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In Death #55
Desperation in Death
The #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a gripping new thriller that pits homicide detective Eve Dallas against a conspiracy of exploitation and evil…
New York, 2061: The place called the Pleasure Academy is a living nightmare where abducted girls are trapped, trained for a life of abject service while their souls are slowly but surely destroyed. Dorian, a thirteen-year-old runaway who’d been imprisoned there, might never have made it out if not for her fellow inmate Mina, who’d hatched the escape plan. Mina was the more daring of the two—but they’d been equally desperate.
Unfortunately, they didn’t get away fast enough. Now Dorian is injured, terrified, and wandering the streets of New York, and Mina lies dead near the waterfront while Lt. Eve Dallas looks over the scene.
Mina’s expensive, elegant clothes and beauty products convince Dallas that she was being groomed, literally and figuratively, for sex trafficking—and that whoever is investing in this high-overhead operation expects windfall profits. Her billionaire husband, Roarke, may be able to help, considering his ties to the city’s ultra-rich. But Roarke is also worried about the effect this case is having on Dallas, as it brings a rage to the surface she can barely control. No matter what, she must keep her head clear--because above all, she is desperate for justice and to take down those who prey on and torment the innocent.
New York, 2061: The place called the Pleasure Academy is a living nightmare where abducted girls are trapped, trained for a life of abject service while their souls are slowly but surely destroyed. Dorian, a thirteen-year-old runaway who’d been imprisoned there, might never have made it out if not for her fellow inmate Mina, who’d hatched the escape plan. Mina was the more daring of the two—but they’d been equally desperate.
Unfortunately, they didn’t get away fast enough. Now Dorian is injured, terrified, and wandering the streets of New York, and Mina lies dead near the waterfront while Lt. Eve Dallas looks over the scene.
Mina’s expensive, elegant clothes and beauty products convince Dallas that she was being groomed, literally and figuratively, for sex trafficking—and that whoever is investing in this high-overhead operation expects windfall profits. Her billionaire husband, Roarke, may be able to help, considering his ties to the city’s ultra-rich. But Roarke is also worried about the effect this case is having on Dallas, as it brings a rage to the surface she can barely control. No matter what, she must keep her head clear--because above all, she is desperate for justice and to take down those who prey on and torment the innocent.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2022
About the author
J.D. Robb
207 books34.3k followersJ.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Forgotten in Death (St. Martin's Press, September 2021) is the 53rd entry in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,766 reviews
September 3, 2022
Desperation in Death
by J. D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) brings murder, suspense, and anguish to a well-written futuristic police procedural set in New York City during the spring of 2061. What happens when children are abducted and exploited?
This story starts when Mina Cabot and Dorian Gregg, abducted teenagers, attempt to escape the Pleasure Academy where they have been imprisoned for months and trained for a life of service and exploitation. Unfortunately, the plan isn’t the success they desired.
Our protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, stands over a crime scene at the edge of Battery Park. Joined by her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, they find and identify the body of a teenager. While set up to look like a mugging, the details tell another story. Blood helps them identify a second teenager. When the clues lead to child trafficking, Eve won’t rest until everyone involved is identified and arrested.
Time spent with Eve, Roarke, and Eve’s colleagues is always entertaining. Eve is definitely a compelling and three-dimensional character. Her need to serve and protect comes through in every book, but the underlying impetus for this is best understood by reading this series in order. The way Eve was abused as a child makes this a case that enrages her. Keeping her head clear and her emotions under control are needed for her to succeed. As always, the interactions between Eve and Roarke are enjoyable and bring a different facet of Eve’s personality to light. Several of the reoccurring police characters play significant roles in this book. However, readers also get to see a bit of their private lives. The addition of Detective Willowby from the Special Victims Unit provided needed insight and help.
The prose is well-written and engaging. This time Eve’s passion for justice and those that need help pushes the story beyond finding a single murderer, to taking down those that prey on children. The plot is thought-provoking and tragic. While this book has some action, it is mostly a police procedural. The action is concentrated at the beginning and the ending. It is appalling in places and uplifting in others.
Robb usually manages to embed humor in her novels, providing some much needed levity to offset some of the more serious and grim aspects of the story. There was very little of that in this serious case. She brings strong characters, great plots, wonderful relationships, and excellent pacing to the series. Woven through the novel are threads of caring for others, friendship, partnership relationships, freedom, distrust of authority, alliances, leadership, and trust. Themes include murder, justice, family dynamics, child abuse, child trafficking, and power as well as standing up for the innocent and the dead.
If you enjoy engaging near-future police procedurals, then I recommend this series. This is the fifty-fifth book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. Overall, this novel was heartwrenching as well as darker and grittier than usual. I was desperate for Eve and her team to capture the evil perpetrators. This was a disturbing book, but one that is well worth reading. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press and J.D. Robb provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was September 6, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
This story starts when Mina Cabot and Dorian Gregg, abducted teenagers, attempt to escape the Pleasure Academy where they have been imprisoned for months and trained for a life of service and exploitation. Unfortunately, the plan isn’t the success they desired.
Our protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, stands over a crime scene at the edge of Battery Park. Joined by her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, they find and identify the body of a teenager. While set up to look like a mugging, the details tell another story. Blood helps them identify a second teenager. When the clues lead to child trafficking, Eve won’t rest until everyone involved is identified and arrested.
Time spent with Eve, Roarke, and Eve’s colleagues is always entertaining. Eve is definitely a compelling and three-dimensional character. Her need to serve and protect comes through in every book, but the underlying impetus for this is best understood by reading this series in order. The way Eve was abused as a child makes this a case that enrages her. Keeping her head clear and her emotions under control are needed for her to succeed. As always, the interactions between Eve and Roarke are enjoyable and bring a different facet of Eve’s personality to light. Several of the reoccurring police characters play significant roles in this book. However, readers also get to see a bit of their private lives. The addition of Detective Willowby from the Special Victims Unit provided needed insight and help.
The prose is well-written and engaging. This time Eve’s passion for justice and those that need help pushes the story beyond finding a single murderer, to taking down those that prey on children. The plot is thought-provoking and tragic. While this book has some action, it is mostly a police procedural. The action is concentrated at the beginning and the ending. It is appalling in places and uplifting in others.
Robb usually manages to embed humor in her novels, providing some much needed levity to offset some of the more serious and grim aspects of the story. There was very little of that in this serious case. She brings strong characters, great plots, wonderful relationships, and excellent pacing to the series. Woven through the novel are threads of caring for others, friendship, partnership relationships, freedom, distrust of authority, alliances, leadership, and trust. Themes include murder, justice, family dynamics, child abuse, child trafficking, and power as well as standing up for the innocent and the dead.
If you enjoy engaging near-future police procedurals, then I recommend this series. This is the fifty-fifth book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. Overall, this novel was heartwrenching as well as darker and grittier than usual. I was desperate for Eve and her team to capture the evil perpetrators. This was a disturbing book, but one that is well worth reading. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press and J.D. Robb provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was September 6, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
October 11, 2022
Another really satisfying book in this excellent series. The topic is child exploitation and trafficking and the opening scenes in 'The Pleasure Academy' are quite traumatic. The reader is introduced to a place where kidnapped children are being groomed to be sold and we meet Mina and Dorian who are planning an escape.
Eve arrives on the scene when one of the girls is found dead and the other has disappeared. As she discovers what has been happening to them she determines to bring the whole racket down. Problematically she sees her past self in the girls and has to cope with her own anger. Of course Roarke is there to talk her down as well as Mira, Peabody and the rest of the team.
This is a heavy topic and a very serious one, but there is still opportunity for some very funny one liners between Peabody and Eve. The author never loses sight of her characters and they stay true to themselves at all times. As usual the police work is thorough and interesting. Altogether a well balanced and very well written book which is totally absorbing, but what else would we expect from this experienced and talented author.
How many sleeps until the next one?
Eve arrives on the scene when one of the girls is found dead and the other has disappeared. As she discovers what has been happening to them she determines to bring the whole racket down. Problematically she sees her past self in the girls and has to cope with her own anger. Of course Roarke is there to talk her down as well as Mira, Peabody and the rest of the team.
This is a heavy topic and a very serious one, but there is still opportunity for some very funny one liners between Peabody and Eve. The author never loses sight of her characters and they stay true to themselves at all times. As usual the police work is thorough and interesting. Altogether a well balanced and very well written book which is totally absorbing, but what else would we expect from this experienced and talented author.
How many sleeps until the next one?
September 2, 2022
Mina and Dorian, two young girls trapped in an horrific situation, and desperate enough to plan an escape. The plan was a sound one, but when they were out on the streets, Dorian fell and suddenly Mina was running, leading them away from Dorian, so she could escape. But Mina didn't have the same fortune as Dorian, and it was her body that Lieutenant Eve Dallas stood over, feeling a fury building inside.
As Eve and Peabody, plus the rest of the team worked around the clock, Roarke did the same in his inimitable way. As they all began to realise what was behind Mina's death, the horror of what the young girls faced - and for how long? - saw the team pull out all stops. First they needed to find Dorian before those who abducted young girls, did. Would they? Could they?
Desperation in Death is number 55 in this addictive and astounding series by J.D. Robb, and she handled the difficult subject matter with grace, with aplomb, and with caring, and helped Eve, Peabody and their team as they searched for justice for those innocent girls. Every time I pick up the next In Death book, I know I'm going to be immensely satisfied, and Desperation in Death was no different. Even after so many books, each one is fresh and new, with another intriguing plot. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
As Eve and Peabody, plus the rest of the team worked around the clock, Roarke did the same in his inimitable way. As they all began to realise what was behind Mina's death, the horror of what the young girls faced - and for how long? - saw the team pull out all stops. First they needed to find Dorian before those who abducted young girls, did. Would they? Could they?
Desperation in Death is number 55 in this addictive and astounding series by J.D. Robb, and she handled the difficult subject matter with grace, with aplomb, and with caring, and helped Eve, Peabody and their team as they searched for justice for those innocent girls. Every time I pick up the next In Death book, I know I'm going to be immensely satisfied, and Desperation in Death was no different. Even after so many books, each one is fresh and new, with another intriguing plot. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2023
Intense! Desperation in Death is not the easiest read. There are many triggers, so readers beware. (My tags should show what many of the triggers are, but this novel in particular will have many triggers.)
Eve Dallas was abused and raped as a child. Her memories come to the surface time and time again in Desperation in Death when she's in charge of a young 13 year old homicide victim. The reader really gets to see the character development in Eve and Roarke as they walk through this particular case. The bring in the whole team which is one of my favorite parts is when we see all the characters working together as a cohesive unit.
Although Desperation in Death is set in the future, there are not as many features shown on display for the reader to geek out over in this novel. One exception is the really fast helicopter that Roarke owns that gets a few members of the team from one place to another. Most of the Naked In Death series feature futuristic technology and ideas, which is something I enjoy.
I adore Eve, Roarke, Peabody and so many other characters. What really gets me each time about JD Robb's writing in the Naked in Death series is the plot. It is tight, intense, moves fast and flows really well with the other elements in the novel. I like the way that JD Robb handles the tough issues that could really trigger a reader in this novel. She doesn't glorify the abuse or events that occur at The Pleasure Academy... and shows the toll it takes on the officers and civilians working this case. Desperation in Death can be read as part of the series but can also be read as a stand alone.
Eve Dallas was abused and raped as a child. Her memories come to the surface time and time again in Desperation in Death when she's in charge of a young 13 year old homicide victim. The reader really gets to see the character development in Eve and Roarke as they walk through this particular case. The bring in the whole team which is one of my favorite parts is when we see all the characters working together as a cohesive unit.
Although Desperation in Death is set in the future, there are not as many features shown on display for the reader to geek out over in this novel. One exception is the really fast helicopter that Roarke owns that gets a few members of the team from one place to another. Most of the Naked In Death series feature futuristic technology and ideas, which is something I enjoy.
I adore Eve, Roarke, Peabody and so many other characters. What really gets me each time about JD Robb's writing in the Naked in Death series is the plot. It is tight, intense, moves fast and flows really well with the other elements in the novel. I like the way that JD Robb handles the tough issues that could really trigger a reader in this novel. She doesn't glorify the abuse or events that occur at The Pleasure Academy... and shows the toll it takes on the officers and civilians working this case. Desperation in Death can be read as part of the series but can also be read as a stand alone.
September 25, 2022
the setup…
It’s called the Pleasure Academy, where young girls who were abducted and brought here are groomed and prepared for a life of sexual slavery, to be later sold to extremely wealthy buyers. Dorian Gregg is a 13-year old runaway who was nabbed on the streets of New York City. Mina Cabot is also 13-years old but from a loving affluent family in Philadelphia, abducted on her way home from school. While Dorian is highly spirited and resistant, Mina is the one who has something to return to, enough to make her focus on escape. She and Dorian bond, plan their escape and they’re initially successful but something goes wrong and Mina ends up being one of Lieutenant Eve Dallas’ victims. She and her team quickly determine that all is not what it first appears at the crime scene and with the evidence.
the heart of the story…
This was a chilling story because, deep down, you know it could be true either now or someday in the near future. The investigation was stressful, both for me as a reader and for Eve because of its close connection to her own horrid past. She’d just come off of case involving the abduction and confinement of several women and husband Roarke is more than concerned about the pressures to her psyche. I loved how they worked through it, using each other so honestly for support and emotional sustenance. But it was the parallel tracks of trying to find these human traffickers and locating Dorian that gave me heartburn. I feared for her safety and that the team wouldn’t find her before the bad guys did. I’ve never wanted to see villains taken down more than these despicable people who were abducting children as young as 10-years old for their nasty school.
the bottom line…
This was a hard one to put down because it involved young children at risk and I needed to reach the outcome. The police procedurals were outstanding, requiring the aid of so many teams within the NYPSD working together with absolute precision for a common goal. That meant seeing so many of the characters I’ve come to love having substantive roles in the story. I keep thinking that one day this series will become stale after so many books but it isn’t letting up. This one will remain forever memorable for the subject and emotional toll it took on everyone involved. The possibility of that academy in real life terrifies me.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
It’s called the Pleasure Academy, where young girls who were abducted and brought here are groomed and prepared for a life of sexual slavery, to be later sold to extremely wealthy buyers. Dorian Gregg is a 13-year old runaway who was nabbed on the streets of New York City. Mina Cabot is also 13-years old but from a loving affluent family in Philadelphia, abducted on her way home from school. While Dorian is highly spirited and resistant, Mina is the one who has something to return to, enough to make her focus on escape. She and Dorian bond, plan their escape and they’re initially successful but something goes wrong and Mina ends up being one of Lieutenant Eve Dallas’ victims. She and her team quickly determine that all is not what it first appears at the crime scene and with the evidence.
the heart of the story…
This was a chilling story because, deep down, you know it could be true either now or someday in the near future. The investigation was stressful, both for me as a reader and for Eve because of its close connection to her own horrid past. She’d just come off of case involving the abduction and confinement of several women and husband Roarke is more than concerned about the pressures to her psyche. I loved how they worked through it, using each other so honestly for support and emotional sustenance. But it was the parallel tracks of trying to find these human traffickers and locating Dorian that gave me heartburn. I feared for her safety and that the team wouldn’t find her before the bad guys did. I’ve never wanted to see villains taken down more than these despicable people who were abducting children as young as 10-years old for their nasty school.
the bottom line…
This was a hard one to put down because it involved young children at risk and I needed to reach the outcome. The police procedurals were outstanding, requiring the aid of so many teams within the NYPSD working together with absolute precision for a common goal. That meant seeing so many of the characters I’ve come to love having substantive roles in the story. I keep thinking that one day this series will become stale after so many books but it isn’t letting up. This one will remain forever memorable for the subject and emotional toll it took on everyone involved. The possibility of that academy in real life terrifies me.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
September 18, 2022
Always reliable und utterly satisfying.
September 10, 2022
Theme for this one: Child trafficking.
So, it was good. As always with these books, I enjoyed the time I spent with the characters more than I did about the case. It's like checking in with your friends.
But, the case did feel like a little subdued compared to the other books, or maybe that's me. I was just bored most of the times.
At least hey, we got Roarke.
So, it was good. As always with these books, I enjoyed the time I spent with the characters more than I did about the case. It's like checking in with your friends.
But, the case did feel like a little subdued compared to the other books, or maybe that's me. I was just bored most of the times.
At least hey, we got Roarke.
May 6, 2022
Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss+
A dead teenager leads Lieutenant Dallas to discover a sex trafficking network. The case is very personal to her because of her past.
This was one of the In Death books where the reader knows the culprit way before the cops. The story is more how they build the case and rescue those who need rescuing. Roarke, of course, is on hand to serve as an expert Civilian Consultant especially given the nature of the case.
Although we are at the 55th full length novel in the series, I still feel the stories are original. I like revisiting many of the supporting characters and seeing how they have grown.
This probably could be read as a stand-alone, but it really helps to have the background on the main characters. Plus, the reader would miss many books in the series that I feel are better. A solid edition to the series.
A dead teenager leads Lieutenant Dallas to discover a sex trafficking network. The case is very personal to her because of her past.
This was one of the In Death books where the reader knows the culprit way before the cops. The story is more how they build the case and rescue those who need rescuing. Roarke, of course, is on hand to serve as an expert Civilian Consultant especially given the nature of the case.
Although we are at the 55th full length novel in the series, I still feel the stories are original. I like revisiting many of the supporting characters and seeing how they have grown.
This probably could be read as a stand-alone, but it really helps to have the background on the main characters. Plus, the reader would miss many books in the series that I feel are better. A solid edition to the series.
March 10, 2023
Book 55.
A tough storyline to read about but these crimes are taking place all over the world and some of these poor children are never found.
We get a 'little' more interaction this time between Eve and some of the other characters, i.e. Mavis and Bella - all I want is a little snippit in every book - is that too much to ask? And the "button", that sweet, sweet button ...
A difficult case for Eve, it brings back memories for her.
Is Roarke perfect? Yeah, he is, isn't he? I read and listened to this installment - excellent narration, as per usual, from Susan Ericksen.
Onto the last in the series next, Encore in Death, but, if my reading this year is anything to go by, she may well have released Book 57, Payback in Death by the time I finish it ...
A tough storyline to read about but these crimes are taking place all over the world and some of these poor children are never found.
We get a 'little' more interaction this time between Eve and some of the other characters, i.e. Mavis and Bella - all I want is a little snippit in every book - is that too much to ask? And the "button", that sweet, sweet button ...
“When things change, the wise adjust.”
A difficult case for Eve, it brings back memories for her.
Is Roarke perfect? Yeah, he is, isn't he? I read and listened to this installment - excellent narration, as per usual, from Susan Ericksen.
Onto the last in the series next, Encore in Death, but, if my reading this year is anything to go by, she may well have released Book 57, Payback in Death by the time I finish it ...
November 3, 2022
4.5 stars.
Another excellent installment!
It’s a tough subject to read, especially when children are involved.
I’m still thinking about something though, how those villains kidnapped those children who came from rich and happy family? We didn’t get a clear answer about it, did we?
Oh well, it doesn’t matter, I love how everyone were working for this case, and the villains paid with the interest for their crime! Ha! 😘
❤️❤️❤️
Another excellent installment!
It’s a tough subject to read, especially when children are involved.
I’m still thinking about something though, how those villains kidnapped those children who came from rich and happy family? We didn’t get a clear answer about it, did we?
Oh well, it doesn’t matter, I love how everyone were working for this case, and the villains paid with the interest for their crime! Ha! 😘
❤️❤️❤️
March 15, 2024
A darker book but still enjoyable. I loved seeing Sebastian and learning more about him. I hope he will appear again in future books.
April 28, 2023
I am always amazed at how J. D. Robb keeps coming up with exciting stories. This one she took right out of the news headlines. The topic of human trafficking is not one I particularly want to read about, but Robb does a good job of approaching it from a law enforcement viewpoint. I always enjoy the various characters and am glad to see Sabastian again.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is thirteen hours and eleven minutes. Susan Ericksen does a superb job narrating this series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is thirteen hours and eleven minutes. Susan Ericksen does a superb job narrating this series.
September 23, 2022
With two girls having been abducted, and one escaping, Sadly, as the girls were escaping, one of them died. Detective Eve Dallas is in a frantic race against time to find out who abducted the girls. It doesn't take long for Eve to realize that exploitation is behind the abductions and Eve cannot help but remember her tragic past when it comes to said abuse.
Eve is an amazing character that J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts) has blessed her readers with. Multidimensional emotions, including being tough on the outside, but with strong sensitivities when it comes to handling cases such as this. Also, Eve's past comes through from time-to-time, and this is one of the ways that allows her billionaire husband Roarke to shine through, as he helps her through the trauma that was her past.
As this current case hits very close to home for Eve, she works hard at keeping everything in check as she is working. As always, Eve's team is quite instrumental in this investigation. Getting to know Eve, Roarke and her team over the years has been wonderful. With a new team member it will be interesting to see how that character evolves. As painful as Eve's past was, it was pivotal when it came to driving her as she turned over every stone in order to solve this newest case.
This remarkable series grows stronger and stronger with each book. This is the 55th book, and the setting has progressed three years. Eve and Roarke are going strong and, as has been done in the past more than once, he is more than helpful as Eve tries to learn who is abducting these young people and to bring them to justice.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy the video review of this fabulous book: https://youtu.be/-80cjSELvBM
Eve is an amazing character that J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts) has blessed her readers with. Multidimensional emotions, including being tough on the outside, but with strong sensitivities when it comes to handling cases such as this. Also, Eve's past comes through from time-to-time, and this is one of the ways that allows her billionaire husband Roarke to shine through, as he helps her through the trauma that was her past.
As this current case hits very close to home for Eve, she works hard at keeping everything in check as she is working. As always, Eve's team is quite instrumental in this investigation. Getting to know Eve, Roarke and her team over the years has been wonderful. With a new team member it will be interesting to see how that character evolves. As painful as Eve's past was, it was pivotal when it came to driving her as she turned over every stone in order to solve this newest case.
This remarkable series grows stronger and stronger with each book. This is the 55th book, and the setting has progressed three years. Eve and Roarke are going strong and, as has been done in the past more than once, he is more than helpful as Eve tries to learn who is abducting these young people and to bring them to justice.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy the video review of this fabulous book: https://youtu.be/-80cjSELvBM
September 7, 2022
This one really hit close to home for Eve, had everyone worried about her as she worked the case. There was some surprising tension between Eve and Mavis towards the start, it sucked because both of them were right. They quickly got it worked out and were soon a united front defending the other, which was funny to watch.
The big crime at the center of this one broke my heart. I think what makes it worse is you know how this could happen in real time and some aspects of it do every day. I loved watching Eve build her case, get everyone around her excited to be bringing in the bad guys. I also loved how Eve was able to help some of the victims get back at the bad guys.
There were some quiet moments that were good too, like Eve talking to Jenkinson about going for a promotion, good advice all around. And as happy as I was to see how the book ended, I really want to see the BBQ that Eve set up. I have a feeling that would have been so much fun to read about.
The big crime at the center of this one broke my heart. I think what makes it worse is you know how this could happen in real time and some aspects of it do every day. I loved watching Eve build her case, get everyone around her excited to be bringing in the bad guys. I also loved how Eve was able to help some of the victims get back at the bad guys.
There were some quiet moments that were good too, like Eve talking to Jenkinson about going for a promotion, good advice all around. And as happy as I was to see how the book ended, I really want to see the BBQ that Eve set up. I have a feeling that would have been so much fun to read about.
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May 11, 2023I'm not going to rate this because I mostly skim read this one - I just couldn't deal with the subject matter of this particular case. Too much for me
October 8, 2022
I will say one thing that is something that I didn't want to mark this book down for since the book setting is 2061 in an alternate version of the United States. Most sex trafficking victims are marginalized people. Also most girls are not just kidnapped off the street like "Desperation in Death" shows. I don't want to jump up and down on this book too much for this, but wanted to point that out to potential readers. I also say this because there's a viral video going around with a white woman in a Lexus showing some ridiculous content like beware of traffickers because they will try to put knock out drugs on a door handle, put money in your windshield, etc. It's just outrageous and spreading that type of stuff around just allows too many people to have blinders on with regards to real sex trafficked girls and women. Here's a link to read more https://www.justice.gov/humantraffick...
That all said, this was a great installment of the "In Death" series. It does a great job of giving everyone something to do. And I am so happy that Robb actually dived more into the background of some characters we have not done before like with Uniform Carmichael and Reineke. Both did a great job of just delving deeper. And I was happy that the In Death books are starting to acknowledge racism and just the brokenness with cops in general like with Uniform Carmichael's story that he tells to the whole squad.
"Desperation in Death" is the 55th book in the "In Death" series. This one follows Eve and Peabody as they break a huge sex trafficking ring that is operating in New York. This book involves all parties from the prior books except for the bone doctor and Charles and Louise. We get Crack, Rochelle, Nadine, Sebastian, Mavis, etc. And it all works. I was actually surprised. I thought it would feel a bit too full, but every character for one just fits into the overall story and has their part in this one. I even loved the little scene we get with Dr. Mira and Dennis at Eve and Roarke's home. We get to see why their marriage works and probably what Eve and Roarke are going to need to do when a case hits a bit too close at home for Eve.
The writing was really good and so was the flow. I enjoyed all of the characters we get introduced to in this one. I hope they pop up in future books. I also hope we can dial back Nadine and Jamie (please). I am just over the both of them at this point.
The flow of the book really works and I was happy to see more of Eve and Mavis's friendship up front and how they love and get ticked at each other. These two really are sisters, and the couple of scenes we get in this book shows why they trust and love each other.
The setting is New New York in 2061. We still get some technology that would make my eyes bleed if I thought about it too much, but it works.
The ending was great though. I loved how we know that Eve has plans to bring her people over to enjoy a nice BBQ on a sunny Summer day.
That all said, this was a great installment of the "In Death" series. It does a great job of giving everyone something to do. And I am so happy that Robb actually dived more into the background of some characters we have not done before like with Uniform Carmichael and Reineke. Both did a great job of just delving deeper. And I was happy that the In Death books are starting to acknowledge racism and just the brokenness with cops in general like with Uniform Carmichael's story that he tells to the whole squad.
"Desperation in Death" is the 55th book in the "In Death" series. This one follows Eve and Peabody as they break a huge sex trafficking ring that is operating in New York. This book involves all parties from the prior books except for the bone doctor and Charles and Louise. We get Crack, Rochelle, Nadine, Sebastian, Mavis, etc. And it all works. I was actually surprised. I thought it would feel a bit too full, but every character for one just fits into the overall story and has their part in this one. I even loved the little scene we get with Dr. Mira and Dennis at Eve and Roarke's home. We get to see why their marriage works and probably what Eve and Roarke are going to need to do when a case hits a bit too close at home for Eve.
The writing was really good and so was the flow. I enjoyed all of the characters we get introduced to in this one. I hope they pop up in future books. I also hope we can dial back Nadine and Jamie (please). I am just over the both of them at this point.
The flow of the book really works and I was happy to see more of Eve and Mavis's friendship up front and how they love and get ticked at each other. These two really are sisters, and the couple of scenes we get in this book shows why they trust and love each other.
The setting is New New York in 2061. We still get some technology that would make my eyes bleed if I thought about it too much, but it works.
The ending was great though. I loved how we know that Eve has plans to bring her people over to enjoy a nice BBQ on a sunny Summer day.
September 21, 2022
Reading the newest J.D. Robb book always feels like a chance to catch up with dear friends, while said friends are trying to save the world. And I don’t know that I’ll ever tire of that. Desperation in Death is the 55th full-length installment in the In Death series, and I’m still just as attached to Eve and Roarke and Peabody and the rest as I could ever hope to be. I absolutely love seeing how they’ve grown and changed over the years. While this particular installment dealt with some incredibly difficult and heartbreaking topics, and was very hard to read in some places, it was handled with care and was well worth reading.
In Desperation in Death, Eve and the gang find themselves facing down a child sex trafficking organization. Reading what the little girls were going through was devastating, as I know it reflects a horrific truth in our reality. And watching Eve deal with this, and the ways in which it brought her terrible past back to the forefront of her mind, was painful. But something you know going into any Nora Roberts book, even this long series of murder mysteries, is that everything is going to turn out alright in the end. Good is going to ultimately triumph. It’s for that reason I was able to stomach such a hard premise.
While a difficult read, Desperation in Death was a solid installment into the series. With any In Death books, I would definitely recommend checking trigger warnings prior to picking them up if you’re a more sensitive reader. Also, while every book can stand on its own because the cases themselves are contained, I don’t think these books would be nearly as enjoyable read out of order. The overarching character development spanning the breadth of the series is what makes Roberts’ work under her Robb penname so special.
In Desperation in Death, Eve and the gang find themselves facing down a child sex trafficking organization. Reading what the little girls were going through was devastating, as I know it reflects a horrific truth in our reality. And watching Eve deal with this, and the ways in which it brought her terrible past back to the forefront of her mind, was painful. But something you know going into any Nora Roberts book, even this long series of murder mysteries, is that everything is going to turn out alright in the end. Good is going to ultimately triumph. It’s for that reason I was able to stomach such a hard premise.
While a difficult read, Desperation in Death was a solid installment into the series. With any In Death books, I would definitely recommend checking trigger warnings prior to picking them up if you’re a more sensitive reader. Also, while every book can stand on its own because the cases themselves are contained, I don’t think these books would be nearly as enjoyable read out of order. The overarching character development spanning the breadth of the series is what makes Roberts’ work under her Robb penname so special.
September 19, 2022
One of the darkest stories yet for Dallas. In one way, this book was wonderful. I got to go back and check in on some of my favorite people: Dallas, Roarke, Peabody, McNab, Feeney, and - of course - Galahad!
On the other hand, this had a very dark storyline with some exceptionally evil criminals. (Trigger warnings: human trafficking, sex trade.)
I really loved this book. We got to see some very strong female characters taking on the Man (quite literally). This is a side of life I have never really been exposed to. It was wonderful seeing some of these girls fighting for themselves.
One of Eve's hardest but most satisfying cases!
On the other hand, this had a very dark storyline with some exceptionally evil criminals. (Trigger warnings: human trafficking, sex trade.)
I really loved this book. We got to see some very strong female characters taking on the Man (quite literally). This is a side of life I have never really been exposed to. It was wonderful seeing some of these girls fighting for themselves.
One of Eve's hardest but most satisfying cases!
December 5, 2022
Everyone was behaving like themselves, we got to check in with most of them, and blissfully no interior design.
September 14, 2022
Even amid the horrors of the insidious crimes that Eve, Roarke and the crew investigate, JDRobb can still make me smile and laugh -- and even ooh and aah with her clever musings and back-and-forth bantering between such an amazing cast of characters. Number 55 proves to be one of her best yet – even when dealing with such a dark and tragic storyline.
So good to catch-up with so many of the beloved cast of friends gathered throughout this installment in the In Death series. Sebastian, who first caught my attention in #38 Concealed in Death, is once again featured. Although his character is slightly questionable, I like him and hope to see more of him in future installments. And Baby Bella is growing up so fast and her sparkling interactions with Eve and Roarke just up the desire to see them start a family – but it may not be in the cards. There was a little friction exchanged between the Mr. & Mrs. this go-round – and those “marriage rules” be damned! Finally, an emotionally positive “talk” between Eve and Summerset.
High Fives to Robb on another wowzer! Desperation In Death was just as amazing as I had hoped -- fully satisfying. Superbly well-drawn, fast paced and filled with chills, spills and thrills. Could not put it down.
And an added forthcoming highlight -- Number 56, Encore In Death is scheduled for release on February 9, 2023 starting the new year off with a champagne toast laced with cyanide poisoning.
December 26, 2022
4,5 / 5
April 27, 2023
Another entry that follows the formula that’s worked pretty well for the past 54 books so no big surprises that the story is about Eve Dallas figuring out who did what to who and why, along with her team that never seems to have anything else to Dothan work on her case of the moment.
What isn’t quite working for me after so many books is that Eve is beginning to just sound like the boss bitch and she’s exhausting. I don’t know how anyone can stand her most of the time even though we see that she’s boss bitch with a big heart who cares so damn much about her victims.
The storyline is very much reminiscent of the slew of cult documentaries and religious based indoctrination schools and camps of this modern day where wealthy men buy little girls who have been groomed for them. After seeing so many of todays GOP legislate for child marriage, it’s quite plausible that they don’t need to snatch them off the street when they just raise them to believe that God wants them to marry and be fruitful starting at 12 years old. This book pushed my belief that they’d need to keep it a secret when it’s happening very much out in the open right now.
Other than that, the pacing towards the end of the book felt off and very anticlimactic.
What isn’t quite working for me after so many books is that Eve is beginning to just sound like the boss bitch and she’s exhausting. I don’t know how anyone can stand her most of the time even though we see that she’s boss bitch with a big heart who cares so damn much about her victims.
The storyline is very much reminiscent of the slew of cult documentaries and religious based indoctrination schools and camps of this modern day where wealthy men buy little girls who have been groomed for them. After seeing so many of todays GOP legislate for child marriage, it’s quite plausible that they don’t need to snatch them off the street when they just raise them to believe that God wants them to marry and be fruitful starting at 12 years old. This book pushed my belief that they’d need to keep it a secret when it’s happening very much out in the open right now.
Other than that, the pacing towards the end of the book felt off and very anticlimactic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2023
Wow. This was an intense read and quite challenging. Eve has to face many of her childhood memories in this book.
Children are being snatched and taught over the years to be 'slaves.' Nobody knows about this until two young girls escape, and one is killed in Eve's jurisdiction. Naturally, Eve being Eve, along with Rourke and Peabody, figure out quickly that this was not a mugging gone wrong but a deliberate murder set up to look like a mugging.
This was, as I said, a very intense read and may be too much for some readers. I have to admit that I was tempted to stop to regain my equilibrium at some spots, but I just couldn't put this novel down.
This is a sometimes long-winded novel and does deal quite a bit with Eve's past, but we are used to Eve's horrible childhood, are we not?
Children are being snatched and taught over the years to be 'slaves.' Nobody knows about this until two young girls escape, and one is killed in Eve's jurisdiction. Naturally, Eve being Eve, along with Rourke and Peabody, figure out quickly that this was not a mugging gone wrong but a deliberate murder set up to look like a mugging.
This was, as I said, a very intense read and may be too much for some readers. I have to admit that I was tempted to stop to regain my equilibrium at some spots, but I just couldn't put this novel down.
This is a sometimes long-winded novel and does deal quite a bit with Eve's past, but we are used to Eve's horrible childhood, are we not?
September 23, 2022
Strong entry in this long-running series.
This case hits very close to home for Eve as it involves young girls who were snatched off the street and truly groomed for the sex trade. It was very interesting to see Eve, so prickly and wound up, snapping at Roarke, Peabody, and even Mavis, yet holding it all together to get the job done.
There was some repetition in the early discussions between our investigators, but when the action got going I could not put the book down.
This case hits very close to home for Eve as it involves young girls who were snatched off the street and truly groomed for the sex trade. It was very interesting to see Eve, so prickly and wound up, snapping at Roarke, Peabody, and even Mavis, yet holding it all together to get the job done.
There was some repetition in the early discussions between our investigators, but when the action got going I could not put the book down.
September 27, 2022
It's hard to believe that Desperation In Death is book #55 in the In Death Series, and I'm just as addicted to these stories as I was at books #1-3. So much can be said about the writing, plotting and character development and I'm happy to say it still hits home book after book. Robb's expert care and delivery of sensitive subject manner has never wavered and was never more evident than in this story about the horrors of human trafficking. While the subject matter is heartbreaking, once again Robb has delivered a mesmerizing story that held me in a trance until The End.
Mina Cabot and Dorian Gregg were both abducted as teenagers - two individuals walking home alone and then they vanished. Readers learn that they're being held and trained at the Pleasure Academy. Numerous girls have been imprisoned for months and trained for a life of service and exploitation. They are eventually sold to men to live as their sex slaves. Mina and Dorian hatch an escape plan and manage to get outside the facility before tragedy strikes. One is left dead while the other flees for her life.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, is called to a heartbreaking crime scene at the edge of Battery Park. Joined by her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, they begin investigating the death of a young girl found with a real sharpened piece of wood driven through her small chest. While it may appear to be a mugging, Eve quickly realizes that someone is being set up as there's blood drops from what turns out to be a second teenager. Eve and her team begin working, quickly uncovering clues of a child trafficking ring. They need to find the second missing girl before the villains searching for her kill her also. The story that ensues is dark, gritty and difficult at times to read.
While Desperation In Death stands alone, as does each of the books in the series, there is a tremendous amount of character development in the previous books. I love that many past characters end up with appearances in this book as Eve calls in all her markers and people to solve this case. Series readers understand how personal this case is to Eve as it brings back her own dark past and nightmares. Roarke is there, as always, helping her get through it personally and assisting the tech team professionally. I love that we see more of Eve leading her team as I enjoy seeing how much she's grown both personally and professionally. Desperation In Death is another excellent book in the series. Highly recommended to fans of the series and readers of mystery and suspense as well as police procedurals.
Many thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book. Published Sept. 6, 2022. Review published on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews
Mina Cabot and Dorian Gregg were both abducted as teenagers - two individuals walking home alone and then they vanished. Readers learn that they're being held and trained at the Pleasure Academy. Numerous girls have been imprisoned for months and trained for a life of service and exploitation. They are eventually sold to men to live as their sex slaves. Mina and Dorian hatch an escape plan and manage to get outside the facility before tragedy strikes. One is left dead while the other flees for her life.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, is called to a heartbreaking crime scene at the edge of Battery Park. Joined by her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, they begin investigating the death of a young girl found with a real sharpened piece of wood driven through her small chest. While it may appear to be a mugging, Eve quickly realizes that someone is being set up as there's blood drops from what turns out to be a second teenager. Eve and her team begin working, quickly uncovering clues of a child trafficking ring. They need to find the second missing girl before the villains searching for her kill her also. The story that ensues is dark, gritty and difficult at times to read.
While Desperation In Death stands alone, as does each of the books in the series, there is a tremendous amount of character development in the previous books. I love that many past characters end up with appearances in this book as Eve calls in all her markers and people to solve this case. Series readers understand how personal this case is to Eve as it brings back her own dark past and nightmares. Roarke is there, as always, helping her get through it personally and assisting the tech team professionally. I love that we see more of Eve leading her team as I enjoy seeing how much she's grown both personally and professionally. Desperation In Death is another excellent book in the series. Highly recommended to fans of the series and readers of mystery and suspense as well as police procedurals.
Many thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book. Published Sept. 6, 2022. Review published on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews
November 2, 2022
J.D. Robb’s long-running series continues to be worth sticking with. In Desperation in Death, the 55th book in the series, it's 2061 and main character New York City Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas is challenged by a new case that has echoes of her troubled past. After the discovery of the body of young Mina, Eve uncovers the existence of The Academy, a place where abducted girls are sent and groomed for a variety of horrible activities. While Mina did not escape, her thirteen-year-old friend Dorian did and is now on the run. Eve and her team use all their resources to find out who is behind this horrible organization and try to save the other innocent victims.
This popular series takes place in the near future and normally has a fair share of futuristic aspects. But this particular book has very little. The focus is on solving the case through shrewd police work. Eve is a smart, talented woman with a great group of supporting people around her. This is another very good story in a series that keeps going strong. It might be hard to start from the very beginning of the series but if you're looking for a consistently good collection of books, the In Death series is one to check out. J.D. Robb is the pseudonym for Nora Roberts, who continues to prove what incredible range she has.
Rated 4.25
This popular series takes place in the near future and normally has a fair share of futuristic aspects. But this particular book has very little. The focus is on solving the case through shrewd police work. Eve is a smart, talented woman with a great group of supporting people around her. This is another very good story in a series that keeps going strong. It might be hard to start from the very beginning of the series but if you're looking for a consistently good collection of books, the In Death series is one to check out. J.D. Robb is the pseudonym for Nora Roberts, who continues to prove what incredible range she has.
Rated 4.25
February 26, 2023
Read this review onFresh Fiction
In the latest installment of the In Death series, a dead teenager leads Eve Dallas and her friends into the sex trafficking world. Given Eve’s past, this case is especially traumatic.
Robb details the abuse that the girls experience from the very beginning, so when one of them turns up dead, I feel like readers can connect more with the victim. I think this may disturb some readers due to the subject matter, but the details are glossed over. But I did just want to give a warming just to be safe.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of this concept, so this book isn’t my favorite of the series. However, I do think that Robb did a good job of bringing Eve’s past and her experiences into it as well. Of course, the story is written well and in an interesting way where we know who the bad guys are, but we don’t know everything about them. As the story unfolds, more truths are revealed.
DESPERATION IN DEATH is definitely one of the darker books in the series. But if you like a thrilling mystery and lots of twists and turns, then you don’t want to miss out on this one!
In the latest installment of the In Death series, a dead teenager leads Eve Dallas and her friends into the sex trafficking world. Given Eve’s past, this case is especially traumatic.
Robb details the abuse that the girls experience from the very beginning, so when one of them turns up dead, I feel like readers can connect more with the victim. I think this may disturb some readers due to the subject matter, but the details are glossed over. But I did just want to give a warming just to be safe.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of this concept, so this book isn’t my favorite of the series. However, I do think that Robb did a good job of bringing Eve’s past and her experiences into it as well. Of course, the story is written well and in an interesting way where we know who the bad guys are, but we don’t know everything about them. As the story unfolds, more truths are revealed.
DESPERATION IN DEATH is definitely one of the darker books in the series. But if you like a thrilling mystery and lots of twists and turns, then you don’t want to miss out on this one!
March 19, 2023
I think I might have to start admitting to myself, thought it’s strange… I have comfort cops, especially considering how much I didlike, and distrust cops. But Eve and Roark always come through, and remind me that this is what cops should be like, even if they will never be this in my country. To be fair to Roark of course, he’s not a cop, but he’s cop adjacent. Is this love is great as my love for Olivia Benson? Not completely, but it’s damn near close. This book was hard, because of the subject matter of the case. And there is a depth added because of the callbacks to previous storylines in this series. A lot of parallels from past and present that worked to make it an emotionally taxing read. Still, for all of the emotions that are revoked, it did end up giving you hope because they got the dicks. The bad guys went down. And their victims got to face down that monster. It’s a definite silver lining, but it didn’t make the initial story any easier to intake. But those complicated feelings do mean that it gets all the stars.
August 20, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #55
Publication Date: 9/6/22
Period: Future New York - 2061
Number of Pages: 368
OMGoodness! This 55th addition to the series is just as fresh, thrilling, engrossing, and suspenseful as the first one. The characters are some of the most intriguing and interesting I’ve ever read and they grow personally and professionally with each new book. You also couldn’t ask for a better cast of supporting characters – from the hard-hitting reporter, Nadine Frist, to the ebullient singer, Mavis Freestone, to the cops in Eve’s squad at Cop Central, they are all outstanding. I really enjoyed this story because all of those supporting characters – and more – played key parts in solving the mystery and taking the bad guys down. I have read every book in the series – some of them several times – and there isn’t a clinker in the bunch!
The Pleasure Academy has been in the business of kidnapping young girls for many years. Once the girls are imprisoned within the academy, they are ‘trained’ to service the gentlemen who will eventually purchase them. There is no escape for the girls – no windows to climb out, no doors they can leave through. They either comply with the training or suffer very severe consequences. The Academy has survived all of these years because they are smart – very smart – with how they acquire the girls. They have tentacles all over the world and they never take from the same place – at least not close together. There is no single police force that has ever recognized the larger picture. Each force investigates its own kidnappings – with many thinking the girls have just run away. Then, the Academy makes a huge error. Two of the girls manage to figure a way to escape – one of them dies for it – and Lt. Eve Dallas catches her case.
From the beginning, things just don’t add up for Eve. This child had to have been well cared for, but she’s been missing for several months. Her hair is perfectly styled with expensive products – even her nails are perfectly manicured. But then, there is the sexy undergarments. Why would this young girl be wearing expensive silk underthings? When Eve identifies the girl as Mina Rose Cabot, a child missing from Devon, Pennsylvania – a child who was much loved – Eve knows she isn’t just looking for a murderer – she’s looking for a child abductor. There is a second set of bloodstains on Mina, and they belong to Dorian Gregg, a runaway from Freehold, New Jersey. Is Dorian lying dead somewhere and just hasn’t been found yet? Is she injured? Was she recaptured? Or, is she the one who took Mina’s life?
Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the rest of the team put their laser focus on finding these child abductors and murderers only to learn that the operation is so much larger than they could ever have imagined. Eve and Roarke struggle with emotional issues as they work through the case – after all – what these children are going through is very similar to both of their backgrounds as children. That, of course, only makes them that much more determined to solve the case.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I believe it is one of my favorites of the series and I am quite sure it is one I’ll read again and again.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: In Death #55
Publication Date: 9/6/22
Period: Future New York - 2061
Number of Pages: 368
OMGoodness! This 55th addition to the series is just as fresh, thrilling, engrossing, and suspenseful as the first one. The characters are some of the most intriguing and interesting I’ve ever read and they grow personally and professionally with each new book. You also couldn’t ask for a better cast of supporting characters – from the hard-hitting reporter, Nadine Frist, to the ebullient singer, Mavis Freestone, to the cops in Eve’s squad at Cop Central, they are all outstanding. I really enjoyed this story because all of those supporting characters – and more – played key parts in solving the mystery and taking the bad guys down. I have read every book in the series – some of them several times – and there isn’t a clinker in the bunch!
The Pleasure Academy has been in the business of kidnapping young girls for many years. Once the girls are imprisoned within the academy, they are ‘trained’ to service the gentlemen who will eventually purchase them. There is no escape for the girls – no windows to climb out, no doors they can leave through. They either comply with the training or suffer very severe consequences. The Academy has survived all of these years because they are smart – very smart – with how they acquire the girls. They have tentacles all over the world and they never take from the same place – at least not close together. There is no single police force that has ever recognized the larger picture. Each force investigates its own kidnappings – with many thinking the girls have just run away. Then, the Academy makes a huge error. Two of the girls manage to figure a way to escape – one of them dies for it – and Lt. Eve Dallas catches her case.
From the beginning, things just don’t add up for Eve. This child had to have been well cared for, but she’s been missing for several months. Her hair is perfectly styled with expensive products – even her nails are perfectly manicured. But then, there is the sexy undergarments. Why would this young girl be wearing expensive silk underthings? When Eve identifies the girl as Mina Rose Cabot, a child missing from Devon, Pennsylvania – a child who was much loved – Eve knows she isn’t just looking for a murderer – she’s looking for a child abductor. There is a second set of bloodstains on Mina, and they belong to Dorian Gregg, a runaway from Freehold, New Jersey. Is Dorian lying dead somewhere and just hasn’t been found yet? Is she injured? Was she recaptured? Or, is she the one who took Mina’s life?
Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the rest of the team put their laser focus on finding these child abductors and murderers only to learn that the operation is so much larger than they could ever have imagined. Eve and Roarke struggle with emotional issues as they work through the case – after all – what these children are going through is very similar to both of their backgrounds as children. That, of course, only makes them that much more determined to solve the case.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I believe it is one of my favorites of the series and I am quite sure it is one I’ll read again and again.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 18, 2022
For the first time in quite awhile, I'm going to rate a JD. Robb installment above three stars! !
To begin with, one of the major gripes I have about this series got somewhat addressed, with Eve actually making an issue of her controlling, overprotective husband taking steps to protect her right out of a case that hits close to ancient, longsince addressed traumas that she has and continues to deal with in a productive way. In the end, they decided as a couple (this is a refreshing change from Roarke laying down a law and Eve deciding "not to argue") that while he has a right to worry, she has responsibilities to her job and victims that don't include allowing her macho husband to substitute his "superior" judgment for hers because protection. I kind of felt cheated out of what would have been a truly epic fight, but I suppose that the ever adorable Mr. Mira acting as peacemaker was best in the end. In any event, this wasn't the kind of case where Eve or Roarke had the luxury of taking time to fight, snipe for days or do the whole silent treatment then make-up monkey sex thing; people were actively having their lives destroyed and depending (whether they realized it or not) on Eve and the team to put the people responsible to justice.
Overall, the story was gripping and intense. This is one of the ones where Robb relies on a kind of dramatic irony; we know who the criminals are and understand their motives long before the body is discovered. We watch as Eve tracks the perps and makes the connections, all the while getting to see just how atrocious these people actually are.
One thing I would have liked to see was a less lazy ending. Robb relies on a tried and true convenient plot device and skips over some majorly satisfying stuff that the crimes and victims really warranted. Again, I felt cheated, only this time, skipping over things did nothing for the story and read like Robb not being able to stick the literary landing.
Add to that the usual Fifty-esque diet and clothing scenes and you've got an installment that, while much better, doesn't quite hit the five-star mark.
Overall, this was a decent read. Four stars.
To begin with, one of the major gripes I have about this series got somewhat addressed, with Eve actually making an issue of her controlling, overprotective husband taking steps to protect her right out of a case that hits close to ancient, longsince addressed traumas that she has and continues to deal with in a productive way. In the end, they decided as a couple (this is a refreshing change from Roarke laying down a law and Eve deciding "not to argue") that while he has a right to worry, she has responsibilities to her job and victims that don't include allowing her macho husband to substitute his "superior" judgment for hers because protection. I kind of felt cheated out of what would have been a truly epic fight, but I suppose that the ever adorable Mr. Mira acting as peacemaker was best in the end. In any event, this wasn't the kind of case where Eve or Roarke had the luxury of taking time to fight, snipe for days or do the whole silent treatment then make-up monkey sex thing; people were actively having their lives destroyed and depending (whether they realized it or not) on Eve and the team to put the people responsible to justice.
Overall, the story was gripping and intense. This is one of the ones where Robb relies on a kind of dramatic irony; we know who the criminals are and understand their motives long before the body is discovered. We watch as Eve tracks the perps and makes the connections, all the while getting to see just how atrocious these people actually are.
One thing I would have liked to see was a less lazy ending. Robb relies on a tried and true convenient plot device and skips over some majorly satisfying stuff that the crimes and victims really warranted. Again, I felt cheated, only this time, skipping over things did nothing for the story and read like Robb not being able to stick the literary landing.
Add to that the usual Fifty-esque diet and clothing scenes and you've got an installment that, while much better, doesn't quite hit the five-star mark.
Overall, this was a decent read. Four stars.
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