#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER (February 2019) Lieutenant Eve Dallas fights to save the innocent–and serve justice to the guilty–on the streets of New York in Connections in Death, the gritty and gripping new In Death novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb. Homicide cop Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband, Roarke, are building a brand-new school and youth shelter. They … building a brand-new school and youth shelter. They know that the hard life can lead kids toward dangerous crossroads–and with this new project, they hope to nudge a few more of them onto the right path. For expert help, they hire child psychologist Dr. Rochelle Pickering–whose own brother pulled himself out of a spiral of addiction and crime with Rochelle’s support.
Lyle is living with Rochelle while he gets his life together, and he’s thrilled to hear about his sister’s new job offer. But within hours, triumph is followed by tragedy. Returning from a celebratory dinner with her boyfriend, she finds Lyle dead with a syringe in his lap, and Eve’s investigation confirms that this wasn’t just another OD. After all his work to get clean, Lyle’s been pumped full of poison–and a neighbor with a peephole reports seeing a scruffy, pink-haired girl fleeing the scene.
Now Eve and Roarke must venture into the gang territory where Lyle used to run, and the ugly underground world of tattoo parlors and strip joints where everyone has taken a wrong turn somewhere. They both believe in giving people a second chance. Maybe even a third or fourth. But as far as they’re concerned, whoever gave the order on Lyle Pickering’s murder has run out of chances…
more
I do think this book is for ages 17 and up due to violence.
The In Death series has many books, but they all have very different crimes, very different criminals, usually the only thing we can count on is Roarke, Eve and her team of murder cops.
I very much liked this book just as much as all the others. That being said, Eve seemed softer in this book, not so harsh as usual for Eve. The other difference in this one was, there was no murder in the first couple of pages. I got through a chapter or even two before a body dropped. I do enjoy the Eve’s thought process on simple sayings, the lion and the sheep thing gave me a good laugh with the way it confused Roarke, but then really makes HIM think about it.
All I can really say is this is a great book and I’d recommend it to any one old enough to appreciate it.
Vengeance is murder in J.D. Robb’s police procedural, Connections in Death.
When the brother of child psychologist Rochelle Pickering dies of a seeming overdose, it becomes immediately apparent the poorly enacted suicide is in fact murder.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas can’t figure out why the killers would stage such a sloppy setup and then steal traceable items from the home. Her investigation places her and Roarke in the middle of a gang where the only law is loyalty to the gang.
When the murders begin to pile up, Dallas is in a race against an unknown enemy bent on creating a war between the gangs and endangering innocent civilians.
This is a sad story of a young man who had done all the right things to turn his life around and yet still paid the ultimate price for his past. It begs the question, why bother?
The author answers this by showing us the joy and pride his family had for him and the strength of will it took for him to turn his back on the lifestyle- not an easy decision.
I guessed where the story was headed fairly quickly, but it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Roarke, Eve, and the rest of the NYPD are relatable characters who get hurt, make mistakes, and love ferociously. Fifty books in and this series just grows stronger and stronger!
I give Connections in Death 5+ lovely kisses- Excellent!
Eve and Peabody get sucked into the world of NYC gangs in this book. And both of them come out a little worse for wear. Fun trip to future times. The ending was a little longer than I’m used to from Robb, but I liked it. Cozy fans will love the depth of series characters you get a taste of in all the books.
I love this series (the rare one I buy in hardcover) and have reread it several times. But I don’t always review the books. This one moved me to review.
I LOVED the very beginning, with Eve, being Eve and grumbling about high heels. (I agree with her.) Loved seeing all her friends at the party. Then I settled in for a wonderful story that ended for me with a happy sigh.
Later, I will reread the book and dwell on the spots that struck me, but I didn’t pause there because I wanted to know what happened next–the beginning (as I’ve said) the witty banter throughout the book, a tender love scene. Eve Dallas is such an incredibly unique and endearing character, and Roarke is the perfect hero. The love between them is beautiful to watch grow and deepen.
J.D Robb/Nora Roberts’s stellar writing and storytelling has always pulled me into her books. I marvel at her ability to keep this series fresh, while at the same time giving the reader more of the familiar, and deepening Eve’s circle of connections.
Looking forward to the next book!
Every woman can relate to Eve Dallas in the first two chapters of this story. Her sarcasm is perfect, making you laugh out loud. All hands on deck, when a former gang member is found dead of an overdose. A closer look, shows a suspicious death and murder is confirmed. Eve and Peabody plod through the gangs of Manhattan to find the truth, expose the killers and take down the scammers.
I realized that I had skipped a couple of the In Death series, so I’m catching up on them. Connected in Death is another great addition to the series. I love the main characters in this futuristic police procedural series, and there is enough action for mystery lovers and romance for lovers of romantic fiction. There is also humor, which really adds to the attraction of the series. If you haven’t read the In Death series, start at the beginning with Naked in Death.
Happy this was back to the writing that I love in this series! I enjoyed the book from start to finish!
I enjoy all the In Death books. I like all the familiar characters and she’s been adding some new ones which is interesting. I liked this one but I didn’t love it. (How can you dislike a book with Roarke in it anyway?) I felt the ending dragged on for too long. It could have just been me, so don’t let that stop you from reading it. A good book, as all the In Death books are. Looking forward to the next one.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the In Death series is hands down my favorite series from any author in any genre. Terrific, well-written characters in a not-so-distant future NYC; the series manages to be both familiar and fresh, even after 48 installments. That’s saying something.
The very first line of the very first chapter made me laugh out loud, and is so perfectly Eve Dallas:
“The legalized torture of socializing lined right up to premeditated murder when you added the requirement of fancy shoes.”
Beginning with a cocktail party during which Eve and Roarke and other recurring characters are socializing and being generally hilarious, this installment was in my opinion a bit more “fun” than the previous installment. That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of serious moments, of course, but I found a bit more levity throughout. For example, Eve’s complete bewilderment when Roarke shows her the progress on the farm in Nebraska which he purchased on a bet between the two of them. This may have been one of my favorite moments.
The case Eve is working is gang-related, and much easier to navigate than the convoluted case at the center of #47. Crack’s new girlfriend, Rochelle – who is also Roarke’s top pick to run An Didean – loses her recovered addict/gangbanger brother in a gang hit, and we go from there. It was nice seeing Crack in a different light, as well, and I enjoy him with Rochelle.
Overall, a worthy installment. Can’t wait for #49!
Can’t go wrong with Eve and Roarke and the gang. The mystery is an OD, an obvious set up. Was it for nefarious reasons, drugs, jealousy or a vendetta. Eve wove the threads pulling them tighter until the culprits sang. Reading these books is like putting on your comfy slippers, making a cuppa and settling in for a brilliant tale. I loved it.
You might think that after 48 books this series would start to get stale, but that is definitely NOT the case. I look forward to each new book with as much enthusiasm as I did at the beginning of the series. I have absolutely loved watching Eve’s transformation – which is why I am a firm believer that you really should read the series from the beginning – or at least read the first five or six books to get an idea of who Eve and Roarke are and where they came from. You won’t regret it. I’ve seen several reviewers who have said that they think Eve and Roarke should have a baby, but since I’m positive that would end the series, I disagree with that. Besides, they have only been married for two or three years, so give them some time – and more books.
I adore all of the recurring characters in the series, so it was nice to have a reappearance of Crack. This time, he has a love interest and it will be nice to see where that goes in future books.
Lots of progress has been made on Roarke and Eve’s new school and youth center – An Didean (means Haven). It is state-of-the-art and offers everything a disadvantaged youth could need to become successful in life. One of the things it offers is psychological counseling and Roarke is in the process of hiring a head psychologist. Dr. Rochelle Pickering is a psychologist specializing in children – and she is Roarke’s top pick as the head psychologist. The fact that she is the love interest of Eve’s friend Crack is unexpected, but not unwelcome.
When Eve’s link signaled, she almost ignored it, until she noticed that the incoming was from Crack and he almost never tagged her. Something serious must be up – and it was. Crack and Rochelle discovered the body of her brother as they returned to Rochelle’s apartment after an evening out. Crack immediately called Eve rather than calling police dispatch – he wanted someone he trusted and someone he knew would stand for Lyle (Rochelle’s brother) and wouldn’t just write it off as an overdose.
Eve’s investigation brings her to admire the young man who had turned his life around. He’d gone from a member of the Bangers gang to prison to leading a straight life and having nothing to do with the gang or drugs. Could it be the gang who held him down and shot a lethal dose of drugs into him? Who else would have wanted him dead? Eve’s investigation takes her into the dangerous Underground, into gang territories and even to sleazy disbarred lawyers before she finally rounds up all of the culprits.
Eve and Roarke are always a wonderful read, and this is no exception. The book is well written, the plot is well executed and the characters are some of the best and strongest I’ve read. I love that Eve takes things literally and always questions and really messes up those old axioms/sayings – like March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. She’s funny, bright, serious and totally dedicated to those victims whose deaths she investigates.
Another great read and I highly recommend it!
Eve Dallas, a homicide cop and her billionaire husband Roarke are in the midst of building a school and residence for children who need a second chance. As it nears completion, a former gang member is killed and made to look like an overdose. This starts an investigation of the dangerous seedy side of gang life.
This gritty police procedural murder mystery is the 48th in the In Death series.
It is the first one I read in the series and found it was engaging, witty and interesting. The characters are well crafted and dimensional with strengths and weaknesses making them more complex and relatable. The storyline flows smoothly and quickly filled with action, danger, suspense and emotional drama. I enjoyed the character interaction and the dialogue. I especially like how the tough heroine drew support from her husband and team members. This is a hard hitting cop book that deals with unsavoury and potentially disturbing events so if you like cozy, lighthearted mysteries you may find this a hard read. But if you enjoy great writing, complex characters, cop procedurals and some grit, then you will enjoy this book.
one of our favorite authors. both mu husband and i like dallas and roarke and the gang. the writing is quite readable. the situations concern me. actually jd robb causes me to buy the book ’cause i know it’ll be good
J.D. Robb never disappoints!
Eve finds murder is compacted by the fact that people she knows are impacted. The young man trying to reinvent/restructure his life after prison that is struck down deeply affects Eve as he becomes “hers” to avenge. The appearances aren’t always as they seem theme runs consistently through this tale as Roarke manages to help in more and more ways.
Best series ever
Awesome book
I’ve been reading JD Robb for years and love all of her books and always look forward to the next novel!
Another great read in this series.
We get some great interaction with nearly everybody we love and have a few new characters introduced.
At book 48 I was still engrossed enough to have to read to the end to see how Eve and her team would break the case.
Yes, we know why and by whom Lyle was murdered pretty much from the get go but I still enjoyed the journey, sad as it was. Lyle was a former gang member who had turned his life around and was paying back into the community.
Glad that things we spun positively with the truth about Lyle.
I loved how everything is weaved together. Roarke to Rochelle, who is Lyles sister, Rochelle is the love interest of Crack. Crack and his friendship with Eve. A wonderful circle of contact.
Just loved it and what is happening with An Didean was beautifully emotional.
This book is filled with all kinds of action going on. For those who read the series there is the Oscars for Nadine’s book, a second book, more developments of Peabody and her teams relationships. This mystery can stand on its own but Robb gives those who read the series treats through out the book. A fun read