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In Death #39
Festive in Death
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2014)Personal trainer Trey Ziegler was in peak physical condition. If you didn’t count the kitchen knife in his well-toned chest.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas soon discovers a lineup of women who were loved and left by the narcissistic gym rat. While Dallas sorts through the list of Ziegler’s enemies, she’s also dealing with her Christmas shopping list—plus the guest list for her and her billionaire husband’s upcoming holiday bash.
Feeling less than festive, Dallas tries to put aside her distaste for the victim and solve the mystery of his death. There are just a few investigating days left before Christmas, and as New Year’s 2061 approaches, this homicide cop is resolved to stop a cold-blooded killer.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas soon discovers a lineup of women who were loved and left by the narcissistic gym rat. While Dallas sorts through the list of Ziegler’s enemies, she’s also dealing with her Christmas shopping list—plus the guest list for her and her billionaire husband’s upcoming holiday bash.
Feeling less than festive, Dallas tries to put aside her distaste for the victim and solve the mystery of his death. There are just a few investigating days left before Christmas, and as New Year’s 2061 approaches, this homicide cop is resolved to stop a cold-blooded killer.
389 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2014
1785 people are currently reading
9633 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Robb
169 books35k followersJ.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Forgotten in Death (St. Martin's Press, September 2021) is the 53rd entry in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,661 reviews
January 4, 2020
This is my review from September 2014 when I read this book the first time. I cannot think of anything I want to change or add. It expresses perfectly the way I feel about it on my second reading. Nice to be reading it so close to Christmas too.
After 38 books you would think I might be getting tired of the In Death series but I most certainly am not! This is number 39 and reading it was like meeting up again with close friends and family. The Christmas theme is heart warming - everyone should enjoy Christmas the way these people do. I can't count how many times I laughed out loud at Eve's delightful naivety and as for Rourke, well, everyone should have one! Can you imagine coming home to that every night? This was such an enjoyable book that I did not want it to end. Roll on number 40!
September 15, 2016
What happens when a truly horrible person is murdered? You have hundreds of suspects because everyone wanted to kill this guy. Hell, I wanted to kill him myself. So, having the top homicide detective working tirelessly to solve his murder seems like a bit of a waste. Put your laziest, dumbest, apathetic guy on the job and just let it go.
The more you learn about the "victim", the more you empathize with his killers. He was truly a disgusting human being who deserved worse than an easy bludgeoning death. They should have given him the full Blandina death:
Blandina of Lyons
Reportedly the last of the martyrs of Lyons, Blandina suffered a peculiar combination of martyr-deaths. Like Lawrence of Brindisi, she was grilled alive. However, she survived the grilling. Her executioners then threw her burnt body to the bulls, naturally resulting in her being gored and trampled. Still living, a merciful executioner put a dagger in her back.
Ouch! That's gotta hurt!
But, unlike poor Blandina, our dead guy would have deserved the burning, bulls, and dagger.
By the way, am I the only one who thinks that maybe the people in the ye old days needed a different hobby than thinking up horrible ways to kill someone? If these people only had television, they might not have been so damn blood-thirsty. Sheesh! Well, unless they had to watch reality tv or the Kardashians. That might have just made things worse.
Anywhoo, Christmas is also coming up, so the police station is getting festive with a crappy tree, bent menora, and even some sort of Kwanza decorations:
She stood for a moment, studying a couple fake ears of corn now hanging on the pathetic tree.
“Isn’t the corn thing Thanksgiving? Why is fake corn hanging on that tree?”
“For Kwanza,” Jenkinson told her. “Trueheart said it’s one of the seven symbols. He looked it up. We’re all-inclusive in Homicide, ’cause whatever your race, color, or creed, you can get dead.”
“We should write that up under a Merry Christmas sign.”
The homicide division is a colorful mix of people and it's a lot of fun getting to see their dynamic in these books. I guess you need a sense of humor when you are dealing in death and misery all day. Much like those funny funny folks at the DMV.
So, my only slight complaint is that I am a little tired of how much Eve complains and fights against having to do anything that is social. She is pretty selfish in how little she is willing to do for Roarke - even sitting down to a meal with him is too much work for her. But, her refusal to do anything at all to help out when they are throwing a huge party is just rude. She also acts like having to have her hair and make-up done is such an outrageous horror. Give me a break! Maybe she's not a girly-girl, but getting a freaking haircut is not some sort of medieval torture. Just ask poor Blandina. Ingrate!
The more you learn about the "victim", the more you empathize with his killers. He was truly a disgusting human being who deserved worse than an easy bludgeoning death. They should have given him the full Blandina death:
Blandina of Lyons
Reportedly the last of the martyrs of Lyons, Blandina suffered a peculiar combination of martyr-deaths. Like Lawrence of Brindisi, she was grilled alive. However, she survived the grilling. Her executioners then threw her burnt body to the bulls, naturally resulting in her being gored and trampled. Still living, a merciful executioner put a dagger in her back.
Ouch! That's gotta hurt!
But, unlike poor Blandina, our dead guy would have deserved the burning, bulls, and dagger.
By the way, am I the only one who thinks that maybe the people in the ye old days needed a different hobby than thinking up horrible ways to kill someone? If these people only had television, they might not have been so damn blood-thirsty. Sheesh! Well, unless they had to watch reality tv or the Kardashians. That might have just made things worse.
Anywhoo, Christmas is also coming up, so the police station is getting festive with a crappy tree, bent menora, and even some sort of Kwanza decorations:
She stood for a moment, studying a couple fake ears of corn now hanging on the pathetic tree.
“Isn’t the corn thing Thanksgiving? Why is fake corn hanging on that tree?”
“For Kwanza,” Jenkinson told her. “Trueheart said it’s one of the seven symbols. He looked it up. We’re all-inclusive in Homicide, ’cause whatever your race, color, or creed, you can get dead.”
“We should write that up under a Merry Christmas sign.”
The homicide division is a colorful mix of people and it's a lot of fun getting to see their dynamic in these books. I guess you need a sense of humor when you are dealing in death and misery all day. Much like those funny funny folks at the DMV.
So, my only slight complaint is that I am a little tired of how much Eve complains and fights against having to do anything that is social. She is pretty selfish in how little she is willing to do for Roarke - even sitting down to a meal with him is too much work for her. But, her refusal to do anything at all to help out when they are throwing a huge party is just rude. She also acts like having to have her hair and make-up done is such an outrageous horror. Give me a break! Maybe she's not a girly-girl, but getting a freaking haircut is not some sort of medieval torture. Just ask poor Blandina. Ingrate!
September 13, 2014
It's close to Christmas and Eve Dallas gets a surprise call from someone she knows who's walked into a murder scene. She and Peabody have their work cut out for them as the victim was a creep.
I enjoyed this story a lot. It has all the things I love about the series...Peabody, a strong procedural, a cast of interesting suspects, clever dialogue, Eve's mixed metaphors, Roarke time and the annual holiday party at Eve and Roarke's mansion. An added bonus was a twist I didn't foresee for a long time.
There are some laugh out loud moments along with the mystery. It's a very well balanced story between the personal and the murder case. Nicely done.
I enjoyed this story a lot. It has all the things I love about the series...Peabody, a strong procedural, a cast of interesting suspects, clever dialogue, Eve's mixed metaphors, Roarke time and the annual holiday party at Eve and Roarke's mansion. An added bonus was a twist I didn't foresee for a long time.
There are some laugh out loud moments along with the mystery. It's a very well balanced story between the personal and the murder case. Nicely done.
June 7, 2023
This is the thirty-ninth book of the In Death series (not including the novellas, which I haven't read). You would think I would have already gotten bored twentysomething books ago. But honestly, I still want more!
Eve and Roarke are my favorite book couple ever! Eve is my kind of heroine. She's strong, smart, loyal, and a badass cop through and through, but deep inside, she has a soft spot for the people she cares about. Roarke, on the other hand, will forever be my book boyfriend. He's Irish, ultrarich, the typical alpha male, and a reformed "bad boy" with the perfect body and longish hair, which he ties in a ponytail when he's hard at work. I mean, what's not to love about him? Nothing, I tell you!
Eve and Roarke have gone through a lot, and they have grown so much as individuals and as a couple since the first book. Actually, the whole gang has grown up and grown in number. So, even though each book in the series can be read as a standalone, I highly recommended that you read them in order, especially since the main characters' personal relationships continue to evolve in each installment.
To those who are wondering, there is romance. It's not the smutty kind of romantic suspense, but yes, there is romance. It's written by Nora Roberts, after all.
I love this series so much because it's well-written and hilarious, the characters are awesome, and the suspense aspect is actually not crappy at all. I also can't help but swoon over Eve and Roarke every.single.time! Their relationship and the deep and intense love between them leave a more long-lasting impression on me than any other NA couple—and that's saying a lot since I pretty much enjoy anything with a HEA.
So if you're looking for some romantic suspense, do try and meet Eve and Roarke and the rest of the gang.
Eve and Roarke are my favorite book couple ever! Eve is my kind of heroine. She's strong, smart, loyal, and a badass cop through and through, but deep inside, she has a soft spot for the people she cares about. Roarke, on the other hand, will forever be my book boyfriend. He's Irish, ultrarich, the typical alpha male, and a reformed "bad boy" with the perfect body and longish hair, which he ties in a ponytail when he's hard at work. I mean, what's not to love about him? Nothing, I tell you!
Eve and Roarke have gone through a lot, and they have grown so much as individuals and as a couple since the first book. Actually, the whole gang has grown up and grown in number. So, even though each book in the series can be read as a standalone, I highly recommended that you read them in order, especially since the main characters' personal relationships continue to evolve in each installment.
To those who are wondering, there is romance. It's not the smutty kind of romantic suspense, but yes, there is romance. It's written by Nora Roberts, after all.
I love this series so much because it's well-written and hilarious, the characters are awesome, and the suspense aspect is actually not crappy at all. I also can't help but swoon over Eve and Roarke every.single.time! Their relationship and the deep and intense love between them leave a more long-lasting impression on me than any other NA couple—and that's saying a lot since I pretty much enjoy anything with a HEA.
So if you're looking for some romantic suspense, do try and meet Eve and Roarke and the rest of the gang.
November 10, 2017
I keep repeating myself here. Yes, it was great. Yes, I love Eve and Roarke. Yes, I love all the other characters in the books.
LOL. Eve and her Christmas shopping.
Roarke loves Yeats and takes out the book that Eve gave him on their first Christmas together ...
Some nice moments between herself and Feeney and of course with Peabody.
I know I am not giving away much of the plot line but it's Friday night! I am tired. xxx
"I shopped."
"Dear God! Are you alright? Should I call for the Mts?"
LOL. Eve and her Christmas shopping.
"You're reading a book."
"It's the Yeat's you gave me our first Christmas together. I reread it every year at this time."
Roarke loves Yeats and takes out the book that Eve gave him on their first Christmas together ...
She was lousy at giving gifts; she was worse at getting them.
Some nice moments between herself and Feeney and of course with Peabody.
“You go into marriage, you plow a road. You’re going to hit rough patches, and some may be rougher and last longer than others, but you’ve got choices to make. You work to smooth them out, you hold until they do, or they don’t. You stick with the road, or you get off. But you don’t do something to make it worse, don’t do something that maybe makes you feel better for the short term while it sucker punches the person you’re married to.”
“Just shut your mouth, you ignorant twat."
"Aw, Dallas, he called me a twat. How come you get to be a bitch, but I only get to be a twat."
"It's the rank," Eve told her. "You'll make bitch one day."
"Thanks. That means a lot to me.”
I know I am not giving away much of the plot line but it's Friday night! I am tired. xxx
February 17, 2019
This series are just so...
😎😎😎
😎😎😎
September 30, 2019
If Eve and Roarke couldn't get me out of this funk, no one will..
For the past couple of weeks I've been in the weirdest of moods. I don't know what I wanna read next. I don't feel like reading anything, even releases I've been anxiously waiting for. I'm so far behind in my challenge, I don't know how I'm gonna catch up. Add the fact that I've been the last man standing at work for two weeks and I'm in the shittiest mood imaginable. And usually darling Eve and Roarke help me out of these maudlin moods. But sadly not this time.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!!
For the past couple of weeks I've been in the weirdest of moods. I don't know what I wanna read next. I don't feel like reading anything, even releases I've been anxiously waiting for. I'm so far behind in my challenge, I don't know how I'm gonna catch up. Add the fact that I've been the last man standing at work for two weeks and I'm in the shittiest mood imaginable. And usually darling Eve and Roarke help me out of these maudlin moods. But sadly not this time.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!!
March 13, 2015
The newest Eve Dallas? And set around Christmas? Oh, this should be hilarious! Christmas and Eve get along about as well as chocolate and mustard, with a side of
natto
- so I expect much humor while investigating the crime! Even worse, Eve's partner (and my book-Sister) Dee Peabody?
Loves
the holidays...!
I Dare You - Tell Me That's NOT Eve Dallas!
EDITED BECAUSE the signed picture I had of Stana Katic (from her role on HEROES) had a big honking DO NOT COPY legend on it. Turns out it's DO NOT COPY because Katic signed it - there were several pictures of her from the same photoset without that legend, including this one which looks even more like Eve....
Review! Right! Not much of a mystery, really - a real scumbag of a personal trainer, who's blackmailing the women he provides "personal services" to, is found dead in the apartment he used to share with his girlfriend...and her buddy/boss, Trina! (Yes, the same Trina Eve is terrified of having do her hair.) Trina calls Eve in in the middle of the night, so she's on the case - and she and Peabody quickly find themselves not with too few suspects, but too many. Separating Who Just Hates This Guy from Who Killed Him takes up most of the book's crimesolving time - which is okay, because it's a couple days until Christmas...and Eve still hasn't done most of her shopping yet! (OTOH, unlike previous years she has already gotten her big gifts for Peabody and Roarke.)
Also, Summerset basically offers to wrap her presents (once she gets them, in a shopping marathon with her teen Super-Salesman Tiko!) if she'll help participate in the planning for the party that Saturday. Scenes of Eve letting Tiko drag her to shop for bags for most of her friends, and treating party planning the same way she treats running a major police operation, are lots of fun - and show how Eve's becoming more used to being The Lady of the Manor, even though she'll never really like it.
I Dare You - Tell Me That's NOT Eve Dallas!
EDITED BECAUSE the signed picture I had of Stana Katic (from her role on HEROES) had a big honking DO NOT COPY legend on it. Turns out it's DO NOT COPY because Katic signed it - there were several pictures of her from the same photoset without that legend, including this one which looks even more like Eve....
Review! Right! Not much of a mystery, really - a real scumbag of a personal trainer, who's blackmailing the women he provides "personal services" to, is found dead in the apartment he used to share with his girlfriend...and her buddy/boss, Trina! (Yes, the same Trina Eve is terrified of having do her hair.) Trina calls Eve in in the middle of the night, so she's on the case - and she and Peabody quickly find themselves not with too few suspects, but too many. Separating Who Just Hates This Guy from Who Killed Him takes up most of the book's crimesolving time - which is okay, because it's a couple days until Christmas...and Eve still hasn't done most of her shopping yet! (OTOH, unlike previous years she has already gotten her big gifts for Peabody and Roarke.)
Also, Summerset basically offers to wrap her presents (once she gets them, in a shopping marathon with her teen Super-Salesman Tiko!) if she'll help participate in the planning for the party that Saturday. Scenes of Eve letting Tiko drag her to shop for bags for most of her friends, and treating party planning the same way she treats running a major police operation, are lots of fun - and show how Eve's becoming more used to being The Lady of the Manor, even though she'll never really like it.
October 18, 2017
Bloody hell! This is crazy indeed. After 39 books the magic is still there!!
Festive in Death is another wonderful addition to this series. While there wasn’t an OMG factor to the murders and mystery it still packed a punch. J.D. Robb works wonders with her plots and characters right up to the very end.
If I am being honest though I rather enjoyed the fact that the setting also finds Eve, Roarke and the gang at Christmas time.
Going along with Eve holiday shopping, party planning and gift giving is always amusing. Peabody continues to WOW me too. I adore her relationship with Eve. There is a moment in the book where Eve gives her the ULTIMATE MAG present and Peabody is overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotion. It just tickled me pink and warmed my heart.
But without doubt the best moments came when Eve and Roarke exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. OH. MY. HEART. Eve still doesn’t realize what she does to him. She continues to amaze him. And Roarke. How I love this guy!! I know I have said this many times before but I love how he loves her.
I know it seems daunting that there are 45 books in this series but I can’t recommend it enough. J.D. Robb has taken such care with her writing and the development of these characters. It really is fabulous!
Festive in Death is another wonderful addition to this series. While there wasn’t an OMG factor to the murders and mystery it still packed a punch. J.D. Robb works wonders with her plots and characters right up to the very end.
If I am being honest though I rather enjoyed the fact that the setting also finds Eve, Roarke and the gang at Christmas time.
Going along with Eve holiday shopping, party planning and gift giving is always amusing. Peabody continues to WOW me too. I adore her relationship with Eve. There is a moment in the book where Eve gives her the ULTIMATE MAG present and Peabody is overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotion. It just tickled me pink and warmed my heart.
But without doubt the best moments came when Eve and Roarke exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. OH. MY. HEART. Eve still doesn’t realize what she does to him. She continues to amaze him. And Roarke. How I love this guy!! I know I have said this many times before but I love how he loves her.
I know it seems daunting that there are 45 books in this series but I can’t recommend it enough. J.D. Robb has taken such care with her writing and the development of these characters. It really is fabulous!
January 16, 2019
Festive in Death is the 39th book in the In Death series. Admittedly, I have experienced bouts of ennui while reading the last several books, but JD Robb is in fine form here. She fills this book with everything that made me fall in love with the series, and it’s now one of my favorites.
The murder mystery involving an egotistical, immoral personal trainer is a really interesting one. It challenges Dallas to put her personal feelings aside in order to get justice for a man that nobody liked. The suspects are really interesting, and this is one whodunit that kept me guessing.
Eve and Roarke share many touching moments that reinforce their emotional bond. I swear that I will go down with that ‘ship! The humor is funnier than ever, especially as Eve is forced to endure Christmas shopping and preparations for the big holiday party she and Roarke are hosting. Virtually every single supporting character ever introduced makes a very welcome appearance. I loved every inch of this addition to the series.
The murder mystery involving an egotistical, immoral personal trainer is a really interesting one. It challenges Dallas to put her personal feelings aside in order to get justice for a man that nobody liked. The suspects are really interesting, and this is one whodunit that kept me guessing.
Eve and Roarke share many touching moments that reinforce their emotional bond. I swear that I will go down with that ‘ship! The humor is funnier than ever, especially as Eve is forced to endure Christmas shopping and preparations for the big holiday party she and Roarke are hosting. Virtually every single supporting character ever introduced makes a very welcome appearance. I loved every inch of this addition to the series.
January 21, 2020
Re-read 17/01/2020
See my review of the re-read HERE
See my review of the re-read HERE
October 15, 2019
Katili doğru tahmin ettim, noelde geçmesi de çok sevimli bence. Eve ilk defa Summerset'e yardım edip organizasyona bile daldı. Çift hala gözlerinizden kalpler fışkırtıyor, seride son 10 kitaba nihayet gelebildim. Belki son kitap çıkana kadar yakalarım :P
April 18, 2015
4.5 stars
I’ve been reading these slightly out of order, which I wouldn’t normally do, but J.D. Robb makes it very easy for me to enjoy them regardless of the number on the cover. In Death series is one of the most popular series in the world and with good reason. Just days ago, I sung Nora Roberts’ praises to all of you, and I still stand by my every word.
The series takes place about 40 years from now, which is highly unusual for the detective/mystery genre, but I love that Robb never makes a big deal out of it. Mostly it’s the technology that’s new. The people, the lives, are very much the same. The changes in our world are subtle, which I suspect they will be, and everything that’s available to Eve and Rourke is very easy to imagine being available to us in 2060. In a weird way, the futuristic setting makes sense. So many of my favorite long-running series (like Kay Scarpetta) run the risk of becoming outdated. In fact, reading those first Kay Scarpetta installments is a bit funny now, with all that old technology and crime investigation techniques. Robb faces no such challenge. Her futuristic gadgets will always be new and interesting.
In this installment, Eve and Peabody investigate the murder of a fitness trainer. By all accounts, the victim was a bastard and a criminal, but Even wouldn’t be Eve if she didn’t give it her all. There are far too many suspects in this one, dozens of people with excellent motives and even opportunities. Eve will have to rely on her considerable experience and sometimes her husband to find the murderer.
As always, Peabody and McNab provide some much needed comic relief, and Eve’s attempts at Christmas shopping are simply hilarious. While she’s investigating, Roarke is preparing for their huge Christmas party and Eve is somewhat lost and trying to ignore the whole thing. Our heroine is still adorably clueless in social situations (which reminds me of Sherlock Holmes sometimes), but she’s improved considerably and she is, as always, very much aware of her shortcomings.
Eve and Roarke are still an amazing couple, that’s all that needs to be said about them. Robb uses their wonderful marriage as an asset, and never as a source of drama. There’s plenty of drama with Eve’s cases and there’s absolutely no need to add to it by creating unnecessary romantic tension. These two work together as one and I adore them for it.
You don’t need me to tell you how wildly popular this series has been from the start and you definitely don’t need me to recommend it. Obviously it’s something everyone needs to read. I’m still working my way through it, having missed several along the way, and every one is a special treat. A J.D. Robb book is a sure bet if ever there was one.
I’ve been reading these slightly out of order, which I wouldn’t normally do, but J.D. Robb makes it very easy for me to enjoy them regardless of the number on the cover. In Death series is one of the most popular series in the world and with good reason. Just days ago, I sung Nora Roberts’ praises to all of you, and I still stand by my every word.
The series takes place about 40 years from now, which is highly unusual for the detective/mystery genre, but I love that Robb never makes a big deal out of it. Mostly it’s the technology that’s new. The people, the lives, are very much the same. The changes in our world are subtle, which I suspect they will be, and everything that’s available to Eve and Rourke is very easy to imagine being available to us in 2060. In a weird way, the futuristic setting makes sense. So many of my favorite long-running series (like Kay Scarpetta) run the risk of becoming outdated. In fact, reading those first Kay Scarpetta installments is a bit funny now, with all that old technology and crime investigation techniques. Robb faces no such challenge. Her futuristic gadgets will always be new and interesting.
In this installment, Eve and Peabody investigate the murder of a fitness trainer. By all accounts, the victim was a bastard and a criminal, but Even wouldn’t be Eve if she didn’t give it her all. There are far too many suspects in this one, dozens of people with excellent motives and even opportunities. Eve will have to rely on her considerable experience and sometimes her husband to find the murderer.
As always, Peabody and McNab provide some much needed comic relief, and Eve’s attempts at Christmas shopping are simply hilarious. While she’s investigating, Roarke is preparing for their huge Christmas party and Eve is somewhat lost and trying to ignore the whole thing. Our heroine is still adorably clueless in social situations (which reminds me of Sherlock Holmes sometimes), but she’s improved considerably and she is, as always, very much aware of her shortcomings.
Eve and Roarke are still an amazing couple, that’s all that needs to be said about them. Robb uses their wonderful marriage as an asset, and never as a source of drama. There’s plenty of drama with Eve’s cases and there’s absolutely no need to add to it by creating unnecessary romantic tension. These two work together as one and I adore them for it.
You don’t need me to tell you how wildly popular this series has been from the start and you definitely don’t need me to recommend it. Obviously it’s something everyone needs to read. I’m still working my way through it, having missed several along the way, and every one is a special treat. A J.D. Robb book is a sure bet if ever there was one.
July 5, 2022
4 1/2 to 5 stars
January 8, 2020
Rereading for Buddy Read - Jan. 2020
October 6, 2014
The early hours of the morning in the lead up to Christmas found Lieutenant Eve Dallas dragged from her warm bed into the frosty outside air to investigate New York’s latest murder. And a nasty one it was too – the cardboard sign with a handwritten Santa Says You've Been Bad!!! Ho, Ho, Ho! was attached to the victim’s chest with a particularly vicious looking kitchen knife.
As Eve began the investigation with Detective Delia Peabody by her side, they started to uncover some facts about the deceased, Trey Ziegler that weren’t very complimentary. He was a personal trainer, with a trim and toned body, but he was also a vindictive and hateful person – Eve had problems finding anyone at all who liked him. Of course the list of suspects was long – would she be able to eliminate enough potential killers to find the one she wanted before the Christmas break? She needed to pinpoint the murderer in a matter of days, and she also had the dreaded duty of hosting the glamorous and very large Christmas party that husband Roarke threw at their home every Christmas – it was the highlight of everyone’s year; did she really have to attend – facing murderers was easier, wasn’t it?
With the weather worsening and the mayhem of Christmas shoppers surrounding everyone, Roarke, Peabody and the team were by Eve’s side as they hunted for evidence, interviewed suspects and came closer and closer to danger and deep, dark secrets…
Once again J.D. Robb doesn’t disappoint! I love this series and have just devoured Festive in Death in a very short time. Bring on the next one!! Highly recommended.
As Eve began the investigation with Detective Delia Peabody by her side, they started to uncover some facts about the deceased, Trey Ziegler that weren’t very complimentary. He was a personal trainer, with a trim and toned body, but he was also a vindictive and hateful person – Eve had problems finding anyone at all who liked him. Of course the list of suspects was long – would she be able to eliminate enough potential killers to find the one she wanted before the Christmas break? She needed to pinpoint the murderer in a matter of days, and she also had the dreaded duty of hosting the glamorous and very large Christmas party that husband Roarke threw at their home every Christmas – it was the highlight of everyone’s year; did she really have to attend – facing murderers was easier, wasn’t it?
With the weather worsening and the mayhem of Christmas shoppers surrounding everyone, Roarke, Peabody and the team were by Eve’s side as they hunted for evidence, interviewed suspects and came closer and closer to danger and deep, dark secrets…
Once again J.D. Robb doesn’t disappoint! I love this series and have just devoured Festive in Death in a very short time. Bring on the next one!! Highly recommended.
September 26, 2019
Another great In Death book - a very nice taste of Eve, Roarke, and all the usual suspects! Yes it takes place around Christmas - lots of cool gifts given between the main characters and between Eve and Roarke.
Some very good bantering throughout the book, a red herring or two thrown in for good measure. Of course the ritual "dirty Santa" - love that part. Most of the main characters make an appearance, if only a glimpse which is okay. We can really see the change in Eve in this book - how she copes with letting all those people into her life! And we get to see a very different side of Trina!
2 thumbs up and 5 stars - a nice treat to read!
From the Blurb: Personal trainer Trey Ziegler was in peak physical condition. If you didn’t count the kitchen knife in his well-toned chest.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas soon discovers a lineup of women who were loved and left by the narcissistic gym rat. While Dallas sorts through the list of Ziegler’s enemies, she’s also dealing with her Christmas shopping list—plus the guest list for her and her billionaire husband’s upcoming holiday bash.
Feeling less than festive, Dallas tries to put aside her distaste for the victim and solve the mystery of his death. There are just a few investigating days left before Christmas, and as New Year’s 2061 approaches, this homicide cop is resolved to stop a cold-blooded killer.
Some very good bantering throughout the book, a red herring or two thrown in for good measure. Of course the ritual "dirty Santa" - love that part. Most of the main characters make an appearance, if only a glimpse which is okay. We can really see the change in Eve in this book - how she copes with letting all those people into her life! And we get to see a very different side of Trina!
2 thumbs up and 5 stars - a nice treat to read!
From the Blurb: Personal trainer Trey Ziegler was in peak physical condition. If you didn’t count the kitchen knife in his well-toned chest.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas soon discovers a lineup of women who were loved and left by the narcissistic gym rat. While Dallas sorts through the list of Ziegler’s enemies, she’s also dealing with her Christmas shopping list—plus the guest list for her and her billionaire husband’s upcoming holiday bash.
Feeling less than festive, Dallas tries to put aside her distaste for the victim and solve the mystery of his death. There are just a few investigating days left before Christmas, and as New Year’s 2061 approaches, this homicide cop is resolved to stop a cold-blooded killer.
September 14, 2014
5 Strong n Glittery Christmas Stars!!! JD Robb has had a pattern with the ID books for a while now. One case-intense book with edge and urgency and one lighter book with more banter, life outside of work, and side character interactions. This was the light book;) I believe that this book has given us the most off-case scenes ever. I loved the party prep/the party itself, the gift shopping/giving, the home life, the vid and popcorn, and on and on... It rocked! The case was well done and the twists at the end appreciated, too. As always, though, the characters take center stage for me...mainly Eve and Roarke, so I was a happy, happy camper. Also, I was very amused, because I'm fairy certain that Festive contained the best in the series. Both of their reactions were hilarious, true to character/s, and will forever live in infamy in my mind:) Classic E&R! Loved this...love them...Enjoy!
December 20, 2014
This was one of the better in the series, less gruesome and more details on Eve and Roark’s relationship. This is one of the few series of books that seems to stay interesting. The characters grow and learn from their mistakes, each book building on the next. Eve is moving past her issues, learning to trust and love. Roark continues to buy and trade solar systems.
October 26, 2015
This latest installment for JD Robb’s “In Death” series takes place in Eve’s adopted home—New York City. The fact the victim is universally disliked is supposed to be a major test of Eve’s personal ethic that everyone, no matter who, deserves justice and someone to stand for them. Although that idea is stated a number of times throughout the book—it doesn’t really come across all that strongly in the plot.
This book was OK. But having read them all—next to most of the others in the series, it only came out “OK”. The plot was fine—up until the end when it had a very “un-Eve like” plot twist, which went against one of her more ingrained traits: being able to see and identify the killer fairly early on—with most of those around her catching up a bit later. It took me aback a little that Eve missed what was fairly obvious for quite awhile.
It’s an OK read. Nothing about it really makes it outstanding from any other “mid-list” type murder mystery. But that isn’t where I would generally rank this series. It has a great deal of dialogue, but is a bit short on descriptive passages. Still- it’s an easy read. You don’t have to put it down every ten pages out of sheer descriptive overload (think "The Perfect Storm"). On the other hand, it isn’t nearly as engaging as the earlier books either.
I think I’m having a hard time getting past the impression that Nora Roberts (JD Robb) isn’t writing this series herself anymore. Eve has lost her femininity—and the dialogue itself is a giveaway for that. She’s snarky in the manner of a teenager or young adult, and some of the few descriptions (“the color reminded her of cum”…. Seriously??) just didn’t sound like her. She’s coming off as crude. And while she used to use baser language, and described some pretty gritty situations, Eve never seemed to come across as crude, even when she was being brutally direct in her comments and language.
And just as sadly, Roarke has lost his commanding edge. He’s coming across as a mere backdrop for Eve. It’s also interesting that although Trina got a short nod of interaction in the book—except for Roarke, Peabody and McNab, every other character had a 1 page or less appearance or simply got a mention. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with that sort of linear writing, in dialogue, plot and character interactions. I’ve read, and enjoyed, a number of books like that myself. But it does strike me as being more the way a male writes (as a general rule—there are always exceptions), and it has changed the whole tone of the series.
I personally preferred the previous writing style. But as in all things—that is a matter of personal preference. I do know that I no longer wait for these books, mark the calendar, and download them the day they come out. But I do still read them when I come across a new one that has been released. So—3 stars—dead average.
December 16, 2014
Opening line: "... Men, Sima thought, can't live with them, can't beat them to death with a nine iron ..."
FESTIVE IN DEATH is the 39th book in the mystery/romantic suspense ‘Death’ series which I never seem to tire of. I have found each of the books to be well-written with believable characters and darker edgy heart in mouth type murder investigations with enough humour to prevent you sucking your thumb in the corner. FESTIVE IN DEATH is set in Christmas 2060 – Christmas is not a season Lieutenant Eve Dallas of New York’s Homicide department is at one with, and to add insult to injury Eve’s partner, Dee Peabody, loves the season; very hard to carry out a serious investigation with Peabody strutting along in a pink leather coat!
A well written story with clever dialogue and a good balance between Eve’s personal life and the murder case investigation. The investigation component starts when the murder victim’s ex-girlfriend sneaks into his flat to put itching powder in his socks. To her horror she discovers the body, with her is Eve’s hairdresser friend Trina who quickly calls Eve onto the case. So a couple of days before Christmas Eve has a murder investigation, a list of interesting suspects each with a strong reason to bump the victim off and a huge Christmas party to prepare for in the family home. Eve is smart, brave and a great friend and wife, although she does have problem with understanding the niceties of being part of the human race, getting dressed up and attending parties are one of the niceties of life she doesn’t get. Her husband Roarke is a successful businessman, Irish, very rich, smart and brave and understands her aversion to parties. And while these two love each other and there are love scenes –they are more swoon than raunchy and don’t detract from the investigation at all. Well maybe a little – but in a nice way. While the previous books have been mostly about the investigation with a little bit private life to break the tension, FESTIVE IN DEATH has part of the tension being the private life, as Eve forced into preparing for the Christmas party and being turned into a socialite for the night to cope with hundreds of guests, gifts to buy, decoration to be hung and food and wine to be organised. Mind you the bulk of those tasks fall to the Roarke and their live-in butler Summerset, all Eve has to do is turn up. For her turning up is the stressful part. Dealing with thugs, drug addicts and murderers is a piece of cake compared to parties. In the end the Christmas party happens – the murderer is found after some twists and turns and peace is temporarily restored.
November 21, 2022
3,5 / 5
November 30, 2019
I was leaning towards a 3.5 star, but then the mystery actually executed a twist I was hoping it would, which bumped things up. A lot of "hang out" time in this one with all our favorite characters which is a win in my books
September 22, 2014
Oh my. Christmas!!!
Another time of Eve where she becomes so worried about presents and another Christmas party she and Roarke are supposed to host. Tsk tsk. Eve's not big about gifts and parties, but still, I kinda like seeing her so flustered when Roarke rains her with myriad of gifts (like in the book 22, Memory in Death). I always like In Death books when Eve and Roarke are celebrating their anniversary or Christmas.
Still a long time to read this one #sighheavily
I'll still waitimpatiently for this book
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September 22
Ho, ho, ho. I love this book's Christmas. Eve is getting craftier with giving gifts--and of course receiving them from her hot-as-hell husband. My wait wasn't for naught, I suppose.
There are many surprises in this book--things that at first Eve wasn't comfortable to do but now she at least tolerates. And gift room! Who the hell has a room dedicated solely for gifts? Apparently, Roarke does.
The dynamic between Eve and Peabody gets better and better. They're getting perfect together, so in sync with each other. I love the interactions between Eve and Feeney, Eve and Peabody, hell, even Eve and Tiko.
While the murder itself isn't particularly exciting, I got more excited by their Christmas party and Eve's war to the shopping area (lol). And this book is definitely better than the last one.
Another time of Eve where she becomes so worried about presents and another Christmas party she and Roarke are supposed to host. Tsk tsk. Eve's not big about gifts and parties, but still, I kinda like seeing her so flustered when Roarke rains her with myriad of gifts (like in the book 22, Memory in Death). I always like In Death books when Eve and Roarke are celebrating their anniversary or Christmas.
Still a long time to read this one #sighheavily
I'll still wait
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September 22
Ho, ho, ho. I love this book's Christmas. Eve is getting craftier with giving gifts--and of course receiving them from her hot-as-hell husband. My wait wasn't for naught, I suppose.
There are many surprises in this book--things that at first Eve wasn't comfortable to do but now she at least tolerates. And gift room! Who the hell has a room dedicated solely for gifts? Apparently, Roarke does.
The dynamic between Eve and Peabody gets better and better. They're getting perfect together, so in sync with each other. I love the interactions between Eve and Feeney, Eve and Peabody, hell, even Eve and Tiko.
While the murder itself isn't particularly exciting, I got more excited by their Christmas party and Eve's war to the shopping area (lol). And this book is definitely better than the last one.
September 25, 2017
The murder and mystery of this series never gets old even after reading 39 books. Our victim in this installment is a guy people loved to hate but whatever he was, he belongs to Eve in death.
Also, we get to spend another Christmas with Eve and Roarke. All the gift buying/giving made Eve on edge. The party was a ultramazing (Mavis's term).
And the convo with Eve and Peabody about cheating was very interesting.
" You go into marriage, you plow a road. Stick and try to work it through, or don't. But don't give me the boo-hoo, I'm not happy so I'm getting naked with somebody else on the side. It insults everybody. Walk or work but don't make excuses." (that's my amazing Eve!)
And Roarke saying this to Eve.
" I love you beyond speech. Beyond reason." (me melts into a puddle)
Also, we get to spend another Christmas with Eve and Roarke. All the gift buying/giving made Eve on edge. The party was a ultramazing (Mavis's term).
And the convo with Eve and Peabody about cheating was very interesting.
" You go into marriage, you plow a road. Stick and try to work it through, or don't. But don't give me the boo-hoo, I'm not happy so I'm getting naked with somebody else on the side. It insults everybody. Walk or work but don't make excuses." (that's my amazing Eve!)
And Roarke saying this to Eve.
" I love you beyond speech. Beyond reason." (me melts into a puddle)
January 2, 2015
Eve and Roarke are just the bestest couple EVAH! Now I am ready for the holidays to start. Maybe I will do a full review, maybe I won't. Sometimes it just nice to have thouroughly enjoyed a book without the pressure of a review. But I highlighted so much awesomeness..... :) we'll see.
January 22, 2017
1 Star; DNF
One of the most important things to me in a 'good book' is a main character or cast of characters that, even if I can't like them, I can understand and even empathize with them.
I've come to the point with this series that I abhor Eve's character. The plot/mystery was weak but beside that, Eve has evolved into a whiny, ungrateful snot. She marginalizes anyone who she can't use and she is intolerant and rude to her coworkers and anyone else who doesn't immediately fall over themselves to do what she wants. She acts like she is the only person in the world who works hard and has an important job so things like buying gifts or helping prepare for a party are in impossible imposition on her. Who is so immature that that get into a pout and throw a hissy fit because they didn't know their mansion had guest suites or a room where they can wrap Christmas presents? She's lived there for two years yet still blames Roarke and/or Summerset as if its their fault she is self absorbed and oblivious and doesn't know anything about the house she lives in. Ugh.
One of the most important things to me in a 'good book' is a main character or cast of characters that, even if I can't like them, I can understand and even empathize with them.
I've come to the point with this series that I abhor Eve's character. The plot/mystery was weak but beside that, Eve has evolved into a whiny, ungrateful snot. She marginalizes anyone who she can't use and she is intolerant and rude to her coworkers and anyone else who doesn't immediately fall over themselves to do what she wants. She acts like she is the only person in the world who works hard and has an important job so things like buying gifts or helping prepare for a party are in impossible imposition on her. Who is so immature that that get into a pout and throw a hissy fit because they didn't know their mansion had guest suites or a room where they can wrap Christmas presents? She's lived there for two years yet still blames Roarke and/or Summerset as if its their fault she is self absorbed and oblivious and doesn't know anything about the house she lives in. Ugh.
April 15, 2019
Book 39 I devoured without realising how much I was reading, time definitely got away from me.
So, Christmas is around the corner again, and between unwanted shopping to do, and a murder to solve Eve has her hands full, especially as the ‘victim’ was a despicable human being, but he is Eve’s now and no matter how much she may hate the dead guy, she will catch his killer, and in doing so uncovers unexpected living victims.
A fair few people are still enamoured with Eve’s magic leather coat – it’s getting slightly weird now, but each to their own, I guess. There’s a sweet moment when Peabody gets
The interactions between Summerset and Eve remain entertaining, you just know that the sniping is a sign that somewhere deep, deep down they love each other. I thoroughly enjoyed Peabody and Eve working over a suspect, they work of each other well.
I missed having a scene with Bella in this book, hopefully she’s in the next one. Eve’s and Roarke’s reactions can be very amusing and/or endearing when she’s in the picture.
So, Christmas is around the corner again, and between unwanted shopping to do, and a murder to solve Eve has her hands full, especially as the ‘victim’ was a despicable human being, but he is Eve’s now and no matter how much she may hate the dead guy, she will catch his killer, and in doing so uncovers unexpected living victims.
A fair few people are still enamoured with Eve’s magic leather coat – it’s getting slightly weird now, but each to their own, I guess. There’s a sweet moment when Peabody gets
The interactions between Summerset and Eve remain entertaining, you just know that the sniping is a sign that somewhere deep, deep down they love each other. I thoroughly enjoyed Peabody and Eve working over a suspect, they work of each other well.
I missed having a scene with Bella in this book, hopefully she’s in the next one. Eve’s and Roarke’s reactions can be very amusing and/or endearing when she’s in the picture.
January 6, 2015
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is not a big fan of Christmas - buying Christmas gifts, going to Christmas parties and socilaising all takes too much time and effort, but now married to mega wealthy businessman Roarke, she has no choice but to get into the mood and help him buy gifts for their friends, glam up and host a big party.
Meanwhile Eve and her partner, Delia Peabody are investigating the murder of a personal trainer, Trey Zieglar. Trey turns out to have a lot of cash making Eve suspect that someone has been paying him for more than a bit of training and massage. It turns out that the list of suspects is long and Eve and Peabody have their work cut out trying to investigate them all and solve the case.
This was a very satisfying Christmas read - a good murder mystery and amusing scenes of Eve struggling to fulfill her social obligations as Roarke's wife while focusing on her job. Fortunately Roarke is a very accommodating husband, helping her on the job, making sure she is warm and well fed and keeping the peace between Eve and his butler Summerset.
I have to confess that this only my second of the "In Death" series but I'm eager to go and fill in the gaps (all 37 of them! Whew!)
Meanwhile Eve and her partner, Delia Peabody are investigating the murder of a personal trainer, Trey Zieglar. Trey turns out to have a lot of cash making Eve suspect that someone has been paying him for more than a bit of training and massage. It turns out that the list of suspects is long and Eve and Peabody have their work cut out trying to investigate them all and solve the case.
This was a very satisfying Christmas read - a good murder mystery and amusing scenes of Eve struggling to fulfill her social obligations as Roarke's wife while focusing on her job. Fortunately Roarke is a very accommodating husband, helping her on the job, making sure she is warm and well fed and keeping the peace between Eve and his butler Summerset.
I have to confess that this only my second of the "In Death" series but I'm eager to go and fill in the gaps (all 37 of them! Whew!)
January 4, 2018
4 stars - Futuristic/Crime/Holiday/Romantic Suspense/Mystery
I love this series! Honestly, I was pretty bored/uninterested with the crime/murder case that Eve was tasked with solving in this one. But I loved the holiday parts of the story (Eve shopping, the gift exchanges between all the characters, and Eve and Roarke's Christmas party), and all that made it worthwhile for me.
I love this series! Honestly, I was pretty bored/uninterested with the crime/murder case that Eve was tasked with solving in this one. But I loved the holiday parts of the story (Eve shopping, the gift exchanges between all the characters, and Eve and Roarke's Christmas party), and all that made it worthwhile for me.
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