Iron Man, In Death Series, Buddy Read Challenge [Next Release: #61 Framed in Death -- September 2nd, 2025] Showing 351-400 of 1,918

[Shaitarn]

I'm going to be late with the next one because of Jasmine Throne.

[JL]

Just finished #4/Rapture and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I am starting to see that she introduces characters and usually the logical choice is the bad guy. She did not wrap it up until the very end.

Just one random comment about Roarke and Eve's relationship. (view spoiler)[(1) In this book, their is a small discussion about technological sexual exchanges not being legit reasons for getting in trouble with one another. I found the comment Roarke made and it is not the first time, he says he would kill her if she cheated on him and she says the same. It's just an odd thing to say to a woman who investigates murders for a living. (2) Then Roarke pushes things further by kissing Mavis on the lips at the end of the book. I think JD expects us to interpret it as platonic but what an odd thing to do. I would not want my guy to kiss my best friend on the mouth but that is just me, LOL. What do you guys think? (hide spoiler)]

Of course I am going to continue reading. They are quite entertaining. Just curious to see how their relationship develops.

Also <3 Peabody. She adds so much humor to the series.

[Choko]

JL, I think neither one of them would kill each other if the other cheated, but I think that if that happened, it would be the end of the relationship completely. Both of them have big trust issues, with good reasons of course, but that type of betrayal would be something neither one could live with. So I think it's something they just say to each other...

About Roarke and him kissing her friends, I think it's just in good fun... If he was doing it in a lascivious manner, I would have a problem with it, but my friends when we were younger, we were all kissy and huggy and I never thought much of that at all... Really depends on the person and the relationship:)))

JL, so glad you are sticking with us:))))

[Nyssa]

Welcome to the obsession umm, club, JL! :D

I had a similar reaction the first time Roarke seemed overly friendly, but I've realized that it's supposed to display his surprisingly loving nature and his known charm. No harm is intended in any way - they are now chosen, family. Eve's nearest and dearest will be his and vice-versa. You will see in another story when one of his friends kisses Eve.

[JL]

I figured it was all in good fun but it’s a little weird considering how intense they feel for each other. However, I can also appreciate that because they accept each other so completely the love overflows….

I also forgot to mention how the end of #3 made me cry. (view spoiler)[the description of how eve was pushed to kill her dad. Wow… honestly it was so intense. It was a relief after reading what she went through to learn that he was dead and would not be coming back up at some later point in the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

JL wrote: "I also forgot to mention how the end of #3 made me cry. (view spoiler)."

Yeah.

[Tonari no Emily]

Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "And Nyssa is a week ahead..."

Reading Holiday in Death fits the season. Plus, I had to borrow the omnibus from the library to read [book: Vengeance in Death|13..."

I just finished #5 and I feel like they can both make some comments to eachother that come off harsh, but end up apologizing for them later.

#5 I really appreciated the overall theme of Eve questioning herself on whether she's a good person (view spoiler)[ Peabody giving her sass for her interrogation of the child of that serial killer (what was his name?), Feeney confronting her about being out of the loop, and even herself for wanting to find the bad guy so she could be done.. The last of which is probably just her exhaustion, but Peabody and definitely Feeney were being way too harsh on her when she was just trying to do her job the best she knows how, and also how Feeney actually taught her!

And at the end where she makes sure the kid doesn't take the fall for killing the actual bad guy.. yeah Eve is a good person; at least she tries her best. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

JL, about #3's reveal, you are not kidding! So intense and painful to read!!!

Emily, about #5, I think this is what makes Eve likable. She has not been well socialized as a kid and found safety in becoming a cop, but she really struggles with trying to be better than she was raised to believe she is... She is a fighter, but she has no real self-esteem and she is trying hard to impose on herself the understanding of self worth which she lacks, but assigns to all of the victims she tries to find justice for... I can relate to that... I see people as beautiful ( not in a superficial way) in the vast majority, but I have to work on thinking that I rate at all... I think it's one of those things that comes with abuse... But you try to make life better for everyone and go on:)))

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "JL wrote: "I also forgot to mention how the end of #3 made me cry. (view spoiler)."

Yeah."

Ditto here--yeah. Was definitely worried about the same thing @JL--that memory review was both painful and a great relief.

@Emily--I really like the character moments you picked out to highlight Eve's struggle, and @Choko's character analysis. For such quickly digestible novels, there's a lot of meaty character to unpack!

@Nyssa--I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for that Peabody thing in book #7... sort of makes me think of all the character analysis talk we're doing too--we dive deep in one book--but the growth between each book seems to often get rewound a bit--almost like Robb either decided we still need said conflicts, or like a "previously on" recap... but then also thinking--what is more realistic? How many times does it take someone making a mistake, saying something stupid or mean, or learning something that engages empathy about someone before we actually change our behavior? Almost thinking that characters in books actually grow faster than real people, but we're used to seeing that... (gotta get that growth in before big climactic moment!) even though it's not necessarily realistic...?

[Tonari no Emily]

Nirkatze, I think you might be right about expecting more from fictional people xD

[Nyssa]

I think Eve has managed to piss everybody off, at least once, in this book!
(view spoiler)[ Peabody actually stands up for herself and puts Eve in her place!! (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and I think I know who the killer is, but I have no idea why they're doing it.

[Choko]

I agree... It's like beating your head into a wall trying to change the ingrained habits of people... But in books, we think they should change in the blink of an eye...

I am about 90% in book #6... This seems to have a bit more action than the previous ones. It gets intense at times... (view spoiler)[ The first couple of murders were very graphic! And I know it's been obvious that Summerset was being set up, but I also know that Eve doesn't really think he is responsible. I love her reasoning, that he cares too much about Roarke to do anything that might implicate him or make his life more miserable.

I think Eve had no choice but to take him in for questioning and she did what she always does - push to the hilt, so there is no doubt in anyone's mind, that she is not being biased. (hide spoiler)]

Am I the only one who wishes we had cars like those? I know the logistics of traffic would be hell, but I would love for us to try:)))

[Choko]

In book 6, I still have no idea who the killer is 90% in ...

[Nyssa]

Completed #7; Holiday in Death.


Side Notes: (view spoiler)[
- She owes Charles an apology!!

- I found myself feeling numb toward the whole incest plot pretty quickly. It's like I wanted to be disgusted but didn't care enough to put forth the effort.

-I am officially tired of the antagonism between Eve and Summerset. I would love, just once, for them to be genuinely kind to each other.

- I am also officially tired of Eve fighting against everything feminine and relaxing!

-I hope McNab and Peabody are officially friends now. (hide spoiler)]

My overall thoughts: (view spoiler)[This installation had a hard vibe! Dallas was on permanent edge, butting heads with or bristling at almost everyone (it seemed). Sometimes, I get annoyed at her hard-headed stubbornness, yet other times, it is clearly part of her charm.

It's always assumed that Dallas and the team get their man (or woman) in the end; however, I didn't expect how it would happen this time until right before it happened. 4 Stars." (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I finished book #6... This was good! I liked the twist and as I said, I had no idea who the killer was until the end...

I am with you, Nyssa, I really wish Eve and Summerset become kinder to each other, but I think at this point in time, the only reason they haven't killed each other is that they both love Roark.

I really like McNab and it was hilarious how disdainful he was when she asked him, the grandson of a Highlander, if he was Irish:)))

Nyssa, if you are done with the publisher pack, you might want to take a week off, so you don't burn out. I don't want to lose you as a buddy here:)))

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "I finished book #6... This was good! I liked the twist and as I said, I had no idea who the killer was until the end...

I am with you, Nyssa, I really wish Eve and Summerset become kinder to each..."

I started itches in my hindbrain when (view spoiler)[Eve mentioned something about the person would've had to know Peabody's schedule really well... and then it started percolating when the girlfriend came up again in conversation (or a second interview, or something) and the fact she was a widow came up... then finding the painting with the child in it cinched it! (hide spoiler)] I don't feel like I actually guessed it early, but I love looking back and seeing how all the clues fit together. Nicely played!

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "Nyssa, if you are done with the publisher pack, you might want to take a week off so you don't burn out. I don't want to lose you as a buddy here:)))."

Thanks, Choko! :) I'm not going anywhere.

The omnibus contains up to book #10, but I had already decided to take a break after Holiday In Death.

Although I now see that a bonus story is up next, Midnight in Death, so I might sneak that one in over the weekend, then take a break.

I hope either the omnibus is still available or the library has a standalone copy of Conspiracy in Death when I'm ready to start again.

[Nyssa]

I said "might" like there was any doubt that I wanted to read Midnight in Death ASAP. Ha! So, I'm reading it as part of another omnibus, Three in Death. Although it is the first short story in the series, it is the second one listed in the book (Why!?!)

Yeah, I'm laughing at myself too.

So, I'm 2.5 chapters in, and (view spoiler)[Dallas is on a murder's hit list (we learn this on page 1 of the story). And she still thinks Roarke will allow her to go anywhere on her own. How often must this woman be physically damaged before she gets a clue (and no, she has not been hurt in this story yet!)
This trait is starting to irritate me! She is NOT STUPID, so why does she keep acting like she is invincible or immortal!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I think she doesn't truly value her life. Not yet. When you have been raised with the sense that you are nothing, you don't have the same understanding that your life is precious and you tend to be careless with it. I know this so well... People think that you are brave, but it is not really true. What you are is very cognizant of the danger, and in the split moment before you put your life in danger for someone else, you decide that their life is definitely worth your sacrifice, since it isn't a sacrifice after all... I don't consider myself stupid, but I have saved several people's lives in very dangerous situations, and the thoughts that were going through my mind at the time were, ok, I might either get truly hurt or dead if I do this, but I am doing it anyway... It is a wildness that takes over, in which you act despite of the very clear danger, your adrenaline is pumping, and nothing about is brave... Only in the last several years have I began to consider my well-being and stopped acting in such self-destructive manner. I think it takes a lot of life experience and getting to middle age to grasp how precious and short life is and how you need to fight for it...

Nyssa, you have to let me know if she starts with the slightly paranormal elements in the first short story:)

[Nyssa]

It sounds like you have been through some incredible (in every sense of the word) experiences, Choko! I am glad that you are with us here. I am sending (((HUGS))) if that is okay.

I was unaware that this series would take on a paranormal spin. I will keep an eye out for it.

[Choko]

Thank you for the hugs!!!! <3:) Yeah, life is rough at times, but this is why it's so wonderful to survive long enough and understand how precious it is:)))

The novellas usually have a bit of supernatural or paranormal elements to them, but I don't remember if they started out that way. I get a kick out of those:)

Happy Holidays to all of you, my dear GR Friends!!! I am grateful and appreciate you all!!! ❤️

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

The paranormal short stories don't start until 22.5, I don't think...

[Tonari no Emily]

Choko wrote: "Thank you for the hugs!!!! <3:) Yeah, life is rough at times, but this is why it's so wonderful to survive long enough and understand how precious it is:)))

The novellas usually have a bit of supe..."

Ditto to Nyssa about the HUGS Choko! And a very Happy Holidays to you too! :)

[Tonari no Emily]

Started #6... about 20% in and yeah at this point I really have not a clue... But the theme for this is obviously vengeance.. Is that directed towards Rourke or Eve I wonder... (view spoiler)[ two of the victims were known to Rourke, and somehow Summerset is involved. Though I really don't think he could be the killer. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

This was the first book I had absolutely no idea who was the killer. The other books she always gave us at least a couple of suspects, this time, nothing... I enjoy them either way:)

[Monika]

Looks like I'll be catching up after New Year. Still no info from library about book 2...

[Choko]

Don't worry, Monika, we will be here:)))

[Monika]

I would buy whole series if I won lottery LOL! No luck with that tho ;)

[Nyssa]

Monika wrote: "I would buy whole series if I won lottery LOL! No luck with that tho ;)"

Same! And add the audio versions as well!

[Monika]

Merry Christmas boys and girls!

[Brian]

Merry Christmas y’all. Love my book reading partners! Hope everyone has a great day

[Monika]

Yeah :) Watching Godzilla in original LOL! My little man is big Godzilla fan and his Daddy found him 2 disc edition movie and he decided to watch it in Japanese with English subtitles :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Merry Christmas

[Nyssa]

Have a Very Happy Holiday Season!!

[Choko]

Happy Holidays!

[Tonari no Emily]

Finished #6.. I did start to pick up on the "baddie", but only towards the last 20-10% (view spoiler)[ And only because I knew it had to be someone we were introduced to already.. The young man accomplice I figured would probably be not so obvious, so that left out the older mother figure and I was like "Oh, we did meet a new woman in this one already!" (hide spoiler)]

These really are like police procedural TV shows. Great popcorn reads!

[Choko]

Exactly! They go down very easy... I am about to start the short story...

[Choko]

I was wrong. I am up to Book #7, Holiday in Death... I guess, as Nyssa said, perfect for the season:)))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

We are supposed to start that one tomorrow... perfect timing :D

Nice coincidence... I think I mentioned this before, about how book 8 will start the super tight timeline to the series going forward... most of a year passes in the In Death world, across these first 7 books, then it's like 20 books per in-series year...

[Nyssa]

I just extended my library loan for Vengeance in Death / Holiday in Death / Conspiracy in Death / Loyalty in Death / Witness in Death. I will probably start Conspiracy in Death soon. I've tried reading two other books, but nothing else keeps my attention.

Edited to Add: Happy Boxing day!

[Choko]

So, I am about 35% in Holidays in Death, book # 07... Three "days" of Christmas behind us... (view spoiler)[ Charles, the licensed companion, is looking for real love! Aaaawwww! I like him! I wonder if now that they are fixing Peabody up to get on the dating site, the two of them might hook up:))) McNab is going to be jealous as hell! He is obviously totally into our Peabody. And now that R told Eve that, she is feeling all weird about having them work together... Also, am I crazy, or Trina, the make-up professional, a hilarious scene stealing character?:)

I was actually upset about the death of the three victims so far. Yes, the murders were horrible, but all three seemed like good people just trying to live a good life and find love. And the murderer seems to be choosing them deliberately, but still kind of randomly. He does the research, but it could be anyone... I got tingles in the moment the dating service was mentioned, but now I am thinking there might be a theater connection too .. I don't think that we have met the killer yet, but I am not sure...

Also, I totally agreed with Peabody when she said that the killer coming dressed as Santa and bringing gifts was extremely disturbing and plain wrong!!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Nyssa, I know exactly what you mean. I guess it is the writing, but with the insanity of the holidays, this series is the only one that is able to keep my attention and feel satisfying... Maybe because we have already gotten into the cadence of the storytelling and the character familiarity... Whatever it is, it hits the spot...

[Nirkatze]

I just started #7 Holiday yesterday too! Not sure I'll have much time to listen/read since visiting folks this week. But I definitely got a tickle out of reading a story with a holiday theme right at the holidays--I don't think I've actually ever done that before.

That first crime though... yikes. Brutal.

And Happy Boxing Day folks!

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "Nyssa, I know exactly what you mean. I guess it is the writing, but with the insanity of the holidays, this series is the only one that is able to keep my attention and feel satisfying... Maybe bec..."

It's crazy. I just downloaded a short story to my Kindle, went to open it, and immediately changed my mind. Like Nope-That's not what I want!!

[Nyssa]

I give up.

I'm starting Conspiracy in Death. Based on the Prologue, this will be a doozy of a case!!

Also, this book is longer than the others; not only is there a prologue, there are 22 chapters instead of 20!

[Choko]

Holidays in Death, #7... 55% in... after day 4 ... (view spoiler)[ It was so satisfying to see Peabody suckerpunch the dude who molested her during their date meeting!!!! What a freaking creep! I am proud of all our gang and how they reacted to it!

It was very lucky for that small lady to have her boyfriend back with her , so Santa would freak out and run away... And the dude was a football player:) That must have messed with Santa's head.

Now that we have the fourth victim, and the second male, I am starting to think back and wonder if the flamboyant dude who owns the makeup and body sculpting shop might be the killer... But why? Is he just sick? He obviously has a ton of money, I mean the killer, but I am still not sure... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

20% into Holiday in Death... (view spoiler)[these one-off stripper / licensed companion / etc characters always seem to have such lofty life plans/trajectories in their mind...

Maybe I'm just clueless, but they always seem so unattainable... especially when they clearly haven't panned out so far, over a number of years... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Nyssa, I know exactly what you mean. I guess it is the writing, but with the insanity of the holidays, this series is the only one that is able to keep my attention and feel satisfying... Maybe bec..."

I enjoyed my Children of Time re-read... and Mercy Thompson #9 re-read... between being sick and the holidays, I've done alot of re-reads on my TBR (planned re-reads, nothing truly spontaneous... just paused new material reads)...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "So, I am about 35% in Holidays in Death, book # 07... Three "days" of Christmas behind us.."

(view spoiler)[Trina is a scene-stealer, especially on audio... and I think Charles/Peabody happen before McNab/She-body become a thing... Charles recurs and finds true love eventually (I think book 13?), and becomes a sex therapist (book 26)... (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I enjoyed my Children of Time re-read... and Mercy Thompson #9 re-read... between being sick and the holidays, I've done alot of re-reads on my TBR (planned re-reads, nothing truly spontaneous... just paused new material reads).."

I hope you're feeling better, TI!