Review: Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

Naked in Death by J. D. Robb, Nora Roberts
Series: In Death #1
Also in this series: Creation in Death, Strangers in Death, Suite 606, Salvation in Death, Kindred In Death, Glory 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: July 1st 1995
Genres: Fiction, Suspense
Pages: 320
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Series Rating:

In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line--between seductive passion and scandalous murder...
Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all--and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire--and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about--except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.
Hooked on Eve Dallas? Pre-order your copy of the newest book, DEVOTED IN DEATH, coming in September. 

 

Lori recently reviewed this as part of Christine‘s In Death Challenge, and I couldn’t resist picking it up for another re-read.

I’ve talked about this before, but years ago a friend recommended this series to me. Even though she swore it was amazing and wonderful, I didn’t think it was something I’d enjoy and put off reading it. Eventually she wore me down, however, and I picked this book up. At first I was rather annoyed with it…Robb drops us into an unfamiliar world with no rhyme or reason and expects us to catch up.

It didn’t take long for it to grab me, however. I struggled through this book, but it stayed with me. By the first chapter of the second book, Glory in Death, I was completely hooked.

The year is 2057 and though the world has come a long way since the turn of the century, one thing hasn’t changed – murder. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a murder cop, one of New York’s finest. She lives and breathes the job, until her latest case brings her up against Roarke, the ultra-wealthy and mysterious man who is now her number one suspect.

Eve is a very tough woman. She doesn’t remember much of her life before she was found at age 8 in an alley in Dallas, broken and bloody. She worked hard to overcome her past and now her job is everything to her. She sees things very much in black and white, though she’s still able to grasp the subtleties and nuances of murder..and what drives people to it.

Roarke is the least likely person for Eve to end up attracted to. Though there’s no proof of it – anywhere – it isn’t hard to believe he’s a shady guy. His attraction to Eve completely baffles him. He’s known many cops over the years and has no desire to connect with one, especially not on such a personal level.

The murder plot here is well done. As usual I figured out early on whodunit, but watching Eve puzzle it out was a joy. The way she walks through the crime scene in her head, getting inside the mind of the killer, is fascinating to watch.

It isn’t the murder mystery that was the focus of my attention anyway. The character studies are what really make this series shine. 32 books in and I’m still hooked. I love the various shades of each character. Eve, though she seems rigid and almost pompous in the beginning, is really a multifaceted character. She’s very much a puzzle, one I find it interesting to piece together.

Traditionally it is the heroines who are the pursuers, the more affectionate and open in the relationship, but that isn’t the case here. Roarke is the one who realizes he wants more with Eve, and he’s the one who pushes to spend time with her. He’s the one with the pretty words and sentiments. Eve is prickly and standoffish, unused to -and in fact almost unwilling to acknowledge – the feelings Roarke inspires in her. While this could have become too much, Robb keeps her on a tight ledge..close to, but not quite falling over the edge.

The world-building is flawless. As I mentioned above, it was somewhat irritating to be dropped into this futuristic world, but it wasn’t long before I was wrapped up in it. Especially since there isn’t anything that couldn’t absolutely happen in the future. I can easily see many of the inventions and modern practices taking place. Even the social commentary (as Lori mentions in her review) isn’t far-fetched, though it is obviously flavored with Robb’s personal biases (not that there’s anything wrong with that..as a matter of fact, many of the things she has here make perfect sense).

I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the beginning of this series. Meeting Eve and Roarke again, and watching them meet for the first time, was lovely. The world-building is flawless and though I was annoyed by Eve’s standoffishness just as much as the first time, I loved it.

If you’ve put off reading this series because you don’t think it’s for you, or because you’re intimidated by the number of books, I really hope you’ll use Christine’s In Death Challenge as an excuse to start it. I know it seems like a lot of books. I know many of you don’t like series that focus on one person/relationship. But trust me, this series is the exception to every rule.
4.5 out of 5

The series:

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.

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