Buddy Read - Portrait In Death - (Aug. 2014) SPOILER ZONE

[Sandra]

He was standing there in the mist looking out over the hills wishing for her...and there she appeared! Perfect! I love this book. Of course all the Roarke & Eve parts are awesome. The murders almost take a backseat until the murderer takes Trueheart!!! My heart stopped when that occurred.

[Michelle]

I know Ness. I've been waiting for everybody. Was so funny that a discussion of judgement in death started touching on this subject of Roarke and Eve's relationship. Eve taking care of Roarke , going as far as adding a sedative to his soup! Thought was the perfect final touch.

[Michelle]

Sandra wrote: "He was standing there in the mist looking out over the hills wishing for her...and there she appeared! Perfect! I love this book. Of course all the Roarke & Eve parts are awesome. The murders a..."

I know Sandra !! I thought : haven't we had enough stress ? Do we really have to have a heart attack as well!!?

[Sharon]

Sandra wrote: "I think Roarke was drowning in pain & grief & guilt that he accepted what he was told about his mother and never pursued it. But I still didn't expect him to shut Eve out (actually locked her out ..."

I was confused when I read this the first time and, like you, I was upset with Roarke. However now that I've read the book 3 or 4 times I feel that Roarke just couldn't get a handle on his feelings and the guilt caused him to shut down and close off.

Locking Eve out is symbolic of the wall he built IMO. Several times he kicked himself for not even remembering his mother. How could he when he was an infant? When he finally talked to Eve he realized that they handle everything better as a couple and he admitted he didn't know why he held back.

I think the same is true about his interactions with Summerset. As harsh as it was Summerset knew Roarke was in pain and contacted Eve. All of us who are parents have those moments when our kids don't feel comfortable confiding in us but they come around if because they know they are loved. This is true with Roarke. I loved his surprise when he realized that Eve talked to Summerset. It was his Ah ha moment and as much as Eve and Summerset bicker they stand together as a family if one is hurting.

For me it was interesting that Summerset knew that Roarke had to go to Ireland. He wanted Roarke to take Eve but he explained that he felt Eve wasn't always "his wife first". It is probably hard for him to think that. Then Summerset responded "You were always one for believing you had to handle everything yourself."

Unlike Summerset, Eve didn't get that Roarke had to go back to Ireland. The trip took her by surprise and instead of saying I'll be there and go with you she stepped back. In a way Roarke was grateful because he was out for blood and he knew Eve wouldn't be happy.

Feeney helped Eve see that she needed to go to Roarke and she wasn't nagging to get him to open up. Again the father figure helping the child make the right decision. "“And you’re letting him get away with that.” He sighed, heavy, and his basset hound eyes seemed to droop lower. “You disappoint me.” “One of those marriage rules is if one of you’s in pain or trouble, you’re not in it alone."

One of my favorite scenes in the series is when Eve touches down in Ireland. “Why did I come without you?” he murmured, “when I need you so bloody much?”

Roarke is relieved to see Eve. "He didn’t move, couldn’t seem to as he was so struck by the sight of her. Striding across the green, casting a wary look at the cows over her shoulder before her eyes met his. Held his. His heart rolled over in his chest; the most lovely sensation he’d ever known. He walked forward to meet her. “I was just wishing for you,” he said. “And here you are.”

He then acknowledges that her love "You landed in a field of cows, in a jetcopter" "You must love me madly". I cry every time I read it.

In my opinion this book changes their relationship for the better. They both acknowledge how they need each other in all things.

This book and Innocent in Death are two of my favorites in the series because of the emotional growth.

[Jonetta]

Sharon, that scene (Eve arriving in Ireland) has to be one of the top ten most memorable in the entire series. I've re-read it so many times I've lost count.

Feeney's discussion with Eve is also a reminder of how well these two know each other and exactly what to say in the least amount of words. I love their interactions, too.

[Sandra]

I agree with you, Sharon. I wasn't upset with Roarke over shutting them out...most just a little surprised at the cruelness in which he did it. But I understood it. I think Roarke knows in his head that he couldn't have done anything differently. He was an infant & did not remember a mother other than Meg. But in his heart, he thinks he should have pursued things more later on...checked out everything he was told instead of accepting it for the truth. And I loved that he was surprised that Eve told Summerset what was wrong with Roarke. Love that these two will come together to protect Roarke.

Roarke did tell Summerset that Eve wasn't always a wife "first". But in this instance, he didn't give her that choice. He was taking off on the shuttle before he called her & told her nothing except he was going to Ireland & he'd call her later. It took the choice out of her hands at that time. I did love Father Feeney's advice to her - I love their relationship. And I was saying, "YES" when she set out for Ireland...case or not, it was where she needed to be - with Roarke. I think that told him a lot also...he assumed she had closed the case & was surprised to learn that she hadn't, she left it for him. So many great moments in this one. Loved it.

[Tarri]

First of all, I wish this was Facebook so I could *Like* all your comments.

My first thought when Trueheart was taken was how dangerous it is to be on Eve's team, especially for Trueheart.

[Sharon]

Sandra I agree Roarke took the decision to go to Ireland from Eve. I felt he was afraid she would put the job first. It was his struggle to work out the marriage rules. As much as the badge means to Eve Roark means more. He found that out.

[Sandra]

Yes, he did. I'm so glad. A big step forward in sealing their relationship, I think.

And don't even get me started on Roarke...and a bowl of chocolate!! ;)

[Sharon]

Michelle I felt that his aunt followed Roarke for her sister. it was her way to keep her close. She didn't have anyway of knowing if Patrick Roarke turned him against his mother's family since he hadn't contacted them after his father died. Even the woman who told him about his mom was surprised he didn't know anything about his mom. She also thought he took after his dad a little. We know there was a lot of mystery to his past. I think his marriage to Eve made everyone looking at him differently.

[Michelle]

Tarri wrote: "First of all, I wish this was Facebook so I could *Like* all your comments.

My first thought when Trueheart was taken was how dangerous it is to be on Eve's team, especially for Trueheart."

Really someone should really starting looking into that like button!!! ;-D

And yes Sharon ! So true that Roarke learns his mistake about Eve as far as where he stand on her priority list. I just thought, my ,how far has Eve not come?!How she didn't tell Summerset that she knows that something had to be done ,just said I'm on it? Or something to that effect. That was lovely. But what annoyed me was that she first thought that he had grown tired of her. After all that they have gone through, and I suppose because of all that they have gone through that was her first thought. This all made that landing in Ireland that much more significant. ( I sometimes wish there are these small vignettes somewhere because I would have loved to have witness Summerset helping Eve with the arrangements )
Talking about Summerset. Eve's reaction in the beginning and end of this book had me giggling. Yet after taking care of Roarke she goes to Summerset to tell him everything. She doesn't wait for Roarke to share, she goes to him immediately to ease his mind. Not only does Eve and Roarke's relationship go to the next level but I think the respect between these two, Summerset and Eve, also grows. I mean. Really how could it not after that nurse Spense scene :-)

[Ness]

Michelle wrote: "I know Ness. I've been waiting for everybody. Was so funny that a discussion of judgement in death started touching on this subject of Roarke and Eve's relationship. Eve taking care of Roarke , goi..."

I loved the scene where he reaised she drugged him:D If one thinks back to all he times he drigged her or threaterned to do it and her surly and pissed off reaction..it becomes hilarious:D

[Ness]

Sandra wrote: "I agree with you, Sharon. I wasn't upset with Roarke over shutting them out...most just a little surprised at the cruelness in which he did it. But I understood it. I think Roarke knows in his he..."


I totally agree with you Sandra! the reaction itself is not surprising considereing what we know about Roarkes personality..but I really flinched when he spoke to Eve so cruelly!

[Ness]

Sharon wrote: "Sandra wrote: "I think Roarke was drowning in pain & grief & guilt that he accepted what he was told about his mother and never pursued it. But I still didn't expect him to shut Eve out (actually ..."

great thoughts Sharon!

I agree that this book changed their relationship. The have been struggling with the marriage rules for sometime now. At least this time they know one and for all the come first to each other no matter what.

That scene when she lands ..Ahh I read it so many times..and how she talks about the cows..teehee :)

[Ness]

Tarri wrote: "First of all, I wish this was Facebook so I could *Like* all your comments.

My first thought when Trueheart was taken was how dangerous it is to be on Eve's team, especially for Trueheart."

a like would be awesome Tarri:)

Trueheart has been really in many dangerus situations the last books..I see great things coming with him in the next books:)

[Kirsten]

Sandra wrote: "He was standing there in the mist looking out over the hills wishing for her...and there she appeared! Perfect! I love this book. Of course all the Roarke & Eve parts are awesome. The murders a..."

I've always loved how creeped out Eve is by nature. LOL!

[Sandra]

This is true! Eve's thoughts & comments when she's around animals are hilarious! When Roarke mentions taking that walk with him & she kiddingly says something about not loving him enough to go back through those cows! lol Of course, she loved him enough to fly right in amongst them!

[Sharon]

I agree with everyone about Truehart. I love him but he does find himself in dangerous situations. I can't wait for his love to come into the picture.

About Eve first thinking Roarke is tired of her...Eve is still insecure. Often when she looks at Roarke she questions why he loves her or selected her. Eve didn't know any real love until Mavis. (She didn't even realize that Weber had feelings for her. She thought it was just sexual release for one night.) I'm sure that history makes her questions if she is loveable.

[Sandra]

Eve does still have those little doubts. That's a big reason Roarke shouldn't have slammed the door on her like he did. He knew what it would do to her...she had nightmares that night, it causes her to doubt his love. But one good thing is that in this one, Eve seems to fight through her doubts. In one scene, I know she's questioning whether she should just charge in there and demand he talk to her & her doubts surface...she asks herself if he could be tired of her, through loving her, and then she basically says "H*ll no! That's bullsh*t!" Loved that she realized that wasn't why he shut her out. So she storms in & demands some answers.

[Dee]

Michelle wrote: "I agree Jonetta. It's is some form of survivors guilt maybe. At first I to wondered about that but the fact that he survived what Patrick Roarke tried to do turn him into? Here he finds a woman, bu..."

That makes so much sense. Thanks for that.

Still finishing up books from another group, but should start on it today, tomorrow at the latest.

[Ness]

Sandra wrote: "Eve does still have those little doubts. That's a big reason Roarke shouldn't have slammed the door on her like he did. He knew what it would do to her...she had nightmares that night, it causes ..."


given her history I'm not surprised Eve still doubts herself sometimes. So much happened in the books but she has been with Roarke roughly a year and she has made big steps since then. It is not easy to get rid of a conditionning as hers. The best thing as you said Sandra is that she fights it and moves beyond it.

[Dee]

The nice thing is her friends, both Mavis and Dr. Mira, have told her to go home and fight with him and to try to force it out of him. I wonder if she wouldn't have thought he was dumping her would he have told her what is going on.

[Sandra]

Oh, Roarke definitely should have just told her in the first place...but it is understandable why he handled it as he did. It's always interesting hearing her thoughts overtaking her brain when she has second thoughts about the relationship or the reasons why or whatever. At least this time, she listens to her heart & good sense, stands her ground, & demands that he talk to her.

[Sandra]

How are you all feeling about moving on to the next one? Anyone still reading Portrait? It definitely seems to go down as a favorite of almost everyone!

[Michelle]

I'm reading for the next one.

[Dawn]

I am on the next one

[Dee]

Sure let's start on the next one.

[Ness]

definitely a BIG favourite , I don't know about you guys but I havn't read the serie past book 18, but I feel this one is a big milestone, excited about the rest. :)

I'm ready for the next one

[Sandra]

I'm excited too, Ness! I'm loving reading back through these books with all of you. So much more fun when you are reading & discussing with friends.

[Ness]

totally!!! :)

[Michelle]

I'm with you Ness. I've got the latest books in the series but I'm enjoying the reread that I'm waiting till we get there and read with everyone. How long I'll be able to hold out is another question.

[Dawn]

Lol, I am just trucking along with my re-listen and then doing whatever book the BR is doing.

[Ness]

Hi guys, we've just moved on to the next book but I was rereading some of my highlighted passages..which is most of this book actually and couldn't stop laughing..like when Eve saw the photo of the baby..a haired monkey with creepy fingers..lol..her first interview with Hastings the known photographer and his assistens...waw ..Nora has such an enormous talent for creations characters..just waw

[Sandra]

I highlighted a lot of this book too. It has so many good moments, both funny & sigh-worthy! LOL'd at the baby photo description.

[Sharon]

My highlighter got a workout too. This is a great series.

[Kirsten]

Been sick this weekend, so out comes the In Death audiobooks. I've read Reunion in Death, Purity in Death, and Portrait in Death all in the same weekend!

Portrait has so much good stuff! I love the line "I couldn't fall out of love with you if I fell all the way to Hell!"

I love the angsty stuff. I also really love the scenes with Eve and Summerset in this one. Where she deals with the PA. (I mean, really, a doctor can't make house calls to the richest guy in the solar system???)

At times, I was very angry with Roarke. He won't let her deal with her past by heself, but expect it different for HIM?

Still one of the best in the series. I love the ones where they show just how vulnerable he is with her.

[Kirsten]

Tarri wrote: "First of all, I wish this was Facebook so I could *Like* all your comments.

My first thought when Trueheart was taken was how dangerous it is to be on Eve's team, especially for Trueheart."

I love when Trueheart was thinking if there was a medical treatment for blushing...

[Penni]

I remember being mad at Roarke during that one also. And Trueheart is a cutie. Lots of good stuff you got through this past weekend!

[Kirsten]

That's what happens when I get really sick. It's just me and Eve and Roarke and the rest just gets put on the back burner.

[Sandra]

Nice that In Death helps you get through it. Hope you feel better.

[Kirsten]

I'm a little better.

[Paula]

Kirsten wrote: "Been sick this weekend, so out comes the In Death audiobooks. I've read Reunion in Death, Purity in Death, and Portrait in Death all in the same weekend!

..."
Just read this recently Kirsten and I'm with you that this is one of the best in the series. I love when they get uptight with each other because the making up is oh so sweet.

[Myst]

Michelle wrote: "Brilliant scenes. And talking about brilliant was Mavis and Trina giving Summerset a pampering session!! The one time Eve and Summerset are exactly on the same page"

They were on the same page 3 times in Portrait.

1. They both HATE being in a hospital.
2. They both HATE being pampered by Trina/Mavis.
3. They both deeply care about Roarke and knew something was way off by his behaviour.

And I love that despite Eve disliking Summerset, it was *her* to find a way to compromise with the PA to not annoy Summerset *quite* so much.
-Don't be quite so smiley.
-Get a doc to come out and cut off the cast DUH!

I do think they should've spent more than an hour in Roarke's aunt's house. Eve just traveled how long to turn around after an hour? Sure it's the fact she even came despite her dislike of air travel that's important, but it probably could've been an overnight visit for her.

[Sue]

OK, I need help from all you really smart In Death people. I listened to this one a while ago and I can't remember a detail. Didn't Roarke get the details of his birth certificate here and find out he was a year younger than he always thought? So exactly how old does that make him? And how old is Eve? I remember somewhere thinking she's 31 or 33 or something like that but was there ever a real birth record for her? How did they know she was actually 8 when she was found?

[Jonetta]

Yes, he found out he was a year younger. As of 2060, he was 36 and she was 32.

[Sue]

I new one of you brilliant people would know. Thanks VERY much!!

[Jonetta]

Lol! Your eyes welcome.

[Myst]

Well there are physical signs of (approx) ages. What teeth have come in, what bones in the head have fused or not, various growth plates in other parts of the body.

So it's probable when Eve was found, they did xrays (broken arm/wrist) and were able to get an approximate age for her based upon her xrays alone.

And theoretically (just finished Haunted) Roarke could've cyber stalked her father on the unreg equipment from Dallas further back in time to determine if any lady he was hanging around happened to have a child. I think there was some mention of how long the 'father and child' had been in Dallas in the homeland security files.

[Sue]

I thought of that, but Eve new she was 8 when she was found before she met Roarke, so that information wasn't dependent upon anything he found. Plus, hasn't he refrained from digging into her past behind her back because he knew she didn't want it? Everything she has come to know she had remembered first on her own.