Innocent in Death

This is book # 28 in the In Death Series. Right from page one J.D.Robb has the reader captivated as she spins her newest tale. She walks us through the victims last moments of life and then sets the graphic stage of his death. Each time I read an In Death book I am impressed at how well her words can create such vivid images in my head. It is so easy to get wrapped up and all consumed by one of her books. I don't know how she does it. Eve Dallas, Lt. of the NYPSD, and her partner, Det. Delia Peabody are investigating the murder of a young teacher at a pricey private school. The staff and students are in shock and Eve can not find one motive for killing this man. This book flowed a little differently to me than the previous books. Usually you have the homicide investigation as the center of the story and then the personal storylines either run side by side with the investigation or they play second fiddle. In Innocent In Death the personal issues between Eve and Roarke took center stage for me. For the first time in their relationship a woman from Roarke's past is really causing problems between the two of them. J.D. Robb takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions, both Eve and Roarke's; you suffer with both of them. It's hard to say anything about this book without giving away vital information. The homicide investigation takes some interesting twists and turns and it shocks and surprises. Summerset and Eve form one of their rare alliances in this book, and Eve shows a softer side of herself. This would definitely rate as one of the top In Death books, so far. I can't remember feeling so much while reading one book. Between the gripping mystery and the front row seat to Roarke and Eve's marriage, it is impossible to be bored.

Lt. Eve Dallas is dispatched to Sarah Child Private Academy where she finds the body of teacher Craig Foster. Eve is stymied by the fact that she has a dead 26 year old teacher whom, by all accounts, was well loved by students and teachers alike. What looked like an accident at first inspection soon turns into murder when there is poison found in the victim's body. As Eve uncovers the secrets of Sarah Child Academy, she learns that not all is well within its' doors. Eve is usually able to give her complete focus on the case at hand, especially when she has her husband Roarke to bounce ideas off of. Eve is completely unprepared when an old acquaintance of Roarke's, Magdelina Purcell, returns to his life after a fifteen year absence. What she is more surprised at is Roarke's reaction to the stunning blonde and his inability to see her for what she really is. At a time when she should be focused on her case, Eve is instead twisted in knots over her marriage and Roarke's involvement with the beautiful Magdelina. As for Roarke, he is insulted that Eve would ever doubt him and is determined not to turn a friend away because of his wife's petty jealously. This is one of the best In Death books to date. From the blurb, you would think that there would be an emphasis on the situation at home between Eve and Roarke. That is not the case. It is amazing to me how JDR conveys the depths of Eve's feelings, during a time she can not stop to examine them. While Eve is torn up inside, she still has a murder to solve. There were times I really wanted to cry for Eve because you could just feel her pain coming straight out of the pages. The killer in this case is unlikely, but highly believable by the last page. Overall, this book is an amazing addition to the In Death series.

As always with any Nora Robert or JD Robb book, I finished this in one sitting! I just couldn't let go. I even went to the bathroom with it! (sorry for sharing) I think out of all the books in the series this is my favorite. The emotional turmoil Eve went through because of that blonde tarts reappearance in Roarke's life really had me going! I just wanted to reach in and strangle her and smack some sense into Roarke. What I love about their relationship is that it's very well developed. Like what the other reviewers say there's none of the petty fights and stupid misunderstanding that are blown way out of proportion! Every motion in the relationship is well-developed and believable (a choreography that is executed beautifully). Even though, I wish Eve would have drop kicked the bimbo a lot sooner--she did what we all were begging for in the end! I just loved it! As for the mystery, the turmoil between Eve and Roarke almost took precedence but I just love the twist and turns the book took me through! The end was not shocking, if you catch it quickly you already know who the killer is--but your in so much denial that you keep fighting the truth! It was in itself a very shocking ending! A must read! Bravo!

Reader speculation about the marital discord between Eve and Roarke had me imagining all sorts of things about this book, but most of it was unfounded, and Eve and Roarke work through their troubles in the way we've come to expect them to: they talk it out, bare their souls, reassure one another, see the other's viewpoint, beat up a few droids, manhandle each other, and have wild monkey sex. Man, I love these guys. But back to the story... When grade-school teacher Craig Foster is found dead in his classroom from apparent poisoning, Eve is hard-pressed to determine a suspect. Fellow teachers, parents, caregivers, and students are all on her short-list, but no one is jumping out at her as a probable lead. The murder seems senseless and without a motive; the man seems as innocent as they come. Into the mix, on a personal front, arrives Magdelena Percell, an old flame of Roarke's. During their first meeting, Eve sees something on Roarke's face as he catches sight of Maggie that unnerves her, for it's a look that Eve's only ever seen directed at her. Maggie comes on strong, calling Roarke "lover" and making loaded references to their long-ago liaison. When they talk about it later that night, Roarke assures Eve that she's no reason to be jealous or concerned. The next morning, however, she overhears him making lunch plans with Maggie. Meanwhile, the case is progressing slowly until another teacher is found dead on school grounds, and the suspect list narrows. Putting the pieces together, Eve focuses on an unlikely suspect and her alarming suspicions are not well received by her commander or Dr. Mira. This is a more personal story than some that have come before, so the secondary characters don't play as big a role as in past books. But still there are some satisfying scenes with Mira, Peabody, Mavis, Whitney and -- especially -- Summerset, who proves once and for all just how solidly fixed he is in Eve's corner. (It's great to see how much these two have come to care about each other, despite all their recreational sniping and insults. Despite their obvious differences, they're unified by their absolute devotion to Roarke.) When I finished reading this book I was struck again by how well-crafted this series is. I love how the crime parallels with Eve's personal life and how the title reflects both sides of the story. I love how Eve and Roarke stay true to their characters as they deal with this new potential threat to their marriage. They don't squabble like children. They don't have temper tantrums and call each other names or behave stupidly in ways that will cause irreparable damage. Eve's feelings -- more fear than jealousy -- are perfectly understandable within the context of the story as it is laid out. Even Roarke's uncharacteristic obtuseness seems totally plausible in this case. And the resolution is equally characteristic of these two strong-willed, physical personalities. Another great installment in a great series

I must say that I really feel for Eve in this book, she goes through an emotional wringer that I really do blame Roarke for. No wife would happily accept her husband arranging to have lunch with an old flame the morning after they had met. Roarke's offended remark of 'do you not trust me' is really neither here nor there, the question should be 'why would you want to have lunch with her' and Eve does say, 'let's get this clear, she is not an old friend, she is an old lover!'(one that he obviously had an emotional tie to). The actual murder story, I found quite secondary, I could not concentrate on that sufficiently because I was too caught up Eve's problems, however I would say that I really enjoyed this book and Roarke was put through an emotional wringer of his own when he did not know if Eve had left him or not at one stage. To be honest I thought he deserved it! The ending of the book I thought was very good and the culprit for the murders was surprising!