I have read everything Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb has written with the exception of her most recent hardcover issues as I wait for the paperbacks, and I have to say that this is just not up to her usual standards. Her portion of the book, Missing in Death,seemed superficial, never digging in to the meat of the story. I realize it was less than 100 pages, but I have read her short stories before and have never failed to get wrapped up in the storyline. Characters/plot lines would show up, and I'd wonder where I'd been that I didn't know where they had come from. Hard to forget the plot of the book you're reading when it's only 96 pages! Even Roarke failed to entertain in this story. Gaffney's Dog Days was a pretty wide stretch of the imagination, as was Lost in Paradise by Blayney. I won't elaborate so as not to give away the plots, but I was half way through Blayney's contribution when I did something I NEVER, EVER do. I put it down, read another book, and came back to this one! I never do this! I have a loyal streak a mile wide and, even if I don't like a book, I will slog though it and finish. And finish it, I did. In my opinion, they definately saved the best for last in this group of four short stories. Ruth Ryan Langan's Legacy was the best of the lot and the saving grace of the book with a delightful story. If you're a Robert/Robb fan like I am, by all means read this book. Just don't get your hopes up or set your expectations too high!

Share/Like this Review?

I gave this book only 2 stars because only one of the 4 stories is any good. JD Robb, as usuall writes a wonderful police mystery romance. But these other 3 author's stories are just throw aways. If you like JD Robb, then this is one book you should get from the library.

Share/Like this Review?

Very disappointed in this book. Robb was good, but not her usual caliber. The other stories were so boring!!!!!

Share/Like this Review?

This story originally appears in the anthology The Lost but in all honesty, I didnt read the other stories. I usually dont read anthologies because the stories are too short for my liking and dont seem to satisfy. Also, they are usually part of a bigger series and they dont seem to flow with the rest of the series they are a part of. But when it comes to Lieutenant Eve Dallas, Roarke, Peabody and the gang, a little bit of a story is better than nothing. I love this series so much and am so anal about reading the series in numerical order that I will overlook my rule about anthologies just so I can read these smaller stories.

Missing In Death provides a fast paced read with Dallas and Peabody investigating a disappearance of a tourist on the Staten Island Ferry. They, along with her family, fear the worst because the bathroom she was last seen going into is covered in blood and shes vanished without a trace. Just as suddenly as she disappeared, she returns, with a bump on her head and no memory of what happened to her or where she has been. This is where the real mystery begins. Dallas and Peabody are diligently following the clues to find out whose blood is all over the bathroom and locate the body and track down the killer.

This was definitely not the best Eve Dallas installment for obvious reasons but I did enjoy the unexpected twist Eve confronts while she is on the killers trail. When the killers identity is established, Eve faces a moral and ethical dilemma that would be hard for anyone to deal with, but she does and quite effectively. Had this been a full length novel, I am positive it would have received a higher rating but at least I got my Roarke fix until I dive into the next one.

Share/Like this Review?

This was not the best book that I've ever read. However, if your looking for an entertaining light read for long summer days, this is your book. Definately a 'take to the beach' book.

Share/Like this Review?

J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) is one of my favorite authors and I'm hooked on the "In-Death" series. The other three books were entertaining as well.

Share/Like this Review?