Naked in Death (In Death, #1) in Vampires, Weres and Fae!

Oct 17, 2016 Belles rated it it was amazing

Action + Mystery + Romance = 5 stars! Very well written characters and story. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. ...more

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Mar 08, 2016 Wealie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, 0-purchased, 0-audible, 0-kindle, 1st-of-series, 0-series-read, listened, re-read, fav-series, fav-characters

5 stars - The novel that started a 50 strong novel series, with a plethora of novellas to boot. A wonderfully written start to an exceptional series of characters in a fully realised world you can almost taste in the writing.

This review was written after several readings of the full series, so is coloured by my 60 odd book strong knowledge of the key characters.

This is an excellent procedural cop drama, romance suspense and in a near future New York setting centring on a politically charged murd 5 stars - The novel that started a 50 strong novel series, with a plethora of novellas to boot. A wonderfully written start to an exceptional series of characters in a fully realised world you can almost taste in the writing.

This review was written after several readings of the full series, so is coloured by my 60 odd book strong knowledge of the key characters.

This is an excellent procedural cop drama, romance suspense and in a near future New York setting centring on a politically charged murder case of a licensed companion (prostitute) who was the granddaughter of an influential senator. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is the top murder cop in Central PD assigned to the case as she navigates a multitude of suspects. Eve is a complicated character with psychological issues in her past hidden by amnesia, she lives a simple life and is defined by her role as a murder cop, to the detriment of everything else in her life. One of Eve's top suspects is the alluring billionaire and gifted entrepreneur Roarke with a shady past. On the surface Roarke has all the check marks of prime suspect, but Eve just can't line him up as prime suspect in her mind. On top of that Eve can't help being drawn to him every time she's in his presence, even if spending time with him puts her badge and career she lives for in danger.

Exceptionally well written, with great characterisation and world building. It's hard to think about the characters and world building without taking into account my experience of reading the full cannon. However, I remember on first reading how gripping I found the world building, which was so visceral at times I felt I could taste it and smell it along with Eve. In terms of characters, a re-read gives new nuances to the words and actions of the characters and you recognise certain elements as more important as they become emblematic throughout the series. But again, on first reading I remember being profoundly affected by Eve and finding myself caught up in the slow burn romance between her and Roarke. More than that, the supporting characters, especially Feeney, Commander Whitney and Summerset were well realised and seeds of ongoing character traits and arcs are put in place skillfully without bogging down the central plot.

The central plot around the procedural murder investigation was strong, with just enough twists and turns to keep you engaged, without becoming too fantastic. The same goes with the futuristic world setting. The tech makes sense (in fact, one could suggest J.D. Robb predicted Alexa and Siri!) and adds an interesting dynamic, without overpowering the central plot. Even reading this in 2020 (25 years on from it's original publication) it feels fresh, though there was a fun reference to the urban wars ending in 2016 that made me smile when I caught it this re-read. Somehow I wouldn't be surprised if Robb is still writing Eve and Roarke's story when we finally catch up with the time period they're rooted in, I mean 2058 is only another 38 years away.

The primary POV is of Lieutenant Eve Dallas, occasionally switching with the murderer, Roarke and briefly with Feeney. When the POV changes it makes sense and at no point do you struggle to know whose eyes you're seeing through, whose thoughts you're hearing.

It's not surprising that instead of only being the first of a three novel arc, this has become an ongoing series that still packs an emotional punch, even at 50 full novels in - 61 books including all the novellas, with two more due to be released in 2020 and 2021. If anything the long running nature of the series means you get to see the characters grow and fall more deeply in love with them.

Along the way we meet the first few members of the Dallas/Roarke extended family: (view spoiler)

I've revisited this novel several times over the years and adore the narration by Susan Ericksen. I enjoy the novel even more with every new installment J.D. Robb writes adding layers of emotional connections to Eve and all her interconnected relationships. Going back to the original few novels with the knowledge of how Eve and Roarke's love and New York life develops, along with the wonderful crew of characters they accrue along the way is fab. If you haven't read this book, I can't recommend it enough, it's in my all time favourites and if you have read it, give it another whirl, especially if you've read the rest of the novels, it is even more enjoyable knowing where these great characters are going. ...more

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Jul 25, 2014 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 1st-in-a-series, library, romantic-suspense, serial-killers, mystery-thriller, crime, futuristic-romance, cats, courtesan-prostitute, rape

I have been meaning to start this series for a while now. I have read a few of Nora Roberts books in the past and had liked them, so chances were good that I was going to enjoy her writing under the name J.D Robb. And I was correct.

I mean whats not to like, we have a psychological thriller set in the future, yes there is "romantic" moments, well to be honest there was sex and the build up to potential romantic relationship. It's the year 2023, guns have been banned and are illegal, prostitution ...more

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May 06, 2017 Aimee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, mystery, crime, murder-mystery, detective, 2017, futuristic, 2018

I had forgotten how fast Roarke and Eve moved in this. On the reread, it a touch too fast, but in the end, I didn't mind since I liked how the "who dun it" part played the most important role.

At the moment, I'm up to book 37 and it's remarkable all the details I had forgotten. On this reread, I'm glad to be able to make notes of what is important (to me) and keep track. Like, for instance, the introduction of Charles. Oh, how I forgot about him but I enjoy him so much. ...more

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