Kindred in Death (In Death, Book 29) by JD Robb

 

Kindred in Death gives us yet another serial killer. With yet more mommy issues. And Eve once again has no time to sleep.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy the book. I did. Not only for the murder plot, but for the team Eve puts together, for the personal stuff here and there, and for once again making Summerset a bit more human.

Here's the blurb:

When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife returned a day early from their vacation, they were looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter who had stayed behind. Not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for the crime scene that awaited them instead.

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was kind of same-thing as compared to previous books in this series. The story is still a good one, but at some point one has to wonder how many serial killers are in the future.
• Pacing was mostly okay.
• Prose and dialogue were excellent.
• Character development was nudged a bit here and there.
• World-building was consistent with previous books.

I'm giving Kindred in Death a 9 of 10 because of recurring themes, as mentioned in my first paragraph. Can't we have a serial killer without mommy issues?

• Book Rating: Kindred in Death: 9 of 10
• Series Rating: 10 of 10

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
7.5  Midnight in Death
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10.Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5 Interlude In Death
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5 Remember When
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
21.5 Haunted in Death
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent In Death
24.5 Eternity in Death
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
26.5 Ritual in Death
27. Salvation in Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
29.5 Missing in Death

30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
31.5  Possession in Death
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas
  
 

Promises in Death (In Death, Book 28) by JD Robb

 

Promises in Death was a hard book to read, in places. When death hits closer to home, it's not so easy to just "work the case". Eve manages it, mostly, but she has a tough time of it, emotionally.

Many of the books in this series could be stand alone murder mysteries, but I'm not so sure this one could be. It ties in with the villain from a previous book, and there are also ties to Eve and Roarke's childhoods. I tend to like it when books are melded together by longer story arcs, so Promises in Death filled that bill for me just fine.

Here's the blurb:

Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces down a cop killer. Amarylis Coltraine may have recently transferred to the New York City police force from Atlanta, but she’s been a cop long enough to know how to defend herself against an assailant. When she’s taken down just steps away from her apartment, killed with her own weapon, for Eve the victim isn’t just “one of us.”

As for the writing elements:

• The murder plot was decent,  but it's the emotional ties in this book that are the driving force.
• Pacing was mostly okay.
• Prose and dialogue were exceptional.
• Character development was nice - Eve and Roarke continue to grow emotionally.
• World-building was consistent with previous books.

Promises in Death easily gets a 10 of 10 from me.

• Book Rating: Promises in Death: 10 of 10
• Series Rating: 10 of 10

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
7.5  Midnight in Death
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10.Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5 Interlude In Death
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5 Remember When
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
21.5 Haunted in Death
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent In Death
24.5 Eternity in Death
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
26.5 Ritual in Death
27. Salvation in Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
29.5 Missing in Death

30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
31.5  Possession in Death
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas
  

Salvation in Death (In Death, Book 27) by JD Robb

 

Salvation in Death is one of the most complicated and twisted murder mysteries I believe I've ever read. Through the 26 novels and 30 plus stories (including shorts) of this series I've kept it at a 9 of 10, but Salvation in Death propels the series to a 10 of 10.

Here's the blurb:

In the year 2060, sophisticated investigative tools can help catch a killer. But there are some questions even the most advanced technologies cannot answer. The priest at a Catholic funeral mass brings the chalice to his lips—and falls over dead.

I loved the humor thrown in, and I adore watching Eve take down crooks on the street. 

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was exceptionally well thought out.
• Pacing was fine.
• Prose and dialogue were stellar, as always.
• Character development was touched on a bit, with some spiritual and religious debate between Eve and Roarke.
• World-building was consistent with previous books.

Salvation in Death combines plot, humor, debate, friendship, healthy relationship, and sizzling sex to easily get a 10 of 10.

• Book Rating: Salvation in Death: 10 of 10
• Series Rating: 10 of 10

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
7.5  Midnight in Death
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10.Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5 Interlude In Death
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5 Remember When
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
21.5 Haunted in Death
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent In Death
24.5 Eternity in Death
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
26.5 Ritual in Death
27. Salvation in Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
29.5 Missing in Death

30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
31.5  Possession in Death
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas