
She wondered why her head didn’t explode. “Are you crazy? A baby? Do you mean a baby?”
“That’s the conventional way to start a family.”
“I can’t—I don’t—” She managed to catch her breath. “I don’t know anything about babies, kids.”
“You have a great deal of leisure time just now. You can learn. Retiring makes you a perfect candidate for professional motherhood.”
“Professional—Jesus.” She was certain she felt all the blood the hot water had stirred back to life in her body drain away again. “You’ve got to be joking.”
ROFL
Driven by temper, she stormed through the house, down to the gym. She stripped off the robe, dragged on a unisuit. Her blood blazing, she activated the combat droid and beat the shit out of it.
Upstairs, Roarke sipped brandy and grinned like a fool as he watched her on a monitor. He imagined she’d replaced the droid’s face with his. “Go ahead, darling,” he murmured. “Pound me into dust.” He winced a little when she jammed her knee hard into the droid’s crotch, felt a sympathetic twinge in his own balls.
“I guess I had that coming,” he decided and made a mental note to order a new combat droid. This one was toast.
I’d forgotten that this book details what happens in testing. What a horrible thing to endure!
I do so love this book!
Loyalty in Death:
Zeke, Peabody’s little brother comes to visit and do some custom cabinetry for a couple. Unfortunately, the couple are the brother and SIL of Eve’s most recent murder victim. Hmm. Sounds sketchy.
Peabody and McNab starting their relationship. 😍
Cassandra, the terrorist group and their bombs, have Eve and crew running in circles. For a while.
Eve let her hands drop. “He’s not going down for this. You can hold onto that.”
“I know. Because I’m holding onto you.”
“Don’t do that.” Eve bit off the words and turned away. “Don’t.”
“I’ve got to get this out. My family’s the most important thing I’ve got. Just because I don’t live close doesn’t mean we aren’t close. After them comes the job.” She sniffled, rubbed a hand impatiently under her nose. “You’re the job.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yeah, you are, Dallas. You’re everything that’s right about the job. And you’re the best thing that’s happened to me since I picked up my badge. I’m holding onto you because I know I can.”
Eve’s heart quivered. The backs of her eyes burned. “I don’t have time to stand here and get sloppy with you.” She strode to the door, stopping briefly to tap a finger on Peabody’s chest. “Officer Peabody, you’re out of uniform.”
As the door swung closed behind Eve, Peabody glanced down and saw the third button on her uniform jacket was hanging by a thread. McNab, she realized, hadn’t quite torn it off.
“Oh hell.” She swore again, viciously, and ripped the button free.
Definitely one of the most exciting finales to date.
Witness in Death:
“She’s off. She had a date.”
“Ah. With McNab?”
Eve felt her appetite take an abrupt nosedive. “She doesn’t date McNab.” At Roarke’s look of surprise, she stubbornly stuffed more stew in her mouth. “Look, maybe, in some alternate universe far, far away, they have sex. But they’re not dating. That’s it.”
“Darling, there comes a time, however sad for Mum, when the children must leave home.”
Vaguely remember this story but not who the killer is. I remember the conflict with Nadine, though.
“Play back last program.”
With barely a hiccup, the unit burst into color and sound. Eve watched two figures slide and slither over a pool of black sheets. “Why do guys always get off watching other people fuck?”
“We’re sick, disgusting, and weak. Pity us.”
She started to laugh.
Wait,wait, wait…possible moment of genius here…is this the one where turns out the young actress is actually the child out of wedlock of the deceased actor and the other actress? He gets killed because he slept with the younger actress?? (YES, I WAS RIGHT!)
Roarke giving McNab dating advice about Peabody. 😍🥰
All the talk about love and lifetimes got under Eve’s skin and made her feel uncomfortably guilty. She played back what others had said and realized everyone who had mentioned her relationship with Roarke as an example had spoken of what he would do for her or wouldn’t do to her.
It wasn’t, she decided, a very pretty picture of her participation in the whole love and marriage deal. She never really did anything, she thought. She still had a miserable time finding the right words, the right gesture, the right moment. Roarke seemed to pluck them out of the air as easily, as smoothly, as he plucked his fortune.
So she’d make an effort. She’d push the case onto the back burner, okay, the side burner, she admitted, and do something, Jesus, romantic.
In her current state of mind, she wanted to avoid Summerset at all costs, so she actually put her car in the garage. Then, like a thief, she snuck in the house through one of the side doors.
She was about to plan her first intimate dinner.
Seriously one of the best scenes between Summerset and Eve:
What kind of maniac needed over five thousand plates? Her maniac, she reminded herself, then nearly choked when she ran the crystal.
“Okay, that’s got to be wrong.” She was at the point of choosing at random because her time was running short.
“Might I ask precisely what you’re doing?”
A lesser woman would have yelped. Eve managed, just barely, to bite it back. “Get lost. I’m busy.”
Summerset simply strode over, the cat at his heels. “So I observe. If you wish to know the contents of the house, I suggest you discuss it with Roarke.”
“I can’t because I’ve killed him, disposed of his body, and now I’m going to hold the biggest auction, on or off planet, in the history of civilization.”
She jabbed a finger against something called Waterford, Dublin pattern, only because she recognized it as the city where Roarke had been born. Then she looked up with a scowl toward the hovering Summerset. “Go away.”
But his attention had shifted from her to the table under the glass dome of the observation balcony. She’d used the Irish linen, he noted. An excellent choice, which was probably blind luck. The Georgian candlesticks, white tapers. There were dozens of other candles, all white, scattered around the lounging room, as yet unlighted.
Galahad the cat pranced over and leaped onto the satin pillows on the love seat.
“Jesus Christ, they’re just forks and knives!”
The combination of horror and frustration in her tone had Summerset’s lips twitching. “Which china pattern have you selected?”
“I don’t know. Will you get out of here? This is a private party.”
He tapped her hand aside before she could select, scanned her other choices, and ordered the proper flatware. “You’ve neglected to order napkins.”
“I was getting to them.”
He turned a pitying eye on her. She was wearing a cotton robe, had yet to enhance her face. Her hair was standing in spikes from the constant swipe of her fingers. But he gave her points for the attempt. In fact, he was pleasantly surprised by her taste. Though some of her selections were unconventional in combinations, they managed to blend into a rather charming ambiance.
“When one plans a special meal,” he said, taking care to look down the long line of his nose at her, “One requires the proper accompaniments.”
“What am I doing here? Playing Space Attack? Now, if you’d just go slither under the door again, I could finish up.”
“Flowers are necessary.”
“Flowers?” Her stomach pitched to her feet. “I knew that.” She wasn’t going to ask. She’d saw her tongue off with her teeth before she asked. For a humming ten seconds they simply stared at each other. He took pity on her, though he told himself he was simply maintaining his authority as majordomo. “I would suggest roses, the Royal Silver.”
“I guess we’ve got those.”
“Yes, they can be accessed. You’ll also require music.”
Her palms started to sweat. Annoyed, she rubbed them on the robe. “I was going to program something.” Or other.
“I assume you intend to dress for the evening.”
“Shit.” She heaved out a breath, stared hard at the cat who was staring hard back at her. She suspected he was grinning.
“It’s part of my duties to organize matters such as this. If you’ll go put on something . . . more, I’ll arrange the rest.”
She opened her mouth to agree. Already the knots in her stomach loosened. Then she shook her head and felt them tighten right back up again. “No, I have to do it myself. That’s the point.” She massaged her forehead. She was getting a headache. Perfect.
His face remained stern, cold, but inside, he softened like jelly. “Then you’d better hurry. Roarke will be home within the hour.”
She would, Summerset concluded as he left her alone, need every minute of it.
I’d forgotten about Trueheart getting hurt on Eve’s watch. Hospital, surgery, the whole nine yards. Whoa. His mom talking to Eve. 😳
“You know, I’m really trying to cut down on this stuff. But . . .” Peabody ripped into the pack of cookies. “Thing is, weird, McNab doesn’t think I’m chubby. And when a guy sees you naked, he knows where the extra layers are.”
“Peabody, do you have some delusion that I want to hear how McNab sees you naked?”
She crunched into a cookie. “I’m just saying. Anyway, you know we have sex, so you’ve probably reached the conclusion we’re naked when we’re having it. You being an ace detective and all.”
“Peabody, in the chain of command, you may, on rare occasions and due to my astonishing good nature, respond to sarcasm with sarcasm. You are not permitted to lead with it. Give me a damn cookie.”
“They’re coconut crunchies. You hate coconut.”
“Then why did you buy coconut?”
“To piss you off.”
Grinning now, Peabody pulled another pack of cookies from her bag. “Then I bought chocolate chip, just for you.”
“Well, hand them over then.”
“Okay, so . . .” Peabody ripped open the second pack, offered Eve a cookie. “Anyway, McNab’s got a little, bitty butt, and hardly any shoulders. Still—”
“Stop. Stop right there. If I get an image of a naked McNab in my head, you’re going back to traffic detail.”
Peabody munched, hummed, waited.
“Damn it! There he is.”
Hooting with laughter, Peabody polished off the last cookie. “Sorry. Dallas, I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. Kinda cute, isn’t he?”
And, she thought, it had bumped whatever had been troubling her lieutenant out of the way.
AH-HAH! Here we go…book 10 is where it’s first mentioned:
She dressed, dragging on dung brown trousers and a white shirt that had narrow brown stripes. She had no idea how long the shirt had been there, but since Roarke had started filling her closet, she’d stopped paying attention.
He bought her a ridiculous amount of clothes, but it saved her from the torture of shopping.
Since it was there, and the weather promised to remain cool, she buttoned on a waist-length vest that appeared to go with the rest of the deal.
LOVED IT!
I’ve got to say I miss the days when Eve wore jeans and battered boots, had a shit work office computer and AC. Brings back the nostalgia.
Ah yes, I remember this one. The retribution, the revenge, that Roarke took all those years ago against the men who tortured, raped, and killed Somerset’s daughter…came back to haunt him. And Eve. Yes, I’m right. Liam’s son and wife are the culprits here. The wife is playing Audrey, Summerset’s “love” interest.
OH SHIT! Forgot this is where they first meet McNab. Love it 😍 Ah, She-Body.
I’d forgotten about the grubby little boy, Kevin, with his kitten, Dopey. Roarke fed them from a soy cart. I wonder if the little boy ever showed up again? Oh wait, now I remember. Kevin’s goes to live with Richard DeBlass and Elizabeth Barrister…the case in book one where Eve and Roarke met.
One of the things I really love in the evolution of this series (seeing as I read #54 today) is Eve’s relationship with Baxter, Jenkinson, Reineke, Carmichael, etc. grow. Right now, in book 6, they’re barely anything, but I know what’s coming.
Interesting how much has changed over the course of the series. These earlier books have Whitney and even Tibble, overseeing so much more than in later novels. In the later ones it’s almost as if Dallas doesn’t answer to anyone. Huh. Fascinating to re-read these in order and see the changes happening.
I think this is the book where Eve takes the full body stun protecting Summerset…love this one ~ YES, right again!!!
LOVE this book 💜💜💜💜💜
Holiday in Death:
If memory serves, this is the story with the brother and sister who are together together, if you get my drift. Pretty sure I remember who the killer is. And oh, Peabody…Roarke sees her naked and it’s her own personal highlight 😁
Yep, I remembered all of this very accurately.
I loved when Peabody and Dallas really started clicking. I kind of miss their old banter now. Peabody and McNab…so awesome seeing them fall in love all over again.
I admit that the last few of the more recent books in the series (#45-54) haven’t had Eve working herself into a coma. I kind of miss it. Weird, huh?
”Eve waited a beat. “Okay, but if you ever do hire twelve LCs to fuck you blind, I want details.”
Peabody sniffed, and managed a watery grin. “It’s just a little fantasy of mine. I don’t actually make enough to afford twelve at once. But I did have another little fantasy come true tonight. Roarke saw me naked.”
“Christ, Peabody.” On a shaky laugh, Eve pulled her close again. This time, she held on. “We’re okay.”
Wonderful holiday story!
Conspiracy in Death:
I was wondering which book Officer Bowers would first appear - the bitchy beat cop who tries to get Eve fired. OH, I had forgotten that Officer Trueheart was originally partnered with Bowers. This is one of my fave books and has several of my most favorite scenes.
Ah yes. Dr. Louise DiMatto. Who ends up married to my favorite ex-LC, Charles Monroe.
This is book eight in the series and they’re still going at it like rabbits. I guess I’m starting to show my age that I mostly skim through those parts and look forward to when it slows down some…like most marriages. 😝
“Proper procedure must be followed. An investigation into the murder of Officer Bowers is under way, and at this time, you are a suspect. It is my belief that you’ll be cleared quickly and completely.”
“Cleared? Of beating a fellow cop to death? Of abandoning everything I believe in and I’ve worked for? And why would I have done this?” Panic had a line of sweat, icy cold, snaking down her spine. “Because she tried to smear me in the department and in the media? For Christ’s sake, Commander, anyone could see she was on self-destruct.”
“Dallas.” This time Webster stepped forward. “You threatened her with physical harm, on record. Call your advocate.”
“Don’t tell me to call my advocate,” she snapped. “I haven’t done anything but my job.” Panic was growing teeth now, edgy and sharp. All she could do was fight it with temper. “You want me in interview, Webster? Fine, let’s go. Right here, right now.”
“Lieutenant!” Whitney whipped the word out, watched her head snap around, the fury in her eyes hot and open. “The department must conduct internal and external investigations into the matter of the death of Officer Bowers. There is no choice.” He let out a long breath. “There is no choice,” he repeated. “While this investigation is open and active, you are suspended from duty.”
He nearly winced when he saw her eyes go from hot and alive to blank and dazed. Nearly cringed when he saw every ounce of color drain out of her face. “It is with regret, Lieutenant, great personal regret, that I ask you to turn in your weapon and your shield.”
Her mind had gone dead, utterly dead, as if some electrical current had been shut off. She couldn’t feel her hands, her feet, her heart. “My shield?”
“Dallas.” He stepped to her, his voice gentle now, his eyes storming with emotion. “There’s no choice. You are suspended from duty, pending the results of the internal and external investigations in the matter of the death of Officer Ellen Bowers. I must ask for your weapon and your badge.”
She stared into his eyes, couldn’t look anywhere else. Inside her head was a scream: dull, distant, desperate. Her joints felt rusty as she reached down for her badge, then over to release her weapon. Their weight in her hand made it shake.
Putting them in Whitney’s was like ripping out her own heart.
They made a big fucking mistake when they did this.
She wasn’t sure she could speak, that the words would push through her throat, it burned so. And the rest of her was numb. Dead.
“They took my badge.” Suddenly it was real, the brutal reality of it punched like a fist. And grief gushed up, hot, bitter, to spill out of her eyes. “Roarke.”
“I know.” He was there, his arms hard around her, holding tight as she began to shake. “I’m sorry, Eve. I’m so sorry.”
“What will I do? What will I do?” She clung, weeping, not even aware that he picked her up, carried her inside, into the warmth and up the stairs. “Oh God, God, God, they took my badge.”
“We’ll straighten it out. You’ll get it back. I promise you.” She was shaking so violently, it seemed her bones would crash together and shatter. He sat, tightened his grip. “Just hold onto me.”
“Don’t go away.”
“No, baby, I’ll stay right here.”
She wept until he feared she’d be ill; then the sobs faded away, and she was limp in his arms. Like a broken doll, he thought. He ordered a soother and took her to bed. She, who would fight taking a painkiller if she were bleeding from a dozen wounds, sipped the sedative he brought to her lips without protest.
He undressed her as he would an exhausted child.
“They made me nothing again.”
He looked down at her face, into eyes, hollow and heavy. “No, Eve.”
“Nothing.” She turned her head away, closed her eyes, and escaped.
She stepped inside, the old running shoes she’d put on soaked through, her jeans wet nearly to the knees. She hadn’t stopped for a jacket before going out, and the sudden warmth had her swaying in mild shock.
Summerset watched her a moment, his lips tight, his eyes dark with worry. Deliberately, he fixed his most arrogant expression on his face and slipped into the foyer. “You’re filthy and wet.” He sniffed derisively. “And you’re tracking water all over the floor. You might show a bit of respect for your own home.”
He waited for the flash of temper, the cold flare of her eyes, and felt the heart she didn’t know he had squeeze when she simply stared at him.
“Sorry.” She looked down blankly at her feet. “I didn’t think.” She laid a hand on the newel post, noticed with a kind of distant interest that it seemed cold enough to snap, and started up the stairs.
Unnerved, Summerset moved quickly to the communication center. “Roarke, the lieutenant has just come in from outside. She wore no outer gear. She looks very bad.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s heading up. Roarke, I insulted her and . . . she apologized to me. Something must be done.”
“It’s about to be.”
AND MY FAVORITE PART:
“I’m not looking for a damn job, Roarke.”
“No? Well, my mistake. If you’ve decided to retire then, we can explore other options.”
“Options, for God’s sake. I can’t think about this.”
“We could consider making a child.”
The snifter jerked in her hand, brandy sloshing over the rim as she spun around. “What?”
“That got your attention,” he murmured. “I imagined we’d start our family a bit farther down the road, but under the current circumstances, we could easily push it up.”
She wondered why her head didn’t explode. “Are you crazy? A baby? Do you mean a baby?”
“That’s the conventional way to start a family.”
“I can’t—I don’t—” She managed to catch her breath. “I don’t know anything about babies, kids.”
“You have a great deal of leisure time just now. You can learn. Retiring makes you a perfect candidate for professional motherhood.”
“Professional—Jesus.” She was certain she felt all the blood the hot water had stirred back to life in her body drain away again. “You’ve got to be joking.”
ROFL
Driven by temper, she stormed through the house, down to the gym. She stripped off the robe, dragged on a unisuit. Her blood blazing, she activated the combat droid and beat the shit out of it.
Upstairs, Roarke sipped brandy and grinned like a fool as he watched her on a monitor. He imagined she’d replaced the droid’s face with his. “Go ahead, darling,” he murmured. “Pound me into dust.” He winced a little when she jammed her knee hard into the droid’s crotch, felt a sympathetic twinge in his own balls.
“I guess I had that coming,” he decided and made a mental note to order a new combat droid. This one was toast.
I’d forgotten that this book details what happens in testing. What a horrible thing to endure!
I do so love this book!
Loyalty in Death:
Zeke, Peabody’s little brother comes to visit and do some custom cabinetry for a couple. Unfortunately, the couple are the brother and SIL of Eve’s most recent murder victim. Hmm. Sounds sketchy.
Peabody and McNab starting their relationship. 😍
Cassandra, the terrorist group and their bombs, have Eve and crew running in circles. For a while.
Eve let her hands drop. “He’s not going down for this. You can hold onto that.”
“I know. Because I’m holding onto you.”
“Don’t do that.” Eve bit off the words and turned away. “Don’t.”
“I’ve got to get this out. My family’s the most important thing I’ve got. Just because I don’t live close doesn’t mean we aren’t close. After them comes the job.” She sniffled, rubbed a hand impatiently under her nose. “You’re the job.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yeah, you are, Dallas. You’re everything that’s right about the job. And you’re the best thing that’s happened to me since I picked up my badge. I’m holding onto you because I know I can.”
Eve’s heart quivered. The backs of her eyes burned. “I don’t have time to stand here and get sloppy with you.” She strode to the door, stopping briefly to tap a finger on Peabody’s chest. “Officer Peabody, you’re out of uniform.”
As the door swung closed behind Eve, Peabody glanced down and saw the third button on her uniform jacket was hanging by a thread. McNab, she realized, hadn’t quite torn it off.
“Oh hell.” She swore again, viciously, and ripped the button free.
Definitely one of the most exciting finales to date.
Witness in Death:
“She’s off. She had a date.”
“Ah. With McNab?”
Eve felt her appetite take an abrupt nosedive. “She doesn’t date McNab.” At Roarke’s look of surprise, she stubbornly stuffed more stew in her mouth. “Look, maybe, in some alternate universe far, far away, they have sex. But they’re not dating. That’s it.”
“Darling, there comes a time, however sad for Mum, when the children must leave home.”
Vaguely remember this story but not who the killer is. I remember the conflict with Nadine, though.
“Play back last program.”
With barely a hiccup, the unit burst into color and sound. Eve watched two figures slide and slither over a pool of black sheets. “Why do guys always get off watching other people fuck?”
“We’re sick, disgusting, and weak. Pity us.”
She started to laugh.
Wait,wait, wait…possible moment of genius here…is this the one where turns out the young actress is actually the child out of wedlock of the deceased actor and the other actress? He gets killed because he slept with the younger actress?? (YES, I WAS RIGHT!)
Roarke giving McNab dating advice about Peabody. 😍🥰
All the talk about love and lifetimes got under Eve’s skin and made her feel uncomfortably guilty. She played back what others had said and realized everyone who had mentioned her relationship with Roarke as an example had spoken of what he would do for her or wouldn’t do to her.
It wasn’t, she decided, a very pretty picture of her participation in the whole love and marriage deal. She never really did anything, she thought. She still had a miserable time finding the right words, the right gesture, the right moment. Roarke seemed to pluck them out of the air as easily, as smoothly, as he plucked his fortune.
So she’d make an effort. She’d push the case onto the back burner, okay, the side burner, she admitted, and do something, Jesus, romantic.
In her current state of mind, she wanted to avoid Summerset at all costs, so she actually put her car in the garage. Then, like a thief, she snuck in the house through one of the side doors.
She was about to plan her first intimate dinner.
Seriously one of the best scenes between Summerset and Eve:
What kind of maniac needed over five thousand plates? Her maniac, she reminded herself, then nearly choked when she ran the crystal.
“Okay, that’s got to be wrong.” She was at the point of choosing at random because her time was running short.
“Might I ask precisely what you’re doing?”
A lesser woman would have yelped. Eve managed, just barely, to bite it back. “Get lost. I’m busy.”
Summerset simply strode over, the cat at his heels. “So I observe. If you wish to know the contents of the house, I suggest you discuss it with Roarke.”
“I can’t because I’ve killed him, disposed of his body, and now I’m going to hold the biggest auction, on or off planet, in the history of civilization.”
She jabbed a finger against something called Waterford, Dublin pattern, only because she recognized it as the city where Roarke had been born. Then she looked up with a scowl toward the hovering Summerset. “Go away.”
But his attention had shifted from her to the table under the glass dome of the observation balcony. She’d used the Irish linen, he noted. An excellent choice, which was probably blind luck. The Georgian candlesticks, white tapers. There were dozens of other candles, all white, scattered around the lounging room, as yet unlighted.
Galahad the cat pranced over and leaped onto the satin pillows on the love seat.
“Jesus Christ, they’re just forks and knives!”
The combination of horror and frustration in her tone had Summerset’s lips twitching. “Which china pattern have you selected?”
“I don’t know. Will you get out of here? This is a private party.”
He tapped her hand aside before she could select, scanned her other choices, and ordered the proper flatware. “You’ve neglected to order napkins.”
“I was getting to them.”
He turned a pitying eye on her. She was wearing a cotton robe, had yet to enhance her face. Her hair was standing in spikes from the constant swipe of her fingers. But he gave her points for the attempt. In fact, he was pleasantly surprised by her taste. Though some of her selections were unconventional in combinations, they managed to blend into a rather charming ambiance.
“When one plans a special meal,” he said, taking care to look down the long line of his nose at her, “One requires the proper accompaniments.”
“What am I doing here? Playing Space Attack? Now, if you’d just go slither under the door again, I could finish up.”
“Flowers are necessary.”
“Flowers?” Her stomach pitched to her feet. “I knew that.” She wasn’t going to ask. She’d saw her tongue off with her teeth before she asked. For a humming ten seconds they simply stared at each other. He took pity on her, though he told himself he was simply maintaining his authority as majordomo. “I would suggest roses, the Royal Silver.”
“I guess we’ve got those.”
“Yes, they can be accessed. You’ll also require music.”
Her palms started to sweat. Annoyed, she rubbed them on the robe. “I was going to program something.” Or other.
“I assume you intend to dress for the evening.”
“Shit.” She heaved out a breath, stared hard at the cat who was staring hard back at her. She suspected he was grinning.
“It’s part of my duties to organize matters such as this. If you’ll go put on something . . . more, I’ll arrange the rest.”
She opened her mouth to agree. Already the knots in her stomach loosened. Then she shook her head and felt them tighten right back up again. “No, I have to do it myself. That’s the point.” She massaged her forehead. She was getting a headache. Perfect.
His face remained stern, cold, but inside, he softened like jelly. “Then you’d better hurry. Roarke will be home within the hour.”
She would, Summerset concluded as he left her alone, need every minute of it.
I’d forgotten about Trueheart getting hurt on Eve’s watch. Hospital, surgery, the whole nine yards. Whoa. His mom talking to Eve. 😳
“You know, I’m really trying to cut down on this stuff. But . . .” Peabody ripped into the pack of cookies. “Thing is, weird, McNab doesn’t think I’m chubby. And when a guy sees you naked, he knows where the extra layers are.”
“Peabody, do you have some delusion that I want to hear how McNab sees you naked?”
She crunched into a cookie. “I’m just saying. Anyway, you know we have sex, so you’ve probably reached the conclusion we’re naked when we’re having it. You being an ace detective and all.”
“Peabody, in the chain of command, you may, on rare occasions and due to my astonishing good nature, respond to sarcasm with sarcasm. You are not permitted to lead with it. Give me a damn cookie.”
“They’re coconut crunchies. You hate coconut.”
“Then why did you buy coconut?”
“To piss you off.”
Grinning now, Peabody pulled another pack of cookies from her bag. “Then I bought chocolate chip, just for you.”
“Well, hand them over then.”
“Okay, so . . .” Peabody ripped open the second pack, offered Eve a cookie. “Anyway, McNab’s got a little, bitty butt, and hardly any shoulders. Still—”
“Stop. Stop right there. If I get an image of a naked McNab in my head, you’re going back to traffic detail.”
Peabody munched, hummed, waited.
“Damn it! There he is.”
Hooting with laughter, Peabody polished off the last cookie. “Sorry. Dallas, I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. Kinda cute, isn’t he?”
And, she thought, it had bumped whatever had been troubling her lieutenant out of the way.
AH-HAH! Here we go…book 10 is where it’s first mentioned:
She dressed, dragging on dung brown trousers and a white shirt that had narrow brown stripes. She had no idea how long the shirt had been there, but since Roarke had started filling her closet, she’d stopped paying attention.
He bought her a ridiculous amount of clothes, but it saved her from the torture of shopping.
Since it was there, and the weather promised to remain cool, she buttoned on a waist-length vest that appeared to go with the rest of the deal.
LOVED IT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
Murder mysteries galore
I planned on reading the first book in this series, but then I was hooked. Eve has come a long way letting people into her personal life and having actual friends. She is snarky, sarcastic, driven and yet she cares about justice for every dead person. I find Roarke interesting in the way he loves everything about Eve. They both get very angry with one another but the reader will know they are totally committed to one another. I think Peabody is a hoot and a great side kick to Eve. Summerset is one of my favorite characters in this series. His and Eve's relationship makes me chuckle every time they see each other. Anyone who loves a great mystery, some chuckles, romance and the evolution of the characters will love this series.
I planned on reading the first book in this series, but then I was hooked. Eve has come a long way letting people into her personal life and having actual friends. She is snarky, sarcastic, driven and yet she cares about justice for every dead person. I find Roarke interesting in the way he loves everything about Eve. They both get very angry with one another but the reader will know they are totally committed to one another. I think Peabody is a hoot and a great side kick to Eve. Summerset is one of my favorite characters in this series. His and Eve's relationship makes me chuckle every time they see each other. Anyone who loves a great mystery, some chuckles, romance and the evolution of the characters will love this series.
March 8, 2021
Gnom, gnom,gnom,gnom,gnom
What is better than reading the latest installment in the In Death series (Faithless In Death#52)? Getting to read them, in order, from the beginning, and back to back!
This collection finds Eve & Roarke still finding their legs as a couple. Vengeance In Death pits them against someone in Roarke’s past and deep in Irish nuances. An added bonus is watching the team come together and the when of them crossing paths with Dallas. It’s immersive and worth every page turn.
So...what are you waiting for? First book is Naked In Death!
What is better than reading the latest installment in the In Death series (Faithless In Death#52)? Getting to read them, in order, from the beginning, and back to back!
This collection finds Eve & Roarke still finding their legs as a couple. Vengeance In Death pits them against someone in Roarke’s past and deep in Irish nuances. An added bonus is watching the team come together and the when of them crossing paths with Dallas. It’s immersive and worth every page turn.
So...what are you waiting for? First book is Naked In Death!
Read
July 7, 2021These books by J.D. Robb always provide the best mysteries and surprise endings.
They are always page turners and I have a hard time putting them down.
When I complete a book, I actually miss the characters especially Dallas and her husband Rourke.
I can't wait to read another.
The author describes the characters so well you can visualize them in your mind.
I am striving to read every book in the series but there are so many.
Sometimes, I switch over to read a book by Nora Roberts and enjoy those as well.
My favorite author!!!
They are always page turners and I have a hard time putting them down.
When I complete a book, I actually miss the characters especially Dallas and her husband Rourke.
I can't wait to read another.
The author describes the characters so well you can visualize them in your mind.
I am striving to read every book in the series but there are so many.
Sometimes, I switch over to read a book by Nora Roberts and enjoy those as well.
My favorite author!!!
July 27, 2021
One of the best I have ever read
I rarely to never reread a book. I am not only rereading these books, but enjoying them just as much as the first time. Dallas is a character who has ethics that define her. She stands for what she believes, but does not back down as she finds the grey areas in life. The way she learns to love as she gains friends is uplifting and humorous. This is what makes these books addicting and hard to put down.
I rarely to never reread a book. I am not only rereading these books, but enjoying them just as much as the first time. Dallas is a character who has ethics that define her. She stands for what she believes, but does not back down as she finds the grey areas in life. The way she learns to love as she gains friends is uplifting and humorous. This is what makes these books addicting and hard to put down.
May 5, 2022
Great Read!
I Love Nora Roberts. How she writes. But my favorite books of hers are the Death Series by J.D. Robb! They keep me guessing to the very end on who did it. I wish someone would make a tv series out of these books. The only concern would be that there would be too many fade to blacks. I love how all of the females in Nora's books are strong women! And the men are someone we would all like to know and have in our own lives.
I Love Nora Roberts. How she writes. But my favorite books of hers are the Death Series by J.D. Robb! They keep me guessing to the very end on who did it. I wish someone would make a tv series out of these books. The only concern would be that there would be too many fade to blacks. I love how all of the females in Nora's books are strong women! And the men are someone we would all like to know and have in our own lives.
February 26, 2021
Perfect!
As always, J. D. Robb, has created a compelling, intricate tale about Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Full of twists and turns, leads toward this or that character as the most likely murder suspect, she pulls it all together at the end and surprises her readers with the solution to the mystery. Brava, Nora Roberts, you have done it again as your alter-ego, J.D. Robb!!
As always, J. D. Robb, has created a compelling, intricate tale about Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Full of twists and turns, leads toward this or that character as the most likely murder suspect, she pulls it all together at the end and surprises her readers with the solution to the mystery. Brava, Nora Roberts, you have done it again as your alter-ego, J.D. Robb!!
November 14, 2021
Even better the 2nd time around. The suspense we love while Eve Dallas and her squad solve the current crime layered over the easy familiarization with a cast of characters who all begin to feel just a bit like family. Comfortable easy reading.
And then there's Rourke who makes every other man, living or fantasized, appear dull and dreary. Be still my heart.
And then there's Rourke who makes every other man, living or fantasized, appear dull and dreary. Be still my heart.
April 28, 2022
Love the In Death Series
I love this series so much I've read it beginning to end at least 3 times.
It never gets old. The characters are rich in personality. I love how J.D.
adds more characters and how
the start fitting and add more meaning to each book.
Thanks so much for a wonderful series
of books.
I love this series so much I've read it beginning to end at least 3 times.
It never gets old. The characters are rich in personality. I love how J.D.
adds more characters and how
the start fitting and add more meaning to each book.
Thanks so much for a wonderful series
of books.
January 15, 2017
Very good
I'm rereading these books and they make me remember why I like this series. From there emotions that are from their child abuse to their bits of comic relief. I really like how they characters interact with each other.
I'm rereading these books and they make me remember why I like this series. From there emotions that are from their child abuse to their bits of comic relief. I really like how they characters interact with each other.
March 13, 2018
Each book is better than the last
I love to read a series of books that present interesting, complicated characters that become pleasurable addictions. Eve Dallas and Roarke are two of the best.
I love to read a series of books that present interesting, complicated characters that become pleasurable addictions. Eve Dallas and Roarke are two of the best.
June 2, 2018
Loved it. Eve Dallas at her best. It is a great police story as well as a great love story. I just love the author. She has the best story lines.
I found it very hard to put down. Four riveting stories of Roarke and Eve Dallas. Their love has no bounds.
I found it very hard to put down. Four riveting stories of Roarke and Eve Dallas. Their love has no bounds.
September 14, 2018
The story plots and characters are the best. Keep up the good work . The writing is superb.
I love it when I get several books in order. Not that it is necessary but I love to watch the characters grow together.
I love it when I get several books in order. Not that it is necessary but I love to watch the characters grow together.
November 26, 2018
Excellent!
Action, romance & mystery.
Lt. Eve Dallas, Roarke & the rest are at it again; trying to bring the bad guys to justice. Though in the last book in this set the bad guy was the one that was murdered.
Action, romance & mystery.
Lt. Eve Dallas, Roarke & the rest are at it again; trying to bring the bad guys to justice. Though in the last book in this set the bad guy was the one that was murdered.
February 12, 2019
This is a really convenient way to catch the older parts of the series, and I've really relied on the collections since Ive had to download from my public library. I've also left reviews for the individual books. What a GREAT series.
March 24, 2019
J D Robb can write a great mystery
These books were wonderful. So many different storylines yet underneath it all and holding it all together is Eve and Roarke with their deep and abiding love for each other.
These books were wonderful. So many different storylines yet underneath it all and holding it all together is Eve and Roarke with their deep and abiding love for each other.
November 27, 2019
Moments of actual LOL
It really is enjoyable to experience the growth of relationships between the characters here. Possibly my favorite is the banter between Peabody and Dallas. More than once I caught myself giggling at them. Great story that pulls you along.
It really is enjoyable to experience the growth of relationships between the characters here. Possibly my favorite is the banter between Peabody and Dallas. More than once I caught myself giggling at them. Great story that pulls you along.
September 19, 2020
The Best
I am absolutely in love with these books. The author has added so much to each character. I smile, laugh out loud and I cry reading this series. I can’t get enough. Thank you J.D. Robb for such an incredible series.
I am absolutely in love with these books. The author has added so much to each character. I smile, laugh out loud and I cry reading this series. I can’t get enough. Thank you J.D. Robb for such an incredible series.
August 29, 2021
I have not read all of the books in this series, but I’m sure I will. I enjoy her style of writing, the mystery of her storyline, the relationship of her characters to each other, and the humor interspersed through out these books.
Read
July 13, 2022Great storytelling
As usual, I find JD Robb to have a great storyline, likeable characters, and surprises behind each corner. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery will like this series.
As usual, I find JD Robb to have a great storyline, likeable characters, and surprises behind each corner. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery will like this series.
October 15, 2022
Superb!!!
Wonderful books JD Robb In Death collection books 6-10. Great reading Finish one book and on to the next one. I recommend the In Death books to everyone!! Gave this collection 5 stars.
Wonderful books JD Robb In Death collection books 6-10. Great reading Finish one book and on to the next one. I recommend the In Death books to everyone!! Gave this collection 5 stars.
February 4, 2024
Good book
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel. I really enjoyed reading this novel very much and also i 💘 this author too. ShelleyMa
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel. I really enjoyed reading this novel very much and also i 💘 this author too. ShelleyMa
March 14, 2025
Not my favorite, but pretty darn good
This book was really good. The only thing wrong was trying to keep all the different characters straight through the whole book. I had to reread pages to keep the story straight in my head.
This book was really good. The only thing wrong was trying to keep all the different characters straight through the whole book. I had to reread pages to keep the story straight in my head.
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