Iron Man, In Death Series, Buddy Read Challenge [Next Release: #61 Framed in Death -- September 2nd, 2025] Showing 1,201-1,250 of 1,917

[Choko]

Re: Creation in Death#25... I see what you mean... I think the fact we knew who the perp was, kind of made it not so high stakes... I still thought it was pretty good:))

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "@Nyssa--wow, no kidding--[spoilers removed]"

Twelve years. By year three, I had befriended enough teachers and admins to have a steady stream of callbacks (which is how I ended up..."

I bow down to you!

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "I just finished Creation in Death (Book #25). It was okay.

I don't like that they had to cheat to get proper justice, and while the crime(s) were disturbing and TV drama worthy, th..."

Yeah, I think my favorite part of that one was the ending.

[Nyssa]

Nirkatze wrote: "I bow down to you!"

Aww, Thank you! I loved it and was using it to help pursue a degree in Middle School education, but I had to stop all of it due to the pandemic and getting divorced.
We can not work days when we student teach for the degree (which is required), and I could not afford not to work full time.

Nirkatze wrote: "Just finished #26 Strangers in Death And really enjoyed it! Saw the comments (re: DO IT) about Strangers on a Train before starting, so I had an idea of the plot... but I really enjoyed (view spoiler)."

I am starting this one now. I have not read the spoilers other than it being influenced by Strangers on a Train. I'm glad to hear that it is enjoyable.

[Choko]

I am in awe of all teachers! You guys are what our civilization stands on! I wanted to become a math or biology teacher, but never went ahead with the teaching certification... I should have...

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "I am in awe of all teachers! You guys are what our civilization stands on! I wanted to become a math or biology teacher, but never went ahead with the teaching certification... I should have..."

Its never too late! :)

[Monika]

Hmmm I couldn't be a teacher... No patience in me for bad behaviour... Homeschooling of my son during lockdown - no probs, but he was behaving LOL!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Public speaking was my least favorite aspect of school... teaching is like doing that every day... and the troublemakers... and growing amount of school shootings... I somehow feel safer far away from schools, which is sad, and probably inaccurate, to some extent...

[Nyssa]

In a way, I have been fortunate in that the worst thing that happened to me was a student throwing a chair at me as he ran from the campus police. I was not hurt.

Other than that, I experienced lockdowns because of things happening around the schools, not in the schools.

Once, I got stuck after delivering something to my kids' school on my way to sub at another school. Thankfully they were not too far from each other, and the school for which I was going to sub was aware of the situation.

As for public speaking - there are multiple ways to present information and teach; you don't have to, nor should you lecture the whole time. Sometimes my lesson plans only required 10-15 minutes of speaking.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'm not sure I'd be a good teacher anyway... I'm one of those people that got away with very little studying in school... even college... just the act of taking notes let important details sink in on the first try...

So I wasn't very good at teaching, even when I was a student and just trying to help others...

[Choko]

I think it's a calling... Some people are just not made for it... But it's awesome when you fall into a class with a good teacher - I never forgot the material when that happened...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "I think it's a calling... Some people are just not made for it... But it's awesome when you fall into a class with a good teacher - I never forgot the material when that happened..."

Yea... some teachers definitely had the knack for finding the right teaching method for each student

[Nirkatze]

I teach an elective, so I'm lucky--kids only come to my class who choose it first. Gives me a lot more power over them, for dealing with troublemakers. I don't know how gen-ed teachers deal with it... I also get my students for all 4 years if I'm lucky, so I get to keep the good ones for longer... sometimes my upper level classes just feel like hanging out and having a good time in the content...

And I feel like the speaking part of teaching is more like acting than public speaking, for me... I'm playing a role and entertaining, trying to keep their attention...

[Nirkatze]

About halfway in to #27 Salvation in Death and enjoying it... I like how it looks at both the best and worst of a religious community. (view spoiler)[I was thinking originally that someone must've figured out that the priest was an imposter, and was getting rid of him as revenge for Ortiz... like, he heard Ortiz's last confessions, but if he wasn't a priest, that means he died unshriven and could potentially be doomed to limbo or hell, I think. I was thinking maybe the woman who cleans & assists at the church... but also the choice of the Eucharist, like "if he's actually holy, God will save him."

The second one, I didn't think was the same person, but rather a copy-cat--or opportunist. But then, was the information about what poison was used released? Who would have had access, if not? The wife, manager, or lawyer husband were my favorites for that...

Who knows though? Looking forward to see how Eve connects everything...

And I'm totally laughing at Eve & Peabody and their unease over Morris getting a girlfriend.... (hide spoiler)]

[Monika]

I'll start book #17 with start of June I think.

[Kirsten]

Teachers seem to have it rough these days with all the ridiculous laws that politicians are passing a la the culture wars. Does anyone think that JD Robb was oddly prophetic? More and more I feel we are in the Urban Wars.

[Choko]

I hope not, Kristen... It feels like there is an ideological civil war going on for the past 7 years, more so than in the past, but I really hope we are better than an actual war... Although, this weekend I got to meet a very nice couple, who identify as Preppers, which I found out is the same as what we used to call them, Survivalists.. Every moment of their lives, when they are not at work, they are preparing and thinking about this impending war, which they are convinced is going to happen any minute now... They are ultra conservative and believe the war will be with the government and the liberals, but possibly will start with a racial conflict... I was in their part of the county, and was extremely saddened by humongous signs that we, Americans, should start hanging traitors and terrorists again, which of course tells me, that anyone who doesn't believe the way they do is a traitor and any act of defiance is terrorism... Same area, there were signs that the Patriots of January 6th are heroes... And talking, very respectfully, with them, they truly don't see any contradictions in these statements... Good people, I enjoyed talking with them and I believe they enjoyed talking to me, but the ideological divide is so big, it almost feels unbreachable ... I didn't argue with them, I just asked questions and listened.... I wish only good things for everyone, but I also don't understand why not enjoy the day and not obsess with the gloom and doom to a degree, where your house, your basement, the several bunkers you have built, and even your relatives' homes are full to the hilt with dry foods, weapons, and medical supplies to last for fifty years, while there is barely a place to walk through? Why plan for disaster when you are not enjoying the now? It made me very sad for them, for all the people who feel this way, and I only hope it doesn't turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Read Kindred in Death yesterday... talk about a despicable killer... another great cut-throat granny, tho... 93 and ready to kick some ass :D

[Nyssa]

I am finishing up Strangers in Death (Book #26); about 30 pages to go, give or take.

Eve asked, "Who the hell is Alexander Hamilton, and why is there a rest area off the Turnpike named after him?"

I heard myself Gasp! Out loud!! LOL

[Choko]

Hahaha!!!! Yes! If nothing else, at least she should have known the musical!!!! One of my favorites! But it first came out on Broadway in 2015, so I guess the author didn't know that yet:)))

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "Hahaha!!!! Yes! If nothing else, at least she should have known the musical!!!! One of my favorites! But it first came out on Broadway in 2015, so I guess the author didn't know that yet:)))."

LOL I checked the dates too!

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "I am finishing up Strangers in Death (Book #26); about 30 pages to go, give or take.

Eve asked, "Who the hell is Alexander Hamilton, and why is there a rest area off the Turnpike n..."

LOL I had a LOL moment when that happened too.

[Nirkatze]

Finished up #27 Salvation in Death today. I agree that the mystery was really interesting, and it did not go at all in directions it seemed like it was going to at the start. (view spoiler)[I was rather bummed... I was hoping the dead not-a-priest was actually trying to reform, but he was just a very patient con-man.... but the twist was interesting, and I always love seeing Eve nail someone who deserves it. (hide spoiler)]

@Choko--agree, really liked the real priest guy. If only all religious people were more like him... or all people in the world like the good folks in these books... we could use some more Peabody's in the world, at the very least...

[Choko]

Yes!!! We need more people like Peabody and her family in this world, so they can help in the healing of the rest of us and people like Eve and Roarke...

[Nyssa]

Nirkatze wrote: "Finished up #27 Salvation in Death today. I agree that the mystery was really interesting, and it did not go at all in directions it seemed like it was going to at the start. [spoilers removed]"

I started this morning and am currently reading chapter 4 (sneaking in pages while working),

[Tonari no Emily]

Nyssa wrote: "Choko wrote: "Hahaha!!!! Yes! If nothing else, at least she should have known the musical!!!! One of my favorites! But it first came out on Broadway in 2015, so I guess the author didn't know that ..."

LOL I checked when that was written too because I was curious

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

When the series started, cellphones weren't really a thing, yet... and Nora Roberts had to kinda add them in around books 10-20...

[Choko]

The wows of writing a series that is only slightly in the future for this long:)))

[Nirkatze]

LOL it'd be kind of fun to do some tech-tracking... though honestly I haven't noticed as much as y'all...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Started Fantasy in Death today, #30... this was the first main series entry I rated 3 stars, after switching to audio... the only earlier 3 stars were the Big Jack short story and the early book I solved that made me pause on the ebooks...

This one just jumped the shark in ways I didn't love... it's the death of a game designer (view spoiler)[and builds to like a Star Trekkie holo-room where the game world is real, and that's what killed the developer (hide spoiler)]... I think... I have vague memories of the ending...

[Nyssa]

I am two chapters into Promises in Death (Book #28).

Initial thoughts:

(view spoiler)[
1. I am so happy Morris has been cleared right away. His being a suspect would not have been believable and would have been a waste of time.

2. My gut is telling me that a cop killed Coaltrine, but I have absolutely nothing to back that up. She's still relatively new to NY, if I'm not mistaken, and I know she's started making friends, but someone was able to pull her out of her apartment late at night, fully armed and with her badge, and that feels like another cop.

3. I feel like they're diminishing Coaltrine by constantly linking her to Morris. The attitude of "We'll work hard because she was a cop, but we'll work harder because' she was Morris' girl." does not sit right with me. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nyssa wrote: "I am two chapters into Promises in Death (Book #28).

Initial thoughts..."

Agreed...

We let alot of tropes, and dated characterizations slide in these books...

It's also constantly trying to straddle that line between "I'd kill you if you cheated on me", and everybody kissing everybody and fantasizing about one another...

[Nyssa]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Agreed...

We let alot of tropes, and dated characterizations slide in these books...

It's also constantly trying to straddle that line between "I'd kill you if you cheated on me" and everybody kissing everybody and fantasizing about one another..."

That is so true!

The flirting w/ Roarke and Peabody is cute and hilarious, but I know they would never even consider crossing that line.

I think that makes the difference; it's fun/funny when you know the boundaries are set in stone. It becomes another matter when there is an actual possibility that lines might be crossed (i.e., Magdalena)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Agreed...

We let alot of tropes, and dated characterizations slide in these books...

It's also constantly trying to straddle that line between "I'd kill you if you cheated o..."

UNLESS Eve dies... and McNabb... then Peabody and Roarke would get together... after a one year mourning period of course... :D

Can't remember which book that's from...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Oh no... McNab just bought a PS5... 40 years late :D

Talk about bad estimation of console generations :D

[Nyssa]

Timelord Iain wrote: "UNLESS Eve dies... and McNabb... then Peabody and Roarke would get together... after a one year mourning period of course... :D

Can't remember which book that's from...."

Ha HA HA - NO!
LOL

That was a conversation at some point, wasn't it?

[Nyssa]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Oh no... McNab just bought a PS5... 40 years late :D

Talk about bad estimation of console generations :D"

LOL!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "UNLESS Eve dies... and McNabb... then Peabody and Roarke would get together... after a one year mourning period of course... :D

Can't remember which book that's from...."

Ha..."

Yea... and Peabody generously said Eve and McNab could hook up if her and Roarke died, same stipulations... but Eve gagged and couldn't even finish the sentence :D

[Choko]

Because Eve thinks of McNab as a kid, even though he is just a bit younger than her:)

But all the safe flirting - I have had friends like that and it is fun. You know with absolute certainty it's never going to go any further, so it's like a fun way of bonding:)

About the console estimation - wow! She really missed on that one, hahaha!!! :)))

Nyssa, you never said what you thought of #27, Salvation in Death...

[Nyssa]

Salvation in Death was a good read. My favorite part was the (view spoiler)[psych out on the copycat (hide spoiler)]. It was nicely done.
The takedown was pretty epic as well.

[Nyssa]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Dammit... just started #28... this is the worst / most heartbreaking book in the series ..."

I'm reading chapter 14 and remembered you made this comment. I've been sitting here waiting for the other shoe to drop ((view spoiler)[, namely another death (hide spoiler)]) and getting nervous, so I decided to take a peek at your spoiler. I'm saddened by your statement but not surprised. (view spoiler)[I hope he doesn't stay away for long; he's part of the team, one of the family! (hide spoiler)]


Timelord Iain wrote: "There's some good stuff in here, too... more trademark character moments... and Eve finally gets her DLE [spoilers removed]"

I loved this scene! I really hope it lasts!


Is it odd to be glad they (view spoiler)[were initially wrong about Alex? His killing her would feel cliche. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Dammit... just started #28... this is the worst / most heartbreaking book in the series..."

Nah... it's mostly just the opening... (view spoiler)[the series is pretty consistent about giving everyone a happy relationship... Morse/Morris is the one exception to that, and he goes somber for the next dozen books or so... don't think he's entered another relationship through to the newest books... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Did anyone else read the novella Ritual in Death #27.5 ... I just finished it... Another slightly paranormal one. Not bad and just perfect for its length. A bit too easily solved, in my opinion, but I think, as in most of these shorts, it's about the idea more than the investigation.

Just started Promises in Death #28 ... Yeah, this is a sad one, because we know the affected party... And with the opening paragraph we are given that the perp is most probably a friend, which always sucks!!!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I think the main cases are solved just as easily, they're just longer with more hiccups and investigation / making Peabody work for what Eve figures out intuitively...

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "Did anyone else read the novella Ritual in Death #27.5 ... I just finished it... Another slightly paranormal one. Not bad and just perfect for its length. A bit too easily solved, in my opinion, but I think, as in most of these shorts, it's about the idea more than the investigation."

I read it. My thoughts:
(view spoiler)[

Bonus Story #27.5 - Ritual in Death - 3.5 Stars - Review:
Drugs. Demons. Death.

This story deals with the occult. Eve has had enough experience at this point to where she shouldn't be so damn hardheaded. I'm not expecting her to believe but accept that because many do, it will show up in her work. She knows there are empaths or sensitive (as they're called in this series).
Her killer(s) used those empathic abilities to commit an evil crime.

(hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Great point Iain!

Nyssa, awesome review! You are so right! As long as people believe in the occult it will keep showing up in her line of work. People are people and even seemingly normal folks go obsessed with things the majority doesn't believe in or understand. So it's going to keep popping up in one way or another, especially in Eve's world, where Sensitives are a thing... Self hypnosis is something I believe in, but mind manipulation of others, no matter how it's done, I am with The White Council and Dresden on it - it's wrong! ...

[Nirkatze]

I need to jump back in again... 27.5 novella is next up for me. Looking forward to reading those thoughts.

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "Great point Iain!

Nyssa, awesome review! You are so right! As long as people believe in the occult it will keep showing up in her line of work. People are people and even seemingly normal folks go..."

Re: Review - Thank you! :)

I will get back to Dresden someday!
I really loved the series, and I took a break after Cold Days to wait for a few more books to be released so that I could read them back to back. He initially said there would be 23, including a trilogy ending.
But it's taken so long for the books to come out...

[Choko]

Yeah, this is why I had waited for so long before I started reading them, but he is not the most prolific person out there...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I started reading Dresden around 2009/2010, after seeing the show in college... and at the time, it felt like a no-brainer... he was so good at releasing the first 12 books on schedule... since then it's gotten super slow...

In my head, these days, 2 of the most prolific writers of things I'd read (prolific in general would probably be Nora Roberts & James Patterson, but I don't read those, excluding the In Death series) would be Seanan McGuire for UF and Brandon Sanderson for straight SF/Fantasy...

Both authors release multiple books per year, generally, and never really have long gaps... Seanan probably writes more, in a variety of worlds, does a bunch of short fiction, and has a zombie / mermaid horror pseudonym, Mira Grant...