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Visions in Death
by
J.D. Robb
detective mystery, forensic mystery, police procedural, romantic suspense in a Kindle edition that was published by Berkley on January 25, 2005 and has 362 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, Holiday in Death, Purity in Death, Portrait in Death, Imitation in Death, Divided in Death, Desperation in Death, Abandoned in Death, Creation in Death, Survivor in Death, Concealed in Death
Nineteenth in the In Death futuristic romantic suspense series that incorporates detectives, police procedural, and forensics revolving around Lieutenant Eve Dallas in the New York City of late summer 2059. The focus is on a serial killer and a psychic. If you’re interested, there is a chronological listing of the In Death books on my website.
My Take
“When people talk about Roarke’s cop . . . they say she’s a little scary, a little mean, and very relentless.”
Eve cracks me up with her friend frustration. She does appreciate those friends she has, but dang . . . there are so many rules! It is intriguing to watch her friendship with Peabody develop and the stresses Eve goes through to survive her childhood. More stress arrives for both Eve and Roarke when Mavis informs them that they’re part of her birth coaching team, oh, man, lololol. Having friends also means you can unload part of your past, as when Eve unloads to Peabody about her stabbing her father.
It’s only taken multiple readings and into this nineteenth installment, to realize that Eve’s and Roarke’s relationship in the In Death series is an “explanation” of love. Sure, there’s plenty of snark; disagreements; and arguments over which side of the line the other stands on, if Eve should eat, get treated for injuries, or sleep, lol. There’s also the strength of knowing the other is there for you, the joy of exercising . . . including the sex! Those ordinary day-to-days of sharing a meal, a shower, and a bed. Which makes it all a bouquet of love, in all its glories.
Of course, Roarke has his own ways of getting Eve riled with his enjoyment of irritating her. He’s so supportive, so in love, and he still gets a kick out of poking at her, forcing her to do what’s best for her health.
Nor is theirs the only personal insight. Poor Feeney. His wife wants him to wear color — makes him look like a manager for street LCs, lol. His boys think he looks iced *more laughter*.
For all of Roarke’s technical prowess, Eve is the anti-tech. Her computer at work hates her. Her police-issue vehicles are pathetic — the mechanics hate her, lol. Well, okay, she does have a bad habit of bunging up cars, lol. In the latest “mishap”, Eve pushes Peabody into promising lewd behavior for her replacement car. As for her relationship with vending machines . . . don’t ask, just laugh.
Its stories like these that make me want people to pass a test to become parents. Oy. The Vanderleas pass with flying colors — I LOVE their take on Vonnie.
Robb definitely uses a third person global subjective point-of-view as we receive perspectives from a number of characters. Yeah, Eve’s and Roarke’s perspectives are the most common, but we also hear from others. Some of which will make you cry, stun you in anger, and make you laugh.
Visions in Death is full of characters and pumped with action. It twists and turns through to the ultimate betrayal.
The Story
Bodies are turning up with their eyes removed and a single red ribbon. Frantic for answers, New York Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas accepts help from a psychic who offers one vision after another — each with shockingly accurate details of the murders. Then Eve’s friend and partner, Dee Peabody, is attacked . . .
The Characters
Lieutenant Eve Dallas, a.k.a. Roarke’s cop and Lieutenant Sugar, is in charge of Homicide at Cop Central. She’s married to a gorgeous, “badass”, who is also one of the most wealthy men in the world, Roarke. Galahad is their protective, lardbutt of a cat. Summerset is Roarke’s majordomo who engages in mutual insulting with Eve. It’s fun to read Summerset’s actions with Eve and Galahad.
Her friends include Dr Louise Dimatto who runs the Canal Street Clinic and puts in time at Dochas. Charles Monroe, a highly successful Licensed Companion (LC), is in a relationship with Louise. Now. He had dated Peabody. Mavis Freestone, the pregnant, colorful, singing sensation, is cohabbing with Leonardo, a famous fashion designer. Nadine Furst is Channel 75’s on-air ace reporter with a heart. Crack, a big, beautiful black man, runs a sex club, the Down and Dirty.
The New York City Police and Security Department (NYPSD)
Detective Delia Peabody is Dallas’ partner — who has finally settled on her “detective” look, *grin*. Baxter is another Homicide detective. Captain Ryan Feeney, in charge of the Electronic Detectives Division (EDD), had been Dallas’ partner, mentor, and father figure. Detective Ian McNab is a colorful fashion plate and in love with Peabody. Dr Charlotte Mira is the head profiler for the NYPSD and friends with Eve. She also figures as a mother to her. I do like the clothes she wears. It says so much about her . . . as well as providing a contrast of Charley at home. Commander Jack Whitney is Dallas’ boss. Tibble is the police chief. Dick Berenski is the talented and despised chief lab tech. Ursa Harvo is the Queen of Hair and the Fiber Princess. Detective Yancy is the talented police artist. Briscoll and Ute go undercover. Dr Li Morris is the chief medical examiner and another friend of Eve’s.
Celina Sanchez, a friend of Louise’s, is a licensed psychic who prefers to work the fun side of it. One of her regular clients include Francine with a bad case of husbanditis. Lucas Grande, a musician and successful songwriter, is Celina’s ex and is currently involved with Annalisa Somers, who has her dream job. Some of his fellow friends and musicians include John Bird and Katelee Poder.
Elisa Maplewood, divorced from an abusive husband, has a four-year-old daughter, Yvonne “Vonnie“. Vonnie is best friends with the Vanderleas’ daughter Zanna, also four. Elisa works for Luther (he owns Vanderlea Antiquities) and Deann Vanderlea. Mignon is the Vanderleas’ teacup poodle who has bonded with Elisa. Abel Maplewood, Elisa’s father, has a variety of offenses on his record and lives in Philadelphia.
Marjorie Kates, a restaurant manager at Appetito, was reported missing; her case is being worked by Lansing and Jones. Marjorie’s fiancé, Royce Cabel, reported her missing. Breen Merriweather was a studio tech at Channel 75; her case is being worked by Polinski and Silk. Annalou Harbor had been Breen’s childcare provider for her son, Jesse. Officer Queeks found Lily Napier, a waitress at O’Hara’s Bar and Grill, which is run by an O’Hara who came over from Dublin. Michael runs a stick at the bar; he was on Lily’s shift with Rose Donnelly, Kevin and Maggie Lannigan, and Pete Maguire. Carleen Steeple is Lily’s sister and married to Andy; Kiki and Drew are their children. Rip is Lily’s ex-husband. Lena Greenspan had been a thirty-year-old mother of two. Sarie Parker had been an adult ed instructor.
Jasper K McKinney enjoyed his last dance. McIntyre is a very important account for Roarke. Elisa’s ex, Brent Hoyt, runs a dive shop on St Thomas and has never seen his daughter. Total Crafts and Sew What both sell craft supplies. Peabody’s 106-year-old Uncle Jonas claims knitting has kept him alive and active. Able Bodies is a gym. Jim’s Gym is not a health center, not with those odors! Jim himself is a misogynist. Mr Ling runs Bodybuilders, another gym that, oddly, has no women members either. Crack likes using Zone to Zone. Kurt Richards, formerly a power forward for the Knicks, is the manager at a clothing store for really big men. Randall Beam is managing his anger issues through craftwork — doesn’t mean he’s a pansy though! Loelle is an LC at Roundhouse, a bar on Fourth. Ike Steenburg is a friend of Randall’s. “Jib” Jibson and Mike Jacobs, an art teacher, who is dating Essie Fort, a paralegal at Driscoll, Manning, and Fort, all witnessed the attack on Peabody.
Ineza Blue is a retired LC with a son, John Blue, a two-hundred-and-eighty-pound man with issues.
Dochas is a women’s shelter inspired by Dallas and built by Roarke. Abra is one of the children; Marly is her mother, who is so grateful that Dochas exists. Jana is in labor. The Irish Moira O’Bannion is the counselor in charge.
Mandy is the baby murder that introduced us to Eve Dallas in Naked in Death, 1.
The Cover and Title
The fuchsia in the author’s name and the banner separating the top from the graphic on the bottom is VIVID. The top two-thirds of the cover has a black background which really makes the author’s name pop. Above the name is an info blurb in white. In the banner is the title in a white outlined black, like a neon tube! The graphic at the bottom is a messy collage of red ribbon and a cop walking a white cadaver dog across a moonlit field.
The title is what Celina has, Visions in Death.
