This Chick Read: Faithless in Death (In Death #52) by J. D. Robb

How is it that after 52 novels this incomparable author can still give us a fresh mystery? It truly boggles my mind. Faithless in Death brings back all of our favorite characters as they investigate what looks to be a pretty straightforward murder in the West Village. Artist, Ariel Byrd is bludgeoned to death in her studio, leaving behind a couple of wine glasses and a mussed up bedroom. Wealthy, elegant, Gwen Huffman calls in the murder over an hour after she discovers the body, and more details don’t add up. As they dig a little further, Eve discovers a motive that ties this murder to something much larger than a romance gone wrong.

I’m still about 5 novels behind the finish and can’t ever seem to catch up because this author writes quicker than I read. As it’s a futuristic mystery series I need to be in the mood and whereas I probably read 2 of them a year, the author also writes that many. The good news is that she doesn’t ever seem to stop so I can return to some characters that I’ve built a relationship with over many years and know I’m going to enjoy what I read. This story started off quickly and didn’t ever seem to stop and as Eve becomes smarter it seems that the people she’s trying to stop also become bigger. There are many surprises hidden in Faithless in Death and unfortunately I’m not going to spoil them for you here. Which makes my job a little tougher.

These stories are not all about solving murders, we also learn a little bit more about the characters as each story unfolds. In this novel. we find out that Mavis and Leonardo are buying a home and there is a small gathering to view the property. Eve’s interaction with her god-daughter are again precious. Mostly because Eve is confused by the little girl, but also because she didn’t have a childhood like what Mavis is giving her, so their interactions are bittersweet and lovely. These brief moments help create a connection between the reader and the characters that keep carrying us forward and wanting to learn more of their personal stories, which the author feeds us in these brief moments. Brilliant.

It would be hard to hit it out of the ballpark in every single novel in a 52 (now 57) book series but Faithless in Death was one of the great ones. You are “in the room” during all of the critical unveilings and are riding along with the crew as they investigate and reveal. There aren’t any secrets but you still get to take part in unraveling an incredible mystery. This was a good one folks! I’m glad I read it.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Faithless in Death

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: Shadows in Death (In Death #51) by J.D. Robb

Eve and Roarke’s evening out is interrupted by a murder in Washington Square Park. While examining the crime scene Roarke spots an enemy from his childhood in the crowd. Lorcan Cobbe, grew up admiring Roarke’s father, working in his organization and moving his way up to paid assassin. Now a wanted man, he jumps immediately to the top of the suspect list and Eve is in hot pursuit. It becomes obvious that Cobbe is taking advantage of running into his enemy and is targeting Roarke and all of those he loves. Eve and her team use every tool they have to gather evidence and hopefully take him down.

I’m a little behind in this series as I believe the 55th book was just released, but ran across this title in my library wishlist and was in the mood for a futuristic investigation with some of my favorite characters. Even though it’s been awhile, when you’ve stuck with a series for 51 books the characters are like good friends. You know when you see one of your best friends from high school after a few years apart and you just jump right back into a previous conversation? The In Death books are exactly like that.

I enjoyed Shadows in Death a lot. Part of it was the comradery of Eve’s team when it becomes clear that Cobbe is targeting Roarke and Eve. Their “family” was going to take down this killer before he had a chance to do anything and how they banded together to investigate, find his mistakes, and then capture him was so emotional because Eve was so awed by their support. Even after all of these years she is surprised that she has a group of friends and I love that insecurity. It really makes you root for her as a character.

There wasn’t a mystery to solve in this plot because we knew the killer in the first chapter but the investigation was fast and personal. Each dip and turn was fraught with tension and each chapter amped up the tension leading to a conclusion that was so, so good! There’s nothing like jumping back into a series with a gripping plot and being reminded why you’ve read all 51 books. When J.D. Robb writes well, her books are excellent. This was one of the really good ones and yes, I’ve already picked up book #52, I hope it’s just as good! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Shadows in Death

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: Connections in Death (In Death #48) by J.D. Robb

Once again Homicide cop Eve Dallas and her gorgeous billionaire husband Roarke’s lives cross closely with murder. Dr. Rochelle Pickering has just been hired as psychologist at their youth shelter when her brother Lyle is found dead by an apparent drug overdose in their apartment. As Eve investigates his troubled past as a gang member emphasizing the reasons their shelter is being built.

There have been sooooo many In Death books that after 47 you would think it would be hard for the author to come up with an original mystery. I really felt Connections in Death delivered! I could be wrong, but I don’t remember Eve investigating gangs in any of the previous novels. I found this brought a grittier feel to the mystery. The bulletproof vests were on and doors were being broken down, it was similar to an episode of Law & Order! The contrast between that gang lifestyle and Lyle’s rehabilitated world made the reason for his murder even more sad.

I enjoyed this novel more than quite a few others in the series because the detectives felt more like cops than investigators. Yes, Peabody in her pink coat and boots is adorable and brilliant, but I enjoyed seeing her pummel a gang member and get physical.

This was a fast paced story that I easily read in a few hours and enjoyed tremendously. The characters didn’t advance any storylines further it was just a straight mystery with no sidebar distractions, and I really liked it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Connections in Death: An Eve Dallas Novel (In Death, Book 48)

Copyright 2020 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase the book through this link I will receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: Secrets in Death (In Death #45) by J. D. Robb

Forty-Five books into the In Death series and I am again surprised at J. D. Robb’s (or Nora Roberts) talent to write a mystery that is unique.  Secrets in Death starts off running as a gossip columnist is murdered in a trendy bar and literally drops dead in Eve’s arms. Lieutenant Eve Dallas doesn’t like trendy bars or restaurants, even if her billionaire husband Roarke happens to own them. A death makes the place so much more interesting!

Once again Eve and her team dive deep into this murder, developing different scenario’s while trying to find the killer. What makes this novel unique is that this victim is well known and while investigating, they find out some of her deep dark secrets that strike a little too close to home.

This novel started off fast because of the immediate death but it slowed down tremendously during the investigation. I do love all of the characters in these novels, but I got the feeling #45 was just a place holder, a book that was required to be written because the author was under contract. It lacked some of the camaraderie and fun dialog that previous In Death novels provided. I’m ready for a little more growth from Eve than I have gotten in the last couple of novels. A new step in the relationship? Kill off one of her team? Something! This wasn’t a bad book, but when you have 44 others to compare it to, it came up short for me.

❤️❤️❤️❣️

Secrets in Death Click on this link to purchase! Secrets in Death: An Eve Dallas Novel (In Death, Book 45) Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Favorite Fictional Couples 

I have never been the type of person who gets crushes on famous actors, has a book boyfriend, favorite band or heck, even a favorite food.  Sure I have likes and dislikes; I like Chris Hemsworth more than Liam Hemsworth and Mexican Food more than Chinese, but never have had an outright favorite.

I do however have favorite fiction couples. Is it the thought that there is one person out there for everyone? Sure. But it’s more of how those two people fit together and that chemistry thats so fascinating. Let’s analyze a few of my favorites.

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon – Jamie and Claire

I read these books when they first came out in the ’90’s. Yes, some of you weren’t even born yet! ALL the women in my family passed these books around to each other and swooned over Jamie and Claire. One of my Uncles even named his daughter Claire ( yes, the men in my family have read Outlander, even my own husband!). Why do these two connect so well with us? Claire is a modern woman, well modern for historical highland Scotland anyway. She’s smart, stands up for herself, and even though torn between two men finds enough love within herself for both. Jamie is the love of her life or lifetimes, as the case may be. Jamie, a young handsome highlander likes her smarts, sass, and experience. Most importantly, he allows her to to be Claire. In doing so, he captures her heart even when they live centuries apart. That separation and the fact that Claire travels through time to be with her true love only makes us love it and them more.

Click this link to purchase! Outlander

In Death series by J. D. Robb – Eve and Rourke

She’s a cop, and he’s a gazillionaire ex-thief and the setting is futuristic New York. Despite their surface differences they have commonalities in their depths. Eve was abused and raped by her own father and she killed him when she was a child in self defense. Roarke was a street punk who survived by those artful dodger skills. Both lacked love as children but somehow overcame that to have thriving careers and ultimately finding that love they needed from each other. He is whimsical and uber brilliant, and she is steely and analytical and because of those traits they are the yin to each others yang. It’s great fun to see Eve discover her own hidden depths and Roarke to love in overwhelming waves and to see each other grow as a couple because of their trust for each other.  His gazillionaire status doesn’t play into it at all though all his gadgets, gizmos and exotic locations do make for a fun read

Click the link to purchase! Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
The Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews – Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan

An Urban Fantasy series, the third,Wildfire, came out this week and I am reading right now. (I MUST get back to it!) Connor Mad Rogan, is a Prime. A mage with an extraordinary skillset that has been used in battle and earned him a certain reputation. He and Nevada cross paths when they are both investigating the same crime. He is instantly intrigued by her and although she can’t ignore how attractive he is, his reputation is pretty scary (hence the nickname “Mad”) and she isn’t interested. However, forced to work together she is drawn to his strength and honor, and see’s that young boy inside of him that suffered from a lack of love. Those things whittle away at her walls until she lets him in, and at that moment, he has her trust, heart, and hope. Connor, with all of that power never used it to win her over. I think it was the fact that he let her grow without trying to influence her, fought by her side, protected her family and ultimately that strength of passion that won her over. Oh, don’t forget their incredible chemistry. Wowza!

Click the link to purchase! Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy)
A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas – Feyre and Rhysand

This YA fantasy series used misdirection and an evil enemy to move our two heroes Feyre and Rhysand together both in the fight against evil but also in a bonding love that would seem to be everlasting. Feyre, human turned Fae, is certainly put through the wringer in these books. Fighting for herself and her family, the whole time. Rhysand, introduced to the reader as the King of darkness, had a lot to overcome, both with Feyre and the reader because Ms. Maas manipulated our minds into believing he was the bad guy. As the story unfolds and we see the true nature of Rhysand and Tamlin (the red herring) our own hearts unfold, right along with Feyre’s and we bleed our love for Rhysand. Or at least that is what it felt like to me. Theirs was a union that had to overcome death, deception and war. In comparison their happy moments felt like golden moments of stolen time, sure to be taken away. Feyre, although not my favorite female character of all time, was held up as part of one of my favorite couples because of Rhysand’s grit and fortitude, and yes love and passion. He was desperately fighting for their love, we just didn’t realize it until later, and when we did, we bought it and him, hook, line and sinker.

Click the link to purchase! A Court of Thorns and Roses

The more I think on this topic the more I could go on and on and on. I left out the obvious classics like Romeo and Juliet (although they both die so really does that count?), Ron and Hermione for the Harry Potter fans, and even Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. These four are a few of my favorites and I know my choices lean towards fantasy which may not appeal to everyone.

I would love to hear who is your own favorite fictional couple. Do they come from the classics? Contemporary romance? Or are they from fantasy novels like mine? Please comment below and lets talk.

Until next Sunday!

Deb

This Chick Read: Echoes in Death (In Death #44) by J. D. Robb

Eve and Roark, just back from vacation are on the way home from a charity event when a bloody, naked woman steps out in front of their car. They rush her to the hospital and that quickly, she’s back on the job and Eve’s next investigation begins. This investigation revolves around a man who dresses up like a horror flick, invades homes and ties up the husband making him watch while he rapes the wife. Not an easy thing to read about, and for Eve, it once again brings back the ghosts from her troubled past. Continue reading “This Chick Read: Echoes in Death (In Death #44) by J. D. Robb”

This Chick Read: Apprentice in Death ( In Death #43) by J.D. Robb

A sniper shoots three people at an NYC ice ring and Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her team are called in to catch the killer before the killer strikes again.  This was a faster moving investigation than previous novels, with Eve and her team figuring out the mystery pretty early on in the story. A step behind the shooter until the end, it was fascinating to see how Eve’s own apprenticeship with Capt.Feeney, and her own mentorship to Peabody gave her insight into how to crack the case and get into the mind of the shooter. Continue reading “This Chick Read: Apprentice in Death ( In Death #43) by J.D. Robb”

This Chick Read: J.D. Robb’s Brotherhood in Death

I don’t even know what number book this is in the In Death series, and I don’t care.  I will always buy, borrow or steal a copy and read it as soon as it comes out!  Luckily, I didn’t have to steal a copy, I checked it out on my Overdrive library app.  Fans of Nora Roberts, aka J.D Robb, never have to Continue reading “This Chick Read: J.D. Robb’s Brotherhood in Death”