J.D. Robb discussion

Promises in Death is the next book on our Buddy Read journey. Whether you are new to the series or like many of us, rereading the series, we'd love to have you join our buddy reads. Feel free to jump in anytime! Our plans are to read & discuss Promises by the end of March.


#1 "New York Times" bestselling author J. D. Robb takes us to the New York City of 2060, where Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces down a cop killer.

A 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.

We'll finish the novella, Ritual In Death, and go straight ahead into Promises. Hopefully, we'll get this one finished by the end of March. If not, we'll revisit & revise! LOL

I've been waiting for this one ever since the roses. And all the other little scenes. Was sad because I knew this was coming. I'll start after ritual.

What does everyone's schedule look like? I think I'll be starting this one sometime by this next weekend.

I will be starting it within the week as well

I will start soon. This one is so ....sigh

With you Loriidae. Every time I read about her and Morris this has been in the back of my mind. Sometimes it sucks knowing your friend will be hurt. . .

I agree with Michelle. But it also makes Eve's and Morris's friendship stronger and shows a softer side of her that isn't often displayed in the series.

Can't wait to discuss this one with everyone...hopefully, we will be ready to do that by the middle of next week. This one is special.

Love when Eve comes to to find Mavis there. Wha stuck out for me was Summerset. As usual he surprises us all.

“Lieutenant,” he said as she turned away. “It will likely be a very long while before I ever repeat this, if that day should ever come. But I’ll say now, at this precise moment, I’m proud of you.”

Summerset you are killing me in this book.

Oh I know, Michelle!! But then, I'm a huge Summerset fan. I've finally gotten started with the audio on this one.

I just started listening to the audio last night.

Michelle wrote: "“Lieutenant,” he said as she turned away. “It will likely be a very long while before I ever repeat this, if that day should ever come. But I’ll say now, at this precise moment, I’m proud of you.”
..."

I love this quote. The more books I read the more I fall in love with Summerset. I can't believe how I wanted to smack him in the first couple books and now I want to give him hugs.

It just breaks my heart when Eve goes to Morris to let him know Coltrane is murdered. There are so many times in this book when Eve worries that she hurt Morris. It kills me.

I was thinking the same thing about Eve's thoughts as she goes to tell Morris. She uses her Master to get into the building & goes up to ring his doorbell, all the time thinking about how to tell him. You really see/feel Eve's heart in this one.

I am a Summerset fan all the way. The series would not be the same without him!

I agree Sandra. Eve always wants to be the top b***h cop, and she is, but she has a big heart too.

I'm not finished with my reread either. It's been some time since I read this one. I had kinda forgotten how much it touched me.

same here Sandra so many touching moments in this one.

she just got her anniversary gift and I can't stop laughing

First that frosty jacket. Now the car. I wonder what he'll think of next. He really is protecting her in all the ways he can. I mean besides all the other small things like the inscription on her ring and the medal she wear on her chain. *sigh* seriously love this man.

This one of my favorite books in the series for all the reasons you're all pointing out.

Summerset's support of Eve in this story is telling. He gives her the boost and confidence to be there for Morris. She really does have the instincts necessary to help her friends but just hasn't had a lot of practice. Everything she does for Morris is perfect for who he is and who she is to him.

Can't wait for you all the start discussing. So many great moments.

I love the way Eve acts right from the beginning when she realized that a new robe just appeared for her and she didn't argue with Roarke about it. Then when she negotiates her vacation time with him and realizes he only wanted the two 1/2 weeks when she finally agreed.

Later when Roarke passes Belle to her without her expecting it. She is so funny hold Belle like and explosive.

There are so many really touching scenes in this one.

When Morris talks to Eve about being with a cop

“There’s a place inside, when you’re connected to cops— as friends, as lovers, even as associates— that knows the risk of that connection, of involvement. I’ve worked on enough dead cops to know those risks. But you have to put it aside, lock it away, because you have to keep that connection. It’s what you do, who you are. But you know, you always know, and still when it happens, it seems impossible.

Then later when she asks Roarke about this. Eve worries about Roarke but he gives the perfect response.

“How can I love you and not be afraid ? You’re my life, Eve, my heart. You’re asking, you’re wondering if I ever worry, if I ever fear, that one day Peabody or Feeney, your commander— a cop who’s become a friend— will knock on my door? Of course I do.”

Sharon - that last quote from Roarke is one of my favorites. And I absolutely loved that scene where she gets out of the shower & ponders a moment over that robe...but then just puts it on and walks out. Our Eve has come a long way.

Roarke handing over Bella, you can just see that twinkle in his eyes.

I am listening to the part Eve and Roarke are shopping for a bridal shower gift. cracking up.

Sheri wrote: "I am listening to the part Eve and Roarke are shopping for a bridal shower gift. cracking up."

I haven't gotten there yet but when Eve says something about lesbian f ware and then she knows me naked. The first time I read that made me last.

I love how Peabody keeps her Free-ager core. I can hear her in my mind replying with quiet dignity to Eve's sarcasm:

"Do little pink fairies sing and dance in your world, Peabody?

"Sometimes when it is very quiet and no one else can see."

Love Peabody!!! That's a good one, Loriidae!

A more somber scene is when Eve has to tell Morris about Audrey & Ricker...and that she must investigate the possibility of her being a dirty cop. I think Eve would have rather cut off her on arm than deliver that news to him.

Another one - Roarke racing to the wreck scene to find out if Eve is okay. She hadn't called him. There beautiful words/confessions to one another after returning to the mansion. Just makes my heart sigh.

I loved those too ladies. And these.
Peabody wanting to get it off her chest when they are back in the car. How she felt bad and now this.

And that scene with you mentioned Sandra with the accident. It really was interesting that she realises who Roarke truly is and what he needs.

And Roarke when he watches her relaxing in the bath.

"Home he told himself. She was home and whole and safe."

That sentence really brought it home to me what the loved ones of our emergency services and defence forces face every day.

This book is brilliant on so many levels, I think a lot of it comes from the building of the prior relationship with Morris.

As a reader we are right there feeling the many levels of pain of the characters. We don't get this depth when it is a crime committed to and by unrelated people.

Mavis and Leonardo's book is another great example.

This is a 5* for me and I rarely give those out.

The more I read In death, the more it becomes of the interactions of the characters. Yes some of the cases are nothing out of the ordinary, and I hate saying that but I just mean more in keeping with murder and the human failties , but those are usually the books that have a deep character build. Or a small insight into that relationship with a cop as your life partner. And I'll say it again. Robb has perfected the art of writing this series that you have a BIG case after a few mundane cases. You are never thinking or left wanting for long.

Nailed it, Michelle.

Ditto Michelle...well said! Another very touching moment for me was when Eve meets Morris in the yard of the mansion after he walks there...she opens her arms & folds them around him. And also, Roarke telling Morris that he will spend the night there - with "family". Both Eve & Roarke seem to embrace the idea of family in Promises - both have come to realize that the friends they have made are indeed their family.

And the bridal shower for Louise is a riot!!

I sniffled as I read that.

okay we all love Summerset. That said I think this book was so revealing of what his thoughts are about Eve. Nothing is said but his support of her, and I'm sure Eve doesn't think of it that way, really is tremendous. And I'm not sure but don't think any snarky comments was made. Which also confused Eve at one point.

Interesting scene when Roarke puts it together...who Cleo really is, the connection between her mother & Max Ricker. And it took a few minutes for it to hit Eve - for her to realize what Roarke was saying. Eve's mind is so fascinating when she is reasoning out things - I just found it interesting that Roarke is the one that hit on this angle. But no matter who made the connection first, it is very clear that Roarke & Eve make quite a team...both as mates & "cops". lol

Did anyone suspect or make that connection before reading it?

From early on, I had a feeling that the killer was going to be one of Coltrane's squad members...just a feeling at first. And for some reason, Cleo hit me wrong almost immediately. She was almost "too good a friend"...said all the right things, etc. But I didn't have any idea what her motive might be at that time. What about you all? Was there someone you suspected might be involved early on? Did you feel like it was Alex? Cleo? Or once the name "Ricker" was introduced, did you think that Max could be orchestrating the killings from his cell?

Did you feel any sympathy for Cleo in the end?

I've always been fascinated with how she gets to a scene and can just visualise. And then later on as she puts it together or just works it through. Her mind truly is fascinating. she always gets so lost in the process that oft times she doesn't realise who or where she might be.

First time I read I'm not sure but I remembered thinking wow and we thought that is the end of Ricker. as for her squad they all just seemed too . . . Something was off. Never would have thought Cleo.
Approval of parent is strong in most of us. Be it positive or negative, we all want our parent/ s to acknowledge us. For some that might be that they acknowledge that they screwed up and thus lost the privilege of being our parent. And then they obvious love me no matter what. So for me it was sad that all that Cleo did still meant nothing. But that was it. She was a grown up when she met Ricker and thus knew right and wrong. Taking it so far as to become a cop yet continued committing crime. I just don't understand that type of psyche I suppose.

The whole parent approval thing hits Eve hard too. Even she, just a tiny bit, feels some sympathy at the cold way Max treats Cleo. He tossed herself like yesterday's trash.

And the betrayal of a cop by a cop, one of his/her own partners, is one of the ultimate betrayals, I think.

Yes. Your suppose to trust that they will always have your back.

Eve will always struggle with her parentage I think. She might resolve a lot of issues but struggle nonetheless.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "From early on, I had a feeling that the killer was going to be one of Coltrane's squad members...just a feeling at first. And for some reason, Cleo hit me wrong almost immediately. She was almost..."

I'll be honest...I was caught flat footed with Cleo. She just wasn't on my list because I couldn't figure motive. Detective Clifton had me going for a bit but he just seemed to obvious. For the longest time, I was convinced it was Alex, somehow orchestrated by Max.

Not one lick of sympathy for Cleo.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "The whole parent approval thing hits Eve hard too. Even she, just a tiny bit, feels some sympathy at the cold way Max treats Cleo. He tossed herself like yesterday's trash.

And the betrayal of a..."

And then I contrast Eve and Cleo. Eve, completely betrayed in the worst way by both of her parents and she chooses a different path. As Michelle said, Cleo met Max as an adult, after already knowing the difference between right and wrong, chose this dark path. You don't have to be a victim of your circumstances and Cleo could have done better.

Michelle wrote: "I've always been fascinated with how she gets to a scene and can just visualise. And then later on as she puts it together or just works it through. Her mind truly is fascinating. she always gets s..."

I don't understand that kind of thinking either but I know people make the same choices Cleo made.

I was caught off-guard by Cleo's parentage...didn't see that connection coming at all. But she rubbed me the wrong way early on. I do agree that Clifton was just too obvious so I ruled him out. Too much underlying rage...no control.

Did anyone suspect that Coltrane's serious ex-lover was Alex Ricker before it was revealed?

Cannot imagine what it must have taken for Morris to invite Cleo into that apartment, let her help sort those clothes, and actually give her the earrings...knowing what he knew - wow - what a scene!

If it were anyone other than Morris, I don't think that scene would be believable. But because he's so centered and clear about himself, he pulled it off but I felt for him. That was really powerful.