Like the twist at the end – I did NOT see that coming! Love the ongoing development of Eve’s relationship with Peabody, so wonderful to look at such a long lived series with detailed character development. ( )

Eve tells Peabody about her childhood.

A man who was severely abused by his mother as a child begins raping and murdering women who have her hair. He then removes their eyes. A psychic-sensitive sees his murders as he commits them. Peabody is attacked. ( )

This is the 19th in the series, and not really one of my favorites. But hey--it's a long-running series. Some stories are bound to be better than others.

There's yet another serial killer on the loose in mid-21st-century NYC. And yet again, the victims' eyes are removed. Eve & co. are getting nowhere, when a psychic shows up and reluctantly offers her help, saying she'd dreamed about the murders. Eve is just as reluctant to accept that help, preferring solid police work to woo-woo stuff.

Of course there are some wonderful moments in the ongoing series story--including a dinner party given by Charles & Louise and including Eve & Roarke and Peabody & McNab. And those moments are why even though the mystery in this book isn't one of my favorites, it's still a must-read.

It's just that I'd be perfectly happy if I never read another serial killer book again. Ever. I think that's probably why I went from reading lots and lots of romantic suspense to reading hardly any--I overdosed on those darn serial killers. I guess I wouldn't mind if a serial killer were just a little different for a change. But it seems that 99% of them are killing their mothers. I blame Hitchcock.

The end did redeem the story quite a lot, but for me, it was too little, too late. I was, I hate to say, bored with the story by the time the twist came, so I wasn't as excited by it as I might otherwise have been. Whether the fault is with the story itself or simply with my disenchantment with serial killer tales I have no idea. ( )

Nora Roberts, (writing as J.D.Robb) has crafted a hard hitting, female detective series that consistently one ups itself and always finds a place at the top of the best seller charts and Visions In Death is no exception.The year is 2059 and New York City Detective, Eve Dallas is called to Central Park to investigate the murder of Elisa Maplewood. Arriving in an expensive gown and heels, Dallas seems as out of place as the horrific scene she and partner, Detective Peabody pour over. Carefully and methodically they collect anything that could possibly lead to the apprehension of a suspect. The killer had gone to great lengths and taken unnecessary risks in order to stage the scene…the victim was displayed on the rocks near the lake, her hands posed as if in prayer, with a single red ribbon around her neck. Upon closer examination, Dallas discovers the most alarming, as well as, the most telling clue, the eyes had been removed with surgical precision.

When Celina Sanchez, a licensed, registered psychic offers to help with the investigation by sharing her disturbing and surprisingly accurate visions, Dallas is less than receptive to the idea. However, after an extensive background check and some cajoling, Dallas and Peabody pay Celina a visit at her home. During their conversation, Dallas presents the psychic with the ribbon from the crime scene, to which Celina has no reaction whatsoever. When the psychic continues to question why she was unable to connect, Dallas admits it was a fake, which upsets and impresses Celina tremendously. When the actual ribbon was retrieved from an evidence bag and given to Celina, she had an immediate and severe reaction, which surprised and alarmed the two seasoned detectives. Despite following up on all leads, exhaustive searches and Celina’s visions, more bodies were discovered with the killer’s grotesque signature.

Agreeing to an interview with the press was an unusual step for Dallas, however, she had a plan and reporter Nadine Furst had the means to put it into action. If this killer was motivated by a hatred of women, if he harbored feelings of male superiority, what better way to call him out of the shadows than to have women discussing his shortcomings on television. While Dallas was right about his reaction, she miscalculated the target of his rage. She had anticipated, as the lead investigator the killer would come after her, instead her partner, Detective Peabody was viciously and mercilessly attacked.

As visions of death become shocking crime scenes, Dallas must venture inside a killer’s twisted mind to find what motivates him to do his dastardly deed. During the hunt for this psychopath, she is forced to deal with abuse issues from her childhood that she has spent a life-time trying to bury. The author takes the reader through an action-packed murder mystery, while at the same time personalizing the story through the growing bond between Dallas and husband Roarke, as well as, the relationship between Peabody and Dallas. The reader is given a glimpse into Eve’s past and the issues that haunt her, motivate her and have shaped her strong, in your face personality. The characteristics that make her such a good cop are the very same traits that force her to keep everyone at arm length distance.

The twists and turns will keep you glued to your seat, trying to figure out who is behind this latest series of murders in the city that never sleeps. An excellent audio experience that I recommend to anyone that enjoys thrillers and mysteries.

Vision In Death kept me on the edge of my seat, couldn't put it down until it was finished ( )