I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Holiday in Death
by
J.D. Robb
police procedural in a Kindle edition that was published by Berkley on March 3, 2007 and has 340 pages.
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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, Delusion 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, 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
Seventh in the In Death futuristic romantic suspense series revolving around a detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her hunky husband, Roarke, in the New York City of Christmas 2058.
In 1999, Holiday in Death won the All About Romance Annual Reader Poll for Favorite Couple and was nominated for the RITA Award for Romantic Suspense. In 1998, it won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Futuristic Romance and the Romance Readers Anonymous Award for Best Alternative Realities or Time Travel Romance.
My Take
This is the seventh book in the series, and there is a particular formula that the author uses, one that I was clearly aware of well before this book, but such an awareness has in no way diminished my enjoyment of the books. It’s the unfolding relationships between the characters, their bonds, that make this series so appealing and so addictive, J.D. Robb has done wonderfully in creating characters you come to care for, and characters you want to know more about.
The prologue re-introduces the reader to Eve’s last night as her father’s child. It’s enough to make you gag.
Each story in the series is a step forward for Eve in letting people in, and it’ll make your heart break that she needs Roarke so much.
It’s a world of mixed blessings: real coffee, meat, eggs, privacy, etc., are rare as hen’s teeth, but they do have flying cars, AutoChefs, and more.
It’s too funny that Eve hates parties and socializing. She greatly dislikes Roarke’s money. She’s terrified of anyone cutting her hair or slopping goop on her. And she’s learning to, maybe, accept Roarke caring for and about her. And he’s so snarky about it, lol.
It’s a wonderful thing, to be able to reach out, and he’ll be there. A nice counterpoint to the horrific memories of childhood that keep cropping up for Dallas. Eve’s past does have one terrific benefit: She knows.
Mavis and Leonardo have the perfect gift for a couple who has everything. Or he thought they did, *grin*.
There is a lot of humor in the In Death series. I particularly enjoyed the brief episode with the taxi and Brinkleman’s cousin. Of course, I always enjoy Roarke’s and Eve’s interactions. Sure, it does include sex, but my favorite bits are when they’re interacting with each other or when Roarke is trying to take care of his intrepid love.
Then there’re the Marriage Rules, lol. Dallas keeps discovering new rules — the latest is that you must buy more than one item for your spouse for Christmas. Better add “birthdays” to that list!
Holiday in Death is also the turning point in Peabody’s and McNab’s relationship! Peabody dating Charles also spurs greater definition in her relationship with Dallas. And then there’s that fantasy fulfillment at the end for Peabody, lololol.
It’s full of action and characters seen through third person global subjective point-of-view from the main characters.
The Story
It’s coming up to Christmas and Santa is lethal, especially towards those looking for love.
The Characters
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is in charge of Homicide at Central and still on medical leave, recovering from events in Vengeance in Death, 6. She’s married to the richest man in the world . . . who also happens to be gorgeous and supportive: Roarke. Summerset is Roarke’s “sergeant-major” who hates Eve. Galahad is the cat Eve “inherited” in Naked in Death, 1.
Dallas’ friends include Mavis Freestone who’s in love with the huge Leonardo, a fashion designer. The honest and fair Nadine Furst is the ace on-air reporter for Channel 75. Mike is her camera operator. Charles Monroe is a very successful Licensed Companion who is dating Peabody.
The New York Police and Security Department (NYPSD)
Officer Delia “She-body” Peabody is a recent appointment as Dallas’ aide. Captain Ryan Feeney, Eve’s mentor and a father figure, is in command of the Electronic Detective Division (EDD) at Central. The very colorful Detective Ian McNab is one of Feeney’s, and he loves to razz Peabody. Commander Jack Whitney is Dallas’ boss. Dick Berenski is the amazing chief lab tech. Feinstein is one of Dickie’s people.
Dr Charlotte “Charlie” Mira is the top profiler for the NYPSD, and cares very much for Eve. She’s certainly a marked contrast from Dallas, lol. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Carla Rollins. Officer Carmichael is on-scene for Sarabeth. Sergeant Brinkleman is with the Four-One.
Roarke Industries
John appears to be an architect.
The jewelry stores include Sal’s Gold and Silver. Ms Kates manages another.
Personally Yours is . . .
. . . an expensive dating service owned by Piper and Rudy Hoffman, fraternal twins.
All Things Beautiful is . . .
. . . an exclusive salon in the same building as Personally Yours. Yvette is the snooty receptionist who learns to grovel right quick, lol. Simon is the much-loved manager. Stevie is one of the consultants.
Marianna Hawley is a sweet woman whom everyone loves, especially Jeremy Vandoren, an account exec for Foster, Bride and Rumsey on Wall Street, who intends to propose. Besides Jeremy, some of Marianna’s matches include the sweet Dorian Marcell. Charles Monroe is looking for love. The greedy Sarabeth Greenbalm is an aging stripper working at the Sweet Spot (yep, it’s one of Roarke’s). Donnie Ray Michael is a saxophonist who loves his mother. Tanya is another prospect.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark. The upper half is a graphic of the skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza with a police motorcycle parked just in front of it. At the very top is a thin red banner with an info blurb in black. The author’s name is in white just below it. At the bottom is the title, also in white.
The title is true, for it is a Holiday in Death.
