Reviewer: Holly Glory in Death by J. D. Robb, Nora Roberts
Series: In Death #2
Also in this series: Creation in Death, Strangers in Death, Suite 606, Salvation in Death, Kindred In Death, Naked in Death, The Lost, Rapture in Death, Immortal in Death, New York to Dallas, Celebrity in Death, Brotherhood in Death, Fantasy in Death
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 1995
Genres: Fiction, Suspense
Pages: 313
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Series Rating:
The first victim was found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second was murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas had no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provided Eve with a long list of suspects--including her own lover, Roarke. As a woman, Eve was compelled to trust the man who shared her bed. But as a cop, it was her job to follow every lead..to explore every secret passion, no matter how dark. Or how dangerous.
Now that I’ve started, I may end up re-reading the entire series. I’d forgotten how much I love the earlier books. Each case of Eve’s is intersting, of course, but it’s her character development that really makes these fascinating. Not to mention her relationship with Roarke.
Though I figured out early on who the killer was, I really enjoyed watching Eve puzzle it out. Roarke again pops up in Eve’s investigation. The victim in this book is a close personal friend of Eve’s commander, which further complicates an already murky case.
Naturally the best part of the book is Eve and Roarke. Eve is still struggling to accept Roarke in her life and Roarke is upset that she’s struggling. I love this aspect of the novel. I find their relationship so..real. Here the main struggle comes from Roarke wanting to deepen the relationship and Eve balking at such a thing. She knows cops are a bad bet, and she’s worse than most. When Roarke tries to give Eve a gift, something she’s very uncomfortable with, things really blow up. Roarke issues an ultimatum and Eve spends the next miserable, yet refusing to admit it.
I will confess that there isn’t enough from Roarke’s point-of-view in these earlier books. That didn’t bother me so much the first time I read them, but this time around I find myself disappointed that we don’t see more from him. That isn’t to say we don’t get his POV at all, because we do, it just wasn’t quite enough. But then there will never be enough Roarke, so I suppose this is subjective.
This book contains one of my favorite scenes of the entire series..when Eve goes to confront Roarke after their separation. I love how raw both of them are, and how real their emotions and actions are. I also love the symbolism of the diamond Roarke gives Eve, and how that continues on throughout the series.
4.25 out of 5
For a full list of the books and their reading order, see here.
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
I’ve been rereading quite a few of the In Death books these past couple of months. I thought I was getting past it – though I’m currently rereading Purity in Death and damn it – now I have to go back further as this isn’t one I’ve reread recently!!
“When will I have time to read my new books?” she screamed.
I love this series! Roarke and Eve are fantastic characters. It’s funny to me that the series is as long as it is, but I don’t tire of them or the characters. Love the growth shown and how the interact with each other. This is one of my favorite in the series… especially for that one scene where Eve confronts Roarke. It still gets to me.
Totally agree, Holly. That scene was amazing. I had to mention it, too.
This was the book that got me definitely hooked to the series. i am making my way slowly through it and loving every one till now. The most memorable ones for me are the ones where Eve and Roarke go through rocky periods. Love the way they sort things out. Just finished Portrait in Death and it was one of those books.