Rating: 
Summary: Vivid and entertaining but not as suspenseful
Review: In Ceremony in Death, Dallas is investigating a fellow officer who has died, to determine whether he was corrupt and whether his death was a homocide. This investigation get her involved with a satanic cult and a wiccan group. The Celtic aspects are the vehicle for Roarke's involvement this time. (In every story there's something that brings Roarke into the picture. Robb does a good job varying whether Roarke is a suspect, is involved with the suspect, or is just lending his knowledge.) The wiccan element also lets Robb broaden Peabody's character and makes Peabody more than just a trainee in this story.The plot of "Ceremony" was not as complex as some of the other "In Death" series. We knew the villain was one of three characters, and one of those characters was obviously thrown in as a false lead. And if you've read any of Robb's series, you'd know not to assume that the obvious villain was the guilty one. In fact, I was disappointed that Dallas was thrown by the false lead. It doesn't follow her talent; she lectures Peapody in another book to not let herself form an opinion lest it cloud her judgment. Perhaps she's showing that Dallas sometimes fails to follow her own advice, but it was flimsy. What I did like about this story was, Robb allowed us to see more of Dallas's feelings. Dallas takes a couple of potshots from close coworkers, and we get to see how deeply the comments hurt her - and we see how hard she works at keeping her emotions out of her cases. It's a good foundation for subsequent novels that keeps us from thinking Dallas is cold. What I'm beginning to tire of are a couple of consistent details Robb throws in each book. They're getting old. Dallas's computer is always glitchy. Her car is always insulted as being a piece of junk. She always tries to keep Roarke out of her cases and he always insuniates himself in anyway. Dallas is perpetually snarly. Snarling at traffic, banging her fist on things. I get a visual picture of festering, grumpy person. There are just a few token moments of romantic and sappy feelings between Dallas and Roarke. I can't remember a single happy feeling. She begrudges every moment of leisure or personal activity - although Robb does make some of this come out humorously as insecurities on Dallas's part. She is absolutely consumed by her work and her identity as a cop. This is something that bothers me about Robb's novels as Nora Roberts. Her characters are *too* intense. I would expect a writer of Robb/Roberts's caliber to be able to make her characters different. Some should be less intense, with self doubts, etc. The last thing that is annoying - about all of Robb/Roberts's books, is the dialogue. Every character in every one of her novels has the same intense, no holds barred, balsy way of talking. Another area where she should make some variety. People don't all talk the same way. Bottom line, an entertaining read. A different slant on crime - not so futuristic. If the little details I mentioned above don't bother you, you will enjoy reading the book. Just don't expect to be held in suspense until the last moment.
Rating: 
Summary: Bread & water when you're used to a banquet
Review: In comparison to the rest of the Eve Dallas books, I found CEREMONY to be strictly filler material. Not only wasn't there much of a mystery going on, but there wasn't much development of the Dallas/Roarke relationship. While all the characters followed true to form, I didn't feel there was any growth. Despite this, CEREMONY presents a few hints of things to come. I hope the next "in Death" novel continues the excellent standards set by the first four.
Rating:
Summary: If you never read a J.D. Robb book, you will love this
Review: It is 2058 A.D. and New York police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has given
little or no thought to forces that defy basic twenty-first century physics.
Her spouse Roarke, a powerful multi-billionaire, has enough Irish blood in
him to take the old ways very seriously. A police officer dies from what
appears to be natural causes. However, an autopsy reveals that there are
illegal drugs in his system. Eve is assigned to investigate whether her peer
turned.
...... At the dead officer's funeral, his granddaughter, Alice, arranges a
clandestine meeting with Eve to discuss her relative's death. Alice informs
Eve that she was part of a satanic cult until she witnessed a ritual killing
of a child. She told her grandfather what she saw and now believes that the
cult members killed him using magic. Later that evening, a hysterical Alice
is killed by a car. Eve blames the cult for her death and vows to destroy
them. However, evil is very strong and Eve, with Roarke's unflappable
assistance, finds herself locked in to the age old battle between the light
and the dark, with the outcome very much in doubt.
..... J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) latest offering, CEREMONY IN DEATH,is a very
good work of romantic suspense, but it seems as if the author went to the
well once too many times. There is little new ground, and though the novel
would be exceptional as a first entry or a stand alone, readers who have
faithfully followed the ongoing futuristic mystery series will be
disappointed that there is nothing fresh about the lives of the lead
protagonists. For those who have not tasted this series before, this is a
great tale.
......Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Another great read!
Review: J.D. Robb continues to impress me with her "In Death" series. "Ceremony in Death" continues the tradition of excellence, providing an exciting, unsettling, and entertaining read.
We receive new insight into the main characters, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD and her charming billionaire husband Roarke, with each book in the series. These two are a wonderful couple, and their dynamics become more complex and fascinating in this novel. When Eve and Roarke are together the sparks fly, and they have some highly erotic, yet never distasteful scenes.
In this instalment of the series, Eve is investigating a case that involves satanic cults and lots of deep, dark secrets. The sinister atmosphere of this novel is expertly woven, causing Eve's encounters with evil to send chills up the reader's spine.
Although we know who the bad guys are pretty much from the beginning. We do not have the mystery properly solved until the very end, and there are many thrilling and suspenseful scenes to keep the reader turning pages. I truly enjoyed this book, and with its romance and suspense, its intrigue and futuristic police procedure, there is something in it for everyone!
I am in awe of J.D. Robb's incredible skill at writing continually superior books and I will continue to buy and recommend them as long as she keeps writing them!
Rating:
Summary: Another great read!
Review: J.D. Robb continues to impress me with her "In Death" series. "Ceremony in Death" continues the tradition of excellence, providing an exciting, unsettling, and entertaining read.
We receive new insight into the main characters, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD and her charming billionaire husband Roarke, with each book in the series. These two are a wonderful couple, and their dynamics become more complex and fascinating in this novel. When Eve and Roarke are together the sparks fly, and they have some highly erotic, yet never distasteful scenes.
In this instalment of the series, Eve is investigating a case that involves satanic cults and lots of deep, dark secrets. The sinister atmosphere of this novel is expertly woven, causing Eve's encounters with evil to send chills up the reader's spine.
Although we know who the bad guys are pretty much from the beginning. We do not have the mystery properly solved until the very end, and there are many thrilling and suspenseful scenes to keep the reader turning pages. I truly enjoyed this book, and with its romance and suspense, its intrigue and futuristic police procedure, there is something in it for everyone!
I am in awe of J.D. Robb's incredible skill at writing continually superior books and I will continue to buy and recommend them as long as she keeps writing them!
Rating:
Summary: Another great read!
Review: J.D. Robb continues to impress me with her "In Death" series. "Ceremony in Death" continues the tradition of excellence, providing an exciting, unsettling, and entertaining read.
We receive new insight into the main characters, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD and her charming billionaire husband Roarke, with each book in the series. These two are a wonderful couple, and their dynamics become more complex and fascinating in this novel. When Eve and Roarke are together the sparks fly, and they have some highly erotic, yet never distasteful scenes.
In this instalment of the series, Eve is investigating a case that involves satanic cults and lots of deep, dark secrets. The sinister atmosphere of this novel is expertly woven, causing Eve's encounters with evil to send chills up the reader's spine.
Although we know who the bad guys are pretty much from the beginning. We do not have the mystery properly solved until the very end, and there are many thrilling and suspenseful scenes to keep the reader turning pages. I truly enjoyed this book, and with its romance and suspense, its intrigue and futuristic police procedure, there is something in it for everyone!
I am in awe of J.D. Robb's incredible skill at writing continually superior books and I will continue to buy and recommend them as long as she keeps writing them!
Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best series of mysteries I've ever read!
Review: Like many other reviewers, I am in the process of reading the entire series of "in Death" books. They are incredible! Really enjoy the characters and Eve Dallas is a very interesting study! I must concur with the others, these books just don't get written and published fast enough! The stories would make an excellent movie series (or TV?) also!!
Rating:
Summary: Fifth book in this exciting series!
Review: The exciting in Death" series, continues with Ceremony in Death. Eve Dallas is investigating the death of a fellow officer to determine whether he was corrupt or whether he was murdered. The investigation involves a Satanist group and a group called the Wiccan. Roarke shows his Celtic / Irish roots more clearly as both he and Peabody know more about the Wiccan’s then eve. Peabody is really coming to be a real asset to Eve and a very interesting character in this series. Roarke gets involved in the investigation against Eve’s wish of course! This is really an excellent series. If you are a new reader start with Naked in Death at the beginning of the series you will be delighted! I recommend this book and the entire series!!
Rating:
Summary: Fifth book in this exciting series!
Review: The exciting in Death" series, continues with Ceremony in Death. Eve Dallas is investigating the death of a fellow officer to determine whether he was corrupt or whether he was murdered. The investigation involves a Satanist group and a group called the Wiccan. Roarke shows his Celtic / Irish roots more clearly as both he and Peabody know more about the Wiccan’s then eve. Peabody is really coming to be a real asset to Eve and a very interesting character in this series. Roarke gets involved in the investigation against Eve’s wish of course! This is really an excellent series. If you are a new reader start with Naked in Death at the beginning of the series you will be delighted! I recommend this book and the entire series!!
Rating:
Summary: Is Eve Dallas moving towards Anita Blake?
Review: The futuristic series by J.D Robb featuring Eve Dallas as the main character has been one of the series I have enjoyed most lately. Another series I love is the one written by Laurell K. Hamilton and presenting Anita Blake, vampire executioner and animator, as its heroine. The two have a few common traits, the clearest one being tough and sexy main female characters. Also, both series are now being published by the same house (Berkley Publishing Group). Nevertheless, I was extremely surprised when J.D. Robb introduced in this novel some of the elements I am used to finding in the Hamilton series, like shapeshifters and black magic. I enjoy the futuristic world in which Eve lives and hope that in the future Robb sticks with that world without trying to incorporate elements that are successful in another author's work.As usual J.D. Robb jumps into the action right away, with the death of Frank Wojinski, a cop that served as Feeney's trainer when Eve's friend and mentor joined the force. The death was ruled as a heart attack, but there are some unanswered questions, especially since the cop was young: sixty-two years old! One of the granddaughters of the deceased, Alice, surreptitiously asks Eve for a meeting claiming that Eve's life is in danger. Alice tells Eve that she believes a black witch called Selina is involved in her granddad's death. Selina was seen shortly before Frank's death selling drugs to him, so now Eve is asked to investigate Frank's death and to determine whether he was a dirty cop or was just working undercover by his own volition. To make matters worse, traces of the drug Zeus were found in the body and Eve is asked to leave Feeney out of the investigation and in the dark. When Alice is run over by a car and then the body of one of the members of Selina's sect is left outside Eve's and Roarke's house, the action develops too close to home and Eve must do everything in her power to solve the case before it affects her life. The story is fast-paced as we are used to, and Robb is efficient in presenting the characteristics of the world in which the characters live in 2058 without boring the regular readers. Those who have not ventured in the series before will have enough information to understand what is going on and what the relationships between the different characters are. The storylines connected to the main characters' lives keep moving forward. The relationship between Eve and Roarke is of course central to the story, but in some cases the amorous scenes between these two become a little repetitive. Certain elements of Eve's childhood keep showing up, and all the supporting characters, Mavis, Peabody, etc, are present and contribute to the overall quality and depth of the story. I hope J.D. Robb returns to her path by moving away from magic and staying with the futuristic series that I enjoy so much.
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