Midnight in Death

Midnight in Death by J. D. Robb is a novella that occurs just days after the previous book in the In Death series. You never know what you are going to get with novellas. Some authors use them as essential parts of the series, while others use them for plot or character development. It appears that Ms. Robb uses them to emphasize the changes in her detective, and I am a fan.

Let's face it. Eve Dallas is not a likable character. She is brash, awkward, stubborn, determined, single-minded, demanding, mean, and ignorant of the most basic social niceties. She is a miserable friend and a clueless wife. But she's getting better, and that's the most important thing. She recognizes that friends are important even if the idea continues to make show more her uncomfortable. Moreover, she's improving at showing love and affection for her friends and chosen family.

While Midnight in Death is a stand-alone murder mystery in its own right, what it does most is explore Eve's growing humanity. It's a bit like a character summation, showing how far she has come in the past seven novels. It might not be necessary for the canon, but it proves that Eve can and will heal with the right support. For me, Midnight in Death made me want to continue to see what other changes are in store for the lieutenant. show less

Midnight in Death
4 Stars

The first novella of the series, Midnight in Death begins in the aftermath of the events of Holiday in Death when a killer from Eve's past escapes and begins taking revenge on those he holds responsible for his conviction. He starts with the judge and prosecutor, but it is Eve who is his ultimate target.

A solid and comprehensive read, but it fails to answer some of the questions left unanswered after last book; especially the aftermath of the attack on Peabody, which is glossed over very quickly.

The case is well developed despite the shorter length and the information revealed about Eve prior to the beginning of the series demonstrate her growth both as an investigator and as a woman. Nevertheless, the climax show more and resolution are somewhat anti-climactic given the build up of tension surrounding the killer's motivations and actions.

In terms of character development, Eve and Mira's relationship is taken to another level as finally Eve admits just how much Mira means to her and there are some wonderfully sweet and humerous moments as Eve shares Christmas gifts with Roarke and Peabody. Looking forward to the next full length installment. show less

MIDNIGHT IN DEATH is the first of two ‘In Death’ series novelettes that I read over the weekend, both were quick and easy reading, and both were very good.

The story jumps right into the action as Eve Dallas is called to investigate a body that has been dumped in Times Square just after Christmas. The victim is Judge Wainger and he had been brutally tortured before being killed. Attached to the body is a note with a list of who the murderer is going to kill. Eve’s name is last on the list. All the names on the list were involved in sending psychopath killer, Dave Palmer, to prison three years earlier. He liked to capture people then slowly torture them to death in order to find out just how much the human mind could endure. A quick show more check confirms that Palmer has indeed escaped and the intended victims warned; but the race to find him has begun. Palmer is already going methodically through his list and the body count starts to mount. Just because Eve knows who she is looking for doesn’t make the hunt any easier, and the action lasts right up to the last page.

MIDNIGHT IN DEATH first appeared as a short story in an anthology titled "Silent Night," but has now been reprinted in its own right. Despite the short length I found it to be a well written and pacey story. show less

My Review :

Midnight in Death is a holiday themed romantic thriller set in a futuristic time that features our couple Roarke and Eve. This is a novella and is a pretty quick read. I found the actual mystery to be very similar to previous ones written. I did like the relationship elements a ton here. And Eve was better in this book than some of the others so I didn't hate it. But I am still on the fence if I want to continue with the series (Please tell me Eve gets better as a character? LOL She sure is prickly at times).

Midnight in Death is about a serial killer that gets out on a technicality and is hunting Eve. So Eve goes on the hunt with Roarke at her side. I did love their banter together in this one, and some of the logic that show more Roarke is always ready with. He really pulls out the human elements from Eve. I really appreciate how his character is written (without him I would have given up on the series lol). But I do think Midnight in Death is one of the better books in the series. show less

Midnight in Death
4 Stars

The first novella of the series, Midnight in Death begins in the aftermath of the events of Holiday in Death when a killer from Eve's past escapes and begins taking revenge on those he holds responsible for his conviction. He starts with the judge and prosecutor, but it is Eve who is his ultimate target.

A solid and comprehensive read, but it fails to answer some of the questions left unanswered after last book; especially the aftermath of the attack on Peabody, which is glossed over very quickly.

The case is well developed despite the shorter length and the information revealed about Eve prior to the beginning of the series demonstrate her growth both as an investigator and as a woman. Nevertheless, the climax show more and resolution are somewhat anti-climactic given the build up of tension surrounding the killer's motivations and actions.

In terms of character development, Eve and Mira's relationship is taken to another level as finally Eve admits just how much Mira means to her and there are some wonderfully sweet and humerous moments as Eve shares Christmas gifts with Roarke and Peabody. Looking forward to the next full length installment. show less

Eve and Dallas have barely been able to celebrate their first Christmas together. In this brief story, in novella length, Eve is after yet another killer. As always, Roarke is at her side while she works hard at finding the madman behind a series of brutal murders, and as Eve is one of his targets, she must manage to stay alive.

For a story told with so few pages, it is chock full of detail. We have the ever-loving couple, with Eve drawing closer and closer to her delectable husband Roarke. Then there is Eve's ever-irascible boss Feeney, and, of course, Peobody. Gotta love her. Who else do you just love, inasmuch as you want to hate? Only Summerset, Roarke's right-hand man and Eve's nemesis.

This story was so much fun that I couldn't wait show more follow my monthly schedule of reading each month, and so I went ahead and devoured the next in this series, Conspiracy in Death. show less

In this IN DEATH novella, detective Eve Dallas is on the hunt chasing a notorious serial killer who has escaped prison. She put him behind bars years before, and now he wants revenge on her and all the other people involved in his case. This was an interesting novella, though one of her more graphic ones. I definitely had to skip ahead in a few places where the murders were described. I love the main characters and side characters in this series. Peabody, Sommerset, Mavis. Such great characters!