DELUSIONAL

4 stars out of 5

I read most of the books in this series for quite some time (this is the 18^th), but somewhere around a decade ago I gave up. Truth? At that point, NYPD detective Michael Bennett was a widower with 10 adopted kids. He and his uber-competent nanny, Mary Catherine, were fighting the urge to get it on, hesitating mostly for religious (Catholic) reasons. And at that point not-so-religious me had enough of the “will they or won’t they” nonsense  got turned off.

Still, I loved the stories, so when I had the opportunity to request a pre-release copy from NetGalley, I went for it. And now that Michael and Mary Catherine are legally wed (and I assume blissfully so, since she’s pregnant with their first child), and from my perspective, all’s right with the world once again.

This one begins as Michael and his partner, Rob Trilling, are at the scene of a bombing. It’s the second such event recently – the other involving the death of a fellow police officer - so concern is high that a serial bomber may be on the loose similar to the real-life Ted Kacznski (a.k.a. Unibomber of the 1990s). The only real clues are that the bomber apparently had two missing fingers and the recent theft of explosives at a New Jersey arsenal.

As the investigation gets under way, partner Rob has to deal with a potentially serious family matter; his brother, who owns a car dealership in Bozeman, Montana, is facing threats because he refuses to sell the property to a developer who won’t take no for an answer. Michael tells Rob to go West; when that situation takes a turn for the worse, Michael heads that direction as well to lend a helping hand.

Essentially, the story moves between the two cases, with suspension building over which will result in the greatest tragedy. The Montana developer, it seems, will stop at nothing even murder - to get what he wants; the bomb crew, who will stop at nothing to make the world a better place (not even mass murder). Caught in between are two partners who are doing their best to make sure none of those murders actually happen – especially their own.

All told, it’s another riveting adventure and one that held my attention throughout. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action once again by way of a pre-release copy. Good job!

Patterson and James O. Born (Little, Brown & Co., August 2026); 368 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.

TIN BADGES

5 stars out of 5

Wow! A good old knock-down, shoot 'em up story with a
really cool lead character (somewhat reminiscent of the late Robert B. Parker's Spenser) that doesn't challenge readers with ever-changing character perspectives and time flashbacks or confusing head games. That means assuming the very talented Mr. Carcaterra  keeps writing about retired NYPD cop "Tank" Rizzo, I'll be first in line to read each and every one.

Tank, you see, is a "tin badge" - the term used for retired police officers who are called back by the department to provide extra help. This isn't Rizzo's first such rodeo; he and his former partner Pearl, who suffered a formal career-ending injury that's left him in a wheelchair for life, now have an entire group to work with and a stellar solve rate. Together, they form a rather motley crew that includes a couple of young techies and a beautiful gypsy fortune teller (yes, you read that correctly).

This time, Tank gets the nod following a home invasion that leaves two women nearly dead. Two men are sure bets for doing the deed, but they have alibis that are phony as a two-dollar bill but unshakable. As he gathers his buddies to get started, Tank gets bad news: His long-estranged brother and his wife have been killed in an auto accident, orphaning their teenage son Chris. With no other relatives available, Tank offers the boy living quarters in his Greenwich Village brownstone; reluctantly, the kid - not coincidentally a computer whiz and cops-and-robbers aficionado - agrees to the arrangement.

Angered over the emotional distance between Tank and his late father, Chris takes more liking to other crew members as well as Tank's longtime love, Connie, and her "retired" mobster boss Carmine. Over the years, despite their usually-at-loggerheads occupations, Tank and Carmine have forged an unlikely but very real friendship. For the record, that unusual relationship, plus Tank's love of wine, jazz and other more intellectual pursuits and a strong but marriage-free relationship with a beautiful woman are among the traits he shares with the aforementioned Spenser.

As the investigation moves along, it leads directly in the path of a very nasty mob boss who threatens the lives of Tank and everyone he loves and works with. Needless to say, that doesn't sit well with Carmine; his age and the loss of his beloved wife may have nudged him toward inactivity, but threats to his family quickly revive his sense of honor (even if it is among thieves).

All told, it's a fast-moving, totally engaging plot as well as a study in character development and interaction. In the end, I wanted for nothing except more - which hopefully will come soon. Meantime, my wholehearted thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Tin Badges by Lorenzo Carcaterra (Ballantine Books, August 2019); 286 pp.

MURDER GAMES

5 stars out of 5


Prolific author James Patterson and co-author Howard Roughan really hit a home run with this one: Intriguing story, interesting characters and, IMHO, an exceptionally satisfying ending. So much did I enjoy the characters, in fact, that I'd love to see psychology professor Dr. Dylan Reinhart and NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham turned into a series (one that includes, I emphasize, Reinhart's delightful partner Tracy).

The book reeled me in right from the start (well, if I don't count the opening remarks by a serial killer dubbed "The Dealer") with the introduction of 34-year-old Reinhart, who teaches a course on abnormal behavior and is the author of a book on what he calls "persuasion theory." Psychology is my own undergraduate degree, and just about any time I find a mystery/thriller that focuses on that subject, I'm hooked. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not, but in this case, I got to the end with a big smile on my face.

Truth be told, Reinhart has a bit of an obnoxious streak, but he clearly knows his stuff (and his sometimes off-putting personality is nicely tempered by the aforementioned Tracy). The plot begins as Needham interrupts one of Reinhart's classes, making the attention-getting pronouncement that someone apparently wants to kill the professor. Turns out that's her way of asking for help with a murder case in which the killer leaves a playing card. Reinhart is skeptical, but when a second murder takes place and another playing card is left at the scene, he realizes - as does she - that a serial killer is on the loose.

Reinhart and Needham develop something of a rapport, albeit grudgingly at first. Their investigative efforts are  interspersed with bits of humor as they come to respect one another and follow clues that extend to a pesky journalist and even the local mayor, who's in desperation mode while vying for reelection. But is the deck stacked so far against them that the killer will end up with the winning hand? 

Inquiring minds want to know - at least mine sure did. Now I do, and I'm sorry to close the book on these characters. Bring them back, please?

Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan (Little, Brown and Co., June 2017); 400 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.

BULLSEYE

4 stars out of 5

This one falls in the bad news/good news department. If you've loved the interaction between New York Detective Michael Bennett and his ginormous family (including elderly Father Seamus and Mary Catherine, the live-in nanny), you'll likely be disappointed. I admit to feeling a bit like that, but on the other hand, I've grown so weary of the is-it-or-isn't-it-real love affair between Michael and Mary Catherine that it was good news for me to not find much of that here.

The basic story is the identification, tracking down and arresting (or otherwise taking out of commission) of a pair of exceptionally skilled assassins. Some nasty target practice, it seems, was nothing more than a warm-up for their real target - the president of the United States. He's in Manhattan for a United Nations summit (other participants include Russian leader Vladimir Putin, so it's clear something really serious is going down here). In between are the typical turf wars with the police department, the CIA and Secret Service (yawn), lengthy chases that end in almost impossible escapes and the predictable dash to beat the assassins' lethal clock.

To be sure, there's plenty of action, but most of it happens on the killer end where everything was planned to the nth degree. On the police side, not so much; that they got anywhere at all in their investigation seemed more like happenstance than professional competence.

I should mention that there is a secondary plot here that relates to family, or at least one member of the large brood (son Brian) who's made friends with another kid (Marvin) who's temporarily moved into the Bennett household but whose background is spurious. The whole situation never quite gelled for me, and I'm still not sure why it was included at all.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this book, even if it is a bit off center in comparison with the others in the series. In the end, I admit to wavering between a rating of 3.5 stars and 4, but the good writing and relatively fast-paced action won out.

Bullseye by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Little, Brown and Co., August 2016); 339 pp.

THE STEEL KISS

4.5 stars out of 5


The author's series featuring forensic detective and quadriplegic Lincoln Rhyme never disappoint - and I'm pretty sure I've read every single one (this is the 12th full novel, I believe). But for some reason, this one hit just a titch off the bullseye, prompting me to issue a 4.5-star rating.

I can't put my finger on a reason, except perhaps that Rhyme has stopped working on NYPD criminal cases - much to the dismay of his professional and personal partner, Amelia Sachs. Now, they lead almost separate lives, and Sachs is less than thrilled. Complicating the issue is the return of her ex-boyfriend, who's been in jail for a crime he insists he did not commit and wants Amelia to help him prove it (and in the process come back to him). Add in more complications with the introduction of an intern hell-bent on pleasing Rhyme: A young, attractive, intelligent woman who, like Rhyme, is in a wheelchair.

The book begins as Sachs is on one of her famous chases, this time to nail a killer as he runs through a Brooklyn department store. Just as she's closing in, she's distracted by screams: The maintenance cover on a working escalator, it seems, has inexplicably opened and a passenger has fallen in and landed on the still-running gears. She abandons her chase, opting instead to try to save - unsuccessfully - the accident victim.

But was it an accident? If not, how on earth could the escalator cover have popped open all by itself? As it turns out, the NYPD has a serial killer on its hands - one who apparently has the ability to take control of "smart" technology that's become commonplace in today's society. Throughout, the specter of just how safe we all are from the "stuff" we all want and claim to need but over which we really have little control hangs over our heads. By the end, I was giving serious thought to disconnecting everything from my Kindle to my garage-door opener.

As usual, the action is almost nonstop as Rhyme and Sachs and their teams are brought together by commonalities in the cases on which they're working. Also as usual, there were a few almost-chuckles, usually stemming from Rhyme's droll sense of humor. In one of his classroom sessions, for instance - he's now spending some time teaching - he welcomes a student who claims to be a novelist because he (Rhyme) once was the subject of a "series of novels based on cases he'd run." In fact, he muses, he even wrote the author to complain about "misrepresentations of real crime work..."

The plot notwithstanding, I'd really, really love to know how much the manufacturer of well-known outdoor wear (e.g., jackets) has paid publishers (and/or authors) for product placement. It's not just in this book; I've seen mentions in several books of late - one of which hammered the brand name home in at least 20 places. Conceptually, it's not a bad idea; unlike TV commercials that can be zapped through with recording devices or ignored via trips to the refrigerator, readers are pretty much captive sets of eyes. But doggone it, hold enough; more than one or two mentions is intrusive and, at least by me, not appreciated.

The Steel Kiss by Jeffery Deaver (Grand Central Publishing, March 2016); 480 pp.

BROTHERHOOD IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

Be careful what you wish for. To-wit: Over the course of the last three or four books in this series, I've watched one of my all-time favorite characters - the dashing, talented and filthy rich Roarke, husband of emotionally fragile homicide detective Eve Dallas  - transition from loving and supportive to borderline smothering and controlling. To be sure, it's a fine line to cross (especially given Eve's emotional fragility that resulted from an abusive childhood), but I'm not the only one to point this out; other reviewers have noted it as well. 

In this latest installment, the difference was notable; this time around, when Roarke crosses that line by initiating changes he believes his wife "needs" without consulting her, Eve fights back - to the point of bruising his sometimes enormous ego. Admittedly, her objections are mitigated as the story progresses and their issues are resolved mostly in Roarke's favor; still, it was rather nice to see Eve stand up for herself in her personal life for a change.

Other than that - and maybe in part because of that,  the book seemed to lack the punch of other installments. Yes, I read it as quickly as possible, as usual not wanting to put it down. But overall, I'd have to describe it as a bit bland compared with others I've read. It begins as Dennis Mira, husband of Dr. Charlotte Mira, a friend of Eve's and a police profiler, pays a visit to his late grandfather's brownstone in New York's West Village. Dennis's brother, Edward, who co-inherited the property, is intent on selling it over his brother's objections and supposedly is meeting with a real estate agent on this day.

As Dennis enters, he hears voices and then spots his brother, who's apparently been attacked; almost immediately, Dennis is hit in the head from behind and goes down for the count. When he wakes up, Edward - a former lawyer, judge and senator - has disappeared. Dennis makes the call to Eve to help locate his brother; an investigation reveals that all traces of intruders have vanished, along with the house security tapes. Given Edward's background (and the fact he's clearly not a nice man) mean more than a few people don't like him much - including his brother Dennis. Could it be, then, that someone has decided to get even?

Eve enlists the help of her technologically gifted Irish husband to sort it all out, digging into backgrounds, facts and figures generally unavailable even to police and despite the futuristic setting (sometime in the 2020s, I believe). Along the way, a very sordid story is unearthed - a story that elicits painful memories of Eve's nightmarish childhood (a bit too often, in my opinion). It's also one not for the squeamish, although descriptions of the crimes aren't particularly graphic (also in my opinion). One thing, though, is crystal clear: Payback really is a you-know-what.

Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb (Berkley, February 2016); 389 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.