Let me say right off the bat that, if you're new to the In Death books, I strongly suggest you start with the first book in the series, Naked in Death, and read the series in order. Watching Lt. Eve Dallas and Roarke meet, fall in love and work to create a relationship while struggling to come to terms with their horrendous childhoods is one of the most rewarding aspects of this series. Readers who have shared their journey from the beginning will, I believe, enjoy the series much more than those who start somewhere mid-stream.
That said, Indulgence in Death is the 31st book in J.D. Robb's terrific futuristic cop series and it starts out in Ireland with three of my favorite (and, IMO, not overly used) In Death scenarios: Eve and Roarke on vacation, Eve exposed to the countryside and all of the terrors it holds - cows! sheep! roosters! (oh my!) - and Eve doing something wonderfully loving and perfect for Roarke, which tends to get me a bit teary-eyed. The vacation is short-lived, though, and as soon as Eve is back in her comfort zone in NYC, a new case once again takes center stage. Odd murder weapons and victims that were at the top of their game are two aspects of a series of murders that send Eve and Peabody on a search for one of the scariest kinds of killer - one who kills solely for the thrill of it.
While not one of my top five favorites in the series, Indulgence in Death is a solid entry. Robb's superb pacing, her wonderful balance of dialogue and narrative and her ability to consistently weave plots that keep me guessing about either the murderer, the motive or the method (though rarely all three) are all at work here. As with all the In Death books, the mystery, for me, is only part of the appeal. The characters, their growth (or lack of it) and their relationships with one another are of equal importance. Eve in particular, continues to fascinate me and, in the last few books, I've felt that she is showing real growth in understanding others and in reaching out to them to provide the type of support or friendship they might need (Morris comes immediately to mind). I believe this deepening of her non-Roarke relationships to be great for her all-around emotional well-being and I'm glad to see it.
I consider the In Death books to be an almost perfect mixture of intrigue, police procedural, romance, humor and heartwarming moments. Opening each book is, for me, a lot like stopping by to visit old friends - the kind of friends I really enjoy spending time with. I love Eve. I love Roarke. I love Peabody. And I like and enjoy renewing my acquaintance with just about everyone else in this world, too. Even after more than 30 books, the series remains one of my favorites.
Happily recommended.