Born in Death

Born in Death
4 Stars

Whether one loves or hates her writing style, Nora Roberts, aka J. D. Robb, has hit on a winning formula with her In Death books and this installment is no exception.

While the murder mystery and abduction storylines are rather predictable (it is easy to guess both the culprits and the motives relatively early), they, nevertheless, make for gripping reading and the resolution is exciting and satisfying.

The interactions between the characters are fantastic as always, especially the snarky banter between Eve and Summerset. That said, this book demonstrates once again why Mavis is not a favorite of mine as her over the top drama continues to grate on the nerves. Oh well, its impossible to like all the characters all show more the time ...

All in all, I'm now at the halfway mark through the series and still going strong. I actually can't believe I've made it this far :) show less

The underlying panic Eve feels regarding the pending arrival of Mavis' baby is hilarious. Both Roarke and Eve prove they are not ready for their own children in scenes that had me literally laughing out loud. The murder mystery aspect of BORN IN DEATH is a bit predictable and not as exciting as a typical Eve investigation. The ending more than makes up for the lack of fireworks with heartwarming scenes that highlight the important things in life. I would definitely reread this one just for the laughs!

I do enjoy this series in audiobook form listening to Rourke's Irish brogue. Eve is investigating a double homicide of engaged couple who work at an investment company while going to Lamaze classes for her friend Mavis. Mavis has befriended a woman who is alone at the classes who has gone missing. She enlists Eve's help in finding Tandy even though Eve tries to tell her that missing persons isn't her area but Mavis, nine months and emotional, insists and Eve can't bear to see her friend so upset. With the help of her team they clear up the cases just in time for Mavis to go into labor and rush her to the "birthing center" in a comical delivery.

The "...IN DEATH" series, without a doubt, is one of the best. The perfect mix of mystery, psychological thriller, and romance, each book in this series always offers up a reading delight.

Once again, Eve Dallas is faced with solving a horrific crime. This time, as often happens with Dallas, the death of a young account executive and her financial manager fiance brings her own strong emotions into the mix. Since she's already dealing with the imminent arrival of Mavis's baby, the fact that she and Roarke are to serve as birthing coaches, and not to mention the baby shower she must throw for her friend before that happens, Eve's nerves are already stretched thin.

When Mavis's pregnant friend, Tandy, goes missing, Dallas now finds herself show more working two cases simultaneously. The two start off on different paths, but by the end of the investigation she might find that they have a lot in common--including new life and new death.

When questions of ethics are thrown into the mix by Whitney and his superiors, the crap hits the fan, and Eve and Roarke must put aside pride and anger to deal with their relationship, while still working on justice for the murder victims.

BORN IN DEATH is another winner in this series. As always, I raced through the book in record time, and was sad to be finished with the story when it ended. I can't wait for the next release, and hope to be able to see Eve and Roarke finally get that vacation they both deserve. And, if I get to read about them running naked on the sand under a bright sun, I probably won't complain! show less

Mavis is getting ready to have her baby which involves Eve and Roarke in childbirth classes because she's asked them to be her coaches. Both would much rather face down a crazed, armed killer than be there when Mavis gives birth.

Eve's new cases concern a woman and man who were tortured and murdered in their homes. Since both worked for an accounting firm, she's like Roarke's financial expertise but optics are bad because he could potentially use what he learns to enhance his own business. There is some conflict there between Roarke and the NYPSD.

Then a pregnant friend of Mavis's goes missing and Mavis begs Eve to find her. Soon the two cases are found to be parts of a whole big conspiracy and Eve has a deadline to find the friend before show more it is too late to save her and her baby.

And she and Roarke don't escape being there when both the friend and Mavis go into labor and deliver their babies. show less

Mavis is getting ready to have her baby which involves Eve and Roarke in childbirth classes because she's asked them to be her coaches. Both would much rather face down a crazed, armed killer than be there when Mavis gives birth.

Eve's new cases concern a woman and man who were tortured and murdered in their homes. Since both worked for an accounting firm, she's like Roarke's financial expertise but optics are bad because he could potentially use what he learns to enhance his own business. There is some conflict there between Roarke and the NYPSD.

Then a pregnant friend of Mavis's goes missing and Mavis begs Eve to find her. Soon the two cases are found to be parts of a whole big conspiracy and Eve has a deadline to find the friend before show more it is too late to save her and her baby.

And she and Roarke don't escape being there when both the friend and Mavis go into labor and deliver their babies. show less

While investigating the grisly murders of Natalie Copperfield and Bick Byson, New York Police and Security Department homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas is putting together a baby shower for her friend, Mavis. The shower comes off as planned, but Mavis’s friend and fellow expectant mother Tandy Willowby, doesn’t show up for the festivities and Mavis asks Eve to find her.

Can Eve solve the murder of the two accountant firm employees while searching for Tandy and honoring her promise to be with Mavis when her baby is born?

In this twenty-third installment of the “In Death” series, a strong sense of place anchors a narrative filled with well-defined, relatable characters. New readers will appreciate the backstory woven into show more the telling of the tale. Witty repartee between Eve and Summerset lightens the gruesomeness of the murder investigation even though the case is almost secondary to the often-hilarious escapades surrounding Mavis’s pregnancy.

All the expected characters make an appearance, but the events surrounding the birth of Mavis’s Little One definitely take center stage. The ever-evolving relationships, the camaraderie, the angst, the silliness that serves as a counterpoint to the gritty murders . . . all combine to create a can’t-put-it-down narrative fans of the series won’t want to miss.

Highly recommended. show less