Golden in Death

Golden in Death by J.D. Robb

Dr. Kent Abner opens a package with a golden egg and releases a toxin that instantly kills him. His partner is Dr. Martin, headmaster of a private school. This case is personal to Lt. Eve Dallas because her friends Louise and Charles knew the men. They were well liked and nobody seems to be a suspect until Elisa, a teacher and book store worker, dies in a similar manner. Her husband was a teacher at the private school.

When writing a mystery, it is good to have a personal tie to the crime. With so many cases, Eve cannot be tied to all of them, but by having her friends know the victim, it makes it more personal. Eve’s circle of friends has greatly increased over the years and is one of the things that makes her likeable. If others like your character, the reader will like your character.

Eve looks at the school and does her routine of interviews, gathering evidence, and looking for motive. The previous headmistress slept with fathers and teachers and allowed the rich students to bully the scholarship students. This brings in a problem the reader can relate to and makes a social statement about privileged and wealthy young people.

Robb adds description of the wealthy offices and apartments contrasted against the simple descriptions of the cozy homes of the victims. Use description to contrast your characters and give insight into their values.

Some of the interviews are with innocent victims who were bullied or overcame their bad behavior in school. This makes the villains choose their behavior instead of blaming a past experience for committing a crime. The suspects are arrogant and lie, which is a big clue to a guilty party.

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