J.D. Robb discussion

We'll close out January with a buddy read of Creation In Death. Feel free to join in.

Eve has seen this crime scene before: the artfully arranged body of a young brunette, arms spread, palms up, body marked by the signs of prolonged and painful torture. Carved into her torso is the time it took her to die - in hours, minutes, and seconds. And on the third finger of her left hand has been placed a silver ring.

Eve is catapulted back to a case nine years earlier, when a man whom the media tagged “The Groom” put the city on edge with a killing spree that took the lives of four women in fifteen days. Eve and her partner Feeney, her friend and mentor, couldn’t stop him before he disappeared, only to resurface in other parts of the world to kill and kill again. But now The Groom seems to have come back to where he started.

When it turns out that The Groom’s most recent victim was employed by Eve’s billionaire husband, Roarke, she brings him onto the case. A move that proves fitting when it becomes chillingly clear that the killer has made it personal. The corpse was washed in products from a store Roarke owns and laid out on a sheet his company manufactures. With the Groom’s monstrous return, Eve is determined to finish him once and for all. Familiar with his methods, she knows that he has already grabbed his next victim.

But his sights are set on the biggest challenge of his illustrious career - an abduction that will test his skills and that promises to give him satisfaction as he’s never known. Time is running out on another woman’s life…and for Eve.

Who will be joining in our buddy read of Creation in Death? I'm hoping to be able to start reading it by the weekend.

This is a tough one.

I really loved this one I only read it last week otherwise I would have joined in, it's a bit grizzly I thought.
:-)

Drop back in to discuss it with us, Caz. I plan to do my reread by the weekend.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Drop back in to discuss it with us, Caz. I plan to do my reread by the weekend."

Thanks I will

I'm joining.

Great Sharon. Looking forward to it. :)

finally started on Creation last night - a re-read for me.

I haven't gotten started yet. I'll catch up as soon as possible. I seem to be behind in everything right now. And also, had a major computer crash this weekend with a virus that destroyed/encrypted all my files.

somehow I have to find the time to start this one. I will have to read the actual book. can't listen to the audio so overdrive isn't working on my laptop and it isn't in the mp3 format to listen on my kindle. luckily I own all the books in the series

All my in-deaths are paperbacks too, so they get relegated to reading in the spa or the bath, somewhere I can't take my tablet. Hence I only read those for half an hour or so at a time. As they are re-reads, it doesn't matter if I leave them for a couple of days and read something else inbetween. That might become an issue as we near the newer ones, I think I have read New York to Dallas...so they aren't that new, just looked at the list and that was 2011, wow it's been a long time since I read a new in-death..

So glad to know I'm not the only one that hasn't read a news in death. But for me it's been a year ;-). Anyway I'll try and start soon.

I just started today.

I'd forgotten this is told more from Roarkes POV.

love how she drowns the popcorn. one way of not sharing ;)

I'm just starting my reread!

This is another one of those really sick psychos...The Groom.

I forgot some of the really great scenes in this one. I'm half way through I'm sure I'll finish tomorrow. When do you think we will begin discussions.

I'm just a quarter ways in but I'm ready whenever you are Sharon.

Wow that fight between Feenay and Eve?!?! I must say I did not see it coming but after what was said I kinda felt for Feenay. But that still doesn't justify what he did.

That scene between Eve and Feeney is one of the most explosive in the series. I never saw it coming either and felt her pain.

I agree whenever Eve and Feeney don't see eye to eye I feel bad for both of them. In a way I understand his anger. I'm sure it comes from guilt building in him because more women died.

That said, Eve didn't do anything out of line. Feeney did turn over the lead to Eve when he gave her his notes. It hurts Eve to the core when things are off with her and Feeney then Roarke gave her a hard time. Poor Eve.

One thing I like about these books--even when the murders are really gruesome, Robb has some really great funny moments to break up the angst.

I love Peabody talking about her love life, or lack there of, and Mavis breast feeding in front of Roarke. These are two of my favorite interactions among the characters.

I with you, Sharon! The murders are almost always gruesome but the funny scenes help make them tolerable. I'm such a fan of Peabody...she is just funny whether she's talking about her love life, her body...particularly her butt! haha

I didn't see that coming from Feeney...really about as shocked as Eve was, I think. What do you all think...was he justified? Should Eve have taken the time to see him first - go over her new theory before presenting it to the team? Was Feeney out of line? This was a tough scene for me - knowing that he is her father for all intense purposes.

I understand him being upset but I thought his reaction was extreme.

I really thought it was extreme...and quite frankly, out of line. He blasted her from out of nowhere land. I know this is weighing heavily on him, but it is on everyone....every single person that worked on it the first time. Eve's only thought was to stop the killer before there's another woman taken.

I was stunned the first time I read it and had to immediately re-read the section, figuring I'd missed something. He savaged her and knew where to land the punch. It just seemed so out of character for him.

Right down to calling (& emphasizing) her lieutenant

Left field and then some!! And after they had the whole handing over the case. I really saw nothing wrong with how she handled it. Eve was thinking only of finding him and stopping him so why would she have to run everything by Feeney ? She's never had to do that with other cases at least not since she became LT. But Roarke right. Only family know how and where to really hit you

But the whole book was a series of tunnel vision. Eve and Roarke also have a round of why didn't you. As well as Eve and Peabody. This book really was all about the case .

Even in real life, things can get messy & complicated when it involves "family" or friends who are as close as family.

I also found Roarke working out of cop central a little more interesting...he seems to be easily accepted there now. He seemed to gain interesting insight into the more boring day to day research type aspects of the job. He was "climbing the walls" at one point.

Really interesting Sandra. We hardly ever are exposed to the tedium that is the paperwork that goes into making a case. With this book it really shows I really shows the dotted i and that no,stone goes unturned. I also love Roarke's insight into Eve as she works.

Me too, Michelle. Love when he watches her & we get the thoughts that run through his head. And I think I swoon every time he says, "Take care of my cop." *sigh*

Silly question. Does Eve know about him and the button he keeps in his pocket ?

Didn't he show it to her in one of the previous books? Racking my brain but I was thinking he did...maybe the one with Magdalena?? Innocent? I may be wrong...have to do some checking.

the only time I remember him showing her was in naked in death

I just finished listening to Creation in Death and I have to say that this one was just too disturbing for me. While that is probably a good thing to say about an author, as a listener it was just too intense.

Thanks, Michael. I hadn't a clue.

I forgot about that scene in New York to Dallas but it has been a while since I read it.

Thanks, Michael. I couldn't remember which book.

I think they mentioned the button a couple times. I remember in Naked he wouldn't give it back to her. I think it was mentioned another time before NY to Dallas.

I love how Eve stops to let Summerset know that Mavis won't be a target because she knows he has "a big gooey soft spot" for her.

I sometimes think Mavis reminds Summerset of his daughter but then he told Nixie that he is hoping to see her in someone again. (I don't remember the comment exactly but I'm sure he was talking about his daughter.)

Creepy how Trina was a target too.

I love the relationship between Summerset & Eve...they love to rag each other - actually thrive off of it. But they both care about each other...we've seen example after example of how much.

Thanx guys. I actually meant before this book. And Sandra I think you are right. He showed her the button to proof something to her with the Madeline incident. The reason I asked was that he was touching the button when she turned to him and said he couldnt take any of his button with him into the meeting. I might be misquoting so plz forgive me. So rear that she catches him unawares.

@ Sharon. He was talking about what he believes happens after death to Nixie. And I thought the same thing, Mavis is that ' reincarnation' of Marlena. I know he think more of Mavis' spirit but for a few minutes it makes me smile to think that a daughter of Summerset might be that complete opposite of Summerset and how that

And yes Sandra, Trina ? Really? I usually have the voice that Susan , the narrator for the audiobooks, use in my ear and that is anything but lady like. Maybe that has changed since the first time I heard it but it is so weird to think of this ballsy person being a target.

And to continue with the Summerset dynamic. Had to smile when she asked Roarke if she owes Summerset for what he contributing to the case. #smiling# and right at the end, him keeping Galahad from following them.

I remember the first time I read this book thinking isn't it great that we got tto see behind the scenes as it were. I realised that although Eve often " thinks " of all that must still be done and checked out we don't really realise just how tedious it must be. And seen from Roarkes POV. Often we just want the big finalé and forget all that went into it all. Thank you Robb for thinking of this spin because let's face iit we've had this before , were everyone knew who they were after.

Michelle, I felt the same way about Trina. Of all the visions I have of her, target/victim is not one of them! She has such a commanding presence - a take charge character, if I've ever seen one.

Quite a gut punch when Roarke comes to the conclusion that Eve is the ultimate target...and he knows she knew that but didn't mention it to him. He's hot about it & can't say I blame him. Then there's the scene where he walks in her office & sees her face on the murder board...what a jolt - nothing like that visual.

Really enjoyed the Mavis feeding the baby & Roarke getting embarrassed scene - man, he wanted out of there! lol

I do like the spin that Robb took with this book. It seems just a bit more insightful than some of the others...a really good behind the scenes picture. And I loved how Eve's mind works...she is like a machine when things start clicking into place inside her head. Robb does a great job portraying that to readers.

Did they underestimate this killer? While Eve needed to get inside his lair...all the technology they used to protect her turned out to be useless inside his house. He was prepared to tranq her & did - even realized she wouldn't take the tea or cookies like the others. What are your thoughts on the way this went down?

What about the line Eve crossed while they were interviewing "Bob" near the end? Where she asked Roarke to make every trace of the killer's right to end his life documentation papers disappear? Does it seem to be getting easier for Eve to cross those lines in order to seek the justice she believes a victim deserves? Do you think she has the right to make that distinction?

@Sandra that is some good questions. I do think Eve is starting to loosen up her strong opinions in some ways due to the people in her life. But in this case I think it had to do with the victim. She made a promise to her and for Eve that would not have been justice promised. So I do think she felt it was the right thing to do. Now does she have the right too. According to the law no. But according to those who think laws sometimes aren't fair or who have seen it fail, most likely will support what she did.

I do think they underestimated the killer in that they did not know all he was capable of. I think they thought they got ahead of him but should have realized how far ahead he planned.

I think Roarke did have a tough time in this one right along with Eve. Both seemed on edge and sleep deprived. Then they felt it when another body was found.

The Mavis and Bella feeding scene is hilarious!!

Sharon wrote: "I love how Eve stops to let Summerset know that Mavis won't be a target because she knows he has "a big gooey soft spot" for her.

I sometimes think Mavis reminds Summerset of his daughter but th..."
I think Sumnerset thinks Mavis us the reincarnation od his wife not Marlena espcially in born in death when he lends Mavis his wifes ring

Lesley wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I love how Eve stops to let Summerset know that Mavis won't be a target because she knows he has "a big gooey soft spot" for her.

I sometimes think Mavis reminds Summerset of his ..."

Lesley I don't feel that at all. I think Summerset gave Mavis the ring like a father helping out his daughter. Besides it was a loan not a permanent gift. He also treats Belle like a granddaughter. Everything Summerset does for Mavis is in a fatherly mode from the beginning. I never get the sense that he sees her in a sexual or wifely way. He didn't even look at her twice when she was swimming naked in the pool the first time Eve invited Mavis to the house.