I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Delusion in Death
by
J.D. Robb
It is part of the In Death #35 series and is a romantic suspense in Hardcover edition that was published by Putnam Adult on September 11, 2012 and has 388 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Indulgence in Death, Treachery in Death, Kindred in Death, The Other Side, New York to Dallas, Unquiet, Celebrity in Death, Calculated in Death, Thankless in Death, Mirror, Mirror, Festive in Death, Obsession in Death, Betrayal in Death, "Wonderment in Death", "Possession in Death", Down the Rabbit Hole, "Midnight in Death", Devoted in Death, Brotherhood in Death, Apprentice in Death, Echoes in Death, Secrets in Death, Dark in Death, Leverage in Death, "Interlude in Death", Vendetta in Death, Golden in Death, Faithless in Death, Naked in Death, Glory in Death, Immortal in Death, Rapture in Death, Ceremony in Death, Vengeance in Death, , Loyalty in Death, Witness in Death, Judgment in Death, Seduction in Death, Reunion in Death, Holiday in Death, Purity in Death, Portrait in Death, Imitation in Death, Divided in Death, Visions in Death, Desperation in Death, Abandoned in Death, Creation in Death, Survivor in Death, Concealed in Death
Thirty-sixth in the In Death romantic suspense series revolving around Eve Dallas and Roarke in a futuristic New York City.
My Take
Eve and Roarke are getting comfortable with each other and Eve is actually starting to get comfy with Summerset!!! In some respects. In others, Robb may be setting us up for issues. The disappointing aspect of this story was it being almost all police work with a few short bursts of personal time for Eve and Roarke. Not too much working out in the home gym, although Eve is back to having nightmares after events in New York to Dallas.
I do enjoy Eve’s worry about the Marriage Rules and I love how Roarke pushes at her comfort zone, getting all touchy-feely at crime scenes, calling her “Lieutenant” as an affectionate nickname. Then there’s Peabody’s unrequited lust for Roarke, which Dallas is always shooting down in her inimitably possessive style:
Eve tells Roarke, “With me.”
“Man,” Peabody breathed. “I wish I could say that. Just once.”
“Once would be all before I stabbed out your eyes with an ice pick.”
“Ouch. Might be worth it.”
“A dull ice pick,” Eve added…
“Good night, Peabody.” He sent her a smile that made her think, Still might be worth it.
Then there’s always Roarke’s acknowledgment of what makes Eve happy…
…Eve’s tripping up a 280-pound flasher and her enjoyment of an empty elevator car as a result, “Anyway, it gave me a little boost.”
“It would be as kicking ass is your drug of choice.”
“Maybe, but I only tripped him. No time to kick a naked flasher’s ass right now.”
“There’ll be others, darling.”
“Something to look forward to.”
Lots of acting required in this one. I rather enjoyed Sanchez’s quick pick up on what Dallas wants! Then Eve wants Roarke to play master of the universe. And then there’s the ganging up on the bad guy, surrounding him with those inferior women.
I just realized one of the things I like about this series — Robb doesn’t write Dallas as stupid. No, I mean beyond the obvious. I have whined in a number of reviews about the author too often writing the character as doing something stupidly out of character. Robb doesn’t do this to us (or the character!), and I so appreciate this!
I feel so bad for Joe Cattery and his family. What a lousy reason to take someone out. This is just one result that occurs when we allow bullies to do as they please. When we don’t stop them in elementary school. I just want to rant and rave on this and it’s not the place, but…think about it.
Such hypocrisy in this! What is it with terrorists who whine on and on about the capitalist pigs even as they sit in the lap of luxury! I’ll take Roarke any day…well, okay, he is a hunk and mega-rich. But he’s also a man who gives back to the community in a meaningful way.
The Story
Something happened. Something triggered over eighty people in a cozy, after-work bar to rip and tear into each other. To kill each other in twelve minutes.
The effects are similar to certain events that occurred in Summerset’s past and may well require Homeland Security to step in. An intervention Roarke will protest heavily, if only because of his intense anger with their past policies toward Eve.
The Characters
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is one of the best of New York City’s police. A homicide cop married to one of the world’s richest men…and the most gorgeous…Roarke. When he’s not buying planets or intimidating countries, he’s helping her with her cases as he’s a whiz at electronics, hidey holes, and self-defense. Galahad is their cat. Summerset is Roarke’s foster father, friend, and butler at their house.
Detective Delia Peabody is her partner and her friend. McNab is an EDD cop and Peabody’s significant other. Morris is the chief medical examiner and another friend. Captain Feeney heads up EDD and is Eve’s mentor and another friend; Callendar is one of his EDD detectives. Dickie “Dickhead” Berenski is the chief lab tech and very good at his job. When he can be bribed into doing it. Not a friend. Dr. Mira is a psychiatrist and another of Dallas’ friends. Lieutenant Lowenbaum heads up the SWAT team and he has a few secrets to reveal about Dallas to Roarke. The detectives in Dallas’s department include Baxter and Trueheart, Jenkinson and Reineke, and Carmichael and Sanchez. Commander Jack Whitney is her superior; Tibble is chief of police. Kyung is the media liaison; he’s not an asshole.
Nadine Furst is the top reporter for Channel 75 as well as an author and an excellent crime investigator. Eve has made use of her resources in the past. She is another friend due to her own sense of ethics. Mavis, Bella, and Leonardo are more of a cameo in this.
CiCi Way, Lydia McMeara, and Dennis Sherman are victims who survived. Devon Lester is the manager of the bar; Quirk McBane is an art teacher and his life partner. Devon’s brother, Christopher, is a chemist.
Agent Miyu Teasdale is the liaison from Homeland Security and a domestic terrorist specialist; Director Chad Hurtz is her boss and Tibble vouches for him. Nancy Weaver, Lewis Callaway, and Steve Vann all work in the Marketing and Promotion department at Steveson and Reede. Marty is CEO.
Red Horse was a small terrorist cult back during the Urban Wars led by Guiseppi Menzini. He took in and brainwashed Karleen MacMillon, who came home pregnant to the husband from whom she ran away. Gina and William MacMillon are on record as having a baby girl, Audrey Hubbard, who married Russell Callaway.
Gina Bellona has a vested interest in the terrorist activities.
The Cover and Title
The cover is split into three horizontal bands: the top two-thirds is a metallic red showcasing the author’s name; a much smaller band has a perforated background of black rubber showcasing the title; and, a narrow band at the bottom is a collage of metaphors about the story with a Trojan horse, a Homeland Security seal, a blur of people, and test tubes all a’tilt.
The title is the problem. It is a Delusion in Death for the victims.
