In the new novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series, Lt. Eve Dallas is about to walk into the shadows of her husband’s dangerous past… While Eve examines a fresh body in Washington Square Park, her husband, Roarke, spots a man among the onlookers he’s known since his younger days on the streets of Dublin. A man who claims to be his half brother. A man who kills for a living–and who … kills for a living–and who burns with hatred for him.
Eve is quick to suspect that the victim’s spouse–resentful over his wife’s affair and poised to inherit her fortune–would have happily paid an assassin to do his dirty work. Roarke is just as quick to warn her that if Lorcan Cobbe is the hitman, she needs to be careful. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have pursued this cold-hearted killer for years, to no avail. And his lazy smirk when he looked Roarke’s way indicates that he will target anyone who matters to Roarke…and is confident he’ll get away with it.
Eve is desperate to protect Roarke. Roarke is desperate to protect Eve. And together, they’re determined to find Cobbe before he finds them–even if it takes them across the Atlantic, far outside Eve’s usual jurisdiction…
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I LOVE the J.D. Robb “In Death” series, and Shadows in Death is a great addition to the series. A villain from Roarke’s past threatens everyone he loves, and we get to learn more about his childhood and family. The ending was unexpected and perfect for the plot. If you love mysteries and romance, check out this futuristic police procedural series, which also includes romance and humor.
The NYSPD is all here and helpful in number 51 in the In Death series.
This time, Eve Dallas fights a killer from Roarke’s past who wants him dead. But first, he want’s Eve’s husband to suffer.
The entire police force is willing to keep Roarke safe, something that humbles the one time criminal to no end. In this story we see glimpses of Roarke as a child, thru his memories, and learn of the horrible way he was treated by his criminal and cruel father, Patrick. For once in the series, it is Eve who is the emotional touchpoint of the story, not her husband. She is the one comforting him, a position she is usually uncomfortable with. She even goes so far to call a truce – of sorts- with Summerset, letting down her own finely honed guard in from of the man she likens to a corpse on most days.
Told with the emotional depth and intricate police details JD Robb books are famous for, this book holds a special place in my heart because we finally learn more about Roarke and what made him…him, just as we found out what made Dallas, Dallas in NEW YORK TO DALLAS.
Brava for another fabulous read by my favorite-of-all-time author
Series: In Death #51
Publication Date: 9/8/20
Number of Pages: 368
OMGoodness – how can the fifty-first book in a series be as exciting, action-packed, adrenaline-fueled, and riveting as the first book? This series just never gets old for me and I definitely hope the author doesn’t get tired of writing them. This author has to have one of the most creative and imaginative minds around because some of the technology she writes about, some of the social issues… Well, she just comes up with some really good stuff.
When a shadow from Roarke’s past turns up at a murder scene in Washington Square Park, things get really personal – really fast. This crime isn’t just a shadow into Roarke’s past, it is also a shadow into Feeney and Whitney’s past as well. It doesn’t take Eve and Roarke long to decide who the murderer is, but it will take Eve’s entire team and some help from Interpol to catch him. With more than twenty years of experience and hundreds of professional kills under his belt, this killer now has his sights set on Eve and Roarke and maybe even Somerset.
While Roarke and Eve are attending the theater, Eve catches a murder case and they leave for the scene of the crime. The victim, a lovely, wealthy, young wife and mother has been brutally murdered. Nothing is missing – her money, credit cards, phone – everything – are all still in place — someone wanted the young woman dead – very badly. As Eve is tending to the business of securing the crime scene, dispatching officers to interview witnesses, Roarke is standing by – scanning the crowd. Roarke sees a face from his past – one he could do with never seeing again. He made quite sure Roarke saw him and Roarke immediately knows that the man is the assassin who murdered this young woman.
Even knowing who the perpetrator is doesn’t make it easy to find and apprehend him. He is very wealthy now and has all the assets he needs to disappear – except he really doesn’t want to disappear. He wants to taunt Roarke, torture him, and make him suffer before he finally kills him as well. Eve and all the resources of the NYPSD will do whatever it takes to see that doesn’t happen. Roarke is one of their own now and they’ll take care of him.
I love that each new book humanizes Eve a little more and we learn more about Roarke’s past life. I love that Roarke’s and Eve’s love and passion for each other hasn’t diminished – it has grown.
You can’t go wrong if you choose to read this excellently-written, imaginative, well-plotted book – and the rest of the series as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve re-read the books in this series and I never get tired of reading and re-reading them.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SHADOWS IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) brings murder, romance and suspense to a well-written futuristic police procedural and romantic suspense set in New York City and Ireland in May 2061. This is the fifty-first book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point.
This story starts with our protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYC police department, being called to a crime scene while at the theatre with her husband (and sometimes, civilian consultant), Roarke. The victim is Galla Modesto, one of the heirs to the family-owned Modesto Wine and Spirits business based in Italy.
It’s always entertaining to spend time with Eve, Roarke, 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. Many of the reoccurring police characters play significant roles in this book. We also get to see a different side of Commander Whitney which gives him added dimension for the first time.
The prose is well-written, entertaining, and engaging. This time Roarke’s past intertwined with the storyline. The plot is thought-provoking, but there was a scene near the end that never should have occurred. I understand why it was in the book, but it detracted from the good police work that had occurred before it. I was disappointed that the author would include this in the book. The ending location and action was also unbelievable. While this book has some action, it is mostly a police procedural. 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. There is a steamy scene or two in the novel as well. Themes include love, respect, isolation, family dynamics, animal cruelty, child abuse, greed, murder, jealousy, obsession, hatred, pride, and arrogance.
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 can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
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 September 8, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
This series just keeps getting better and better!
In Book 51 of the series it gets really personal. When Roarke spots a familiar face at the scene of Eve’s latest case, it becomes a race to stop a paid killer from seeking revenge on Roarke and his family. The killer is especially cruel and will not let anything get in the way of killing Roarke and his people. This story is full of action and emotion. It also gives you more insights into Roarke’s past and what shaped him. As always, the romance between Eve and Roarke is emotional and sexy.
I’ve read all the In Death books, but this was one of my favorites. A sharp police investigation coupled with a “shadow” from Roarke’s past. A past that gives fresh glimpses into his often painful and cruel childhood. I love how Eve is the emotional support for her husband the way he often is for her.
I like almost everything Nora Roberts/JD Robb has written. I like all the In Death books but some more than others. This is a really good one. It seemed a little different from recent ones and also I liked that it involved Roark’s family. Enjoyed this one a lot.
Eve searches for a killer who is out to get Roarke and her. He is not subtle, but shows himself so they know he is there. Many clues, a lot of avenues to explore, and many friends and relatives to protect…any of which could be used as bate to draw them in.
A J.D. Robb book to put on your list if you’ve not read it!
Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke are at the theater just enjoying the evening when the call comes in about a new homicide. While Eve is starting her investigation, Roarke sees someone from his past and knows that it’s all connected. Soo they are in a race to once again stop a killer. This installment of J.D. Robbs, In Death series does not disappoint. Once again the reader is taken on a thrilling ride while at the same time gets to read about favorite reoccurring characters.
Dallas and Roarke – enough said.
Eve and Roarke team up to catch a ghost from Roarke’s past, who is now a world-wide wanted serial killer, threatening everything Eve and Roarke hold dear. Eve’s need to protect Roarke shows a rare side of her, vulnerability.
Nothing but superlatives for this.
This time a criminal from Roake’s past is after him, which put the entire NYSPD on alert. No one messes with one of their own. As I read Eve Dallas’s analysis of the crimes, of the criminals, and how she pulls together all of the clues, I am in awe. At the same time I’m fascinated with the author’s imagination, pulling all of this together into a wonderful story.
Eve has another murder on her hands and Roarke has a blast from his past. A man who claimed to be his half brother. A man known to be a hired killer.
This was, as Mavis would put, ‘Ultra Magaliscious’. I got to see everybody in this one. Jenkinson and his very inventive ways of using the ‘f’ word had me hollering. If you are not familiar, please read Treachery in Death. I have never read or heard anyone this inventive with the four letter word.
As Eve, Peabody and Roarke, work to put this killer behind bars, they are surprised to learn of links to Commander Whitney. As the little surprises and links mount up, will it be enough?
I don’t think the reader will be disappointed with episode of the In Death series. Enjoy.
One of the best of the series (an audio review)
Although I’ve listened to every In Death book, I’ve never actually sat down to write a review. I figured it was past time. I’ll keep it short. I loved the book. Characterization has grown throughout the series and each character has their own quirks. The one trait that runs through all of them is loyalty. They are all loyal to Eve and, by extension, Roarke. So when he’s in danger, everyone steps up. This cat and mouse game goes from the back alleys of New York to the sprawling vistas of Ireland as Roarke and Eve fight to protect each other and the ones they love.
Just a great book.
enjoy all of the Eve Dallas books. Always wait for the next one.
Been reading J.D.Robb for 25 years haven’t been let down much with this series, as with all long running series there have been some books that were not as remember able as others, but never disappointing. During Covid reread whole series and confirmed my Luv of Nora
I am always excited to read more of Lt. Eve Dallas’ cases, to catch up with all the supporting characters and to reconnect with Roarke. This time the case concerns Roarke and his past in Ireland. The plot is intense and moves quickly. As always, the narrator is excellent!
I love this series and haven’t missed a single book. This latest addition was full of revenge and danger and investigation, with Roarke’s past coming back to haunt him. If you haven’t read J.D. Robb before, why not? Go and start with the first book in the series. Highly recommended.