J.D. Robb discussion

We will finish the month of August with a buddy read of Concealed in Death. Our buddy read of the series has come a long way . . .we're very near to being up-to-date on the series. Yay!

In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.

The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.

Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.

We are getting to the new books. I love re-reads but there is nothing like the first time.

Concealed In Death won 2015 RITA for Romantic Suspense :)

Yes, it did. How awesome! We'll finish off August with this one.

Can't wait. Looking forward to them all.

I am listening to this audiobook currently. Just getting started.

Great Kevin! I've started Thankless. I'll get to this one the latter part of August.

I am sorry to say that this book was not a favourite. I just didn't care for the case.

The mystery was underwhelming but the other aspects of the story (some of our favorite characters show up) make it interesting. And Mavis! Who knew???

Jonetta wrote: "The mystery was underwhelming but the other aspects of the story (some of our favorite characters show up) make it interesting. And Mavis! Who knew???"

That is true, Jonetta. I did enjoy the stuff around the case.

Jonetta wrote: "The mystery was underwhelming but the other aspects of the story (some of our favorite characters show up) make it interesting. And Mavis! Who knew???"

I totally agree with everything.

Sbyrd wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "The mystery was underwhelming but the other aspects of the story (some of our favorite characters show up) make it interesting. And Mavis! Who knew???"

I totally agree with everyth..."
It was nice to get Mavis' back story.Finally getting to know what made her the way she is was good.

I know we planned to start next week but is any one ready to start early? This is a first time read for me and you all have made me curious about Mavis.

I am listening to it now on audio, Michelle. It'll be a bit slow for me as I'm not sure how much time I'll have but I have started.

Just found myself laughing out loud during a scene where Eve & Peabody discuss the saying, "Food for Thought". Hilarious.

Okay I've started as well.

I'm starting when I get home tonight.
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Loving the scenes/exchanges with Eve & Peabody in this one. Have I mentioned I LOVE Peabody?? LOL!

I will be starting on Friday when I get paid and can purchase the audio.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Just found myself laughing out loud during a scene where Eve & Peabody discuss the saying, "Food for Thought". Hilarious."

What amazes me ever time with these mangling is that once she " explains" her thoughts on it it actually does make sense

Eve starting to call him Richard Troy. Another step away from the nightmare. That talk with dr Mira after her bad nightmares really has made a big difference.

And Eve's "nightmares" are different now. In the last few, she's been talking with the victims...sometimes, Stella or RT are in them but sometimes not. In this book, the 12 victims are sitting in a circle - the 3 identified have faces, the rest all have Eve's face. The dreams are actually kind of chilling...weird feeling.

But still interesting. I know it wasn't in this book but Eve said she knows it's her subconscious, her projection. Still to dream about it and the way it does manifest in her dreams is still chilling.

Over the books, the dreams IMHO have taken an evolution. In the beginning, she was the victim of the dreams. Then she tried to learn from the dreams. Now, she takes an active role in the dreams.

I just finish reading about Mavis. That mother needs some series seeing to!!!!! But the whole scene was lovely. Leonardo so loving. Summerset taking the baby. And don't forget Eve and little Bella.

this calendar of Eve that she never looks at. Lol.

I loved the Mavis scene...perfectly written. And it gives us more insight to Mavis's life before Eve. I could just picture her as she saw Eve's murder board and everything drained out of her as she realized she had known 3 of the dead girls...and then, to hear her as she tells her story.

Bella was adorable calling to Eve & holding up her little arms...then the same to Roarke. Awesome scene. And the priceless part (at least for Eve) is realizing that Bella is saying Summerset & pronouncing it "SumShit". LOL! I was in the grocery story when I heard that and couldn't stop laughing out loud...I know people thought I was crazy.

Lol I can't just imagine that. I listen to the scene after reading it and it really was great hearing Bella calling Summerset Sumshit.

I see what you all meant about the case being on the back burner really. But all the rest is so very interesting. I love when Eve talks to Roarke about it being home. And not really knowing when that happened.

Can I just say my smile just grows every time Denis Mira is in a scene. This was a wish I had the visual not just audio of him putting that cloves and woolly hat one. And that she make a point of not having them get lost.

Michelle, I LOVE when Dennis Mira is in a story, too. Eve just gets absolutely tongue-tied.

I've just read about them coming around before going out. Denis always says something that just surprises me and I don't know why it still does. Wonder if he got the sparkly hat on purpose or if he just picked one randomly.

Lol, and for whatever reason, I love Susan Ericksen doing Bella more than any other character other than Mavis. From Smooch to Ork to Sumshit. Love her doing this baby girl.

I think the next book is suppose to seriously involve Dennis Mira...right?

Dawn wrote: "Lol, and for whatever reason, I love Susan Ericksen doing Bella more than any other character other than Mavis. From Smooch to Ork to Sumshit. Love her doing this baby girl. I think the next book..."

He's in the next one after Devoted (Brotherhood in Death).

Talking about Dennis Mira - loved him making Eve the hot chocolate with the whipped creme on top...it's one of the very few times I've seen Eve distracted by any type food/drink. She almost sounded like Peabody for a minute or two.

She did. But that she lands up being struck silent. Which we all know is unusual for Eve. all the scenes with Denis and Eve really was sweet and do God as we see Eve really reacting as a girly girl.

I've just finished this book and yes the case was just that. A case. But with strong pulls on Eve's emotions. That scene with her and Lonna and making a connection to her and Roarke. From the start of it you knew this was going to be more emotive than a comments on society and cruelty or any of the usual things, thought associated with crime. This book was a build of character and a statement of how far Eve has come. And for that I love this book

I'm behind because of work.

I agree with everything you all said. I love Dennis Mira too. I wonder why Eve holds onto the gloves from Dennis more than Roarke. She loves them both and gets something from both men that she never thought she would have. I keep running this through my head.

Is it because she wants to push out her biological father's memory and hold onto ones that Mr. Mira shows her?

The reason I ask is because I know she doesn't take Roarke and his money for granted. It just seems like she doesn't care about what he gives her enough. I know that isn't true. I can't get this to feel right in my head.

Sharon wrote: "I'm behind because of work.

I agree with everything you all said. I love Dennis Mira too. I wonder why Eve holds onto the gloves from Dennis more than Roarke. She loves them both and gets som..."
I think it's because husbands are supposed to do stuff like that and friends don't always do stuff like that. Plus there's a different vibe she gets from Mr Mira than she gets from Roarke. i'm just thinking out loud here.

I agree Carol to a degree but I often feel that there is a deeper meaning; even more than his loving fatherly personality.

I am probably over thinking.

Sharon wrote: "I agree Carol to a degree but I often feel that there is a deeper meaning; even more than his loving fatherly personality.

I am probably over thinking."
That's what discussions are for. You feel your way and I feel mine.

Sharon wrote: "I'm behind because of work.

I agree with everything you all said. I love Dennis Mira too. I wonder why Eve holds onto the gloves from Dennis more than Roarke. She loves them both and gets som..."

This is one of those times that I just can't find the right words to explain the difference yet I know what is it. One thought for me is that the feeling of the " gift , for want of a better term , is different. Roarke loves buying , be it clothes or anything. He also want to make up for things that Eve missed out on as a child, be it the finest of clothes, the best coffee, Christmas trees, old vids, holidays. And the greatest part is that he loves her so he wants to see to her comfort and as he has the money why not. It's not that simple and I'm sure I've missed out on some other point which contribute but escape me at the moment.
Denis Mira, a absentminded, huggable, adoring,husband and father and a stranger to Eve was concerned with Eve's welfare not only looked for some gloves and scarf but put it on her after bring that treat of all chocolate drinks. That is love of a father for a child. That is caring that is something she has never had except from Roarke .

Eve sees all the things a father should be in Dennis Mira: unconditional love giver, a caregiver, a hug giver, a comfort giver, a warm, loving man who takes care of people he cares for. When Dennis Mira tugs those gloves onto Eve's hands & pulls that hat down over her ears, I think for just a moment or two, Eve is a child again with a loving father taking care of her, making sure she will be warm. It's a heart touching scene that I think caught Eve off guard, warmed her heart & gifted her with a "moment" to cherish - a good, warm memory to replace one of the many bad ones she has of her own father. And thus...she will cherish the gloves & hat and hold onto them forever.

I've always believed that Dennis Mira represents Eve's ideal of a father. Feeney is the man that actually showed up in her life like a father.

Thanks ladies.

I could feel the love in this scene with Dennis & Eve. It just felt so special to me but I couldn't wrap my head around why she is so forgetful of Roarke's gifts to the point that it is a joke. DM gives her gloves and she wears them all day even in front of Summerset (accidentally). Your right I think this little act of kindness replaced a bad memory for her.

I do love him and Dr. Mira. They are both so good and help Eve's emotional growth.

Regarding Feeney he is her father figure but they are so much alike. He is an example of a good work ethic. Eve respects his skills and opinions, however, they don't really show emotions. Dennis Mira is an example of showing love overtly.

How do you all feel about Roarke's connection to this one? He buys the building, knocks down a wall & finds the first 2 skeletal remains...and calls Eve. And right then, imo, 12 dead girls become his - just as they become Eve's. That's all it took to make it personal for him. He wants to know their names, who they were, everything. Love that about him.

How do you feel about this case? Who did you suspect? When did you figure it out?

I think this was bound to happen. It's well established that Roarke owns half the world and then some. e erything about them is SOP.

As for the case itself. I knew it had to be someone on staff at sanctuary but did not see it being Monty for half the book. To me this is a book of character building or more, a comment on how far our main characters have come. Seeing things from outside yourself almost as in Denis & Charlie Mira. And Lonna Moon and her husband. Yes we had the big reveal of mavis' past but imo that just ties in with the theme.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "How do you all feel about Roarke's connection to this one? He buys the building, knocks down a wall & finds the first 2 skeletal remains...and calls Eve. And right then, imo, 12 dead girls become..."

I think it was like Roarke mused when he said what if I hadn't bought the building? It was meant to be now, and me and you--or something like that. I remember Eve said he was awfully Irish sometimes.

He relates to them because he feels that Eve or Roarke could have been in the same situations if life had taken either one of them in a different direction.

I agree with you both. And it certainly could have been either Eve or Roarke in that situation if not for a twist of fate. They got out, these girls did not. I think it weighs on them both.

I love when they come home and Summerset scolds Eve for being late and missing the elves. Then Roarke says something about the warmth of homecoming. When all the sudden Eve runs upstairs to add the new face.

It touches me when Summerset & Roarke comment about the ugliness of the world and they both agree that Eve will solve the case. Summerset knows Eve so well and convinces Roarke to skip pizza and go for a real red meat meal.

I really like the girl, Quilla (sure spelling is not right but I listened & didn't see the name in print)...she's kept sneaking in to talk to Eve at the home. Always full of info and ended up giving Eve some valuable information. She was kinda funny - rattling on & on to Eve and was like "duh!" a couple of times when Eve asked something Quilla thought was obvious.

Sharon wrote: "I love when they come home and Summerset scolds Eve for being late and missing the elves. Then Roarke says something about the warmth of homecoming. When all the sudden Eve runs upstairs to add t..."

Loved that scene! And Roarke & Eve continuing the tradition of decorating their own tree in their room.