Naked In Death (In Death #1) by JD Robb ~ Futuristic #Murder #Mystery @LittleBrownUK #NetGalley #TuesdayBookBlog

Author: JD Robb

Originally Published: July 1995

Category: Mystery, Murder, Romance, Police Procedural, Book Review

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It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing: passion.

I listened to Naked In Death back in 2009 and was hooked. I have since listened to every book up to date, some I’ve enjoyed more than others but most of them have pushed each character’s story forward. It was fun to revisit the start of the series—where it all began. The character development over the numerous books has been huge, and the number of key characters has increased significantly. 

Lieutenant Eve Dallas first crossed paths with Roarke in the role of a suspect during the course of a murder investigation. She is tough, sensible and focussed. Being a cop, finding justice for victims is her mission and she has little to no life outside work. The only people she is close to are her mentor and father figure, Captain Ryan Feeney and Mavis Freestone, a singer and one time petty criminal. Eve was found abandoned in a dreadful state in Dallas one evening when she was around eight years old, with no memory of her name or what came before, except for flashbacks which she isn’t ready to confront, preferring to push them to the back of her mind. Dreams plague her too, especially the last case where she was forced to shoot a man. She’d learned to accept the consequences of her actions when there was no alternative, but the child involved haunted her.

She woke in the dark. Through the slats on the window shades, the first murky hint of dawn slipped, slanting shadowy bars over the bed. It was like waking in a cell.

For a moment she simply lay there, shuddering, imprisoned, while the dream faded. After ten years on the force, Eve still had dreams.

Roarke, now an extremely successful, self made businessman originally from Ireland, also had an abusive and poor upbringing. He has a dubious past but seems to have put that behind him as his businesses flourish, and he has a noticeable code of honour. Although on paper they should never have gelled, there’s a chemistry between them as well as common ground due to their emotionally scarred younger selves, plus the fact they are survivors.

Because Naked In Death is set in a mostly recognisable 2058, the fact that it was written twenty plus years ago means it’s not dated, with many of the futuristic aspects now the norm. A solid police procedural which takes precedence over the romantic aspect. I’d completely forgotten who the villain was, so that was a plus. I always enjoy the way Eve works a case and this is a high profile one involving the secret life of a Senator’s daughter. The killer is targeting ‘licensed companions’ in a well thought through and intricate mystery/drama with believable, complex characters. Even now, it’s still a great introduction to the series.

My thanks to Clara Diaz (Little, Brown Book Group) for offering the chance to read Naked In Death via NetGalley, prior to the release of the 50th book, due in February.

Book links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Hive 

About the Author

J. D. Robb is the pseudonym of global superstar Nora Roberts, who has written over 200 books and sold 500 million copies worldwide.
Back in 1995, Robb began her New York Times bestselling In Death series, introducing the tough as nails homicide cop, Lieutenant Eve Dallas, and Irish billionaire, Roarke. The crime series has seen Robb become one of the biggest thriller writers on the planet, with each new novel reaching number one on bestseller charts around the world.