A Year of J.D. Robb

[Dee]

i think she blocked it out of her memory...as the series progresses you find out more and more ;)

[~Leslie~]

Okay, just finished. I liked this one but not as much as "Glory in Death". I felt the ending was rushed and I didn't feel there was enough about Eve and Dallas's relationship. Have to think about it some more.

[Dee]

you mean Eve and Rourke?

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I just finished. I had a feeling it was Casto. He was slime for hitting on Eve and then sleeping with Peabody.

I do like seeing Eve and Roarke's relationship grow. He cares for her so much. And I like how he makes her soft when she doesn't want to be.

[Kami]

I'm done too. It seems to me that the actual killer in the In Death books are never the actual suspect but someone else hanging out on the sidelines, which is why I thought it was Casto. He knew the weasel. He worked with drugs and he was always there. He took an interest in Eve and then moved to Peabody. And sure enough it was him. I liked the story a lot. I thought it was sweet that Roarke and Eve are married now. I can't wait till next month for the next installment Rapture In Death. I give this one four stars.

[Christine]

I just wish the wedding had been in the book. I really wanted to see Roarke's reaction to her dress and to see how they both reacted during the ceremony.

[~Leslie~]

Dee wrote: "you mean Eve and Rourke?"

Silly me! Yes I did.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I would have liked to see te wedding too. I imagine he was awestruck when he saw her :)

[Dee]

yeah, we don't see the wedding at all...unfortunately

but we see more of her background (significantly so) in book 13 I think (or whichever one reunion in death is)

[Christine]

I thought of something else I wondered about: Why has Eve never even asked Roarke what his name is? All anybody knows is 'Roarke'. No one knows if it's his first name or last name, or a totally made up name. I would think if I'm marrying a guy, I'd at least like to know his name. Then again, I suppose it speaks to the trust they've developed. How Roarke never really pusher her about her past, but waited until she was ready to talk more about it. And the mystery does add to his allure.

[~Leslie~]

I wish the wedding had been in the book as well. I wanted more of their relationship in this book. I didn't feel like I got enough.

[Dee]

even after 14 books we don't know his name and his father was just rourke as well, IIRC

[Christine]

I don't why I made this connection, but maybe it's like MacGuyver. We never knew his first name until the final season of the show. Maybe we'll get Roarke's name if she ever decides to retire the series...

[Christine]

Another question: Just what is Summerset's problem with Eve? Any thoughts?
It came out in this book that he was a con-man Ireland, so it can't really be that he has a problem with her breeding and sophistication, or lack thereof. Unless he thinks Roarke has worked hard to make a name for himself and therefore "deserves better". Or is it that since he was a con, he has issues with her just because she represents the law? Or is he afraid that if Roarke gets too attached to Eve, that she'll present a weakness that others can exploit? Inquiring minds want to know.
In this third book, after he found out what had happened to her as a child, it seemed that Summerset softened towards her, probably at least in part because of what had happened to his own daughter.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I wondered the same thing about Summerset's problem with Eve. I did notice that he was ticked that Roarke hadn't told him about her past.

[Christine]

He seemed to adore Mavis. Maybe he's just that protective of Roarke??

[~Leslie~]

It actually bothers me the way Summerset treats her and that Rourke puts up with it. I know there's supposed to be a big reason that he does it but it's just rude and mean. And it did seem that he softened towards her somewhat but then he was back to being rude. But somehow Eve is okay with it. As to repressed memories, I agree that she is obviously repressing alot and could experience problems as the feelings surface more. And it was definitely a true reaction for Rourke to want to treat her so gently afraid that he would cause her more problems. Partners often feel extremely afraid that they will do something that will trigger a memory.

[Dee]

ugh, its soo hard listening you guys say this stuff and knowing that stuff is revealed in upcoming books ;)

[Dee]

I hate the way somerset treats eve, but at the same time, I love him for who he is

[~Leslie~]

Dee wrote: "ugh, its soo hard listening you guys say this stuff and knowing that stuff is revealed in upcoming books ;)"
I was thinking that while I was writing, that it must be hard if you have already read the books. I appreciate your patience with us!!! (LOL). I was on a buddy read recently where they read like 3 chapters a week and I finished the book in 2 days. It drove me crazy to know what was going to happen. I always read ahead in school as well!

[Isabella]

I know I'm running so slow but at last I finished Immortal In Death :) I read all your comments and I'm enjoying all your discussion around the book. it was an awesome read and for me it was better than the Morse case, it got 4 stars.

[Kami]

I don't like Somerset's attitude either. Maybe he is just afraid that Eve is after Roarke's money?

[Christine]

well, Dee, just how long do we have to wait to find out more about Summerset? Will we get to it this year?

And even though Summerset may be important to Roarke, I don't get why he doesn't tell Summerset to chill out a little bit where Eve is concerned. But then again, Roarke my think that Eve wouldn't want him to interfere and would want to deal with him herself.

Listen to me analyzing these characters as if they're real people.

[Dee]

i wanna say book 6 or 7 tells more about somerset's background and rourke

personally, i kinda of grew to like the love/hate relationship between the two

[Christine]

I love a good love/hate relationship as long as I know there is some mutual respect buried deep underneath it all.

[Dee]

there is eventually...a very poignent scene in reunion in death which almost made me cry...i think it gets to the stage where eve screws with him just to piss him off

[Aryn]

She's a cop and cops have never done him, his (dead) daughter or Roarke any good so he mistrusts her from the get-go, figures she will 'turn' on them.

However, in book two, I think, he finds out about her father and all that (seems to me she has a melt-down) and he has an ah-ha moment. BUT she is prickly about pity and all those softer emotions (remember how she treated Roarke, especially in the early days) so he maintains the facade of dislike, distrust, but he doesn't mean it. There are lots of instances where he helps out behind the scenes, he just isn't going to embarrass her with sentiment.

[Dee]

Aryn, just be careful with spoilers because these guys are all reading for the first time ;)

[~Leslie~]

Christine wrote: "I love a good love/hate relationship as long as I know there is some mutual respect buried deep underneath it all."
Completely agree with this. I think it bothered me because I wasn't seeing the underlying respect, just dislike and rudeness. But in this one he did seem to melt towards her somewhat, so I assumed that would continue in later stories. The fact that he likes Mavis says that he likes women who are vulnerable.
And I can't believe I'm discussing these characters like they are real, either! I usually think that's so strange.

[Dee]

lol...discussing characters as if they were real...you mean they aren't...OMG!!!! lol!!

[Aryn]

Dee wrote: "Aryn, just be careful with spoilers because these guys are all reading for the first time ;)"
Sorry, it sounded as though everyone before my comment had gotten beyond the first several books so anything I said would have been after their fact and perhaps just missed. Next time I'll put an alert first.

[Christine]

Aryn wrote: "She's a cop and cops have never done him, his (dead) daughter or Roarke any good so he mistrusts her from the get-go, figures she will 'turn' on them.

However, in book two, I think, he finds out a..."


I like your point about Eve being prickly about certain emotions and so even once Summerset does start to warm up to her, he might purposely continue to act like a jerk to her. I can see them both being more comfortable continuing a pretend battle rather than admitting they think each other is okay.

[Christine]

I finally finished listening to the audio of book 1. I loved it so much, that I'm going to pick up book 2 at the library next week. I will justify listening to a book I've already read by arguing that it will help keep the stories fresh for our discussions. Yeah, that's it. I'm doing it for the group. Not at all because I just love the way the narrator does Roarke's accent. (I kind of like her Feeney, too.)

[Aryn]

Christine wrote: "I finally finished listening to the audio of book 1. I loved it so much, that I'm going to pick up book 2 at the library next week. I will justify listening to a book I've already read by arguing..."

Big of you, Christine; we appreciate it! I've done most of this series in audio form and get a lot more out of it that way--The only one I haven't done is Kindred in Death. Started it but got the willies (had teenaged daughters at the time) and it is on my TBLT (to be listened to) list. For later. Much later. If you listen to it first, let me know how it is. A hardship for you, I know...

[Dee]

they just read book 3 and book 4 will be next month ;)

Aryn wrote: "Dee wrote: "Aryn, just be careful with spoilers because these guys are all reading for the first time ;)"
Sorry, it sounded as though everyone before my comment had gotten beyond the first several ..."

[Vanessa]

Well, I finished it, again. It's like the 4th time I've listened to it and I still love it. This has always been one of my favorites. I've read them all and so don't want to include any spoilers. Let's just say that Summerset and Eve's relationship develops as do a lot of the other character interactions. That's just one of the great thing about the series. The audio is what makes it so enjoyable and real for me. Susan does such a great job.

This one I particularly like because of the development of some of those relationships and Peabody is terrific. I also enjoy the bachelorette party scene. The first time I read it, I really didn't get who the murderer was. I had that niggling feeling but still was pleasantly surprised at the end.

[Dee]

there is a reason why Susan Erickson is in the top 5 audiobook narrators for the year from the all about romance yearly poll

[Christine]

I picked up book 2 on audio from the library, but I wasn't paying attention and it's apparently an older version with a different narrator! I started to listen to it, but it's just not the same so I had to turn it off. Now to go back and look for the right version....

[Dee]

weird...AFAIK there is only one version available now...but you are the second person who I have heard mention that

[Isabella]

I've listened to 2 audiobook before, one was Outlander the other Breathing Room unfortunately I didn't pay attention to the narrator's name but she was very talented apparently the same one for both books, with the ability to shift her voice and give to each character a different voice and a beautiful accent. I loved the experience.

[Dee]

Davina Porter does the unabridged audiobook for Outlander...or Geraldine James does the abridged

[Isabella]

yes I was checking it now it was Davina Porter and unabridged audiobook, you're right!!
And Kate Flemming for Breathing Room.
I've listened also to The host read by Kate Reading so neither one by Suzan Ericson :)

[Christine]

We can start Rapture in Death soon! I'm curious to see how Eve and Roarke handle being married. And I hope Peabody and Leonardo are back, too.

[~Leslie~]

I can't wait to start! I'm so excited to continue this series. I've been reading so many new series that it's nice to go to something recognizable and not have to figure out what's going on.

[Isabella]

I'm very busy these days, got a new job lately, but I didn't forgot this challenge. It's just going to take time for me to finish the book. So go ahead it's OK I'll share my thoughts as soon as I finish it.

[Christine]

Isabella wrote: "I'm very busy these days, got a new job lately, but I didn't forgot this challenge. It's just going to take time for me to finish the book. So go ahead it's OK I'll share my thoughts as soon as I f..."


Congratulations on the new job! I hope it's something you really enjoy. Comment whenever you can.

[Christine]

I'm about 50 pages in. No wedding, but the books does start at the end of their honeymoon. Roarke is seeming a bit randy to me, so far.

[~Leslie~]

I will start later tonight. I have to finish another book first. I like the idea of a randy Rourke!

[Christine]

Okay. About 100 pages in and I have to wonder, did she really just tell us who the killer is this early in the book OR is he up to something entirely different and it's just a red herring to distract from the real killer?

And Even and Roarke didn't find anything odd about how they never even managed to get the car parked properly before ripping each others clothes off? But man, I would have loved to see the look on Summerset's face....

[~Leslie~]

I'm on page 89. I agree she seems to have tipped us off- but I can see how that might work for this story. I'm okay with knowing who early and watching Eve work toward the solution.
This one is quite a bit more steamy than the others, which is fine by me! I like Eve and Rourke comfortable in their relationship and happy. I'm not big on angst. I love the picture of them stumbling into the house past Summerset, with their clothes torn.