Judgment in Death

Rating:
Summary: Boring!
Review: I was really hoping for a much better story than the last, however, J.D. Robb failed to pulled it off. No sparks between Roarke and Eve, or Eve and Peabody. Lackluster story/case. Even though the victims in this story were cops, I never had the feeling that Eve cared about them. I wish the author had drawn out a better villian. There were so many possibilities, but... nothing happened. The last 3 books have really been such a bore. I wish she had made a full novel out of the brilliant Midnight In Death novella. I may continue to hang on to the series for two more books, but if this continues, I'll just go back and reread the first 6 or 7 books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Worse and worse...
Review: The only reason I started reading these books is because my friend said they were easy reading and a break from all the heavy stuff. And indeed they were. The problem is that the author has made one major mistake which seems to have infatuated the whole of the population. That mistake (in my eyes) is called Roarke. For starters what a terribly unromantic name. Roarke. Secondly, don't you find it a little convenient that the first time Eve comes across Roarke leads to lots of sex and eventually marriage and after that he is somehow involved in every single one of her cases? Thirdly, Roarke is the most unrealistic character I have ever met. He is 'perfect' in appearance, owns half the world (and some others) and is the most arrogant, possessive chauvinistic pig ever created. It is so unlikely that one: anyone is like that and two: that any independent woman would put up with a husband who beats up an ex-boyfriend for holding her by her arms. Personally, I would prefer my husband to leave me to deal with stuff like that. The storylines are never that bad, though they all end pretty much the same and Judgement In Death holds some nice twists. It's just a shame J.D. Robb left out the best character: Charles Monroe. He has such an interesting storyline and such an undeveloped character even though there are so many possibilties. Personally, I would like Eve to realise Roarke is a cardboard cut out of perfection which no-one wants and to run off with Charles. And another thing: why does everyone conveniently forget that Roarke has killed several people and can in fact be deemed, therefore, a serial killer? So they probably deserved it, but that is not the point. I would never be involved with someone who had managed to take 6 (?) people's lives in such horrific ways to cause such intentional pain. And, again, convenient that the characters all have mucked up childhoods. Just makes them more intersting now, but what is the likelihood of such a group of people meeting up and finding all were abused/raped/adopted/abandoned whatever? very unlikely.

In conclusion, this book is enjoyable to read in the parts that actaully focus on the case. Whenever Roarke comes in I suddenly feel like taking a break. In my opinion there should be less emphasis on Eve and Roarke's relationship (and sex - boring after several chapters of it) and more on the other characters (including everyone's favourite licensed companion) and the crime storyline.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!
Review: I've read each of the "...In Death" series and they just get better and better each time. The characters of Eve Dallas & Roarke are developed with such flair. Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb fleshes out the secondary characters with just as much care and finesse. This book was so very difficult to put down.

Rating:
Summary: They Keep Getting Better
Review: Judgment in Death was the best book yet. Just when I thought I had learned everything about Eve and Roarke I learn more.

I think these books would make great movies. I cannot wait to read to next one.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but . . .
Review: As usual, I rushed to the bookstore for J.D. Robb's latest. The author's greatest strength lies in dialogue and character development -- with each book, you get just the right amount of new insight into Eve, Roarke and the secondary characters. This series can go on forever as far as I'm concerned. All in all, Judgment in Death was a very good/entertaining book, but my only disappointment came from the villain, Ricker. For some reason, I just wasn't feeling his character as much as I have previous villains. Still, this book will not disappoint Robb's true fans.

Rating:
Summary: A bit tiresome
Review: It took me almost half the book to really get into the story. I found it far too similar to previous stories in the series. Once again, Roarke is connected to the murder site, the murder weapon, the murderer, or some combination thereof. Once again, his past is an issue - one that is conveniently troublesome and yet handily overlooked to the benefit of resolving the case. The characters are still entertaining at times, but getting a bit flat. And Roarke's display of jealousy/rage did nothing for me. Jealousy is fine, but beating someone up - especially when he knew the advance was unwelcome and would be taken care of properly by Eve - seemed over-the-top and gratuitous. As for the murder mystery itself, I wasn't overly caught up in it. I'll definitely pick up the next book, but my enthusiasm for the series is waning unless something unexpected and Different begins to occur.

Rating:
Summary: Just a tad disappointing
Review: Don't get me wrong, I love this series and all its characters, Eve, Roarke, Peabody, Mavis and all the rest. I bought this the day it came out and then held onto it for a month before reading it so it wouldn't be over and gone too soon. I thought it started out very strong, but got somewhat weaker as it progressed. The climactic scene between Roarke and his enemy lacked something, ending with a whimper, not a bang. The evil Ricker didn't pack as much of a wallop as I would have liked. And much as I love Eve and Roarke and their relationship, I found their banter just a little too predictable this time.

I always re-read books I love, but I usually set them aside for a couple of years or more, so that when I reread them, I'll have the pleasure of really rediscovering them. With the "In Death" series, which I discovered less than a year ago, I find myself going back and rereading them already, especially my favorite, "Naked in Death" (the first). It's a great series, and I love seeing a romance that doesn't end when the couple figures out they love each other, but continues with them figuring out how to live with each other, an aspect of the books which is clearly a strength. Another strength in "Judgment" is that the mystery is a little more coherent and believable. I'll definitely look eagerly forward to the next one and hope that one is definitely five-star.

Rating:
Summary: My Judgement? Another Winner for JD Robb!
Review: Eve's tracking a cop killer . . . a killer she suspects is another cop. It's an investigation that will take her right into the middle of Roarke's past. She tries to protect him, but protection isn't what Roarke's looking for . . . he wants Eve to trust him, to include him. But most of all he wants her safe. Both Roarke and Eve have their heart in the right place, but this case is tearing them apart even as a killer is systematically tracking and killing cops.

I love this series, love watching the dynamics of Roarke and Eve's relationship. This book is just another in a long line of wonderful reads.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, bad editing
Review: Another good book in this series. The killer was pretty easy to guess, but the byplay between the characters keep things interesting. I do wonder, though, how long the cops are going to look the other way about Rourke's past. One of these days it's bound to trip him up.

What really bugged me about the book was the editing job. What's with the misspellings and bad fact checking. Utumna, Iowa? Please. Robb deserves better than that.

Let's have more of the series. Just a little less sloppiness.

Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment (esp. after a great Witness in Death!)
Review: This was a disappointing continuation of the In Death series. The characters seemed flat and the sizzle between Roarke and Eve just wasn't there. While others found the scene with Mira amusing, I thought it was a bit out of character. I had eagerly anticipated this book and will still read the next in the series, but certainly hope for better in the future.