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.
Creation in Death
by
J.D. Robb
detective mystery, police procedural, romantic suspense in a Kindle edition that was published by Berkley on November 6, 2007 and has 364 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
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, Visions in Death, Desperation in Death, Abandoned in Death, Survivor in Death, Concealed in Death
Twenty-fifth in the In Death futuristic, romantic suspense series and revolving around Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her family, and her friends in March 2060 in New York City.
My Take
Who says there is no justice in this world . . . even if it is rather grim. That Roarke certainly is a treasure, so very skilled in so many ways, lol. Eve is what we would want all policemen to be — remembering the victims and intent on getting the actual bad guy.
Ya gotta love how Dallas and Roarke take care of each other; Galahad’s antics, lol; and, Dallas’ fear/hatred of emotional anything as well as those awful press conferences *more laughter* — I do like how she handles those reporters. As for how ticked off Dallas gets when Roarke is bringing in the dancing girls . . . lol.
Robb uses third person global subjective point-of-view from various perspective: mostly Eve, Roarke, The Groom, various victims.
Those Newkirks are a treasure: observant, forward-thinking, and willing to put in the work.
I do enjoy the humor, whether it’s between Eve and Roarke, Eve and Peabody, amongst the cops . . . it’s all a great stress reliever. Especially as you feel the worry among the cops trying to track down where the victims are kept and tortured.
A maestro in the art of death regretting all the time lost before he found his ouevere. He continues to experiment and times his “guests”. He’s the perfect example of a child whose parents didn’t get him help. He’s also a mass of contradictions, finding certain actions distasteful and demeaning to both parties. As for Pella, I’d like to keep him from his meds. What. A. Jerk!
”Something in their eyes . . . brought the hair up on the back of the neck.”
The Groom isn’t the only one who tortures; Dallas isn’t bad at it either.
You know, it’s sad that Nadine Furst appears to be the only journalist with integrity, such a rare commodity, especially in IRL.
Between Mira and Dallas, they analyze The Groom down to the bone. Add in the police procedurals and detective work, and its scary and fascinating. What’s disgusting is how The Groom thinks, what motivates him.
”A pale man who bears the tree of life and lives by death.”
Whew. You read this story, and then take another look at the cover… It will make you quiver. Good read.
The Story
It’s been nine years since a similar series of murders when Detectives Feeney and Dallas worked the case.
Such a considerate serial torture-killer with his oh-so scientific approach.
The Characters
Lieutenant Eve Dallas, annoyingly referred to as “Roarke’s Cop”, is the head of Homicide at Cop Central in New York City. Her husband, the incredibly gorgeous and supportive Roarke, is wealthy beyond belief. Summerset is Roarke’s majordomo, his father figure, and the bane of Eve’s existence. Galahad is their “starving” cat.
Dallas’ friends include . . .
. . . Nadine Furst is the top on-air personality at Channel 75. Trina now manages the salon section of Bliss, thanks to Roarke, in addition to doing hair at Channel 75.
The New York City Police and Security Department (NYPSD)
Chief Tibble is in charge. Commander Jack Whitney is Dallas’ superior. Dallas’ men include Detectives “Horny Dog” Baxter, “Baby Face” Truehart, “Sick Bastard” Jenkinson, Carmichael, and Powell (transferred in from the 6-5 three months ago). Officers include another Carmichael, Harris, and Darnell.
Officer Newkirk was the first on scene in Creation in Death. His father, another cop, Gil Newkirk, was involved in the murders nine years ago; both are out of the one-seven with Lt Groham. Detective Renicki is from Anti-Crime.
Captain Ryan Feeney is the head of the Electronic Detective Division (EDD) — he does love the e-work! Sheila Feeney, Feeney’s wife, occupies herself with lots of hobbies, primarily making things. Often unidentifiable things. Detectives Ian McNab (Peabody’s colorful sweetie) and Callendar are Feeney’s e-boys.
Dr Li Morris is the chief medical examiner and a friend of Dallas and Roarke’s. Dick Berenski is the brilliant, yet disgusting chief lab tech. Nine years ago, “Blowharte” Harte had been the chief lab tech. Miniki would probably combat hat hair. Detective Yancy is a brilliant police artist. Dr Charlotte Mira is the top profiler in the city and friends with Eve.
Sarafina York is a dancer at the Starlight retro club where Zela Wood is the assistant manager. Loni is another dancer. Brett is the bartender. Clients learning how to dance include Mr Harrow and Ms Yo. Cal is her recently dumped boyfriend — the boy was too selfish for words. Bale is a friend of Cal’s. Jaycee York is Sarafina’s sister; her husband, Clint, took their sons to Sedona. Lib is a friend of Jaycee’s.
Gia Rossi is a personal trainer and instructor at BodyWorks, a subsidiary of Health Conscience. Jaymes Riley is her ex-husband. Pi is the manager of BodyWorks. Ariel Greenfield is a baker with ambitions. Erik Pastor is Ari’s neighbor.
Corrine Dagby had been the first of twenty-three all those years ago. Melissa Congress had been a secretary. Anise Waters had been a grad student at Columbia, who had worked at a restaurant owned by Tomas Pella, who had served on the Home Force during the Urbans. Therese Du Veccgui had been his wife, killed while saving lives. Joley Weitz had been an artist and an employee at Arts A Fact.
Stewart E Pierpont had been married to Carmen DeWinter during the Urbans. James Lowell established his funeral home and home in the early 1920s. Robert Lowell was the younger surviving son who took the business over. Robert married Edwina Spring, a young opera sensation, a.k.a. Edwina Roberti. James “Taker” Lowell was Robert’s oldest son. Today, Kenneth Travers is the head of operations. Marlee works for Travers.
Tessa Bolvak, a Romany gypsy, hosted a psychic hour on television some years back. Billy is mentally challenged and very protective of his brother, Jerry. They worked for the now-dead Mr Kolbecki. Mr Dobbins is a survivor of the Urban Wars. Hugh Klok is an antiquities dealer. Jessica Forman Rice Abercrombie Charters is the chairman of the board for the opera. Scentual is an exclusive bath supplies shop where Chessie is the manager. Fáilte manufactures luxury linens. The Manhattan Family Center has a wing funded by the Lowells, who is represented today by Edward Singer.
The Groom, an opera lover, learned so much from his family.
The Cover and Title
The top two-thirds of the cover is a deep fuchsia with the author’s real name in black with a lighter outline at the top. Behind and covering the entire two-thirds is her pseudonym in red with a note in the same black and yellow noting that Roberts is Robb’s real name. A narrow black band is below the fuchsia, serving as a background for the white with a yellow outline for the title. Below that is a collage of various elements in the story: the monitor, the tea cup, the knife, opera glasses, and the NYPSD in the right background.
The title is more about the creative, as The Groom enjoys experimentation with his Creation in Death.
