It begins with an inexplicable act where the marketing executive of a major airline walks into an important meeting with soon to be partners of anotheIt begins with an inexplicable act where the marketing executive of a major airline walks into an important meeting with soon to be partners of another company to finalize their merger and detonates a bomb, killing twelve and injuring many others. Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Detective Delia Peabody soon learn that there was much more to this suicide bombing.
I really enjoyed this insidious case where it was dogged police procedurals to figure out the who and why. With the help of the team and Roarke (there was definitely a reason for him to help), Eve methodically assembles the clues and probable suspect pool to resolve the mystery. This is the type of story in the series that I love the most. It’s all about solving the case under serious time constraints as the killers aren’t done. And, there was an absolutely delicious secondary storyline that made this an even better read. I won’t spoil it for you but just know you’re going to love it.
While I enjoyed the story, it did drag in places where I felt there was a bit of repetition but only enough to keep it from being a 5-star read. Otherwise, this was another enjoyable installment in my most favorite series. ...more
In the space of a few minutes, the lives of those visiting or working at the DownEast Mall and adjacent theater in Rockpoint, Maine were permanently aIn the space of a few minutes, the lives of those visiting or working at the DownEast Mall and adjacent theater in Rockpoint, Maine were permanently altered. Three shooters decided that whatever was wrong in their lives warranted the selfish actions they took in those moments. Survivors Reed Quartermaine and Simone Knox followed paths that weren’t part of their original destinies until that event in the mall. Reed went into law enforcement and Simone expressed her feelings through art.
I first thought this was going to be a story about a mass shooting and the immediate aftermath, more about the pursuit of the attackers and those involved in the investigation. This couldn’t be further from the reality as that event just serves as the context for those that survived the massacre. Reed and Simone may be the central characters to anchor the story but there’s a richness to the breadth and angles of the lives of those that surround them and others. Their relationship develops slowly and fairly organically, a quick ignition but then a slow burn. I adored CiCi Lennon, Simone’s grandmother and admired Essie McVee, the police detective who plays such a strong role in Reed’s life and decisions.
All of this is in the midst of a really diabolical character connected to the mall shooting. This person was chilling, a true psychopath hiding in plain sight. You’re just not going to breathe easily until the creep is stopped. The tension is constant but it doesn’t detract from some truly lovely moments throughout the book.
I loved and inhaled this book, as I knew I would, especially when I learned January LaVoy was narrating the story. She delivered her typically outstanding performance, which made this one of my more favorite reading experiences.
(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)...more
A young woman is murdered in a Times Square video palace during the infamous shower scene in Hitchcock’s classic, Psycho. Lieutenant Eve Dallas catcheA young woman is murdered in a Times Square video palace during the infamous shower scene in Hitchcock’s classic, Psycho. Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches the case and is stymied after her preliminary investigation turns up empty. That is until she discovers the dispassionate connection to an earlier murder case and a fictional detective book series.
There were many modern themes in this story that made it clever and interesting. It was hard to miss the parallels between the fictional writer and the illustrious author of this series. Many of the assertions made about Nora Roberts/J. D. Robb (secret ghostwriters, crazy story suggestions from fans, etc.) plague Blaine DeLano, the writer of the Deanne Dark books in this story. With a nod to our current moment in time, it’s a large assembly of empowered women that dominate the story.
I really enjoyed the elements of the procedurals and the substance of the case. I couldn’t reason the outcome and had to follow Eve’s path to solving the case. Nadine’s new status was a delight and I’m looking forward to more of that. But mostly, I’m pleased with how the characters are evolving, most notably Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her relationship with Roarke and her team. This was a good one....more
A normal set of events on New Years Eve sets off a catastrophe that slowly turns the world on end. Half of the population is gone, governments lose coA normal set of events on New Years Eve sets off a catastrophe that slowly turns the world on end. Half of the population is gone, governments lose control, law and order are a thing of the past and magick is unleashed...some good and definitely some dark and evil. The story chronicles the paths of Lana Bingham and her partner, Max Fallon; journalist Arlys Reid and her intern Little Fred; and paramedic Jonah Vorhies and doctor Rachel Hopman, along with others as they make their way to some semblance of sanity.
I was skeptical when I learned Nora was tackling this genre but I should have known better. She masterfully creates a world of chaos while interjecting normalcy through her characters. I was mesmerized while at the same time horrified at what might be around the next corner. The characters got under my skin and atypical of the author, not all were sacred. Julia Whelan delivers the most wonderful performance in her narration, seemingly being several different narrators. Her storytelling was just perfect and her male interpretations were more than believable.
I’m just sorry it took me so long to listen to this story. The underlying premise is mystifying but also kind of logical. The contrasts of good and evil with human nature is chilling as it has some parallels to current events. The next installment can’t come too soon and I’m definitely listening to the rest of the series. ...more