Portrait in Death (In Death, Book 16) by JD Robb

 

Portrait in Death finally let's us see the human Roarke. We've seen it in bits and pieces, mainly when he's not sure if Eve's okay or not. But this... this is different. Roarke out of control of not only the situation, but of his responses to the situation. I'm not going to give spoilers, so that's all I can say about that.

As for the murder mystery, it's creepy. Here's the blurb:

Dallas is on the trail of a killer who’s a perfectionist—and an artist. He carefully observes and records his victim’s every move. And he has a mission: to own every beautiful young woman’s innocence, and to capture her youth and vitality—in one fatal shot.

As for the writing elements:

• The murder plot was okay, not one of the better of the series. The rest of the story though, that part of the plot was well done.
• Pacing was mostly okay, though there were issues.
• Prose and dialogue were fine.
• Character development was pushed in many directions.
• World-building was consistent with previous books.

If this were being based solely on the murder mystery, Portrait in Death would likely get an 8 of 10. But with the personal bits thrown in, it gets a 10 of 10.

• Book Rating: Portrait 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
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent 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