J.D. Robb discussion

Next up in our In Death Buddy Read is Imitation in Death. We're excited to have both new and rereaders joining the discussions, sharing their viewpoints. Feel free to join us!

Plot Summary:

Summer, 2059. A man wearing a cape and a top hat approaches a prostitute on a dark, New York City street. Minutes later, the woman is dead. Left at the scene is a letter addressed to Lieutenant Eve Dallas, inviting her to play his game and unveil his identity. He signs it, "Jack."

Now Dallas is in pursuit of a murderer who knows as much about the history of serial killers as she does. He has studied the most notorious and the most vicious slayings in modern times. But he also wants to make his own mark. He has chosen his victim: Eve Dallas. And all Eve knows is that he plans to mimic the most infamous murderers of all - starting with Jack the Ripper... 

Approximate Story Start Date: September 4, 2059

Character List:
Eve Dallas
Roarke
Ryan Feeney
Mavis Freestone
Nadine Furst
Leonardo
Charlotte Mira
Delia Peabody
Lawrence Summerset
Jack Whitney
Crack
Louise Dimatto
Caro Ewing
Galahad
Ian McNab
Dennis Mira
Charles Monroe
Morris
Anna Whitney

Minor & Peripheral Characters:
(view spoiler)[Addy
Thomas Breen
Jed Breen
Piers Chan
Marlene Cox
Sela Cox
Officer Cullin
Sophia DiCarlo
Roberta Janet Gable
Julietta Gates
Jeffrey Gregg
Leah Gregg
Leo Fortney
Pepper Franklin
Officer Frohickie
Darla Hawthorne
Elliot Hawthorne
Officer Henley
Dr. Laurence
Li
Gillian
Katie Mitchell
Thomas Newkirk
Moira O'Bannion
Tressa Palank
Elsa Parksy
Niles Renquist
Pamela Elizabeth (Dysert) Renquist
Detective Sloan
Carmichael Smith
Stevens
Suelee
Serena Unger
Rico Vincenti
Peter Waterman
Jacie Wooton
Darcia Angelo
Peter Brent
Victor Clarence
Angela Dysert
Marshall Evans
Lois Gregg
Liva Holdreak
Leroy
Lisel
Susie Mannery
Enrico Marsonini
Quinton Post
Rose Renquist
Suzanne Smith
Judge Womack (hide spoiler)]

Quotes:

Starting July 1! Open discussions on the 8th!

Just requested it!

Have started rereading it. Can't wait til the 8th.
Charlene, if you haven't read it before, you'll like this one.

This is my first time reading the series, Rae. Thanks for encouraging me to keep at it -- not that there was any doubt!

So happy you're sharing your first time reading the series with us, Charlene!

I think this is one that has Eve a little brutal in an interrogation. I will start soon.

just requested from Library. Long weekend hope to start

Put it on hold - I hate waiting *sigh*

I plan to reread this one over the weekend. I keep thinking maybe I'll get tired of "rereading"...but Not Happening! lol These books feel "fresh" every time I read them. :)

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I plan to reread this one over the weekend. I keep thinking maybe I'll get tired of "rereading"...but Not Happening! lol These books feel "fresh" every time I read them. :)"

Same here. I always find something I missed or think about something that didn't occur to me during previous reads.

Sharon wrote: "Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I plan to reread this one over the weekend. I keep thinking maybe I'll get tired of "rereading"...but Not Happening! lol These books feel "fresh" every time I re..."

Same with me, Sharon. And I love discussing & hearing everyone's thoughts - both new readers & rereaders.

Charlene I'm so jealous. I wish I had a group like this when I first read this series. I've managed to have friends read this series but they just didn't have the same madness. I mean joy that I get/got from them.

And yes Sharon and Sandra there is always something new to discover. I also love hearing/reading new pov. Or just how of what others thought of it.

Long may Eve and Roarke live

Michelle wrote: "Charlene I'm so jealous. I wish I had a group like this when I first read this series. I've managed to have friends read this series but they just didn't have the same madness. I mean joy that I ge..."
I had the same experience. I recommended one of the books to my book club and they just didn't get it. They liked it but...

Half of the fun of rereading is hearing/learning the reactions of other readers. It always amazes me.

To true Mdy. Often gotten a whole new perspective.

started my re-read via audio this morning. I love how the audios bring these books to life!

Charlene wrote: "started my re-read via audio this morning. I love how the audios bring these books to life!"

The audios of this series by Ericksen are outstanding!! They really do just bring it to life! I've done the entire series both ways, but you just can't beat the audiobooks.

I have tried audiobooks for some of the other series that I read but they don't seem to compare to the ones for the "In Death" series! I really enjoy them

Martha wrote: "I have tried audiobooks for some of the other series that I read but they don't seem to compare to the ones for the "In Death" series! I really enjoy them"

There are some excellent narrators and some that aren't so great. What I learned from a couple authors is that they don't always get to pick the narrator. Recently an author told me that she had it in her contract to select who reads and they publisher isn't happy but they wanted her books.

I do like having an audio option so I can "read" while driving even if the narrator isn't that great.

Sharon wrote: "Martha wrote: "I have tried audiobooks for some of the other series that I read but they don't seem to compare to the ones for the "In Death" series! I really enjoy them"

There are some excellent ..."

I love the audio version of ID series. Erickson is incredibly talented and seems to have a good handle on the personalities of the books. I'm so glad to hear some authors are aware of the importance of having a good & talented "reader/performer" for their audio versions. I've actually heard one author give accolades to his 'reader' for making his books come alive.

There are some downsides to the audio version of books - i.e., authors who insist on reading their own books and/or changing a great 'reader' in the middle of a series.

I've heard lots of good things about In Death audiobooks, so decided to buy audio version and...wow. WOW. These stories are good in print but Ericksen does exceptional job and adds so much more to In Death series.
First of all Susan Ericksen has very good, expressive and lively voice. She does great job with both female and male voices. Her ability to do accents, her interpretation of plot, mood, characters, etc. is incredible. Think of Roarke's sexy drawl, or Summerset's prissy voice, etc, etc...no way its possible to get bored while listening to the story.

My apologies for an error concerning the Imitation in Death buddy read in the July Newsletter. I stated open discussions will begin on May 8...obviously, I meant July 8th! lol Thanks.

Me to my seven favorite

Eve wrote: "I've heard lots of good things about In Death audiobooks, so decided to buy audio version and...wow. WOW. These stories are good in print but Ericksen does exceptional job and adds so much more to ..."

Aren't they? She doesn't so much read the books as PERFORM them!

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "Eve wrote: "I've heard lots of good things about In Death audiobooks, so decided to buy audio version and...wow. WOW. These stories are good in print but Ericksen does exceptional job and adds so m..."

I agree. She is so good that I often use her as the standard against which I compare other narrators. There aren't too many as good.

I'm in, too.

It's been an age since I read this one. Just started the 're-reading' today.

Hold your thoughts until tomorrow - July 8. Open discussions will begin then.

OH good grieve. Starting now. Don't know how the date got away from me.

What does it say about me that I find the descriptions of Eve threatening to commit grievous bodily harm so amusing? Lol!

I see it as living vicariously through her. Then again she does physical stuff in books, that we'd loved to do to annoying people, but know we can't do out on the street in out lives. We'll be arrested, sued and thrown in jail.

Lauren wrote: "What does it say about me that I find the descriptions of Eve threatening to commit grievous bodily harm so amusing? Lol!"

That you've got company:)

I'm with you as well Lauren. Wish I could pull off some of Eve's stunts and get away with it.

Let the open discussions begin!

Sound off...Share the things that you loved best about Imitation in Death! What worked? What didn't? Is it all about the case for you? Or did character relationship development take front & center?

Best book in the series so far for me.
The investigation was intense with just the right number of suspects and clues to follow and try to figure it out.

The character development was spot on (loved Peabody in this one) and the humor had me laughing out loud.

Lauren wrote: "Best book in the series so far for me.
The investigation was intense with just the right number of suspects and clues to follow and try to figure it out.

The character development was spot on (lo..."

I agree, Lauren, that both the case and the character development is spot on in this one. And Peabody is one of my favorite parts of this book (&series). Love the snarky banter & humor.

There was some awesome banter in this one for sure...I was lol'ing at various points...making the people around me wonder...

One that I particularly loved (because I'm a twisted perv, apparently) was when Eve was going at Breen about his wife's affair. She said something like "did you know what your wife was up to? Or should I say down on..." omg...just perfect...

Charlene wrote: "There was some awesome banter in this one for sure...I was lol'ing at various points...making the people around me wonder...

One that I particularly loved (because I'm a twisted perv, apparently) ..."

LOL, Charlene! Loved it!

Charlene wrote: "This is my first time reading the series, Rae. Thanks for encouraging me to keep at it -- not that there was any doubt!"

My first time too, Charlene. Thanks to finally listening to Sandra and I am loving it!

Eve wrote: "I've heard lots of good things about In Death audiobooks, so decided to buy audio version and...wow. WOW. These stories are good in print but Ericksen does exceptional job and adds so much more to ..."

I totally agree, Eve. I feel as though I am watching a movie when I listen to these books. Originally I was just going to get the ebook but I decided to get the audio and now I buy it for each book. She adds so much to the story with all the different voices/accents she is able to do so well.

Lauren wrote: "Best book in the series so far for me.
The investigation was intense with just the right number of suspects and clues to follow and try to figure it out.

The character development was spot on (lo..."

I loved this book too. For me, the character development and interaction really adds so much. I love Peabody in each book but in this one, she was my favorite character. I love how she is getting more sure of herself with Eve. But that scene when Eve is telling her that she is trying to decide what case to give her now that she's a detective, I actually started to cry. I thought oh no, don't put my Peabody and a different case than yours!

I don't think it's the best book I think it's the fourth the fifth good about converts it

Enjoyed the scene between Eve & Mira - Eve's panic at the idea of a family cookout and the smooth way Mira got her roped into it. lol Our Eve seems to be making the adjustment to the idea of family and having people who care in Imitation.

So many great scenes/moments in this one. Share your favorite Momentous Moment

I loved that scene too, Sandra. And the scene at the end where Peabody finds out that she will be Eve's partner still stands out as my favorite in this book. Actually all the scenes with Eve and Peabody were great. I think in future books, I'm going to start bookmarking pages that I really like the scene because I tend to forget some after I finish the book and move on to another one...

Karen ♐ wrote: "I loved that scene too, Sandra. And the scene at the end where Peabody finds out that she will be Eve's partner still stands out as my favorite in this book. Actually all the scenes with Eve and Pe..."

I knew you would grow to love Peabody! She's my favorite! No spoilers, but you'll love her in future books. She's such a hoot!

One thing that stands out in my mind: I believe this is the first time we see Eve in "full uniform" - going to the ceremony for Peabody to get her gold badge.

So how does this case play out for you - the similarities to Jack the Ripper, etc. Who was a viable suspect? How & when did you figure out who the villain was?

I want to "fight" with Roarke...just sayin! ;)

All good intentions and then real life pushes in smiling broadly. But besides all the other stuff my mom turned 65 today. Love her lots and had spend the day with her.

Having said that. I just read that scene of Eve being boxed in by Dr Mira. And making sure she gets to Roarke before Eve does.

Loved the scene with Eve and Peabody when Eve tells Peabody "don't need a damn aid, could use a partner, though.

I loved the part where Eve told Peabody how humble and apologetic she could when the went to see the suspect for 2nd or 3rd time.

Peabody told Eve basically she didn't know how to play nice. Eve looked at her and said WATCH ME in her own way.

She blew Peabody away and Peabody had to admit that Eve could play nice when she had to.