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Dark in Death
Written by J. D. Robb
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
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Lieutenant Eve Dallas returns in the new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense, and takes on a case of death imitating art…
It was a stab in the dark.
On a chilly February night, during a screening of Psycho in midtown, someone sunk an ice pick into the back of Chanel Rylan's neck, then disappeared quietly into the crowds of drunks and tourists in Times Square. To Chanel's best friend, who had just slipped out of the theater for a moment to take a call, it felt as unreal as the ancient black-and-white movie up on the screen. But Chanel's blood ran red, and her death was anything but fictional.
Then, as Eve Dallas puzzles over a homicide that seems carefully planned and yet oddly personal, she receives a tip from an unexpected source: an author of police thrillers who recognizes the crime—from the pages of her own book. Dallas doesn't think it's coincidence, since a recent strangulation of a sex worker resembles a scene from her writing as well. Cops look for patterns of behavior: similar weapons, similar MOs. But this killer seems to find inspiration in someone else's imagination, and if the theory holds, this may be only the second of a long-running series.
The good news is that Eve and her billionaire husband Roarke have an excuse to curl up in front of the fireplace with their cat, Galahad, reading mystery stories for research. The bad news is that time is running out before the next victim plays an unwitting role in a murderer's deranged private drama—and only Eve can put a stop to a creative impulse gone horribly, destructively wrong.
From the author of Echoes in Death, this is the latest of the edgy, phenomenally popular police procedurals that Publishers Weekly calls "inventive, entertaining, and clever."
Book Actions
Start ListeningBook Information
Dark in Death
Written by J. D. Robb
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
Description
Lieutenant Eve Dallas returns in the new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense, and takes on a case of death imitating art…
It was a stab in the dark.
On a chilly February night, during a screening of Psycho in midtown, someone sunk an ice pick into the back of Chanel Rylan's neck, then disappeared quietly into the crowds of drunks and tourists in Times Square. To Chanel's best friend, who had just slipped out of the theater for a moment to take a call, it felt as unreal as the ancient black-and-white movie up on the screen. But Chanel's blood ran red, and her death was anything but fictional.
Then, as Eve Dallas puzzles over a homicide that seems carefully planned and yet oddly personal, she receives a tip from an unexpected source: an author of police thrillers who recognizes the crime—from the pages of her own book. Dallas doesn't think it's coincidence, since a recent strangulation of a sex worker resembles a scene from her writing as well. Cops look for patterns of behavior: similar weapons, similar MOs. But this killer seems to find inspiration in someone else's imagination, and if the theory holds, this may be only the second of a long-running series.
The good news is that Eve and her billionaire husband Roarke have an excuse to curl up in front of the fireplace with their cat, Galahad, reading mystery stories for research. The bad news is that time is running out before the next victim plays an unwitting role in a murderer's deranged private drama—and only Eve can put a stop to a creative impulse gone horribly, destructively wrong.
From the author of Echoes in Death, this is the latest of the edgy, phenomenally popular police procedurals that Publishers Weekly calls "inventive, entertaining, and clever."
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Reviews
While watching Hitchcock’s classic ‘Psycho’ shower scene, classic video fan, Chanel Rylan is murdered. Dallas can’t find a motive that rings for the murder of this victim, it seems too personal yet not really. It is only after meeting Mrs. DeLano, a popular writer of police procedurals, that she begins to suspect the murderer is a serial killer, using the storyline to kill. I have read murders of authors, publishers, editors. And, I was impressed at how J.D. Robb tackled this “subject” to claim it as her own and make it unique to Eve Dallas..
Rating: 5It is harder to find a murder when the murder copycats a book plot. It is also hard for an author to maintain the quality of writing in a long running series. This time, the plot has holes and lacks the vitality that drove the plotlines for earlier books. There are a lot of dashes and ellipsis that gave the impression I am moving on, you fill in the blanks. This reader has questions. Did Robb (AKA Nora Roberts, Jill March, Sarah Hardesty, and Eleanor Marie Robertson), write the book or use a ghostwriter? For example, Eve received a new computer at work in a recent book, but complained about her clunker at work. Recurring characters actions were inconsistent with previous books. Since when does Roarke call her baby? It seems list the list of supporting characters made quest appearances. In a case, where Roarke is not involved you would expend to see Peabody and McNab take a more action role. The grammar, punctuation, clichés were noticeable and interrupted action flow. There have been similar problems in previous books, but usage of dashes, ellipsis, and swear words sunk to a new level. Was there even an editor? I also wonder if Mira’s description of the how the murderer lives in books and are not grounded in reality is really a slap at Robb’s readers who complain about the decrease in quality. Save you money. Borrow the book from a library or wait and picked it up used at an extreme discount.
Rating: 2Excellent installment in In Death series. I liked this one because it almost felt like the the character of the author in the book in some ways resembles Roberts herself. The motivation of the villain was interesting and the police work involved in identifying the killer felt authentic even those this takes place in the future.
Rating: 5I really liked the mystery in this installment: a copy-cat killer, with a clever twist. Plus, Robb spent more time than usual (or at least it felt that way) on the investigative process. The tedious stuff a detective has to go through to solve crimes. I liked it a lot because I felt like I was there as Eve dissected the case. The characters have grown so much that the mystery was allowed more attention. The characters are still the heart of the series, though.Overall, a great read for fans of the series. Can't wait for more!
Rating: 5Clear plot cleanly executed by long standing author J.D. Robb. Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYSPD in the year 2061 has caught a case of a woman brutally murdered while watching the classic vid, Psycho. Before too long, author Blaine DeLano shows up at NYSPD and informs Eve that the killer has executed Chanel Rylan in the exact same fashion as the victim in her book. Who is this killer that is obsessed with DeLano and her fictitious detective? How do you deal with a killer that is clearly mentally unstable?
Rating: 5On a snowy February evening, Eve is the first one home and is just settling in by the fire with a glass of wine when she is called out. A young actress has been murdered while watching an old movie with a friend. Eve, Peabody and McNabb all converge on the theater to begin their investigation of the death of Chantal Rylan. But thing aren't adding up. Chantal doesn't have any enemies. She was pretty and popular, friendly and kind. There are no jealous lovers. No jealous rivals for parts. But the crime isn't random. It was too carefully planned and too well executed.Then Eve's friend reporter Nadine brings in a lead in the person of author Blaine DeLano who has written a series of books whose crimes are seemingly being acted out by the killer. Chantal's death is from the second book. Eve finds that her guys recently investigated the death of a young sex worker whose death mirrored the crime in DeLano's first book. Eve hasn't read the books. She's more of a vid girl. But Roarke has them all in his wonderful home library since he's one of the minority who still reads print books. Some research leads Eve to a deranged fan of DeLano's work who goes crazy after DeLano sends back the fan's opus unread. The fan is determined to rewrite DeLano's books so that evil triumphs. Eve and her people need to do investigating to discover the identity of the fan and to track the fan down before the crime in the third book becomes real. The third crime takes Eve deep into the club scene with drugs and rock and roll. Nadine's new boyfriend is a famous musician. Well, famous to everyone but Eve whose narrow focus doesn't include rock stars.I love this series. I like the relationships Eve has built through this series. I love her relationship with Roarke which is one of the most wonderful in all romantic suspense books. They complete each other and make each other a better, stronger person. I like the dialog which is crisp and witty. Despite being at book 46, this series is still fresh and engaging. I can't wait for the next episode.
Rating: 5It is always a pleasure to revisit Eve and Roark... and of course Galahad. The "In Death" series is high on my favorite series list. You can't help but love its characters...its relationships...and last, but not least...its mystery.This book certainly didn't disappoint. It had its slow moments and the climax had you wondering just what you should feel for this poor pitiful creature, but you have to say it certainly packed a punch. Just what I have come to expect from an "In Death" novel. The investigation was intriguing, and kept the reader guessing...trying to out think the killer. The main characters were wonderful as always, their interactions and relationships realistic and the plot...with all its twists, was engaging.
Rating: 5
Usually give the 'In Death' books 4 out of 5 - but I had difficulty getting into this one. As usual, it was well written and exceptionally narrated (hence the 3 and not lower) - but somehow it dragged. Not much time spent on character development - and hardly any near-future stuff, except the usual. Still would recommend, but not one of her best.
Rating: 3was a great book, just wish the unabridged version was available! felt like there were gaping holes in the story.
Rating: 4Excellent book, one of the best in the entire series and that is saying something.
I struggle with the narrator as I can not stand the voices she uses for Peabody and Roarke. Worse, since I bounced back and forth between the paperback and the audiobook, when I was reading myself I couldn’t get her characterizations out of my mind. She misses the mark on the wit and humor, too, which is a shame. However, it is a big improvement over the previous book narration. It seems she must have taken some constructive criticism and eased off her tendency to caricature. Eve’s words and actions are badass already. No need to go so overboard in an almost goofy over the top “I’m a badass” voice. Same for McNab and Peabody. They sound like cartoon characters, not natural. The accents are also all over the place, but considering what an extreme amount of characters she embodied, she did a good job keeping them separate and distinct most of the time. And she kept the storyline moving/was not boring to listen to.
The audiobook is good if you have no other way to get the story, but I highly recommend reading it instead, if you can. The audio detracts from the book rather than enhances it.
Rating: 5I struggle with the narrator as I can not stand the voices she uses for Peabody and Roarke. Worse, since I bounced back and forth between the paperback and the audiobook, when I was reading myself I couldn’t get her characterizations out of my mind. She misses the mark on the wit and humor, too, which is a shame. However, it is a big improvement over the previous book narration. It seems she must have taken some constructive criticism and eased off her tendency to caricature. Eve’s words and actions are badass already. No need to go so overboard in an almost goofy over the top “I’m a badass” voice. Same for McNab and Peabody. They sound like cartoon characters, not natural. The accents are also all over the place, but considering what an extreme amount of characters she embodied, she did a good job keeping them separate and distinct most of the time. And she kept the storyline moving/was not boring to listen to.
The audiobook is good if you have no other way to get the story, but I highly recommend reading it instead, if you can. The audio detracts from the book rather than enhances it.
The latest in this long running series has Eve and Peabody working a string of murders based on a mystery series. They get the major clue thanks to the writer coming forward when she noticed that the circumstances of the latest killing matched a scene in her book. They quickly realize that the killer may be someone that has reached out to the author and may eventually go after her. With an idea of who may be the next victim Eve has a chance to stop the crime before it happens. The killer is caught in the end and the book comes to it usual good conclusion. Another good entertaining read in this series.
Rating: 4This is an abridged version which should have been noted in the description.
Rating: 2In forty-five seconds, someone took Chanel Rylan’s life and walked away, unseen. It isn’t long before Lieutenant Eve Dallas meets a writer who insists the young woman’s murder is eerily similar to a story she’d penned as part of a popular series. And their conversation reveals a connection between an earlier murder and another of the author’s works. Who’s using the author’s work to plan and carry out murder? And can Eve identify the cunning murderer before someone else becomes a victim?Populated by all the expected characters, this impressive forty-sixth addition to the IN DEATH series draws readers in from the beginning of the narrative. The threat of another murder ramps up the tension and some first-rate plot-twisting keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Readers will find much to appreciate in the telling of this unputdownable tale. Highly recommended.
Rating: 5