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In Death #21

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У себя в кабинете, в строго охраняемой частной клинике, убит Уилфрид Айкон, пластический хирург с мировым именем. Кто и почему мог убить человека, репутация которого была безупречна, а авторитет непререкаем?!
Лишь лейтенант Ева Даллас, вопреки мнению друзей и знакомых, не верит в его безупречность. "Таких чистеньких не бывает!" - утверждает она.
Кто же он, этот благородный доктор Айкон: бескорыстный подвижник или опасный маньяк?
Ева упорно ищет убийцу, но теперь уже не только для того, чтобы арестовать…

512 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2005

1306 people are currently reading
7313 people want to read

About the author

J.D. Robb

171 books35k followers
J.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Forgotten in Death (St. Martin's Press, September 2021) is the 53rd entry in the series.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,208 reviews
Profile Image for Karla.
1,395 reviews355 followers
May 12, 2020
4.25 stars**

Utterly fascinating! Reading this felt like I was watching something on the sci-fi channel. The plot for this installment was different not so much as The Who done it but more about the mystery of WHAT was behind the murders. This case was interesting but so heartbreaking especially the last chapters. I swear there hasn’t been a book in this series that has made me cry either tears of joy or sadness. Loving this so hard. ❤️
Profile Image for Phrynne.
3,968 reviews2,674 followers
December 4, 2017
Another outstanding effort in this brilliant series. This is my second time reading through the whole set and I am enjoying it every bit as much as I did the first time!

Peabody and Eve are the stars in Origin in Death. They seem to have arrived at a state where Peabody says exactly what she thinks and Eve takes it, although always coming back with great lines of her own. Their relationship is altogether delightful and laugh out loud funny. Roarke and Eve are in good form too although I sometimes think he lets her get away with a lot.

The story is excellent, delving into the murky waters of cloning. Some of the ideas and situations made for uncomfortable reading, but it culminated in an exciting chase at the end with Eve and Roarke putting their lives on the line as usual:)

I have yet to read a boring In Death book. I believe J.D. Robb has a magic pen.

Profile Image for Karla.
987 reviews1,108 followers
April 20, 2017
4.5 Stars! 21 books in and this series it's still going strong...at least for me!

What I love most about this series is the character development. Not only are the crimes imaginative, and the police procedures interesting...this one had a strong sci-fi element... and the characters aren't one-dimensional. Their personalities are getting stronger, and they are coming into their own. From the beginning of the series to this book, about 18 months has passed, and the pace in which the characters are evolving fits the timeline. You can't change overnight, these things take time and people and events shape us into who we become and that's what J.D. Robb is doing with the characters in her In Death series and I'm looking forward to seeing who they become...what destiny has in store for them.

Eve has always found it difficult to show her emotions, but in this book she no longer hides her feelings for Roarke, she's finally wearing her heart on her sleeve, and it's evident to everyone how much she loves him. But, most particularly, she expresses verbally to Roarke how much she needs and loves him, and as a huge fan of this couple, it made me smile. That being said, I'm not sure which relationship I enjoy more, Eve and Roarke, or Eve and Peabody. Eve's delightful partner, the incomparable Peabody...love that she's her partner...really tests the waters with her bold sarcastic comments, and it really made for a fun read. I found myself laughing out loud a few times!

Again I repeat, Susan Ericksen rocks!! Roarke's family comes for a visit and her Irish brogue was delightful. More characters added to the mix, and each one very distinctive. Her voice adds extra humor to certain scenes, Eve vs. children, very funny! While I enjoyed reading the series when I first started it, I've switched to the audiobooks, because of her brilliant narration, and can't imagine any other way to 'read' this series.
Profile Image for Mo.
1,401 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2017

Perfection. Does it exist? Can it be manufactured? And if it is being manufactured, who is behind it? Who is gaining from it?

Another great read. Book 21! Honestly, I don't know how she does it. I will definitely take a break after this one ... read something a bit lighter.


The doctor kept a secret, and secrets were what haunted. Secrets were what hurt. She should know.



"It was death that brought me and Eve together, and as frothy as it sounds there are times I feel as though that was when I took my first breath."


I just love Eve and Roarke. They are perfect together. He loves her so much and is always there for her. Sure, she loves him too but she has always had a hard time giving into her feelings and expressing her love. She is getting better though.

Gentle, he thought, gentle now that she was fragile and needed him to remind her of all that she was. Needed him to show her she was loved, for all that she was.



"Do you remember the day I met you?" He reached in his pocket, took out the grey button that had come off the only suit she'd owned before he'd blasted into her life. He rubbed it between his fingers as he watched her.


That bloody button!!!!


Only 24 more books to go but I am getting there.

Oh, and the gang from County Clare arrived!! LOL.

Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,694 reviews730 followers
February 27, 2020
With this series set in the future, J.D. Robb is able to weave in some speculative sci fi themes which works really well in this episode.

When Dr Wilfred B. Icove, a renowned pioneer of modern reconstructive and cosmetic surgery is found dead in his office with a very precise stab to his aorta, Lt Eve Dallas is very impressed at the blatancy of the killer, a calm, attractive young woman but wonders what Dr Icove could have done to have driven her to murder. Delving in to what Dr Icove did in his free time when not seeing patients at the Clinic Eve discovers a shocking research program that he has kept hidden for decades.

The books in this series are such fun to read. As well as an excellent murder mystery, there is the banter between Peabody and Eve to enjoy, the other colourful characters of Eve's police family and at the centre her relationship with Roarke. Roarke's newly discovered extensive Irish family arrive en masse for Thanksgiving towards the end of the book, but as the book finished the day before Thanksgiving, I was disappointed at not seeing Eve trying to cope with dinner with Roarke's noisy family, but maybe that enjoyment has been postponed for the start of the next book.
Profile Image for Hulya Kara Yuksel.
1,082 reviews1,305 followers
October 22, 2018
Wow this one was just like a Sci/Fi movie! I FLOVED it!!!

J.D.Robb (Nora Roberts) never disappoints me... 👏👏👏
Profile Image for Jilly.
1,838 reviews6,652 followers
August 6, 2016
There are so many stories of men trying to build the "perfect woman" that you have to question the lack of insight and self-awareness of these guys.


The perfect-created woman of the 1980's.


The perfect-created women of the 1990's


1970's & 2000's (the Stepford Wives)


At least she gets to kill people...

I mean, come on, guys, it's not like you are all so great and we are letting you down with our "imperfections". It's a two-way street here.


Of course our "perfect man" is a cookie. It makes complete sense.

So, in this story, we have something strange going on with another dude creating women. We don't know if it's genetic engineering, robotics, hybrids, clones, or what, but we know it's not completely legal. And, we know that whatever he is creating is pissed off and coming to say "hi" to daddy.



As the story goes on, and we figure out everything that is going on, it becomes clear that there is a lot more going on than just making girls. There is a making-of-a-dystopian-world thing happening, and it's really cool. In some ways, you almost don't want Eve to succeed in stopping things because... dystopian world=cool. But, I guess we are supposed to root for her. I guess.
Profile Image for Mei.
1,897 reviews466 followers
July 13, 2017

Since the beginning of the series I was expecting this issue to come up! And here it is!!!
It’s really creepy to think that this leitmotiv is a very old one! And here it was explored very well!

Still, apart from this very thorny idea, there’re, as always some really funny moments! Which is why I love this series!!!

““But it’s programmed in, Dallas. They don’t live or think.”
“They want you to believe that. They talk to each other through their little chips and boards, and are probably plotting to destroy all humankind. One day, it’ll be them or us.”
“You’re creeping me out, sir.”
“Just remember, I warned you.” Eve bit into the cookie as they turned toward Homicide.”


Eve, you’re scaring poor Peabody!

”Eve pulled on a robe. The pool area, always lush with plants and tropical trees, had become a horrifying treatment center. Padded tables with bodies stretched on them. Weird smells, weirder music. Trina had decked herself out in a lab coat. The splatters on it were a rainbow. Eve might have preferred blood. At least she understood blood.”



”“I feel completely mag.” Mavis gobbled up fancy cheese, crackers, stuffed veggies, and whatever else was in reach as if food were about to be declared illegal. “We’re going into week thirty-three, and they say he/ she can, like, hear stuff, and even see in there, and its head’s down now—assuming the position. Sometimes you can feel his/her foot poking.”
Poking what? Eve wondered. The kidneys, the liver? The very idea had her avoiding the pâté.
“How’s Leonardo handling it?” Nadine asked.
“He’s aces. We’re taking classes now. Hey, Dallas, you and Roarke need to sign up for your coaching class.”
Eve made some sound, but found it impossible to express the full terror.”


Eve’s idea of pregnancy!!! O_O

”...Cher Reo, APA,” she said and offered Louise her hand.
“Louise Dimatto, M.D.”
“Eve Dallas, AK. Ass-kicker. Strap in,” Eve ordered. “Let’s move.”



“Yeah. I love McNab,” Peabody repeated. “It took me a while to realize it, or get there, however it works. But he’s the one. If you were to drop down dead, and Roarke decided I could comfort him with wild sex, I probably wouldn’t do it. Probably. But even if I did, I’d still love McNab.”
“At least I’m dead in your sexual fantasy.”
“It’s only fair. I wouldn’t cheat on my partner. So I probably wouldn’t have sex with Roarke, should the opportunity arise, unless both you and McNab were killed in a freak accident.”
“Thanks, Peabody. I feel a lot better now.”
“And we’d probably wait a decent interval. Like two weeks. If we could control ourselves.”
“It just gets better and better,” Eve remarked.
“In a way, we’d really be celebrating your lives, and our love for you both.”
“Maybe you’re the ones who die in a freak accident,” Eve tossed back. “Then me and McNab . . . No, Jesus. No.” She visibly shuddered. “I don’t love you that much.””

So romantic!!!! <3

“She jumped in the car, then her eyes went wide and glassy. “The coat! The
coat!” Her hand shot out to rub leather, and Eve slapped it away.
“No touching the coat.”
“Can I sniff it? Please, please? Please!”
“Nose one full inch from sleeve. One sniff.”
Profile Image for Alex ♈.
1,568 reviews1,396 followers
November 17, 2017
Suspense 4.5 stars / Romance 4.5 stars

Extremely interesting and unique plot. One of the books I was on the killer’s side, I admired her (yes, the killer was a woman!) and even cried at the end.
Beauty, cloning, beauty.

The romance was sweet and perfect;
I just didn’t get why they wrote about one of Roarke’s exes at the beginning? Was it really necessary? Invite them all in one story, make an orgy and let it go!

Eve… my love!

Profile Image for Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW).
522 reviews822 followers
October 25, 2016
3 STARS

The storyline seemed a little to far fetched to me. I liked the concept but felt like the plot was a bit too over dramatized,especially around the last 20% of the book.

The book ending quite abruptly and a lot of my favourite characters made much less of an appearance in this book than the others in the series.

So; A 3 stars.
Profile Image for The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo.
2,882 reviews381 followers
September 9, 2022
One of the best In Death books so far. The subject was super futuristic and interesting!

Dallas and Peabody are called in to investigate the murder of a top cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Icove was found in his office with a single, clean stab directly into his heart with a blade so thin it could only be a scalpel. Oh, the irony... Everyone Eve interviews says the man was practically a saint, utterly devoted to his family and his work. The heir apparent to Dr. Icove's extremely successful practice is Dr. Icove, his son. The younger man grieves for his father and praises his genius, urging Dallas to find his father's killer quickly. But Dallas knows when she finds nothing dirty about a victim, it's because they've hidden their dirt well. She must be onto something because only a few days later, Dr Icove the younger is also found dead - a victim of a single, thin-bladed stab in his heart.

In other news, it's Thanksgiving and Roarke's whole family flies from Ireland to spend the holiday at the mansion, and almost everybody in Dallas' circle is invited for dinner, too.

Because I really enjoy this series, I tend to ignore how humdrum the motivations usually are. This one has a really kickass premise putting the futuristic setting of this series squarely in focus: genetic manipulation. For once, a Dallas book has legitimately dabbled in Sci-Fi! This is one of the coolest entries of the series.
Profile Image for Aly is so frigging bored.
1,690 reviews266 followers
November 20, 2021
2nd Read from November 1 to 16, 2015

1st Read from August 19 to 24, 2013


Everyone should read this book, everyone! It doesn't matter if you read the ones before and don't know the characters, you can catch up along the way... The mind-fuck of this story is just too great to pass up!
Profile Image for İlkim.
1,463 reviews11 followers
June 28, 2023
Tam bir bilim-kurgu romanı gibiydi bu sefer. Hani gelecekte geçen bir seri ama bu sefer cidden bilim-kurguyu iliklerine kadar hissettirdi. Çılgın bilim adamı dolu bir kitaptı, gerisini siz anlayın.
----------------
2. okuma: 6 sene geçmiş ilk okumamın üzerinden. Tr baskısı anca 21'e gelebildi. Serinin ilerisini de bildiğim için bu kitabın seride bir dönüm noktası olduğunu belirtmem gerekir, serinin devam kitaplarının çoğunda Icove Case olarak göndermeleri var. Konusu gereği inanılmaz sükse yapıyor ve Eve ile ekibini tam anlamıyla ünlendiriyor denebilir. Nadine daha sonra bunun hakkında bir kitap yazıyor ve ekstra ün katıyor kendine. Hatta daha sonra filmi dahi çekiliyor, hatta o film setinde de bir cinayet işleniyor ki bence şahane. Genel hatlarını hatırladığım ama bazı kısımlarını da unuttuğum için tekrar okumak iyi geldi. Güzel düşünülüp kurgulanmış, akıcı bir hikaye kesinlikle.
Profile Image for Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile.
2,232 reviews510 followers
February 12, 2020
Spoilers ahead, 2.5*


This one features a more sci-fi plot than previous books as brilliant doctors abuse the trust placed in them to run a secret program cloning women. When the doctors are found murdered Eve's on the case.
I liked that the women were not charged because what was done to them was truly horrific
For the first time I found myself not liking Eve in her relationship with Roarke. In every book he is fully supportive of her but in this case wth his family's visit when he was a bit nervous I felt what was going on with him was brushed aside. Yes Eve doesn't do well with people but couldn't she have tried harder for him?
I also found myself skimming quite a bit as the plot progressed

Still one of my favorite series ever however
Profile Image for Sibel Gandy.
1,034 reviews76 followers
October 3, 2022
Dallas'in Trina ile olan halleri çok eğlenceli 🤭
Profile Image for Ann Lou.
566 reviews87 followers
July 24, 2017
After 21 books I would have to say that absolutely nothing could go wrong in this books. They are brilliant. They riveting. They are my newest addiction.

So, with book 21 it's a bit different from the other installments. It's unique. And I don't know what to make of myself at this but when I found out the motive for the killings, I was rooting for the killer.

Basically, the father of reconstructive surgery and his son is killed efficiently and in a controlled manner. Eve is the primary and found out secret experiments hidden for decades.

Our Eve is still badass as ever.

" Cher Reo, APA (Prosecuting Assistant)
"Louise Dematto, M.D."
"Eve Dallas, AK. Ass-kicker"


"You reach for your weapon, Deputy and you won't have use of your hand for a week. But you won't need it as I'll have twisted your undersized dick into a pretzel so even the thought of jerking off will cause you unspeakable pain."
Profile Image for Anita.
2,578 reviews214 followers
March 1, 2022
Got to admit, this was not one of my favorites. Lots to think about and, as always, Eve is tenacious to the very end in tracking down the killer. The moral and ethical issues this book raises are disturbing. When Eve is confronted with Roarke's family it is a very welcome relief from the horror she is pursuing.

An icon in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is murdered in his extremely secure office. Dr. Wilfred B. Icove is revered by everyone in the medical community and his charity work makes him a borderline saint. The murder is clean, efficient, cold and Eve suspects professional. Soon after his son, Dr Wildred B. Icove Jr. is also murdered in the same professional manner in a house that has top of the line security. The only clue Eve has to follow is the beautiful, mysterious woman who was Dr. Icove's last appointment, and she turns out to be a ghost.

When Eve dives deeper she finds there is a lot more to the good doctors and none of it is good. Their lives are a tad too perfect; their practice is people perfect. Pursuit of perfection that leads Eve to the unthinkable breaking of the law and the morals and ethics of society.
Profile Image for Carol Jones-Campbell.
1,966 reviews
July 10, 2021
FIRST READ: This story was quite creepy and it involved family members as well as young children and genetics. A prominent Cosmetic Surgeon is found dead in his office, a scalpel in his heart. As Detective Eve Dallas investigates, she begins to believe the killer was a professional. The doctor's records are coded. What was he hiding? Who would want him dead? As Eve uncovers records of young women being treated by the doctor and his son, she begins to suspect that they are selling these women into prostitution. But when the younger doctor turns up dead, Eve recognizes that she was wrong about what the doctors were doing.

This is another very good addition to the "In Death" series. I thought the mystery was great. I liked how Eve and Peabody put the clues together to figure out exactly what the doctors were up to. I also liked that Roarke's family traveled from Ireland to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and Eve. Neither of them is used to entertaining family. As always, it's fun to see Eve out of her element.

SECOND READ: When a famous plastic surgeon has been murdered, a cry of outrage swept the city and people wanted justice served immediately. Wilfred Icove, is renowned physician best in the field of reconstructive surgery. His foundation has spearheaded the advancement of cosmetic surgery and helped many people. When Eve Dallas investigates she finds a woman named Dolores Alverez who put a scalpel blade into the victim without remorse. No trail has been left and no information is found about the woman except a picture. Eve speculates that the son will have the motive for murder as he will be the next to inherit the victim's great wealth. But days later the son has been also found dead and Eve is determined to bring justice. Digging deeper in the background of both father and son Icove, she finds out that they have been funding a very private school which to her consternation only enroll little girls with same features great beauty, high IQ and undeniable talents. As Eve investigates the school she finds different ages of Dolores Alverez who has the same face but years younger. This time Eve realizes that the killing has been a case of revenge. Dr. Wilfred Icove along with other esteemed doctors appears to be secretly genetically manipulating babies. They rear these babies and sell them off for a price. Dr. Wilfred's son's wife is of the same product. As they get to the bottom of Dr. Icove's foundation, Dolores Alverez reappears. She tells Eve that she wants to destroy the school to stop the doctors from cloning more of them. Eve who agrees with her still wants to put her in jail. But she is able to stop her since apparently 3 Dolores are running around the school and all with the same intent. Moreover the clones in the school have been programmed to stop her. When Eve sees the great crime committed to these women clones, she decides that the destruction of the school is enough for justice. Dolores who murdered Dr. Icove died after accomplishing her goal of destroying the laboratory. Eve who knows that Avril, Dr. Icove' son's wife, has been the one who killed her husband, decides to let her go after knowing that Avril is actually the victim.

Set in the year 2059, this latest in Robb's long-running series (Naked in Death, etc.) featuring acerbic Lt. Eve Dallas of the New York police is the best in recent memory. In the past, Robb has kept whiz-bang futuristic effects to a minimum, allowing her world to grow organically out of dialogue and characterization; this time she incorporates science fiction elements—including the future of cosmetic surgery, cloning, scientific morality and physical mortality—into her plot, giving the series a big shot of adrenaline. Eve and her partner, Det. Delia Peabody, are visiting the Wilfred B. Icove Center for Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery on a celebrity murder case when the center's founder, old Wilfred Icove, is discovered with a scalpel rammed into his heart. Wilfred Jr., also a surgeon at the center, is grief stricken, as is his family and most of the rest of the country. Wilfred Sr., everyone agrees, was a saint. Except he wasn't, as Eve and savvy mystery readers will have already guessed. Eve gathers her usual crime-fighting crew around her, including her drop-dead gorgeous, fabulously wealthy, staggeringly brilliant husband, Roarke. Robb tones down the romance and ups the action ante as the team uncovers an increasingly horrific crime that builds to a race-against-the-clock climax that will have readers cheering. Creepy but still a good read. Recommend.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,952 reviews96 followers
September 2, 2016
A prominent Cosmetic Surgeon is found dead in his office, a scalpel in his heart. As Detective Eve Dallas investigates, she begins to believe the killer was a professional. The doctor's records are coded. What was he hiding? Who would want him dead? As Eve uncovers records of young women being treated by the doctor and his son, she begins to suspect that they are selling these women into prostitution. But when the younger doctor turns up dead, Eve recognizes that she was wrong about what the doctors were doing.

This is another very good addition to the "In Death" series. I thought the mystery was great. I liked how Eve and Peabody put the clues together to figure out exactly what the doctors were up to. I also liked that Roarke's family traveled from Ireland to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and Eve. Neither of them is used to entertaining family. As always, it's fun to see Eve out of her element. My rating: 4 Stars.
Profile Image for Lena.
1,205 reviews331 followers
March 29, 2019
AC5373FB-F540-4A73-A862-E3C0DE8A6BAE.jpg
“They were never going to stop.”
- Avril Icove


Another dark and exciting chapter as In Death meets Æon Flux.

“If we don’t make it, I love you and blah blah blah.”

- Eve to Roarke

Profile Image for Ira.
1,152 reviews128 followers
April 20, 2017
This one rather spooky..
And this book will make Eve's popular rating higher up, lol and Nadine become famous later in the series!:)
Profile Image for Kathy Davie.
4,876 reviews734 followers
January 9, 2025
Twenty-first in the In Death romantic suspense police procedural series and revolving around Lieutenant Eve Dallas. The focus is on the various possibilities of human origins.

My Take
This story is a major case in Eve's life and, again, repeatedly, she comes to the rescue while in between her crimesolving, she and Roarke learn how to celebrate with family.

Robb pulled me right in with the girl regretting her inabilities with language and writing, about the disappointments and resulting punishments, the lack of exposure to the outside, the social restrictions. The more I read, the more I cried. That ending line in the first chapter . . . ohhh . . .

Poor Eve. She has an intense character arc in the In Death series. One of the issues is the marriage rules Eve gets so panicky about. There’s Eve’s growth from black-and-white to shades of gray. She (and Peabody) also has a little thing for Morris, and does she ever have the claws out for Amaryllis! I also love how Eve’s circle of friends has grown from one to many, and as Eve notes, they’re such a great variety of people from various backgrounds.

Eve’s background will also get to you. So many things that we take for granted from our childhoods: Barbie dolls, childhood books . . . I always laugh at Roarke playing dress-up with Eve and Eve’s reaction to make-up. As for Eve’s fear of Trina and vending machines, oh man. Her battles with computers. The love (and expression of it) between Eve and Roarke.

Lololol, Eve and Roarke get roped into Lamaze classes.

Peabody has her own issues, and this trip to a facial reconstruction facility has her pondering her lips and nose — right along with her butt obsession, lol. It’s Eve’s reactions to Peabody’s worries that has me cracking up, all the time. More of the “usual” interchange between Peabody and Dallas is Peabody’s fantasies about Roarke — that fantasy she has about, oh darn, Dallas and McNab dying and Roarke needing consolation . . . LMAO.

There’s Lee-Lee’s problem with a boyfriend who becomes controlling and can’t accept her breakup with him — some things never change.

Ya gotta laugh at Eve’s views on so many things, including how the detectives in EDD dress. Then there’s Eve’s reaction to dressing at all, always thinking how it’ll affect a chase after a criminal, lol.

Robb does bring color to the story, sometimes unfortunately, as in “mustard the unfortunate color of infected urine” and “slopping a soy fry through a puddle of anemic ketchup”. The description of the Icove facilities brought it to life.

And, you know, gadget girl here, who loves all that futuristic technology. I want a droid and an Auto Chef, and a . . . Okay,, it’s not just the gadgets. It’s the humanity, the compassion, and the amazing range of characters Robb creates. Then there are the cases Robb comes up with. Wow. They’re all so different, and this one, Origin in Death, is a pip!

It is amazing how intelligent Diana is, and I’m sure it’s a reflection of all the students at Brookhollow. It’s a sensible assessment after that first chapter.

I love the combination of the main romantic relationship between Eve and Roarke. And Robb blends it in with police procedures as Dallas and her people and friends track down information to solve her cases. I do adore how Roarke insinuates himself and how useful this former computer-savvy “criminal” is. He’s not Eve’s only supporter. That Jack Whitney is a gem.

While Eve’s is the primary perspective in the global subjective point-of-view, we also hear from Roarke and other characters.

In some ways the purpose behind these actions make sense, if only in wanting to compensate for losses, to remember lost family, but the reality is a horror.

The Story
It’s a double murder that leads Lieutenant Dallas to dig into the father and son’s pasts, leading to a horrific discovery.

. . . there had been promises to keep.

The Characters
The coffee-obsessed Lieutenant Eve Dallas is the head of Homicide in Cop Central. Roarke is her gorgeous billionaire — and very supportive — husband. Eve freaks about her husband’s interests, through Roarke Enterprises, in “nearly every area of business, art, entertainment, and development in the known universe”. She has come to appreciate his criminal past and to accept his horning in on her cases. Summerset is their majordomo, Roarke’s father figure, and Eve’s nemesis. Galahad is their pudge of a cat, and I do adore his antics.

Their friends include . . .
. . . Dallas’ best friend, the sensational and pregnant Mavis Freestone; Leonardo is a famous fashion designer and Mavis’ significant other; the scary Trina, a hair and skin specialist; Dr Louise Dimatto, who has a privileged background and chooses to serve the lowest rung of society; Dimatto is dating Charles Monroe, a professional Licensed Companion; Nadine Furst is the ace on-air reporter for Channel 75; and, Crack, who runs the sleazy Down and Dirty bar.

Roarke’s family includes . . .
. . . Sinead, Roarke’s mother’s twin. Cousins include Sean, Celia, Tom, and Cassie, who is a fast-crawling baby. Her parents are Reenie and Eemon (Sinead’s son). Ned is Sinead’s brother; Connor is his oldest son. Maggie is Connor’s wife nursing young Devin. Alise “Granny” Brody is Sinead, Siobhan, and Ned’s mother. Patrick Roarke had been his evil father.

NYPSD is the . . .
. . . New York Police and Security Department with Tibble as the chief of police. Commander Jack Whitney is Dallas’ boss. Homicide includes Detective Delia Peabody, who is Dallas’ partner. Dallas’ other men include Detective (Det.) David Baxter, a.k.a. Horny Dog, and his aide, Officer Troy Trueheart and Det. Jenkinson, a.k.a. Sick Bastard. The Electronic Detectives Department is headed up by Captain Ryan Feeney, Eve’s mentor. His “men” include Detective Ian McNab, Peabody’s cohab.

The snappy Dr Li Morris is the chief medical examiner. Detective Amaryllis “Ammy” Coltraine has recently transferred to NYC from Savannah. Dr Charlotte Mira is the city’s top profiler and a psychiatrist who has become friends with Eve; Dennis is Mira’s husband. Cher Reo is a shark of an assistant prosecuting attorney who works well with Dallas; Adam Quincy is the chief legal counsel for the NYPSD; that jerk, Dick Berenski, is the very competent chief lab tech; and, Officer Otts is the unfortunate officer on duty

Mrs Whitney terrifies Eve.

The Wilfred B Icove Center for Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery is . . .
. . . the brainchild of the honored and respected Dr Wilfred B Icove. His son is Dr Wilfred B Icove, Jr, sculptor to the stars. Pia and Carla Poole are assistants. Avril is Junior’s wife, and they have two children. Deena Flavia is a childhood friend of Avril’s. Janis Petrie is another doctor.

Dolores Nocho-Alverez is a woman of many talents. Desiree Frost is interested in Brookhollow for her daughter. Darby is just a toddler.

Brookhollow Academy is . . .
. . . an elite private school based in New Hampshire and founded by Dr Jonah Delecourt Wilson, a geneticist who had married Eva Hannson Samuels. Evelyn Samuels is the current president; Abigail is her personal assistant. Diana Rodriguez (her parents are Hector, a lab tech, and Magdalene Cruz, a PT) is a student. Past students include Brianne Delaney and Bridget O’Brian. There’s also Brookhollow College.

James Hyer is the sheriff of the County Sheriff’s Department in the school’s vicinity. I do love how Eve takes down Deputy James Gaitor. More deputies include Max, who is more reasonable, and Freddie. Dr Richards is their local ME; Joe and Billy are with forensics.

Lee-Lee Ten is a famous and perfect model who was attacked. Bryhern Speegal had been her boyfriend. Charlie is Lee-Lee’s lawyer. Her friends include Carly Jo, Presty Bing, and Apple Grand. Maudie Jacobs belongs to the same health club as Avril. Dochas is a women’s shelter Roarke built. The Urbans were a period of wars throughout the world, a time that affected many people’s future interests. Formed during the Urbans, Unilab provides mobile research and lab facilities for Doctors Without Borders and Right to Health. Free-Agers believe in nurturing, protecting, and respecting life.

The Cover and Title
The top two-third’s of the cover’s background is a royal blue with the actual name of the author in black and outlined in white at the top. Her pseudonym is in a deeper blue. The bottom third of the cover is a graphic collage of events in the story: a police badge in the back left, a red evidence tag in front of it with four people in profile behind it. Behind them on the right is a laboratory setting in reds.

The title is all about beginnings, an Origin in Death.
Profile Image for Canan .
1,055 reviews71 followers
September 11, 2022
Her anlamda çok güzeldi. Özellikle işlenen bilim kurgu içeriği... ürpertici. İnsan klonlama / ölümsüzlük / üstün ırk arayışı eski bir masal. Hâlâ anlatılıyor ve bir yerlerde gizli saklı devam ediyor. Cidden korkunç 🙈 Kitabı okurken sanırım 2005 yapımı, Scarlett Johansson'ın oynadığı Ada filmi geldi aklıma. Çok benzer temalar mevcuttu. Kitabın üstüne yeniden izlemek lazım 🙈

Kitabı okurken Roarke ve Eve'ye bir kez daha düştüm. Birlikte gerçekten okunmaya değer bir çift. Eve'nin sert polis olduğu, adeta racon kestiği sahnelerde Roarke'ın gözlerinde aşk ve gurur olması , birde bunu çok seksi bulması beni eğlendiriyor. Müdahale etmemesi de öyle... 😏

Seride genel olarak sevdiğim, sürekli karşıma çıksa da eğlendiğim sahneler var. Eve'nin, Trina'nın cilt bakım seanslarına olan korkusu 😂 akabinde Roarke'ın bunu çok takdir etmesi şahane 😁 Mesela Eve'nin ofisinden şekerlerini çalan hırsız 😂kim acaba 😅 Summerset ise yine bildiğiniz gibi... Dikkatli ve tehlikeli iki düşman gibi takılıyorlar😇Ah bir de Mavis ve bebeği 🤣 bilin bakalım kim doğum koçu olmaya aday 😁

Ben sevdim. ❤️Her seferinde ilk tanışma anlarını yeniden okuma isteği geliyor 🤩
Profile Image for Christa.
901 reviews82 followers
May 26, 2019
Aka attack of the clones.

The one where Eve uncovers a conspiracy and clones.

I have no fun quotes for this one since I had to go to a library and borrow an actual hardback for it. But it was fun and funny.
Profile Image for paige (ptsungirl).
867 reviews1,016 followers
March 6, 2024
"Whatever our DNA, it's living and being that make us. We have to love, I think. We have to love to be fully alive, fully human."
Profile Image for Denise.
186 reviews91 followers
April 18, 2022
Possible Triggers: Grooming, loss of a child, Sexual/Mental/Physical Abuse of a Child/Children, Body Modification with hints of body image disorders

If you don't like cop procedural trope then this probably isn't for you.

Heavy Content but doesn't delve too deep into details (bonus!). I have loved Nora Roberts since way before the new millennium & this series is a good example of just why. I say this series but this is the only book I've read so far but am now definitely interested in picking up the rest. These books are set in the future but only like 30 or so years from present day, so things & places are easy to follow. It's sci-fi lite. Very action packed & quick paced plotline which of course makes for a fast read. IMHO, a network should turn this into a live action show. Recommend.
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