While I found JD. Robb’s 55th Eve Dallas novel, Desperation in Death, just as riveting and compelling as any of her other ones, some readers will find triggers in this gripping story about sex trafficking. In fact, it hit so close to home for Lieutenant Eve Dallas that her husband, Roarke, worries about her ability to separate herself from the case.

In 2061, the Academy houses young girls. They’ve been scooped off the street and punished and groomed until they can be sold to wealthy buyers as sexual partners, servants, or pets. None of the girls choose to be there, but one is plotting to escape. Thirteen-year-old Mina needs one other person for her plan, and she knows Dorian, a runaway, is as desperate to get out as she is. Her plan works fine until Dorian has an accident, and Mina tries to draw away their captors. While Dorian manages to hide and limp away, Mina’s body draws the attention of the police.

With her own history, Eve Dallas is the perfect cop to head up the investigation. As she works with her team, they realize that Mina’s fingernails, underwear, and her condition indicate someone prepped her to be pretty, and tried to cover it up with the clothing they put on the body. And, they tried to frame another runaway. Eve sees a large, intricate business scheme that could cover the entire country. Roarke sees a case involving young girls and possible rape that could trigger emotional problems for his lieutenant.

Desperation in Death is an intricate police procedural that brings together multiple forces to take down evil people and their company. Fans of Eve and Roarke will still find the deep love and the strong relationship that appeals to readers. Their concern for each other, their love, is why so many of us return to these books. That love is so evident as Roarke worries about Eve, and as she worries about the misery and death she’s bringing into their safe fortress, their home.And, there are a few personal surprises at the end of the book.

But, I know I’ve never mentioned Eve’s lack of cultural literacy, her lack of formal education. She has so much street smarts, and she’s skilled at manipulating other police officers to work for a common cause. But, she never had the formal education, and doesn’t read as Roarke does, so she often misses the meaning behind sayings. Eve’s musings add just enough humor to books that could be too serious without the twists in her understanding. There’s the comment it’s like riding a bike. Or, take the one, “It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.” “Who the hell would put a needle in a haystack? Plus, she wasn’t entirely sure what a haystack was, exactly.” Eve is so smart when it comes to police work that her lack of understanding becomes an endearing trait.

Yes, Desperation in Death is a serious book that deals with a terrible topic. But, J.D. Robb handles the subject with care and concern, a great deal of love, and a little humor. And, she never takes lightly the disturbing aftereffects the victims will suffer for years.

J.D. Robb’s website is https://jdrobb.com/

Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb. St. Martin’s Press, 2022. ISBN 9781250278234 (hardcover), 368p.

FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a galley with no promise of a positive review.