Monday, July 17, 2006

Title: Naked in Death
Author: J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts)
Published: 1995, Berkley
Category: Romantic Suspense
Rating: 7/10

The first in J.D. Robb's In Death series. I've been meaning to start this series for a really long time. For one thing, everyone seems to love the hero, Roarke. Hmmm, handsome, powerful millionaire who's also sweet and caring. I get it. :)

Eve Dallas is a New York police detective living in the year 2058. When the granddaughter of a senator is murdered, Dallas is the primary investigator for the case. Soon she has a serial killer on her hands as more victims are discovered. Among the suspects is Roarke. (Sidenote: Why doesn't he have a first name? It seems kind of stupid. He's a businessman, not a pop star!) Luckily she quickly clears him of suspicion, so they can enjoy some hot nookie. Really good plot, I kept changing my mind about who I thought was guilty.

I ended up really liking the futuristic setting (even though it threw me for a loop a bit at first). The suppositions that NR makes about what life might be like in 50 years were really interesting and, for the most part, believable. Like Kristie said in the comments on my last post, some of those things (like the video phones and whatnot) are already starting to come true in the ten years since the book was published. I hope that NR has predicted the truth on other stuff too. That complete gun ban would be great for starters.

Eve is a fantastic character. Tough and smart. She's got integrity but is at the same time endearingly flawed. And she's got lots of issues that I'm sure will be worked through in the next, what, 25 or so books!

And I have to give NR snaps for addressing some pretty weighty issues. I don't want to give away the ending, but you all who've read it know what I'm talking about. I was fairly appalled by who done it.

I'm already half way through #2. I needed me some more Roarke. The button!! AHHH!

10 comments:

Mailyn said...

I've been hearing a lot about this series and I must admit it's getting harder to resis the temptation but dang it I hear it's a long series. ugh.

Kristie (J) said...

And there is lot's of Roarke to go around :) You only have 24 more to go (and lucky me - I have them all). Some are better than others but they are all good. I don't read Nora anymore but I'm still loving JD to Death.
I'll be looking to see what you think of Eve's growth and the fun of her extened 'family' You haven't 'met' any of them yet except for Roarke of course and Feeney. Oh and Charles. He pops up in a lot of them.
"I hope that NR has predicted the truth on other stuff too. That complete gun ban would be great for starters."
That one would be nice yeh, but I don't think I'd like the lack of real coffee one :)
And Mailyn - this really is a great series.

Kristie (J) said...

Oh - and Roarke's first name. He does have one but we don't know what it is. She gives hints in some of her books as to what it might be - I think I know - but he always just goes by Roarke just as she usually goes by Dallas.

~ames~ said...

Hmm...I've been hearing the same good things about this series. But I've been resisting, I don't know.

Is Roarke the hero throughout the whole series? And nobody finds that boring? Is he that great?

LOL - I'm looking for reasons to keep resisting.

Kristie (J) said...

Yep - Roarke is the hero throughout and trust me *evil grin* he doesn't get boring in the least!!

Jennie said...

Mailyn--I know it is a little daunting to start a series that long, but so far they're really good.

Kristie--I was wondering if Eve would ever find out Roarke's first name. And does she ever find out her real name??

Ames--It does seem weird that she could draw out the romance over that many books (without it becoming annoying that these poor people never get their happily ever after!!) We'll see. :)

Kristie (J) said...

If she ever finds out Roarkes first name we don't know about it. And for Eve's real name - well that plays a significant part in one of the later books so to say anything would be major spoiler. I don't know if you like spoilers or hate them. :)

Jennie said...

OK, Kristie. I'll wait to find out about Eve's past. :) I do like spoilers but this is a biggie!

Kristie (J) said...

It is a biggie and it really comes out of left field. Unfortunately it doesn't come out until about book 18 or 19 (maybe a little sooner) so if you get impatient and can't wait (I know I wouldn't be able to if the answer was out there and I didn't know it) let me know and I'll clue you in.

nath said...

I agree with Kristie, the series is great... I also have all the books :D and you don't get tired of Eve and Roarke because they change, grow and mature. Best of all, they have flaws and are aware of it... they have issues and try to work it out... anyway, it's a nice series and I think that the fact that Roarke and Eve are in a very strong, stable relationship helps the plot.

as for Roarke first name, i don't think that Eve cares enough to find it.

anyway, series might be long, but it's worth it.