While I normally love the Eve Dallas series (and have read them all), I don't know if I'm getting tired of them or if J.D. Robb is running out of steam. Either way, while this was a fairly decent book in the crimes committed, it lacked action, police procedures performed by the rest of Dallas' crew, and the interaction of the whole gang/crew. In addition, part of what makes this series so good is the talk of the future gadgets, etc. They are barely mentioned this time. Of course, Roark makes a very prominent appearance and the requisite sex scenes are there, which I promptly skip (if I wanted a 'romance' book, I'd read a stinking romance). Another thing that bothered me was the references to Dallas' previous cases. It's okay to mention them and they do tie in with the storyline, but if you don't remember the exact crime and the perpetrator Eve caught, or if you're a new reader to the series, you will be very lost in what they are talking about/referring to. NOT a good book to pick up in the middle of the series and expect to be able to fall right into it. I was pleasantly surprised and very happy to not read about Eve's past and trauma as a child, as the previous books talk about the experiences ad nauseam and to a distraction from the crimes and solving. Definitely not a favorite and if it was my first book by this author, I probably wouldn't read anymore.

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I gotta admit, I never tire of the Eve Dallas/Roarke story-line.
I love when you don't know who did the deed early on. I love the heart stopping tension that Robb weaves into her story while still giving us a peep at Eve's personal life. I love seeing how much Eve has changed since book one and that Robb keeps this character true to herself. The only problem with this series is the wait for the next book to come out. The great thing is that she sells so many of them, they are easily available on PBS or Amazon as a used book. I managed to make this book take three days to read, but so easily could have read it in one.

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Yet another ghost writer's style and voice in place of the original JD Robb style. You can't even say that she's experimenting with a new style because I could barely recognize their speaking style when Dallas and Roarke talk to each other.

The story's premise is intriguing, and I recognize the plot devices JD Robb places in this series. But the execution lacked the usual energy and crispness. The pacing was very different from even the recent four stories. Nora Roberts has a certain writing standard (not style because she has written in at least six) that shows up in the word selection and placement. The "standard" here is just not up to the same level. And that's been true for the past two years worth of releases.

So I can live with the "usual murder story line" but I wish NR would either admit to giving ghost writers a chance and let them write in her universe under their own names. Or she wraps up the series if she's tired of Dallas and the NYSPD. After all, she has developed a cadre of interesting secondary characters that could take over after Dallas has a baby and accepts the Captaincy. Heck. That's what DCI Lewis is, after Morse' death 10-years ago!

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Kuzu

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