In the latest thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas investigates a murder with a mysterious motive–and a terrifying weapon. Pediatrician Kent Abner received the package on a beautiful April morning. Inside was a cheap trinket, a golden egg that could be opened into two halves. When he pried it apart, highly toxic airborne fumes entered his body–and … entered his body–and killed him.
After Eve Dallas calls the hazmat team–and undergoes testing to reassure both her and her husband that she hasn’t been exposed–it’s time to look into Dr. Abner’s past and relationships. Not every victim Eve encounters is an angel, but it seems that Abner came pretty close–though he did ruffle some feathers over the years by taking stands for the weak and defenseless. While the lab tries to identify the deadly toxin, Eve hunts for the sender. But when someone else dies in the same grisly manner, it becomes clear that she’s dealing with either a madman–or someone who has a hidden and elusive connection to both victims.
“The 50th book proves this series truly is the gold standard.” — Associated Press
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When Eve Dallas pulls into her driveway in the NYC mansion that Roarke built, she lets the day’s crime and grime fall away. She’s taken away to her safe place. Her comfort center. Where she adds her own touches to the outdoor pond and grounds.
Reading Golden In Death makes me feel like I imagine Eve does on these arrivals home. Like I’m with friends and in a world I might not really live in, but if I did, I would appreciate Eve’s defense of the pure right and wrong of the situation.
Series: In Death #50
Publication Date: 2/4/20
Number of Pages: 400
What a wonderful milestone – fifth books – and we’re just getting started – I hope. I loved the story, but I had expected a bit more of a blockbuster. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great story and a wonderful addition to the series – it just didn’t hit me as a milestone story. I had thought we’d surely see Mavis, Crack, Nadine and more of the ongoing recurring cast – maybe even some nostalgia where they recount things that happened in earlier books, etc. Somehow, this case seemed a bit slower and less intense than most of the cases.
It is a bright and beautiful almost spring morning in 2061 when the much beloved pediatrician, Kent Abner, receives an unexpected package in the mail. He has just gotten his husband off to work and intends to head out for a jog since it is his day off, but he has a couple of minutes to open the package. His body was discovered hours later when his husband, Martin Rufty, returns home from work.
When the medics arrive, they discover that the agent that killed Dr. Abner is a newly developed, nerve agent. The agent can be used to target one specific target. It acts quickly and dissipates almost as quickly. It would be worth billions if sold to terrorists, assassins, or even governments.
As the investigation continues, Eve discovers what a truly wonderful and remarkable man the victim was. Everybody loves him – and the one or two who didn’t, was because he had called them out on some bad act they’d committed. Why would anyone target such a wonderful man, doctor, husband, father, friend – and with such an awful weapon? Leads are thin to non-existent when there is another murder – same toxin – another well-loved, wonderful person.
There has to be a connection – but what could it be? Eve and Peabody rush from clue to clue, suspect to suspect, location to location to track down what connects the two victims. When they figure out the connection, how in the world does that fit and what could have possibly triggered the murders?
Definitely a recommended read. As always, the book is excellently written, well-plotted and the characters are exceptional. If you haven’t read any of the books, you should definitely consider reading at least the first couple so that you see Eve and Roarke’s love story. I love Eve – she takes some things so literally and is constantly questioning those old sayings – like – Fit as a Fiddle. Some of her reasoning and the conversations around them are priceless. Then, there is the romantic, handsome, gazillionaire Roarke who is absolutely, totally and completely besotted with Eve. Their love story is one for the ages – and the investigations they are involved in are epic. You can’t help but love the characters and the stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Golden in Death, the 50th book in J.D. Robb’s In Death series, brings just what we expect from a tale in this addictive series, and that translates to an outstanding mystery and a fantastic journey with old friends! To say that Golden in Death did not disappoint is a major understatement; it was great! The special connection between Eve and Roark, the humor and friendship between Eve and Peabody, and a good taste of Eve’s relationship with her bullpen are all there as captivating as the intriguing murder mystery. After a short slump a few years ago, the series has regained that old feeling and I am loving it. I did miss time with a few of my favorite secondary characters, but I realize that there can only be so many pages in a book, and we see plenty of our favorites. This investigation stands up to any of the other books in its complexity, and the emotional connection is as riveting as the best of the series. I love watching Eve’s mind work as she puzzles through the clues and enjoy seeing Peabody’s contribution increase as her experience has grown. I get great satisfaction and a few laughs when the culprits, who think they are unbeatable, realize that the detectives really are way ahead of them. I love J.D. Robb’s In Death series and cannot wait to get my hands on each book. You can imagine how thrilled I was to get an ARC via Edelweiss. I would be shouting about this awesome book no matter how I first acquired a copy! satisfaction and a few laughs when the culprits, who think they are unbeatable, realize that the detectives really are way ahead of them. Golden in Death, the 50th book in J.D. Robb’s In Death series, brings just what we expect from a tale in this addictive series, and that translates to an outstanding mystery and a fantastic journey with old friends! To say that Golden in Death did not disappoint is a major understatement; it was great! The special connection between Eve and Roark, the humor and friendship between Eve and Peabody, and a good taste of Eve’s relationship with her bullpen are all there as captivating as the intriguing murder mystery. After a short slump a few years ago, the series has regained that old feeling and I am loving it. I did miss time with a few of my favorite secondary characters, but I realize that there can only be so many pages in a book, and we see plenty of our favorites. This investigation stands up to any of the other books in its complexity, and the emotional connection is as riveting as the best of the series. I love watching Eve’s mind work as she puzzles through the clues and enjoy seeing Peabody’s contribution increase as her experience has grown. I get great satisfaction and a few laughs when the culprits, who think they are unbeatable, realize that the detectives really are way ahead of them. I love J.D. Robb’s In Death series and cannot wait to get my hands on each book. You can imagine how thrilled I was to get an ARC via Edelweiss. I would be shouting about this awesome book no matter how I first acquired a copy! satisfaction and a few laughs when the culprits, who think they are unbeatable, realize that the detectives really are way ahead of them.
I really love the “in Death” series by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), and this is classic detective Eve Dallas solving murders with the help of her team and her sexy spouse, Roarke. The bad guys always underestimate Eve, and her interview with the suspect in the end is hard-driving and a satisfying conclusion to the mystery. These are wonderful futuristic police procedurals with humor and romance thrown in. It’s a great mix!
The 50th book in this series following Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Roarke still surprises with the weapon of death. You will enjoy following Eve in her methodical use of technology from the 21st century to examine her victims lives. Using her ingenuity she follows the clues in this baffling case where at first there seems no connection for the murders. There are plenty of popular characters who add to the exciting story and make this a beloved series you can see carrying on for another 50 books.
One of the most intellectually challenging of the series.
It’s Eve Dallas again–J.D. Robb doesn’t disappoint. There’s always a situation and she tickles me with her idioms and interactions therein. However, this particular book was more emotional than most. Eve was involved, so was I. If you are ready for another round — this is it!
Love the entire “In Death” series!
This was a crazy ride. Eve and Peabody take on the case of the death of a beloved pediatrician. As they run through the interviews of friends and family, another victim falls victim to the same type of attack. In a race against time Eve is looking at what connects the two victims. Could be something in the past?
I love this series. Eve is..well Eve. I love the interactions between her and everyone. I like that I got to see Peabody like I have never seen her before.
Roarke is one of my top three book boyfriends.
With each book Eve and her relationships with those close to her grows, and that is so much fun for me to read.
These books are kinda like a soap opera to me. The murder is just there as Eve’s job, but with it I get to see all my peeps in the bullpen, Feeney and the EDD gang, Somerset, Commander Whitney.
Eve has quite the puzzle to figure out in this thriller, but as usual, she has her crew.
Golden indeed!
GOLDEN IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) brings murder, mystery, romance and suspense to a well-written futuristic police procedural and romantic suspense set in New York City in April 2061. This is the fiftieth book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point.
This story starts with pediatrician Dr. Kent Abner receiving a package. When he opens the inner trinket, airborne fumes kill him. Our protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, leads a team of homicide detectives and is soon on the scene along with her partner, Detective Delia Peabody. Questions arise while Eve calls in the hazmat team, undergoes testing and interviews those in the house. Who would kill a well-loved doctor? Was he really that innocent? What was the toxic substance? Are those that were first on the scene at risk?
It’s always entertaining to spend time with Eve, her billionaire husband, Roarke, their friends, and Eve’s colleagues. She is definitely a compelling and three-dimensional character. Her need to serve and protect comes through in every book, but the underlying impetus for this is best understood by reading this series in order. Due to the way Eve was raised, she often doesn’t understand commonly used phrases and this comes into play a few times in this book making her seem more real and less perfect. As always, the interactions between Eve and Roarke are enjoyable and bring a different facet of Eve’s personality to light.
In this novel several of the reoccurring characters play very minor roles or are only mentioned in passing. However, Peabody plays a bigger role and shows both her ability to bring thoughtful and intelligent perspectives to the case as well as actually getting assertive when a witness belittles her family, her education, and her colleague. This story managed to give more emotions and life to Delia; giving her character significant growth.
The prose is well-written, entertaining, and engaging. The plot is interesting, thought-provoking and intense. While this book has some action, it is mostly a police procedural. The case is complex and challenging with numerous suspects that have to be interviewed and researched and a motivation for murder that needs to be discovered. It is tragic in places and uplifting in others. Robb is an author that manages to embed humor in her novels, providing some much needed levity to offset some of the more serious and grim aspects of the story.
If you enjoy engaging near-future police procedurals with some romance, then I recommend this series. Overall, it is entertaining, and over time, it is like spending time with old friends. I have the next book in the series and can’t wait to read it. I recommend reading these books in order to gain more insight into the characters and their backgrounds.
I purchased a digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was February 4, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
If you like JD Robb you will love this book.
I’ve read them all.. this just might be my favorite!!
Love the Eve Dallas Series… and Rourke is always right on! Love the Series… this 50th, book is excellent.
It is amazing how roarke has changed. Love all of these books
Golden in Death is another in the fantastic “In Death” series by J.D. Robb. Eve, Roark and their co-workers and friends are characters that continue to stand out in the reader’s mind.
Life in the 2060’s is different but appealing in many ways. J.D. Robb is a master at making the unimaginable, believable.
I always look forward to a new J.D. Robb
coming out. She’s very talented and her
books get better all the time.
It is difficult to believe there are 50 books in this series, but I never quite get enough of Dallas and Roarke — or any of the supporting cast for that matter. The murderer sends golden eggs to his victims in one of the best plot lines of this series. Peabody is one of my favorite characters and I was happy to see more of her. The chemistry and word play between Eve and Roarke is always a pleasure to read. I can barely wait for the next book!
I love this series and have every book. Preordered 51 and 52 and actually reread from book 1 when I can. This series is always a winner. Always 4. 4.5 or 5 because each book takes me away. If you like looking into the future a little, like who done it, and people with flaws but hearts that care, this series is for you. You can never really go wrong. We follow right along with Eve and Peabody as they investigate. I want Eve and Roarke as my neighbors. The strength of Eve and Roarke relationship, the give, the take, sigh. As with each book we get to see a face from the past so to speak, friends, and we watch Eve and Roarke grown in world that continues to change.
Up until the last 3 books J.D. Robb in Death series’s would have go 5 stars. 48 was so bad I didn’t even rate it. This series by J.D. Robb have been my favorite book/author since numer 1. I am thankful that I got the las 3 from the library. Where was the pizzas. Dallas didn’t even have trouble getting in to see Dr. Mira. Where were Mavis and Nadine? I thin the author has got tired of writing these books. She has enough money and she knows her die hard fans (that I used to be) will buy anything when it comes out. The interactions between Dallas and Roarke were even flat. We all know that James Patterson has ghost writers, there’s no possible way he could put out that many books a tear, but they are still good. I have never liked the Nora Roberts books but had loved the J.D. Robb ones. I am not sure why it seems that she has turned her back on these books. Even arresting the killer and having him in the box left much to be desired. I would have loved to hear more from Feneey and McNab. Who cares what color ties or socks some of the detectives have on. And if she is such a great Lieutenant how in the world has she not been able to find the candy thief? That has even got old. And she should have been given a larger office by now. And there wasn’t much or any sparring with Sommerset.. the only way I will read any more will be through the library. I will never pay for one of her books again. If she really wrote this she has lost the zeal for the entire cast of characters. I doubt she even reads any of her reviews, but someon on her staff should let her know she is loosing long time readers. I wouldn’t recommend this one to anyone.
Despite being the 50th book in the series, it has surprises, and is very entertaining.