Salvation in Death

Salvation in Death poses some very exciting twists and deep, dark secrets. It begins with a funeral mass with the young Father Miguel Flores, a priest in NYC's Spanish Harlem. As he goes through the mass for a very popular and wealthy older man, he gets to the communion and as he swallows the wine falls and dies in spite of numerous attempts to revive him. Fr. Flores was very popular and known for his attention to young and old. However, as Lt. Dallas and Det. Peabody begin to investigate his death more and more secrets and violent acts come to light. Jimmy Jay Jenkins, an evangelical preacher who founded the Church of the Eternal Light is killed in a similar manner. As Dallas with the help of her husband Roarke, partner Peabody and her whole team including Captain Feeney and his division start digging into the backgrounds of both religious figures, the danger escalates and Dallas has to race to find the killer(s?)! A really good read and with a lot of deep thoughts on religion as well as the criminal mind. I love this series and really enjoyed this offering. Valerie Matteson Ann Arbor, MI

Earlier this morning, I reviewed Nora Robert's most recent "original in paperback" book, and gave it three stars. Since then, I've sat down and ignored all else in my life to read this book. I finished it. I love it. Here is the character development I love. Here is an original storyline. Thank goodness. Once again, we learn more about how Eve & Roarke think and work together. Eve IS evolving and that's a good thing. I notice one other reviewer noted that the minor characters are not as in play here. It's true. I don't mind it every once in a while. Eve & Roarke (and Peabody) are the heart here, and while I enjoy the others, sometimes it's nice to focus again. I would miss them if they don't show up again soon, but... I don't mind. As always, I would advise a new reader to NOT start here. Probably, yes, you'd be mostly OK - some former cases are mentioned but not necessary for the plot - but you'd be missing a lot of nuances. Go to the beginning of the series and enjoy it all, but as a new installment, this is stellar.

Was it just me, or did Eve seem to be mellowing in this book? If this was Robb's intention, then I applaud it. I like to see characters evolve, grow, change, develop. Dallas didn't seem to be clawed as horribly by her demons as in past books. More evidence of growth. Another reviewer mentioned that this book was more about the crime and less about the characters. That's okay. The characters are all compelling.