In all my years reading crime fiction, I don’t think I’ve ever cried before for the killer. I felt just as Eve Dallas did in J.D. Robb’s sixty-third In Death book, Fury in Death. I felt sorry for the killer, and I was angry at the victims. If you read the book, I challenge you to feel any other way.
In September 2061, Lt. Eve Dallas and Detective Delia Peabody wrapped up a case. Eve is heading home when she catches another one. She lets Peabody finish up the paperwork at Central, and her husband Roarke comes in to act as her “Peabody”, her second in the new investigation. Lawrence Chu, Director of bioengineering at Banner-Wyst, was beaten to death in his locked study. The police on scene called because it was a puzzle. How did someone get in and out of a locked room? Roarke quickly ascertains someone used Chu’s own security link to get in and out. Even with as many murders as she’s investigated, Eve doesn’t remember seeing one so brutal.
Although the higher-ups at Banner-Wyst are shocked at the murder, they’re secretive, and Eve and Peabody are suspicious. When Dr. Ezra Dent, a retiree from Banner-Wyst is found, beaten in the same way, the two NYPSD homicide cops turn their eyes on the company. Although they have a worldwide reputation for doing good in underdeveloped parts of the world, Roarke’s investigation shows they use underhanded methods in obtaining land and building company towns. Why does someone want to kill employees of the company? The roots of the investigation are in the past, thirteen years earlier.
It’s obvious from the first chapter who the killer is. But, Eve’s task is to put together a case, and follow all the leads to find a violent murderer who seems to have targets at Banner-Wyst. And, that company doesn’t make it easy for Dallas and Peabody to investigate. They seem to have something to hide and Wyst, the public face of the company, even challenges Eve, saying Roarke is a competitor, and she may have a conflict of interest. However, Commander Whitney and Chief Tibble, who both worked as cops before rising in the hierarchy, back Dallas and her investigation.
There’s so much to admire in Fury in Death. We see some of that admiration through Roarke’s eyes. “You get tired, as you are now, but not of it. You don’t tire of the hunt, of putting pieces together, of taking down those who choose to kill.” He observes as Eve summarizes her case. “He had to admire filtering down conspiracies, murder for hire, payoffs, vengeance killings, evidence, observations, and motives into a three-minute precise summary.” I always admire the teamwork in these books, and the support from the commanding officers. That isn’t always the case in many police procedurals.
For those who follow the series, Robb always alleviates the tension with Peabody and her housemates, other friends, and the vivid clothes worn by the evidence team. Those stories, and a housewarming party add fun to the book.
And, this time, I admire Eve’s professional handling of the killer. As I said, that’s the person who I sympathized with, and she did, too. However, she was there to stand for justice, not vengeance. Fury in Death can be read as a standalone crime novel, but a new reader will miss all the relationships in the book. Family and relationships are so important this time.
J.D. Robb’s website is https://jdrobb.com/
Fury in Death by J.D. Robb. St. Martin’s Press, 2026. 368p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley, supplied by the publisher through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
Enjoyed the read. I felt for the killer too.
I have my review up as well. Got it off if Edelweiss where I was already denied for the next one.
Publishing is weird.
I’m now off to read your review, Kevin. And, I was careful to not even identify the sex of the killer. As I said, though, after the introduction, the reader knows who the killer is.
Hard to believe, but I’ve never read a book by J. D. Robb, which is odd when you consider I like sci fi and mysteries. Would you, Lesa, and other readers recommend starting at the beginning of the in Death series?
I would recommend it, Kim, although I’ll admit I didn’t start at the beginning. However, that was because when I first started reading the series, I was given an ARC to review, and it was later on in the series. You can really start anywhere, but it will take a while to pick up on all the relationships if you do. If you can start with the first, I would. I know Kevin Tipple did, and he’s now read all 63 books. They are fast reads, cover all kinds of fields of interest, and they’re addicting.
As Lesa noted, I read them in order. I am compelled to read series from the start. Just how I am wired.
I think you would get more out of it if you did it that way as the characters, their relationships, and all evolve over time.
My recommendation would be to start at the beginning. This series is, imo, a master class in how to write a long running successful series. The character development has been fun to follow.
You’re so right, Kaye. A master class fits perfectly.
Of course, Jackie has read all of them too, and has this on hold. She loves Peabody’s antics, but the Roarke-Dallas relationship is the heart of the series.
I agree with Jackie, Jeff. Peabody is a good friend and character, but I never mind when Roark serves as her Peabody. Eve and Roark are the heart of the series, and I think Eve has grown to appreciate him even more over time.
I love this series SO much. This was another good one.
It was, Kaye. And, now we have to wait until February for the next one. (Sigh)
Thanks for the advice, everyone!
So, it looks like start at the beginning is the consensus, Kim.