Buddy Read - Innocent In Death (Jan. 2015) Spoiler Zone

[Sandra]

We will start off 2015 with a buddy read of Innocent in Death. Feel free to join us as Eve deals with both murder & the green-eyed monster - Jealousy! And I must say, I don't blame her!

New York Lieutenant Eve Dallas doesn't like to see innocent people murdered. And the death of Craig Foster is clearly a murder. He was seemingly ordinary history teacher, but uncovers some extraordinary surprises. Foster's death devastated his young wife, who'd sent him to work that day with a lovingly packed lunch. It shocked his colleagues at the private school, too, and as for the ten-year-old girls who found him in his classroom in a pool of bodily fluids-they may have been traumatized for life.

Eve soon determines that Foster's homemade lunch was tainted with deadly ricin, and that Mr. Foster's colleagues have some startling secrets of their own. It's Eve's job to sort it out- and discover why someone would have done this to a man who seemed so inoffensive, so pleasant... so innocent.

Now Magdalena Percell... there's someone Eve can picture as a murder victim. Possibly at Eve's own hands. The slinky blonde-an old flame of her billionaire husband, Roarke-has arrived in New York, and she's anything but innocent. Roarke seems blind to Magdalena's manipulation, and he insists that the occasional lunch or business meeting with her is nothing to worry about... and none of Eve's business. Consumed by her jealousy--and Roarke's indifference to it, she is unnerved by the situation that she finds it hard to focus on her case. Still, she'll have to put aside her feelings, for a while at least-because another man has just turned up dead.

[Jonetta]

Woo hoo! Can't wait for this discussion.

[Maggie]

Not only is this my favorite book in the series, it is one of my most favorite books ever. I rarely cry when reading, this story makes me cry every time I read it. Excited to do another re-read!

[Jonetta]

Me, too, Maggie!

[Susan]

Roared really made angry in this book. Could not believe he couldn't see through that woman's scheme. And the murderer well what can be said about her but wow. Great book. One of my favorites in this series.

[Michelle]

I'm still behind. Having festivities coming out my ears. So I'll join as soon as I've done born

[Sandra]

You're good, Michelle. I posted it early in prep for the 1st of Jan. reads. Looking forward to discussions on this one!

[Sandra]

I'm plan to read Innocent next week.

[Sharon]

Maggie wrote: "Not only is this my favorite book in the series, it is one of my most favorite books ever. I rarely cry when reading, this story makes me cry every time I read it. Excited to do another re-read!"

Me too! When I tell friends this is my favorite In Death book they argue that Naked has to be the best because that is the beginning. No way! Like you, this one makes me cry every time I read it. My heart actually hurt for Eve the first time I read this book. Now a tear will form even before I get to Mavis' house because I know what is going to happen.

[Sandra]

Naked is special because it introduces us to Eve & Roarke but Innocent really touches my heart. I wipe tears each time also. I'll be listening this time around...have to see how hearing it affects me!

[Maggie]

I'm so sad for Eve through most of this book. I feel bad for Roarke because he is honestly clueless as to what's upsetting Eve. And then toss in the murder she's working!
Can't wait until this is a spoiler zone!

[Penni]

Maggie wrote: "I'm so sad for Eve through most of this book. I feel bad for Roarke because he is honestly clueless as to what's upsetting Eve. And then toss in the murder she's working!
Can't wait until this is a..."

This one will be a hard one to handle. I hate when Roarke messes up.

[Sandra]

Maggie - technically this is a spoiler zone...but let's wait one more week to break loose. That way, we can give new readers a chance to be ready to discuss it.

[Jonetta]

Oh, and how Roarke messes up in this one! Can't wait to discuss.

[Sharon]

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Naked is special because it introduces us to Eve & Roarke but Innocent really touches my heart. I wipe tears each time also. I'll be listening this time around...have to see how hearing it affect..."

Sandra hearing it makes me cry harder. The narrator is so good in this series. She makes you feel everyone's pain even Summerset.

I will be back to work and listening on my drive to and from.

[Sandra]

Agreed! Love Susan Ericksen as narrator. I read the books the first time through...so this time, I'm enjoying having them read to me. I know she will be awesome reading Innocent as it's such a heartwrenching story anyway.

[Sara ♥]

Sooo.... How long are we supposed to take to read this? I've never done a buddy read before....

[Sandra]

Sara - with the In Death series, we've been trying to do a couple of books a month. We normally try to be ready for discussions on the first book no later than the 15th of the month. I'd love to start discussions on Innocent around the 13th or 14th if others are ready. This book is a favorite for many so I'm looking forward to some good, in depth discussions. This is a spoiler zone so we'll chat without worrying about spoilers.

[Sara ♥]

K sounds good. That'll give me time to finish the series I'm currently reading (2 more books in the trilogy) before I reread this one!

[Sandra]

Great Sara! Looking forward to it. I've started my reread on audio.

[Sara ♥]

Yeah me too! Love Susan Ericksen!!

[Sheri]

I will be starting my re-read on audio as well. just picked it up from the library today. Will probably start Monday since the playoffs start today LOL.

[Sandra]

Sounds good, Sheri!

[Sandra]

Didn't take long after "Maggie" (really?!!) shows at the restaurant for it to hit the fan. Roarke - what are you thinking?? Even Summerset warns him...MEN!

[Jonetta]

That "moment" made me cringe for Eve! She's never doubted Roarke's feelings for her, never felt threatened by any of the hordes of women who've confronted her. But she saw him give Maggie "her" look. From here forward I just ached for Eve.

[Sandra]

Oh me too! I wanted to smack him for it, whether it was intentional or not. And then the next morning when she overhears him make a lunch date & call her "Maggie"...and they have their first "words" over her...it hurt my heart to read it.

[Sandra]

You can tell, and Eve knew immediately, that this woman meant something more to him...

[Jonetta]

I could tell! My stomach hurt from this point forward.

[Sara ♥]

Srsly. But sooo good! I love that drama for some reason... I'd hate that in real life... Maybe it's because by this point in the serie, their relationship is so solid in my mind that I didn't believe she's actually be a problem... Cause problems sure, but not something they could deal with within the book...

[Jonetta]

I remember staying up all night to read this book because I had to get to a point where things didn't seem so...unsettling. I found Maggie to be quite a big problem.

[Penni]

I'm thinking maybe I'll skip this one lol

[Quynh]

I remember being feeling completed gutted for Eve. I figured out the villain early on, so my interested was all in their relationship. (view spoiler)[It wasn't just that realization Eve had at their first "reunion" meeting but when she saw them on the screen later on too. (hide spoiler)] My heart ached so bad, I did cry for her and got really angry with Roarke.

[Sara ♥]

Oh I was spent pissed at Roarke! I listened to most of the books in one sitting my first time through, so I guess that's how I "dealt" with it...

[Jonetta]

Quynh wrote: "I remember being feeling completed gutted for Eve. I figured out the villain early on, so my interested was all in their relationship. [spoilers removed] My heart ached so bad, I did cry for her an..."

You've expressed exactly how I felt.

[Quynh]

Penni, you can't skip this one. While it is hard to read, it definitely made them stronger. Not every relationship is rainbows and unicorns after marriage and Robb did a really great job with theirs. This is one of my favorite books in the series based on their relationship and growth alone. Plus, one scene near the end was pretty priceless. Even Summerset agreed.

[Sandra]

As I read/listen to it this time through, I really am a little surprised at how much it actually hurts me. I guess it's easy to put yourself in Eve's shoes as we have her thoughts as this all unfolds...we feel what it does to her.
I loved what Mira said to her when she broke down & told her about it. And I loved Summerset (but then I love S. anyway) for giving her the heads up & telling her to beware - this woman is dangerous (even though he felt bad about going behind Roarke's back & telling Eve about his past with M.)

[Sandra]

And it really appalled me when Magdalene went to Eve's office to try to be "friends" and pulls that bullshit on Eve. Eve knew what she was doing but she still got her digs in and planted a few more seeds of doubt...little thorns of distention stuck out there...I wanted to rip her hair out & kick her out of the place. And as Eve is later telling Roarke about the visit & it escalates into having words over it again...Eve finally says: How is it that she's making all the moves but I'm the one in the wrong?

[Jonetta]

This is when I REALLY wanted to throttle Roarke. He was so in his head, not seeing things from Eve's perspective.

[Sandra]

This is also where it scared me...Roarke is in his head & I'm afraid of what he's seeing when he looks at Maggie!...the memories, the relationship, & yes, the fact that she left him, he did not choose to leave her. Very telling thing there. We know he loves Eve more than life...but, what will he do with all this "stuff" in his head & between him & Maggie...Eve can plainly see it...and I have to believe that Roarke does not know how bad it is hurting her.

[Jonetta]

Okay, Sandra...that's what gave me heartburn. What ARE his feelings for this woman? I just wasn't used to this from Roarke. He put a whole lot of doubt in MY head.

[Jonetta]

I also think Roarke wasn't sure what his feelings were and was going through his own process to sort them out. Meanwhile, he's thinking Eve should know how he feels about her. Crazy.

[Quynh]

It's ironic that when Webster was coming onto Eve, she caught on, and Roarke went crazy male testosterone pounding on the man hitting on his wife. Yet he can't see it when it happens the other way around. Only difference is Eve carries a badge and can't act on her feelings. Plus that uncertainty she felt about where Roarke's head is at is playing with her mind too. Damn that man! I love him, but he makes me so angry even thinking back on this book.

[Jonetta]

Great points, Quynh. I'm normally more interested in the cases but this was one of the few were I was more focused on the issues between Roarke, Eve and Magdalena.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

It's like in her heart of hearts she still can't quite believe that this heart stopping, handsome man chose her out of all the cultured, manicured, and "never a hair out of place" perfect" women out there.

[Sara ♥]

And isn't this the one where she talks to Mavis about how Magdalena is the anti-Eve?

I find it funny that so many people were disturbed by who the killer was in this book... I'm like, meh! Drama!

[Jonetta]

I was one of those disturbed. (view spoiler)[Unfortunately, this happens in real life and it's traumatic for the families involved. Our justice system isn't equipped to handle juvenile murderers. (hide spoiler)]

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I know the first time, I read it, (view spoiler)[I worked out fairly early on that it was the child but didn't want to believe until she (tried to murder) murdered her mother (sorry haven't read that far this time around) that I was right. (hide spoiler)]

I think this re-read, as I already know the plot is causing me to focus more on the relationships.

[Michelle]

Jeez you get behind on one book and look what happens !!! Just finished born so I'll start this weekend. Last of my " holidays " so still being lazy in the sun.

[Sandra]

I think part of what hurts me with this thing is the way it makes Eve doubt herself, Roarke, their relationship...she knows he won't cheat on her but she doesn't know what's still in his heart for Maggie...& it kills her that she saw that flicker in his eyes that she usually only sees when he looks at her. So then all this stuff fills her head...Would he choose her if it comes to that?? Why can't he see what Maggie is doing? As Summerset told Eve, Roarke is blind when it comes to Magdalena. As readers, we know Eve is the only one for Roarke & we know he knows it...but why doesn't he see & understand how this hurts Eve? How it would make her feel insecure? How Magdalena is playing him? Yes, he comes straight out & tells M. that he is in love with his wife but then he is blind to what she is doing...even after Eve tells him that she came to her office. At this point, it's like he takes M.'s side. I can see both Roarke's & Eve's side in this, but it seems he could have stopped a lot of the hurt early on if he hadn't been so blinded by M.

[Jonetta]

I agree Roarke could have resolved this early and easily if he'd just given credence to Eve's feelings and acknowledged what Magdalena was doing. Each time he walked right into her setups because he wasn't taking either seriously. She was playing Eve and he played right into it.