Innocent in Death (In Death, Book 24) by JD Robb

 

Innocent In Death gives us something I hadn't expected to see -- serious issues between Roarke and Eve. Not the little bumps they are used to, but a serious hurdle. And one where they are on different pages and not really listening to each other at all. It makes Eve understand just how much her life has come to depend on Roarke, and I think it does the same for Roarke, eventually.

The murder mystery is a good one, but once again I had a very good idea of who the killer was fairly early on in the book. If it had been the first book I'd read from this author I wouldn't have had a clue, but I believe that my understanding of how she crafts her plots is giving me too many hints at this point in the series. I'm not solving the murder as Eve would, I'm catching clues in the actual prose, the way it's written. And that's not as much fun.

Here's the blurb:

Lieutenant Eve Dallas hunts for the killer of a seemingly ordinary history teacher—and uncovers some extraordinary surprises.

Eve has a tough time with this one - it's a difficult case, and she's got personal issues going on while she tries to solve it.

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was a good one. I wish I had been in suspense for this one, though.
• Pacing was better than it has been for a while, but still not great.
• Prose and dialogue were excellent.
• Character development was once again developed farther - not an easy thing to do in a series of this length.
• World-building was consistent with previous books.

If this one were the murder mystery alone it would likely be an 8 of 9, but add in the personal stuff and we're back up to a 10 of 10.

• Book Rating: Innocent in Death: 10 of 10
• Series Rating: 9 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
27. Salvation in Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas