Innocent in Death

Book 24 in J. D. Robb's In Death series, INNOCENT IN DEATH, is one of the creepiest mysteries in the series to date. Combine that with Eve's tangled emotions regarding Roarke's inexplicable ignorance over Magdalena's machinations, and you have a story that is a surprising emotional roller coaster. While I suspected the identity of the murderer about halfway through the story, this in no way diminished my enjoyment or the overall creep factor of the evidence Eve collects. Sadly, it is all too easy to envision something like this happening in real life, given the current administration's empowerment of the wealthy to the detriment of those not falling into that category. As for Magdalena, Robb perfectly plays on Eve's fears, but Eve show more always finds a way to come out on top. Her marriage is no different in that regard, which leads to some thoroughly satisfying scenes. INNOCENT IN DEATH is another winner from J. D. Robb in a series that keeps getting better! show less

Innocent in Death
5 Stars

As Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her team strive to uncover the truth behind the shocking death of a well-liked teacher, another threat in the form of a former lover from her husband's past strikes closer to home and jeopardizes everything Eve and Roarke have created together.

Innocent in Death is one of the best installments in the series. The mystery surrounding Craig Foster's murder is gripping and the resolution is both horrific and monstrous yet believable at the same time.

The reappearance in Roarke's life of Magdeline Percell has the potential to create an excessive amount of annoying angst. Thankfully, this is kept to a minimum as Eve and Roarke confront the issue straight on, and there is no single moment in show more the reader's mind that things might not turn out well.

In sum, an excellent read, and it still amazes me that Robb finds new and incredible ways to engross her readers with this series. show less

Why, wonders New York Police and Security Department homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas, would anyone kill an inoffensive, pleasant, innocent history teacher? But there’s no doubt about it being murder since they’d found ricin in his brought-from-home lunch.

At the same time, Eve could easily visualize Magdelana Percell as a murder victim. The woman, once Roarke’s companion, has reappeared. Eve knows she’s up to no good and while her manipulations frustrate Eve, Roarke seems blind to her connivances and believes his occasional meetings with her are none of his wife’s business. The whole situation has unnerved Eve and placed her at odds with her husband.

Eve will have to put her own feelings aside so she can concentrate on show more solving the teacher’ murder. But what will happen with Magdelana?

In this, the twenty-fourth outing for the “In Death” crew, all the expected characters are in place. The unfolding plot consists of two main threads: the murder of Craig Foster and the reappearance of Magdelana Percell. Although astute readers may have an inkling as to the identity of the murderer, the resolution to that case is sure to come as a surprise for most. In addition, Eve’s angst and insecurity are effective counterpoints to the ever-efficient police detective unwaveringly seeking justice for the murdered.

As always, the ever-deepening relationships between the characters readers have come to know and love are the heart of the narrative; as the story unfolds, the tension between Eve and Roarke reveals the depth of their commitment to each other. As with previous stories, the strong sense of place anchors the tale. With sufficient backstory for the narrative to work as a stand-alone, new readers and fans of the series will find the mystery intriguing and the book difficult to put aside.

Highly recommended. show less

Innocent in Death
5 Stars

As Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her team strive to uncover the truth behind the shocking death of a well-liked teacher, another threat in the form of a former lover from her husband's past strikes closer to home and jeopardizes everything Eve and Roarke have created together.

Innocent in Death is one of the best installments in the series. The mystery surrounding Craig Foster's murder is gripping and the resolution is both horrific and monstrous yet believable at the same time.

The reappearance in Roarke's life of Magdeline Percell has the potential to create an excessive amount of annoying angst. Thankfully, this is kept to a minimum as Eve and Roarke confront the issue straight on, and there is no single moment in show more the reader's mind that things might not turn out well.

In sum, an excellent read, and it still amazes me that Robb finds new and incredible ways to engross her readers with this series. show less

Excellent -- My favourite title in this series -- mostly for the personal thread, not the crime thread.

I love to see Roarke mess up (by not acknowledging Magdalena Percell's effect on Eve). I love to see Eve vulnerable. I approve of how they eventually resolve the conflict. And "The Wrath of Roarke" is excellent punishment.

It also demonstrates the idea that if one person in a relationship believes there is a problem, there is a problem. Whether or not the other person supports the idea. You have to deal with perceptions more than reality when dealing with interpersonal relationships.

I decided to re-read this book after a discussion about it on Twitter. This was the last In Death book I really loved. Though I've enjoyed some of her other latest releases, none have touched me as much as this one.

I figured out early in who the killer was the first time I read it, but it was still chilling. While the case was interesting and the direction Robb took us for the killer unique, it was the relationship aspects that really grabbed me.

It's no secret that my favorite books in the series are the ones where Eve and Roarke are at odds. But this book...I ached for them. Eve's pain was so stark. I hurt for her. It was a bit strange to see Roarke cast in the role of "typical male". Generally he's wise and perceptive beyond his show more penis. I think his actions in the book made him more human and easier to relate to. show less

I was introduced to this series while in a book club and have read others in the series but not really in publishing order. This book, I think if I had read it in publishing order, I might have rated it higher than I do now.

The first character I zeroed in on as possibly being the murderer turned out to have nothing to do with the case at all other than being a distraction. I did begin to suspect the character who turned out to be the murderer at some point even though I didn't really know all the motives.

Innocent--
Well, one of the suspects turned out to be innocent of murder, though he wasn't fully innocent. We also talk about the innocence of children--and since two of the murders took place in a school, children are definitely in show more play in this story.

Will Roarke's former girl turn up again in a future title? Will we see the murderer again in a future title--perhaps trying to enact the vengeance promised upon arrest? show less