A storyteller. J.D. Robb is a storyteller with each book being different. Random in Death is the 58th Eve Dallas, In Death novel, but it’s as fresh as the early ones. The beloved characters are all there, individual and memorable. I love her characters, her stories. If you’re looking for a solid police procedural, don’t forget to look at this series.
Jenna’s been waiting for this date for three years. She finally gets to attend Club Rock It’s event for teens, and the sixteen-year-old musician plans to take full advantage of it. She admires Jake Kincade, and hopes to hand her demo to the guitarist for Avenue A. Jenna does make an impact on Jake, when she dies in his arms in the alley outside the club. It’s Jake’s girlfriend, Nadine Furst, a crime reporter, who calls Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
Jake’s account, and the eyewitness reports from Jenna’s two friends worries Dallas. As she investigates, she can’t find any reason the teen would have been targeted. The coroner’s report indicates a toxic substance was injected in Jenna’s body. Now, Dallas worries that Jenna may have been just a random victim. When there’s a second girl killed at another music venue, Dallas has to call on all of her resources to find a killer before there’s a third victim. If these are just random victims, Dallas knows the killer will want to do it again.
Like other readers, I love the relationship between Dallas and her husband, Roarke. He’s supportive, and there for her and her team. It’s the team that I truly admire, both the personal circle Dallas has around her, and her team in the police department. They all work together to investigate. Dallas is supported at all turns by hard-working people who devote hours to find a killer, or to assist her personally with their knowledge and love.
Eve Dallas’ motto is, “I stand for the dead.” Every time I read that, it reminds me of the importance of her investigation. Eve’s quirks include her lack of understanding of some cultural terms. But, she truly cares about representing the victims, and speaking for them and their families. Even when the victims seem Random in Death, Eve Dallas and her team will stand for them.
J.D. Robb’s website is https://jdrobb.com/
Random in Death by J.D. Robb. St. Martin’s Press, 2024. ISBN 9781250289544 (hardcover), 368p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a link so I could download an e-galley from NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.
Years ago, a (male) friend recommended the Dallas books to Jackie. She started with the first one, quickly read through all that were out then (can’t remember exactly, but there were probably half a dozen), and she has been on top of the series ever since. She always regales me with stories of Eve & Roarke, Mavis & Peabody and the rest. Of course, she is looking forward to read this one very much.
Tell Jackie it’s a good one. Today is release date, so hopefully, she’ll have it soon. These are excellent police procedurals, and I don’t think people think of them that way.
She said, “I think this is the first time she’s given Jake center stage.”
Oh how i love this series!
Reading Random in Death right now.
I am a happy girl.
Except, that’s it for six months for Eve and Roarke. Love this series, Kaye.
One of my favorite character groups. Read them all and can’t wait for the newest. I agree about the love between Eve and Roark and the dynamics of their team and friends.
Just finished Takedown. Having trouble getting into the Heaven and Earth Grocery or whatever.
It won’t be long, Carol Jeanne! Today’s release date, so you’ll have it soon. Love this series!
One of my favorite series too! I love these books and am caught up and ready to read this one. Eve, Roarke and all the rest of the cast of characters are great. I know the series is really long now and probably seems totally unattainable for people, but my suggestion is ‘try it, you might really, really like it’! Thanks for your thoughts, Lesa!
You’re welcome, Kay. No spoilers in the review, so you’ll be able to enjoy the latest. 58 books does sound unreachable, doesn’t it?
I remember buying Naked in Death to read on an airplane, thinking I’d leave it in the seat pocket for the next passenger. Not only did I keep the book, when I got home, I bought the next 14.
Oh, that’s funny, Terry, that you bought the next 14.