FURY IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

It doesn’t seem possible that there have been 62 previous books in this series, though I know I’ve read my share. Set in the fairly near future, they’re guaranteed to be both intriguing and fun – and I can’t ignore the fact that police lieutenant Eve Dallas’s hunky husband, filthy rich Irish rogue turned police consultant Roarke, has long held a near-the-top spot on my all-time list of male book heroes (if anyone cares, No. 1 is fine art restorer and former Israeli spy Gabriel Allon, a best-selling series by Daniel Silva). 

This latest installment of this series carries on the tradition in fine fettle, starting with the death of a man who apparently fell accidentally, followed closely by the death of Lawrence Chu, a wealthy executive who’s been beaten so badly he’s nearly unrecognizable in his ultra-secure building. Someone must have had super-human strength plus more than a little fury (a nod to the title) – an emotion Eve knows all too well given her background - but how in the world did he or she get into the building to do the deed?

When still another body turns up beaten to an unrecognizable pulp, Eve learns they were both from the same company. And what’s that old chestnut – always follow the money? Connections begin to form with help from trusty Roarke, whose company is a rival with the one that employed the two dead men. The rest of the story basically follows the investigation led by Eve with help from Roarke and her coworkers (a favorite of mine is Dr. Charlotte Mira) - with a bit of diversion by way of an upcoming bash hosted by good friends. As always, it was tough to put it down, though I won’t call it the most edge-of-seat book in the series I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Love it, though, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Fury in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin’s Press, September 2026); 368 pp.

STOLEN IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

Since I started my book blog in 2013, I’ve logged 16 reviews of books in this series. This is the 62^nd, and I’m certain I’ve read most of them since it’s one of my favorites. Well, make that a favorite character for sure; the somewhat mysterious, hunky Irish Roarke, husband of police lieutenant Eve Dallas, has long ranked No. 4 on my list of Top 10 all-time favorite book heroes (No. 1, if anyone cares, is Israeli spy Gabriel Allon (by Daniel Silva), followed by Boston private investigator Spenser (originally by the late Robert B. Parker), and British 007 agent James Bond (Ian Fleming).

To be sure, Roarke has mellowed over the years (in his younger days, he was an ace thief, a fact that plays a major role in this book). And for a time, he stomped on my feminist nerves when he crossed over the line just a titch from loving to controlling. But now he’s back – and the two lovers are still lovers; instead of looking for treasures to steal, Roarke already owns far more than his share and serves as a consultant for the New York City police department at which Eve is considered a superstar. The story takes place in 2061 – one of the reasons I love the series, in fact. It’s close enough to the present  that some of the intriguing gadgets that pop up – like AutoChef machines that spit out coffee and fancy meals just by programming in what you want, pills for instant sobering up or killing pain and cars that can “go vertical” when necessary - are believable (and fun to dream about).

While attending a charity gala (dressing to the nines is far from Eve’s comfort wheelhouse, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do), she gets called to a murder scene. The victim, Nathan Barrister, is an ultra-wealthy guy (we’re talking billions here, folks) who’s been bashed in the head with one of his works of art. The atrocity happened in a room that has a secret vault – the door to which now inexplicably stands open to reveal an eye-popping display of priceless works of art. Problem is, all of them are stolen goods. The goodies, Eve learns, belong to the victim’s late father, a known womanizer – and now a confirmed buyer of stolen trinkets, much to his family’s chagrin. But only one is missing – and whoops, it’s one that, very early on, was a treasure originally stolen by none other than Roarke.

The victim’s family claim to have zero knowledge of not only the treasures, but the room itself, until quite recently; since then, they’ve been quietly working to return them to the original owners. Early-on investigation by Eve and her team confirm that to be true. Still, how could anyone but an insider know exactly what was in the vault, and why was only one item taken? The even bigger question, of course, is who is the thief and killer? And are they, in fact, the same person?

Everything seems to center on the dead guy’s proclivity for young, beautiful women – one in particular. Problem is, no one knows who or where she is. Until, that is, they do – and that brings up an even bigger problem that could shake Eve’s marriage – and Roarke’s future – to the very core. It’s nonstop action, bolstered by colorful characters loyal readers know and love (and let’s not forget all those futuristic gizmos). All told, it’s an engrossing tale that can stand proudly among its predecessors in this highly entertaining series.

Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin’s Press, February 2026); 368 pp.

ABANDONED IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

As a longtime fan of this series, it seems to me that the stories are becoming a bit less edgy and the characters a bit more mellow than in years past. That's not to say either is any less appealing, though - they're still set in the future (this one in 2061) amid all the fun gizmos like meals programmed into a machine and vehicles that can land and take off vertically, calls for homicide detective Eve Dallas to draw on childhood experiences to help solve a couple of murders and prevent another - not pleasant recollections given what she was forced to endure.

Eve's salvation came in large part by way of her now husband, the Irish hunky and filthy rich Roarke (who, happily, gets to put his considerable expertise to good use in helping to solve the case). It begins with a woman's body that's laid out on a bench at a New York City playground. Clearly, she was murdered - but just as clearly, the killer arranged her body with great care. She sported a new tattoo and body piercings, but the clothing didn't quite fit and looked to be vintage. The real puzzlement, though, was the note left on the body: Bad Mommy.

The working premise is that they're dealing with an older killer - most likely male - who, like Eve, endured a traumatic childhood that involved a mother who was less than mother-like - but with no other clues, how will they find him? Readers get some glimpses by way of flashbacks into the lives of the "bad mommy" and her child, but it isn't till a second woman's body is found in a similar fashion - and Roarke puts some of his high-tech research tools to good use - that Eve begins to think positive. From there, it's a race to the finish, with a big twist (which, of course, I won't reveal). All told, another one well done, and I'm already chomping at the bit for the next.

Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2022); 361 pp.

FORGOTTEN IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

It's both thrilling and frustrating to have a stack of pre-release books from publishers that I've agreed to read and review on or before their release dates. Some are from well-known authors, while others bring the excitement of being introduced to a wonderful new author or series hero or heroine. The frustration, though, comes because having at least a couple of books a week in that aforementioned list leaves too little time for me to enjoy my "regular" favorites like this one. This is the 53rd book in the series, and I doubt I've missed more than a couple over the years - so devil-may-care person that I am, I squeezed it in.

And as usual, it's a satisfying few days in the life of New York homicide detective Eve Dallas, who lives with her hunky, uber-rich Irish husband Roarke along with a handsome cat and (to Eve) an annoying house major domo. That the books are set in the not-too-distant future - this one in 2061 - adds plenty of opportunity to throw in details like cars that can be driven vertical, bullet-proof garments and AutoChef machines that serve up whatever foods and drinks the owners might want. As this one begins, Eve is called to a crime scene at which a woman's body was found in a dumpster. A quick look tells Eve she was a "sidewalk sleeper" - what is known in 2021 as a homeless person - but she's also one who was well liked by those who met her, including local beat cops. The dumpster is close to a construction site owned by a highly successful company now run by something like the fourth family generation.

Then, Eve must visit another construction site and the body of another female; this time, though, it's just bones - plus the remains of an almost full-term infant. There's another difference: This time, it's at a construction site owned by Roarke, and the victim's identity isn't known. Never one to believe in coincidence, Eve wonders if there's a connection - but if there is, it's elusive. But when Eve learns that there's a Russian mob connection in the mix, the situation takes a more sinister turn as she and her trusty cohort, the everything pink-loving Dehlia Peabody, try to solve both crimes (with some high-tech help from Roarke).

All in all, another entertaining adventure, although I'd like to have seen more interaction with my favorite characters Roarke and PD psychologist Mira. Still, love it I did. Now, the only problem is waiting until I can get my hands on the 54th book.

Forgotten in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, September 2021); 378 pp.

FAITHLESS IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

It's New York City. The year is 2061. Cars are hovering about the city streets looking to "go vertical" for a parking spot, drivers using their wrist "links" to get directions and communicate. Back at the office, police Lt. Eve Dallas is fussing with required paperwork, probably drinking real coffee, or maybe even a slice of pizza, she programmed into her Auto Chef. She's almost relieved to get the call announcing a homicide.

When she and quirky partner Delia Peabody head out, they find a woman in her artist's apartment - on the floor with her head bashed in. Oddly, the apparent murder was called in by a female friend - at least an hour after the woman discovered the body. That, of course, prompts Dallas and Peabody to wonder what took her so long.

The caller, an ultra-wealthy woman named Gwen Huffman from the hoity-toity Upper East Side, comes up with a story that simply doesn't ring true, giving Dallas and Peabody cause to dig a bit harder. For openers, they learn that Huffman's parents are involved with a highly successful and highly secretive organization called the Natural Order that carries with it all the ugly trappings of white supremacy.

That's the beginnings of a tale that's tied in to current events, with a couple of not-too-discreet political slams I guess I'd rather do without (even though I'm totally on the same side). Dallas's hunky husband Roarke plays his usual role in sleuthing out the finer financial points while impeccably dressed and soothing out Dallas's ruffled feathers. The rest of the usual suspects get brief shining moments - as always, Dr. Mira not quite enough to suit me. The end is as expected, too, in the sense that both the good and bad guys and gals get what they deserve (with one pair getting a surprise opportunity that will bode well for their future). 

All told, an enjoyable way to wile away a few hours. Good job!

Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2021); 383 pp.

SHADOWS IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

Honestly, I have some mixed emotions after

reading this book, the 51st in the series (I missed a couple of the very early issues, but not a single one in a long while). Overall, I enjoyed it as always; it's well-written and entertaining, so for that alone it gets 4 stars from me. Other than that, the best I can do is lay out a few things on both sides of the "love" equation.

On the plus side, there's plenty of the hunky Roarke; he's long been near the top of my list of all-time favorite book male "heroes," so it's always a treat to get to know him better. And only once that I noticed did he turn into a controlling partner in the Roarke-Lt. Eve Dallas relationship as seemed to be a trend in a few past books. Except for "correcting" her fashion choice prior to one of her outings, he basically let Eve run her own show even though what was happening affected him in a very personal way.

And that's another plus: This time, the plot centers around Roarke and his background as a young punk (and worse) in his native Dubliln. At the beginning, a woman is knifed to death in New York City; when Eve and Roarke come to the crime scene, Roarke spots an old nemesis who happens to be one of the most dangerous on-the-loose killers in the world. Clearly, to Roarke's eyes at least, the murderer hung around specifically to send a signal to Roarke that he's back and most likely gunning for Roarke and his family.

On the minus side is repetition; having Eve (or another character) explain the background of the police investigation to yet another character or group of characters got a bit tiring. Also a teensy bit irritating to me was the constant face-touching, hair smoothing I love yous, you're my everythings and assorted other sweet nothings between Eve and Roarke. Yeah, you love and trust each other - I get it. The sex scenes are graphic enough, so dial down the rest of it a bit.

As for the story, Eve and her NYPD crew - including the trendy all-pink Peabody, her trusty significant other McNabb and the uber-fashionable Dr. Mira - set out to solve the woman's murder and keep Roarke's childhood rival from accomplishing what it appears he's set out to do. Interspersed with the action is the fun stuff that makes this series a hit in my book - the technology that can only be possible in a futuristic setting like this (Auto-Chefs that can be programmed to make drinks and dinner, "magic" coats that protect wearers from bullets and vehicles that can lift off the ground like helicopters). There's even a one here I suppose would come in handy if one of the characters happened to run afoul of a skunk. 

The chase (and the bad guy) lead Eve and Roarke on a not-so-merry chase that culminates in a bang-up ending - one that's a stretch to believe, but satisfying nonetheless. Another one down - bring on the next!

Shadows in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, September 2020); 368 pp.

GOLDEN IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

The 50th book in this wonderful series? Wow. It seems almost more impossible to me that I've read almost every one of them (and, for the record, plan to keep doing so as long as the author keeps adding them).

That said, I was a bit disappointed with the 49th book, to the point that I actually used the word "bland" to describe the action (or lack thereof). This one does a decent about face in that regard as NYPD Lt. Eve Dallas and her capable team take on a presumed serial killer who sends golden eggs filled with deadly poison to his victims. As usual, in the middle of the action is Eve's dashing and filthy rich Irish husband Roarke, who offers his capable assistance to the investigation and keeps his wife running on all cylinders (and in gorgeous clothes). And as always, the futuristic setting - somewhere in the mid- to late 2050s - makes for fun reading (who wouldn't love to "program" up a spaghetti dinner or have a lifelike "bot" for a personal assistant)?

Noticeably missing, however, was some of the more edge-of-seat aspects of previous books and interactions with many of the characters we've come to know and expect to read about. Eve's fun-loving partner Peabody gets quite a bit of page time, which helps, but others - like Dr. Charlotte Mira and the irascible major domo Summerset - barely get mentions.

The story begins as the pediatrician husband of a private school headmaster gets a package containing a small golden egg. When he opens it, poison gas is released, killing him almost instantly. Apparently, the gas dissipates quickly, so no one else - including the investigating team that includes Eve - is in any danger. The victim was much loved by everyone, so a motive proves elusive until another person - this time a woman - is murdered in exactly the same way. Now, the race is on to find a connection between the two victims and find the murderer before he or she lays another egg.

While the last couple of books haven't been what I'd call exciting, I must say it's a relief to not worry so much that Roarke, in particular, might be seriously wounded or even killed off. He's one of my favorite book heroes, and I was on pins and needles in other books all the way to the end when I was certain he was safe for another go-round. Truth is, I'm kind of hoping things stay that way - my aging heart can't take much strain. As for this one, I enjoyed it and, as I said at the beginning, I'm looking forward to the next one.

Golden in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2020); 400 pp.

VENDETTA IN DEATH

3.5 stars out of 5

If I had to describe this book - the latest in the popular series featuring NYPD Lt. Eve Dallas, of which I've read almost all - in just one word, it would be this: Bland.

On the plus side, readers do see glimpses of Eve's uber-wealthy and hunky Irish husband Roarke's love for his wife (he's on my Top 10 list of favorite book heroes, I hasten to add), but the couple's sizzling (and fairly graphic) bedroom antics that heated up the pages of past books are virtually nonexistent. I suppose I could say that the three murders that take place herein are grisly enough in the sex department to make up for it - think hours of torture and perimortem dis"member"ment - but honestly, it just ain't a good substitute.

Besides that, there's not a lot of suspense as Eve and her cohorts, including the thankfully still-effervescent Peabody, try to track down what appears to be a serial killer. Instead, we learn the identity about halfway through. I was hoping that was just a diversion - and there'd be a gobsmacking twist at the end (I even came up with one I thought would be perfect) - but no. Even the futuristic (and fun) elements, like cars that can "go vertical" and Auto Chefs programmed to instantly spit out whatever food or beverage the stomach desires are sort of glossed over (which, I suspect, could be confusing to new-to-the-series readers who might not realize this series is set some 40 years from now) . So basically, what we're left with is a fairly standard police procedural. Since the plot is solid, well-written and very readable, that's not necessarily a bad thing; but I suspect long-time fans will find the lack of pizzazz a bit disappointing. 

All that aside, the first murder is of a rich guy who's a known rapist, and the mutilated body is discovered minus an apparently ill-used body part. Attached to the body is a poem cryptically signed "Lady Justice." It's enough to disturb the most emotionally detached of cops; and when a second body turns up with an almost identical MO, Eve knows this killer is on a crusade and isn't planning to stop anytime soon. As team members follow up on clues, connections are made to various suspects, one of whom moves to the top of the list rather quickly. After that, the trick is to identify the next victim and get to him before the killer does.

All in all, it's not bad - but neither is it one I'd recommend to those interested in starting this series. The Eve and Roarke of past books are infinitely more intriguing and likable, and my hope is they'll get their joie de vivre back in the next installment.

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, September 2019; 354 pp.

CONNECTIONS IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

There's not quite enough here of Lt. Eve Dallas's hunky husband Roarke for me to put this one - the 48th in the series - on my short list of favorites. Besides that, both Eve and Roarke seem a little lackluster - almost as if they'd rather be anywhere other than in this story - and the setting amid rival gangs isn't quite as attention-holding for me personally as are other scenarios. Otherwise, though, it's got all the goodies I've come to know and love. Eve bickers with Roarke's majordomo Somerset, plays it cool with her stylish friend and competent co-worker Peabody, programs her personal Auto Chef to deliver great coffee (the year is 2061, after all) and Roarke is continuing, for the most part, to resist trying to run every aspect of Eve's life like choosing the clothes she must wear each day (for the latter, thank you, God).

This one begins as Roarke is about to open a sort of haven for wayward young girls called An Didean and hires child psychologist Rochelle Pickering to run it. Rochelle's brother, Lyle, is living with her while he gets his personal house in order; he's a recovering addict and has refused to rejoin his old local gang, the Bangers. Before Rochelle can start her first day on the job, though, Lyle is found murdered in her apartment; early evidence shows he'd apparently returned to his drug habit and overdosed. Devastated, Rochelle insists that her brother would not - and had not - strayed. Her boyfriend, Crack, tags Eve's 'link, asking for her help.

Their more in-depth look determines that Lyle's death was a murder, so now they set out to find the killer or killers. When a witness who lives in the building provides a description of what went on, they strongly suspect it was a gang-related hit. Needless to say, Eve's team, with a little bit of help from super-tech-friendly Roarke, delves into the gang world both electronically and in person.

As I said in the beginning, this is not a world of which I want any part, not even to read about - so for me it leaned a tiny bit toward ho-hum, which is an unusual pronouncement for me to make of this series. Still, the plot is well done well and held my attention and the characters both familiar and fun - and of course, I'm already waiting for the next one.

Connections in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2019); 365 pp.

LEVERAGE IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

So much do I love this series - in particular, the gorgeous, filthy rich, multi-talented husband of New York Police Department Detective Eve Dallas (he's near the top of my Top 10 all-time favorite book heroes - that I carved out time in between advance review book freebies to read it. But while the plot was intriguing and here and there I was worried that Eve and Roarke might meet a fate similar to other characters in the story, much of the rest seemed a bit, well, bland compared with the many others I've read. Still, it was good enough - and moved along quickly enough - that I polished it off in fairly short order. And while it may not be my favorite of this now 47-book ongoing adventure, it certainly didn't dampen my enthusiasm for reading the next one.

The whole thing starts with a bang - literally. At a corporate meeting to seal a merger deal between two airlines, one of the executives shows up, obviously upset - and just as obviously outfitted with a suicide vest. When it blows, so do several people in the room; 11 are killed and a few others are seriously injured. What set him off, though, was something totally unexpected; his family was being held hostage under threat of violent death unless he blew the place to smithereens.

Eve is on the case, and the motive is hard to determine. Could it simply be someone opposed to the merger? Or perhaps someone who figured to make money by buying stock on the cheap following the disaster and selling at a huge profit once the merger got back on track and was accomplished?

Some clues take the team into an art world permeated with a few shady characters, one of whom meets the same fate as the above-mentioned executives as another suicide bomber - faced with a similar threat - takes over the room in big-bang fashion. Now, it appears, Eve and her team - which includes her beloved Roarke - need to speed up their investigation before someone else goes off on a bombing spree.

The usual crew all play roles here, although the flambouyantly costumed Peabody gets sprung to go to Hollywood, where a video "starring" Eve is up for all sorts of awards. That adds to the fun (although I found that whole adventure just a bit silly). Everything comes together in the end, although it wasn't particularly exciting one. But the whole thing works and is well worth reading - just don't expect to be on the edge of your seat.

Leverage in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, September 2018); 400 pp.

DARK IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

Good book - held my interest throughout and I easily polished it off in two days. But compared to others I've read in this series (one of my favorites, BTW), it just didn't have much pizzazz - kind of like driving a Maserati with half-inflated tires.

Even though Lt. Eve Dallas and her hunky Irish husband Roarke heat up a few rooms in their house now and then, they seemed a titch off their usual game (even Roarke's faithful majordomo, the curmudgeonly Summerset, is off on a rare holiday). Only Eve's coworker and friend Peabody remains as bubbly and colorfully dressed as usual. The plot, while clever and interesting, was a bit plodding, with not much real action (again, compared with previous books in the series).

Early on, Dallas is called in when a dead woman turns up in a movie theater. Just as Janet Leigh is reeling from horrific stabbings in her hotel shower in Alfred Hitchcock's classic movie Psycho, the woman's life was similarly ended by a single ice pick plunged into her neck. In the thrill of the movie, no one noticed the killer - who left virtually no clues for Dallas and her team to follow.

Then out of the blue, Dallas gets a visit from the author of a popular series of books featuring former police detective Deann Dark. The real-life movie murder, the author says, mirrors events in one of her books - too closely for her comfort. Dallas tends to agree, and when an earlier homicide turns out to copy scenes from yet another of the books, she's convinced they're tracking a very determined, and very careful, serial killer.

It seems clear that the killer has taken the Dark books to heart; problem is, there are quite a few others just waiting to be brought to life (or more accurately, to death). To try and get ahead of the next hit, Dallas and Roarke hit the books, hoping to learn who the next victim might be. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book despite its more laid-back feel (every once in a while, in fact, it's nice to read a murder mystery in which I'm not biting my nails worrying that one or two of the main characters will land in the hospital or worse). But I also suspect that not many readers, including me, will call this one a series favorite.

Dark in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, January 2018); 384 pp.

SECRETS IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

In some ways, I enjoyed this book more than others in the pile of 44 previous editions; for instance, I felt more "comfortable" - i.e., not on the edge of my seat waiting for something awful to happen to one or more of the main characters as I usually do. Besides that, I enjoyed the interactions among the characters here, some of which provided more insights into happenings in previous books.

Conversely, the overall atmosphere seemed a bit lackluster with not much real excitement. And, I confess I was a little bummed when I learned that my fairly early-on guess of the killer's identity was, in fact, not even close (I'm joking here, of course, since being a little surprised at the end really isn't a bad thing).

The saga begins as Lt. Eve Dallas meets up with a professional acquaintenance - a forensic anthropoligist - in an upscale bar (reluctantly for Eve, who isn't into the bar scene, especially a fancy-schmancy one). Just as Eve decides she's had enough, a woman staggers into the room from the downstairs, bleeding profusely. After crashing into a server who's carrying a fully loaded tray, she collapses on the floor. Eve and her companion rush to help, but they're too late to save her; the cut on her arm severed her brachial artery, assuring that she'd bleed out in minutes.

In addition to discovering that the bar is one of the hundreds of properties owned by her Ireland-born, uber-rich husband Roarke (one of my all-time favorite book characters, for the record), Eve learns that the victim is Larinda Mars, a major TV personality in the gossip trade - certainly not someone high on Eve's list of people to know, much less love. Still, murder is murder, so she and her department colleague, the effervescent Peabody, set out to investigate. Roarke gets a bit more involved in this case as well - he's not pleased that the murder happened in one of his properties, after all.

Early on, the team determines a possible motive: Larinda, it seems, has been raking in millions by blackmailing wealthy people on whom she's dug up serious dirt. As the number of victims grows, so does the number of potential killers - exponentially. Just whittling the list down to a manageable size is a daunting task, but necessary if they're to tag the culprit.

All things considered, this is another solid piece of work, and of course I look forward to the next. Here's another thought (admittedly wishful thinking at this point): How about a new series featuring that forensic anthropologist, Dr. Garnet DeWinter, and her capable assistant? Methinks there's plenty of room in the reading world for another Temperance Brennan (another of my favorite characters, BTW). I'd be a fan in a heartbeat!

Secrets in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, September 2017); 381 pp.

ECHOES IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5


It's almost impossible to believe that this is the 44th book in the series featuring Lt. Eve Dallas. And given that way too many authors of other series start falling off their game after the first half-dozen or so, it's great to know this one continues to be steady as she goes. I suppose an argument could be made that they've become a bit formulaic, but honestly, that works just fine for me. Eve, her gorgeous hunk of a filthy rich Irish rogue husband and her co-workers at the New York Police Department are like old friends to me by now, and my only real concern is that one of them may at some point become expendable.

But thankfully, not here. This one begins in March 2061 with a near collision of the car Roarke is driving (with Eve a passenger) and a bloody, quite naked young woman who runs into the street. Turns out she and her husband - he a well-known orthopedic surgeon - were brutally attacked during the night; the husband is dead and his wife nearly so. 

Other than learning that the attacker was dressed like a devil and the dead husband was a control freak who at the very least browbeat his wife, virtually no clues turn up. Eve and her team begin to question guests and caterers at the dinner party the couple hosted earlier that evening, but those interviews aren't all that productive. Then, another couple is subjected to a similar fate - and suddenly, it appears a serial killer may be on a rampage. Can Eve, with the capable assistance of Roarke and her team, identify the culprit before he (or she) strikes again - perhaps closer to home? And throughout, the scenarios are reminiscent of horrors inflicted on Eve as a child, making it difficult for her to separate past and present and maintain her perspective as a police officer.

I'm also glad to see that Roarke, who seemed headed toward crossing the line from supportive to smothering in a few of the more recent books, has done a 360 in this (and the previous) installment. I know I'm not the only reviewer to point out the danger of heading in that direction, so my hope is that the author has listened. I do caution about swinging too far in the other direction, though; here, he seems almost apologetic when he gives Eve a gift or makes suggestions about what she might wear or eat. That's not his style at all, so there needs to be a happy medium.

Echoes in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2017); 384 pp.

APPRENTICE IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

I really, really didn't want this one to end. Yeah, it's a bit of same old, same old - but for the most part, therein lies the attraction. I may be counting wrong, but I think this is the 43rd book featuring New York police lieutenant Eve Dallas. Set in the not-all-that-distant future - 2060 give or take a few -  it's always interesting to learn about the technology (the ability to "program" meals into a machine that spits them back at you at exactly the proper temperature and wands that sweep away bruises is a bit mind-boggling).

And then there's Roarke. Who can resist the hunky, richer-than-God Irish former criminal who's now married to Eve and is a police consultant? Certainly not me; the only downside is that the criminals Eve and her team must deal with almost always end up targeting Eve or someone close to her, and every time I start a new book I'm terrified something bad will happen to him.

As this starts, Eve is called in when three people - a young girl, a doctor and a teacher - are shot and killed at an ice-skating rink in Central Park. There's no apparent connection among them, and it appears that the shots were made by a sniper from a considerable distance away. It's clear the killer is exceptionally skilled, but beyond that there are few clues. Enter Roarke, who uses his special talents to create a computer program that narrows down the possible location from which the shots were fired.

Zeroing in, Eve's team finds the place, discerning that there were two people involved - most likely one older and the other a much younger boy or girl. As they ponder what that could mean, another sneak attack takes even more lives. Now, time is of the essence; it's a virtual certainty that the killer or killers aren't about to stop any time soon. As the investigation continues, the unsettling thought strikes Eve that she and the killer share a number of experiences that shaped who they have become. 

One of my concerns in recent books is that Roarke's wholehearted devotion to Eve was beginning to cross the line from supportive to controlling. Not so here. Yes, he still "takes care" of her - making sure she eats and rests when she should but won't if left to her own devices - but they've returned to a more give-and-take, equal partnership kind of relationship. And that's a good thing.

Here's another: I won't have to wait an entire year or more to read the next one. Echoes in Death is scheduled for release on Feb. 7, 2017. Count me in!

Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb (Berkley, September 2016); 382 pp.

DEVOTED IN DEATH

3.5 stars out of 5

It's a case of star-crossed lovers (think Romeo and Juliet) with a bent for murder (add a touch of Bonnie and Clyde). That's who Manhattan police Lt. Eve Dallas and her crew are chasing here. It begins when a victim turns up in an alley, the body so mangled that Eve nearly misses the heart with two initials - E and D - carved into the victim's skin. That leads the team to believe this might not be the first victim, and sure enough, further investigation turns up a string of bodies from Arkansas to New York and the possibility of a pair of serial torturer/killers who most likely have no plans to stop any time soon.

Then a couple more missing persons come to light in Manhattan, and it becomes a race to identify the killers and catch them before they get away with two more. But even by putting to use all the technology they have at hand - notably more in the year 2061, when this book is set, than today - it's still a race to the finish. 

All in all, it's an exciting ride as usual, but somehow, this one fell a bit short of my expectations (because half-stars aren't possible here, I rounded up my actual rating of 3.5 stars to four only because it's better than rounding down to three). Why? It sounds simplistic to say the book is a bit lackluster compared with the others - the plot, after all, is interesting and moves along just as a police procedural should. 

But somehow, the whole thing felt a little flat, starting with Eve's super-rich, super technology talented and impossibly handsome Irish husband, Roarke, who anticipates, and caters, to her every need even before she knows she needs it. He is, in fact, near the top of my 10 all-time favorite "heroes" in mystery/thrillers. But here, his usually helpful concerns almost seemed forced, as if he was more intent on imposing his own opinion on his wife than trying to support her. It's a thin line and maybe it's just my imagination, but if he didn't cross it here, he came way too close for my comfort.

Besides that, none of the other characters seemed to be as feisty (for want of a better word) than in previous books. The only real bright spot was a cop from a backwoods town where the murder spree began who suspected foul play and didn't stop till he got to New York and convinced Eve that his hunches were on target. 

All things considered, while I enjoyed reading this book, it's not the best in the series. That said, I'll be ready and waiting for the next one, if for no other reason than I've still gotta love Eve. When asked for her "take" on opera, for instance, she responds, "You can't understand anything anybody's saying, then they all die."

Yep, my kind of woman.

Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb (G.P. Putnam's Sons, September 2015); 384 pp.

OBSESSION IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

It's hard to believe there are 41 books in the J.D. Robb (a.k.a. Nora Roberts) Death series. I missed out on the very early years - the first, I believe, was published in 1995). What I know for sure is I'm always excited when a new one is released.

Except for this: New York police lieutenant Eve Dallas happens to be married to a man who's high on my Top 10 list of favorite heroes - the super hunky, uber-rich Irish rogue named Roarke. And every single time I get the latest book, I hesitate to start (honest!) simply because I'm so afraid he'll be bumped off. In most of the books, you see, the bad guys and gals have a nasty habit of targeting people close to Eve - and sometimes, they're successful. Eve herself may be hurt in the process, of course, but unless the series is coming to an end, I figure she's not likely to bite the dust. But Roarke is another story.

This latest effort is no different; set in 2060 - complete with 'droid cops, machines that can be programmed to spit out dinner and such that add to my enjoyment - Eve becomes the target of someone who's obsessed with her. The culprit goes on a murder spree, leaving cryptic messages outlining his or her special bond with Eve and explaining that the murder was committed on Eve's behalf.

But who's doing it? And even more important, who's next? Clearly, the killer is choosing victims that are related to cases Eve has worked on in the past - cases that might not have ended quite the way they "should" have - and has set out to make things right to impress Eve, the killer's BFF. The problem, of course, is that neither Eve nor anyone with whom she works (including her lovable, pink-obsessed partner Peabody) has a clue as to the killer's identity. Almost every step of the way, the killer is ultra-careful, leaving nothing behind except the messages to Eve. 

As Eve - with the help of her beloved Roarke and talented team members - try to identify the killer, it becomes a psychological battle more than a physical one. For whatever reason, Eve just didn't seem to have the fire that's driven her in previous books; some of the tension - and my concern that somebody close to Eve will become a victim - just wasn't there (hence my 4-star rating). Still, I enjoyed this one thoroughly, and yes, I'm eagerly awaiting publication of the next in the series (reportedly Devoted in Death, to be published Sept. 8).

Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb (G.P. Putnam's Sons, February 2015); 405 pp.

FESTIVE IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

It's always a pleasure to start a book when you know you're going to enjoy it. And in fact, I did. So why four stars and not five? 

I've read and enjoyed quite a few of the books featuring emotionally and physically scarred Lt. Eve Dallas. Mostly because of her background, she's hard-nosed, driven and has a tough time understanding the "people" aspects of life. Except for her filthy rich, hunky Irish husband Roarke and her co-worker Peabody, she doesn't trust much of anyone. That, of course, is a large part of why she's such a good police detective.

This one begins with the murder of personal trainer Trey Ziegler, and it appears to be overkill. Not only has he been conked on the head with a hefty object, he's been dragged into bed and stuck through the heart with a kitchen knife. As Eve and Peabody start digging, they quickly learn this guy isn't exactly a nice guy. He's a narcissist, woman-hater and worse - or, as Eve puts it, a real "scumf***." Even as the suspect list grows, the detectives find it a little hard to work up much sympathy, reckoning - as do almost all of those suspects (and me) - that he had it coming.

All this happens during the Christmas holidays, when she and Roarke host a huge bash with hundreds of guests, loads of gifts to buy and wrap and decorations, food and drink to be finalized. And here, I suppose, is where one of my rating stars bit the dust. No, Eve never fully gets enthused about her forced involvement in all the planning - the bulk of those tasks fall to the uber-capable Roarke and Summerset, the man who runs their mansion's household. That said, she seems to have lost her edge; in this book, she comes across as a softer, gentler Eve - and I'm not sure I like her that way. She's becoming more tolerant of all the things she used to abhor, and her relationship with Roarke is far less volatile and downright cuddly in spots. She even goes somewhat soft on Summerset, whom she's always had a contentious relationship.

As a result, there's a noticeable lack of tension and action - with lots of pages devoted to the party planning and repeated discussions of the nasty personalities and behavior of the victim and the prime suspect, in particular. With previous books in the series, I was always a bit worried that something awful would happen to Eve, Roarke and/or one of the main characters. Here, at no time did I envision such a threat; in retrospect, the whole thing seemed more of a caper than a serious investigation. 

Festive in Death by J.D. Robb (Putnam Adult, September 2014); 390 pp.