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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I loved this one. It wasn't as focused on the murder, but the soft family stuff was lovely wonderful.
Once a again a great book from JD Robb. This one surprised me nicely, I already thought I knew who the killer was early in the book, but she got me and game me a nice intriguing ending.
Look, I wanted a santa murder, and I didn't get it, so that was disappointing. The story was decent though.
I rated this one 3 stars just like the previous volume, but whereas [b:Concealed in Death|18458021|Concealed in Death (In Death, #38)|J.D. Robb|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1378364798s/18458021.jpg|25387053] was a high 3, this volume was a definite low 3 for me. Indeed if it wasn't for the great family Christmas scenes, it might have been 2 stars. One of the reasons for this is that I suspect that the author wrote herself into a bit of a corner by making the victim such an unpleasant person. Lieutenant Dallas gets to stand for Troy Ziegler just like she does for all of the victims, but you get the sense that she really wishes she doesn't have to.
The contrast between the various unpleasant family members that she has to deal with and her own extended family is a potent one. The author has added a huge cast of secondary characters over the years, and each and every one of them is a fully fleshed out rounded character, who all manage to turn up for the Roarke family Christmas to remind us that this is the real heart of the stories being told.
The contrast between the various unpleasant family members that she has to deal with and her own extended family is a potent one. The author has added a huge cast of secondary characters over the years, and each and every one of them is a fully fleshed out rounded character, who all manage to turn up for the Roarke family Christmas to remind us that this is the real heart of the stories being told.
Peabody and Roarke got their magic coats. The scraggly Christmas tree in the squad room went up with the sign.
The mystery deserves a 3
The Christmas party, guest and interaction of characters was great, 5 star
This was predictable and not particularly good. I actual saw it coming and was saying “please don’t go that direction”.
So a star off for the mystery, I might even say 2 1/2 there but the Christmas shopping and character interaction makes up for the bad mystery in this one. Eve tries to get out of wrapping presents and Summerset and she have a truce for a moment, almost makes you want to cry.
The Christmas party, guest and interaction of characters was great, 5 star
Spoiler
The crazy wife did it and it was obviously going that way instead of the horrid dickwad of a husband that they first bring in.Spoiler
One of my pet peeves with the violent crazy women theme.So a star off for the mystery, I might even say 2 1/2 there but the Christmas shopping and character interaction makes up for the bad mystery in this one. Eve tries to get out of wrapping presents and Summerset and she have a truce for a moment, almost makes you want to cry.
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the case was amazing. loved the twist at the end.
the christmas part was wonderful
but I still hate when trina is there. Like I love trina but either eve needs to accept that she doesn't hate what trina does sor everyone needs to fucking listen when she says she doesn't want to do her hair or makeup or whatever.
but no everyone is like oh but it's going to be good and you'll look amazing
and yes that's true but if she says 'I don't want to' and her friends still make her do it I will get upset
I absolutely hate that.
so I can't give the book 5 stars
the christmas part was wonderful
but I still hate when trina is there. Like I love trina but either eve needs to accept that she doesn't hate what trina does sor everyone needs to fucking listen when she says she doesn't want to do her hair or makeup or whatever.
but no everyone is like oh but it's going to be good and you'll look amazing
and yes that's true but if she says 'I don't want to' and her friends still make her do it I will get upset
I absolutely hate that.
so I can't give the book 5 stars
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Sometimes things can get a bit formulaic in a series this long running, but I really enjoyed this story! I loved to hate Trey, and chuckled a good bit at seeing Eve try to shop for Christmas gifts again and supervise party staff! There were plenty of red herrings and twists to this story as well, and the ending really surprised me! Another great Eve-escape for me!