Mystery

Mavis is getting ready to have her baby which involves Eve and Roarke in childbirth classes because she's asked them to be her coaches. Both would much rather face down a crazed, armed killer than be there when Mavis gives birth.

Eve's new cases concern a woman and man who were tortured and murdered in their homes. Since both worked for an accounting firm, she's like Roarke's financial expertise but optics are bad because he could potentially use what he learns to enhance his own business. There is some conflict there between Roarke and the NYPSD.

Then a pregnant friend of Mavis's goes missing and Mavis begs Eve to find her. Soon the two cases are found to be parts of a whole big conspiracy and Eve has a deadline to find the friend before it is too late to save her and her baby.

And she and Roarke don't escape being there when both the friend and Mavis go into labor and deliver their babies. ( )

Born in Death
4 Stars

Whether one loves or hates her writing style, Nora Roberts, aka J. D. Robb, has hit on a winning formula with her In Death books and this installment is no exception.

While the murder mystery and abduction storylines are rather predictable (it is easy to guess both the culprits and the motives relatively early), they, nevertheless, make for gripping reading and the resolution is exciting and satisfying.

The interactions between the characters are fantastic as always, especially the snarky banter between Eve and Summerset. That said, this book demonstrates once again why Mavis is not a favorite of mine as her over the top drama continues to grate on the nerves. Oh well, its impossible to like all the characters all the time ...

All in all, I'm now at the halfway mark through the series and still going strong. I actually can't believe I've made it this far :) ( )

Mavis is getting ready to have her baby which involves Eve and Roarke in childbirth classes because she's asked them to be her coaches. Both would much rather face down a crazed, armed killer than be there when Mavis gives birth.

Eve's new cases concern a woman and man who were tortured and murdered in their homes. Since both worked for an accounting firm, she's like Roarke's financial expertise but optics are bad because he could potentially use what he learns to enhance his own business. There is some conflict there between Roarke and the NYPSD.

Then a pregnant friend of Mavis's goes missing and Mavis begs Eve to find her. Soon the two cases are found to be parts of a whole big conspiracy and Eve has a deadline to find the friend before it is too late to save her and her baby.

And she and Roarke don't escape being there when both the friend and Mavis go into labor and deliver their babies. ( )

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a rock solid homicide cop any time of the day or night. Give her a childbirth class and watch her squirm in horrified terror. That is exactly what she is doing, along with Roarke, as Born in Death begins. Mavis and her partner, Leonardo, are about to have the long awaited baby, and Dallas is fulfilling her promise to her best friend.

Once the hideous class is over, the four of them will go out to eat. They soon to be parents bring along a friend of theirs, Tandy Willowby. Like Mavis, she is not that far out from giving birth. She is to be a single mom, having relocated from London. She is pretty much alone in NYC in January 2060 and so Mavis and Leonardo are helping her as much as she will allow. Tandy has a job at the White Stork, which is a baby boutique. Tandy is due the week before Mavis is due and that means both ladies are due very soon.

Tandy going missing will be one of two cases that propel this book.

The other involves the brutal murder of Natalie Copperfield. She was found by her sister, Palma Copperfield, when she arrived to stay with her. Natalie was not just murdered. She was tortured first. Some items have also clearly been stolen from her apartment. The deceased worked for the accounting firm of Sloan, Myers, and Kraus. Whether her job, her boyfriend, or something else had a role in her death is yet to be determined.

What follows is a complicated and fast moving read where the cases and others drive the action forward at a steady clip. While all the usual caveats apply-especially head hopping- the story soon pulls the reader in and one ignores the flaws as the tale unfolds. Born in Death is another good read.

My reading copy came in digital format by way of the OverDrive/Libby app and the Dallas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023 ( )