J.D. Robb discussion

Up next in our In Death series buddy read is Delusion in Death. Open discussion begins on August 8th. Feel free to join us!

After years on the force, Eve Dallas didn't think she could be shocked anymore... until now.

It was just another after-work happy-hour bar downtown, where business professionals unwound with a few drinks, complained about the boss, maybe hooked up with someone for the night. Until something went terribly wrong. At first it was just a friction in the air. The noise intensified. The crowd seemed oppressive. some sharp words were exchanged, some pushing and shoving.

Then the madness descended. And after twelve minutes of chaos and violence, eighty people lay dead.

Eve Dallas is trying to sort out the inexplicable events. Surviving witnesses talk about seeing things—monsters and swarms of bees. They describe sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and rage and paranoia. When forensics makes its report, the mass delusions make more sense: it appears the bar patrons were exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and illegal drugs that could drive people to temporary insanity—if not kill them outright.

But that doesn't explain who would unleash such horror—or why. Eve's husband, Roarke, happens to own the bar, yet he's convinced the attack wasn't directed at him. It's bigger than that. And if Eve can't figure it out fast, it could happen again, anytime, anywhere. Because it's airborne....

Timeline: November 2060


Character List
Eve Dallas
Roarke
Capt. Ryan Feeney:
Detective Delia Peabody
Mavis Freestone
Commander Jack Whitney
Detective David Baxter
Dr. Li Morris
Dr. Charlotte Mira
Kyung Beaverton
Officer Troy Trueheart
Nadine Furst
Cher Reo
Detective Jenkinson
Detective Ian McNab
Galahad
Leonardo
Detective Sanchez
Detective Reineke
Summerset
Belle (Bella)
Harrison Tibble
Dennis Mira
Detective Carmichael
Dick Berenski
Detective Callendar
Detective Lilah Strong

I am in getting the audio of this one

Book ordered from library.

I can actually remember this a fair bit. This was scary if memory serves me right

Michelle wrote: "I can actually remember this a fair bit. This was scary if memory serves me right"

I agree Michelle. When I read this book, I kept thinking there are some crazies out there trying to make this stuff.

just got it from the library will be starting over the weekend

Is this one the Red Horse one

Barbara "Cookie" wrote: "Is this one the Red Horse one"

Yes

We'll open discussion in a couple of days - on the 8th! :)

Can’t waiting

This is now a spoiler zone! Feel free to openly discuss this book.

I finished this book on Saturday. My favorite scenes are Eve’s dreams, the one when she punch her mother was the best.

I finished it yesterday. this book had some brilliant scenes.
That was a good one Barbara. Also Peabody when Eve told her about Dallas.

I just finished this one. I noted (as I read) that Eve outdid herself in mangling commonplace expressions: I think the first was when she mentioned something about getting a plum on top, rather than cherry!

The last one was in the interview with the suspect; I wasn't sure whether she made that comment on purpose to mess with his superior brain or not. In between, there were a few more. Did anyone else notice these?

Charlene I also noticed that. The discussion of haystack comes to mind as well

Something else that was more prominent for me. It's been there before (especially in the last few books) but this book with such a big investigative team it maybe just stood out more. Eve as a LT. I could easily see her as captain.

Charlene wrote: "I just finished this one. I noted (as I read) that Eve outdid herself in mangling commonplace expressions: I think the first was when she mentioned something about getting a plum on top, rather tha..."

Lol I noticed. I love when she does it and the fact is hers usually makes more sense than the actual sayings. She's so cute :D

This book was great. Lewis was a brat. His crimes were horrific but the reasoning behind them was childish. At least his grandfather deluded himself into thinking he had an ideology. All Lewis did was throw a tantrum and go after people who were better than him. His grandmother was no better encouraging him. All that collateral damage for nothing. I could see Eve standing in the middle of all those dead bodies not knowing where to begin. I liked the moment she had with Summerset telling him to remember the innocent and not the guilty. I even liked the HSO agent even though I'm team Roarke when it comes to that organization. It's crazy to think the Urban Wars were so bad that a weapon like this wasn't enough to gain more notice. Red Horse was basically a small cog in a big wheel. It definitely would have done more damage now than back then so it's a good thing the team stopped them.

its seems her mangling of expressions is getting more and more. I noticed in the first few books they were just a few but this book had a lot. everyone kinda just shrugs it off like well that's Eve for you. I felt soo bad for Summerset in this one as he had to relive all those terrible memories. I am glad Eve was not snarky with him.

I think Eve mangles sayings on purpose. I have the feeling the first couple times it was a mistake. They make Roarke laugh and everyone else tries to correct her. She likes it and keeps it up.

Sharon I have to disagree. I think because her upbringing was so sheltered she never heard these sayings or perhaps heard them once so forgot how the sayings go and when she tries to repeat them they get mangled

I agree with Susan. I'm not as bad as Eve but I struggle with sayings all. The. Time. And because I'm bilingual I do direct translation from one t the other and visa versa. And I must confess most of the time my friends don't even correct me anymore.

Susan & Michelle, You might be right. However, I think Eve is very smart and likes to change them to suit her mood. While she might get some of the sayings jumbled occasionally she does it on purpose too. I can't remember the book, but I recall she said to Roarke, I know it is.... but that is a stupid saying. Eve adjusts to what make sense to her.

I'd say that is also true Sharon, that she adjust to make sense to her. And as Susan said sometimes it even makes more sense Eve's way.

I'm really behind. Just finished this one today. I agree, Susan & Michelle. I think because of the way she grew up, she really wasn't privy to all the sayings that most of us grew up with. But I do think she enjoys doing this since Roarke gets such a kick out of it. (And so do I!)

I think my favorite scene in this one is when Eve tells Peabody about Dallas. It makes her feel so good when Peabody is so incensed on her behalf. What I love most about these books are the relationships between the characters.

Same here, Karen. I love the character relationship development. I also liked the scene when Eve talks to Peabody about Dallas and P. gets angry for Eve. Peabody is my favorite support character and I just love all scenes with her involved.

Karen ♐ wrote: "I'm really behind. Just finished this one today. I agree, Susan & Michelle. I think because of the way she grew up, she really wasn't privy to all the sayings that most of us grew up with. But I do..."

I agree that Eve screws up the various sayings because it makes Roarke laugh or it takes him a minute to understand what she means.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Same here, Karen. I love the character relationship development. I also liked the scene when Eve talks to Peabody about Dallas and P. gets angry for Eve. Peabody is my favorite support character an..."

Peabody is my favorite secondary character too. I really love her and McNab's relationship.

Loved Peabody as well. And like you said Karen. The characters and how they are developing as induvuals or in the dynamic with each other it what keeps me, us really, coming back for more.