Iron Man, In Death Series, Buddy Read Challenge [Next Release: #61 Framed in Death -- September 2nd, 2025] Showing 251-300 of 1,917

[Monika]

Choko that was really fast read, took me just few hours!

[Tonari no Emily]

what book are we officially on for the weekly read btw?

[Choko]

Book 5... But Monika and Nirkatze just finished #1....

[Nirkatze]

About 2/3 into book 2 and combing through the first few pages of the thread...

Really enjoying Mavis. She's quite a character, with quite the wardrobe. I'm glad Eve has such a free spirit friend.

Just met Peabody a bit ago. Will be happy to see her come back in again later.

Audible is telling me I'm in Chapter 15--with the father/son shenanigans, and it is making me angry... one quote from another book (Firekeeper's Daughter) keeps popping in to my head: (view spoiler)["I can't stand mothers who enable their sons instead of teaching them to be men." I feel like the father is doing the same. If your son committed murder, and multiple times, then he should not be free on the streets--you should use your money and influence to get him help while incarcerated, not getting yourself incarcerated. Maybe it's the emotion thing that I don't plug in to, but I just want to take that father by his lapels and shake him until he realizes that by "standing in front of" his son he is being a bad father. (hide spoiler)]

@Shaitarn--I wanted (view spoiler)[Morse, the slimy reporter (hide spoiler)] to be the murderer too. I keep thinking who could it be, for reals? and my options are (view spoiler)[Morse and son-in-law dude (hide spoiler)] and I doubt it's either, but it's fun to guess.

Not feeling Roarke yet, but am starting to get a better feel for Eve and some side characters. Not-an-Android butler dude is amusing. I like the tech guy (Feeney?) who often helps Eve. Haven't caught names on most other folks yet. :)

[Nirkatze]

Very much appreciating the side-character discussions--now I know who Nadine & Mira are... ty folks. Up to page 3 in the comments now, yay! Slowly catching up to current.

@Nyssa--Butters! High-five!

@Choko--definitely need more cat cameos. And I know it's almost a month later, but best wishes to your father too!

Also very much agreeing on the expensive presents thing... a definite way to make someone feel uncomfortable... I like to think that with presents, the importance is how much thought and research you put into it on the person, and what they want and need, not on how much $$ you can throw around... though if someone wanted to buy me a full collection of Sanderson leatherbounds I wouldn't say no. :) I *would* say no to expensive jewelry.

Oh yay page 4 in comments! oh no it's all book 3! >.<

[Nirkatze]

Book 2 Peabody: "I was born looking stern." <-- in the narrator's accent, this really cracked me up.

[Nirkatze]

Ok, finished book 2! Jumping in to book 3... Ending was satisfying, but very 90s.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

So much for St. Mary’s next, Nirkatze…

And Rourke gets better at gifting later on… they sponsor a skill center for orphans, I think?… Philanthropy in Eve’s name or both their names…

[Choko]

Yeah, I think it takes truly knowing a person in order to give gifts that matter... This is why, when you are first meeting them, you should start small and humble. Also, once you start with a bang, where do you go from there??? Not everyone is a gazillionaire...

[Choko]

Nirkatze, I totally agree about the father/son thing. You are not doing that kid a favor, nor the potential victimized families by him/her... You try to get them help, but not take their punishment for them. For some reason, this particular move is very popular in strongly traditional patriarchal families. It is in the stories that come from there, and I believe more middle Eastern and Arabic, then let say northern European... I am not sure why, but the fathers in those movies and novels often take the blame and punishment for their son's deads and the sons, shamed and saddened, learn their lesson and "go and sin no more"... It's a good example of showing love in a moment of crisis, which you never show in regular day to day life, but in reality is not good for anyone involved...

The way the narrator does Peabody is adorable! It might be one of the reasons I love her so much:)))

[Nyssa]

Nirkatze wrote: "@Nyssa--Butters! High-five!"

Polka will never die!!

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "@Nyssa--Butters! High-five!"

Polka will never die!!"

POLKA WILL NEVER DIE! Oh I love Butters...

Though I'm also really coming to appreciate Peabody--a good dry sense of humor is also a fav for me. Glad she's getting more screen time in book 3.

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "So much for St. Mary’s next, Nirkatze…"
Yeah... that was the plan--I wanted to get halfway through In Death, but I thought y'all were starting book 4--then someone had to say they were starting book 5, so now I have to do 3 first before returning to St. Mary's... Fortunately I've only got the first 4 on audio, so I should be able to do St. Mary's 13 and book 5 here simultaneously, after Ocean's Echo...

Glad to hear that Roarke gets better at gift giving--I rather like the idea of giving to charity in someone's name. @Choko, your comments on starting small makes me wonder if people with uber $$ have a different idea of what constitutes "small"...

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Nirkatze, I totally agree about the father/son thing. You are not doing that kid a favor, nor the potential victimized families by him/her... You try to get them help, but not take their punishment..."

That is a really interesting insight--the child being shamed into the straight path--I can see that working in East Asian cultures as well... but then I'm thinking also--that's not going to work on a psychopath/sociopath, megalomaniac, or demagogue...

[Nirkatze]

Up to Chapter 6 in book 3--and there's this scene where a sex goddess walks in to the interview room (didn't catch her name), takes a puff from a cigarette and blows it out in a cloud of smoke, and I can just hear the low-key jazz music and crotchety detective voice over a black-and-white screen... these books feel almost more like police procedural tv show than straight up books...

[Nyssa]

I think that’s why I’m liking them so much! Law and Order-esque without the judicial side.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nirkatze wrote: "Up to Chapter 6 in book 3--and there's this scene where a sex goddess walks in to the interview room (didn't catch her name), takes a puff from a cigarette and blows it out in a cloud of smoke, and..."

That's how I felt when I switched to audio... the tight timelines between books, and tropey nature at times...

[Choko]

They are totally made as a weekly TV show. They are even spaced that way. There is almost no time lapses between them, maybe just couple of weeks or so, after the first couple of books, which were separated by several months in between...

Nyssa, that is the reason I enjoy them too, and they are such fast reads, it feels like an ongoing TV series...

[Choko]

That scene with the sex goddess and the cigarette was classic Hollywood through and through!

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "I think that’s why I’m liking them so much! Law and Order-esque without the judicial side."

On TV I love police procedurals, but usually only like my book mystery with a side of SF/F... the Eve/Roarke combo gives me Lucifer vibes for rich guy who can grease wheels & spunky cop...

Timelord Iain wrote: "That's how I felt when I switched to audio... the tight timelines between books, and tropey nature at times..."

The tight timeline makes me wonder about real police officers--do they have as tight of a caseload? I don't think murders happen this often in my town... but in a big place like NYC?

Up to Chapter 9 now--and are they setting up Peabody & narcotics dude????

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Pretty much nothing moves as fast as cop shows... it's always weeks/months of investigating and evidence gathering... more like what you'd see in Bosch...

I think real life cops disparage the easy clues and eyewitness testimony, common in cop shows... but, how else are you going to resolve the plot in 42 minutes...

A town like NYC is gonna have this many murders... but there are like 100 precincts in NYC, splitting the caseload...

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Pretty much nothing moves as fast as cop shows... it's always weeks/months of investigating and evidence gathering... more like what you'd see in Bosch...

I think real life cops disparage the easy..."

No kidding on all three fronts. I think I read something once about real cops scoffing at turnaround times for any kind of evidential analysis--more like a few months compared to TV show's hours to a few days...

I'd be curious to ask police officers if there are any TV shows they feel do get some aspects accurately--I remember watching the Rookie, and liking that it was all beat-cop--very rarely were there big cases, and it was all about helping the people you come across on the daily routine, and lots of paperwork afterwards. And then there's British shows, or the occasional limited series, where it's one case for a whole season instead of murder-of-the-day...

Choko wrote: "Book #3 ... Ch. 12-13 were rough to read, all emotional and stuff... I had no idea she came to remember so early in the series... Mira wa..."

Up to chapter 13 and just passed the big makeover party. Leonardo's friends are a bunch of fun, especially the hairdresser. Great voices too. Is the hairdresser Trina? Great character.

Very tough to listen through ch. 13. (view spoiler)[I'm glad Eve killed him. But I'm on Roarke's side for once, being annoyed at Eve for blaming herself. If anyone deserved to get knifed it was that man, who I refuse to call her father. He wasn't her father. He might have sired her, but that doesn't make him her father. And there's no proof that he was even that--who knows where Eve came from?

Glad that Somerset is finally starting to come around--see her like his lost daughter--maybe he can take up the proper father role? And Mira definitely gets big props for this scene... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I agree completely! This was very hard for me to read... But it was good at the same time. Mira makes everything better! And Trina is hilarious:):):):)

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Shaitarn, he is a total jerk! I guess he is really hot, but this doesn't give him the right to treat our ladies the way he does... Those types of guys give me the creeps every time!"

Book 3, up through chapter 15. Getting the same feelings for narcotics guy (name doesn't stick) as y'all were. I really don't like someone who flirts and feels it is ok to touch in flirting--especially when they've been told point blank that the subject is not interested and off-limits--not to mention that he's leading Peabody on...

[Choko]

I really feel for Peabody here. We get a picture of a "sturdy" lady, and maybe that is not considered "hot" unless you get to know her, or maybe that she is from a more sheltered family, but it feels like she could be considered an easier mark by good looking "worldly" guys...

[Monika]

I'm soooo behind:) need to ask in library for more of them LOL! Not easy to have them...

[Nirkatze]

Monika wrote: "I'm soooo behind:) need to ask in library for more of them LOL! Not easy to have them..."

At your own pace Monika! We're here. :)

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "I really feel for Peabody here. We get a picture of a "sturdy" lady, and maybe that is not considered "hot" unless you get to know her, or maybe that she is from a more sheltered family, but it fee..."

Yeah, I really identified with her little drunken chat about her little "paunch" and how everyone in her family has it--and how she's saving up to have it suctioned... and how her boyfriend liked skinny guys. No no no--she deserves someone who will love her for her, and love her little jelly belly for itself.

[Nirkatze]

Just finished book 3. That was some serious monologuing at the end! Again, the slimy person gets the prize. Yay!

Also agreeing with Nyssa about the show scene--Eve should have been able to turn off the cop for her friend for at least until the end of it. Seriously.

Yay! Made it to p5 of the comments! Almost caught up there!

Enjoying the series ok, but not loving it. Enjoying being able to chat about the books more than the books themselves, but they are ok listen candy. A lot of the 90s machismo etc still bugs me a lot. Will keep going with y'all until I can't though. :) Swapping to St. Mary's for a spell.

[Shaitarn]

With regard to the speed of police shows, did any of you ever see the original UK version of Broadchurch? Series 1 & 3 are really good and probably give a more realistic depiction of how long cases can take to solve and the problems involved with them (like having to tell a rape victim or the parents of a murdered child that they're having to scale back the case because so much time has passed...)

[Nirkatze]

Shaitarn wrote: "With regard to the speed of police shows, did any of you ever see the original UK version of Broadchurch? Series 1 & 3 are really good and probably give a more realistic depiction of how long cases..."

I was thinking of that one in particular! Such a great series. A lot of BBC productions are like that... I was also thinking of The Killing (which I believe was based on a Danish show)...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I've started Ceremony in Death... I forgot about this one... pretty close to a paranormal story... more what I associate with the later short stories from book 22-45...

One of the characters is even named Alice... seems like a clear allusion to Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass... even though I know there's a later short story called Wonderment in Death

[Monika]

So... Books 2, 5 and 7 requested in library, 3,4 and 6 bought on ebay... When I'll have them? No idea... Royal mail on strike... Shame our library is so small and books published before 2000 are not available... Eh...

[Choko]

Wow, I had no idea, Monika... I hope they settle their grievances fast, so you guys can get your mail in time...

Iain, I just started #5 as well and yes, definitely some paranormal stuff is implied, although I am like Eve, sceptical about it...

[Monika]

I will read this series one way or another Choko :) takes me time, but I will :)

[Nyssa]

I just looked for book six via Libby (I hope to finish five tonight). The only thing available is the omnibus that has books 5-10. I'm not going to be able to read all of them in 2 weeks, though. I hope I get to extend the loan when the time comes. No one is waiting for it now, but I'm not going to borrow it until I'm done w/ Ceremony in Death.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Book 5's ending is tough to read... (view spoiler)[if you're like me, and 99% sure she's wrong about the suspect, and attacking Peabody who you agree with... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Book #5...I am not clicking, because I am only up to Ch. 5 right now... I honestly didn't think (view spoiler)[ That the dead cop's granddaughter was going to actually get killed! That kind of shocked me! I thought she might have been a suspect... Her story of her initiation made me sick! I had a friend who had been in a cult like that and had been brainwashed into doing a lot of similar things and thank goodness her family never gave up on her and forcefully got her out... She is still messed up from all that trauma, which at the time she didn't see as such...

Poor Peabody, her not being able to react fast enough because she was following procedure is breaking her heart. She is such a good egg, I want her to be well and happy and not feel guilty over a murder she has nothing to do with...

Feeny is adorable emotional like that. Was I the only one who wanted to give him a hug when he burst into Eve's office and after his first outburst told her, that she was his goddaughter and he used to give her piggyback rides??? (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Book #5...I am not clicking, because I am only up to Ch. 5 right now..."

Peabody gets the best one-liners / responses to Eve's straight man routine...

Later on, there's something about cameras at a press conference maybe, and getting her best angle, and Eve says she's sitting on it... which could be taken as an insult... but Peabody is like "thanks, I've been working on it" with her exercise routine comments... and I think that came right after another one-liner...

[Nyssa]

I am currently reading Chapter 17 (so I'm not clicking the link TI left either).

Although J.D. Robb is usually terrific about giving us alternative suspects, I'm not buying it. (view spoiler)[ I think Cross and/or Alban is/are as guilty as sin (pun intended), and I just want to know how they get caught! Selina is a sadistic F@#$ with delusions of grandeur, and I wouldn't put anything past her! (hide spoiler)]

I am apprehensive about (view spoiler)[Jamie, though. I feel like he's going to get himself into a world of trouble, and I hope he doesn't become the next victim! I don't think his family can handle yet another loss. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Book #5 ... 45% in... (view spoiler)[ This was horrible, how Feeny got his feelings hurt and, as always when a person is hurt, they throw some hurtful words back... Now both of them are hurt... Her training session after their fight was very good for taking her feelings out on something not living... She cried her heart out, because Feeny is the closest to a father figure she has ever had... Her saying she would rather lose her badge than lose him, it really tugged at me...

Jamie is a very smart kid. I hope he doesn't get himself killed... (hide spoiler)]

[JL]

Joining this one late. I plan to just read the first few to see if it is for me. I have seen Nora Roberts books all over the place. I never knew she was also writing under a pseudonym as well and was 55+ books deep into a Sci Fi romance series! Wow.

[Nyssa]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Book 5's ending is tough to read... [spoilers removed]"

Yeah. I did feel that way.

There were a few emotionally brutal scenes in this one!

End of the book: (view spoiler)[I know it's awful, but I'm kind of glad Jaimie got his revenge, and the cops are going to pretend that he didn't. I hope it helps heal him and does not mess him up even more. They need to get him to Dr. Mira -- now! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

JL, we will be happy to have you with us:) Be prepared for some heavy 90's vibes :) She started writing this in 94...

[Nirkatze]

Monika wrote: "I will read this series one way or another Choko :) takes me time, but I will :)"

Ditto on Choko, Monika, fingers crossed for the strike to be resolved amicably and quickly and for the books to fall into your hands!

@JL welcome!! Plenty of us are running late and starting late, so you're in good company. :) I'm only up to #3 so far.

[Choko]

End of book #5... I agree with you guys. As fun and entertaining as the gang could be, there are some really hard parts, which of course makes sense, since she is dealing with murder and SVU type of crime most of the time... I also see what everyone said about the unrealistic time line for solving those crimes, but I guess if you have a series format of solving a crime a book, this is kind of to be expected. I appreciate the format, because you get closure every time, and with some of the tomes we read, it might take years to get that closure, so I'll take it when I get it:))

Narilka, about Jaimie, (view spoiler)[ I am glad they are not implicating him too, despite it being very against Eve's character of "being by the book" so far... Just look how she almost broke two of her most important relationships because of it just in this book, and then somehow let Jaimie get away with it... What propelled her to do so? Was it that she just had almost gotten raped and killed and if she hadn't been impaired by the drugging, she might have killed him herself? Or because he is a kid? But how would she know if he himself could live with what he did and if he wouldn't turn into a monster from here on out? I hope we learn more about him. Or is it that she really is starting to soften around the edges because of having loving family and friends for the first time in her life and it seems like they will stick? I am guessing it is a combination of all of those things... Whatever it is, I like it when she acts more human and is able to override her internal "cop" persona... (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

I am currently reading Vengeance in Death (as part of the Vengeance in Death / Holiday in Death / Conspiracy in Death / Loyalty in Death / Witness in Death omnibus).

I enjoy it when a series book references previous installations' events. It makes the series feel that much more connected and cohesive.
So I was pleasantly surprised to see a solid link to book #1 ( Naked in Death). I hope Roarke's plan works out! It would be awesome to revisit it in later books.

[Nyssa]

Summerset is seriously pissing me off! He needs to get over himself, and quick!

[Shaitarn]

Finished. I enjoyed it (view spoiler)[(I rather like 'supernatural' elements, even if they were fake; I think I'd like to see the characters in a UF setting.) (hide spoiler)]

I really like Peabody (her Halloween outfit made me smile).

Summerset:(view spoiler)[ His interaction with the cat made me smile; it seems that he really has developed (at least the beginning of) a reluctant liking for Dallas; I hope we see these little snippets of a possible softer side to him in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Choko wrote: "Yeah, but most sci-fi authors use Sir for both male and female superiors... I have been taking it for granted for ever... I just figured it is one of those things, equality in the ranks and all..."

I'm pretty used to it at this point too.. But yeah real life they definitely don't do that.

Nyssa wrote: "I don't know the narrator's name, but twice now, in two different books, she has pronounced "forte" as "fort," and it is killing me!"

THANK YOU that bothered me so much and had me questioning my pronunciation lol