J.D. Robb discussion

Captain Eve
Do you think it’s time for Eve to be promoted, which would take her out of the field? Is she personally ready? Would you want to see this happen? Would it change the dynamics of the series (positively or negatively)?

Build your case!

What a great topic Sandra.
Off to go build my case.

Yes it time for her to be Captain. No it will not take her out of the Field. Feeney still works in a field, he’s a captain and in many other districts the captain can work in the field. In the “Closer” Brenda was a deputy chief and she worked in the field. Deputy Chief is over a captain.

Barbara "Cookie" wrote: "Yes it time for her to be Captain. No it will not take her out of the Field. Feeney still works in a field, he’s a captain and in many other districts the captain can work in the field. In the “Clo..."

I often wonder about Robb's aversion to Eve making Captain. Yes there is paperwork and administration, but she has that now. Eve doesn't report to a captain, she reports to Whitney. For whatever reason, Robb has a captaincy taking Eve off investigations. I don't get it.

… but being captain would in essence take her off the street. Shes good on the street.

I'm only half way through the series. Has Eve ever had a conversation with Rourke (or Peabody) as to whether or not she even wants to make Captain? Her own thoughts on the matter?

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I'm only half way through the series. Has Eve ever had a conversation with Rourke (or Peabody) as to whether or not she even wants to make Captain? Her own thoughts on the matter?"

Hang in there. It is a great Roarke and Eve moment.

Ladyhawke wrote: "… but being captain would in essence take her off the street. Shes good on the street."


I know that is Robb's theory, but not always true in reality.

The series can go on forever as a serial procedural with Eve catching cases, putting up her murder board, calling in EDD and Mira, bothering Dickey etc. etc. But should it?

Assuming that the rise in rank is more than just giving her another bar for her uniform and a pay raise. And that the farther up the ranks you go the more political your role becomes and the more administrative responsibility you have. I think making Eve a captain can give the series an interesting new direction to move and the character of Eve an opportunity to grow and evolve.

Some of my favorite books include Eve running ops that involve a lot of different moving parts. I would think being a Captain would open up her sphere a bit, give her a bit more suction (I have been re-watching The Wire so the lingo sticks) and give her higher profile different sorts of cases to work on. Let her flex some different muscle. The series is as much mystery as it is procedural and Robb has already shown she can play with structure and format. It would be nice to change up a bit and the captaincy would be a natural reason to explore that.

Also it works timeline wise. Eve had just made a det. 2nd grade in 2051 (Creation In Death) by the time Naked In Death came set in 2058 she was a lieutenant. That means in 7 years she had been promoted 2 more times. So on average her promotions are 3.5 years apart. As of the last book we are in 2061. So by that count she should be due for a promotion before next year (in in-book timeline).

Way to build your case, Tina! You make some great points.

Great points Tina.

I have to look at the questions I missed and get back on the case.

Great points, Tina. It would definitely give even more longevity to the series. Refresh my memory some one.. Didn't Nora Roberts say the end of the series would be Eve and Roarke becoming parents? With modern technology I'm assuming that far in the future that could be happen in a variety of ways And maybe also moving to a less dangerous job position ... Captain?

I don’t think she wants to be CAPTAIN. That means an OFFICE JOB to her.

She likes being part of the investigative team.

Mara wrote: "I don’t think she wants to be CAPTAIN. That means an OFFICE JOB to her.

She likes being part of the investigative team."

This is Robb's theory, but it doesn't hold for Eve's current reporting structure at Central. The other areas have lieutenants reporting to a Captain, and the Captain reporting to the Commander. Eve reports to Whitney, the Commander. She would continue to report to Whitney if she made Captain. As Captain, Eve could continue to pick the cases she wants to work. She doesn't need to promote anyone to lieutenant until she is ready to step away from the field.

I agree with Tina.

I agree too

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Great points, Tina. It would definitely give even more longevity to the series. Refresh my memory some one.. Didn't Nora Roberts say the end of the series would be Eve and Roarke becoming parents? ..."

I've heard that reported before, can't find the original source. But if that is the case, that still gives the series a ton of longevity. It seems like Eve and Roarke have been together forever because the series has been going on for 26 years (man...I feel old!) but Eve and Roarke have only been married for three years in in-book chronology. So they have time...

I've heard that reported before, can't find the original source...."

Tina, Nora has posted this many times over the years. You can check her FB page and her YouTube channel for interviews. I agree that she will probably accept Captain when her and Roarke decide to be parents, which will end the series.