J.D. Robb discussion

We're excited to continue our In Death Buddy Read with Ceremony in Death. Most re-readers remember their first time reading of the series, including the excitement of experiencing each individual book for themselves. Please help protect new readers by refraining from posting any spoilers prior to May 8. Also help protect the discovery of future events in the series for new readers by refraining from discussing anything that occurs in books beyond Ceremony. This will become a Spoiler Zone on May 8th.

Plot Summary/Synopsis:
Even in an age of cutting-edge technology, old beliefs die hard...

Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong - and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

Approximate Story Start Date: October, 2058

Alternate Ceremony In Death Covers

Ceremony In Death Map Spoiler Warning!

Character List:
Eve
Roarke
Ryan Feeney
Mavis Freestone
Nadine Furst
Charlotte Mira
Delia Peabody
Lawrence Summerset
Jack Whitney
Galahad
Trina
Anna Whitney

Minor & Peripheral Characters
(view spoiler)[
Alban
Carter
Cassandra
Selina Cross
Forenski
Charles Forte
Mirium Hopkins
Leila
Alice Lingstrom
Jamie Lingstrom
Robert Allen Mathias (Lobar)
Isis Paige
Louis Trivane
Thomas Wineburg
Brenda Wojinski
Curtis Wojinski
Pete Wojinski
Sally Wojinski
Marion Burns
David Baines Conroy
Sheila Feeney
Jane
Arthur Simon
Schultz
Suzanna
Frank Wojinski
(hide spoiler)]

So excited to read Ceremony again! Are you all ready?

Yes! I'm definitely ready. :)

Absolutely ready:)

Me too! We're supposed to have a very rainy day on Sunday, May 1...hoping that translates into lots of reading time for me! :) I have Ceremony loaded up ready to go. :)

I can't wait to read this book

On order at the library!

Reread for me. The whole set is lined up on one of my book shelves just begging me to take them out and look at them again:)

I'm ready! and because my ibooks is not running I'm doing this old school with the paperback. But as usual ill wait a few days as I hate spoiler alerts.

One of my favs!!

Just ordered this one from library and it's available, so I should be able to read it just before the discussion begins :)

I'm ready to read the book

going to start listening tonight.

I'm ready to start too, Sheri...maybe later tonight.

Will start - probably next week.

And I'm finished! I had forgotten how addictive this book is...really love this one. Can't wait until the 8th to discuss! :)

I don't know why, but this is one of my least favorite books of the early series ... except for (view spoiler)[the break-in at Roarke's manor... "Lt, he must be punished." (hide spoiler)]

I'm back! and ready to read. This is one of my favorites. I like the new characters added to Eve's family. I like the conflict and Roarke's conversation and I like the paranormal element. Can't wait to discuss.

Sandra, I have a question. Why do you list Jamie as a minor character? I meant to ask a similar question in a previous book but forgot? If this is a spoiler I can wait until the 8th for an answer.

Sharon - I just pick up & copy the character lists from Wiki - and list them in the categories as Wiki does. -

Thanks.

I'm going to go ahead and share a quote because it doesn't contain spoilers to anyone currently reading Ceremony. It's just a funny, feel good (lol) quote to whet your appetite for more! :)

“Eve: "Was that like a cookie?"

Roarke: "Hmmm?"

Eve: "You know, have a cookie. You'll feel better. Were you making me feel better?"

Roarke: "I certainly hope so, it worked for me. I wanted you. I always do."

Eve: "It's funny how men can wake up with their brains in their cocks."

Roarke: "It makes us what we are. Let's take a shower. I'll give you another cookie.”

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I'm going to go ahead and share a quote because it doesn't contain spoilers to anyone currently reading Ceremony. It's just a funny, feel good (lol) quote to whet your appetite for more! :)

“Eve: ..."

I just read that this morning before leaving for work. I love that scene and the part prior breaks my heart. That said Yay Roarke!

I finished the book this morning and I loved it

Finished. Lots of notes to discuss.

I have it on hold at the library...

Just finished. Love it! It contains my favourite quote ever.

It's a great read! Can't wait to start discussions in 2 days! :)

It's May 8th!! This is a Spoiler Zone. Feel free to discuss Ceremony In Death openly

Okay...let's start by sharing our thoughts on Ceremony. What did you like or dislike about this one? What stands out the most - the case or the character development?

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Okay...let's start by sharing our thoughts on Ceremony. What did you like or dislike about this one? What stands out the most - the case or the character development?"

For me, the case takes center stage in this one, but it provides a fabulous and multi-faceted vehicle for the glimpses into these characters, and the introduction of new character Jaime. With all of the dark themes in this one, there was so much fun and humor woven through it all too. And, I always love when the theme of Roarke as the "wolf" is mentioned....sigh...

I'll second that "sigh" !

Roarke coming through the door like a wolf...a very angry one - very nearly made me swoon! lol loved it!

I think there are several Momentous Moments in Ceremony. Share your favorites.

Two things right off the top that I liked was 1) when our pragmatic cop receives information during the palm reading that has her second-guessing her beliefs, and 2) I like that she learns that when Roarke designed her gold wedding band, he chose the celtic symbol for protection. He hadn't told her or asked her, he just did it. I'll just say it....Awwwwwwwww.....:)

Awwwww is right, Jeanine! For me, this book is just full of special moments as well as relationship growth moments. I'll just take one right now & mention Eve & Peabody. There's a rapport between them that just continues to grow. Peabody is settling into her role as Eve's partner/assistant & is freer with her comments & remarks. Love the banter. But - what about the scene after the interview where Peabody gets so upset with Eve & misinterprets what Eve is feeling/doing?? She thinks Eve went too far & was very cold & unfeeling. I don't have the book in front of me to quote, but I felt this was a huge scene between these two characters. For a brief time, Peabody doubted what she had believed about Eve. Getting past this showed with partnership/friendship intact was a major deal.

I haven't got the book in front of me either but I will always love the famous quote where Eve thinks Roarke is asleep and tells him she loves him. Then it says he smiles in the dark - Roarke never goes to sleep before Eve.

Jeanine wrote: "Two things right off the top that I liked was 1) when our pragmatic cop receives information during the palm reading that has her second-guessing her beliefs, and 2) I like that she learns that whe..."

I'm late is starting my read. I just read that first scene you mentioned. i loved how that was written. I think it's sets veracityfor the rest of the book.

Phrynne wrote: "I haven't got the book in front of me either but I will always love the famous quote where Eve thinks Roarke is asleep and tells him she loves him. Then it says he smiles in the dark - Roarke never..."

Love that scene. You can just imagine him smiling in the dark. Eve has a hard time expressing her feelings and she's afraid to give him the "advantage"; she's always guarded about her own feelings, afraid of being hurt, especially at the beginning of the series, which includes Ceremony.

I have to say that I enjoyed Isis Paige, owner of Spirit Quest, a sort of spirit guide for Eve in this story. We learned more about Roarke's belief system, his Irish superstitions, and we see that he is able to be more accepting of Isis's counsel than Eve.

Just because I just read it I want to mention Roarke finding Eve under the red arbor. It really is interesting when she has these introspective moments. She still cannot belief this is where she is in her life. This whole scene was just lovely for me. As you say Jeanine we find out a little but about Roarke's belief And I must admit fall that much more in love with him for it. That Irish thing just does it for me. Not only he's believes but how far he would go to protect Eve. Covering his bases indeed

Michelle wrote: "Just because I just read it I want to mention Roarke finding Eve under the red arbor. It really is interesting when she has these introspective moments. She still cannot belief this is where she is..."

Ah, yes Michelle. That Irish thing sooooooo does it for me too! LOL and OMG! This is why those of us who love Roarke, really love him. This is a man who loves, honors and cherishes! He will do anything to care for "his" Eve and to protect her. And, after what she's been through in her young life, he is exactly who and what we want for her, isn't her? :)

Ditto to all you said, Jeanine & Michelle. These are all the reasons I love Roarke. You just know that with a man like that loving you, you would always feel safe, loved, & cherished. One of my favorite quotes of the entire series is the one about Roarke never sleeping first. :)

Another quote I love is the one at the end where Eve is humiliated by the rosebud tatto & Roarke says something about after all she's just gone through, that's what embarrasses her. haha I think this is very telling about Eve also.

Anyone else impressed with the "sparring" between Eve & Selina Cross?? Man...Eve stands right up to her.

Feeney took Eve under his wing, trained her, supported her, & is a father figure to her. They have a major clash in this book when Feeney confronts her about her investigation of Frank which included investigating Feeney. Eve kept it secret from Feeney - under orders - as she worked to clear them both. Feeney is livid, hurt, & lashing out at Eve. Was Eve right to follow orders & exclude Feeney? Did Feeney have a right to feel as he did & berate Eve? This is a major, major scenario because of their mentor/friend/father/daughter type connection. Let's also discuss Roarke's secret visit to Feeney afterward and the things he said to him. What are your thoughts?

To be absolutely honest I would hate it if my partner went behind my back and discussed me like that, even if he had the very best of intentions. However this is fiction and Roarke can obviously do no wrong so I have no problems with it happening in the book. In real life however.......

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Feeney took Eve under his wing, trained her, supported her, & is a father figure to her. They have a major clash in this book when Feeney confronts her about her investigation of Frank which includ..."

I think her motive, as you indicated Sandra, was to clear Frank and Feeney, and therefore she did what she thought best for all of them. She'd clear them and then she'd have to deal with Feeney. She didn't count on him figuring it out and confronting her. Roarke couldn't watch her suffer after the confrontation with Feeney though. His desire to do "whatever needs to be done" as he always says, to stand up for Eve, to keep her from hurting, especially when she was so upset by Feeney's reaction, would outweigh her need for privacy I would think. He knows what Feeney means to Eve, what their relationship means to her. He'd step over the lines to protect that, for her.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Feeney took Eve under his wing, trained her, supported her, & is a father figure to her. They have a major clash in this book when Feeney confronts her about her investigation of Frank which includ..."

This books main theme I think is a father' love of his family and what he'd do for that family. Feeney and Eve ? Just fall nicely into that. For me the whole 'drama' was so well done in the storyline that I don't have lots to say about. Maybe just say that there is nothing more hurtful that a love one inflicting the perceived hurt. Feeney came from an emotional place and that just made it that much more everything.

I will say that I'm glad Roarke stepped in. I think that Feeney would have eventually gotten to one of the points that Roarke was making, that she was doing her job but by then the breach between Eve and Feeney would have been beyond broken. Feeney had to be made aware of the fact that this was one attack that Eve would not have been able to shrug off. That this was more than him attaching her professionally. Feeney had hit below the belt and he wasn't even really aware of how much below. I think that sometimes things have to be verbalized , like Roarke telling him of Eve's early childhood. Surmising and being told? Big difference.

Is my imagination or is Eve softer in this book? She's more introspective about where and how she's come to where she is. Her nightmares/ flashbacks are none but she does think about her mother and what the effect of a parent has on you. But all the scenes with Roarke has a very feminine feel. Maybe I'm expressing this wrong but there is just how I seems to me. I thought that she might have a nightmare with how close both Alice and Chas' story is to her pass. Also both her readings where spot one.

Michelle wrote: "Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Feeney took Eve under his wing, trained her, supported her, & is a father figure to her. They have a major clash in this book when Feeney confronts her about her..."

Well said Michelle. I find I had the same feelings about this.