J.D. Robb discussion

Our buddy read of the In Death series continues in February with Indulgence in Death. Open discussion begins on the 8th. We hope you'll join us!

Synopsis:
NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas must discover who's preying on those who cater to the rich and famous in the new novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb.

When a murder disrupts the Irish vacation she is taking with her husband, Roarke, Eve realizes that no place is safe—not an Irish wood or the streets of the manic city she calls home. But nothing prepares her for what she discovers upon her return to the cop shop in New York.

A limo driver is shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then a high-priced escort is found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet. Eve begins to fear she has come across that most dangerous of criminal: a thrill-killer, and one with a taste for the finer things in life—and death.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarified circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in—and into the perverted heart of madness.

Timeline: July, 2060

Character List:
Eve Dallas
Roarke
David Baxter
Ryan Feeney
Mavis Freestone
Nadine Furst
Galahad
Ian McNab
Charlotte Mira
Delia Peabody
Summerset
Troy Trueheart
Jack Whitney
Bella Eve
Dickie Berenski
Louise Dimatto
Brian Kelly
Leonardo
Charles Monroe
Morris
Cher Reo
Minor & Peripheral Characters:
(view spoiler)[Leona Bloom
Aiden Brody
Detective Carmichael
Officer Carmichael
Carver
Chica
Kimmy Chin
Michael Chin
Marissa Cline
Ava Crampton
Patrice Delaughter
Winston Dudley
Judge Dwier
Gumm
Mamie Houston
Benji Houston
Lea Houston
Detective Jenkinson
Julia
Eemon Lannigan
Sinead Lannigan
Seamus Lannigan
Sean Lannigan
Officer Jimmy Leary
Macy
Detective Manson
Chaz Manuel
James Manuel
Officer Milway
Mizzy
Sylvester Moriarty
Anna Munson
Officer Newkirk
Officer Ping
Karolea Prinz
Iris Quill
Detective Reineke
Detective Santiago
Bentley Sorenson
David Su
Mitchell Sykes
Foster M. Urich
Felicity VanWitt
Bonita Wallace
Darrin Wasinski
Sampson Anthony
Annaleigh Babbington
Melly Bristow
Casey
Chale López
Holly Curlow
Carmandy Dewar
Kevin Donahue
Joseph Dudley
Sergeant Duffy
Wanda Fickle
Garrett Frost
Willow Gantry
Christian Gavin
Carrie Grace
Jamal Houston
Adrianne Jonas
Linette Jones
Della McLaughlin
Lilian
Detective Sergeant Moynahan
Sofia Ricci
Meryle Simpson
Augustus Sweet
Larinda Villi
Hanna Wender
Bradford Zander (hide spoiler)]

Are you ready for more?! Looking forward to my reread of this one!

But of course!!!!

Eve in Ireland? I'm chuckling already

Michelle wrote: "But of course!!!!

Eve in Ireland? I'm chuckling already"

LOL! Oh yeah!

I like this one. Can't wait!

I'm ready:)

I love this one. Eve and Roarke on their first anniversary and go to visit his family

I have this on my library request list. Hope it comes soon.

cant wait

I couldn't resist beginning my reread of Indulgence. No spoilers, but I'd forgotten how much I love the first few chapters of this book. Can't wait to discuss starting the 8th!

I read the book

I'm about halfway through and enjoying it more than the last book.

Finished it last night and loved it!

Started it this morning.
How is it I remember the beginning but not the rest.? The joys of a reread. Sometimes it's like the first time.

(view spoiler)[ I'm reading and thinking did Eves's watch come out before the smart watches or not. Obviously hers would be more but how interesting (hide spoiler)]

Michelle wrote: "Started it this morning.
How is it I remember the beginning but not the rest.? The joys of a reread. Sometimes it's like the first time."

I know what you mean, Michelle! I had to read a bit to begin to remember the case.

Open discussion starts tomorrow, the 8th!

This is now a Spoiler Zone! Feel free to openly discuss Indulgence In Death

There's a lot to discuss in this one! Share your thoughts! I'd like to hear what everyone thinks about this case - the villains, the killings, the weapons, and the reason WHY!!?! How did it play for you?

I'm still busy reading so must still gather my thoughts with that.

I will say that I had a lot of thoughts of how far Eve has come. A lot of lovely touches of friendship and relationship. And as I mentioned in my spoiler above the tech aspect in this book was noticeable for me, gives me hope that autochef must be around the corner. Lol

One of my favorite things is the vacation in Ireland and Eve's surprise gift to Roarke. Eve's reaction to cow's and roosters crowing at dawn. So funny. I also love Eve & Morris - her care & concern for him - enough to offer to host a "cook-out" and gathering of friends. As you say, Michelle, Eve has come a long way.

That was all I remembered about this book. The case reminded me of a previous case she had. So I focused on the relationships. Every body had a brief scene or reach out in this book.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "This is now a Spoiler Zone! Feel free to openly discuss Indulgence In Death

There's a lot to discuss in this one! Share your thoughts! I'd like to hear what everyone thinks about this case - the v..."

I enjoyed this one much more than the previous book. The case had me turning the pages late into the night.

While I enjoyed the opening sequence with Roarke and Eve in Ireland (Eve's reactions to nature always have me laughing out loud), I'm not sure what it contributed to the storyline.

Michelle wrote: "That was all I remembered about this book. The case reminded me of a previous case she had. So I focused on the relationships. Every body had a brief scene or reach out in this book."

It reminded me a lot of Seduction in Death. Very similar perpetrators.

Like Lauren I wondered about the way the book started in Ireland. The murder was really irrelevant.
Loved the rest of the book but was disappointed we didn't get to go to the cook out.

Lauren wrote: "Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "This is now a Spoiler Zone! Feel free to openly discuss Indulgence In Death

There's a lot to discuss in this one! Share your thoughts! I'd like to hear what eve..."

I can't say what Robb's intent was with the opening chapters in Ireland, but I have my own ideas which I'll share. For one, I think it shows murder happens everywhere - in the city, in the ghetto, in the beautiful, peaceful countryside - it knows no bounds. I also think it was a point of comparison between a murder committed out of a moment of passion, rage, & lost control vs. one coldly and manipulatively planned for nothing more than "sport". If I remember correctly, Eve compares the two briefly in her thoughts later. The other thing I think these scenes gave us in showing Eve's positive influence over a boy - one who admires her and strives to be her. She takes time, even at the scene of the murder, to talk to him about it and she also takes time to walk a new, young police officer through the steps he should take to preserve and follow the evidence. In other words, it showcases Eve mentoring.

My other thought on the inclusion of the Ireland scenes is to allow readers to share in the giving of Eve's gift to Roarke. For readers to experience first-hand his almost speechless acceptance of her gift. I also think Robb wanted to include readers in more Roarke family time and Eve's acceptance by his family and new "mother figure". It also show's how far Eve's come in handling these type situations. And - it's a reminder that as hard as Roarke had it as a boy, as horrific as his childhood was - he has now discovered a loving family and link to his mother. Eve will never have that in that sense.

Those are very good points, Sandra and I agree with them.

Perhaps I was expecting more of a link between the events in Ireland and the case in New York. Thus, when the comparison is made on the basis of differences rather than similarities, it didn't resonate as much with me.

That said, I did enjoy the Irish episode's contribution to Eve and Roarke's character development, and that they are continuing to expand the members of their family.

Such good point Sandra. On the mentoring I think the fact that she added the scene of Baxter talking to her about Trueheart adds to that fact. I think Feeney in the van at the end also had a throwaway comment about how proud he is of her.
Another thing that I've noticed the last few books are the scenes with her squad. Them asking about a case, them letting her know where they are or just bouncing off her . More and more we see her as a leader of her squad. Interesting that her sub was the opposite of her.

This is a re read for me and I find some of the scenes show Eve leadership skills and other look up to her and she is how making and keeping friends.

To me, the beginning updates the timeline as we are at the 2nd anniversary. There are a lot of events that cover two book years. Eve's development is by leaps and bounds but so is Roarke's even though his development is more subtle. IMO.

Eve started the series as a social child. She knew work and the people on her homicide team and Mavis. That is a very sheltered social life. Now she has a larger group of friends and an extended family that includes Roarke's family. She is understanding those expectations.

I love the way Eve interacts with Roarke's family in this book. She accepts their love. Also, the way she mentors Sean is beautiful. She is very patient letting him know about the investigation without taking it too far. I'm sure Sean will be a homicide cop in the future because of Eve.

The anniversary gift shows how much she has grown. The Eve in Naked or any of the first five books, would not have thought about such a meaningful gift.

my favorite quote is when Eve asks what time it is in Africa and Roarke tells her she says how did you figure it out and Roarke says its just Math don't worry you pretty head over it. This book also shows how in touch they both are with each others feelings. While at the dinner table and Eve just babbling on about the case does not even realize she is putting all this butter and salt on her potato but Roarke sees it and fills her water glass so she can take a big gulp because of all the salt then he says why not have some potato with your butter and salt and she is oblivious as to why he would say that. She is so in tune with him by gifting him the park. this book was lovely

That was a lovely moment Susan.
I also loved the scene with him and Dr Mira. That button in his pocket really has become a charm.

Michelle wrote: "That was a lovely moment Susan.
I also loved the scene with him and Dr Mira. That button in his pocket really has become a charm."

I love this scene too.

Michelle wrote: "That was a lovely moment Susan.
I also loved the scene with him and Dr Mira. That button in his pocket really has become a charm."

I really love that scene too.

This book for me was more about relationships. Yes, there is still the case to solve which was interesting. But I loved the interaction between Eve and Roarke, of course, in Ireland with his family and how much that is starting to mean to Eve also. And the highlight for me was her interaction with Morris and trying to help him deal with his loss by planning a barbeque. Eve in earlier books would never have done that. Her relationships with everyone in her orbit have grown so much. She is so much more comfortable with Dr Mira, Peabody, Mavis, etc.

Karen ♐ wrote: "This book for me was more about relationships. Yes, there is still the case to solve which was interesting. But I loved the interaction between Eve and Roarke, of course, in Ireland with his family..."

I love her reaching out to Morris too. I don't see her planning a BBQ for any of her other friends. She doesn't forget to send the invites. If it weren't for Peabody, the shower for Mavis (her best friend) wouldn't happen. I think Eve sees Roarke's fears for her in Morris' grief and, in some ways, she is trying to comfort both men.

Sharon wrote: "Karen ♐ wrote: "This book for me was more about relationships. Yes, there is still the case to solve which was interesting. But I loved the interaction between Eve and Roarke, of course, in Ireland..."

Great point, Sharon! I absolutely agree!! She does see Roarke's biggest fear when she looks at Morris & all he's lost & his grief. She recognizes it and I love that she wants to comfort Morris.

I wonder she obviously has feelings for Morris and thinks he sexy why they never got together in the past.

Susan wrote: "I wonder she obviously has feelings for Morris and thinks he sexy why they never got together in the past."

I forget which book ... Eve said something about not dating she just found someone to fill her sexual need. I don't think she is the type to ruin a good working friendship with a one-night-stand.

yes Sharon I believe you are right. its just always nice at least for me when she walks into his domain she is always taken with him. I cant find the right word but you just know she has deep feelings for him

As someone else said, joys of a re-read. It was like a new book and since I read it in two separate chunks of time, it had two parts for me.

The first part with the trip to Ireland was like a summation of how much Eve and Roarke have begun with their love and their lives. Her tender patience with the Irish cop shows her growth into a mentor and of course the lovely gift of the park for Roarke [[sigh}} so lovely.

The second part was the return to NY and the bizarre murders that ensue. These thrill killers were in some ways more horrible with their cruel choices of victims and methodically cold enactments. The former wives' stories were jarring and I almost wished we didn't have to disturb those memories for them. How difficult it must be to realize your husband was willing to let another man violate you against your wishes...gives me the creeps.

One little side note, it was a bit strange to have one of the murder victims have a surname of someone I know. Kinda brought me up short when I heard it (listening to the audio, I mean), I guess the odds of her picking names that I know would be possible but it was a bit of a shock. Anyone else have this experience with other In Death books?

I forgot to mention earlier. I like the way Feeney diffuses the tension between Roarke and Eve after she decides to make herself the focus of the murder op. He takes her fancy watch, compliments Roarke and offers suggestions.

Feeney is funny in the van when Eve tells McNabb and Peabody to stop with the sexy talk then she tell Roarke he is embarrassing Feeney.