J.D. Robb discussion

This is a buddy read for Portrait in Death. If you are reading/rereading this book, or just want to chat about it, please join us.


After a tip from a reporter, Eve Dallas finds the body of a young woman in a Delancey street dumpster. Just hours before, the news station had mysteriously received a portfolio of professional portraits of the woman. The photos seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary for any pretty young woman starting a modeling career. Except that she wasn't a model. And that these photos were taken after she had been murdered.

Now Dallas is on the trail of a killer who's a perfectionist and an artist. He carefully observes and records his victim's every move. And he has a mission: to own every beautiful young woman's innocence, to capture her youth and vitality—in one fateful shot...

Our next In Death BR book is Portrait. (I can't believe how far we've come). This is one of my personal favorites & I'm looking forward to discussions on this one. Let's shoot for having it read and be ready for discussions around August 15.

Wow, I'm having trouble remembering who the criminal is in this book. But I sure do remember the Roarke backstory we get. Not just backstory but forward moving, too. It was very touching, emotional and rewarding. And that's just for Roarke. How amazing for him to know his mother loved him very much and tried so hard to protect him. I love that we meet his family in Ireland. But poor man, so overwhelmed with going, in the blink of an eye, from orphan to a huge family who cares about him and welcomes him so easily. Also, Eve was uncharacteristically tender re his feelings. Ahhhhh, so nice to see our babies maturing!

I agree, Randi! The case isn't what I remember about this story, which also is in my top 5 favorites.

this is one of my favorites and look forward to rereading and discussing this book.

Roarke's story is the reason this is one of my favorites.

The scenes with Crack! Omg! I burst into tears! I absolutely adored it. Also, I loved that in this book Roarke needed Eve. So often the vibe is reversed. One of my favorite.

That's perfect Rosa Hope!

Of all the books I've read so far (I'm up to Divided in Death) this is my favorite. I loved Roarke's story and how his discovery impacted both he and Eve. I can't wait to reread this book although I've already listened to it three times so far LOL!

I love this book. It is one of my favorites of this series. Eve's continued struggle with the marriage rules, how Roarke tried to go it alone and how Feeney helps Eve do the right thing. If I remember correctly this part spanned two chapters (the actual trip to Ireland) and I loved it.

I've started already. Anybody else?

I'll start sometime this coming week, I hope Michelle!

I couldn't wait. But it'll keep till august.

Sorry this is somewhat a continuation from what we're discussing in judgement. As you said Sandra considering where they both come from they really have come a far way in this book. And role reversal , with Eve being wifely and taking card of Roarke when he was off. And Eve seeking help from Dr Mira and Feeney?!
Wasn't this almost a flip of judgement ? Almost but not quiet, I know but Roarke did break rules.
A lot happened in this book and as someone mentioned this book was more about them and not about the case.

Yes it is, Michelle. I'm 1/2 way through my reread of Portrait. And I had forgotten the LOL moments in this books. I walked around a store yesterday with my headphones in listening to this book & couldn't help myself - I was laughing outloud.

Let's give everyone a little time to read this one & then I look forward to discussing it!

I'm looking forward to reading it, again.

I read this one before and I have absolutely no recall of the story. Anyway, I'm catching up with the buddy reads now. Got behind and hopefully will catch up this month.

I know what you're saying, Stephanie. I read these earlier ones a long time ago. I usually recall the story once I start rereading but am also discovering some things I missed.

Same here. And that the beauty of this series, that you can reread and discover more.

I recently read this book, but it is so good that I will be picking it up and reading it again. I think this is my favorite in death book

This is a series I never get tired of...the books never get old to me. I never mind rereading them. This is one of my favorites too. We'll start discussions in about a week if everyone can read it by then.

Roarke has grandparents . . . awwwwww

Priceless!!!

The harshness in which Roarke lashed out at Eve & Summerset surprised me a little. I know he was hurting & struggling to deal with the news about his mother, but he slapped down the two people who love him most & that he loves most. He was cold & harsh - maybe more so to Summerset than Eve. And his pain was evident and I expected the period of shutting them out - just not that degree of cruelty in doing it.

Yes, but that is so common for people to take their anger out on someone or something because they can't or won't take it out on the actual cause of their anger. Even if they aren't Roarke.

Sandra wrote: "The harshness in which Roarke lashed out at Eve & Summerset surprised me a little. I know he was hurting & struggling to deal with the news about his mother, but he slapped down the two people who..."

Surprised me, too. Roarke's not normally off balance and he seemed seriously lost.

Sandra wrote: "The harshness in which Roarke lashed out at Eve & Summerset surprised me a little. I know he was hurting & struggling to deal with the news about his mother, but he slapped down the two people who..."

I think it was actually true to life. When people are hurting, it is often those closest to them that they lash out at. But also surprising in that Roarke is usually so balanced.

I think Roarke was drowning in pain & grief & guilt that he accepted what he was told about his mother and never pursued it. But I still didn't expect him to shut Eve out (actually locked her out - her print would not open his door to her) and then coldly told her he didn't want her there. There have been many times that he stopped Eve from shutting him out. And poor Summerset - laid up with a broken leg - & when he asks Roarke what's wrong, Roarke basically tells him to mind his own business & that he's his employer...that was a slap in the face to Summerset who is like a father to Roarke. I understand the "why" with Roarke - just didn't expect the harshness to this degree.

I did love that Summerset called Eve who was upstairs and said something's wrong with Roarke, I'm laid up in bed, you need to Fix It!! And, of course, she did.
The physical fight between them surprised me a little also - I mean rolling on the floor fighting but at least it did break Roarke down & he told her everything. There are some really good scenes during this time period.

I agree with you Sandra. The harshness was unexpected. And especially after all the fights they've had when Eve does it. And that he didn't go to Summerset after he dug up the veracity of what she had told him. He just shut them both out.

Loved that Eve did exactly what Roarke does and monitored him. Waiting.

Oh yeah, me too Michelle. Her watching him on the monitor, waiting while he worked out in the gym before facing him down. And then telling him he wasn't leaving that bedroom until he talked to her! And also - after they finally talked, she laced his soup with a drug to make him sleep! HaHa Loved when he realized it and knew she had done to him what he's done to him several times.

But then he went to Ireland without her - only calling to tell her from the shuttle as he took off! I was screaming at him!

Oh yea, can you imagine how pissed off he would be Eve took off for...say...Dallas...to deal with her demons without him?

That actually didn't surprise me as much. Him getting stinking drunk was also unusual.

Yes Dawn...Roarke would have exploded if Eve took off to Dallas without him. I know he wanted to deal with it on his own & he knew he might not handle it all "legally" and thus wanted to keep Eve out of it but he would have killed Eve for doing this.

Roarke stinking drunk turned out to be cute & humorous when he called Eve and I LOL when he said he was going "west" and Eve was like: You mean like Wyoming?? HaHa

Brilliant scenes. And talking about brilliant was Mavis and Trina giving Summerset a pampering session!! The one time Eve and Summerset are exactly on the same page

I like that Sommerset said exactly that to Roarke...no matter what their differences, he is the one thing they agree on.

And Eve stating that Summerset was responsible for Roarke's fathers demise

We do get that "exchange of info" in Portrait between Eve & Summerset with him saying he did what he needed to do for his "children". Eve & Summerset really seem to reach an understanding in this one - at least some mutual respect and of course, their common ground: their love of Roarke.

So much "good" in this one...loved when Feeney told Eve she should be in Ireland with Roarke. And Roarke standing outside his Aunt's house when his helicopter bringing Eve came swooping down out of the skies just as he wished he had asked her to come. Love, love Roarke with family! His mother's twin sister giving him his mom's necklace. I think I must have 1/2 this book highlighted!

What I have never been able to understand was why he felt such guilt over the death of his mother. Grief I can understand and a sadness that he never got to know her, but guilt... he was just a baby and he was always under the assumption Meg was his mother. I also could never understand why he was afraid that his mother's family would they reject him. Granted, I could see that maybe they would be wary that he would be like his father, but why would he think they would hold anything against him?

Dee, I think that's Roarke's nature. His mother died protecting him so he thinks indirectly it's his fault. He's a part of Patrick...and I think he looks like him...so his mother's family must surely reject him. He's also an emotional mess and so off balance. Imagine spending your life hating your mother only to find it was all a lie. To feel like you didn't have a family and hated what you knew of them. I imagine it would be difficult to absorb it all, especially if you weren't confiding in anyone about it. His entire identity was ripped from him. Good or bad, it shook him to the core.

I agree Jonetta. It's is some form of survivors guilt maybe. At first I to wondered about that but the fact that he survived what Patrick Roarke tried to do turn him into? Here he finds a woman, but more likely a girl , that loved him so much she went back to the abusive man and got killed for her efforts. And was made to be forgotten. That photo spoke a thousand words. Also don't forget he is a strong man with a very strong sense of self. This pulled the rug right out from under him. And not talking or sharing this discovery I think also made his thoughts one tracked.
As for the family reaction?! Who wouldn't be . . . Scared?, skeptical, afraid ? Of their reaction to you. And for once I think it had more to do with what they would think of Roarke the man than about Roarke the bizillianaire. That was a factor but with his looks and the fact that he so late in life looks them up ?

Can I also just say loved the way she told Peabody about getting prepared for the detective test. Only Eve.

Perfect descriptor, Michelle...survivor's guilt. And that's a great point about his fears of his real family's perception of him. Now he's got to worry whether he's worthy of them. It was never a question when it was Meg and Patrick.

Sandra wrote: "Yes Dawn...Roarke would have exploded if Eve took off to Dallas without him. I know he wanted to deal with it on his own & he knew he might not handle it all "legally" and thus wanted to keep Eve ..."

I like their relationship because of that. They're both so independent and feel they can handle things without the other. Little by little, through the series, they give up control.

That's what I like about the series - how the relationships and people change and evolve...

I adore this book! starting today::)

You're right, Michelle...survivor's guilt for sure. And I think Roarke made them mistake of thinking he could handle it alone. He could have "before Eve" but not now. He needed her & was glad to see him admit that even before she joined him.

I loved the scene when he drove up to his Aunt's house & she opened the door. He really expected to be slammed down because he looks like his father & be blamed for his mother's death. He is blown away that they accept him with open arms. Although, they didn't realize that he though Meg was his mom until he told them. Interesting that they had "followed" him all those years without making any contact. And when he told Eve that he had grandparents, that was just priceless.

reading through the discussion is making me crave reading this book. was going to try to finish reading Die for me but don't think that will happen lol think I will start Portrait today

Awesome Sheri! Come on and join us! :)

Sandra wrote: "You're right, Michelle...survivor's guilt for sure. And I think Roarke made them mistake of thinking he could handle it alone. He could have "before Eve" but not now. He needed her & was glad to..."

I wonder why the family never tried to get in touch with Roarke?

And that first scene between him and his aunt had me choked up. Brilliant writing again. He made contact with his mother's twin. She really could have gone a few different ways meeting Roarke. She also made that first meeting very . . . Normal? She kept it between them. She could have call the rest of the family immediately. Then when Eve arrives , she deals with Eve straight on.

This whole book , as usual, has some epic scenes. And all of it about Eve and Roarke. The case was just a by the way.

I don't know other than they thought he was like his father...his aunt mentions something about that. But then, why bother following his news stories all these years?

I also loved with his Aunt wanted to speak to Eve alone before she & Roarke left. His Aunt told Eve about the look of pure love & devotion on Roarke's face when he saw her walking toward him.

I've just started the reread, but what I remember most about this book is how Roarke felt when Eve went after him to his Aunt's house and he saw her in the chopper. The moment was so so huge I felt it so deeply.

This book has so many Epic moments..Our Shebody growing up and taking the test:)

I was so afraid the first time I read the book when Roarke knew everything that I couldn't read for two days lol the angst.

this dicussion is gonna be good:D