J.D. Robb discussion

Our buddy reads continue in May with Indulgence in Death. We'd love to have you join our discussion whether you're reading for the first time or one of the many doing a reread.

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life -- and death -- are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in -- and into the perverted heart of madness...

I love how this book starts!

I'll be starting this later this week

I'm in. Hopefully I can start this week.

It may be next week for me. Looking forward to this one.

Thought I'd start early as I've got a full weekend ahead.
Love the start of this books. Eve + country = laughing out loud and priceless

She's just not a country girl, is she?? lol

And of course there just had to be a dead body. But Peabody made me laugh as well. She even came in early so Eve couldn't use that excuse and then her disappointment. Classic Eve psyche out.

Love how childlike Eve is when she starts " testing out" the watch :-)

Michelle, you're making me antsy to start my reread. I should get to it soon.

Finish supervise Sandra. I'll wait.

Really. It's the small things in this book that's making me smile so broadly.
And Peabody really is coming into herself.
Trueheart and Baxter. You sometimes forget that Eve is the lieutenant as is head of her department that moments like this kind of caught me by surprise a bit. I know it shouldn't and that those moments are always present in the other books ( eg her talking talking at the vending machine on her first morning back. ) but her thought process about the fit of Baxter and Trueheart was so left field for me. And I'm saying this all wrong but these books are about her cases that her being the head of her unit sometimes sneaks up in interesting ways.

I love the Ireland trip.

I feel like the first chapter shows how Eve has changed so much in her two years married to Roarke. She is not the same person at all.

Eve's ride to Sinead's farm and how amazed she is about the flowers, sheep, cows and, clothes hanging on lines. I love how she looks at flowers and thinks of blood splatter.

Eve is still unsure how to deal with love of family; just the same she does love Roarke's family. She talks to them about her cases and remembers them by thinking of suspects.

Eve's surprise that Roarke was going to work in the field.

The talking bed yelling "Whoopee" and the waking to the cock.

One of my favorite Eve/Roarke scenes is when Eve gives him the anniversary gift. I remember the first time I read about the park I thought way to go Eve. It is perfect for the man who has everything. She took him completely by surprise. Listening to this scene is more emotional than when I first read it.

Eve and Sinead's dialog during breakfast is so sweet and beautiful. It is touching that they planned Roarke's gift and, apparently, they talk regularly.

Sharon, I love the gift giving scene too. It was such a pass the Kleenex moment.

I loved the rooster crowing scene and the bed saying whoopee scene. So hilarious.

Agree ladies. But it really was surprising that Eve managed to keep it secret as well. And as you said that she kept in touch with his aunt. Wonder what Summerset would have to say.
I also loved Sinead's parting blessing on Roarke

I was thinking about the breakfast scene...Eve enjoying the food and thinking about how Summerset probably prepares food to stock the Autochefs at home though she's not seen him do it. It struck me then that I had never questioned where the food in the Autochefs comes from...who/what cooks & stocks it...

And I love that Brian was invited to be part of the park gift scene. Always love the way he treats Eve, telling her he'll be there to snatch her up as soon as she's finished with Roarke. I like Brian!

LOVE Brian! Yes, the whole concept of the auto chef is a mystery. I finally have come to believe that you can stock it with ingredients and then program it to cook or heat up (like bagels). There are probably different ranges of auto chefs, too (cheap, high end, etc.).

This is the first time I remember reading anything about the "cooking & stocking" of the food in autochefs. It just caught my attention because Eve thought of Summerset doing it.

I love Brian too. Sinead and her family are really getting to know Roarke and his friends. So much so that they are comfortable inviting Roarke's friends to their home.

I wonder if Brian will ever come to NYC. He told Roarke he didn't see any reason to leave Ireland but is it possible that Robb is going to bring him to Roarke's world or will we only see him on Roarke's trips home.

I'm thinking about the park a little more. Roarke didn't have a clue. In the past Eve's gifts were books, at least the gifts we know about. Since he didn't suspect anything big Roarke never snoops on Eve's use of the money. There is something about that that touches my heart. Just one more reason to love Roarke.

Eve originally pledged the money in that account to Louise so Roarke donated all the money to the clinic and Dochus. and left the millions in Eve's account. I'm thinking Roarke never thought that Eve would touch that money even though he gave it to her.

I agree, Sharon. I'm a little surprised that Eve hit on the idea of doing a park there where children would play and families visit, have picnics, etc. And placing the plaque on the fountain. It really touched Roarke...no doubt about it. A gesture that had profound meaning to both of them.

I myself would have never thought that Eve would do something like that. We know she has an aversion to the money but she always uses it for good. They really know each other. Dochas for Eve and the park for Roarke. Both these are the safety they never had as children. It really speaks volumes when you start thinking why they gave these gifts

Love the how this book begins.
Also one of my favorite discussions and mixed up metaphor banter. Cookie crumbs!

They are all over this book.

Thanks for the invite Michelle!

Always good to have a new voice join any discussion. Can't wait to chat.

I agree with you. Knowing who sometimes is secondary. It's the how that is interesting. Especially with this cast.

I love Brian too, Jonetta. I think the Ireland trip was definitely one of the most memorable in the series. I mean the woman who has faced death and injury is scared of cows, sheep, and any other farm animal.

I loved the park gift and the scene was beautiful for both of them and the rest of his family too. I love that she let them design and be involved in it. It shows how she keeps growing in the series.

I can just imagine that conversation. Them asking her how and what and where and Eve wondering why they can just block things down and get on with it. Then just saying she'll leave that all up to them. Lol

Michelle wrote: "I can just imagine that conversation. Them asking her how and what and where and Eve wondering why they can just block things down and get on with it. Then just saying she'll leave that all up to t..."

Yea, that does sound more like her lol.

Eve tends to be very clear on the objective and then likes to leave the details for others to haggle out. It works for her:)

I also like how Roarke's family seems to appreciate Eve's nature.

Jonetta wrote: "Eve tends to be very clear on the objective and then likes to leave the details for others to haggle out. It works for her:)

I also like how Roarke's family seems to appreciate Eve's nature."

That is true. They are a great bunch. I really love Sean too. He cracks me up every time. His family could have their own series. They have enough people lol. Maybe set in Ireland and about how a family member is falling love or dealing with some issue.

I loved little Sean also! Love his determination to be a cop & solve crimes like Eve. I also really enjoyed Eve with Sean...and the fact that she allowed him to stay at the crime scene & talked him through a bit of it. She was great with him.

And for Eve, I really wanted to say well done.

I agree, Michelle. I was pleased to "see" the way Eve interacted with Sean, how encouraging she was to him...she didn't brush him off as just a child. She was respectful of him & his dream/plan to be like her.

I could also hug Eve for realizing that Morris was having a bad time when she walked into the morgue. She lets him know she's there for him...senses his pain while acknowledging that she doesn't really know what it's like to lose someone in that same way. And - bless our little Eve - she invites him to come over soon where she'll get Roarke to fire up his grill & cook them some "cow". What a way with words! haha

She really is getting the friendship thing. And yet she still struggles with the " rules" ;Trueheart asking if he could bring anything. :-) I must admit I've thought the same like Eve a time or two . Who made these rules and why?

I'm a little behind it has been crazy busy at work.

I agree with your comments about Sean. If the series stays around long enough I can see Sean coming to NYPSD and working with Eve.

It touches me when Eve reaches out to Morris. She is always so sure that she fails at the friend/relationship thing but she is perfect most of the time.

Michelle wrote: "She really is getting the friendship thing. And yet she still struggles with the " rules" ;Trueheart asking if he could bring anything. :-) I must admit I've thought the same like Eve a time or tw..."

Me too. I get a chip in picnic but when I invite people to my house it is on me.

There seems to be a lot of "thinking it through" in this one...in other words, the crime solving seems to drag a bit as there are many scenes of Eve working through it in her mind or out loud. Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be less action in regards to the murders & solving the case and more thinking about it. (I know I'm not saying that very well) Even the actual murder scenes both during & after the killings almost seem secondary to everything else. Just an observation...

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "There seems to be a lot of "thinking it through" in this one...in other words, the crime solving seems to drag a bit as there are many scenes of Eve working through it in her mind or out loud. May..."

This is next up for me. I'm finding that I'm feeling that way with Fantasy in Death - which I'm about 80% through right now.

I really enjoyed the golf scene - where Roarke decides to scope out these two by working out a foursome golf game...and it doesn't take Roarke long to figure out that they are cheating and he just happens to have a gadget in his pocket to put a stop to the cheating! haha

What were your thoughts on these crimes? And the game these two are playing?

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I really enjoyed the golf scene - where Roarke decides to scope out these two by working out a foursome golf game...and it doesn't take Roarke long to figure out that they are cheating and he just ..."

I didn't find it slow as much as I felt Eve's frustration. She hit on two people but didn't really get buy in for that idea. It took time for Eve to get her head around the murders, a normally easy process for her, so it slowed her down.

The game is a theme I like. I picture a younger Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolf (Ralph Bellamy)Duke as the murders. It makes me wonder how much trust people need to plan and commit murder with/for the other.

I see Dudley and Moriarty as two privileged, spoiled brats who think they can do anything to anyone. I'm sure they are bi and in love with each other but for some reason that can't/won't admit it. In the end they are weak little wimps who turn on each other.

I like the golf game too. Roarke always has his little toys with him.

I agree about Dudley & Moriarty...talk about arrogance! It was interesting getting the Ex's viewpoints on them. And discovering the way the victims are tied in - it just took a little while to get there.

I love Eve's musings....

“What's a dawdle exactly? Is it more than a pause, less than a procrastination?”

Only Eve

Sorry ladies had problems yesterday trying to comment.
Here's a final try. The arrogance of it all!! A game? I honestly don't understand that type of mindset. and I agree Sharon they do love each other and really , I think, can't fully function without the others approval.

I was also surprised that Eve missed the fact that she would be finally target. She was so concerned about her friends But then again she almost never think of herself as vulnerable.

I also felt like Eve should have already seen that she was the big prize. Roarke did (& also realizes part of that is his connection to her) but Mira mentioned it first. Even then, it took a minute or two to click into place for Eve. But then, it sure didn't take her long to set herself up as bait to draw them out quicker. Poor Roarke - the things he has to accept & live with.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I also felt like Eve should have already seen that she was the big prize. Roarke did (& also realizes part of that is his connection to her) but Mira mentioned it first. Even then, it took a minu..."

You know I thought that Eve was so busy trying to keep someone from getting killed is why she missed she was the end game. Also because she doesn't always think of herself in a case. In Imitation, I think it hit her sooner because he was challenging her and was against women so it made sense to her then.

One of the parts I like best about the books is how Nora brings out the vulnerabilities in Roarke. Especially when he thinks Eve's been hurt. The cold fist around his heart...