Title: Concealed in Death
Series: In Death, Book 38
Author: J.D. Robb
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: bought
Published: February 18, 2014 by Putnam
In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.
Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.
Reviewed By: Babs
In a Nutshell: I liked this book. I found it a nice addition to the In Death series.
The Set Up: As Christmas in 2060 approaches, Roarke discovers a possible crime in a building he just purchased. Eve investigates the crime and finds connections to her friends.
Why I Read This Book: I discovered the In Death series years ago and have been hooked since. I really love reading about Roarke and Eve. Roarke is one of my favorite heroes.
What I Liked: I liked that Eve had to correct her course as she got close to what really happened. She wasn’t completely right as she zeroed in on the culprit.
I enjoyed that Roarke and Eve didn’t face any challenges to their relationship in this book. Three years/three Christmases into their relationship they are creating traditions like having a Christmas tree in their bedroom they decorate themselves. (And it seems like after 38 books they’ve been together much longer than 3 years!)
As far as the mystery in this one, I liked getting inside Eve’s head as she worked to solve the case. I also liked teenager Quilla, the mini Nadine, helping Eve and Peabody with the case.
What I Also liked: Eve getting more comfortable with her family-of-choice—Mavis, Peabody, Dr. Mira and her husband, and Summerset (even though Eve wouldn’t admit it out loud). And I like that we learn more about Mavis and how she grew up and met Eve in this book.
I’m intrigued by the introduction of the new forensic anthropologist. I look forward to reading more about her in the next books.
I’m a sucker for book series and especially J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts. I find the familiarity of the In Death books a comfort. The writing style and characters are very familiar to me. Sometimes I’m in the mood for the known instead of trying a new series or new-to-me author. I know I’m getting a solid story from J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts.
What I Didn’t Like: I missed the Captain and Feeney. They didn’t make appearances in this book. And there was no press conference to argue with the police media consultant about. And we had only one interlude with Nadine.
Also, this one didn’t draw me in like other In Death (and Nora Roberts) books have in the past. Once I started reading I was able to put the book down and pick up others. I wasn’t so into it I had to read it in a couple sittings.
Overall Impression: Concealed in Death was a good book. If you’ve read others in the In Death series, you will find this very familiar and won’t be disappointed. But don’t expect something wildly different or more exciting than past In Death books.
A Word of Caution: You should probably stay away if you don’t like books where children are targets/get hurt. This might be a trigger for you.
Bab’s Rating:
Talk about being hooked, I got started on the AUDIOBOOKS for this series. Once you have heard Roarke's voice, you are a goner. I buy the books now just to hear him talk. I do agree with you that the latest ones haven't held my attention as well, possibly because none of the main characters are in peril, but then again I HATE it when she puts any of the main characters in peril, so... Nonetheless, I will buy the next one and the next one and the next, until Eve gets pregnant and leaves the force. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you--I'm in for the long haul with this series! Interesting about the audio books. I wanted to re-read the series so started audio. I wasn't a big fan of how the narrator did Eve. And confirmed I don't like to hear the sexy parts :) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteI have come late to this series - only just finished #11. I sort of read this carefully to make sure I wasn't going to learn anything I didn't want to know - thanks for no spoilers. I liked the first one in audio and agree with Donna they are great - but I am a slow listener so have opted to read rather than listen from then on. I love the series and will see it through too. I do love all the side characters!
ReplyDeleteI was late to the series too. I didn't start reading until many books were out. Which that's nice because you know you have reading material for awhile :)
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