Book Review: Dark in Death by J. D. Robb

Dark in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Series: In Death (Book 46)
Publication: St. Martin's Press (January 30, 2018)

Description: Lieutenant Eve Dallas returns in Dark in Death, by J.D. Robb, the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense, and takes on a case of death imitating art…

It was a stab in the dark.

On a chilly February night, during a screening of Psycho in midtown, someone sunk an ice pick into the back of Chanel Rylan’s neck, then disappeared quietly into the crowds of drunks and tourists in Times Square. To Chanel’s best friend, who had just slipped out of the theater for a moment to take a call, it felt as unreal as the ancient black-and-white movie up on the screen. But Chanel’s blood ran red, and her death was anything but fictional.

Then, as Eve Dallas puzzles over a homicide that seems carefully planned and yet oddly personal, she receives a tip from an unexpected source: an author of police thrillers who recognizes the crime—from the pages of her own book. Dallas doesn’t think it’s coincidence, since a recent strangulation of a sex worker resembles a scene from her writing as well. Cops look for patterns of behavior: similar weapons, similar MOs. But this killer seems to find inspiration in someone else’s imagination, and if the theory holds, this may be only the second of a long-running series.

The good news is that Eve and her billionaire husband Roarke have an excuse to curl up in front of the fireplace with their cat, Galahad, reading mystery stories for research. The bad news is that time is running out before the next victim plays an unwitting role in a murderer’s deranged private drama—and only Eve can put a stop to a creative impulse gone horribly, destructively wrong.

My Thoughts: On a snowy February evening, Eve is the first one home and is just settling in by the fire with a glass of wine when she is called out. A young actress has been murdered while watching an old movie with a friend. Eve, Peabody and McNabb all converge on the theater to begin their investigation of the death of Chantal Rylan. But thing aren't adding up. Chantal doesn't have any enemies. She was pretty and popular, friendly and kind. There are no jealous lovers. No jealous rivals for parts. But the crime isn't random. It was too carefully planned and too well executed.

Then Eve's friend reporter Nadine brings in a lead in the person of author Blaine DeLano who has written a series of books whose crimes are seemingly being acted out by the killer. Chantal's death is from the second book. Eve finds that her guys recently investigated the death of a young sex worker whose death mirrored the crime in DeLano's first book. Eve hasn't read the books. She's more of a vid girl. But Roarke has them all in his wonderful home library since he's one of the minority who still reads print books.

Some research leads Eve to a deranged fan of DeLano's work who goes crazy after DeLano sends back the fan's opus unread. The fan is determined to rewrite DeLano's books so that evil triumphs. Eve and her people need to do investigating to discover the identity of the fan and to track the fan down before the crime in the third book becomes real. The third crime takes Eve deep into the club scene with drugs and rock and roll. Nadine's new boyfriend is a famous musician. Well, famous to everyone but Eve whose narrow focus doesn't include rock stars.

I love this series. I like the relationships Eve has built through this series. I love her relationship with Roarke which is one of the most wonderful in all romantic suspense books. They complete each other and make each other a better, stronger person. I like the dialog which is crisp and witty. Despite being at book 46, this series is still fresh and engaging. I can't wait for the next episode.

Favorite Quote:

"I'll wager you haven't eaten."

"You'd win that bet. It has to be Italian. The last interviews were in an Italian restaurant and it smelled like heaven coated in red sauce."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.