J.D. Robb discussion

We have another novella up next in our In Death buddy read. Chaos in Death was released in The Unquiet Anthology. It's also available on audio and in used paperback, I believe. Open discussion begins on the 8th.

Eve Dallas is the tough lieutenant hot on his trail, but this is unlike any case she’s ever been assigned - or any killer she’s ever pursued. A police sketch based on eye-witness testimony reveals the killer has green skin, swollen red eyes, goblin ears, and a dislocated jaw-structure that defies the human form. Is it a mask? Is it make-up? Or is the explanation more sinister? Dallas faces off against multiple suspects - all of them students of medicine capable of precisely slicing the ears, noses, and eyes of the three victims. But who had the motive? More importantly, what kind of rogue science are these healers practicing?

Character List:
Eve Dallas
Roarke
David Baxter
Crack
Ryan Feeney
Mavis Freestone
Nadine Furst
Galahad
Ian McNab
Charlotte Mira
Delia Peabody
Lawrence Summerset
Troy Trueheart
Anna Whitney
Jack Whitney
Bella Eve
Callendar
Louise Dimatto
Jenkinson
Leonardo
Dennis Mira
Charles Monroe
Morris
Cher Reo
Trina
Troy Trueheart
Don Webster
Minor Characters & Peripheral Characters:
(view spoiler)[Eton Billingsly
Katrina Chu
Ken Dickerson
Marti Frank
Pachai Gupta
Cynthia Kopel
Lilian Kopel
Justin Rosenthall
Arianna Whitwood
Wilson Bickford
Jennifer Darnell
Coby Vix
Chase Whitwood (hide spoiler)]

I real hate this one but I will read it and maybe I can find out why JD Robb wrote this one

My library has "The Unquiet" in both paperback and e-form, as well as the novella in e-form. So I'm getting the paperback, yay!

finished not one of my favorites really out there

I thought I read this but it isn't on my Kindle or my bookshelf. I'll have to check at the library when I stop in for my other books.

I am waiting for the library copy which is out on loan. Just hope the current borrower brings it back in time!

This doesn't ring any bells. But I must of read it.

This was a quick one. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to the discussion.

Open discussion on Chaos In Death starts tomorrow! :)

My library copy is ready to pick up tomorrow! I will read it straight away:)

This is a Spoiler Zone! Feel free to openly discuss Chaos In Death!

Share your thoughts on this novella!

"Chaos in death" I would've given it to start I'm not a fan of want to be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde books.I always wondered why always make evil ugly sometimes evil is very beautiful.

Barbara "Cookie" wrote: ""Chaos in death" I would've given it to start I'm not a fan of want to be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde books.I always wondered why always make evil ugly sometimes evil is very beautiful."

Barbara I'm not sure what you're trying to say there.

This read really was a book for the super fan of the series. Yes it can be read as a standalone. But a lot of it I think was a decompress for the previous book

I was very surprised by Nadine offering an ear. I don't know why that is. Let's just leave it at of all the characters I won't have put Nadine as the one to say I know this was a difficult one and I'm a shoulder and an ear.

Mavis being angry at Eve and letting her know that a chat will be happening. Brilliant between all the Bella kiss, kiss etc.

Roarke really was shook by what happened in Dallas. And here is where that so beautifully plays out.

I didn't really care for the theme of the case. But I suppose it fits in with the rest of the novellas( I never read them as I just want my Eve and Roarke fix, that's all ). So for me Chaos it like the epilogue of New York to Dallas

Barbara "Cookie" wrote: ""Chaos in death" I would've given it to start I'm not a fan of want to be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde books.I always wondered why always make evil ugly sometimes evil is very beautiful."

That is a good point about Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, Cookie. I agree with you about evil being ugly. It is far too easy to judge based on external appearances.

Michelle wrote: "This read really was a book for the super fan of the series. Yes it can be read as a standalone. But a lot of it I think was a decompress for the previous book ."

Yes, it does come across as an epilogue to the previous book.

As it is a novella, I did not have high expectations for characters development, so it was good to get some insight into Roarke's feelings in the aftermath of the McQueen case. It is really difficult for him not to want to wrap Eve up in cotton wool to keep her safe, but he knows she would be his Eve if he did that - not that she would allow it anyway...

Michelle wrote: "I didn't really care for the theme of the case.."

Being more of a plot than a character driven reader, I enjoyed the theme. I like books that focus on issues related to the morality of technological developments and the field of genetic engineering is front and center in this regard.

In addition, I liked the literary allusions in the story as well. Cookie already mentioned Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but there are also elements of Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Grey.

To Laure- I can see Frankenstein- mad doctor creating a monster but I do not see The Pictures of Donar Grey - is he the one who want to want to be young forever? Get old cannot remember all the classics

Barbara "Cookie" wrote: "Get old cannot remember all the classics ."

Your memory is just fine!
Yes, he is the one who wanted to stay young. As he aged, he still looked young and beautiful but his portrait aged. It also became more grotesque with every evil act that he committed. I thought of it in relation to Ken's internal evil corrupting his external appearance.

Laure - yes I see how this one relative to this in Death. I had forget about his picture showing all his acts of evil

Lauren wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I didn't really care for the theme of the case.."

Being more of a plot than a character driven reader, I enjoyed the theme. I like books that focus on issues related to the morali..."

I can see how this would have been great to read. Especially with two classics being utilized. This is my third buddy read if this series and for me this time round I'm concentrating on the character build.
I know a lot of people haven't bothered with the novellas but for me the last few of the series had me ch to give. If I'm remembering correctly.

I think you're spot on, Michelle, with the Epilogue to previous book. I hadn't thought of it in that way, but it's true. I've found several of the novellas to be a kind of transition between books for sure.

The question of morality with genetic & technical inventions is always a tough one - when do they cross the line? Really good points, Cookie & Lauren, on the literary allusions in this story.

As you mentioned, Michelle, we see a little different side of Nadine. It seemed a little out of character but I loved it. And Roarke...always enjoy getting to see more of Roarke's internal struggle over protecting Eve. I think it's easy to forget how hard it is on him to see her in danger on a daily basis. And yet, he doesn't attempt to change her - he just loves her as she is.

I really prefer the full length novels. There just isn't enough for me to really get into the story. That said, I agree with Michelle that this felt like an epilogue for NY to Dallas.

I find the novella's often provide a link from the end of one story to the beginning of the next. With so many books, it's sometimes easy to forget that they span a relatively short timespan!

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I find the novella's often provide a link from the end of one story to the beginning of the next. With so many books, it's sometimes easy to forget that they span a relatively short timespan!"

That's true. I didn't think of that. The full length books are just so good...the novellas just seem too rushed to me.

We are spoiled. And don't forget the heavy themed novellas . For the most part I just go with the flow but I know this is just not right

Just finished this last night, had forgotten the Jekyll and Hyde angle. I thought Robb did a fakeout at the beginning, how many of you thought that Eton Billingsly was the killer? He was being setup for it but it took a nasty twist.
It could have ended badly had Roarke not rushed in and beat the jerk senseless.
I agree it was a good epilogue for New York to Dallas.

Also like the scenes when Eve and Roark face what happen in Dallas