
Series: In Death #18
Published by Berkley Books on January 26, 2004
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 371
Goodreads

FINAL DECISION: A standout entry in the In Death series that delivers both a tricky mystery and a deeply personal, emotional conflict between Eve and Roarke.
THE STORY: When Reva Ewing, a former Secret Service agent and Roarke employee, is found standing over the bodies of her husband and his lover, the case seems straightforward. But as Eve investigates, she uncovers a deeper conspiracy. Even more challenging, evidence surfaces involving Eve’s childhood trauma, leading to a fundamental conflict between Eve and Roarke, which challenges their marriage.
OPINION: This book delves deeply into Eve’s past trauma and the moral complexities of justice versus vengeance, making it an emotionally charged but immensely rewarding read. This series’s best books have an intriguing mystery and reveal complexities and conflicts between Eve and Roarke. This one satisfies both for me.
Although this is the eighteenth book, only a few years have passed since Eve and Roarke met and married. They are still working through their relationship challenges, and I enjoyed seeing them gain a deeper understanding of each other. Their conflict in this book feels genuine and adds depth to their relationship, forcing them to confront fundamental differences in their worldviews.
The mystery itself is solid, with layers of conspiracy and technological intrigue keeping the investigation interesting. However, what makes this book exceptional is the personal stakes—particularly as Eve must deal with new revelations about her past. The way she processes this information while simultaneously managing both the case and her conflict with Roarke showcases her growth as a character.
Secondary characters provide crucial support and perspective, helping to ground Eve and Roarke as they work through their differences. The number of secondary characters keeps growing, and I appreciate their complexity, as I care more about them with each new layer we learn.
WORTH MENTIONING: We learn more about Eve’s past for the first time in a couple of books.
CONNECTED BOOKS: DIVIDED IN DEATH is the 18th book in the In Death series. While the mystery in this book is standalone, there are continuing and overarching storylines (especially regarding Eve and Roake’s history) that continue from book to book. I recommend reading the series in order, although it is not strictly necessary.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.