J.D. Robb – Strangers in Death

Book 26 in the In Death series, published February 2008.



In 2060 New York, some murders still get more attention than others, especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed, and strangled with cords of black velvet. Fortunately, homicide cop Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s billionaire husband, Roarke, happens to won the prime real estate where Thomas Ander’s sporting-goods firm is headquartered, giving her some help with access. Before long, she’s knocking on doors – and barging though them – to look for the answers she needs.
But some things don’t add up – and everyone’s alibi checks out, from the wife who was off in the tropics to the nephew who stood to inherit millions. Was this a crime of passion – or a carefully planned execution? It’s up to Dallas to solve this sensational case in which those who seem to be intimates sometimes guards secrets from each other – and strangers may be connected in unexpected, and deadly, ways.


I though to pick this book as my bath book this week, but of course I couldn’t. After the second chapter I was hooked and just wanted to read on. Even the second time around, this is one heck of a story. I have forgotten more than I though I had though. I knew the murderer, but the details had eluded me. But I kept thinking that Eve should have asked more questions, different ones. Eve despised the widow at first sight, and she knew in her guts she was guilty, even though she was alibied solidly as being out of the country at the time of the murder.
And so bit by bit, she put the story together, ferreted out the details, and the evidence.
It was a brutal thing to do, not only killing a good and decent man, but also smearing his good name, so she would be seen as the victim.

There was also a tiny subplot, with the little boy who sold Eve a silk scarf a while back, asking her to come check out some suspicious action in his neighbourhood. Eve gets to meet his great-grandmother. I have a feeling he will appear again some time.

As for the ongoing personal relationship/friends stuff:
Peabody makes her first appearance on Now, instead of Eve, and does fine.
Charles Monroe has decided on a career change, he will be a sex counsellor from now one. He also bought a house and has proposed to dr. Louise.
Mavis and Leonarda are still fine, but Mavis sure needs to lighten up on the super happy baby talk, it is driving Eve (and me) crazy.
Roarke and Eve are, of course, fine. Although Roarke really cannot understand why Eve won’t use some of his money when she ran out of her salary early due to circumstances. But of course she never will, as she did not marry him for it in the first place.

A good plot, some fun stuff, and of course hot scenes between Roarke and Eve. And Eve only got a black eye, and some scratches this time.

9 stars.