J.D. Robb discussion

Wow... talk about OUT THERE science! Crazy!

This is one of my least favorite stories. I didn't like the case.

I thought it was... interesting... ish.... But yeah! All the kids at the end... So weird and sad!

I really liked this one because it was so unique and there was so much going on. It was a little sad, but the end was so packed with action and I loved it that he let little Diana (I think that was her name) and the Avrils get away. But imagine, being only to stay with your children once in three years, and the children not knowing. I find that strange since even clones must have some differences. Of course, there's nothing to study in that area. I loved that they brought up some moral dilemmas and found that timely, even today.

Yeah, the ending! When Roarke and Eve are running for the elevator and then it's going up so slowly.... EEK! INTENSE!

I find there is no middle of the road with this story. It's either one of peoples' favorites or least favorite. I wish I could articulate why I'm in the latter camp but I cannot. Something about the whole concept of the topic just bugs me so I never really engaged in the story. If you try to logically think about the implications of cloning, you get a brain cramp.

Haha... TRUE! I thought it was SO WEIRD when the three women were being interviewed by Eve, and they keep taking turns answering or finishing each other's sentences... But it kinda bugged me because I believe (as does EVE) that NURTURE plays a big part in the way people turn out... I just can't see the women being IDENTICAL, you know? I mean, obviously they're PHYSICALLY identical, but there would be at least SLIGHT differences between them, personality-wise, or something. It was like they were SO on the same page, they possessed a hive mind or something. It was creepy.

So... it was over the top for me, FOR SURE, but I enjoyed it...

I mean, what is the relationship? Sister, mother, daughter....what? That's where the cramp comes in and it just gets worse from there. The whole concept escapes me.

I think that I'd go with twin. Like SUPER-identical twins. Or in this case, triplets.

Remember the Diana's? They were all different ages. Brain cramp.

Yeah... that's more difficult. I'd go with... little sister on that one. Little sister who will grow up to look exactly like you, but hey! At least she'll be able to wear your hand-me-downs! ;)

Yeah, it was a little far out there, but my brain kind of glossed over it, after it cramped, that is, LOL.

:)

OH BOY....that was ONE WEIRD STORY! I have to say it mostly creeped me out but there was some other good stuff in this book. This opened up Eve's eyes to see that truly anything is possible (like she hasn't figured that out....but this is WAAAAY out there!). We also got to meet "Grammy" (lol) and numerous other members of Roarke's family. I've been anxious to see more of his relation surface in these books.

I always have to point out a scene that has caught my interest....and the one in this book is a scene I believe is in Chapter 8. But for the audio book listeners, go and re-listen to Part 5, about the 3:30 mark. Eve and Roarke are sitting at the dining room table (does that happen very often? I think they are usually in their bedroom or their home office when they eat!) and Roarke is preoccupied with his upcoming Thanksgiving dinner that they are hosting for his family. He's getting nervous about it and Eve suggests that they cancel it... and to use "her" as an excuse. At least on audio, this is HILARIOUS! She actually mock's Roarke's voice throwing in some Irish slang and saying something along the lines of how she works all day and 1/2 the night and never gives him even 5 minutes of her precious time......

I've listened to it 3-4 times and I just can't stop cracking up! This scene says a lot....she KNOWS she's gone a lot and that her career consumes her. The fact that Eve can joke about it and all Roarke says is "that doesn't sound like me at all!" tells you that he accepts it, too.

I am in the camp that Loved this one! It ranks right up there for me. Mostly because it is so out there and really kinda creepy. I have always maintained that she really likes to change it up with this series and that keeps it from getting stale after 16 years. Some are straight whodunnits, some are thrillers, some are procedurals, some are homages to authors or films and this one was straight up science fiction with an ending that was pure Saturday matinee excitement.

Tina you just put it into perspective for me. I really like the Twilight series (yes, I'm a "Twi-Mom" at heart) and there isn't anything much more "out there" than that. Even my husband says that vampires don't sparkle....to which I say, how do you know...they aren't supposed to even exist! haha

Holy cow! I totally had a baby, so I'm a Twi-Mom now, too! Yay!

The first time I read/listened to this I didn't like it. Mainly, because it kind of scared me. I could see it really happening, just what we need. However, each time I reread this book I sort of like it. A couple things that bugged me about the book. Jonah Delacourt Wilson said he had all these clones of him so he could live forever (Who would really want that) but he couldn't his work may go on but a clone may be genetically identical but it does not have the same "soul" It is not him. It is like someone said a really identical twin. Also when the other two Avrils were living in different houses didn't they get a life of their own with experiances that would be seperate. Maybe they could have met a man that they cared about just as much as Icove jr.

I thought the same thing Dee. I don't see how they would feel comfortable trading lives every few years like that and it would be ok for them? Not a an ideal life if you ask me.

Karon wrote: "I thought the same thing Dee. I don't see how they would feel comfortable trading lives every few years like that and it would be ok for them? Not a an ideal life if you ask me."

That would be less fun than being in a polygamus marriage. Not going to happen with me I am way too territorial.

Admittedly I my last re-read of this was several years ago, but as I recall the Icove's were selectively breeding certain genetic traits and pre-dispositions into the girls/women so that when they went out to the world, the men and/or jobs they landed in would be what they were specifically bred/suited for.

So the 'A' clones were bred to be nurturers, mother types who would strongly gravitate to home and hearth. And I also got the impression as the firsts they were what the Icove men felt were the perfect woman, hence they ended up as the wives to Jr. Whereas the 'D' clones were bred as warriors, killers. Hence the ones most likely to turn on them. Obviously since the Avrils worked in collusion with the D's they weren't at all resigned to their plight.

I think on some level this is why I like this one so much. More than any of the other books, this one just screams FUTURE.

Good points! I'm with you!

Tina wrote: "Admittedly I my last re-read of this was several years ago, but as I recall the Icove's were selectively breeding certain genetic traits and pre-dispositions into the girls/women so that when they ..."

I agree with you that this book screams FUTURE. That is what scares me. It is too remeniscent of what they were doing in NAZI Germany. Perhaps someone wants a nice bordello so they request women (and men) and perhaps children who are predestined to be slaves to sex. No choice is given.

Question: Is this one better the second time through? I'm rereading the series and I'm up to this one. I'm not DREADING it, but I'm not very excited either. I just read Celebrity in Death, which is tied to this one... so I kinda want to read it, but... yeah. Just curious if it's better the second time.

Sara ♥ wrote: "Question: Is this one better the second time through? I'm rereading the series and I'm up to this one. I'm not DREADING it, but I'm not very excited either. I just read [book:Celebrity in Death|..."



I think it is. I read it the first time and it kind of creeped me out, because I can see something like this happening. It took me a very long time to reread it, like maybe a couple of years. Finally, when I did reread it I found it more interesting. I also saw the falacies in this, like the mad scientist, can't remember his name, making all the clones of himself so he could live forever. That can't happen! You can have dups but they won't be EXACTLY the same.

Cast List (view spoiler)[ve Dallas: NYPSD lieutenant and homicide detective; married to Roarke
Roarke: Billionaire; married to Eve
Dr. Charlotte Mira: NYPSD profiler and psychologist
Commander Jack Whitney: Eve's boss
Detective Delia Peabody: Eve's partner and co-hab of Ian McNab
Detective Ian McNab: EDD detective and Peabody's co-hab
Dr. Willfred Icove, Sr: Father - Noted reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon, murdered
Sinead: Twin sister of Roarke's mother
Capt. Ryan Feeney: Head of EDD of the New York Police and Security Department, Eve's former partner and trainer
Dr. Willfred Icove, Jr: Son of Icove, Sr., noted reconstructive surgeon
Avril Icove: Wilfred, Jr.'s wife
Nadine Furst: Ace reporter for Channel 75 and friend of Eve (hide spoiler)]

There are no spoilers in the list. It's only set up this way because of its length and for easy reference.

I just want to start off by saying how much I love it when people call Eve "Roarke's cop". Even though the implication is that she's (just) an extension of the rich, powerful, famous, charismatic Roarke, it's always said with respect and admiration. I also love it when Roarke calls her "my cop", which probably how others started calling her "Roarke's cop".

Quite interesting that Roarke invited his rather large family over from Ireland for Thanksgiving. Again in this book Roarke & Eve realize that money can't buy everything, specifically the understanding on how to deal with a huge family gathering. I love seeing both of them shaken up by social events most of us take for granted.

We've gotten into the nature vs nurture debate several times in this series. Eve & Roarke have every reason, due to their upbringing, to be horrible people but they choose to be better. This story, however, tips way over the edge with all the moral debates that cloning stirs up. Then take it a step farther and have the girls/women tailor made for men. Sick and twisted all around. I was pulling for the women to succeed with the murders, even before Eve came to the conclusion that charging them with murder wasn't justice. This wasn't just smudging the line of ethics, it was a gross infraction. I felt disgust, not pity, for the murdered. I'm usually a compassionate person, but some people don't deserve it. Robb gave us an interesting juxtaposition with the two doctors winning Nobel prizes, and simultaneously committing these horrible acts - proof of the great and terrible things humans are capable of.

Intense stand off between Eve and Dr. Mira. I like that Mira holds her own with Eve at her worst. Not many people could stand up toe-to-toe with Eve on a rampage.

I love this quote from Roarke to Eve: "Never in my life have I known anyone who has such a basic dislike of people, yet has such unstinting and bottomless compassion for them."

What a great quote. And I agree with everything you said.

Robb truly know just how to make the mind spin and make you think. Everything is plausible which I suppose is what makes it that much more scarier