Echoes in Death (In Death, #44) by J.D. Robb Series: In Death #44
Published by St. Martin's Press on February 7th 2017
Genres: Futuristic, Mystery
Pages: 400
Goodreads
FINAL DECISION: A good mystery story, this book has some nice twists. I miss the intensity and drama of Eve’s personal life. She’s so settled now that it is a nice respite, but there is no doubt that the earlier books in the series were more compelling.
THE STORY: NY Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas is driving home with her billionaire husband Roarke when a naked, disoriented and abused woman runs out. Daphne Strazza has been held hostage in her home, abused and raped. When Eve goes to investigate, she finds that Daphne’s husband has been murdered. As Eve and her family and friends investigate, they find that someone is targeting couples.
OPINION: I first want to explain that I have been reading this series since the beginning — over 20 years. I early await every new installment of the series. I will also confess that I prefer the earlier books in the series where there was more conflict in Eve’s life. That being said, after 40 plus books, I don’t expect the characters or their situation to remain the same. Now Eve is more balanced, more centered and more peaceful. As a result, there is less personal drama in the recent books in this series.
Without the personal drama, the story rests far more on the actual mystery/crime being solved. This one is pretty good on that account. Eve is investigating a serial rapist who always involves a couple. I thought the way the story evolved and revealed itself created a sense of tension and drama. Longtime readers will know that sex crimes take a toll on Eve because of her past and her handling of this one demonstrates how strong and open she has become. There is definite pleasure in seeing that development while readers who haven’t followed the entire journey can enjoy the mystery.
WORTH MENTIONING: Usually I don’t find the mysteries in these books compelling (with a few exceptions). This time I thought the mystery was well constructed and worth trying to figure out.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ECHOES IN DEATH is the forty-fourth book in the In Death (Eve Dallas) series. The book has a self contained mystery and there is not much continuing storyline although a new reader would have to pick up on the world and the characters without much explanation.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.