The Lost

If you like Eve Dallas, Missing in Death gives you a quick romp through the cop shop with Roarke's cop. A short story feels like a whirlwind after reading all the "in Death" novels, but it's good. Patricia Gaffney's The Dog Days of Laurie Summer is touching and clever and well worth your time. Don't let anyone spoil it for you.

I purchased this book strictly for the JD Robb story. I have all of the Lt Dallas, Eve, and Roark books. I like the story in this series better than I like the pure romances written by Nora Roberts. She should have made the time-line in the 2150s instead of 2050s.

this was such a disappointment just getting into jd robb and it was over. hate when they add the other authors why bother

Patricia Gaffney's story ("The Dog Days of Laurie Summer" - 2nd in the book) alone makes this book worth the price, and more. My high rating is really about her piece. I consider the other stories "bonuses." Ms. Gaffney skillfully presents life from the same place as always but from a new perspective. The result is a fresh playful voice. Paradoxically, by taking on a dog's persona Ms. Gaffney brings understanding to being human. But the real attraction of the story is just that - the story. It intrigued me from the start, provided surprising twists, made me chuckle often, kept me turning pages and gave me that can't-wait-to-get-back-to-my-book feeling. And I'm not even a dog person! If you appreciate stories that deviate from tried and true (and often tired) plot lines and instead provide a fresh and well-crafted story, you will love Ms. Gaffney's piece. I also enjoyed JD Robb's "Missing in Death" (first story in the book).

EVE IS BACK! If you haven't liked the last two Eve Dallas books don't worry - this short story is soooo much better. Missing in Death still requires a bit of a leap of faith (how did she get 'lost') but it is worth it. I really liked chapter 10 where everything is tied together in classic Eve fashion. I'm glad to see less sex and more story in this latest effort by J.D. Robb. Very cool use of technology. The Dog Days of Laurie Summer was different - the main character is actually in a coma for 95% of the story. A bit freaky in light of the recent revelation that coma patients might be aware of everything that is going on around them but not able to communicate. It's the first Patricia Gaffney short story that I've read and it was solid. I didn't get into her books perviously but I'm going to have to go back and check them out again. I've read Lost in Paradise but confess that I've got to read it again. I must of missed something somewhere because I just didn't get it. The writing wasn't bad, I just never really understood why the guy was cursed. Ruth Ryan Langan's Legacy is good, I'm not sure how it belongs to a short story collection billed as 'paranormal desire and suspense' but is was a nice story. It is more of a classic short romance - long lost ancestor finds down on luck girl, brings her to Ireland where she falls in love with his right hand man. When it's all said and done - 5 stars for the first two short stories, 3 for Paradise Lost, and 4 for Legacy.