J.D. Robb discussion

Our next In Death book is one of my favorites - Brotherhood in Death. Open discussion begins on May 8th. Please join us!

Dennis Mira just had two unpleasant surprises. First he learned that his cousin Edward was secretly meeting with a real estate agent about their late grandfather’s magnificent West Village brownstone, despite the promise they both made to keep it in the family. Then, when he went to the house to confront Edward about it, he got a blunt object to the back of the head.

Luckily Dennis is married to Charlotte Mira, the NYPSD’s top profiler and a good friend of Lieutenant Eve Dallas. When the two arrive on the scene, he explains that the last thing he saw was Edward in a chair, bruised and bloody. When he came to, his cousin was gone. With the mess cleaned up and the security disks removed, there’s nothing left behind but a few traces for forensics to analyze.

As a former lawyer, judge, and senator, Edward Mira mingled with the elite and crossed paths with criminals, making enemies on a regular basis. Like so many politicians, he also made some very close friends behind closed—and locked—doors. But a badge and a billionaire husband can get you into places others can’t go, and Eve intends to shine some light on the dirty deals and dark motives behind the disappearance of a powerful man, the family discord over a multimillion-dollar piece of real estate . . . and a new case that no one saw coming.

I'm in. This is my favorite Dennis Mira book.

Metop

Love having this look into the life of Dennis Mira. Such a beloved character!

This is a first time read. Looking forward to it.

I have this one on my book shelf so I think I will re-read it.

Will be doing the audio

Michelle wrote: "This is a first time read. Looking forward to it."

Oh yay Michelle! How exciting! I know you're going to love Dennis Mira in this book.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Michelle wrote: "This is a first time read. Looking forward to it."

Oh yay Michelle! How exciting! I know you're going to love Dennis Mira in this book."

That's what I'm hoping. I've loved Dennis Mira since we've met him.

With everything going on in the world Dennis Mira is a breath of fresh air. I am so glad there is a book devoted to him. Looks like we will get a glimpse of the relationship between Eve and Dennis as he is her father figure. Cant wait to dive in

I agree, Susan!

Makes me hopeful that we will get a book dedicated to Summerset.

Michelle wrote: "Makes me hopeful that we will get a book dedicated to Summerset."

I'd love it, Michelle!

Just finished. Love it. Can’t wait for open discussion.

We'll begin on the 8th! I'm starting my reread.

I'm ready!

I've started.

Open discussion begins today! Feel free to discuss Brotherhood In Death openly.

I love Dennis Mira. this book was very emotional for all the characters. I was debating on the scene where Eve walks in on the interior designer then Roarke says he was going to surprise Eve with a re-do. I was torn as I understand Roarke wanting to have Eve put her past behind her and the room designed to look like her old place of residence be put away to make room for the future but I also understand Eve wanting to keep her space as is because it worked for her. I am happy that in the end Eve gave in to have the room re-done to fit in more with her current status.

Susan that was a difficult scene. It was great seeing Eve working through it. Rely showed how Farr she's has come.

This read like a romance with some mystery. Filled we all these great scenes. The scene that Susan mentioned. Her talking to Denis Mira. Somehow for me this was all about Eve and not about the case. Her talking about herself with Peabody. And let's not forget Trueheart.

I felt the same way. All great scenes. As always, I love the character development.

I love this book. It is very emotional. There are a lot of wonderful Eve and Mr. Mira moments.

I saw the office scene differently. Eve comes home beat down with all the events of this terrible murder to find a woman in her office; making notes about her personal space. (She doesn't like visitors in her office at Central, which is the reason for the crappy visitor chair. ) Then Roarke tells her the woman is there to make updates/changes to her personal space.

I can see why she thought he was going to make the changes without consulting her. This is her space. She doesn't care what Roarke does in the rest of their house. As they talk about it, she understands that he is making suggestions and nothing will change until she gives her OK.

I can't think of any married couple who doesn't go off at some point when they had a bad day. The whole scene is realistic to me. I know I wouldn't be too happy if I came home and found an unknown woman in my room.

I love when Roarke comes to Mira's grandparents house and tells Eve they can easily lend Dennis Mira $10 million if he needs to buy Edward out.

Sharon wrote: "I love this book. It is very emotional. There are a lot of wonderful Eve and Mr. Mira moments.

I saw the office scene differently. Eve comes home beat down with all the events of this terrible mur..."

Good point, Sharon. I have to agree with you. This is a good example of how far they've come, I think.

Speaking of Dennis Mira, do you feel you know him better now? Did you learn anything new about him or that surprised you?

What about Eve having to interview Dennis Mira? Thoughts?

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Speaking of Dennis Mira, do you feel you know him better now? Did you learn anything new about him or that surprised you?"

Previously, Mr. Mira is portrayed as the absent minded professor; in this book we see his essence. He is in tune with the things that matter, and he loves with his whole heart. I love how he senses what the people around him need, like a hug, and steps right up to give the hugs and makes them comfortable.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "What about Eve having to interview Dennis Mira? Thoughts?"

This is one of the more emotional scenes in the series. He knows that Eve doesn't want to interview him or hurt his feelings. He also knows that she has to as part of her job. To make her more comfortable, he makes her and Peabody hot chocolate. They end up watching him and it eases their guilt. They ask their questions, and Dennis answers honestly.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Speaking of Dennis Mira, do you feel you know him better now? Did you learn anything new about him or that surprised you?"

For me? I didn't really learn anything new about him. It's was more a... Confirmation of what had been shown before. Yes we learn about his education and that he, by rights is also Dr Mira. Yes we learn what he did during or just before the Urbans. He has always been a loveable character and nothing really changed there. He has just been fleshed out a bit.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "What about Eve having to interview Dennis Mira? Thoughts?"

We all know this was difficult for Eve. Feenay for the longest time was that father figure that Eve, I want to say needed but that's not right. He just was a father figure. But I personally think that Denis Mira might just Be her father in everything that counts. So yes that was a scene that had so much to show. About Eve, about Denis, and about the two's relationship. Even later when she had to go and tell him and reassure him that she can and will do her job but land up telling him about her past. Never would I have thoughts she would have told anyone about that. Unless under duress.

This book was all about the feels

You are right, I agree with you. Feenay always seems like the uncle that told you everything about life, how to drink how to run with the boys, how to do all the things that you bet your parents try to keep you from. When I first met Dr. Mari I thought he act like a father towards Eve.

As the case progressed, what were some of your early assumptions? Did you think it was about an angry lover? What did you think?

Edward and his wife, Mandy, have an unconventional marriage. Given the circumstances of their relationship, why was she so upset about his murder?

Did you initially believe the title, Brotherhood, only pertained to Dennis and Edward?

Do you think Mandy was aware of the Brotherhood? Their activities?

Charity and Carlee became Edward's lovers in an attempt to find evidence. As they were rape victims, what does this tell you about them?

Eve has to stand for two dispicable victims and go after their killers who were victims themselves. Were you conflicted about this case?

Let's talk about Eve & Roarke! What were the most special moments between them in this book?

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Edward and his wife, Mandy, have an unconventional marriage. Given the circumstances of their relationship, why was she so upset about his murder?"

Well she must have some feeling for him. And they had been together for so long with children. It wasn't live but some sort of friendship must have formed at some point. We never did find out if how they started out. Did they marry for the prestige of marrying each other and thus an open marriage from the beginning or did it evolve from a friendship into that making sure to keep they appearance with 2 children.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Do you think Mandy was aware of the Brotherhood? Their activities?"

That's is difficult for me to answer. I think she knew something. Yes to a brotherhood of sorts because they did meet up once a year. She must have also know he was a sociopath on some level. But the extreme of it all? I don't think she did. She wouldn't have wanted to rock the cart. She would have wanted to remain in her happen version of life.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Eve has to stand for two dispicable victims and go after their killers who were victims themselves. Were you conflicted about this case?"

Not really. Because this was nit the first time that she had to. But the way this book was written and with strong emotion everywhere it was more prominent. Eve will alswya do what's right. Even if. It might break her after. She will stand or those you need it. And those who don't but needs justice. Because justice is what's she lost about.

Thanks Sandra. Those were some good questions. I have to go and think about them and might chance my kind about what I just wrote. But those were my first thoughts

I always go with my first thoughts, Michelle. I think you get/give your most honest thoughts that way.

I learned that Dennis makes a mean hot chocolate. That was the best I believe he did it to also help Eve's mind and so she would focus on something other than the hardship of grilling Mr. Mira

And. The candy thief can't steal that.

LOL! I love it!

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Edward and his wife, Mandy, have an unconventional marriage. Given the circumstances of their relationship, why was she so upset about his murder?"

Yes I do. I think there is very little that Mandy didn't know about her husband. The sad thing is that she didn't care. As long as his criminal acts were kept secret and didn't impact her standing, she could handle anything he did.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "As the case progressed, what were some of your early assumptions? Did you think it was about an angry lover? What did you think?"

Early on, when it was just Edward Mira, I thought it was a political or judicial revenge. Then I thought it was a family member who suffered and/or committed suicide because of a rapist that went free. I never thought there was more than two people involved.

When the second man was murdered so brutally, it was apparent that there was something more sinister going on by this brotherhood. Even then, learning that it went on for fifty years never occurred to me.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Edward and his wife, Mandy, have an unconventional marriage. Given the circumstances of their relationship, why was she so upset about his murder?"

I'm sure she knew they were having financial problems. His murder would bring that to light and impact her standing in the community.