Review: Naked in Death

J. D. Robb

Romantic Suspense

320 pages

In Death #1

Berkley Mass Market

Synopsis:

Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all - and knows that her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire - and suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about - except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

Review:

I'm not familiar with romantic suspense. In fact, this is my first read in that genre I'm pretty sure.  When a few of my literary friends took to Twitter recently, raving about the long running "In Death" series I had to give it a try. I figured since the series is set in the future, it at least had that to keep me interested.  After finishing this first book of the series, Naked in Death, I'm left thinking "where has this series been all my life?"

Do you remember when CSI first came out like 20 years ago? J/K! But seriously,remember how great it was? I'm not ashamed to admit that I was a rabid fan when that show first aired.  I loved how sexy they made crime scene investigating look.  Well, JD Robb, aka Nora Roberts, captures that same magic by mixing passion and crime; scandals and sex.

The series centers around New York detective Eve Dallas, who is though, smart, sexy and damaged, so very damaged.  Eve is your basic "I don't need anyone" type.  She'll draw you in with her accessible inner voice and will shock you as she starts to pull back the layers of her psyche. Readers won't be able to help themselves from wanting to unravel all her personal mysteries. 

The book sets a brake-neck pace early on with the introduction of a serial killer that Dallas must track down.  The acts the killer commits are heinous, but for reasons that can only be attributed to the masterful way in which Robb keeps everything approachable, they only come off as gritty instead of sadistic.  With only a few players involved the "bad guy" wasn't too hard to guess, but the twists and turns you experience throughout keep you engaged and second guessing yourself.

The dark nature of the series is leveled out though by the budding relationship Dallas has with Roarke ... just Roarke.  Roarke is exactly what readers want from an alpha male.  He's full of himself and demanding and wants everything to do with the protagonists. Of course his gorgeous good looks don't hurt matters.  But all that aside, I was surprised at the true emotions we get from him.  Granted, we don't get them very often, but I think that's why it works.  We WANT those reactions so badly from him that when you get them you're all a flutter.  

Now, the series has over 30 books in them so I'm not going to be reviewing each one separately, but let me assure you that I will be reading them behind the scenes. *whispers* I have books 2-10 already waiting for me on my ipad. 

Bottom line:  A fantastic crime series with a tough female lead, a delicious male counterpart and sticky plots to boot.  Perfect entertainment!

4.5 stars