Eve Investigates a Murder With Sexual Overtones in Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb
Written: Mar 05 '08 (Updated Nov 06 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Another entertaining book in the In Death series. Returning characters.
Cons: Some returning characters under used.
The Bottom Line: Strangers in Death was another wonderful book in the In Death series by J.D. Robb. Fans of the series should enjoy it.
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| dragonfire88's Full Review: J. D. Robb - Strangers in Death |
I became hooked on the In Death series by J.D. Robb when I picked up Naked in Death several years ago. Since then I have read all of the books in the series and continue to pick up the new books as they are released. I just read Strangers in Death, the twenty-sixth book in the series.
Before I talk specifically about Strangers in Death, I want to share a little bit of general information for the In Death series.
The In Death series is a futuristic romantic suspense series that is set in New York City. Strangers in Death began on March 18, 2060, so not much time had passed after the end of Creation in Death, the last book, or Eternity in Death, the fourth short story written as part of the series. About two years have passed since the series began. The books follow detective Eve Dallas while she investigates murders. Each book and short story has focused on a different investigation. All of the investigations have been resolved by the end of each book with a few of the cases being mentioned again. The books also take some time to deal with things from Eve’s person life, like her friendship with Mavis and marriage to the very wealthy Roarke. A large cast of supporting characters has also been featured in the series. The subplots that continue throughout the series deal with Eve’s personal life as well as certain things connected to some of the supporting characters. I do think that certain things will make more sense if the books are read in order even though they all can stand on their own.
Eve’s newest murder case had the potential to receive a lot of media attention. Part of that was because the victim, Thomas Anders, was a powerful, well liked wealthy man. The other part of it was the fact that he was discovered tied down naked in his bed with a rope around his neck seeming to indicate his death was the result of a sex game gone wrong. The wife, Ava, was away on vacation with friends and had an alibi as did the nephew who stood to inherit millions. Something didn’t seem right to Eve and she was determined to figure out what really happened with the help of her partner Delia and other cops like Feeney and Ian. Eve also found herself concerned about friends Charles and Louise while working on the investigating and trying to find time to help another detective with an older unsolved murder.
Strangers in Death was focused on the murder of Thomas and Eve’s investigation into his death. Right from the start, Eve felt that certain things just weren’t adding up. The more she learned, the more things weren’t adding up. Eve was very determined to solve the case even though she didn’t let it affect her as personally as some of her previous cases had. A minor thing convinced her of something, and she kept digging until she started to find evidence to back up her theory. There was a good amount of mystery connected to how Thomas had died. I did figure out one or two things, but there were other things that were surprising to me as well. I felt that there was a decent amount of suspense even though some of the other books in the series have been more suspenseful.
Many of the cases that Eve has investigated over the course of the series have included more than one murder. Strangers in Death only involved one main death. Eve did end up trying to help Baxter find new clues in an unsolved murder as well. Details about that murder as well as Thomas’s murder were shared at different times during the book. Some of the details were a bit gory and will bother some readers. There were sexual overtones to both murders as well which may upset some readers. There really wasn’t a lot of violence in this book even though Eve did end up in a few fights. People that have been bothered by the violence in some of the other books shouldn’t have that problem with this book.
Eve and Roarke met during an investigation in Naked in Death. Since then, their relationship has been very important to the books without detracting from the mystery aspects of the books. Their relationship has grown and changed over the course of the series. They went from being attracted to each other and falling in love to being married. By the time of Strangers in Death, they have been married for almost two years. I’m thinking their anniversary will turn up in one of the next few books. Both of them had to do some adjusting once they started their relationship with Eve having the most trouble with that. She still had a few issues connected to the fact that Roarke was as rich as he was. Eve and Roarke continued to have an active sex life which was illustrated in the few sex scenes that were in the book. The scenes were descriptive without being overly graphic. People that don’t like to read sex scenes may be bothered by that aspect of the book even though it didn’t take over the plot.
Eve and Roarke lead a fairly large group of returning characters. They are the only two who have been in every single book and short story with several of the others, like Delia and Feeney, having been in most of them. Roarke hasn’t been in as much of the books, especially earlier in the series, so he isn’t as developed as Eve even though he has received a lot of development. Both of them are very developed by this point in the series and are well rounded. I really like them and love that they return for every book.
Summerset and Roarke have known each other for many years and first met in Ireland. Summerset remained loyal as Roarke became a powerful and successful legitimate business man. Eve and Summerset don’t have the friendliest relationship, but they do get along better now. It does seem that they care about each other in their own rather unique way. They do still enjoy picking at each other. Summerset ended up playing a smaller part in this book after being a bit more important in the last book. Galahad the cat was still around, usually trying to figure out how to get his paws on human food or sleeping.
Delia Peabody first turned up as an officer who managed to impress Eve during an investigation. Eve had Delia made her aide and the two have worked together ever since. Eve had tried to keep it a strictly working relationship at first, but they have become friends. Delia, who is now Eve’s partner, was more lighthearted than Eve at times. Ian McNab worked in the EDD with Feeney. Ian was a talented detective who was flamboyant in how he dressed. He and Delia had been involved for a while and were now living together. I really like them and wish they would receive a bit more attention most of the time. Feeney, who was in charge of the EDD, had actually trained Eve years before. They had a strong friendship and worked well together.
The numerous other returning characters really haven’t been featured as much or as developed even though they all are likable and have something to contribute. Some other officers, like Baxter and Truehart, tend to end up helping Eve with her investigations. Captain Whitney tends to shown up during a few short scenes in every book when Eve has to brief him on her current investigations. The psychiatrist who worked for the police station, Dr. Mira, would create profiles for suspects. She was a nice woman who considered Eve a friend.
Eve’s best friend Mavis was once again pushed to the background after having been more important in recent books. She only turned up once when Eve briefly called her. That was a bit disappointing since Mavis is such a fun character. I also would have liked to read more about how Eve and Roarke were dealing with Mavis’s baby daughter. Charles was a male licensed companion that Eve had met during an investigation. They had become friends and he has been able to help in some other investigations. He was involved with Louise, a doctor. The two were committed to each other despite his profession. They don’t turn up that often, but something interesting was shared connected to them in this book.
J.D. Robb is the name that author Nora Roberts decided to use when she started the In Death series. I have read all of the Robb books as well as many of the Roberts books. I’ve enjoyed all of her books that I’ve read. Both groups of books are very well written and feature well developed characters. The In Death books have stronger mysteries with more suspense and violence overall. Most of the Roberts books also have included mystery and suspense, but they tend to have more focus on the romance aspects of the plots. People that have liked the books of one may also enjoy the books by the other since Robb and Roberts are actually the same person. One of her books, Remember When, actually has both names listed for the author. The first half of the book was set in current times and the second half concluded in Eve’s time. The two halves of the books were connected by a mystery. Eve’s part of Remember When took place between Imitation in Death and Divided in Death.
Strangers in Death was another very entertaining book in the In Death series. Fans of the earlier books in the series should also enjoy this one.
In Death Series
Naked in Death ~ Glory in Death ~ Immortal in Death ~ Rapture in Death ~ Ceremony in Death ~ Vengeance in Death ~ Holiday in Death ~ Midnight in Death (Short Story) ~ Conspiracy in Death ~ Loyalty in Death ~ Witness in Death ~ Judgment in Death ~ Betrayal in Death ~ Interlude in Death (Short Story) ~ Seduction in Death ~ Reunion in Death ~ Purity in Death ~ Portrait in Death ~ Imitation in Death ~ Divided in Death ~ Visions in Death ~ Survivor in Death ~ Origin in Death ~ Memory in Death ~ Haunted in Death (Short Story) ~ Born in Death ~ Innocent in Death ~ Creation in Death ~ Eternity in Death (Short Story) ~ Strangers in Death ~ Salvation in Death ~ Ritual in Death (Short Story) ~ Promises in Death ~ Kindred in Death ~
J.D. Robb and Nora Roberts
Remember When
Recommended:
Yes
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