J.D. Robb discussion

Our In Death book for discussion is Promises in Death. Discussion topics will be posted in two weeks. At that time this will become a spoiler zone.

Enjoy!

Description
Amarylis Coltraine may have recently transferred to the New York City police force from Atlanta, but she's been a cop long enough to know how to defend herself against an assailant. When she's taken down just steps away from her apartment, killed with her own weapon, for Eve the victim isn't just "one of us."

Dallas's friend Chief Medical Examiner Morris and Coltraine had started a serious relationship, and from all accounts the two were headed for a happy future together. But someone has put an end to all that. After breaking the news to Morris, Eve starts questioning everyone from Coltraine's squad, informants, and neighbors, while Eve's husband, Roarke, digs into computer data on Coltraine's life back in Atlanta. To their shock, they discover a connection between this case and their own painful, shadowy pasts.

The truth will need to be uncovered one layer at a time, starting with the box that arrives at Cop Central addressed to Eve containing Coltraine's guns, badge, and a note from her killer: "You can have them back. Maybe someday soon, I'll be sending yours to somebody else."

But Eve Dallas doesn't take too kindly to personal threats, and she is going to break this case, whatever it takes. And that's a promise.

This is one of my favorite in the series. It's terribly sad but the emotional aspect of the story is just stunning.

As Jon Etta so aptly stated, this book is all about emotion, which is why it hooks us. Knowing the victim is a real "sock in the gut". As other characters get involved, the emotions get charged. This is going to be a GREAT book discussion.

It's been a couple of weeks so I thought I'd get started with some discussion topics.

Where is everyone with the story?

This is a real test for Eve in learning how to support a friend emotionally. How is she doing?

What initial "vibes" did you get from Coltraine's squad?

Amarylis deliberately hid her relationship with Ricker. Did you think she had an obligation to be more forthcoming?

Morris seemed to grieve in a way that was very consistent with his nature. Were there any particular moments you can recall that were particularly reflective of the man?

Let me see...I think Eve handled Morris well as far as one can when telling a friend a loved one is dead. Especially Morris.

I thought Coultraine's squad was over the top paranoid and that would have made me be more suspicious.

I have been in law enforcement for over 2 decades. I have to notify my superiors if my kids friends are arrested, let alone if I were in a relationship with a criminal. It is a firing offense. However, since there has never been one moment when I wanted Eve to be in trouble because of her relationship with Roarke.,,I managed to put those logics aside.

Eve had to balance the investigation with her participation in the festivities associated with Louise's wedding. How well did Robb handle the shifts between utter sadness and humor? Did it help having some comic relief?

Considering that Eve has very little connection or experience with "real" emotion, she is a little shaky at first. But then, Morris is one of her closest friends, bound by all the bodies they have shared. She instinctively understood that Coltraine's loss would be a major blow to Morris. The reader is clued in to their closeness when Eve addresses him by his first name. After leaving him and returning to the death scene, she loses her tight control and shows a human side, previously inexperienced. As the book continues, she feels emotions so deeply she has a glimpse into the humanity "normal" people feel. The way she includes Morris in her investigations, and does not dial down when relating to details to Morris, shows a clear understanding of what is needed for him, a true unveiling into the human psyche.

When Eve first entered Coltraine's squadroom, it felt forced and restrained. There was no true feeling displayed by the squad members, and what was displayed seemed artificial. It could be that Robb had not fleshed out those characters, but even rookie cops would have been more vocal and emotional than written. That made the shading of the characters minimal, except for the critical character.

Maureen wrote: "Considering that Eve has very little connection or experience with "real" emotion, she is a little shaky at first. But then, Morris is one of her closest friends, bound by all the bodies they have ..."

Nice observation. I sensed that Eve decided to treat Morris the way she would want to be. She knows him so well and they connect on a level no one else seems to. Eve relied on instinct, which is her strong suit. I was really proud of her here.

Maureen wrote: "When Eve first entered Coltraine's squadroom, it felt forced and restrained. There was no true feeling displayed by the squad members, and what was displayed seemed artificial. It could be that Rob..."

They definitely lacked team, which points to a problem with leadership.