A Year of Books

Celebrity in Death by JD Robb

I have to be honest - I am kind of over these books. The series is enormous - maybe 30 books - and there are really only so many ways for the bad guys to kill people, for Eve to catch said bad guys, for Eve and Rourke to be mushy mushy in love. I mean, they are not bad books. I like them, but after SO MANY they just don't do it for me any more.

But I can't make any promises - I am a fickle reader.

Indulgence in Death by Suzanne Brockmann

I got this book to read on the airplane on the way to my glorious and much needed REAL vacation to Las Vegas. Tragically the flight down was so terribly turbulent that I couldn't read and concentrate on not barfing on everyone around me, so I put the kindle down and thought about not barfing the whole flight. I did manage to read it during the vacation though, one of the best parts about vacation is that they are full of free time!!!

There are maybe 30 something books in this series, and I have read every one. I keep reading them despite the fact that I haven't really cared for the last couple. This one was okay - but not great. I hate it when she gives away who the murderers are so early in the book, it is much better when it is a total surprise at the end. But apart from that it was okay. See how unenthused I am about it - it is okay. Take a note Nora Roberts, you have been consistenly just okay for the past year or so. Please step up your game, bring us back to the glory days of awesome books. Please. Thank you.

Fantasy in Death by JD Robb

This is the 30th or thereabouts book in the In Death series and I think the series is feeling its age. I couldn't really get into this book. I like a good serial killer in this series, not a future technology mystery. There was hardly any Rorke to speak of - which is a real tragedy. And not enough Peabody, also a tragedy because she is funny and I don't really care for Eve that much. After all these years she is getting on my nerves :)

Obviously I will continue to read this series as long as new books are printed, but I think Nora needs to up her game to make the series more interesting. Although I honestly don't know what she is going to do for a murder, I think this one was pushing it. I will be interested to see what she comes up with next.

Also, I did buy this book too. Oops again.

Kindred in Death by JD Robb

I actually read this book quite awhile ago but since I am so far behind on my posting I completely forgot about it! Luckily I have my Kindle which keeps all the books I read in one place so I don't lose it altogether.

I have read every book in this series. I like every book in the series - this is the 30th one!!! JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts) has the amazing ability to write both good love/romance and good gruesome crime and death. I like that even though every once and a while her bad guys totally creep me out!!!

This one completely creeped me out, and also made me very sad with his unfortunate choice of victims. I wasn't 100% sold on his motivation, but the more I think about it, I can buy it. I hate to give away too many details in these books because I know so many people read them.

Promise in Death by JD Robb

Yet another of the in death series books. This one was not one of my favorites. No creepy serial killer, no awesome mystery - I actually guessed whodunnit halfway through - and there was not enough of the relationship development I like to see. Maybe this series is just getting old, it is seeming kind of repetitive. Although there are like 30 in the series so its no wonder.

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb

I gave in and bought this book, even though I hate to buy hardcover books, and I don't really like to buy these books because I don't really re-read them. But it was 40% off so I bought it anyway. It was good, but definitely not the best in the series, not even close. I didn't think there was enough about the secondary characters - which is one of the best parts, not enough about Eve and Rourke's relationship - another best part, not enough yucky crime parts and the mystery was not that mysterious and it was kind of stuffed into the last few chapters. It was kind of whiney and too much remembering the bad past which, to be honest, has been kind of played out in this series. So I am disappointed by Nora again, this is the second new book of hers in a row that has been kind of lame. I hope her next book (the final of the Sign of Seven trilogy) is better.

I have two new exciting library books to read next! I can't wait!

Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb

So, I was tricked into buying this book because it said on the cover "first time in print!" and I thought, Hooray! A new book! But it was not a new book, it was, in fact, a very old book that I have already read. Nevertheless, it was still good - they always are. My favorite part of this book was Rorke's friend from Ireland and the funny stuff he said - Roberts/Robb writes well for her Irish characters, they sayings and how the words go together just a little different, you can really imagine it being spoken with an Irish accent. Very nice.

Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb

I have read all of the "In Death" series, unless there is a newish hardcover out. I like them all - they are always a little crazy, a little creepy, usually a little gross, but good. It is facinating to me that Nora Roberts can write both regular romance novels and these mysteries. She is a great writer even though I am still disappointed by Tribute, I know I will always read whatever books she puts out - as Nora Roberts or as J.D. Robb.

Creation in Death by J.D. Robb

This is one of the most recent in the In Death series. I have read all but the most recent release, I think there are 25+ books in the series. I really like it although I am always creeped out by the murderer part of the book - it is a series about a police homicide detective in the futhre (this one was 2060) and each book follows her attempts to solve a murder or series of murders. This one was a serial killer who tortured his victims. Those parts are always kind of scary and gross, but the way the crimes are solved is really interesting and the characters are really well developed and interesting.

If you want to read this series, it is best to start at the begining of the series because one of the best parts is to see how the relationships between the characters develops over time. Although, each book can be read independently because the mystery/crime in each one is interesting enough, even without the character relationships.