J.D. Robb discussion
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Calculated in Death
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Love the quotes Sara!I'm so glad I'm not the only one who found it slow! That was my biggest complaint, that I was bored in some parts which I NEVER am during an In Death book! But I still liked it, of course, and enjoyed the really cute moments.
Leslie wrote: "Interesting to me this is the first book that I have heard them talk about the Internet and texting. Usually it's ppc and tagging someone. It's kind of weird to hear."Agreed! I think this book was one of the first time using a "tablet" was mentioned. I always think it's funny when Robb has to change the technology a little bit to catch up with today's world, much less 50 years from now. :-)
I agree with everyone saying its not one of the best books. I don't get it! Its not because the case its self is kind of slow. Eve has had cases before were the bodies weren't piling up and the case was more or less slow but it wasn't so dag nabbed boring! I haven't finished yet, I'm on page 300 or something, but I think its missing its charm. I think maybe its missing interaction? Eve and Peabody are together, of course, but...are they having fewer side conversations? Are they just strictly speaking about the case with the odd comment about Peabody's shoes? This book just hasn't been as much fun. Its like you go to visit a friend you haven't seen in ages but when you get there they only have time to work. You liked seeing them, but all in all when you go home again you're going to think the trip sucked.
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I agree, Dee. This one feels like classic In Death. It's got the procedurals, lots of Eve-Peabody time, Trina.....the list goes on, including some great scenes with Roarke. I loved being in 2060.
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If I had any complaint it's with the huge cast of characters. Keeping up with them was a bit of a challenge. Discovering Clinton was a little anticlimactic given his blood trail. But, I really enjoyed this one. It took a few chapters for me to hunker down but that's always the case with me.
I'm finally listening to calculated!! (started the series on audio and can't seem to get into the paperbooks or e-books - Susan who read is has been awesome with all the characters.. except for a couple earlier series where she just read it straight)... all the earlier comments make sense... it is pretty slow moving, and the use of tablet and text were pretty out of place!!
Not as much personal interplay with the characters like with the other books... so far, only had one or two laughs!! we will see how it goes
I really wish they'd have Susan rerecord those two! :P
I thought the voice she did for Peabody in the beginning was so weird! She sounded like a muppet.
It's weird going back and listening to how different Roarke's accent was done compared to how familiar it sounds now, 30 books later... But at the same time, I like hearing both (you can never go wrong with an Irish accent!)
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(view spoiler)
I set it as a spoiler only because it's so long...no spoilers really included. Use it for reference as you see fit.
That rocks! Thanks!
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I am finally here! I started tonight. (in my defense I do paperback and gallantly let someone else read it first) Anyway. First impression. Is feels like we went an awful long time in this book before the first real Eve/Roarke scene. Page 85 just seemed like a long time.
Did anyone actually understand the technicalities of the crime? I understood the who etc. (no spoilers!) but...the did you guys get the audits and stuff and whatever they were talking about? I worked so hard to understand and I feel like I barely scratched the surface.
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I thought I was going nuts because I remembered answering you! I found it in the Questions About A Book topic but it certainly belongs here.
One of the things that was extremely problematic for Eve in this story was tracing down the business entities and their possible connections. That's why she was interviewing so many of the principals of these companies to see where the ties may have been and who had something to cover up. This is where Roarke's expertise became invaluable because he knew how to trace beyond all those dummy corporations and finally get to the real names. They were sheltering income and Marta figured it out so she was killed and her files taken. That normally wouldn't have been enough but then they offed their own accountant, making it tougher to find out what Marta had uncovered.
In accounting, you follow the money...where it came from and what you spent it on and what you have to show to prove source and expenditures. In an audit, you're verifying all this stuff and if the company has lied about any of it, the auditor should be able to uncover it unless you've got people in the same company working together, as was the case here. Marta was just smart enough to have detected some odd patterns and figured it out. So, they killed the auditor.
I don't know if any of this helps you but....I hope it's clearer than mud:)
You know what's funny is I thought I was going nuts because I remember asking the question! I went through like three or four threads that I thought I had asked it under, and finally gave up and re-asked it where it obviously should have been in the first place.It (now) is definitely clearer than mud! Maybe not as clear as, say, drinking water, but it is less convoluted to me now, thank you!
Just finished this one now. Looking through the comments I kind of disagree here. I loved it. There were moments where I was laughing out loud. It held my interest and had some great interactions with interviews and continuing characters. It did have a classic In Death kind of feel.
You know, I remember thinking several books back, she was losing her touch. But then she re-upped her game. But this wasn't one of those I thought weren't up too par. I really do need to do some re-reading and remind myself which ones were. But none of her books ever got to the point where I didn't just devour them. I think that's because of the characters. Sometimes the mystery isn't that enjoyable, but the characters are so wonderful. It's like a reunion every time I open one.
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But, you know, this is what makes this group interesting. So many different perspectives and points of view. I'm thrilled for those who loved this one and appreciate those that had similar experiences to mine.
(Senior moment here...these comments relate to Concealed. I really liked this one.)
I didn't really enjoy this one the 1st time I read it. I liked it better when I re-read it.
I think it was really the character interactions that made me enjoy this one so much. It kind of out weighed a lot of other things in this book.
I "read" these books via audiobook and listen ONLY during my daily workouts. I have taken almost 2 weeks off from working out so that is an indication that I am not enjoying this one quite as much. I am anxiously awaiting the timeline on wikiindeath.com to be updated so I can maybe figure out where I got lost in this one haha!!!
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But, you know, this is what makes this g..."
My comment looks odd because it is! Apologies as I thought I was in the Concealed in Death thread. Please ignore.
My favorite part of this book was when they used Peabody as bait for the computer geek. So awkward and hilarious that Eve unbuttons Peabody's blouse, in front of Roarke no less, then tells her to hoist up her boobs. All so they can catch a super computer nerd who goes by Captain Kirk and Tony Stark. So funny!My other favorite scene was Eve on the red carpet when a reporter asked who's shoes she's wearing, and she replied "They're my shoes." So classically Eve.
Character development wise, Eve and Summerset aren't nearly as outwardly hostile toward each other. Also, Eve's nightmares have abated to just weird dreams, even though her mother keeps popping up. Oh! And our Trueheart (love his name!) is growing up! He's slated to take the detective exam. I love all the side characters. <3
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That Peabody scene was hilarious:)
I listen to these books in audible and often fall asleep. Spoiler .
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I slept through the baby catching but. Can anyone tell me what chapter that happens? Middle, ending...? Then i can go back and find it in audio...
Thanks!
Chapter 11 - It is one of my favorite scenes. Then Summerset and Roarke when she gets home.
"Skull meets tits. Tits lose." - Eve
and
when Biden called Eve "Roarke's get-out-of-jail-free card"... HOLY CRAP. I just started laughing, wondering how much longer he'd have balls. HAHAHAHA!!! DEATH WISH!!!