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chellesday's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
veraann's review against another edition
5.0
This one falls under a mystery/thriller category. I like the character building in this series of books. This particular one was very intense. Serial killer, back in action in New York after 9 years... Will they catch him this time with eve Dallas as primary? A real page turner that kept me guessing and wanting them to catch this killer!!
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
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!
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.
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.
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.
anbananova's review against another edition
4.0
i liked this one. i enjoy cases when they all work together 24/7, have a task force and a war room.
🧡
“I just want…look, don’t go buying stuff.”
He lifted his eyebrows, and the amusement showed clearly on his face. “Such as?”
“E-toys, new furniture, catered lunches, dancing girls. Whatever,” she said with a distracted wave of her hand. “You’re not here to supply the NYPSD.”
“What if I get hungry, then feel the urge to dance?”
“Suppress it.” She gave him a little poke in the chest that he interpreted—correctly—as both affection and warning. “And don’t expect me to kiss you good-bye, hello, and like that when we’re on the clock. It makes us look—”
“Married?” At her stony stare he grinned. “Very well, Lieutenant, I’ll try my best to suppress all my urges.”
“Do I have hat hair? You can’t effectively interview with hat hair.”
“You have hair. Be satisfied with that.”
“Hat hair,” Peabody muttered, raking her hands through it, shaking her head, fluffing and pushing as they got in the elevator.
“Stop! Stop being a girl. Jesus, that’s annoying. If I had a partner without tits, there would be no hair obsessing.”
“Baxter would combat hat hair before an interview.”
Because it was inarguably true, Eve only scowled. “He doesn’t count.”
“And there’s Miniki. He—”
“Keep it up, and I’ll tie you down and shave you bald. You won’t ever suffer the pain and embarrassment of hat hair again.”
“I love you, for so many reasons.”
“Maybe you can give me a few of them later.”
“I’ll give you one now. That unfailing moral center of yours. So very solid and true.” He laid his hands on her shoulders, drew her in. Kissed her softly. “And then there’s the sex.”
“Figured you’d work that in.”
“God, I’m becoming a woman even before the words come out of my mouth.”
“Please, you must be stopped.”
“I’m serious.” Mildly embarrassed by it, she shoved her hands in her pockets. “The way women just nibble and gnaw at something, just can’t let it alone. Any minute I’m going to start wondering which color lip dye works best with my complexion. Or my shoes.”
He laughed, shook his head. “I think we’re safe from that.”
“If I ever start going that way, put me down.”
“Why do you suppose I chose this morning to want my eggs sunny-side up?”
“They do look like a pair of nice, shiny yellow breasts.” Grinning, Eve plucked up a piece of bacon. “And Mavis has been known to paint hers yellow on occasion.”
“Every time she feeds the baby, I feel so…rude.”
“I thought it was freaked.”
“A bit of that, but more intrusive. It seems so intimate.”
“I’d say we’re both going to have to get over it. We’ve got to get moving. Eat your boobies.”
“Roarke ran his fingers down her arm as they headed for the glide down. “A vest isn’t a punishment, darling.”
“You wear one for a couple hours, then say that. And no ‘darling’ on shift.”
“You can call me darling anytime,” Peabody told him, and made him grin.”
“Oh, and FYI? When my time comes, I don’t want the preservatives and the stylist. You can just build a big fire, slide me in. Then you can throw yourself on the pyre to show your wild grief and constant devotion.”
“I’ll make a note of it.”
“You try to cop a feel, I can still put you down.”
“Whatever your condition, Dallas, you still scare me.”
“Aw.” Touched, she slung an arm around his shoulders. “That’s so sweet.”
“I’ve worked with you before, watched, understood—to some extent—what you do. But I haven’t really gone the gamut, as with this time. Beginning to end, and most of the steps between.” He fell into bed with her. “You’re an amazing woman, Lieutenant, my darling Eve.”
“You’re not so shabby yourself.”
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
5.0
This one was amazing! So much tension and the ending moment had me chocking up. I also liked the way we got a look into the killer's mind every now and again. He is so evil!
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
This was really fun, with a creepy serial killer and a hard ticking clock to save the victim.
This is the first time that Roarke worked a case with Eve from start to finish, and I enjoyed seeing him so immersed. His narrative as he got to see what Eve's job is really like was just wonderful. Seeing their appreciation for each other continue to grow is just so much fun, and so gratifying.
I also have to give a shout-out for Eve's consistent ability to take care of herself. Not that she doesn't need her team, and need Roarke - she does - but it would be a bummer if she regularly needed rescuing because she gets caught by bad guys. She's capable, competent, and is generally great at handling whatever a case throws at her. That makes her team, and Roarke, her partners ... not her saviors. I appreciate that.
This is the first time that Roarke worked a case with Eve from start to finish, and I enjoyed seeing him so immersed. His narrative as he got to see what Eve's job is really like was just wonderful. Seeing their appreciation for each other continue to grow is just so much fun, and so gratifying.
I also have to give a shout-out for Eve's consistent ability to take care of herself. Not that she doesn't need her team, and need Roarke - she does - but it would be a bummer if she regularly needed rescuing because she gets caught by bad guys. She's capable, competent, and is generally great at handling whatever a case throws at her. That makes her team, and Roarke, her partners ... not her saviors. I appreciate that.
terryt78's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
buaslbutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the story line. A little bit creepy. I didn't feel it rushed or forced. I liked having Roarke involved in the whole case. And for the most part he wasn't just coming up with answers and knowing everything. I think if she had doen that this story wouldn't have really flowed that well. I like the twist at the end.