Indulgence in Death [Mass Market Paperback]

Monday, March 26, 2012

Indulgence in Death [Mass Market Paperback]

Product Details

Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425240460
ISBN-13: 978-0425240465
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

By : J.D. Robb
Price : $7.99

Customer Reviews

Let me say right off the bat that, if you're new to the In Death books, I strongly suggest you start with the first book in the series, Naked in Death, and read the series in order. Watching Lt. Eve Dallas and Roarke meet, fall in love and work to create a relationship while struggling to come to terms with their horrendous childhoods is one of the most rewarding aspects of this series. Readers who have shared their journey from the beginning will, I believe, enjoy the series much more than those who start somewhere mid-stream.
That said, Indulgence in Death is the 31st book in J.D. Robb's terrific futuristic cop series and it starts out in Ireland with three of my favorite (and, IMO, not overly used) In Death scenarios: Eve and Roarke on vacation, Eve exposed to the countryside and all of the terrors it holds - cows! sheep! roosters! (oh my!) - and Eve doing something wonderfully loving and perfect for Roarke, which tends to get me a bit teary-eyed. The vacation is short-lived, though, and as soon as Eve is back in her comfort zone in NYC, a new case once again takes center stage. Odd murder weapons and victims that were at the top of their game are two aspects of a series of murders that send Eve and Peabody on a search for one of the scariest kinds of killer - one who kills solely for the thrill of it.
While not one of my top five favorites in the series, Indulgence in Death is a solid entry. Robb's superb pacing, her wonderful balance of dialogue and narrative and her ability to consistently weave plots that keep me guessing about either the murderer, the motive or the method (though rarely all three) are all at work here. As with all the In Death books, the mystery, for me, is only part of the appeal. The characters, their growth (or lack of it) and their relationships with one another are of equal importance. Eve in particular, continues to fascinate me and, in the last few books, I've felt that she is showing real growth in understanding others and in reaching out to them to provide the type of support or friendship they might need (Morris comes immediately to mind). I believe this deepening of her non-Roarke relationships to be great for her all-around emotional well-being and I'm glad to see it.
I consider the In Death books to be an almost perfect mixture of intrigue, police procedural, romance, humor and heartwarming moments. Opening each book is, for me, a lot like stopping by to visit old friends - the kind of friends I really enjoy spending time with. I love Eve. I love Roarke. I love Peabody. And I like and enjoy renewing my acquaintance with just about everyone else in this world, too. Even after more than 30 books, the series remains one of my favorites.
Happily recommended.

JD Robb's In death series is the only long running series that continues to excite and keeps one interested even after 30+ books and anthology short stories. I started at the beginning with Naked in Death and continue to read this series when a new book or short story is released. That will only occur in November and February ever year and it is long wait from Feb to Nov. Every time that I read this series is like catching up with old friends to see what is going on in their lives. You could say that the In Death series is an indulgence for me since I rarely buy books in print (love my kindle) and this is one of the few series that I still do.
Indulgence starts off with Roarke and Eve off on a 2nd anniversary vacation to Ireland to see Roarke's Irish relatives. It is nice to see them among family and relaxing for once. Of course, murder never sleeps and always follows our famous homicide detective around even on vacation in Ireland.
On her first day back in NY, Eve catches a new homicide case. Someone is killing people who offer services to others and are at the top of their respective services. The other catch in these murders are that the victims are killed with some unique weapon. It is like the game of clue. Who did it, where did they do it, and with what weapon? The killer or killers are figured out fairly quickly and most of the book is spent on getting the evidence to prove the crimes committed. It keeps you interested because you want to know how Eve and her team wraps it all up.
I always enjoy the books in the in death series and indulgence is no different. The one thing you do see is the growth and maturity of the characters since the beginning in the series with Naked. Eve and Roarke are comfortable in themselves and their marriage. They understand each other and you can see the love for each other. They still fight like all good couples and are both controlling in their respective careers but they have learned to compromise on somethings. They have grown in their relationships with others as well. You see this in the interaction with Roarke's Irish relatives and the friends that have come to be their family. Feeney, Dr Mira, Peabody, McNabb, Whitney, Baxter, Trueheart, Morris, Summerset, Louise and Charles all make appearances and help with the case. These people have become Eve and Roarke's family.
I can't wait until the anthology short story at the end of Nov and the new in death in Feb. I do recommend to start at the very beginning with Naked if you are new to this series. You will not be disappointed in this series. It is one of the few long running series that is still fresh, has character growth, and exciting even after 30+ books.