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

Product Information

The #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a gripping new thriller that pits homicide detective Eve Dallas against a conspiracy of exploitation and evil… Reading the newest J.D. Robb book always feels like a chance to catch up with dear friends, while said friends are trying to save the world. And I don’t know that I’ll ever tire of that. Desperation in Death is the 55th full-length installment in the In Death series, and I’m still just as attached to Eve and Roarke and Peabody and the rest as I could ever hope to be. I absolutely love seeing how they’ve grown and changed over the years. 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. There were a few sightings and hints of new -- and what appear to be fun and interesting characters joining the good guy pool. And the possibilities are strong that it won’t be long before readers see more of them, when . . . Desperation In Death, Book No. 55 arrives in September. Yippee – that’s positively without a doubt defined as “the good stuff.” With two girls having been abducted, and one escaping, Sadly, as the girls were escaping, one of them died. Detective Eve Dallas is in a frantic race against time to find out who abducted the girls. It doesn't take long for Eve to realize that exploitation is behind the abductions and Eve cannot help but remember her tragic past when it comes to said abuse.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get away fast enough. Now Dorian is injured, terrified, and wandering the streets of New York, and Mina lies dead near the waterfront while Lt. Eve Dallas looks over the scene. First Read) Homicide detective Eve Dallas Must untangle a twisted family history while a hostage life hangs in the balance--in the new In Death novel by New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb. A difficult story delivered with compassion, DESPERATION IN DEATH is fast-paced and suspenseful. Readers will want to cheer on Eve and her team as they race to bring down the criminal conspiracy behind the Pleasure Academy."

The In Death Series in Order (69 Books)

The procedurals in this story were complicated and involved so many variables it was tougher to keep up. Since the setting is 2061, it was interesting that the era of focus was nearer our own this time or one where I was familiar, somewhere around 2003 - 2009. The reaction to some of our fashion choices was pretty funny and nostalgic. Because the case involved missing women, I became much more attached to the victims than I normally do, silently rooting for the team to find them as we were getting the point of view of one of the abducted women. Also, the format included a new aspect, a “before” and “now” point of view from characters critical to the story. While it was initially strange, I came to love it, looking forward to the next one. The setting is New New York in 2061. We still get some technology that would make my eyes bleed if I thought about it too much, but it works.

Twenty-five-year-old Mary Kate Covino is still missing and Eve knows MK’s time is running out. Can they find her alive before they discover her staged body in another children’s area? They are close – so very close – but are they close enough to apprehend the murderer and save MK?The flow was a bit up and down because of the narrative style. I honest don't know if this works for 'In Death" or not. We usually just follow Eve in the third person and of course Roarke sometimes, but mostly we are just with Eve. This one had so many players in it that I can see why some people complained there was too much padding. I am waiting to see how the next book plays out. Because if Robb does keep this style up, it's a change from her prior books.

As a longtime fan of this series, it seems to me that the stories are becoming a bit less edgy and the characters a bit more mellow than in years past. That's not to say either is any less appealing, though - they're still set in the future (this one in 2061) amid all the fun gizmos like meals programmed into a machine and vehicles that can land and take off vertically, calls for homicide detective Eve Dallas to draw on childhood experiences to help solve a couple of murders and prevent another - not pleasant recollections given what she was forced to endure. This is a heavy topic and a very serious one, but there is still opportunity for some very funny one liners between Peabody and Eve. The author never loses sight of her characters and they stay true to themselves at all times. As usual the police work is thorough and interesting. 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. So good to catch-up with so many of the beloved cast of friends gathered throughout this installment in the In Death series. Sebastian, who first caught my attention in #38 Concealed in Death, is once again featured. Although his character is slightly questionable, I like him and hope to see more of him in future installments. And Baby Bella is growing up so fast and her sparkling interactions with Eve and Roarke just up the desire to see them start a family – but it may not be in the cards. There was a little friction exchanged between the Mr. & Mrs. this go-round – and those “marriage rules” be damned! Finally, an emotionally positive “talk” between Eve and Summerset.The murder of a teenager strikes at Eve’s heart, reminding her of the trauma she survived at a similar age. Well-clothed and well-groomed, Mina is also in very good physical shape. What could have happened to this pretty girl from a good family in one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia? Blood on her clothes is the first solid lead. DNA connects her to another teen, Dorian, who appears to be missing. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I believe it is one of my favorites of the series and I am quite sure it is one I’ll read again and again.

I started listing to the audio book on Tuesday. Of course, I’m enjoying it as usual. May I make a shout out about the narrator for the in Death books?Eve's salvation came in large part by way of her now husband, the Irish hunky and filthy rich Roarke (who, happily, gets to put his considerable expertise to good use in helping to solve the case). It begins with a woman's body that's laid out on a bench at a New York City playground. Clearly, she was murdered - but just as clearly, the killer arranged her body with great care. She sported a new tattoo and body piercings, but the clothing didn't quite fit and looked to be vintage. The real puzzlement, though, was the note left on the body: Bad Mommy. If you enjoy engaging near-future police procedurals with some romance and humor, then I recommend this series. This is the fifty-third book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. Overall, it is entertaining, and over time, it is like spending time with old friends. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Mavis, Leonardo, Bella, Charles, Louise, Nadine, etc. all appear in this one. I think it's a first in a long time that these characters were all in the same book together. I have read each and every book in this series - including the novellas - and I must say that Robb never ceases to surprise me. To engage me. To keep my attention from beginning to end. It is with eager anticipation that I look forward to reading Desperation in Death, set for release in September, 2022.