In this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series, Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces a serial killer who offers his victims eternal youth by taking their life… of the woman. The photos seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary for any pretty young woman starting a modeling career. Except that she wasn’t a model. And that these photos were taken after she had been murdered.
Now Dallas is on the trail of a killer who’s a perfectionist and an artist. He carefully observes and records his victim’s every move. And he has a mission: to own every beautiful young woman’s innocence, to capture her youth and vitality—in one fateful shot…
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I just finished re-listening to the Portrait in Death audiobook, and it was just as good as I remembered. Roarke and Eve are the main characters, but the supporting cast members are also interesting and sometimes amusing. This series (written by Nora Roberts under the JD Robb pen name) is a futuristic police procedural with romantic suspense and steamy romance, as well. Ironically, this is the third book I have read in a row that features a villian who photographs his kills. If you haven’t read this series, start at the beginning with Naked in Death, so you can enjoy how the characters develop and fall in love while solving murders. 😉
One of my favorite books! I love all the In Death books, but this story gives another wonderful layer in Roarke’s life.
Portrait in Death is the sixteenth book to J.D. Robb In Death series. This series keeps getting better, and better and I can’t get enough of it.
Storyline/My Thoughts: I’m going to continue to say that I love this series so much. Each book is making me fall harder for each of the characters in this series. J.D. Robb also manages to keep Eve and her team busy with some of the craziest cases. This time, the team has to determine why a murderer is killing his/her victims and taking photos of them afterward. It’s like the murderer is setting up a portfolio of his victims. The murderer is also bragging about it to Nadine Furst, which makes Eve question her friend initially.
The case was not easy to figure out since the killer didn’t leave any clues. It would take a while for Eve and her team to figure it out. In the meantime, Roarke is having his past creep up to him. This time though, he will be distant with Eve about what he finds out about his past. Eve at first gives him his space until she talks to Mira and Feeney about Roarke worrying her. I loved the scene where Eve ends up meeting up with him, and he sees her get off the helicopter (which she doesn’t like at all). Another significant part of this scene is where the helicopter lands. It’s in a field full of cows, and Eve is petrified of cows for some reason, which I find funny since I live near a farm with cows behind my house. Cows are not scary but cute. Seriously, you can tell that Eve loves Roarke when she faces some of her fears. Roarke and Eve are the cutest ever. Each book makes me fall harder for these two and how they are soulmates.
Another favorite scene is when Eve finally can eat her chocolate that she has been hiding from the candy snatcher. The candy snatcher finally does not find her hiding spot. Peabody ends up catching her eating chocolate and wants a bite, but instead of sharing, Eve sticks it all in her mouth. Peabody calls Eve selfish. Haha! This whole scene reminds me of me eating chocolate and trying to hide it from my girls. My oldest daughter would have a fit if I didn’t share with her; my youngest wouldn’t care. She knows I rarely eat chocolate.
This book definitely put me through so many emotions at once. I laughed. I cried. I got mad. I had to take some time after this book to get my feelings in check. I’m so glad that my family wasn’t around when I was reading or listening to it. Otherwise, they would have made fun of me for crying and laughing over certain scenes in the book. They don’t understand!
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the In Death series and I would recommend reading in order.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend this book to Romantic Suspense/Thriller readers out there. Each book has a different case that Eve, Roarke, Peabody, Feeney, McNab, etc., need to investigate. Readers will get to read how the characters grow in each book. You not only fall for the main characters but the secondary characters, too. I love how J.D. Robb writes her characters. I can’t get enough of them. It’s like they are family.
this is my favorite series – I have read the entire series twice – I didn;t think I would like the in the future setting – but I really did. Crime is crime, and detectives and love stories are always there@!@!
I love these books and the characters. There is always suspense and mystery, and murder. The relationships between the characters are well developed. There is heartbreak and love and fun.
I started this series near the middle and I am now starting from the beginning and working my way through, I am always finding something new or that I did not know.
It is a good Eve Dallas book. The best part is probably the revelations on Roarke’s past. It is interesting with interesting characters and plot twists. Good read
Great author.Ive read the whole series
Love all the books in this fantasy series.
The setting is in the future with cleaver but quite plausible elements. The book has a great mystery . One the reader will be swept up in. But the best aspect of the book is the fabulous characters. I have loved Dallas and Roarke and company since the first In Death book came out. This one serries I preorder in hardback every time and have never been disappointed.
Always like J D Robb.
Portrait is indeed the portrait of the murdered, not the killer. He is not unveiled for a long time but the search is constant. Another terrific read.
Wouldn’t miss any of her In Death books…great reading.
i have read EVERY JD Robb aka Nora Roberts book she has written and never been disappointed.
Absolutely love this series
I love all of J D Robb’s books. I owned many hard cover editions of the “… in Death” series. Dallas is a great character— I never tire reading her adventures. And , I for one, would love to have a Roarke for a husband.
love JD Robb, read them all!
Portrait in Death opens up so many nuances in this series. It’s filled with great insights and relational challenges. I’ve read this book many times but in this reading I saw pieces of the puzzle that is Roarke, Eve, Summerset, and Crack snap into place. You experience so much of who these characters are and some of the contributing factors. I enjoyed it and highly recommend the In Death Series by J.D. Robb. It’s excellent reading!
Eve Dallas is my hero.
I have read, reread, and read again the books in this series and get something new each time. The characters have almost become family. Can’t miss!
Robb’s Eve Dallas books are a must read.