Play Book Tag discussion

Eliza Lane and her husband Brant Fitzhugh ate throwing an A-list party for their friends to celebrate the opening of Eliza’s new Broadway show. She and her co-star begin to sing just as her champagne cocktail is served. Brant holds it for her, toasting Eliza as he sips the drink. Moments later he falls to the floor, dead from cyanide poisoning. Since the champagne cocktail that killed Brant was originally intended for Eliza, could it be that she was the real target? He doesn't seem to have any enemies. Eliza, on the other hand, has plenty of people who didn’t like her very much.

Eve Dallas and her whole crew are back to track down the killer. The very best part of this long running series is the incredible close-knit relationship these characters share. Roarke immediately offers to help Eve work the financial aspects of this case, as he often does. Eve never expected to be married, let alone married to a rich, handsome master of the business world. I love that over the years, readers have witnessed one of the most charming, supportive, and romantic marriages in literary history.

It's hard to believe this is book #56 in a hugely popular, long running series. Robb published her first In Death book in 1995 so it's been almost thirty years and she's still delivering an engaging futuristic police procedural. Fortunately for fans, only five years have passed in the book timeline.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Encore in Death. It had elements from previous books in the series so it didn't feel as fresh to me. Also, I usually listen to this series but this time I had to read the ebook. Susan Ericksen personifies Dallas and each character she narrates has a distinctive voice. I really missed that as I read. Still, this is one of my very favorite series. If you are already a fan you will enjoy this visit with beloved friends. If you have never read the In Death series before, this is definitely not the book to start with. Even if this wasn't a favorite, I already have #57 Payback in Death preordered from Audible when these extraordinary characters return in September for another adventure.