"Festive in Death" by J. D. Robb

Just in time for Christmas!  I try to get on the library list for the J.D. Robb books as soon as Nora Roberts posts her publishing schedule for the upcoming year.  I was on the list for this book in early 2014....then had a baby.  My hold at the library came and went with me none the wiser.  So imagine my excitement when I was browsing for something to read and realized there was an In Death book I hadn't read...and that there was no wait!

Summary:  Lt. Eve Dallas is a murder cop in 2060 New York.  She stands for the victim and gives her investigations 1010% in order to find justice...even when the newly deceased turns out to be an asshole.  When Eve gets tagged on a homicide right before Christmas, she soon finds herself investigating the life and career of a personal trainer found with a bashed in head and long list of enemies.  In classic J.D. Robb style, Dallas must use her best assets--her wits and her colleagues--to solve the latest crime.

What I Liked:  One of the things I really like about the In Death series is how author J. D. Robb inserts humor into what is usually a grisly murder investigation.  There are usually a few genuine "laugh out loud" lines woven into the story, and "Festive in Death" didn't disappoint.  One of my favorite "in" jokes of the book had to do with boozy Santa Eve and her partner Peabody once shared and elevator with.  Upon running into him a second time:

“Well, stop it or . . . Crap, is that Drunk Santa currently mooning passing traffic?”“Wow, that’s some ugly ass he’s got there. It is Drunk Santa. Oh, please, do we have to stop? Think of the smell. Fear it.”“We can’t leave that ugly ass hanging out on Ninth Avenue.” Resigned, Eve started to pull over, then spotted two hustling beat cops. Pitying them, she kept going.“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Peabody said, reverently.”     -J.D. Robb, Festive in Death

If you read my review of "Thankless in Death" you'll know that I was disappointed that Eve's relationships with friends and family was mostly left out of the plot.  I believe that how Eve interacts with her husband makes her relateable, how she reacts to Peabody, McNab and Summerset makes her funny and how she communicated with her friends makes her human.  If you're like me, you'll be happy to know that Roarke and Peabody are central characters and that many of Eve's friends make an appearance, including Mavis, Reo, Nadine, Dr. Mira, Dr. Morris, Charles and Louise and even Dickhead himself.

What Drove Me Nuts:  I don't have any complaints.  I thought this was a solid story with the great dialogue and excellent character building I expect from the In Death brand.

Rating:  Read it!  It was a solid and fast read.

Other Reviews for this Author:  Concealed in Death, Thankless in Death

Reviewed By:  Tami

"Concealed in Death" by J.D. Robb

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I'm a sucker for a thriller.  When you add in a little romance I'm a goner.  The "In Death" series covers the cases of Lieutenant Eve Dallas, Detective in the New York Police and Security Department in the year 2060.  The series showcases a strong, smart, tough woman who is dedicated and passionate about her job and how she manages events that turn her life upside down while still fighting for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Summary:  Murder cop Eve Dallas' kajillionaire husband Roarke takes a ceremonial swing to take down a wall in his latest rehab project when he makes a gruesome discovery:  two carefully wrapped, long dead bodies.  As Lieutenant Eve and her partner Detective Peabody secure the scene, the CSI team uncovers more bodies: 12 in all, and all young girls.  Eve and Peabody must sift through history to try to find who killed the young girls and why. 

What I Liked:  I'm fascinated with cop stories, and Robb's twisty plot turns are just sneaky enough to keep you guessing about whodunnit.  Throw in futuristic fashion, technology and slang, and you've got a great formula for an interesting story.  The fact that this series is not "scary" also probably helps. 

What Drove Me Nuts:  Nothing drove me nuts this time around; however, I will admit that this plot wasn't as twisty as usual, and was a little bit more sad than usual. 

Rating:  Clever and interesting, although not my favorite in the series.  A little sad.

Also Read by This Author: I've read every book in this series.  For a complete listing, click here.  To read Tami's other reviews on this series:  1

Reviewed By:  Tami

"Thankless in Death" by J.D. Robb

I am a Nora Roberts addict, so when I heard that she had a futuristic murder mystery series penned under the name J.D. Robb my heart nearly exploded.  I've been a fan of the "In Death" series from the first book and give it my full fledged recommendation.

Summary:  On the eve of Thanksgiving 2060 Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches a double homicide that should be easy to solve.  She knows who the murder is and why he committed the crime.  What she can't find is the man himself...and it looks like he's got a taste for killing and is going to strike again soon.  Can Eve find the bad guy before another innocent life is taken?

What I Liked:  You can't talk about an installment of the Eve Dallas "In Death" series without first exploring why the series in general is so good:

• The main character, murder cop Eve Dallas, is a bad ass bona fide hero.  She kicks ass, takes names, finds the bad guy and saves the day.  Every time.  She also has just enough flaws to keep her likable.
• Her romantic interest, Roarke, is gorgeous, rich, powerful, Irish and has the good sense to know his lady is fully capable of handling her shit without his interference.
• The supporting cast of characters are well thought out, brilliantly described, and totally likable.
• The series doesn't shy away from crime at its worst.  Even when the murder scenes are hard to read and the villains are truly despicable, they add to the story.
• The author describes 2060 in detail, from outfits to technology to fashion.  I can only hope to some day wear air skids as I send a memo cube to my uptown honey.

But I digress, on to what I liked about the book:  This was a new take on an "In Death" story.  Instead of trying to figure out the killer's identity, Eve knows "who did it" from almost the beginning of the book.  The big challenge this time around it to catch up to the killer, to get inside his head, and to figure out who he's going to kill next before he accomplishes the deed.  The premise felt fresh and I enjoyed it immensely.

What Drove Me Nuts:  I love the dynamics between Eve and her family and friends, but this installment offered little insight into Eve's personal life.  The author falls back on Eve's fights with her husband to show Eve's emotional side, and the fights often feel cliche and repetitious this far into the series.

Rating: I liked it!  Fans of Nora Roberts and light mystery will get a kick out of this series.

Other Books Read by this Author:  The whole series!  For a complete listing read more here.

Reviewed by:  Tami