This series just keeps getting better and better, and RAPTURE IN DEATH is no exception.

Now that Eve Dallas and Roarke are finally married, they're enjoying a much needed vacation/honeymoon. But death seems to find Eve no matter where she is, and a different planet is no exception. When one of Roarke's techs ends up dead, from a supposed suicide, Eve starts to wonder if everyting is exactly what it seems.

And when they return to New York, and more prominent people end up dead by their own hand, Dallas has a hard time convincing those around her that their suicides were actually murder.

You won't go wrong with this series, and watching the interaction between newly wed Eve and Roarke is a wonderful thing. The fact that every mystery of every book is also well-developed and all-too-believable is an added bonus! ( )

Rapture in Death is the fourth book in the In Death series by J. D. Robb. This review assumes you've read the first three books; it contains no spoilers for the novel and some minor spoilers (no surprises) for the earlier books. Skip to the end if you want just my opinion.

Rapture in Death begins just a couple of weeks after book three ends: Eve and Roarke are on the last leg of their honeymoon at an off-planet hotel. The resort, owned by Roarke, is still being built, and the newlyweds spend some time taking a tour and trying out the facilities. The trip would have been perfect except a young technician was found dead by apparent suicide, and Eve and Roarke are called to the scene.

Once home in New York, the two return to their usual busy schedules. Eve has managed to snag Peabody as her new permanent assistant, and best friend Mavis is working with a publicist to launch her singing and dancing act. On just the second day back on the job, Eve is tagged as the principal in a suspicious death of a famous defense attorney. He was found in his bathtub with his wrists slashed.

Although there is no apparent connection between the lawyer and the technician, Eve can't help but notice that each died with a smile on his face. Furthermore, brain scans indicate a tiny area of damage in both men.

After a third suicide, this time a prominent businesswoman, Eve is convinced she is looking for a serial killer. The problem is, each person seems to have gladly chosen "self-termination," so how could the murders have been orchestrated?

Rapture in Death is a strong entry in Robb's Eve Dallas novels. Although the book takes place in the 2050s, the futuristic or science fiction aspects of the story are matter of fact, and we are not overwhelmed with techo-jargon. The interlacing of the murder investigation with Eve's personal life keeps the reader engaged throughout. Because we are given a few clues that are hidden from Eve, we have the chance to figure out who the bad guy is before she does, and the device adds to the suspense.

Similar to the other In Death novels, this one revolves around Eve, Roarke, and Mavis, although the characters do not grow as much in this entry as they do in the earlier books. On the other hand, Peabody is given a bigger role, and we learn a bit more about some of the minor players. Rapture in Death seems to be a transitional point in the series, settling Eve into her new professional relationship and into her new status as Roarke's wife.

If you like cozy mysteries or romantic suspense you'll like the In Death series. It's important to start from book one, Naked in Death, because the development of the main characters and their relationships make for a continuing story and minor characters reappear.

The audiobook was read by Susan Ericksen, who did a fine job. Unfortunately, the first three books are read by Cristine McMurdo-Wallis, and it took me a third of the way through the audio to get used to the new narrator. Ericksen puts her own spin on the characters' voices, and once I adjusted, I enjoyed the listen. This is a good thing because she narrates the rest of the series. ( )

So for I have given 4 stars for all of her books and they are well deserved. I just love Mavis hope she stays through all the book and I hope someday all her dreams come true ( )

A solid entry in the series, taking place right after Eve and Roarke get married. It also marks the beginning of the Eve/Peabody partnership, which I enjoy because Peabody's one of my favorite characters in the series. If it weren't for the piece of really obvious foreshadowing, I wouldn't have guessed who the bad guy was. ( )

This is about the point in the series that, whenever I'm re-reading, I get tired of it. I can't put my finger on why, either. It might be that I feel the mind-control stuff isn't well-explained, or maybe it just squicks me. But geez, poor Mavis! She took a beating in Immortal, and now she gets trampled on again. Could be that's part of it, too. Or maybe it's just me. ( )