Murder In Death

I've always been a fan of series fiction.  If you have read many of my earlier posts, you'll know that I like novels that have a good amount of action, some kind of puzzle, and a happy ending.  I also like to get to know the characters, and that can be hard to do when they're busy figuring out whodunit.  A series lets you see the characters develop over several books, providing ample opportunity to explore their relationships.  One of my favorite series, the In Death novels by J.D. Robb, has all of these attributes, plus the bonus of being set in New York City in the not-too-distant future.

I recently finished Salvation in Death, in which Lieutenant Eve Dallas investigates the poisoning of a priest who may not be exactly what he appears.  The religious theme provides an interesting look at the recurring characters, including non-religious Eve; Detective Delia Peabody, who was raised in a "free-age" community; and Eve's husband Roarke, who, while not a practicing Catholic, grew up in Ireland where the culture and religion were intertwined.  The differences come into play right from the beginning, as Eve sees the church where the murder took place as just another crime scene, while Peabody struggles with her discomfort over what feels to her like trespassing in a holy place.  In a lighter example, Eve relies on Roarke, who made most of his millions in shady deals before meeting Eve, as her expert on Catholicism, resulting in some highly comic scenes.

Though the books are written by romance queen Nora Roberts and do have some spicy parts, particularly between Eve and Roarke, they are mysteries foremost.  They don't have to be read in order, but if you are interested in the characters and their relationships, that's the way to go.  The first book is Naked in Death.  Many of the titles are available in audio, and narrator Susan Ericksen is wonderful. I usually opt for the downloads from OverDrive or the pre-loaded players, so that I can listen anywhere.  With 32 In Death titles and counting, you might know these characters better than your co-workers by the time you finish them all!