Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: September, 2011
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 10/10
Description: The new novel from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author, which takes readers deeper into the mind of Eve Dallas than ever before.
The number-one New York Times-bestselling author J. D. Robb presents an intense and terrifying new case for New York homicide cop Eve Dallas, one that will take her all the way to the city that gave her her name-and plunge her into the nightmares of her childhood.
When a monster named Isaac McQueen-taken down by Eve back in her uniform days-escapes from Rikers, he has two things in mind. One is to pick up where he left off, abducting young victims and leaving them scarred in both mind and body. The other is to get revenge on the woman who stopped him all those years ago.
My Thoughts: A long time ago, long before any of us knew who Eve Dallas was, she was a rookie patrol officer who inadvertently stumbled across Isaac McQueen's path and subsequently put him away for abducting and raping dozens of little girls. Since then, Eve has never given him a second thought until he escapes and begins a cat and mouse game with Eve, designed to exact revenge on her for the twelve years he spent incarcerated. Unfortunately for Eve, she will have to go to Dallas, TX not only to face Isaac, but to face the demons of her past as well.
Before I even began this story, I knew it was going to be an emotionally draining one for me to witness Eve battling her demons. Sadly, but as usual, Roarke takes the brunt of her aggression and anger and is able to handle it better than anyone else could. I don't know how he does it, to be honest. Sometimes I wonder if Eve is deliberately trying to push him away. Even knowing he is the other half of her soul, she resists as if she is punishing herself for finding even a smidgen of happiness.
Don't get me wrong...I love Eve Dallas and there's so much more to her than what she endured as a child that makes her the top-notch character she is. However, I am hoping very hard with fingers and toes crossed that finally, with this book, she and the rest of us will get some closure so she and Roarke can move forward with their future.
So now we find Eve and Roarke in Dallas, at Isaac's insistence, trying to stop him before more innocent lives are destroyed. Choosing Dallas was no accident, however. He knows about Eve's past and has orchestrated, in his mind anyway, the perfect plan to come out on top and Eve paying the ultimate price.
Peabody and the gang are all in the background in this book. They stay back in New York, working the case from there. I think I was as hurt and despondent over Peabody staying in New York as she was. I missed their banter and Eve tends to take herself to total exhaustion working a case that I think leaving Peabody behind was a big mistake. Roarke brings Mira out to run interference, and though it turns out very well, it was a big risk that could have damaged their relationship. Eve does not like to ask for help and she would never admit to being weak, hurt or in need and usually lashes out at the people closest to her, unfortunately for them. I can only hope that Roarke sees through her facade and continues to push back, as that seems to be the only way of getting through to her sometimes.
Without spoiling any of the book, I will say that Eve does get some closure on her past, but to what extent it helps her I cannot say for sure. This was not my favorite in the series, but I'm hoping it will be the mark of a major turning point for Eve and Roarke, to finally shed the past and embrace the future.
2 comments:
Now don’t judge me too harshly, but I’ve never read any of Robb’s books. So my question is, if this is part of a series, do I need to start at the beginning with book 1? I am officially going to start suggesting to people to listen to audio clips/read excerpts from books rather than just reading the cover outline. I have The Book Report to thank for this new interest in Robb’s writing; I listen to their radio show (and if I happen to miss it, try to listen to the recorded show on their website bookreportradio(dot)com) where you get the added benefit of not only hearing the basic outline, but also a clip from the audio book. It was far more his style of writing that got my interest than the basic story line.
Thanks for all the insight here-great review.
Hi Laura, first of all thank you for viewing my blog & sharing your thoughts. I sure appreciate it.
I highly recommend you read this series. However it's very important you start with the first book, Naked in Death. There is a lot of character growth and development throughout the series & you could miss a lot if you don't read them in order.
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