Title: Passions in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Series: In Death #59
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Mystery/Thrillers
Format: Kindle and Audio ARC
Narrator: Susan Erickson
Date of Publication: September 6, 2024
No. of Pages: 359
Length: 13 hrs 54 min
My Rating: 5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
Homicide Detective Eve Dallas hunts a killer who turns a wedding party into a murder scene in the latest novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author, J.D. Robb.
On a hot August night, Lt. Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, speed through the streets of Manhattan to the Down and Dirty club, where a joyful, boisterous pre-wedding girls’ night out has turned into a murder scene. One of the brides lies in a pool of blood, garroted in a private room where she was preparing a surprise for her fiancée—two scrimped and saved-for tickets to Hawaii.
Despite the dozens of people present, useful witnesses are hard to come by. It all brings back some bad memories for Eve. In her uniform days, she’d suffered an assault in the very same room—but she’d been able to fight back and survive. She’d gotten justice. And now she needs to provide some for poor young Erin.
Eve knows that the level of violence and the apparent premeditation involved suggest a volatile mix of hidden, heated passion and ice-cold calculation. This is a crime that can be countered only by hard detective work and relentless dedication—and Eve will not stop until she finds the killer who destroyed this couple’s dreams before the honeymoon even began…
MY THOUGHTS:
Having read fifty-nine books by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts), I am continually astounded by her remarkable ability to craft each installment with the same level of freshness and precision as the last. This latest novel is no exception, delivering a compelling narrative that remains sharp and engaging throughout.
One of the key elements that contributes to the enjoyment of these books is their futuristic setting. Although the timeline is set less than four decades into the future, the technological advancements depicted are extensive, particularly in the context of Detective Eve Dallas’s investigations. Eve is not alone in her endeavors; she is married to ultra handsome billionaire Roarke, who provides unwavering support during challenging situations. Another notable character is Peabody, Eve’s partner, whose growth and development has been a pleasure to witness.
The setting of this particular novel takes place at a pre-wedding party for brides Erin Albright and Shauna Hunnicut. The wedding party is in high spirits, celebrating the upcoming nuptials. Erin, who has a secret honeymoon planned for Shauna, departs the party to finalize the arrangements. Tragically, Erin’s body is discovered brutally murdered, triggering a flashback for Eve. The room where the bride-to-be was found is one that Eve is intimately familiar with.
Undeterred by the grim discovery, Eve immerses herself in the investigation, determined to seek justice for Erin. The sheer number of potential suspects makes the task daunting, but Eve’s exceptional detective skills enable her to meticulously sift through the evidence and identify the culprit. As with previous installments, Robb’s storytelling prowess is evident, weaving a complex narrative that delves into profound themes. The intricate plot, replete with twists and red herrings, keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth.
Upon receiving an e-ARC of the book, I promptly devoured it. Upon discovering its availability as an audiobook, I made the decision to download and listen to it. Expertly narrated by Susan Erickson, a second reading of the audiobook was undoubtedly worth every second spent. The narrative is consistently captivating, and the inclusion of a familiar and talented narrator further enhances the storytelling experience.
I eagerly anticipate the release of the next book in the series, Bonded in Death, scheduled for February. Should I be approved for a galley, I will promptly acquire it for consumption. Eve and Roarke are an extraordinary couple, embodying the ideal of a dream couple. Their captivating romance seamlessly intertwines with the seriousness of the cases they investigate, ensuring that each book remains as compelling as the previous ones.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.
She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.
Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.
Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together
Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.
Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”
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