[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]

PORTRAIT IN DEATH by J. D. Robb Berkley, February 2003 355 pages $7.99 ISBN: 0425189031

If you have not tried any one of J. D. Robb's sixteen novels by now, then there is nothing here that will make you change your mind. If you are one of the millions of fans drooling for Nora Robert's alter ego's latest entry in this original, romantic, science fiction, police procedural starring Lt. Eve Dallas, it is finally here. If there are any newcomers, trying her books for the first time, welcome. When you read the first few paragraphs in Chapter One, it is like you have never left. The only thing you are left wondering is what is going to happen today.

As the story begins, Eve is ready to do the dance of joy. There is only one thing that could make her this happy and devoted fans should not have any trouble trying to figure it out. Suffice it to say, it will not happen. A wrench is thrown into the works and Eve is about to start her latest murder investigation. Someone has killed nineteen-year-old Rachel Howard, a girl who had her whole life ahead of her and knew what she wanted in life. What makes her death so unique is that prior to her death there were pictures taken of her and sent to Nadine Furst, lead reporter for New York's Channel 75 news and a close friend of Eve Dallas. This, however, is not the lead story in Portrait in Death. It will be Roarke.

Roarke is Eve's sexy, Irish multi-billionaire husband. They both had brutal childhoods ñ he in the slums of Dublin and she in the streets of Dallas, Texas ñ but they managed to overcome them in their own ways. A chance encounter brought them together and made them stronger. They are soul mates and have shared a lot of joy and heartaches. Now, Eve will question her relationship as Roarke pushes her aside to work on his personal demons. One of Roarke's proudest achievements is the opening of a battered woman's shelter that he created with Eve. It is run by Dr. Louise Diamatto, a friend to both, who has appeared and helped Dallas in some of her cases and is grateful for their friendship. She introduces Roarke to Dr. Moira O' Bannon who is helping Louise in the shelter. When Moira is alone with Roarke she confesses a secret that has been kept from him and that will forever change his life. Roarke will go through a deep, soul-searching journey that will make the events of Vengeance in Death seem like a cakewalk.

The relationship between Eve and her husband will be radically tested in the novel and in the end it will make them both stronger. Their compatibility is real and heartwarming at the same time. The passion and humor they share is highly contagious and the author is always ready to supply something new to the series. Don't worry; the supporting cast is still there continually evolving as each book moves along. McNabb is back on his feet again; Mavis is still, er, Mavis and Officer Peabody gets some exciting news from Eve.

Always a treat and a great pleasure, it will be a sad day when Ms. Roberts decides to retire. The In Death series is one of the greatest literary escapes out there and should not be missed. If you still have not tried these books, what is your excuse? Don't you want to have fun? Sit back, go to your AutoChef and enjoy the ride.

Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, February 2003

[ Top ]

QUICK SEARCH:

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)

[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]