Lieutenant Eve Dallas must keep the predator from becoming the prey in Vendetta in Death, the newest thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb. She calls herself Lady Justice. And once she has chosen a man as her target, she turns herself into a tall blonde or a curvaceous redhead, makes herself as alluring and seductive as possible to them. Once they are in her grasp, they … Once they are in her grasp, they are powerless.
The first victim is wealthy businessman Nigel McEnroy. His company’s human resources department has already paid out settlements to a couple of his young victims–but they don’t know that his crimes go far beyond workplace harassment. Lady Justice knows. And in one shocking night of brutality, she makes him pay a much steeper price.
Now Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, are combing through the evidence of McEnroy’s secret life. His compulsive need to record his misdeeds provides them with a wide range of suspects, but the true identity of Lady Justice remains elusive. It’s a challenging case, made even more difficult by McEnroy’s widow, who reacts to the investigation with fury, denial, and threats. Meanwhile, Lady Justice’s criminal crusade is escalating rapidly, and if Eve can’t stop this vigilante, there’s no telling how much blood may be spilled…
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What a great return to Eve’s world, even though the subject matter is a little tough. Peabody is taking on more of a partner role and Eve is softening a bit.
Cozy readers will love the well developed characters and worldbuilding.
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: In Death #49
Publication Date: 9/3/19
Number of Pages: 368
Anyone might think that after 49 books a series would start to decline, be repetitive or lose its focus. Thank goodness that isn’t even remotely the case with this series. I’m as excited for each new release as I was in the beginning – and I am NEVER disappointed. I adore all of the secondary characters and you can’t get a better set of main characters that Eve and Roarke. If you want to get a real buzz, listen to the audio version where narrator Susan Ericksen says – in Roarke’s lilting Irish accent – “Darlin’ Eve”. Whew – it is worth the cost of an audiobook just for that!
There is a new vigilante in New York. Lady Justice has begun to mete out her own version of justice to the men who have been cheating on, abusing and stealing from women. Just before dawn one morning, Eve gets the call from dispatch – there is a mutilated dead body and he is hers to solve. He’s identified as Nigel McEnroy and he lives very near where he was dumped. The following two mornings bring additional bodies, Thaddeus Pettigrew and Arlo Kagan. Their connection? They are victims of Lady Justice and each has a personalized poem written about him – telling the world about his misdeeds. It is readily apparent that Lady Justice hates men and Eve knows it is only a matter of time before she spreads from the group she’s targeting to any male.
As Eve and Peabody identify Lady Justice fairly early, but there is no proof – only a hunch. Lady Justice is smart, and she’s a planner. She’s gone through every move multiple times and has a contingency plan for whatever happens. How will they stop her if they can’t even get enough evidence to get a search warrant?
Eve sets a plan in place to trap Lady Justice – but again – Lady Justice is one step ahead. The fourth victim is now in her hands – can Even, Roarke, Peabody and the rest of the crew manage to save him?
As always, the book is excellently written, plotted and delivered. The characters are as wonderful as always – and Mavis, Leonardo, and Bella have some news to share.
Definitely highly recommend the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
49 books in and this series is still going strong. One of the best series I’ve read!
Vendetta in Death is the 49th book in the In Death series from JD Robb and I’m every bit as invested in this series today as I was the very first time I read Naked in Death.
Honestly I loved ever moment of Vendetta in Death. I love I can get my Dallas and Roarke fix every 6 months and I literally go without sleep to read each new installment as quickly as possible. I will say I figured out who Lady Justice was extremely early in this book, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the story. I love to see how Eve’s mind works as she figures out who the killer is in each new story. I was totally in sync with Eve on figuring who did it before knowing all the reasoning behind everything.
One of my favorite things about this series is how many friendships Eve has developed over the course of the 49 books. Vendetta in Death we got to see Eve work with Peabody and the rest of the crew, and little updates about the other detectives, which I always love. Mira helping with the profiling, and making sure Eve was handling this case since it dealt with men who both sexual and physically abused women. I love the deep relationship Eve and Mira have now. Special time with Mavis and Bella, and working once again with Nadine gave me happy sighs. Of course, Roarke and Eve working together and being together always is my favorite part of any In Death book.
I know it sounds a bit crazy, but Vendetta in Death gave me so many happy feels. Yes there were brutal murders in the story, but the mystery was solid and the characters remain as engaging as ever. The In Death series of books remains one of my absolute favorites, and Ms. Robb gave her readers a fabulous story with Vendetta in Death.
Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher
In her last several books, Robb reveals the murderer early on and focuses on Eve Dallas’ work in uncovering evidence to prove it. This is a good book, but I figured out who it was before Robb revealed it. In truth I rather like when the reveal doesn’t happen until closer to the end. I like the scenes where Dallas goes up against the various suspects, who usually have something to hide anyway, as her process of elimination. And the subject matter–violence against women; it’s rather disheartening it still exists in Robb’s future world, now a little over 40 years away.
Love this series
Awesome awesome writer. Awesome awesome book. Love all her books.
Gripping from beginning to end.
Love the entire “In Death” Series
This a fun one for me. Kind of like a movie series where you see your favorite characters and learn more about them.
In Vendetta in Death, we have another murder, and my favorite lieutenant and detective are on the case.
I loved the little glimpses we get of the bullpen. I love reading about Jenkinson’s ties, and visualizing just how horrible they are. And we are still trying to figure out who the candy thief is.
I have to say this my favorite series even though it contains elements of a thriller or horror.
I love watching the relationships grow. Dallas and Roarke, Dallas and Peabody, Peabody and McNab to name a few.
I read books like I watch a movie. And so far JD Robb has me coming back for more. Not for the murders and mysteries but for the relationships and how they grow.
Looking forward to more. Thank you.
Per usual, I finished this book in record time. With Eve and Roarke you are drawn to the next step and ready to find where the next step leads. Just when you follow the story and think you know what comes next–it doesn’t. Eve is becoming adjusted to living with the “man who buys/owns the world” and secure in his love. She often asks or allows Roarke to assist her…and he is up to the job. If you have been following the series since day one or if you are starting here, you’ll want to read this book as the plot will keep you reading to solve the mystery of Lady Justice and her Vendetta.
I love the In Death series by J.D. Robb, and they are all a mix off murder, police crime-fighting, humor, and romance — set in the future. The main characters are all wonderful, and while I’m not a fan of graphic violence, these books are on my To Be Read list. But I want to add a warning about this particular installment in the series: It’s pretty gruesome in parts. But good wins in the end.
Another excellent adventure in the lives of Dallas and Roarke.
I’m hooked on JD Robb
Read it. Read every book in the series.
I have read all the “in Death” books in order. Read them this way as the characters are carried out from book one through the newest book. It is like seeing old friends again. Love this series.
The In Death Series is one of my favorites. I love how J D Robb has grown all the characters throughout this series. This was the 49th book. Even though, it’s #49, it’s still fresh and never dull. This book was good. New topic for a serial killer. Eve still gets sayings wrong. Peabody still loves Pink. Roark is still Roark. All the regulars make an appearance.
These JD Robb books are among my favorites to ever have read. I have read everyone of them and anticipate the next one coming. Dallas and Roark our amazing characters and the supporting people keep you coming back
In the past I bought J.D. Robb in death books. Now I am on Social Security Disability and I am so glad I did. It sure wasn’t work what the price of the book was Eve just didn’t seem as gung-ho and even though I picture Roarke as gorgeous, he came off flat in this book. We found out who the killer was way to early. I am being nice to give her a thre *** because I have love all of her other books. I wii be reading Golden in death next weekend. I am hoping it won’t be the let down this on was. The best thing about this book was Mavis is expecting again. As little dander as Eve was in, I say to reeneriger these books would be to let Eve and Roark have a baby. Mrs. Roberts need to decide if he is going to continue the in death servers and if so go back to the way they were before keep us all guessing, have Eve actually do something.
Really enjoyed this book!