ARC Review: Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb

Bonded in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Series: In Death (Book 60)
Publication: St. Martin's Press (February 4, 2025)

Description: The #1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder, and the long shadow of war…

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

My Thoughts: This 60th In Death novel centers around an escaped criminal eager to get revenge on those he feels caused him to be caught and incarcerated. It all goes back more than forty years to the final days of the Urban Wars. Sommerset and those who were part of a select group called The Twelve is one of the targets of the traitor in that group.

This is very much a police procedural as Eve and her team need to follow the clues to find the killer before he can kill again.

I enjoyed learning more about Sommerset and what he did during the Urban Wars. I also liked meeting the people he worked with and seeing how their lives had gone in the years since the war ended. I liked the strong bonds and loyalty between all the remaining members of The Twelve. 

I also like seeing an echo of that bond in the team Eve has built around herself. Her detectives and officers, Feeney, Nadine, Reo, and Dr. Mira and most of all Roarke are her crew. The bonds and loyalties between them all look to stand the test of time. 

This was another excellent addition to an amazing series. 

Favorite Quote:

"She can be, and often is, stunningly rude." After topping off his own coffee, Summerset sat. "Honest, not to but beyond a fault, brilliant in her way and her focus, which does not include social niceties. Unflinchingly loyal to those who have earned her loyalty. And terrifyingly brave."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.