Author: J. D. Robb
Publication: Berkley (September 1, 2001)
Description: Dante had been courting his victim in cyberspace for weeks before meeting her in person. A few sips of wine and a few hours later, she was dead. The murder weapon: a rare, usually undetectable date-rape drug with a street value of a quarter million dollars. Detective Eve Dallas is playing and replaying the clues in her mind. The candlelight, the music, the rose petals strewn across the bed—a seduction meant for his benefit, not hers. He hadn’t intended to kill her. But now that he had, he is left with only two choices: to either hole up in fear and guilt. Or start hunting again…
My Thoughts: This episode in the In Death series is not a "whodunnit" but rather a police procedural where we watch Eve and her team gather the evidence needed to stop the murderers. The story begins when Eve is called to the case of the death of a young woman who might have jumped, or might have been pushed, from the balcony of her apartment. The death is witnessed by Dr. Louise Dimatto who Eve had met on an earlier case. Eve quickly learns that the young woman had been dosed with two unusual sex enhancement drugs. It was the amount and the combination that killed her.
We also get a look into the killer's minds. They are two rich boys who are playing a game. Their births were the result of the original experiments with the two drugs before it was learned how dangerous they were. One is a computer hacker and the other is the one who is making the drugs. Kevin is the one who accidentally killed the first girl but Lucias is the one who deliberately sets out to kill the second girl. The game escalates for them with Lucias being the leader and Kevin the tool who follows his lead.
This case brings back some of the memories Eve has about her childhood where she was sexuallly and physcally abused by her own father which makes it a hard one for her to investigate. Roarke works with her as her civilian consultant as they try to track down the killers.
The big relationship issue in this story doesn't center on Eve and Roarke. Instead, McNab and Peabody's relationship is the focus. McNab is very jealous because he believes that Peabody's relationship with licenced companion Charles is sexual. Of course, Peabody hasn't told him that they are just good friends. When Charles and Louise meet and start a relationship, McNab is angry with Charles for hurting Peabody. They do manage to resolve their relationship issues and begin dating exclusively.
This was an enjoyable entry into this long-running series.
We also get a look into the killer's minds. They are two rich boys who are playing a game. Their births were the result of the original experiments with the two drugs before it was learned how dangerous they were. One is a computer hacker and the other is the one who is making the drugs. Kevin is the one who accidentally killed the first girl but Lucias is the one who deliberately sets out to kill the second girl. The game escalates for them with Lucias being the leader and Kevin the tool who follows his lead.
This case brings back some of the memories Eve has about her childhood where she was sexuallly and physcally abused by her own father which makes it a hard one for her to investigate. Roarke works with her as her civilian consultant as they try to track down the killers.
The big relationship issue in this story doesn't center on Eve and Roarke. Instead, McNab and Peabody's relationship is the focus. McNab is very jealous because he believes that Peabody's relationship with licenced companion Charles is sexual. Of course, Peabody hasn't told him that they are just good friends. When Charles and Louise meet and start a relationship, McNab is angry with Charles for hurting Peabody. They do manage to resolve their relationship issues and begin dating exclusively.
This was an enjoyable entry into this long-running series.
Favorite Quote:
It didn't matter that they'd been together more than a year. It occurred to her that she would, very likely, have this leap of heart, this dazzling rush, every time she saw him for the rest of her life.
Eventually, it might stop embarrassing her.
Its exciting that you have kept up with this long-running series and still find it appealing! Not many authors can make that claim with their readers. I have "lost" several authors over the years who run their great series into the ground with rehashing or implausible plots. Good review as always, thanks.
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