J.D. Robb discussion

Our In Death buddy read continues with Purity in Death. We're enjoying some great, in-depth discussions on these books each month. Please feel free to join in!

Synopsis:
Louie Cogburn had spent three days holed up in his apartment, staring at his computer screen. His pounding headache was unbearable - it felt like spikes drilling into his brain. And it was getting worse. Finally, when someone knocked at his door, Louie picked up a baseball bat, opened up the door, and started swinging....

The first cop on the scene fired his stunner twice. Louie died instantly. Detective Eve Dallas has taken over the investigation, but there's nothing to explain the man's sudden rage or death. The only clue is a bizarre message left on his computer screen: ABSOLUTE PURITY ACHIEVED
And when a second man dies under near-identical circumstances, Eve starts racking her brain for answers and the courage to face the impossible...that this might be a computer virus able to spread from machine to man....

Purity In Death Map - Possible Spoilers!

Approximate Start Date: July, 2059

Alternate Covers

Character List:
Eve
Roarke
Delia Peabody
Ryan Feeney
Jack Whitney
Charlotte Mira
Mavis Freestone
Summerset
Nadine Furst
Ian McNab
David Baxter
Galahad
Leonardo
Jamie Lingstrom
Morris
Harrison Tibble
Troy Trueheart
Donald Webster
Anna Whitney
Minor & Peripheral Characters
(view spoiler)[Suzanne Cohen
Officer Proctor
Kevin Halloway
Reenie Pikowski
Colleen Halloway
Detective Gates
Steven Peachtree
Jenna Franco
Lee Chang
Clarissa Price
Thomas Dwier
Jay Hippel
Donald Dukes
Sylvia Dukes
Nita
Sal
Vera Archer
Mr Snyder
Judge Lincoln
Ralph Wooster
Louis K. Cogburn
Dubreck
Silby
Luke Andrew
Chadwick Fitzhugh
Mya Dubber
Mary Ellen George
Lauren
Debrah Banker
K.C. Stewart
Del Vincent
Devin Dukes
Joseph Dukes
Maryanna Wilcox
Lily Doogan
Hannah Wade
Nick Greene
Tripps
Gretta Gowan
John Gowan
Judge Matthews
Matthew Sawyer
Keith Burns
Stanford Quillens
Angie Anderson
Roy Anderson
Dru Geller
Michael Stanski
Hester Stanski (hide spoiler)]

Quotes:
Jamie (to Eve): "I don't blab off," he said with some heat. "I know how it works. And I don't have any lame poodle. Plus, I've seen girls naked." He grinned now. "Including you."
*********

"Don't make any smart comments about me being a soft touch," Eve warned. "Or you'll be glad we happen to be in a medical facility when you regain full consciousness."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Roarke rubbed a hand over hers. "Lieutenant Softie."
*********

Eve: "Man. God. Roarke."
Roarke: "An interesting and flattering lineup."
*********

Roarke: "There seems to be an inordinate amount of attractive female medical personnel on this level, Ian. But I don't suppose you've noticed."
McNab: "Blast didn't screw up my vision."
************

“If you need to vent, go out there on the kitchen terrace. Scream your lungs out.”

“Is that what you do?”

“Sometimes. Sometimes I kick inanimate objects. Sometimes I jump Roarke and have jungle sex. The last,” she said after a beat, “is not an option for you.”

“But I think it would really make me feel better, and be a more productive member of the investigative team.”

“Good, humor is good. Get me coffee.”

We'll start Purity In Death on the 1st. Are you ready for this one?

locked and loaded

I'm ready. As a techie, it makes me think about a lot of what might happen.

I'm ready to go too! But holding off until the 1st. I like to finish around the 8th when our discussions begin so I don't forget a thing I want to talk about - especially the "small stuff". I make notes...but it helps to have it fresh in my mind.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I'm ready to go too! But holding off until the 1st. I like to finish around the 8th when our discussions begin so I don't forget a thing I want to talk about - especially the "small stuff". I make ..."

That's what I do too. If I start to early I want to post and I'm afraid I might spoil it for a first time reader.

I'm having to switch library systems, so I have an extra incentive to get to the new building (new county, new town, etc) and see how the system works. Will try to be in place for discussion about the 8th.

====May 15. I just got this book from library today, Will begin right away and try to join you soon!

It's really frustrating not be able to get IN DEATH audiobooks through Overdrive, HOOPLA, AXIS 360, or any other streaming download programs.

Since Amazon owns the audiobook company that produces IN DEATH series, it makes sense for them to keep the strangle hold on letting the streaming companies have access to J. D. Robb's IN DEATH books, and just sell them through Audible.com which Amazon also owns.

I'll be waiting till closer to open discussions. And besides. This month has just flown by and I'm still catching up it feels like.

I finished my reread! I'd forgotten some of the things that happen in this book. Can't wait for the discussion to begin! :)

Listening to it right now. I read the book years ago.

I just read the synopsis and the quotes and I don't remember this book at all! I expect it will come back to me as I read:)

I started listening today.

Yay! :)

Like thought Eve and Roarke was going to split when I was reading it

Finished it last night. I loved it. I read it years ago, but forgot some things, and found out some thing I thought happened in a later book.

Mara wrote: "Finished it last night. I loved it. I read it years ago, but forgot some things, and found out some thing I thought happened in a later book."

Same here - I tend to forget what happened in which book - until I reread! Excited to discuss this one!

3 more days!

Same here Sandra. They all blur together until I read it again.

I'll be starting tomorrow , Sunday at the latest.

Finished. I'm ready to discuss too.

Open discussions begin tomorrow!! :)

Can't wait.
(view spoiler)[ that scene in Feeney's office had my stomach in knots. (hide spoiler)]

A lot happens in this one to discuss.

Just finished in time for discussions.

It's time to begin open discussions of Purity in Death!

Share your favorite moment/scene in Purity...the one you feel had the most impact on you, the characters, and the story/series.

My favorite scene is when he punched a rocks oh girlfriend and some sit ups started smiling

My heart was in my throat when McNab got hit. Poor Peabody. Just goes to show how much she loves Mcnab. Loved when Mavis told Eve she was knocked up and Eve thinks the worst. When she finds out she means she is pregnant Eve thinks it contagious and wont touch Mavis or has to make sure she washes away any trace.

Two favorite scenes...one was when McNab got hit and Peabody was so upset. We see how much she loves him and then when the reverse happens and Peabody is stabbed and we can see how much McNab loves her. I really love these two characters.

Another scene that really got to me was when Eve is telling Roarke that without him, she would not be able to do her job. And I'm really enjoying how with each book, we're learning more and more of Eve's childhood. Of what makes her the person she is. I remember in the first book, I really didn't like Eve very much. I thought she was really cold and standoffish. Boy, have I changed my mind!

Eve's character is ever evolving, Karen. She makes so much growth in the series as she is faced with and learns to accept so many things that she grew up without. Villains - she can handle, no problem. The concept of friends who become family - a little harder for her.

The opening scene of this story was graphic. What were your initial impressions of what was happening? What did you think of how Eve initially handled Trueheart at the scene and also her actions concerning him & his case later?


McNab is shot & possibly paralyzed for life and Feeney is held hostage in his office by another cop. What are you thoughts on the way this played out and what Eve did to rescue Feeney?

This was one of my standout moments. Eve and Feeney talking with there eyes. Roarke walking in scared that it might be Eve. Peabody's reaction to it all. I loved the emotions that came to the forefront. Or not as some of it was layered.

Michelle wrote: "This was one of my standout moments. Eve and Feeney talking with there eyes. Roarke walking in scared that it might be Eve. Peabody's reaction to it all. I loved the emotions that came to the foref..."

I thought the scene in Feeney's office where he and Eve communicate with their eyes was one of the most powerful things ever! Their connection is so intense and their is no doubt what they mean to one another.

Eve will always put others first and foremost and we see that thru out this book. Trueheart even though he has not dealt a lot with Eve calls her first. That tells me his trust and confidence in her is never questioned. Trueheart was scared but reaches out to Eve that tells me what a truly good, dependable, trusted cop Eve is. Another scene when Eve goes in to rescues Feeney. With Roarke in the same room as Eve she never even flinches at the thought of not going in to negotiate for Feeneys life. And of course the scene in the Rose garden after once Roarke gets Eve home made my heart melt

I read this book years ago. So, I know I forgot a lot of things. Especially Mavis telling Eve that she and Leonardo were expecting. And how it was relayed in only how Mavis could tell her.

For some reason I thought Mavis pregnancy was written a few books after this one.

Got a good chuckle and giggle in how Eve tried to tell Dr. Mira about Mavis pregnancy. So glad Dr. Mira could laugh at herself in forgetting that KNOCKED UP meant being pregnant.

Michelle wrote: "This was one of my standout moments. Eve and Feeney talking with there eyes. Roarke walking in scared that it might be Eve. Peabody's reaction to it all. I loved the emotions that came to the foref..."

I totally agree, Michelle. That scene in Feeney's office had me on pins and needles.

Mara wrote: "I read this book years ago. So, I know I forgot a lot of things. Especially Mavis telling Eve that she and Leonardo were expecting. And how it was relayed in only how Mavis could tell her.

For som..."

I just love how Susan Ericksen portrays Mavis in the audio book. I found myself being so excited because Mavis was ecstatic!

Anybody else wonder how Roarke got to hear about this so fast? I mean it seemed like no time at all and Roarke is there.
I think the way this scene was written was brilliant. But what also stands out for me is the aftermath. Eve with Peabody throughout this. Making sure she doesn't hover too much. Telling her to do on the balcony and screaming out to the world. ( wonder what Summerset must have thought :-)) Ordering Feeney to go home to his wife. And suggesting he talk to someone about it.

She really is LT Softie.

Roarke find out it thought the news because in a earlier book he say he now watch the news Channel more

The "victims" in this case were scum, only getting a slap on the hand in court. Did they deserve any less justice - any less than Eve's best? Did they deserve what they got? Roarke & Eve seem to be on opposite sides to a point in this one. Did you agree more with Roarke or Eve? Is vigilantism ever justified?

Honestly ? I'm on the fence about vigilantism. I see both Roarke and Eve's point. I don't think I'd ever be firmly on one side of this

I am to a point, Michelle. But I have to draw the line when innocent by-standers are getting hurt or killed. It's a tough situation when the original victim is such a monster to begin with. I think there is a very fine line between justice & "crime"...there shouldn't be a gray area, but there is.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Open discussions begin tomorrow!! :)"
Haven't picked it up yet, so didn't read any discussion yet. Have to get busy with new reading.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "The "victims" in this case were scum, only getting a slap on the hand in court. Did they deserve any less justice - any less than Eve's best? Did they deserve what they got? Roarke & Eve seem to be..."

I fall more on the Roarke side of things I think. One less pedophile out and about isn't a bad thing. BUT no one has the right to be judge, jury, and executioner like that. Of course if anyone ever hurt my daughter then I wouldn't hesitate to cut off certain parts of their anatomy without a second thought.

I agree with Eve that the purity group would have escalated. Eventually they would go after those that may really be innocent or those that did more minor things like smoking zoner at home, etc.

I am all on Eve's side, without our justice system we would have a system that would kill everyone guilty or innocent. And 90% of the weak and poor would be judge guilty.

One of my favorite scenes and one that I believe is very emotional is when Eve meets with Halloway's mother.

Eve is so intimidated by Anna Whitney at first but when she says "Do you know the one thing more difficult than being married to a cop, Lieutenant?" Eve responds, No. I always figured that was the short straw." "There's one shorter yet. That's giving birth to one."

Then when Colleen Halloway and Eve are alone and she lets Eve know that her son admired Eve and was a little jealous of the relationship with McNabb. Her need to make Eve understand some of what Halloway did and how grateful she was that Eve defended her son in the media.

That whole scene touched me and, even though Eve likes to give the "there there's" to Peabody and Roarke she does a good job every time she has to step up.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "The "victims" in this case were scum, only getting a slap on the hand in court. Did they deserve any less justice - any less than Eve's best? Did they deserve what they got? Roarke & Eve seem to be..."

I understand the desire of the vigilantes but I'm with Eve. It is OK at first with the really bad guys who get off but there is a chance that it can get out of hand fast. There are innocent people in jail and judging people without all the facts can lead to more innocent people paying for crimes they didn't commit.

Sharon wrote: "One of my favorite scenes and one that I believe is very emotional is when Eve meets with Halloway's mother.

Eve is so intimidated by Anna Whitney at first but when she says "Do you know the one ..."

Thanks for mentioning this scene, Sharon. I loved that quote. It was very touching.

I have to say it because... I'm me

Once again Roarke takes over Eve's investigation and excludes her from a big decision. It is still wrong no matter how he justifies it. At least he didn't go to the Commander this time he just cheats at a coin toss. :-)

What do you have against alpha males? Roarke is a alpha male and Eve is an alpha female, she would expect but his action

Barbara "Cookie" wrote: "What do you have against alpha males? Roarke is a alpha male and Eve is an alpha female, she would expect but his action"

I don't have anything against alpha males. I don't have anything against Roarke, I want one. Being an alpha male doesn't mean you run rampant over the person you love. I do object to Roarke taking over an investigation without discussing it with Eve. That is just wrong in so many ways. I have the same objection every time he does it. I would have the same objection if my husband did the same to me. He gets better soon. Thank God.

Another scene I like is when Roarke is putting Jamie in his place. Actually I like all of Jamie's scenes.

He is so proud to be working with the police because that is his goal.

He tells the team he saw Eve naked and then Baxter wants details.

His crush on Eve and how bad he feels when she asks if he is trying to get her in trouble by saying he killed a man.

Roarke's frustration that Jamie wants to be a cop instead of a businessman. Also love that Roarke is going to give Jamie the royalties from the jammer he developed.