** spoiler alert ** I REALLY enjoyed this book! It's an awesome edition to the In Death series. It's the first one I've "read" (with my eyes). I "read" the entire series this summer by listening to the audiobooks. I can't wait to get my hands on the audio version of Indulgence! I pleasantly surprised that reading it in print did not make me enjoy it any less. I could actually hear Susan Ericksen and all her awesome voices in my head as I read.

I know quite a few people have stated that they did not enjoy this installment as much because Eve solved the murder only a third of the way into the book, the case was similar to those in previous books, and the "why" killing for sport had also been done before. What makes this this one stand out is the helplessness Eve sometimes feels and more important her personal growth. The case isn't the focus of this book Eve is.

I think that this book focused on the frustration, obstacles, and challanges that Eve faces when she works a case. In this case, not only does she know who is commiting these murders early on, she has to let it continue because she does not have enough evidence to bring in the suspects. She has to conduct her investigation knowing that she will either find a victim from the past or be called to the scene of another and there is nothing she can do about it. The physical exhastion is nothing new for Eve but the emotional one she experiences is. Her almost breakdown after the Jonas murder shows it.

This book shows growth for Eve. I think that it is finally starting to click with her how important it is to have a life outside of the job, how much her marriage, friends, family mean to her. I think that Eve is also realizing that she matters to others as well. She learns in several ways: First how Dudley and Moriarity view their victims as "nobodies". They kill their victims for points without regard of their victims' life or how they will affect the lives of their loved ones. I think the more emotional attachments that Eve develops, the more this crime disturbs her. Second in this book more than others Eve not only stands for the murder vics but for those that are left behind. In previous books she always references the vics as hers. In this book she does it as well but many times when a vic is referenced so are their families. A third way Eve has grown is how she again takes care of Morris. The last thing she enjoys is socializing, even more when she has to play hostess. When she sees how Morris struggles from one day to the next over the loss of Detective Coltrane she doesn't hesitate to plan the BBQ to try to take his mind off her death.

I noticed in this book there was no nightmare featuring her father or the abuse she suffered. I'm not sure if this was an oversight by J.D. Robb or because there was no sex crime involved. I would like to think that Eve is beginning to put it behind her. She will never forget it of course but she is not letting it rule her life.

I loved Eve and Roarkes trip to Ireland. Seeing her not only interact with his family but actually enjoy her time with them is again growth for Eve.

Loved how everyone had the same ewwwww reaction to Dickhead being in love. She must be a special lady. I'm just sayin'!

I can't wait for the next installment. I missed some of the regular characters in this one, Nadine, Mavis, Crack and others but absence makes that heart grow fonder!

WOW, this review is longer than I thought it would be but I just really enjoyed this book.