J.D. Robb discussion
This topic is about
Innocent in Death
Archive - In Death Buddy Reads
>
Buddy Read - Innocent In Death (Jan. 2015) Spoiler Zone
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
I think his blindedness with regards to M is part of the reason why he didn't understand or see why Eve was acting the way she was. When Eve said how she was in the wrong even when it was M making all the moves, he didn't see the callousness on M's side. With every other women before her, she didn't feel threatened because Roarke usually made it known that it wasn't a big deal. As far as their relationship goes, he assumes that Eve should know she's everything, but he didn't see the look of his face that Eve witnessed. It took longer than necessary for him to get there, and painful as it was, for Eve and for us, the way he revealed what happened in the past was also very telling as he came to the conclusion himself about his true feelings for M. The fact that she left him but he never went after her says a lot too. Plus Roarke pointing out he would always hunt Eve down if she ever left him comes pretty close for me to forgive him.
Exactly Michael! I love it when an author has us all so invested in their characters and their creations. I still haven't found another series that evoke the same type of feelings for a couple like Eve & Roarke.
Mod
Mod
Mod
Now - the case: omg. What a chilling revelation - just chilling. And I'm not sure why, but much earlier, when she kept on coming around, asking Eve questions or making comments...I did have an inkling that it was her. Heartbreaking scene later at the hospital when Eve gets a confession with her dad listening.
This is a spoiler zone so it's safe to freely discuss as you like. I think most who are joining in have finished & rereaders are aware of the storyline anyway.
I think her reasoning for punching him was because he was a man. They're blind to some things lol. I also loved the part where Eve told Summerset that everything between her and Roarke was good again. I don't remember the case shocking me as much as there certain points here and there in the book that made me suspect the girl. Plus, the title of the book clued me in too. When you think of something "innocent" you think children. But in this case, it's not innocent at all. She's quite the evil child. I felt sad for the dad having to make that decision.
Mod
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048977/
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
That's a favorite scene of mine too Sandra. It captured his emotions really well, that sense of panic and then relief when he saw the light on in her office.
Mod
And then, when he told her about his thoughts of terror that she could be lying dead somewhere...he had no idea. So many emotions play out in this.
Speaking of his fear for her being a cop, I can't wait to see how Obsession plays out when Eve is at the center of it. Hoping to see some of these emotional roller coasters again.
Mod
Mod
I'm gonna be honest... I never really try to figure out who did it because for some reason I'm just really bad at it. I've only been right on like 2 books... But I DEFINITELY thought she was a little fart!!
Mod
Mod
I thought Eve handled her skillfully, primarily because she related to her as an adult, a narcissistic one at that. Poor parents.
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
I just wish that could be seen but more people. It is so true and applicable to more things in life. If you don't like whatever than why return to whatever. Bite me indeed !!'
Okay I'm coming late to the part so apologies for repetitions. :-{. You know Eve was off her stride as it were in that first "meeting" between Roarke and M. The fact that she allowed herself to be dismissed? Perfect timing for M as Eve was in a mode of insecurity. The whole way to the restuarant questioning her role as wife and in walks everyone else's ideal wife for Roarke. Robb you brilliant writer !!! I'm just glad that Robb made this not just Eve's pov but Roarke's as well. He thinks :
“He’d have lunch with the woman who had, he supposed, influenced a portion of his life at one time. And later, he’d deal with the woman who had changed his life.”
That for me is a big distinction. Still men. Off go to read about the lunch.
She really doesn't do subtle. Calling him lover, the same perfume , and constantly touching and flirting. From the get go we know that Roarke is her mark. As because she knows him so well is able to adapt to her mark.
Mod
Why do people always jump on their horses instead of really listening to one another?!?! It's almost like there is something to worry about. To me, the more you don't see the more there is to worry about. Roarke has his POV and refuse to change it. And Eve having the handicap where relationship issues are concern really flounders about . One thing that struck me as I'm reading. Eve just had that "face to face" with her father which was a chapter closed more or less. That is something that never will be completely forgotten but for me I think she made huge strides in the healing process. Next step is her life with Roarke. She starts with her . . . Being the perfect wife. And continues on to what she has brought to what Roarke has built and she finds herself lacking. Hearing what Summerset had to say about M was painful , and I loved how Summerset acknowledged that to himself if not to her , I don't know if I'd have been as stoic!
Couldn't sleep last night until things had been resolved. I think everything has been said. This was a tough one. Roarke , who always sees everything is blinded for the first time. How human is that !! From the beginning you know it is a setup. Did anyone really believe that it was a coincidence that she shows up at that restuarant? Especially after you found out who and what she is ? And dismissing Eve at the table and calling him lover from the get go. Please !! Roarke and Eve have had screen time , she knew exactly what and who everyone was.
Good old Mavis. Just love how she feeds little Belle but still manages to say why is there no reports of a homicide :-). And true friends allow you to spew , then helps you out by showing what you missed. Love how she eventually tags on that Roarke called earlier;-)
This was also really hard to read from Eve's POV. She never really has accepted what and who she is for Roarke. Yes she has minor breakthroughs of realizations; that Roarke truly loves her and she is his one and only. But I think that Eve's past played more into this. She's just had Trudy back in her life , brief though it's was, and a case that heavily reminded her of her father. Anyone would have strong fears rise to the forefront.
For me no one was right or wrong. They were human and had fears and insecurities that befall any and all of us at some time. You sometimes can't think it from any ones point but your own. It truly is how you work through it.
Mod
The scene at Mavis's was so good, I agree Michelle. Eve knew Mavis would see things for what they were & share her view with her.
Mod
Con artist is a mild term for her.
Michelle wrote: "Couldn't sleep last night until things had been resolved. I think everything has been said. This was a tough one. Roarke , who always sees everything is blinded for the first time. How human is t..."
I agree with you completely.
It struck me as odd when both Peabody and Mira told Eve to tell Roarke that he was hurting her but she didn't do that until she came back from Marvis' house. I guess she thought they were OK after the NOW interview.
I like that we see Roarke is human. After he stopped going over Eve's head to Whitney he became almost perfect. In this story we see he still has flaws. I like that. When we see in Roarke's head I felt he was trying to convince himself that he was not doing anything wrong but he didn't really believe it. He questioned why both Summerset and Eve were disappointed in his actions. M played with his thought processes.
I love when Mavis tells Eve to watch the vid "like a cop". She knows exactly what to say to open Eve's eyes to what is going on.
When Peabody & McNab were "just happy" that Eve & Roarke resolved their problems. That scene made me smile and then Eve tells Summerset that they are ok and he immediately goes back to their adversarial bantering.
I also love Roarke's response after Eve's nightmare. She asks if she is projecting or jealous of Rayleen and/or Magdalena. Roarke says something like if I planted that the flaw is mine. You think straight, darling Eve.
This is a very emotional journey that we go on with Eve and Roarke in this book and I love it every time I read it. Listening this time is like going through it the first time because I heard so much that I missed when I read the story.
Mod
Mod
Wish I had this in audio. Would have love to hear all this. Great point Sharon! That slap to Roarke was brilliant. Probably the only time she will get that punch for that reason ;-).and on Valentine's day !!
I was just thinking about Roarke in this story and he must have felt a little guilty from the beginning. The reason I say that is Eve had to call him on avoiding to answer her question about M after the initial meeting in the restaurant and then he used privacy mode when he was talking to her in his office. It was like he wanted to be friends (or something) with M but he knew from the start it wouldn't go over with Eve.
Mod
Mod
Mod
I agree with Sharon. I felt that some guilt was floating around.
Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "But you know, I think men have a different mentality about being friends with women, even ex's, than women do. It's like a man really thinks that has a chance of working out & being okay with his ..."I don't remember Roarke ever being evasive when Eve asked about a former lover and I know he never put a call on privacy mode. He was worried what "Maggie" would say and he didn't want Eve to hear.
Mod
i loved how eve got maggie for trying to take roarke and loved how they chased each other and made up. was terrible though when i found out it was the kid that did the murders. what a brat! but a good book.
Sandra I feel the same. Roarke never got it that Eve was hurt even in the beginning when Summerset asked him why. I felt like Roarke normally would ask S for advice or get his view on the topic.
This time around I listened to the book and I must say everything seems more gut wrenching to me. Even the visit to the wife of the murder victim had me tearing up. I like the way Lissette's boss told Eve & Peabody to go to her office so she could console Lissy. Eve did what she was told. To me that was out of character and a harbinger of Eve's general upheaval throughout most of the book.
The first time I read this story I never suspected the murderer. I thought it was going to the the lawyer or the principle.
Anyway after listening to Innocence it was like reading it again for the first time. I love, love, love this book.