Author: JD Robb

Performed by Susan Ericksen

Released on Audible February 2019

Category: Police Procedural, Crime, Suspense, Audiobook, Review

Homicide cop Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband, Roarke, are building a brand-new school and youth shelter. They know that the hard life can lead kids toward dangerous crossroads—and with this new project, they hope to nudge a few more of them onto the right path. For expert help, they hire child psychologist Dr. Rochelle Pickering—whose own brother pulled himself out of a spiral of addiction and crime with Rochelle’s support.

Dr Rochelle Pickering is over the moon when she gets a dream job offer as head therapist at Roarke’s new youth centre, An Didean, a very apt name meaning  refuge or haven.

Rochelle overcame a difficult childhood and now devotes herself to the emotional welfare of children. Her brother Lyle is a recovering addict and ex gang member and lives with Rochelle as he gets his life back on track. She and Crack, who Eve befriended when she investigated the murder of his sister, are an item and both the men in her life are thrilled for her. After a night out, thinking they would have Rochelle’s apartment to themselves, she and Crack arrive back to find Lyle dead surrounded by drug paraphernalia. 

Despite the evidence of her own eyes, Rochelle doesn’t believe for a minute Lyle has relapsed. She would have known. Would have been able to tell. Her brother is clean, has a good job and is keeping up with his counselling sessions.

After a murder free, leisurely weekend Eve almost ignores her link when it signals an incoming. When she sees Crack’s name she knows it must be something serious.

She studied the locks on the Pickering door. 

“They’re decent.” She engaged her recorder. “Dallas, Lieutenant Eve, and Roarke, entering the premises with the permission of the tenant to investigate a suspicious death.”

For the record, she used the keys, opened the door.

It smelled of lemon-scented cleaner and death.

During a cocktail party (not Dallas’ favourite pastime) at Nadine Furst’s new apartment in the opening chapter, we’re reacquainted with the diverse and distinctive cast of recurring friends and colleagues who add hugely to the stories. A nice way to begin before getting down to the nitty-gritty. I love how the police procedural aspect of the story unfolds and the variety of characters, good, bad and wicked, along the way. Threads connect as the story unfolds, and it’s one that is entirely believable as the NYPSD navigate gangs and the seedy underbelly of New York City’s criminal element.

Connections In Death follows Dallas, Roarke and the team as they process and work through leads and theories, while building a solid case—a case which affects Dallas deeply, causing her to question her core beliefs about the justice system.

The well fleshed out characters, main and supporting, and their ever evolving personalities and stories are the backbone of this series, along with a vividly painted futuristic world. Dallas seems to have mellowed a little more, and the relationship between her and Roarke has matured. It’s easy to forget the whole of this series only covers a handful of years but in real time has been over twenty…and it continues to engage. Susan Ericksen’s characterisations are some of the best ever and add to the overall enjoyment.

I chose to listen to and review Connections In Death courtesy of Brisa Robinson and Macmillan Audio.

Book links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US

About the Author

J.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke.