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In Death #53
Forgotten In Death
Listening length: 14 hours, 7 minutes
In the latest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas sifts through the wreckage of the past to find a killer.
The body was left in a dumpster like so much trash, the victim a woman of no fixed address, known for offering paper flowers in return for spare change―and for keeping the cops informed of any infractions she witnessed on the street. But the notebook where she scribbled her intel on litterers and other such offenders is nowhere to be found.
Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains―in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing―unearthed by recent construction work. She isn’t happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke―not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…
In the latest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas sifts through the wreckage of the past to find a killer.
The body was left in a dumpster like so much trash, the victim a woman of no fixed address, known for offering paper flowers in return for spare change―and for keeping the cops informed of any infractions she witnessed on the street. But the notebook where she scribbled her intel on litterers and other such offenders is nowhere to be found.
Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains―in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing―unearthed by recent construction work. She isn’t happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke―not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published September 7, 2021
2256 people are currently reading
9023 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Robb
177 books35.2k 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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July 22, 2021
Forgotten in Death
by J. D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) brings murder, romance and suspense to a well-written futuristic police procedural set in New York City during the spring of 2061. What happens when the past and the present collide?
This story starts with our protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, being called to a construction site crime scene. Joined by her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, they find the body of a woman without a fixed address who kept the local cops informed of any rule violations she witnessed on the street. While working the crime scene, Eve is called away, to a nearby building site where bones decades old have been found. It turns out that the site is one Eve’s husband, Roarke, has purchased and is starting to develop.
Time spent with Eve, Roarke, and Eve’s colleagues is always entertaining. Eve is definitely a compelling and three-dimensional character. Her need to serve and protect comes through in every book, but the underlying impetus for this is best understood by reading this series in order. Due to the way Eve was raised, she often doesn’t understand commonly used phrases and this comes into play a few times in this book making her seem more real and less perfect. As always, the interactions between Eve and Roarke are enjoyable and bring a different facet of Eve’s personality to light. Many of the reoccurring police characters play significant roles in this book. However, readers also get to see a bit of their private lives.
The prose is well-written, entertaining, and engaging. This time Eve’s passion for justice and those that need help pushes the story beyond finding a single murderer, to taking down those that preyed on others. The plot is thought-provoking and tragic. While this book has some action, it is mostly a police procedural until the ending. It is appalling in places and uplifting in others.
Robb manages to embed humor in her novels, providing some much needed levity to offset some of the more serious and grim aspects of the story. She brings strong characters, great plots, wonderful relationships, and excellent pacing to this series. Themes include murder, justice, family dynamics, domestic abuse, racism, infidelity, lies, cover-ups, and intolerance of others, as well as standing up for the innocent and the dead.
If you enjoy engaging near-future police procedurals with some romance and humor, then I recommend this series. This is the fifty-third book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. Overall, it is entertaining, and over time, it is like spending time with old friends. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press and J.D. Robb provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is scheduled for September 7, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
This story starts with our protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, being called to a construction site crime scene. Joined by her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, they find the body of a woman without a fixed address who kept the local cops informed of any rule violations she witnessed on the street. While working the crime scene, Eve is called away, to a nearby building site where bones decades old have been found. It turns out that the site is one Eve’s husband, Roarke, has purchased and is starting to develop.
Time spent with Eve, Roarke, and Eve’s colleagues is always entertaining. Eve is definitely a compelling and three-dimensional character. Her need to serve and protect comes through in every book, but the underlying impetus for this is best understood by reading this series in order. Due to the way Eve was raised, she often doesn’t understand commonly used phrases and this comes into play a few times in this book making her seem more real and less perfect. As always, the interactions between Eve and Roarke are enjoyable and bring a different facet of Eve’s personality to light. Many of the reoccurring police characters play significant roles in this book. However, readers also get to see a bit of their private lives.
The prose is well-written, entertaining, and engaging. This time Eve’s passion for justice and those that need help pushes the story beyond finding a single murderer, to taking down those that preyed on others. The plot is thought-provoking and tragic. While this book has some action, it is mostly a police procedural until the ending. It is appalling in places and uplifting in others.
Robb manages to embed humor in her novels, providing some much needed levity to offset some of the more serious and grim aspects of the story. She brings strong characters, great plots, wonderful relationships, and excellent pacing to this series. Themes include murder, justice, family dynamics, domestic abuse, racism, infidelity, lies, cover-ups, and intolerance of others, as well as standing up for the innocent and the dead.
If you enjoy engaging near-future police procedurals with some romance and humor, then I recommend this series. This is the fifty-third book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. Overall, it is entertaining, and over time, it is like spending time with old friends. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press and J.D. Robb provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is scheduled for September 7, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
September 16, 2021
It's September so it must be time for a new J.D. Robb book. I firmly believe this author deserves a pat on the back for her work ethic and the way she constantly delivers her new books always on time.
When Forgotten in Death opens, Eve Dallas is thrown straight into a murder case, finding a dead body in a dumpster on a building site. She gets called almost immediately to another murder nearby but this one is from the past, two skeletons, mother and baby. As the book progresses Eve and her team find themselves handling several cases simultaneously and we get to see a lot of investigation and careful police work.
There is plenty of action, an exciting arrest and the usual fun scenes in the interview room when Eve, Peabody and Reo take on the bad guys and their lawyers. Although there is probably less personal stuff than we are used to, Rourke, Mira, Commander Whitney, and the rest, all play a part or get a mention somewhere. Quite a lot comes up about the house which is being redesigned for Mavis and Leonardo and Peabody and McNab. Hopefully we might be joining them for a house warming party in the next book.
Looking forward to February already:)
When Forgotten in Death opens, Eve Dallas is thrown straight into a murder case, finding a dead body in a dumpster on a building site. She gets called almost immediately to another murder nearby but this one is from the past, two skeletons, mother and baby. As the book progresses Eve and her team find themselves handling several cases simultaneously and we get to see a lot of investigation and careful police work.
There is plenty of action, an exciting arrest and the usual fun scenes in the interview room when Eve, Peabody and Reo take on the bad guys and their lawyers. Although there is probably less personal stuff than we are used to, Rourke, Mira, Commander Whitney, and the rest, all play a part or get a mention somewhere. Quite a lot comes up about the house which is being redesigned for Mavis and Leonardo and Peabody and McNab. Hopefully we might be joining them for a house warming party in the next book.
Looking forward to February already:)
September 27, 2021
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called to the scene of a construction site where the body of a woman was found in a dumpster. As she and her partner Detective Delia Peabody are beginning their investigation, someone from an adjacent construction project comes for their help. They’ve discovered remains at the bottom of a building they were demolishing and reconstructing. It’s clear the bones have been there since the original construction but it becomes even more tragic when they see tinier bones there, too. Things are even more complicated when Eve learns that second site is now owned by her husband, Roarke.
I knew from the onset these were going to be challenging investigations and that proved true. Since both building sites were originally developed during the immediate aftermath of the Urban Wars, we get more information about that mysterious period in the series mythical history. Eve is determined to discover the identity of the remains found in that building and unlocking the secrets that led to them being buried and hidden there for decades. The woman found in the dumpster also has a secret past so in addition to solving the crimes of who killed these women, she has to first learn who they really were before their deaths, why they seemed to have been forgotten.
I always love being back in the world of Eve Dallas and this time it was exceptionally satisfying. The suspects were particularly vile and the procedurals leading towards their capture were classic. But, even more satisfying was how they were brought to justice. The interview sessions were outstanding, the highlight of the story, in addition to the backstories of the victims unleashing provocative pasts. We also get some updates as to what’s going on in the new house being renovated for Mavis & Leonardo and Peabody & McNab. Once they’re done, that promises to add even more dimension to the stories going forward. This was another wonderful installment to the series and I continue to be surprised that it’s still fresh after so many books. The characters continue to grow, mature and evolve, which keeps me coming back for more.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
I knew from the onset these were going to be challenging investigations and that proved true. Since both building sites were originally developed during the immediate aftermath of the Urban Wars, we get more information about that mysterious period in the series mythical history. Eve is determined to discover the identity of the remains found in that building and unlocking the secrets that led to them being buried and hidden there for decades. The woman found in the dumpster also has a secret past so in addition to solving the crimes of who killed these women, she has to first learn who they really were before their deaths, why they seemed to have been forgotten.
I always love being back in the world of Eve Dallas and this time it was exceptionally satisfying. The suspects were particularly vile and the procedurals leading towards their capture were classic. But, even more satisfying was how they were brought to justice. The interview sessions were outstanding, the highlight of the story, in addition to the backstories of the victims unleashing provocative pasts. We also get some updates as to what’s going on in the new house being renovated for Mavis & Leonardo and Peabody & McNab. Once they’re done, that promises to add even more dimension to the stories going forward. This was another wonderful installment to the series and I continue to be surprised that it’s still fresh after so many books. The characters continue to grow, mature and evolve, which keeps me coming back for more.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
October 16, 2025
*4.5* Mysteries on top of mysteries, favorite characters, and the best bff conversations.
Eve and Peabody chatting about men.
“Men always like younger women.”
The sour tone had Eve glancing over. “McNab’s only got a couple years on you.”
“Because we’re both young. But say when we hit like fifty, he could start eyeballing twenty-year-olds. Of course, if he does, I’ll spoon out his eyeballs and keep them in a glass box on the mantel. That’ll stop that shit.”
I’m so glad that Jane Doe, Baby Doe and Alva, had Eve to bring them justice.
Eve and Peabody chatting about men.
“Men always like younger women.”
The sour tone had Eve glancing over. “McNab’s only got a couple years on you.”
“Because we’re both young. But say when we hit like fifty, he could start eyeballing twenty-year-olds. Of course, if he does, I’ll spoon out his eyeballs and keep them in a glass box on the mantel. That’ll stop that shit.”
I’m so glad that Jane Doe, Baby Doe and Alva, had Eve to bring them justice.
September 13, 2021
3.75 stars**
53 books in this series and still going strong!
Even though I enjoyed it plenty I rated it a bit low. I don’t know, I felt like something was missing from this one. I liked that it was a case within a case and as always the brilliant way Eve and the gang solves it. I guess I was looking more of a wow factor, especially at the end. Nonetheless it was still a solid read and I can’t wait for the next installment in February. Thank goodness I can Re read my favorite ones meanwhile.♥️
53 books in this series and still going strong!
Even though I enjoyed it plenty I rated it a bit low. I don’t know, I felt like something was missing from this one. I liked that it was a case within a case and as always the brilliant way Eve and the gang solves it. I guess I was looking more of a wow factor, especially at the end. Nonetheless it was still a solid read and I can’t wait for the next installment in February. Thank goodness I can Re read my favorite ones meanwhile.♥️
October 3, 2021
Not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, 4.5 stars to Forgotten in Death. I never read the entire series, so I don't know what is considered spoilers and what is common knowledge. But though J.D. Robb and I go nearly a decade back, as a writer and reader relationship, I have never been a staunch fan of hers.
So you must understand how surprised I was that the book, dismissed by some as lacking in Eve-Roarke magic, had me under its spell maybe for that very reason. Forgotten in Death is a hybrid of sorts. There are dualities more than singularities in this book more than most times. The rich/poor contrast, the male/female familiarity (and one person in particular, so macho looking, bearing the brunt of Eve's skill - that was brilliant), the love/hate one, the American/Foreign tension... it's all here.
And it's all current affairs echoing in the book. I have the feeling that the latter is aligned with many bona fide fans of the book when I reveal that the most recent victim drew more sympathy for me. That's how it hit me. Am I going to be a fan of J.D. Robb for the first time since I've been reading thrillers? Since I've been an adult? The target audience of J.D. Robb is going to be much across the age and gender strata if things go like this. If things go like this, I may have found in the aging Robb, an inimitable author. PS - The one liners in the story are really something aren't they?
So you must understand how surprised I was that the book, dismissed by some as lacking in Eve-Roarke magic, had me under its spell maybe for that very reason. Forgotten in Death is a hybrid of sorts. There are dualities more than singularities in this book more than most times. The rich/poor contrast, the male/female familiarity (and one person in particular, so macho looking, bearing the brunt of Eve's skill - that was brilliant), the love/hate one, the American/Foreign tension... it's all here.
And it's all current affairs echoing in the book. I have the feeling that the latter is aligned with many bona fide fans of the book when I reveal that the most recent victim drew more sympathy for me. That's how it hit me. Am I going to be a fan of J.D. Robb for the first time since I've been reading thrillers? Since I've been an adult? The target audience of J.D. Robb is going to be much across the age and gender strata if things go like this. If things go like this, I may have found in the aging Robb, an inimitable author. PS - The one liners in the story are really something aren't they?
December 30, 2021
Forgotten in Death is the 53rd in the long running and excellent In Death series by JD Robb and once again it was a delight to read, an absolute pleasure to lose myself in Eve and Roarke’s world for a few hours.
A construction site dumpster held the first body Eve was called out to on her way into Central, and not long after that the bones of a long-forgotten woman and her baby were exposed during demolition on the same block. Eve, Peabody and the team investigated hard and deeply, but with Russian mobsters, money, secrets, lies and brutality everywhere they looked, Eve was determined to make those responsible, pay! Highly recommended.
A construction site dumpster held the first body Eve was called out to on her way into Central, and not long after that the bones of a long-forgotten woman and her baby were exposed during demolition on the same block. Eve, Peabody and the team investigated hard and deeply, but with Russian mobsters, money, secrets, lies and brutality everywhere they looked, Eve was determined to make those responsible, pay! Highly recommended.
September 26, 2021
As always and expected the 53rd instalment of the IN DEATH series was entirely entertaining, a fabulous addition to the series, and a-book-in-a day kind of read. For the last 10 years, twice a year I have the pleasure of visiting this cast, and it just DOESN'T GET BORING!!!! BRAVO!!
September 11, 2021
This was an "In Death" book where the emphasis was on the mystery element, and that mystery was very engaging for me. We've got a recent murder and a 30 year old murder that are discovered at virtually the same time. Are they related? If so, is it the same whodunnit for both? This one doesn't have as much overall character development, but we still got lots of lovely moments with our favs who we know and love. I feel like both 2021 entries in the series have been a return to form over the previous few, so that feels exciting to me as a lover of these books
September 15, 2021
Another very good book in this series!
I love this world and all the characters therein!
On the contrary to other similar series (yes, I'm looking at the Fatal series here...) this has not become mushy! It's still fresh and all the characters are happily married/involved, but it doesn't exaggerate their feeling and the dialogue is logical. Tehy don't run arroung professing their undying love and devotion!
OK, OK, I'll cut it short... sorry...
As usual Eve gets her murder, but while on site of that one she gets another! So she has to solve them both.
I'll not spoil the book, but it was instsresting to see how she solves them! It's not as complicated as some other Eve's cases, but it was still interesting.
The writing is still good and easy. We get to visit with all the other characters except Mavis, Leonardo and Bella, even if Leonardo is mentioned in passing...
Oh... now I have to wait again or the next one... Noooooo!!!
I love this world and all the characters therein!
On the contrary to other similar series (yes, I'm looking at the Fatal series here...) this has not become mushy! It's still fresh and all the characters are happily married/involved, but it doesn't exaggerate their feeling and the dialogue is logical. Tehy don't run arroung professing their undying love and devotion!
OK, OK, I'll cut it short... sorry...
As usual Eve gets her murder, but while on site of that one she gets another! So she has to solve them both.
I'll not spoil the book, but it was instsresting to see how she solves them! It's not as complicated as some other Eve's cases, but it was still interesting.
The writing is still good and easy. We get to visit with all the other characters except Mavis, Leonardo and Bella, even if Leonardo is mentioned in passing...
Oh... now I have to wait again or the next one... Noooooo!!!
March 19, 2022
3.75 stars
It's taking me forever to read a book these days - 2 weeks to read/listen to this. Honestly, if I didn't have my trusty audible, I would be getting no 'reading' done. A good read but not enough 'one on one' time with Eve and Roarke and definitely not enough time with the "gang", Mavis & Co.
Eve and Roarke - my favourite ever book couple ... I love them.
One more to read and then I am up to date with this series. I honestly don't know how she has held my interest for 53 books.
It's taking me forever to read a book these days - 2 weeks to read/listen to this. Honestly, if I didn't have my trusty audible, I would be getting no 'reading' done. A good read but not enough 'one on one' time with Eve and Roarke and definitely not enough time with the "gang", Mavis & Co.
He loved his work, as his cop loved hers, but Christ, there were times it left you knackered.
"You're not an Irish thug, but even if you were, I'd love you anyway."
Eve and Roarke - my favourite ever book couple ... I love them.
Ireland shimmered like morning mists in his voice ...
One more to read and then I am up to date with this series. I honestly don't know how she has held my interest for 53 books.
October 10, 2022
Somehow I got behind reading this series by several books. It always amazes me how J. D. Robb keeps coming up with fresh story ideas after fifty-three books. What attracted me to the series is that it’s placed in New York City in the future and the protagonist is a woman lieutenant detective.
The book seems a bit slower moving than others in the series and there are less of the supporting characters featured in the story. I enjoy the supporting cast of characters as they are unique and different than expected. This book starts off with Lt. Eve Dallas heading into work and sent to the site of a murder. Before long she has two more murders in the same area. One is a forty-year-old cold case.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and seven minutes. Susan Ericksen does as excellent job narrating the series. She has been the only narrator, so she has become Eve Dallas to me.
The book seems a bit slower moving than others in the series and there are less of the supporting characters featured in the story. I enjoy the supporting cast of characters as they are unique and different than expected. This book starts off with Lt. Eve Dallas heading into work and sent to the site of a murder. Before long she has two more murders in the same area. One is a forty-year-old cold case.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and seven minutes. Susan Ericksen does as excellent job narrating the series. She has been the only narrator, so she has become Eve Dallas to me.
September 5, 2021
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It’s always an exciting time with J.D. Robb released a new book and FORGOTTEN IN DEATH marks the fifty-third installment in this series. As always, Eve is ready for action when another murder happens. This time, two bodies are involved, however the timing and details are very different. Robb excels at creating mysteries that haven’t been done before and this one is a very good example of that. While some may argue that the killer is easy to figure out, my main joy in reading this series is learning the why. Of course, finding out who killed the victims is important. However, the reasoning behind it all is what makes this series stand out to me. I think it’s also the reason why Robb can write so many different books in this series and still keep it fresh. It’s not about only creating intriguing characters, but the motives and method all play a part in the uniqueness of this series.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Eve’s adventures have become quite comforting for me. I find myself always looking forward to these books and never being disappointed in them. They stay true to the original idea, but Robb always reinvents herself in so many fun and exciting ways. It’s always been a joy to revisit this series time and time again. If you haven’t read this series, then you are definitely missing out! FORGOTTEN IN DEATH is definitely be a memorable experience once you’ve read it!
It’s always an exciting time with J.D. Robb released a new book and FORGOTTEN IN DEATH marks the fifty-third installment in this series. As always, Eve is ready for action when another murder happens. This time, two bodies are involved, however the timing and details are very different. Robb excels at creating mysteries that haven’t been done before and this one is a very good example of that. While some may argue that the killer is easy to figure out, my main joy in reading this series is learning the why. Of course, finding out who killed the victims is important. However, the reasoning behind it all is what makes this series stand out to me. I think it’s also the reason why Robb can write so many different books in this series and still keep it fresh. It’s not about only creating intriguing characters, but the motives and method all play a part in the uniqueness of this series.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Eve’s adventures have become quite comforting for me. I find myself always looking forward to these books and never being disappointed in them. They stay true to the original idea, but Robb always reinvents herself in so many fun and exciting ways. It’s always been a joy to revisit this series time and time again. If you haven’t read this series, then you are definitely missing out! FORGOTTEN IN DEATH is definitely be a memorable experience once you’ve read it!
September 7, 2021
This book was a good addition to the series. The crimes were interesting ones, I liked how Eve found justice for 2 women, both who needed it for a long time. The interview at the end was great, loved how Eve always gets one over on the snobby, do you know who I am people, the ones who think they are above the law. For some reason this one didn't seem to have much else going on other than the crimes, I missed the other interaction with the secondary characters.
November 9, 2021
So this newest "In Death" was really good. It seems like Robb got back to the basics. Eve working a murder and focusing on justice for the victim. This also had a couple of real world events leaked in it that made it more interesting. The prejudice against certain religions and classes, how racism is still a thing in the 2050s, and a past incident with locals attacking and murdering those who they did not agree with. I think on some of this perhaps Robb was a bit inspired by the January 6th, insurrection in the United States. There is some decorating in this one and yes I skipped over all of that. That's another reason why I probably gave it 5 stars. I just would read and Peabody wanted to discuss colors and I ceased to care and or read.
"Forgotten In Death" follows Eve Dallas as she is called into a scene to find a known homeless woman dead in a dumpster. She is then called to another scene when the remains of a woman and her fetus is found entombed into a wall. Complications arise when Eve finds out the building is owned by Roarke. Which of course means the billionaire is going to be very involved on this one. Eve and Roarke and the usual suspects start digging in on both deaths and find some surprising connections from more than 20 years ago.
Eve was in top form in this one. There was nary a marriage fight, we got the brewing of one, but I cracked up when Robb just writes it like Roarke is all nah we ain't fighting. Heh. Thank goodness. Robb also skips over some sex scenes between the two. Instead we read about it after the fact (not complaining, they got a bit samey over the last few books). What was welcomed is how in tune the two of them are and we get more scenes of them at home and just enjoying each other. I beg Robb to have Eve want to eat something more than pizza or steak. Also we get to hear and know that Roarke has other work going on, so no him stopping to assist Eve and in this case McNabb (on a whole other case) is a lot to ask of him. Roarke kind of exits here and there, and becomes involved as needed. But for once it doesn't feel like Roarke just got shoehorned into the story.
Other things that made me laugh:
-Eve admitting she was sick of Peabody going on about renovation and color schemes.
-Mira saying she does not know why Eve comes to her to discuss cases when Eve is doing alright without her.
-DeWinter not letting Eve forget what an @$$ she was when Eve thought she was "moving in" on Morris.
-Galahad scenes.
I do think that the series needs a bit shaken up, but if Robb focuses more on the cases and people and not making Eve the savant that can just figure out huge cases that have baffled the FBI all the time it would work for me. And the only reason I say that, is that with the caseload that Eve has had and solved over the past what is it (2 years in In Death world) she should have been made a Captain at this point. I know in Thankless in Death we had Eve turn down the promotion (that is still driving me crazy) but it makes very little sense at this point why she's not promoted. I think another character is going to have to take the reigns soon.
Other things that need to be put to bed:
-Nadine and her books and them being turned into movies that she can just write and win Oscars for can stop anytime now.
-Icove. I don't want to hear about it anymore. My God.
-Where are Charles and Louise? They haven't been in the books in a while. How have they not come by to see where a group of their friends are living? Did I miss that whole thing?
I do think that since the book focused on the mystery and digging in on the homeless woman's past and the remains found I was more engaged than I have been in some time. Both of the backstories were sad and I loved the resolution found on both cases.
The flow of the book worked and I liked the dialogue. Though there was a bit of a scene with Eve realizing that Peabody is going to "smother/mother" Eve like Roarke does and I need everyone to knock it off. She's a woman in her 30s, I will put up with the Roarke scenes, (grudgingly) but anyone else is going to have me ready to shake them.
The ending was great though I wanted more. Like I wanted a six months later epilogue or something. But I assume we are going to do a big countdown to Mavis giving birth again which will finally have the series jump forward.
"Forgotten In Death" follows Eve Dallas as she is called into a scene to find a known homeless woman dead in a dumpster. She is then called to another scene when the remains of a woman and her fetus is found entombed into a wall. Complications arise when Eve finds out the building is owned by Roarke. Which of course means the billionaire is going to be very involved on this one. Eve and Roarke and the usual suspects start digging in on both deaths and find some surprising connections from more than 20 years ago.
Eve was in top form in this one. There was nary a marriage fight, we got the brewing of one, but I cracked up when Robb just writes it like Roarke is all nah we ain't fighting. Heh. Thank goodness. Robb also skips over some sex scenes between the two. Instead we read about it after the fact (not complaining, they got a bit samey over the last few books). What was welcomed is how in tune the two of them are and we get more scenes of them at home and just enjoying each other. I beg Robb to have Eve want to eat something more than pizza or steak. Also we get to hear and know that Roarke has other work going on, so no him stopping to assist Eve and in this case McNabb (on a whole other case) is a lot to ask of him. Roarke kind of exits here and there, and becomes involved as needed. But for once it doesn't feel like Roarke just got shoehorned into the story.
Other things that made me laugh:
-Eve admitting she was sick of Peabody going on about renovation and color schemes.
-Mira saying she does not know why Eve comes to her to discuss cases when Eve is doing alright without her.
-DeWinter not letting Eve forget what an @$$ she was when Eve thought she was "moving in" on Morris.
-Galahad scenes.
I do think that the series needs a bit shaken up, but if Robb focuses more on the cases and people and not making Eve the savant that can just figure out huge cases that have baffled the FBI all the time it would work for me. And the only reason I say that, is that with the caseload that Eve has had and solved over the past what is it (2 years in In Death world) she should have been made a Captain at this point. I know in Thankless in Death we had Eve turn down the promotion (that is still driving me crazy) but it makes very little sense at this point why she's not promoted. I think another character is going to have to take the reigns soon.
Other things that need to be put to bed:
-Nadine and her books and them being turned into movies that she can just write and win Oscars for can stop anytime now.
-Icove. I don't want to hear about it anymore. My God.
-Where are Charles and Louise? They haven't been in the books in a while. How have they not come by to see where a group of their friends are living? Did I miss that whole thing?
I do think that since the book focused on the mystery and digging in on the homeless woman's past and the remains found I was more engaged than I have been in some time. Both of the backstories were sad and I loved the resolution found on both cases.
The flow of the book worked and I liked the dialogue. Though there was a bit of a scene with Eve realizing that Peabody is going to "smother/mother" Eve like Roarke does and I need everyone to knock it off. She's a woman in her 30s, I will put up with the Roarke scenes, (grudgingly) but anyone else is going to have me ready to shake them.
The ending was great though I wanted more. Like I wanted a six months later epilogue or something. But I assume we are going to do a big countdown to Mavis giving birth again which will finally have the series jump forward.
August 24, 2021
Barbara’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #53
Publication Date: 9/7/21
Period: Future New York – May of 2061
Number of Pages: 384
I absolutely LOVE this series and this book is an outstanding addition to it. We’re at book 53 and I truly hope we have another 53 books to go! The writing is exceptional, the mysteries are plausible, and – goodness – the imagination it must take to come up with the very credible and believable inventions they have in the future. It just boggles the mind. Then, there are the characters – Roarke, the mysterious Irish billionaire; Lieutenant Eve Dallas, the New York City cop with a dark past (who just happens to be Roarke’s wife); Detective Peabody, the New Ager who happens to be Eve’s partner and protégé; and a plethora of other supporting characters with whom you’ll wish to become friends.
As May of 2061 is rapidly heading into June, Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches a call as she is heading to work during the early hours of the morning. A witness has discovered a body in a dumpster at a construction site. It appears that Eve’s first task of the day will be to climb into a construction dumpster, look for evidence, and remove the lifeless body of a woman. Eve takes her job very seriously and this woman now belongs to her – she’ll find justice for this victim – just as she finds justice for all of her victims.
Eve has hardly gotten the rest of her team to the scene when she is approached by a young woman who insists Eve come with her to another construction site just a couple of blocks away. It seems Eve has yet another case because the construction crew has found two sets of remains. These are not fresh bodies, but skeletal remains of a woman and child – or a woman and an unborn fetus.
When, a few days later, Eve finds yet another body – this one dying just as Eve finds him – she has to wonder if there is any way these four deaths can be related. Surely not, because the remains at the second construction site have been there for close to 40 years. There are some tenuous threads between the construction sites, but not the people. Well, supposedly not the people because there is no clue who the woman and child are.
As Eve, Peabody, Roarke and the rest of the crew work through the clues, we meet some of the most self-centered, narcissistic, malignant, weak-willed suspects you can imagine. Weeding through them and figuring out who among them is a killer will put Eve and her crew to the test.
I can highly recommend this book! The writing is exceptional, the characters are outstanding, the mystery will test your skills, and the solutions will have you doing a standing ovation for Eve and the crew. Have you ever raised a fist and shouted “YES!” in a crowded waiting room? Well, you might be in danger of doing that as Eve and the crew begins to solve the cases and bring the culprit(s) to justice. Oh! Yes! It is good.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: In Death #53
Publication Date: 9/7/21
Period: Future New York – May of 2061
Number of Pages: 384
I absolutely LOVE this series and this book is an outstanding addition to it. We’re at book 53 and I truly hope we have another 53 books to go! The writing is exceptional, the mysteries are plausible, and – goodness – the imagination it must take to come up with the very credible and believable inventions they have in the future. It just boggles the mind. Then, there are the characters – Roarke, the mysterious Irish billionaire; Lieutenant Eve Dallas, the New York City cop with a dark past (who just happens to be Roarke’s wife); Detective Peabody, the New Ager who happens to be Eve’s partner and protégé; and a plethora of other supporting characters with whom you’ll wish to become friends.
As May of 2061 is rapidly heading into June, Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches a call as she is heading to work during the early hours of the morning. A witness has discovered a body in a dumpster at a construction site. It appears that Eve’s first task of the day will be to climb into a construction dumpster, look for evidence, and remove the lifeless body of a woman. Eve takes her job very seriously and this woman now belongs to her – she’ll find justice for this victim – just as she finds justice for all of her victims.
Eve has hardly gotten the rest of her team to the scene when she is approached by a young woman who insists Eve come with her to another construction site just a couple of blocks away. It seems Eve has yet another case because the construction crew has found two sets of remains. These are not fresh bodies, but skeletal remains of a woman and child – or a woman and an unborn fetus.
When, a few days later, Eve finds yet another body – this one dying just as Eve finds him – she has to wonder if there is any way these four deaths can be related. Surely not, because the remains at the second construction site have been there for close to 40 years. There are some tenuous threads between the construction sites, but not the people. Well, supposedly not the people because there is no clue who the woman and child are.
As Eve, Peabody, Roarke and the rest of the crew work through the clues, we meet some of the most self-centered, narcissistic, malignant, weak-willed suspects you can imagine. Weeding through them and figuring out who among them is a killer will put Eve and her crew to the test.
I can highly recommend this book! The writing is exceptional, the characters are outstanding, the mystery will test your skills, and the solutions will have you doing a standing ovation for Eve and the crew. Have you ever raised a fist and shouted “YES!” in a crowded waiting room? Well, you might be in danger of doing that as Eve and the crew begins to solve the cases and bring the culprit(s) to justice. Oh! Yes! It is good.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 16, 2021
This one was much better than expected and much, much better than some previous installments.
That said, all usual annoyances are present and accounted for; folks are still making food and clothing choices for Eve and determining when or whether she eats or receives medical treatment. This notion of Eve needing to be controlled and taken care of for her own good has morphed into a weird, series specific trope that makes little to no sense in the 53rd installment.
The nagging is not cute, heartwarming or sexy and only serves to undermine Eve's character as the tough, "kickass" New York cop Robb wants us to believe her to be.
What I'm seeing is a woman over 30 who is being treated like a child who needs to be made to do what's best for her, and what's "best" for her isn't determined by her but by others who, for some odd reason, don't respect her judgment in terms of personal care or bodily autonomy.
With Eve's partner's constant wangsting over her body and pants size and Eve's husband and others pressuring Eve to eat every other chapter, I'm starting to believe that Robb may be trying to work out some kind of food and body image obsession through these characters.
Ultimately, the "Eve can't or won't take care of herself so the rest of us are going to do it whether or not she wants or likes it" trope isn't just annoying anymore, it's kind of sad, especially when you consider that Eve can't possibly be the only cop to make eating decisions that others disagree with.
Robb really needs to have Eve eating on her own time, and not because she has been "taught by the love of her life to take better care of his cop." As a matter of fact, why mention her eating habits at all? Isn't there enough going on that we can ignore what Eve is wearing and whether or not she eats on a given day?
Additionally, can't we go at least one book without being subjected to the morning ritual of Eve grudgingly allowing her wealthy husband to dress her up so that she better represents his image as the wealthy tycoon who can provide for his woman?
Shouldn't the mushy moments and the robotic, conveniently skimmible sex scenes be sufficient food for the romance hounds who read almost exclusively for Roarke?
That out of the way, this was a very, very enjoyable read. It was a familiar one, to be sure, but it was no less enjoyable for its reuse of previously employed character types and plot devices.
We got some action for a change and a Law and Order-style twofer that added juicy layers to the story that I really appreciated.
The arrests and interrogations were satisfying in ways they hadn't been in a long time, and I have hope that we are finally, finally rid of the pod-person who had been permitted to churn out lame, half-hearted and poorly constructed installments over the last few years. Welcome back, JD Robb.
That said, all usual annoyances are present and accounted for; folks are still making food and clothing choices for Eve and determining when or whether she eats or receives medical treatment. This notion of Eve needing to be controlled and taken care of for her own good has morphed into a weird, series specific trope that makes little to no sense in the 53rd installment.
The nagging is not cute, heartwarming or sexy and only serves to undermine Eve's character as the tough, "kickass" New York cop Robb wants us to believe her to be.
What I'm seeing is a woman over 30 who is being treated like a child who needs to be made to do what's best for her, and what's "best" for her isn't determined by her but by others who, for some odd reason, don't respect her judgment in terms of personal care or bodily autonomy.
With Eve's partner's constant wangsting over her body and pants size and Eve's husband and others pressuring Eve to eat every other chapter, I'm starting to believe that Robb may be trying to work out some kind of food and body image obsession through these characters.
Ultimately, the "Eve can't or won't take care of herself so the rest of us are going to do it whether or not she wants or likes it" trope isn't just annoying anymore, it's kind of sad, especially when you consider that Eve can't possibly be the only cop to make eating decisions that others disagree with.
Robb really needs to have Eve eating on her own time, and not because she has been "taught by the love of her life to take better care of his cop." As a matter of fact, why mention her eating habits at all? Isn't there enough going on that we can ignore what Eve is wearing and whether or not she eats on a given day?
Additionally, can't we go at least one book without being subjected to the morning ritual of Eve grudgingly allowing her wealthy husband to dress her up so that she better represents his image as the wealthy tycoon who can provide for his woman?
Shouldn't the mushy moments and the robotic, conveniently skimmible sex scenes be sufficient food for the romance hounds who read almost exclusively for Roarke?
That out of the way, this was a very, very enjoyable read. It was a familiar one, to be sure, but it was no less enjoyable for its reuse of previously employed character types and plot devices.
We got some action for a change and a Law and Order-style twofer that added juicy layers to the story that I really appreciated.
The arrests and interrogations were satisfying in ways they hadn't been in a long time, and I have hope that we are finally, finally rid of the pod-person who had been permitted to churn out lame, half-hearted and poorly constructed installments over the last few years. Welcome back, JD Robb.
September 25, 2021
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Do you have a series that, no matter how many installments the author writes, you don’t see yourself ever getting tired of the story or the setting or the characters? That’s Nora’s In Death series, under her pen name of J.D. Robb, for me. There are now 53 novels, not counting novellas and short stories, in this series and, while not every single installment has blown me away, I always enjoy getting to catch up with characters who now feel more real to me than some of the actual living, breathing people in my life.
This particular story was a bit different in that it was really two different mysteries, neither of which would have been quite enough to fill out a novel by itself. But Nora managed to weave the two together seamlessly, and the combination was far more interesting than either mystery would have been on its own. One crime, the very recent murder of a homeless woman, results in Eve being on the scene when another, far older crime is uncovered on a construction site during demolition. The way Eve, and through her the author, manages to juggle these two radically different cases, committed almost 4 decades apart, was fascinating to watch.
While the cases were interesting, and both of them managed to tug on the heartstrings in different ways, the plot wasn’t what kept me involved. As always with this series, that honor goes to the characters. I’ve come to love this cast of characters, both Eve and Roarke and their ever-expanding group of friends and coworkers and found families. Watching as they slowly transition into new stages of live, so slowly that they themselves don’t observe what the reader can see, is always a delight. Each installment feels like a chance to catch up with old friends. There’s a huge comfort element to any series that goes on this long, even when the central plot always hinges on murder.
I have nothing new or original to say about this book. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be, and I’m already looking forward to the next time I get to catch up with Eve and Roarke and Peabody and the rest of the gang.
Do you have a series that, no matter how many installments the author writes, you don’t see yourself ever getting tired of the story or the setting or the characters? That’s Nora’s In Death series, under her pen name of J.D. Robb, for me. There are now 53 novels, not counting novellas and short stories, in this series and, while not every single installment has blown me away, I always enjoy getting to catch up with characters who now feel more real to me than some of the actual living, breathing people in my life.
This particular story was a bit different in that it was really two different mysteries, neither of which would have been quite enough to fill out a novel by itself. But Nora managed to weave the two together seamlessly, and the combination was far more interesting than either mystery would have been on its own. One crime, the very recent murder of a homeless woman, results in Eve being on the scene when another, far older crime is uncovered on a construction site during demolition. The way Eve, and through her the author, manages to juggle these two radically different cases, committed almost 4 decades apart, was fascinating to watch.
While the cases were interesting, and both of them managed to tug on the heartstrings in different ways, the plot wasn’t what kept me involved. As always with this series, that honor goes to the characters. I’ve come to love this cast of characters, both Eve and Roarke and their ever-expanding group of friends and coworkers and found families. Watching as they slowly transition into new stages of live, so slowly that they themselves don’t observe what the reader can see, is always a delight. Each installment feels like a chance to catch up with old friends. There’s a huge comfort element to any series that goes on this long, even when the central plot always hinges on murder.
I have nothing new or original to say about this book. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be, and I’m already looking forward to the next time I get to catch up with Eve and Roarke and Peabody and the rest of the gang.
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars.
A woman found dead in a dumpster and a remain of pregnant woman found hidden in the wall.
I actually love the case in this one. The mystery of trying to piece together the identities of these forgotten women was the most interesting part of all.
I do, however, want more interaction with the fixed side characters. You know, more side stuffs alongside the case. So, that's all my complaint.
A woman found dead in a dumpster and a remain of pregnant woman found hidden in the wall.
I actually love the case in this one. The mystery of trying to piece together the identities of these forgotten women was the most interesting part of all.
I do, however, want more interaction with the fixed side characters. You know, more side stuffs alongside the case. So, that's all my complaint.
August 24, 2025
I wasn’t sure about this book when I started but it was so good! This book starts off with some person finding a dead body in a dumpster at a construction site. On top of that, one of the workers from the site finds another body buried under concrete. Time for Dallas to get to work!
October 7, 2021
It's like she's trying to trigger some of us with the interior decorating. Also, I just don't buy Nadine's role.
And I've heard "Icove" way, way too many times now.
And I've heard "Icove" way, way too many times now.
September 18, 2021
Lt. Eve Dallas is called to the scene of a murder - a homeless woman's battered body tossed in the dumpster like yesterday's trash. While working the scene, she gets a call to another scene - walls torn down in an old building under renovation reveals the skeletal remains of a woman and her fetus. Two cases, at least thirty years apart with unknown victims - one homeless and desolate, the other with items that indicate wealth. As always, Eve treats both cases and victims the same. She stands for them both working tirelessly until she identifies and then reaps justice for them equally. Questions arise about the murders close proximity to each other and as Eve digs in, it becomes clear they may share a connection.
Forgotten In Death lives up to its name . . . Eve will leave no victim forgotten. The cases take center stage in this book, and I enjoyed being privy to Eve's complex thought process as she and her team work both cases. As always, one of my favorite parts of any case is in the interview room where Eve excels in breaking down villains. And I'm a huge fan of the character relationship development and while there may be slightly less in this book, it's still a pleasure to spend time with all the support characters. I was especially surprised and delighted by the interchange between DeWinter and Eve and loved the introduction of DeWinter's exceptionally bright daughter who I look forward to seeing more of. Peabody and the IHP driving Eve crazy and tender moments with Eve and her Irishman Roarke made for a well-rounded story that has something for everyone. Highly Recommended.
*Special thank you to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.
**Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
Forgotten In Death lives up to its name . . . Eve will leave no victim forgotten. The cases take center stage in this book, and I enjoyed being privy to Eve's complex thought process as she and her team work both cases. As always, one of my favorite parts of any case is in the interview room where Eve excels in breaking down villains. And I'm a huge fan of the character relationship development and while there may be slightly less in this book, it's still a pleasure to spend time with all the support characters. I was especially surprised and delighted by the interchange between DeWinter and Eve and loved the introduction of DeWinter's exceptionally bright daughter who I look forward to seeing more of. Peabody and the IHP driving Eve crazy and tender moments with Eve and her Irishman Roarke made for a well-rounded story that has something for everyone. Highly Recommended.
*Special thank you to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.
**Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
September 23, 2021
The first book in this series was in reader’s hands in 1995...so we are still here 26 years later following the lives of Eve, Roark, Peabody,, McNab and all those other wonderful familiar characters that make this one of the top series in the entire country. You would think that J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) would run out of ideas and bad guys for our Eve to find and arrest. Set 40 years into the future...we, in 2021 can with a doubt be assured that Eve & Peabody has surely got them all either behind bars or “off planet” when we get there. I really think that I could handle drinking soda out of a tube and I want one of those Auto Chef coffee dispensers. Back to Eve’s case (s) ...we actually have two and the thing that seems to disturb Eve the most is the cruelty of the killings. An elderly victim is disposed of in a dumpster and a woman and her fetus is found sealed in a wall... and that murder is proved to have happen 40 years in the past...our time. Eve sets a fast pace finding the killer with her usual skill and ferocity. I have always found the interview scenes between Eve and the suspects are some of the best parts of all the stories. You better believe that no one will be “Forgotten In Death” on Eve’s watch. Another great addition. Keep them coming, Ms. Robb!
September 11, 2021
If there is one thing that only readers of this series (which has now lasted almost thirty years) can understand, it is the disappointment that pervades me when the book is "just a detective story". No parallel stories about Eve's friends, no glimpses of life between Eve and Roarke, not even a noteworthy joke between Eve and Sommerset....in short, just a detective story and not even a particularly brilliant one. Alright, maybe February's book will be better, I hope.....
Se c'é una cosa che solo i lettori di questa serie (che ormai dura da quasi trent'anni) possono capire, é la delusione che mi pervade quando il libro é "solo un giallo". Niente storie parallele sugli amici di Eve, niente sprazzi di vita tra Eve e Roarke, nemmeno una battutina degna di nota tra Eve e Sommerset....insomma, solo un giallo e nemmeno particolarmente brillante. E va bene, magari il libro di febbraio sará migliore, spero.....
Se c'é una cosa che solo i lettori di questa serie (che ormai dura da quasi trent'anni) possono capire, é la delusione che mi pervade quando il libro é "solo un giallo". Niente storie parallele sugli amici di Eve, niente sprazzi di vita tra Eve e Roarke, nemmeno una battutina degna di nota tra Eve e Sommerset....insomma, solo un giallo e nemmeno particolarmente brillante. E va bene, magari il libro di febbraio sará migliore, spero.....
August 1, 2022
I loved this 53rd book in J. D. Robb's "In Death" series!
October 19, 2021
I liked the theme that all people are important as well as Eve's usual gang. However, this book suffered, as so many of her later books have, from being tedious with unnecessary repetition. Who needs to read the same thing in only slightly different words time after time? I really wish an editor would shape these books up.
December 17, 2024
3.5 . 3 Stars
I don't know what it is, but there's something off. Maybe it's the lack of character growth. I know it's only a handful of years in Eve's world, but it's 26 in ours. Eve has lost her independent bite against Roarke. No I don't want them at odds with each other all the time, but she just rolls over when he steps over the line or "insists" he goes along with her to crime scenes. She's like "I guess it's okay since I really can't stop you, you'll come anyway." Is he a wealthy billionaire with his own responsibilities in the business world, or is he a cop? How on earth did Eve ever solve crimes all those years before he came along? Helping her is fine....but Roarke's doing more of her work than his.
This book didn't feel cohesive. Eve was all over the place solving 4 murders in what...4-5 days? A bit unrealistic. It felt more like a detective procedural story...leaving out a lot of the personal dynamics between the characters. I mean, even Summerset didn't get his usual funny jabs from Eve. Also, does Eve ever solve a crime that doesn't have to do with the upper crust anymore? No the dumpster woman wasn't rich, but the Singers were. The mobster had money. The woman/unborn had family money. ($1,000 pair of shoes)
Although this book wasn't filled with as much current world undertones as Faithless in Death was, JDR couldn't help but bring in todays world issues into 2061. By 2061 wouldn’t these issues JDR keeps bringing into her futuristic storyline suppose to be better? Again...this is an escape for me, not a rehash of the nightly news.
Second time: 12.17.24
I don't know what it is, but there's something off. Maybe it's the lack of character growth. I know it's only a handful of years in Eve's world, but it's 26 in ours. Eve has lost her independent bite against Roarke. No I don't want them at odds with each other all the time, but she just rolls over when he steps over the line or "insists" he goes along with her to crime scenes. She's like "I guess it's okay since I really can't stop you, you'll come anyway." Is he a wealthy billionaire with his own responsibilities in the business world, or is he a cop? How on earth did Eve ever solve crimes all those years before he came along? Helping her is fine....but Roarke's doing more of her work than his.
This book didn't feel cohesive. Eve was all over the place solving 4 murders in what...4-5 days? A bit unrealistic. It felt more like a detective procedural story...leaving out a lot of the personal dynamics between the characters. I mean, even Summerset didn't get his usual funny jabs from Eve. Also, does Eve ever solve a crime that doesn't have to do with the upper crust anymore? No the dumpster woman wasn't rich, but the Singers were. The mobster had money. The woman/unborn had family money. ($1,000 pair of shoes)
Although this book wasn't filled with as much current world undertones as Faithless in Death was, JDR couldn't help but bring in todays world issues into 2061. By 2061 wouldn’t these issues JDR keeps bringing into her futuristic storyline suppose to be better? Again...this is an escape for me, not a rehash of the nightly news.
Second time: 12.17.24
September 26, 2021
Two separate murders on two different construction sites have Eve swinging into action to bring justice to the sympathetic victims in this 53rd book in the “In Death” series. No, that isn’t a typo. This truly is book 53. And yes, I’ve read nearly all of them, and now I listen to them as audiobooks exclusively, after discovering their brilliant narrator, Susan Ericksen.
The investigations Eve heads this time around are thoroughly detailed and only marred by the fact that, early on, one of the murders nearly solves itself, and the other one even I could solve pretty much from the start, which isn’t a good sign since I’m not generally a whiz at figuring out who done it. So, the criminal mysteries themselves were weak in this book, with few suspects to choose from. The real drama came when Eve nailed the murderers to the wall with both the evidence and her sharp tongue.
As usual, I enjoyed the recurring characters and their banter, along with all the sly humor. But as usual, not much has been happening with the characters recently to bring their lives forward at this well-advanced point in the series. Missing are the life-changing events most prevalent in the first half of this series. So, despite enjoying these books on audio as comfort reads when revisiting these familiar characters in familiar situations, I’d appreciate them even more if something shook up their lives a bit and made these stories less predictable. But the author seems intent on following her successful formula, so I’ll just need to be content with this and grateful for what I like about this series, and forgiving about the rest.
The investigations Eve heads this time around are thoroughly detailed and only marred by the fact that, early on, one of the murders nearly solves itself, and the other one even I could solve pretty much from the start, which isn’t a good sign since I’m not generally a whiz at figuring out who done it. So, the criminal mysteries themselves were weak in this book, with few suspects to choose from. The real drama came when Eve nailed the murderers to the wall with both the evidence and her sharp tongue.
As usual, I enjoyed the recurring characters and their banter, along with all the sly humor. But as usual, not much has been happening with the characters recently to bring their lives forward at this well-advanced point in the series. Missing are the life-changing events most prevalent in the first half of this series. So, despite enjoying these books on audio as comfort reads when revisiting these familiar characters in familiar situations, I’d appreciate them even more if something shook up their lives a bit and made these stories less predictable. But the author seems intent on following her successful formula, so I’ll just need to be content with this and grateful for what I like about this series, and forgiving about the rest.
February 21, 2023
No, I don't plan to finish this book. But yes, it's good, showing every sign of being crafted like all the rest of the J.D. Robb thrillers that star Lt. Eve Dallas.
LET ME EXPLAIN
Listening to this as an audiobook, I bailed after the start of Disk 5.
One of the familiar themes in this series is the horrible abuse suffered by Dallas, and her husband Roarke, during their childhoods.
Another familiar theme is how the super-detective "stands for the dead," protectively seeking justice for murder victims.
All of this being familiar and fine, among plenty of other themes in this series.
SO WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ONE?
This time, the body was found in a dumpster. Details unfold about abuse, and more abuse, and yet more victim-type living.
In this book, seems like, this isn't just one of the themes. Rather, the rest of the book is going to be an elaboration on this theme.
MY CONCLUSION
May this book interest and/or comfort those who need precisely this kind of thriller about victimization. Fortunately for this Goodreader, I don't.
LET ME EXPLAIN
Listening to this as an audiobook, I bailed after the start of Disk 5.
One of the familiar themes in this series is the horrible abuse suffered by Dallas, and her husband Roarke, during their childhoods.
Another familiar theme is how the super-detective "stands for the dead," protectively seeking justice for murder victims.
All of this being familiar and fine, among plenty of other themes in this series.
SO WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ONE?
This time, the body was found in a dumpster. Details unfold about abuse, and more abuse, and yet more victim-type living.
In this book, seems like, this isn't just one of the themes. Rather, the rest of the book is going to be an elaboration on this theme.
MY CONCLUSION
May this book interest and/or comfort those who need precisely this kind of thriller about victimization. Fortunately for this Goodreader, I don't.
March 18, 2021
It is always fun to get a chance to jump back into the lives of Eve Dallas and Roarke. At this point, I'm in it more for their relationship and friends stories than I am the actual murder mysteries though.
Nora Roberts does pretty well writing as J.D. Robb when it comes to creating a new murder scenario that she hasn't done before, but it is usually really easy to figure out who-dun-it since they are suspects and/or characters that get introduced early on in the books.
Always entertaining to read but not much of a surprise twist when solving the crimes.
Nora Roberts does pretty well writing as J.D. Robb when it comes to creating a new murder scenario that she hasn't done before, but it is usually really easy to figure out who-dun-it since they are suspects and/or characters that get introduced early on in the books.
Always entertaining to read but not much of a surprise twist when solving the crimes.
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