Rating:  Summary: A slight misstep in an otherwise great series. Review: I buy the J.D. Robb books like most people go to movies they really want to see-on the first day they're available. Then, I read it cover to cover-no matter how late, no matter what time I have to get up in the morning-I have to match wits with Eve Dallas, Roarke, and the crew to see if I can guess who the killer is. The one thing I LOVE about this series (and Nora Roberts in general) is that I'm always guessing until the last clue is in place. Not so with this particular installment of the 'In Death' series. I don't want to spoil it for those who read this book, but there's a VERY VERY big clue that reveals the killer's identity right off the bat, and it's so obvious you almost miss it. When I realized it, I was so upset, because that's the fun for me. This is the first book I've acutally been able to put down and leave for awhile-the first that didn't fully engage me to the point that everything else is a distraction. All of the qualities that makes these books so much fun are there-Roarke and Eve's love for one another, McNabb and Peabody getting more committed, Summerset (he's back!!!); and let's not forget the witty reparte' the characters have. The book got off to a very slow start for me, and I didn't enjoy this book as much as the rest. It's saying something that it took book 17 for me to get disheartened, so lets hope that "Remember When" and the next "In Death" novel makes up for this slight misstep in an otherwise great series.
Rating:  Summary: I'm through! Review: I can finally say I'm giving up on this series. This new entry, 'Imitation In Death', is just that, an imitation. It has nothing original or intriguing about it. I really enjoyed the initial books in this series and if you are new to Eve Dallas please start at the beginning. Those stories are suspenseful and intriguing with compelling characterizations. Eve was tough and gritty but with an underlying warmth and humanity. Now she's shrewish, unforgiving and despite years with Roarke has no idea how to behave in society. No intelligent person could be that naive. Wait don't just start there stop with the first seven or so entries in this once fascinating series.
Rating:  Summary: Where are my friends? Review: I do think J.D.Robb broke away somewhat from many of her characters, almost all of them in fact. I kept wondering where Feeney was and McNabb was talked about but that's about it. Perhaps she's trying to show that Eve is becoming more independant than ever, that she's learning to lean on others more yet at the same time herself. We did get to spend time with Mira though! That's always nice ^^
Rating:  Summary: Solid story, but not the best installment of the series Review: I greatly enjoyed "Imitation in Death." The mystery was solid, as was the background on Lt. Eve Dallas' police work and the growth of her character.The main drawback of this installment of the series is the lack of interaction with the secondary characters. Even Roarke seemed a little cookie cutter this go-round. However, having said that, I believe there is a legitimate reason for it that goes deeper than lack of inspiration. Essentially, the character of Eve was feeling cut off from her loved ones in this story. She was dealing with inner demons quite a bit -- not as dramatically as in some previous books, but nonetheless she was definitely withdrawn to some degree while she dealt with new information about her past. Also, several of the secondary characters, such as Peabody, were dealing with life changes and were not their "usual selves." I think that the story functioned as a mirror of Eve's own innerlooking attitude, life changes of several characters, and finally and perhaps most importantly as a bridge to the next phase of the series. I won't say what that phase is -- you will know as soon as you finish the book -- because I don't want to spoil the story. But believe me, while the story itself may not satisfy the reader as much as Roberts' earlier installments, I think that it serves its purpose perfectly and sets up a lot of new things that will keep the series as a whole fresh for years to come.
Rating:  Summary: see eve grow Review: I have read all of the In Death books and they are getting better all of the time. This one has a lot more personal development among the characters. The mystery is ok. I think this book would be harder to read unless you have read some or all of the proceeding ones. It is always fun to catch up with characters and watch them change. This had more humor and more disturbing murders than any of the others.
Rating:  Summary: Never Gets Boring! Review: I have read every "In Death" book in the entire series, and each time I finish an entry like "Imitation in Death," I am chafing at the bit for the next one. "Imitation in Death" is one of the better books in the series, because it so adeptly weaves together the ongoing stories of the main characters with the very well-drawn plot at hand: A serial killer is showing off for Eve, modeling each of his horrendous murders after a "classic" killer, from Jack the Ripper to the Boston Strangler to a fictional perpetrator who supposedly plied his trade in the 2020s. Now, in the 2050s, Eve must stop him before he runs completely amok--and her main suspects include some very famous people. Meanwhile, down on the home front, Eve and Roarke's relationship is better than ever (this is one of the main draws of the series, to my mind) as Eve savors the last days without her hated adversary Summerset, the major domo (butler!) of Roarke's estate, who was sent on vacation in the last book. Peabody and McNab have made a "mag" and major decision, which has Peabody in a tizzy as she studies for her detective's exam. Will she make it? And Mavis and Leonardo are busy garbing Mavis in outrageous maternity clothes that only she could wear--and only he could design. Absolutely a winner. I was sad when I finished the last page. Note to Nora (J.D. Robb): Hurry up with the next one! PLEASE!
Rating:  Summary: Never Gets Boring! Review: I have read every "In Death" book in the entire series, and each time I finish an entry like "Imitation in Death," I am chafing at the bit for the next one. "Imitation in Death" is one of the better books in the series, because it so adeptly weaves together the ongoing stories of the main characters with the very well-drawn plot at hand: A serial killer is showing off for Eve, modeling each of his horrendous murders after a "classic" killer, from Jack the Ripper to the Boston Strangler to a fictional perpetrator who supposedly plied his trade in the 2020s. Now, in the 2050s, Eve must stop him before he runs completely amok--and her main suspects include some very famous people. Meanwhile, down on the home front, Eve and Roarke's relationship is better than ever (this is one of the main draws of the series, to my mind) as Eve savors the last days without her hated adversary Summerset, the major domo (butler!) of Roarke's estate, who was sent on vacation in the last book. Peabody and McNab have made a "mag" and major decision, which has Peabody in a tizzy as she studies for her detective's exam. Will she make it? And Mavis and Leonardo are busy garbing Mavis in outrageous maternity clothes that only she could wear--and only he could design. Absolutely a winner. I was sad when I finished the last page. Note to Nora (J.D. Robb): Hurry up with the next one! PLEASE!
Rating:  Summary: Another GREAT One by J.D. Robb Review: I just finished reading this one and liked it very much. It is definitely a keeper. I had trouble putting it down while reading. She has come through for us again. I have read her entire series and plan to read all future books of the series. I am hoping that she gets pregnant in one of the future books. Run, don't walk to buy this one. It is a great book.
Rating:  Summary: Good stuff on married love Review: I love the dynamics in the marriage of Eve Dallas and Roarke: both deeply wounded and deeply in love with each other. A loving marriage has tremendous healing power, a wounded past has tremendous power to make waves in a marriage, and Nora Roberts (alias J.D. Robb) has struck a beautiful balance in this book.
Rating:  Summary: A good story but not quite up to the others in the series Review: I love the In Death series and always buy them as soon as they are on the shelf but this one was just lacking something. However I was intrested to see a little more in depth of Eve's past and Roarke's(and everybody else) reaction to Eve's uniform was a hoot. If I hadn't read the rest of the series I would have thought that this one was super good but I suppose I'm just spoiled by the rest of the series because they are all so good. I'm stil in love with the In Death series and will be buying Remember When!!!
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