J.D. Robb discussion

OH MY GOSH! Reading this is just...heartwrenching, what Roarke's goign through with finding out more about his past.

Yea. But don't you love when Eve 'tends' to him... LOL I know I do :P

I didn't get that far yet. I had to come back from lunch. *grrr* But she just got advice from Mavis and was on her way to take care of that advice.

I really really enjoyed this one. The murders that needed solved were essential to this book, but I most enjoyed learning more about Roarke's past. I totally loved the part where he got drunk and nearly cried when Eve visited him unexpectedly. I listen to the audio versions of this book series and I don't know how many times I clapped my hand to my mouth in shock. Despite everything, I think Eve's "relationship" with Sommerset evolved some more in this one also!

***SPOILER*** Portrait in Death is one of my most favorite and that moment when Roarke is wishing Eve could be with him in Ireland and then she appears is priceless...one of the best moments.

Jonetta wrote: "***SPOILER*** Portrait in Death is one of my most favorite and that moment when Roarke is wishing Eve could be with him in Ireland and then she appears is priceless...one of the best moments."

I agree whole-heartedly!

I love the idea of Roarke finding his family. It was a really nice addition to the series, and provided some interesting character and plot development. Oh, and Karon, I cried too!

Who didn't cry:)?

I cried :)

i said AAHH i kept on smiling. then i cried.

Roarke has a family! I think that's just sooo wonderful!

On another note, I'm not a huge fan of the way Roarke TOTALLY SHUTS EVE OUT while he figures things out! It just broke my heart how WE know what's going on, but Eve doesn't, and she's freaking out, thinking he doesn't want her anymore, and... I'm going to start crying just thinking about it...

But seriously, Eve is always like, "ARRRGGGHHH! I'm failing at this marriage thing!" but this issue was ALL Roarke's fault. I DO like that she realizes she has this issue and doesn't know what to do about it, so she talks to Mira and Mavis about it. (That IS this book, right?) And Mavis is like, "Screw his brains out!" hahaha... And wasn't it FEENEY, who's like, "He's hurting. You need to go to Ireland!" I really liked that Eve was willing to lean on people and ask for help...

Sara ♥ wrote: "Roarke has a family! I think that's just sooo wonderful!

On another note, I'm not a huge fan of the way Roarke TOTALLY SHUTS EVE OUT while he figures things out! It just broke my heart how W..."

Sara, and that's the beauty of the tale. Roarke's so used to being there for Eve, he hasn't learned to let her be there for him, even though he hurt her so bad in the process. Remember him kicking her out of his office and making her sleep alone? He didn't want her to see him vulnerable but in the end it was what he craved. Lastly, Eve had to reach out for help AND take the advice, which was a huge step for her.

I'd say both had to learn how to be married in this one, with Eve teaching Roarke for a change. This is my second favorite book behind Conspiracy in Death.

Sara, I want to cry every time I think about that! It was definitely a turning point in their relationship but it taught them to trust each other even more than they thought they could.

What I don't get is that yes, Eve went to visit Roarke in Ireland but she stayed for what, an hour tops? Way too short. I'd have liked to see more interaction with Roarke's aunt and was surprised there wasn't any storyline involving his grandparents.

Jonetta wrote: "Sara, and that's the beauty of the tale. Roarke's so used to being there for Eve, he hasn't learned to let her be there for him, even though he hurt her so bad in the process. Remember him kicking her out of his office and making her sleep alone? He didn't want her to see him vulnerable but in the end it was what he craved. Lastly, Eve had to reach out for help AND take the advice, which was a huge step for her.

Good point. I hadn't thought about it that way—about Roarke not having to lean on Eve until that point... That's so true! I think they both really grew in this book.

Karon—You haven't read all the books yet, right? No spoilers, but this isn't the last we've seen of Roarke's family! :) Heehee...

That's right, Karon. I know I thought the same thing and later.....

Also remember, Eve was there as his ballast. She was checking out the family to make certain they didn't harm him. Her guard was up because she knew his feelings were raw. She wasn't there to meet his family...she was there to protect Roarke and be there for him. She'd never seen him so off his game and knew he was vulnerable. Sinead sensed that about Eve right away, like Eve could have hidden it:)

So glad to hear that there will be more with his family. I don't know why but I love when he goes back home! Makes me want to visit Ireland every time.

Hahaha... It's a GREAT family scene, too... You'll love it! :)

Another part that really made me cry was when Crack found out his baby sister was one of the victims. That tore me apart. Though, I did love the idea of the tree being planted.

Oh, that was so emotionally gripping. It was awful. Here's this guy who let's everything roll off of him and he got shattered. Eve showed so much sensitivity as she's prone to do with the people that matter to her.

Yeah I do love Eve's sensitivity, and sometimes she thinks she is cold. Not Possible!

Cast List (view spoiler)[Eve Dallas: NYPSD lieutenant and homicide detective; married to Roarke
Roarke: Billionaire. Married to Eve.
Officer Delia Peabody: Eve's police aide
Nadine Furst: Ace reporter for Channel 75; friend of Eve
Detective Ian McNab: Part of the Electronic Detectives Division. Dating Peabody.
Dr. Charlotte Mira: NYPSD Psychiatrist and profiler
Capt. Ryan Feeny: Eve's former partner and trainer, head of the EDD (Electronic Detective Division) in the NYPSD
Kenby Sulu: Murder victim
Alicia Dilbert: Murder victim
Rachel Howard: Murder victim
Leonardo: Mavis' co-hab partner
Dirk Hastings: Photographer
Detective David Baxter: Detective on Eve's squad
Mavis Freestone: Eve's best friend
Dr. Louise Dimatto: Doctor and friend of Eve
Summerset: Roarke's majordomo
Brian Kelly: Pub owner in Dublin and childhood friend of Roarke's
Sinead Lannigan: Twin sister of Siobahn
Officer Troy Trueheart: Detective Baxter's aide
Siobahn Brody: Sinead's twin sister
Dr. Li Morris: Chief medical examiner
Leeanne Browning: Artist and photography professor
Galahad: Eve and Roarke's cat
Detective Yancy: NYPSD artist
Steve Audrey: Bartender at an e-club
Diego: Potential suspect; club lothario
Trina: Stylist who takes care of Eve (hide spoiler)]

There are no spoilers in the list. It's only set up this way because of its length and for easy reference.

Continuing discussion on Portrait In Death...this is a spoiler zone thread. :)

I'm a couple of books away from Portrait in my reread of the series. I'll be watching for the passages about Summerset killing Roarke's dad this time through. I remembered it being "assumed" but some good points have been made about it in our Do You Re-Read thread...seems I learn something new every time I read these books.

It's at the end of chapter 15. I read it as he did. Yes he does not flat out and say it but I believe Eve read it in his eyes and didn't have to hear it out load. now I'm gonna have to read all the books again just to see if it comes up again. Lol

beside the whole Summerset thing I love this book. It's a favorite of mine too.

It's one of the best, I think.

Is this the book we are reading? I thought it was reunion.

No, this isn't the book we are currently reading.

Thanks Jonetta. I was reading Reunion.

​I just finished reading. SPOILERS below.

I really enjoyed the themes of light and dark in this book. The lessons on photography were fascinating. Layer that with x-rays, etc., it made for an interesting foundation for this story. I loved Hastings, the photographer. He was quite a character! I'd like to see him again in some future books.

I knew that Summerset wasn’t going to make to his vacation. Eve was way too happy about it for it to work out for her. It was perfect that Eve was the only one who understood what Summerset needed once he was released from the hospital. I love that Eve and Summerset can unite in their concern for Roarke.

Interesting background on Roarke’s past. We haven’t heard anything about his mother up to now. The scenes between him and Sinead had me tearing up. I love that they were all kind, giving and loving toward him. He needs to know what family really is. I was surprised Roarke took the trip to Ireland by himself. I know he has to sort it all out in his head, but Eve only gives him strength. Interesting, though, because up until now in the series they've always been together and in sync. But they got there in the end.

Then after getting teary-eyed during the Ireland scenes, I got teary-eyed again when Eve had to tell Crack about his sister. This, apparently, was a very emotional book for me.

This one is in my top five, too. It has that great helicopter scene in Ireland.

Yes! I love that it was Eve coming to Roarke's rescue. Poor guy. That's a lot to deal with.