Desperation in Death: An Eve Dallas thriller (In Death 55)

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Nothing to remind me one of those books of the past, in which the mysteries to be solved were just a side dish to the relationship of the two main characters. She and her team quickly determine that all is not what it first appears at the crime scene and with the evidence. This was a chilling story because, deep down, you know it could be true either now or someday in the near future. We still get some technology that would make my eyes bleed if I thought about it too much, but it works. Altogether a well balanced and very well written book which is totally absorbing, but what else would we expect from this experienced and talented author.

This case hits very close to home for Eve as it involves young girls who were snatched off the street and truly groomed for the sex trade. The reader really gets to see the character development in Eve and Roarke as they walk through this particular case.The Academy has survived all of these years because they are smart – very smart – with how they acquire the girls.

As much as the plot is structured in such a way that longtime readers can connect it to Dallas' past without problems and thus develop a whole set of expectations with respect to a more intimate development in the relationship between her and Roarke, what unfortunately remains, at the end of the book, is a murder mystery, nice and I have no problem to admit it, but still just a murder mystery. In the end, they decided as a couple (this is a refreshing change from Roarke laying down a law and Eve deciding "not to argue") that while he has a right to worry, she has responsibilities to her job and victims that don't include allowing her macho husband to substitute his "superior" judgment for hers because protection. No matter what, she must keep her head clear--because above all, she is desperate for justice and to take down those who prey on and torment the innocent. While this particular installment dealt with some incredibly difficult and heartbreaking topics, and was very hard to read in some places, it was handled with care and was well worth reading. I also say this because there's a viral video going around with a white woman in a Lexus showing some ridiculous content like beware of traffickers because they will try to put knock out drugs on a door handle, put money in your windshield, etc.Roarke, of course, is on hand to serve as an expert Civilian Consultant especially given the nature of the case. But Roarke is also worried about the effect this case is having on Dallas, as it brings a rage to the surface she can barely control.