Author Name: J.D. Robb
ISBN #: 978-0-399-15703-5
Publisher Name: G.P. Putnam Sons/The Penguin Group
Date Released: February 2011
Page Count: 375
Price: $26.95 Retail
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Book Format: Print

BACK COVER BLURB:

Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a brutal, senseless crime – an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. And for the first time, Peabody is primary detective on the case, which means she has to get used to a new level of authority and responsibility. Good thing she learned the ropes from a master like Eve.

But after rounding up the perps, Peabody stumbles upon a much trickier situation. Determined to start working out as hard as she grills suspects, she chooses to do it at the old, rarely used gym at Central. After a grueling workout, she squeezes into one of the narrow shower stalls, happy to have the place to herself. Just after she shuts the water off, the gym door clatters open – and while she cringes inside the stall, trying not to make a sound, Peabody overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. References are made to delivering product and a house in the islands, and someone named Keener who’s supposed to look like an OD. It doesn’t take long for a naked and vulnerable Peabody to realize that both officers are crooked – guilty not just of corruption but of murder as well. Fortunately, the two clear out of the locker room without realizing there was a witness.

Eve Dallas may have trained Peabody well – but this is too dangerous for one person to take on alone. Now Peabody, Eve, and her husband, Roarke, must try to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down – knowing all the while that the two have already killed to keep their secret, and are no doubt willing to do it again.

COVER SNARK:
Standard J.D. Robb Cover. So used to them I can’t think anything to snark about. Fits the brand.


FIRST LINES:

The old man lay dead on a scattered pile of candy bars and bubble gum. Cracked tubes of soft drinks, power drinks, sports drinks spilled out of the smashed glass of their cooler in colorful rivers.

FAVORITE LINES:

“Have I missed a national holiday? There must be celebrations in the streets for you to be home at this hour of the day.”

“I’m calling it Summerset Goes Mute Day. The city’s gone mad with joy.”

“Why?” Eve leaned forward. “Sincerely, I’ve always wanted to know why anyone buys multiple pairs of shoes at a time.”

“If I have to explain it, the joy is lost.”

“She thinks you married me for power,” he said as they walked on. “Renee. As that’s what she would’ve done. The power and the money is one in the same to her.”

“She’s wrong. I married you for the sex.”
He grinned. “So sure of that am I that I work diligently to hold up my end of it.”

“I changed your life.” She looked down at the peach they shared. “You changed min. I’m glad of it.” And back into his eyes. “Every day. I’m glad of it. I’d like a pond, and maybe something to sit on so we could watch the creepy, interesting fish.”

“That would suit me very well.”

She linked her arms around his neck, laid her cheek on his. Love finds a way, she thought.

While we know who the villain is from almost the beginning, what I loved is the steps Eve has to take to prove it and the emotional toll that it’s taking on her and those that are close to her. To me, this seemed more realistic, as that is often how real police work is handled, by this I mean gathering enough evidence to prove your case. I thought the emotional angst for Peabody, Commander Whitney, Mira and others provided the perfect emotional backdrop and I loved how Eve supported them. It was nice to see her providing the emotional support to her friends, which you know if you read the series, is a big step up in her emotional development. I also loved the big cat fight in the end. And I loved the support Eve received from those under her command. And yes, I’m still annoyed that Roarke is still involved in Eve’s cases. I think he should stop being the leader of the universe and just work for Eve (yes that was sarcasm).

Overall, I really liked TREACHERY IN DEATH and the In Death series continues to be a must read for me.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Borrowed from my local library.

RATING: