A Year of J.D. Robb

[Christine]

This is one series where I wish there were some picture. For the life of my, I just can't picture some of Mavis' outfits. But then, maybe I don't really want to.

[Christine]

I think I've finally lost it. I'm reading this in print. And when I was at the library yesterday, on a whim I picked up the audio version and started listening to it during my commute this morning. But, I think I might have picked up a clue while listening that I missed while reading. Maybe 'The Babe' that the first dead guy talked about to his roommate is real and is that lady (already can't remember her name) that was visiting Roarke when Eve came home from work. Or maybe I'm just paranoid and am looking for a suspect other than the obvious one she gave us.

[~Leslie~]

Christine wrote: "I think I've finally lost it. I'm reading this in print. And when I was at the library yesterday, on a whim I picked up the audio version and started listening to it during my commute this mornin..."

No, I think you are right. She's given pretty heavy hints in this one. I think Jess is involved and Reanna. Not sure how they are involved, but they are. I'm on page 181 and it's building towards the climax.

[Kami]

I'm on page 92. I think the killers are Jess and Reeanna.

[Christine]

I'm still not totally convinced Jess is in on the killing, but then I'm always suspicious when and author throws an obvious suspect at you in the beginning. I feel like he's manipulating Eve and Roarke in an effort to get them to fund the development of his technology and help legalize it. But I agree that Reeanna is guilty as sin. I'm thinking either she took what Jess developed and used it for murder without his knowledge, or it's just a coincidence that he turned up while Eve was investigating this case. But then again, he has no remorse or conscience about manipulating Roarke's sex drive. But does that spill over into murder?

I'm on page 238 and I would love to know just what Roarke said to Jess during their five minutes alone.

[Christine]

And, I love Peabody. She seems the perfect foil to Eve. And I like how playful Eve and Roarke have become. They are both so passionate and intense, and it's nice to see them becoming so comfortable with one another. I've had more than a few chuckles with this book.

Also, I'm glad to finally see a shift in the relationship between Eve and Summerset. They are still downright nasty to each other, but now I get more of a sense of a grudging respect, maybe even a little affection, under it.

[~Leslie~]

Just finished this morning. Loved the book. This is probably my favorite so far. Christine, you seemed to figure this all out pretty well.
I felt really bad for Rourke after the episode at the party. And I thought Eve handled it really well. I'm glad Robb didn't have her freak out or anything. My only thought is that at one point Eve is struggling with Rourke acting vulnerable. And I wonder what would happen if he really became vulnerable and lost that strong man persona for her. What happens if he falls apart?
It's taken me longer to warm up to Peabody. I didn't really have strong feelings about her one way or another before this. But now I'm really beginning to like her. And I wasn't crazy about Mavis. She was a little annoying to me. But I appreciate how she responded to being used and I really like that Rourke is so sweet with her friends. I just thought that all the relationships really matured in this novel. It felt like they really started to jell.
My only issue is how the suspense was resolved. It just seemed too easy.
I love the little things Robb does to show the time period they are living in. I've always wanted a car that could lift over other cars. And the idea that people can smoke but be vaccinated against cancer. Some of her ideas are really interesting.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I'm about 20% done with this and am liking Eve so much more. We're getting to see a playful side of her.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I just finished this. And I agree with Leslie, I felt awful for Roarke after the party. He was truly appalled at his actions and how they affected Eve. She handled it well, but I don't know that it was realistic.

The scene at the end where she was running to try and save him showed how much Eve truly loves and needs Roarke. She's strong and tough, but I don't think she could survive without him now that she's got him in her life.

[~Leslie~]

I agree about the ending where she's in such a panic over Rourke really showcased how much she loves him. It might also help her understand more about how he feels when she is in danger.
I think they will have to deal with that episode where Rourke lost control some more. I think she was so stunned.
And I agree - I liked Eve alot more in this one. I liked everyone alot more in this one.

[Christine]

Love the discussions here. I too wondered about how Eve reacted to the scene in the closet. She certainly handled it better than I would have. I really liked this book because you got to see more vulnerable sides of both Eve and Roarke. And more playful sides, too. I loved it when she almost had him convinced that he was going to do a duet with Mavis. And while Mavis gets on my nerves sometimes, I liked getting to see her interacting with Roarke on her own. But two books in a row now Mavis has been set-up or used. I hope this is not a recurring theme. I'd also like to see more of both Peabody and Dr. Mira, maybe some cases that hit close to home for both of them.

I think I enjoyed this one the most of the four books I've read so far, because of the greater depth we get from many of the characters. Although I think it had the weakest mystery. Not, weak in that it was easy to solve, but just the opposite. There was so much coincidence and Eve happening to be in the right place at the right time, that it seemed like no amount of honest to goodness police work could have solved it. We started with two suicides that most cops would have readily written off as just that. But not our Dallas. And it was just luck that the ME, with all the forensic evidence pointing to suicide, took such a thorough look at the brain scan to notice that tiny pin point burn. And Eve just happened to be near the building where the woman jumped and noticed her VR goggles. (And wouldn't I like to have a pair with that program, minus the suggestion to take a giant leap off of a tall building).

The only thing that bothered me: how did Reeane know when Eve's heart rate sped up and she had a surge of adrenaline. They were across the room from one another, and Eve had her back to her, so how did she detect that?

[Kami]

I'm done too. I really liked it also. I really liked the deepening relationship between Rourke and Eve and thought the scene with her running to him was so exciting. She does love him so much. And even though she was beaten and bruised she can't help but run to his rescue. The two of them care so much for each other. It upsets Rourke when Eve is in danger but it is her job.

You would think that with Eve's history of rape that it would bother her more when Rourke attacked her in the closet. She did say 'no', he did rape her. His revenge on Jess was rather satisfying, I thought.

That is a good question, Christine. Reeanna is a medical doctor, she did a lot to soothe Eve's wounds. Maybe she just could tell that Eve started to breathe heavily or that her eyes widened, somehow? Though, she couldn't really know that her heart rate elevated unless she had some kind of monitoring device.

I for one think Mavis is funny. I think she is loveable. Summerset didn't seem as mean in this one. And I like Peabody a lot too. I like how she sticks up for Eve and protected her when Eve punched Jess.

I am really enjoying these books. There are so many of them! We will have to continue this challenge next year and the year after that.

[~Leslie~]

Christine, I agree completely about the mystery in this one, though this is still my favorite of the 4 we've read. And I agree it's because the characters reveal so much more of themselves in this one. My biggest problem with the mystery was how it ended. Why did Reanna suddenly decide to have her commit suicide then and why did she spill everything to her. I always find that suspect, even in the movies.
And Kami, I think that Eve did not perceive it as rape because she loves Rourke so much. I think they will have to deal with it again at some point, though.
It was a confusing experience. It was kind of scary as a reader to have Rourke become so out of control.

I can't wait for next month to read the next one. I would love for Peabody to find someone good. I really like her more and more.

[Christine]

I'm so glad we're doing this monthly read. I think if I read a bunch of them back to back, they might start to get stale, but spacing them out keeps them fresh. Plus, it makes sure I do get back to the series each month. I have several other series that I should put on a rotation like this to make sure I finally get through them. Although, none are as long as this one. At this rate, in three or so years, we might be caught up...

[~Leslie~]

Christine, you are so right. I have so many series I am reading at the moment, that I am getting to about 1 a month for each of them. I tend to rotate genres, as I begin to get tired of one and want something different. I am so ADD!!

[Dee]

for me they do get better and better in each book - i'm getting ready to listen to Portrait in Death next month

re: peabody - yeah, she gets someone good ;)

[~Leslie~]

Dee wrote: "for me they do get better and better in each book - i'm getting ready to listen to Portrait in Death next month

re: peabody - yeah, she gets someone good ;)"

Dee, which number is "Portrait in Death"? And thanks for the heads up about Peabody!! I'm so glad!

[Dee]

16 or 17 i think - its been a few months since I listened to one

[Christine]

It's March! Which means in two weeks we get to read Ceremony in Death. I can't wait to see what Eve and the gang are up to this month.

I'm hoping that Mavis catches a break and no one is using her to get to Eve and/or Roarke this time. I'm hoping to eventually get more on Peabody and her Free-Ager family. And Dr. Mira. Why does she feel so maternal towards Eve? And about twenty other things I wonder about...

[Susan (susayq ~)]

Christine, I also want to know more about Peabody and her family. She is so different from them.

[~Leslie~]

I'm so excited to get back to Eve and Rourke! But I'm with y'all - I want to know more about Peabody. And I'd like the mystery to not involve someone Eve is involved with. Hurry Up March 15th!

[Isabella]

Christine wrote: "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 though..."

Hey Christine thanks for your wishes, sorry I didn't see this post earlier.

[Isabella]

Well for the book, it was a nice continuation, I still love this series, but in Rapture in Death I thought the mystery was very predictable. Eve believes at first that the musician is to blame, but like usually it was the wrong guy. It was a weak mystery like someone had mentioned it before. I think the next in the series will be more manipulative and the reader will doubt their early presumption of the killer ID. All doubts will be cleared at the end.

[Christine]

It's almost time! Now, if I can just finish my current book tonight, so I can start on Ceremony in Death tomorrow.....

[Kami]

Me too. Almost finished with my current book.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I probably won't start this one until tomorrow at the earliest. I have hardly read a page this week and I've got about half of the book I'm reading left.

[Christine]

Ten pages in and...Wiccans? This could be interesting....

[~Leslie~]

I was hoping that this would come in from the library on ebook, but so far, I'm still on the waiting list. I may end up purchasing it. I will probably start this tomorrow. I'm ready for Eve and Rourke!

[Susan (susayq ~)]

Just finished my other book and am starting this! I need some Roarke! LOL

[Christine]

I made it about 70 pages into the book. It's weird seeing talk of witches and magic and shape shifting birds combined with Eve Dallas. I'm sure there will be logical explanations for everything in the end, but I'm a big fan of urban fantasy, so I am loving this so far.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I am enjoying this one. Probably more thank the previous ones. It is a different feeling than before.

[Christine]

It kind of feels like Eve is lightening up and is able to joke around more with Roarke and Peabody.

I liked at the very beginning when Roarke surprised her in the shower and she pretended she thought it was Summerset. And then Roarke's response that he's not going to fire Summerset, but she figured it was worth a try. They seem really at ease with one another.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I did love that too! I also love how she was teasing Peabody about being jumpy about the meeting with Selina and kept saying stuff that went for vamps or werewolves LOL

[~Leslie~]

So the book never came in from the library, but discovered I could read it free at Barnes and Noble. After dinner out with H, went to get coffee and dessert and read for an hour. Lovely date night!! I'm on about p. 50. This one does have a slightly different feel to it. But are all her murder cases going to involve people close to her?

[Dee]

without being too spoilerish - no ;)

[Lauren (aplpeach)]

I just noticed this challenge...Can I start now, and read the first books, and then join the discussion and dates in April?

[Christine]

Lauren (aplpeach) wrote: "I just noticed this challenge...Can I start now, and read the first books, and then join the discussion and dates in April?"

Absolutely, Lauren! The more the merrier.

[Christine]

I actually laughed out loud when I read this exchange between Eve and Peabody as they were about to drive through a crowd of reporters:

Peabody: Gee, I hope they get my best side.
Eve: Tough when you're sitting on it.
Peabody: Thanks. I've been working out.

[Christine]

It is getting kind of old having every case somehow tie back to Eve or Roarke or someone close to them. I figure eventually she'll run out of story lines that way and have to branch out to random homicide. But given that Roarke appears to own half the world, how can anything not (at least indirectly) tie back to him? And I really hope we get to visit his Olympus Resort once it opens. Listen to me. Likes it's a real place and we could just hope on a transport and go there.

Anyway, I'm about halfway and I'm really enjoying this one. Despite the gruesome murders there seems to be a lighter tone to the book, more joking around between the characters. Except Feeney, poor guy.

I'm curious to see if Jamie sticks around and where his plot line goes.

[Vi]

Christine, I'm pretty sure there's a novella set in the Olympus resort. Just forgot which. Roarke always plays an important role in all of the books. In some books, the cases don't tie back to either of them but (thankfully) we still see Roarke there.

Jamie comes back in another 2 (Or more) books as a side character.

[~Leslie~]

Ha Ha Christine! I think this is the only book series where I've actually talked about the characters as if they were real. I used to kind of laugh at people who did that. Not sure what it is about Eve and Rourke.
And may I say that I love having people on this buddy read who've read enough of this series to be able to answer our questions about what happens in the future without giving too much away.
I will have to wait until I get back to B&N later today before I can read anymore. I'm really trying to stick to my budget and not buy any more books this month!! So hard:={

[Susan (susayq ~)]

Christine, I loved that exchange between Eve and Peabody! I also loved it when Peabody got all swoony cause Roarke had said she looked good in her dress :)

I'll be honest, this story line is getting to me. Last night I dreamed of bodies being drained of blood in Satanic rituals. I was disturbed when I woke up.

[Christine]

Bad dreams are never good! This is fairly tame compared to some of the stuff I usually read, so no bad dreams yet. But about a year ago or so, I did have this bizarre dream where my sons were werewolves and we were having to flee somewhere because the werewolf hunters were after us. I remember in the dream yelling at them to get in their seats and put their seat belts on cause we had to go! I never do that in real life. Never. : ) But all three of them had wild, shaggy hair and these big furry mutton-chop side burns. I was terrified in the dream, but in retrospect, it's kind of funny picturing us riding down the high way in a minivan them all covered in facial hair.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

Well, there must be something going on in my subconscious because I barely read any of this yesterday and still had strange-nightmarish dreams. I need to figure out what's going on so I can sleep LOL

[Christine]

Susan, sorry to hear about the bad dreams. If it is the subject matter of the book, hopefully next month will be a better topic for you. I can't watch scary movies at all anymore because they get to me. Especially those where the zombies take over the earth. I saw about the last five minutes of one a few years ago, and had trouble sleeping for two night. Geez!

[Christine]

I finished the book. I've got a lot of mixed feeling about this one. It took my three favorite genres (mystery, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance) and mashed them all up into one story. How could I not love that? And I liked that in the end, some of the more paranormal elements were explained away as part of a money-making scam with androids and drugged wine, but other things we're left wondering about. How did that medicine heals Eve's scratches so quickly? How did Isis know about the hotel room with red light and the dead man? Spoo-ooky!

Roarke was rather randy in this one. Every chance he got he was stripping Eve out of her clothes. You're naked in the shower. Let's have sex! We have an hour long car ride. Let's have sex! This program will take a few minutes to run. Let's have sex! You're sad and need a mood boost. Let's have sex! It's morning. Let's have sex! I get them being hot for each other, but it seemed a bit much to me. Maybe I'm just jealous. : )

And I've always had a problem with how Eve sometimes pushes the line between following the letter of the law and crossing that line to get the info she wants/needs. She shares info with Roarke (a civilian) and takes advantage of his equipment (which she knows is illegal) because she knows it the only way to quickly get the info she needs. Usually, I don't mind it too much, 'cause it is just a book after all. But Eve's character is portrayed as a woman of morals who will fight to uphold the law. How does the balance out with breaking some of those laws when she feels it's justified? It's a slippery slope. And in this book in particular, she wouldn't tell Feeney what was up because she was ordered not too and she knew it was better for the case if she didn't, even though she knew it could have serious negative impact on their personal relationship. But she followed orders and did the right thing.

And I had a big problem with something that happened at the end, but I'll wait until everyone is done to go into that.

I still enjoyed this book a lot. I love Peabody. I love that she's become comfortable joking around with Eve, and at one point even stood up to Eve when she felt Eve when too far in an interview.
And this time I didn't have the mystery figured out in the first fifty pages. Well, it was kind of obvious who the bad guys were, but I kept wondering if I was missing something and if the "white witches" maybe weren't so white as they seemed.

I can't wait to see what everybody else has to say.

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I don't like scary movies either. My kids call me a chicken, but I'm ok with that lol I've been reading today and seem to be fine. We'll see tonight ;)

[Kami]

I am on page 86. Had a really busy weekend. Hope to have this finished tomorrow.

[Kami]

Christine wrote: "I finished the book. I've got a lot of mixed feeling about this one. It took my three favorite genres (mystery, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance) and mashed them all up into one story. How ..."

Your comment of Eve taking advantage of Roarke's equipment makes me laugh. Hee Hee. "equipment"

[Susan (susayq ~)]

I'm at 77% of this being read and I'm wondering why Eve is now looking at other people as suspects for the murders when she knows it's Selina....Isis and Chas had no interactions with Frank and his death is what has lead to the rest of them.