Seduction in Death

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Summary: As a science fiction and Nora Roberts fan, I'm in heaven
Review: From the first "In Death" book to this latest installment, this series has hit me in all the right places. I was a Nora fan before reading these, and eager to find out how she would handle a futuristic setting and characters. "Seduction in Death" continues the quality that Nora brings to nearly everything she writes, and happily, she handles the science fiction with as much mastery as the romance.

Once a series reaches the double digits, two things happen: No. 1, fans of the series expect certain characters, lines, events or objects they have become sentimental about to appear in the story. No. 2, they expect the author to incorporate all of these things without making the plot stale and the characters crystalized. Roberts has done both things and made it look easy. Now let's just hope that she stays interested in Eve and Roarke for at least another 13 books!

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Summary: Just Keeps Getting Better
Review: Please read the first 12 in this series before reading on.
This read really relies on characters well established in the previous books. Buy them, read them, they just keep getting better and better. The core characters are vital to the interaction of the main characters, Eve, Roarke and Peabody. You do yourself an injustice going into this 13th book not knowing the full dimension of its reoccuring characters. The interaction, the play on words is so well established book after book. If this series ever ends, I for one, will be VERY depressed. Can't wait for #14. Thanks Nora.

Rating:
Summary: Losing steam
Review: The book was good, but compared to the earlier books in the series, the writing's gone stale, flat somehow... In short, it's not as interesting as it used to be. The dynamic between Roarke and Eve is mellower now, but there's no sense of being inspired to write the book, and hence to read it as often as you would the older ones. Besieds, the villains getting revealed waaay too early on and getting so much space of their own is a sign that there's nothing else to write about, and that's a problem.

Rating:
Summary: Another Treat
Review: As always with the In Death series, I loved "Seduction in Death". The mystery was engrossing, but even more important to me was the development of the relationship between Ian and Delia and Louise and Charles. I can't wait to see where that goes! But my all time favorites are Eve and Roark and watching their marriage grow and change. I can't wait for the next one. Thanks, J. D. Robb.

Rating:
Summary: Strongest Story Yet!
Review: I found this most recent of the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb to be one of the best yet. Once again, fans of the series enjoy the colorful and snappy dialog between Eve and Roarke, not to mention the curl-your-toes bedroom scenes that we all love! McNabb and Peabody garner a good and funny story line, and we visit with characters from previous books as well. Who doesn't chuckle over Charles calling Eve "Lt. Sugar!"
This is a good, solid story with additonal character developement. Knowing who the killers are at the beginning of the story (a nice change for this series) doesn't lessen the impact and suspence of the book, but rather adds to the plot and gives the reader a thrill knowing the "baddies" before Dallas does! In an interesting twist, the reader can check off the clues as Eve works the case and puts all of the pieces together by putting herself in the killer's shoes. Once again, the delectable Roarke stands with her as her civilian consultant with Eve grumbling all the way!
Eve and Roarke continue to grow together... accepting each other's quirks and foibles a little more each time, with more ease. Another a plus from reading such a wonderful series... I feel as though I am visiting old friends again! Kudos to Ms. Robb for another terrific story!

Rating:
Summary: Seduction In Death
Review: I keep wondering how JD Robb can top herself and she never disappoints. I can't say this book is the best of the series because they are all great. However, I will say she maintains the quality I've come to expect. I could not put this book down. The characters continue to evolve. I can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a book that isn't overrated
Review: How many books have we read that were supposedly "excellent, chilling and must reads," and they only landed up being mediocre, at best? Movies are the same way. It's as if some people don't get out much or read much, and when they do, they think a mediocre book or movie is the talk of the town. Well this book isn't one of them. This is indeed a must read! This is the kind of read that you want to spend the day with. The way a book on this subject is supposed to be written. You won't be disappointed in this one. I wish I could say that with a lot of those so called "Best Sellers."

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Summary: Loved It!!!
Review: Excellent book................a real page turner. I read this in two evenings. Well witten, funny, scary - everything I've come to expect in this mystery series. Can't wait for the next one!!!

Rating:
Summary: She's done it again!
Review: Once again, Nora Roberts, writing as J D Robb, has hit one out of the ballpark. Fast paced, exciting and in tune with the 'chat-room' times, it has enough twists and turns and timely terror to keep readers on edge and portreys Eve Dallas at her best!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Yet
Review: Two sophisticated serial killers are stalking the women of New York via email. Or is it one man with multiple personalities? Tough homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas must solve the mystery quickly, before any more women are brutally raped and killed.

In perhaps her toughest assignment yet, Eve must unravel clue upon clue to get to the core of the case. And it won't be easy. As she peels away each false identity of the murderers, another even more clever identity emerges. Each victim has been lured to her death by a so-called "poet," who just happens to share a love of art, poetry, the classics, and other intellectual pursuits with his online "soulmate. It is chillingly easy to disguise one's identity on email, especially if, in the case of this murderer, he has multiple accounts that lead to nowhere.

Surveillance tapes and first-hand sightings of the possible suspect or suspects only compound the puzzle, as the killers are adept at face putty and other disguises, and so appear completely different each time they kill. In 2059, such appearance enhancers are all too available, as Eve well knows. When she needs a disguise of her own, she has to be almost literally hogtied as she submits to the "beautification" efforts of her dear friend, "mag" rock star Mavis, and Mavis's sidekick Trina. Those of us who know Eve et al. from the previous "In Death" novels tend to root for Mavis and Trina, as Eve's idea of beauty is primitive at best.

This insertion of comic relief is a Robb trademark, and only serves to intensify the mystery beneath. The genius of it, however, is that with each little interlude such as the beauty session, we learn more about what makes the "In-Death" regulars tick, just as we would in a real-life relationship. Thus we are privy to the on-again, off-again, often hilarious romance between Eve's stalwart aide Peabody and her peacock-dressing boyfriend, detective MacNab. There is more nasty verbal byplay between Eve and her husband's stiff and unyielding butler, Sommerset. And we get to see Eve's onetime mentor and dear friend Feeney in some unforgettable pajamas. As always, new readers will enjoy these characters, who only serve to add color and depth to the story. But regulars such as I feel we KNOW these people, and while we follow the mystery, we are also treated to the ongoing saga of each of their lives. MOST satisfying!

Nowhere is this more evident, of course, than in the deep and complicated relationship between Eve and her husband of one year, the brilliant and impossibly gorgeous billionaire Roarke. I have referred to their relationship before as fascinating, and it is...two strong, forceful people, each of whom have overcome unspeakable childhood horrors and emerged winners, must accommodate themselves to each other. We have watched as, in book after book, both Eve and Roarke, but especially Eve, have allowed layers of self-protection to fall away as they each learn to trust in the love they share. Theirs is not an easy relationship, but at its core is an intense bond that reveals itself more and more.

Robb skillfully weaves the many threads of her plot together with great skill, making it seem easy. In the end, the murdered women are avenged, and Eve has survived yet another attack on her character by a jealous rogue cop; queasily accepted the very physical relationship of Peabody and swain; seen her mentor in shocking pajamas; glimpsed a side of her Commander (Whitney) that she has never seen before; and, most importantly, let down another barrier in her erotic and high-energy marriage.

I strongly recommend this book. Regular readers will be thrilled to see Robb back in the groove after a somewhat disappointing (but still worth reading) "Betrayal in Death." Those new to the series will be tantalized enough to want to read all 12 previous efforts. And me? I'm pacing the floor, waiting for the next one.