The Book Was Better

Six exclusive invitations for a VIP experience on the London Eye go out. Five of them attend and all five are dead when the great wheel makes its way to the bottom. Is Eve the vicar -- the sixth invitee -- the mastermind behind the plot or just another victim? As Eve works with detectives to find out what links the six, she unburies secrets, while still trying to hide her own.  Whoa. This is one of the most intriguing plots and exquisitely written books I've read this year. My attention was grabbed from the first moment and my gears turned as I tried to connect the dots. Davis has a gift for description without over-doing it and intricately laced details that drive the narrative. While I had pieced together the basic gist of the mystery, there were even a few surprises waiting in the ending. The characters had depth, flaws and all, and the narrative style, despite going back and forth in time, was executed flawlessly.  One formatting note: I don't usually comment on format for...

Frankenstein meets The Terminator in this newest In Death installment. What if our humanity could be merged with technology? A body that won’t age, limitless strength and endurance, a database mind. Would it be worth the sacrifice? That’s the science that Eve is up against, just over 24 hours from where we last left her. When bodies and parts are discovered littered around NY, it’s up to Eve and her team to stop the mad doctor.  This one hit different. Previous editions have featured some pretty messed up mentalities, but this one might take the cake. It was everything I love about an In Death installment— the minutia of everyday cop banter, friends who are like family, plenty of delicious sarcasm, and of course, Roarke. The dramatic irony took away the element of mystery, but knowing who the bad guy was and wondering how Eve and Peabody would get there was just as fun.  Because I was blessed with an advanced copy from NetGalley, the creepy vibe was perfect for Halloween. Cons...

She survived the death of her parents. She survived a brutal attack. Can she survive again?  Arden Bowie is an up and coming author when a "fan" develops a sick obsession that leads to a traumatic assault in her own home. After nearly five years of healing and a new home in the pacific northwest, Arden is finally settled in. She has friends, family nearby, and even the blossom of a special someone in her life. But her attacker has not forgotten her and his obsession has only grown stronger. When he gets released, Arden has to decide if she will let the fear define her or take back her life.  Nora Roberts is like the Ann M. Martin of my adulthood. I typically devour her books, so I was a disappointed when this one felt a little bland for me. Maybe it's a product of how prolific she is, or that I read both her and her JD Robb alter ego, but her characters and situations are starting to feel a bit redundant. I appreciate a strong woman lead, but Arden didn't seem strong ...

How do you stop a killer when his victims are guilty? Eve is up against a physically dominating opponent, but also her own conscience in this 63rd edition. A single assailant, shattered bodies, and tight security. How is he getting in? How is he causing all this destruction, and why? As Dallas, Peabody, and the team dive into each victim, they uncover an ugly truth about a corporate behemoth and the undeniable motive in this killing spree. But who is the bigger monster here?  This might be a new series favorite of mine. It had all of the ingredients of a great "In Death" tale -- family, connection, moral grayness, loyalty...and Roarke. We got authoritative Peabody, softer Somerset, and a butt that even Eve couldn't kick. I felt a few knocks at my suspension of disbelief, but they were quickly answered. The ending was satisfying in more ways than one and the forged bonds (old and new) sang a song of found family.  Fury in Death: ★★★★★

  When Detective Seth Winslow takes a temporary assignment in a small Missouri town, it's a stark contrast to his time in New York. The locals take care of their own -- and keep each others' secrets. But it might just take an outside perspective to stop a serial killer who's targeting women with long blonde hair: women who look suspiciously like his key witness, Claire. Seth is sure there's something shady going on, but as he gets closer to the truth -- and to Claire -- he risks putting everything on the line.  This was pro-level, unputdownable writing. Seth was a flawed, but endearing hero. The setting was authentic and raw, and the level of depravity was bone-chilling. I appreciated Chief Wells' role and accountability. Like Seth, I also found Claire difficult not to like. While the mystery was not a hard one to solve, the depth and twists were unexpected and shocking.  Huge thank you to the author for taking me along for this pre-read ride!  Nowhere Good: ★★★★★

The Homefront Sleuths are at it again, this time with their own church on the line. While Evie and Nigel travel on a dangerous over-channel mission to rescue an old ally, it's up to Harry and the rest of the gang to keep Crofter's Green safe from a bomb threat.  One of the things I love most about this series is the way multiple perspectives and clues all seem to meld into one story in the end. For some reason, this one just never quite came together the same way for me. The team seemed to lack their normal cohesion and the plot felt a little disjointed. In some ways, I almost felt that Harry and Nigel swapped roles; and the ladies (except Evie, of course) seemed more ornamental than useful in this case.  Nigel and Evie continued to be my favorite power duo, but Katherine and Blake felt a little flat this time. I loved the addition of Alfie's perspective. As usual, the vast historical knowledge was on full display, but not in an overwhelming or unnatural way. Any visit to C...

  It's hard to believe that this is JD's (and my) 62nd edition of Dallas and Roarke. I've been following this journey since the beginning and I love the character arch that spans the whole series. Formulaic? Yes. But this one added in a few unexpected surprises.  Dallas, with her expert civilian consultant, is called away from a charity gala to the home of another wealthy family, where there appears to be a burglary gone wrong. Eve and Peabody's investigation reveals a dead body and a host of secrets, including a hidden vault filled with more questions than answers.  The callbacks and personal connections were a treat for a series that had gone a little stale in recent editions. Whodunits are my jam and even I gave a little gasp at the culprit. This book feels fresh and new, with the friendships and soulmates we've all come to adore. Only request: More Peabody. She's smarter than anyone gives her credit.  Stolen in Death: ★★★★3/4