J.D. Robb
aka Nora Roberts
Portrait in Death (2003)
Author: Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb
Genre: Romance/Suspense (Futuristic)
Plot Summary:
Lt. Eve Dallas and her husband Patrick Roarke grew up in hard times, one within the government's child care system and one living by his own wits on the street. Now, however, Roarke is one of the richest, most powerful men in the world and Eve is a police detective. While they struggle with the rehabilitation and health care of the man that Roarke considers to be his father, Eve must pursue a dangerous killer who takes photos of his young victims in order to consume their light and Roarke must come to terms with a past he was unaware he had. Through it all, they must learn how to trust and love each other in a way they both have never known before.
Geographical Setting: New York City
Time Period: 2059
Series: In Death Series; Eve Dallas Mysteries Book 17
Appeal Characteristics:
Roberts places a great deal of emphasis on the characterization of the characters within her book. Without this detailed characterization, the plot of the story would fail to move forward. It is only through the emotions and actions of the characters do we begin to understand the truth about the murders. Roberts, however, does not just focus on creating an in-depth character for the villain of the novel. Instead, each of her characters is given a background story, a personality and a life, even if only in the book for a short period of time. This emphasis on characterization brings the reader into the book and gives them a vested interest in the characters. While the setting is not overly important to the story, the hustle and bustle of New York City does help keep the fast-paced storyline moving. It also provides a dark tone to the book that can only be found during the night of a big city.
Read-alikes: If you like the main character, Eve Dallas, then you should also try any of the books in the Eve Dallas Mysteries or In Death Series. The first book in the Eve Dallas Mysteries Series is Naked in death written in 1995. If you like stories about women detectives attempting to solve serial murders, then you should try The Hard Detective (2000) by Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating. While this book is set is England, the protagonists have the same general personality and tough cop demeanor. If you like romance suspense stories set in America that feature cops, then you should try Silent surrender (2002) by Rita Herron. While this book features a male cop instead of a female detective, he still must solve a mystery and learn how to have a successful relationship at the same time. If you would rather read a book that focuses on the life of a businessman and it's effect on his relationships, then I would suggest The Boomer (2000) by Marty
Asher. This book focuses on how The Boomer's life is changed through his financial success, much as Roarke's life is changed through his success. If you would like to read a book that focuses on the hardships felt by orphans in Ireland, then I would suggest A Star Called Henry (1999) by Roddy Doyle. Much as Roarke grew up motherless in Ireland, so too does the protagonist of this story. While Roarke used his abilities on the streets to better himself and create an empire, Henry Smart chooses to go a different direction and joins the Irish Citizens Army. This book chronicles his life and the effect his decisions have made on his relationships.
Red Flags: Sex, violence, murder, foul language
Survivor in Death (2005)
Author:J. D. Robb
Genre: Romance/Mystery (Futuristic)
Plot Summary:
Survivor in DeathSurvivor by Death, the 20th book in the series, police lieutenant Eve Dallas is called in when lawyer Grant Swisher and his family are slaughtered execution style. The only survivor is 10-year-old Nixie, who hides and witnesses the death of her housekeeper after she had snuck down to the kitchen for a midnight snack. She then crawls through her parent’s blood and hides. Lieutenant Eve Dallas decides to hide the girl in her state of the art mansion that she shares with her husband, billionaire businessman Roarke. Eve then tackles the case with help from her husband, Roarke, and her partner Peabody. Eve discovers a suspect with military background whom had lost custody of his children because of abuse and due to Grant Swisher’s abilities as a lawyer. Soon after he lost the case, his ex wife disappeared. Slowly anyone having anything to do with the case is killed for revenge.
SPOILER:
The story continues to build when finally Eve decides to trap the suspect but it gets a little complicated because it is a little sooner than expected. The final show down comes when Eve goes back to the scene of the crime under the impression that teenagers have compromised the security. Unknowingly walking into a trap, Eve battles it out with the suspects. Fortunately, Nixie has snuck a ride in the car, wanting to see her home once more, she calls Roark for help. The final scene Eve gets help and is able to capture the suspects minus the one that falls to her death down the stairs.
Geographical Setting: New York
Time Period: Future Earth 2059
Series: 20th in the 'Death' series
Appeal Characteristics:
The book moves quickly with dialogue between the characters. There is some character development for the new reader but most of the development would have been from the series. There are explicit violent scenes in this story, along with some sexually explicit scenes. The story line is dark with the slaughtering of a whole family. The main character is really focusing on solving the puzzle with some emotional aspects to her delivery. The style is conversational with dialogue between all the characters. The book has a bittersweet happy ending with Eve catching the killers but does not undermine the loss for Nixie. The theme of this story is that good always conquers evil and love is a powerful healer.
Read-alikes: Fans that like Survivor in Death might enjoy the novel Memory in Deathby J.D. Robb, which has a similar pace. In this story Eve, still haunted by her childhood, has just closed another case that has brought national attention to her. This opens the door for an abusive foster parent from her past to try and black mail her. Another idea might be In Deep Voodoo, first in a romantic trilogy by Stephanie Bond. When Penny Francisco is found on the scene of the murder of her ex, Deke Black, she is the main suspect. It didn't help that at her divorce celebration she had stabbed a voodoo doll in the likeness of her ex-husband. P.I. B.J. Beaumont is desperately trying to keep Penny out of jail. Unusual characters in this adventure will keep you reading. All Night Long by Jayne Ann Krentz is a story about Irene Stenson who returns home to Dunsley, California and finds out her friend had died under unusual circumstances. Ex-Marine Luke Danner helps Irene to uncover the truth which goes back into Irene's past. This is a lighter story with a little more humor. Maybe taking an adventurous step, with Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton that takes us into the paranormal life of vampires and werewolves. Highly recommended by Nora Roberts, this story has Anita Blake, vampire hunter, away from her original cast of characters and vampire boyfriend to working with her old mentor. Anita and Edward are on the hunt for some evil force that is killing and mutilating the citizens of Albuquerque. Deadly Love by Brenda Joyce is a story that takes place in New York City in 1902, about a young socialite who teams up with handsome police commissioner, Rick Bragg, to try and solve a kidnapping. The sparks begin to fly as Francesca falls in love with Rick.
Red Flags: graphic scenes of violence, foul language and a couple of sex scenes
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