Creation in Death

J. D. Robb just keeps getting better. Love this series. Creation in Death Nora Roberts just keep them coming, I can't say how much I enjoy this series.

The story kept me engaged and wondering if the unsubstantiated would be able to capture Lieutenant Dallas. After he caught her, I kept wondering who would come to save her, and how much would be done to her before she was free.
I love the books, really looking forward to the latest one!

The latest addition to the "in Death" series is a great read. I didn't want to put it down it was so good. If you have liked the other "in Death" books, this one is really good - you won't want to put it down!

I love the JD Robb books. They are interesting and challenging to the brain. This book was all I hoped it would be and I am glad I purchased it. I love the characters in the "Death" series. I am not one for mushy romances.

Having read everyone of J. D. Robb's 'IN DEATH" Series, I consider myself somewhat of an expert. They move along very quickly, with lots of action and quirky characters. I could do without the "love scenes", they rarely add anything to the plot developement. The references to the future are very cleverly used 'ordering a tube of Pepsi"; commanding the shower at "101", adding a sense of adventure to the whole experience.

I liked the book but was disappointed how easily Eve was able to conquer the murderer. I think the relationships between characters were good and the plot kept moving. I thought the murderer should have more interaction with Eve prior to being caught. I love the character and series.

GREAT BOOK. AS ALL THE OTHER ONES FOR THIS IN DEATH SERIES. J. D. ROBB BETTER KNOW AS NORA ROBERTS HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO GIVE YOU DRAMA, ROMANCE, COMEDY AND ACTION ALL IN ONE STORY. IF YOU HAVE NOT PICKED UP ON THIS SERIES YOU BETTER GET TO IT.

This is another hit for JDRobb...it is a real page turner. It makes you anxious to see where Eve's next adventure leads her. And as the series progresses, Roarke gets more involved in his Lieutenant's cases. I can't wait for the next installment in the 'In Death'series.

One of the best things about this book is the occasionally snappy dialog between Eve and Peabody. However, one of the worst is the dialog where Roberts constantly uses repetitiveness as the way a character speaks using the same trite phrases over and over which becomes maddening at best. People don't talk that way, unless they have a nervous speech tic or other expressive problem. And for me, I really wish she would drop Mavis who grates on the nerves with her stupidity and helpless female neediness. Summerset continues to surprise as Nora develops his character from snarky and cold to caring and compassionate. Plus he is a tremendous help in finding data in this yarn.

I liked the photoshopped portrait of Nora pretending to be Eve Dallas on the back cover. (Lookin' good Nora!) She really gets into this character and voice and, IMO, she writes best as J.D. Robb. I also liked that Eve and Roarke's sex scenes were less graphic and a whole lot classier than in the past and there was none of those constant reminders of Eve's nightmares from her childhood. The author has made Dr. Mira more professionally appealing and less wimpy, and Feeney as obnoxious a character as one could desire with his ever present habit of juggling a bag of candied nuts in his pockets and his blowup with Eve related to his territorality over the cold case now reanimated and under Eve's command rather than his. His jealousy and threatened attitude over being "set aside" in his mind through Eve's careless "pecking order" blunder seemed well deserved. I am glad that Nora has made Eve fallible and real in terms of her performance on the job.

Nadine Fuerst is surprisingly an enjoyable character this time around, and Roarke is appealing and desirable as always taking Eve's B.S. in stride and working around her temper tantrums with his immense Irish charm and "been there, done that" type of tolerance. At times it feels like he is juggling Waterford Crystal in the form of his wife during one of her ugly meltdowns. Of all the characters I love him best for he always feels intensely real and desirable in these novels.

This story has a totally creepy villian with some inventive twists and turns, particularly in how he captures Eve and how she escapes. I wondered about Eve popping stim pills which she finds anathema most of the time, but this little factor was part of the bone chilling survival she manifested when confronted with the psychopath who was determined to carve her up like a Thanksgiving turkey. This sicko was one of her best bad guys in her series. Overall, for me this new book is a 3 star yarn.

I have been reading the entire "In Death" series in order - fun, fast, and just enough sci-fi to be plausible. I recommend JD Robb (Nora Roberts) books as entertaining and perfect for vacation or weekend reads.

I have read all of her books, both as JD Robb and Nora Roberts, more than once. This particular one did not read as one of hers. I almost want to say that it was written by someone else, or while she was distracted or not particularly happy. It felt rougher somehow. Her treatment of her major characters was lighter. I actually enjoyed a bit more revelation of the Urban Wars era and I am glad she gave us some insight there. I am hoping for more in the next one.

New York Police & Security Department's Lieutenant Eve Dallas is enjoying a quiet night at home watching a mindless movie with her perfect husband Roarke when a call comes in. Eve is surprised, as she is not even on call, but rushes to the murder scene of a young woman, knowing something is up, and is it ever. A serial killer known as "the Groom," who slipped through the NYPSD's fingers nine years before, seems to be back. He tortures his female victims to death, then lays their bodies out in a public place after placing a silver ring on one of their fingers. The police had believed the Groom had either died or gone to prison on other charges when his victims stopped appearing, but Eve's investigation uncovers similar crimes in other cities around the world. She has to stop him, which isn't going to be easy, as he leaves almost no clues.

This might have been a good story, but it got to be too much of just about everything bad, and not enough of the things I've grown to love this series for. I realize this is a murder mystery series, but it struck me that New York of 2060 must have more serial killers per capita than any other place on earth EVER. This is the umpteenth serial killer Eve has chased, and I doubt it will be the last. Usually, solving Eve's cases with her is fun, with banter all around with all the recurring characters. This time out, however, there was very little of that, and what there was felt almost forced. Instead, we spent time I would rather not have spent with our killer and his victims. I read murder mysteries because I enjoy the unraveling of the motives of the murderer; I do not read them because I enjoy getting inside the sick mind of a person who gets off on causing pain and degradation, and dwelling on the process. This book not only spent far too much time inside the mind of the killer, it also delved into the fear and pain of his victim, and I just don't want to go there. I don't need those images burned in my brain. I know there is a market for that kind of book, but I have deliberately not included any of them in my collection, and hope very much that this is not a new direction this series is taking.

That was not the only issue with this book, however. I have grown to like and admire Eve Dallas very much because I have gotten to know her by being places with her while she's doing her thing. We all know Roarke loves her to distraction, and for good reason. What I don't need is a constant reminder of how amazing she is. I've always hated reading books where the author seems overly enamored of a character and gushes about how great they are because I can never quite go along for the ride. It's better when the character can just be who they are and let us like them or not on their own merits, not because we've been told we should. Eve Dallas books are usually that way, but this time out, Nora felt it necessary to hammer it home.

Another thing I'm really, really tired of is Eve never getting any sleep. We all know she's dedicated to her job, but come on. In this book, she might have had a total of four hours stretched over several days, probably because I guess she's the only detective on the NYPSD who's amazing enough to solve a case. It's one thing to pull an all-nighter or get awakened by a phone call, but in this book it was way, way overdone. Eve couldn't stop working because she had a killer to catch before he could kill again. But would it hurt to let her get a few hours of sleep now and then? I found myself feeling worn down because of it.

This is one of the best mystery series I read, and the author has done a wonderful job of mixing it up, giving us a different type of mystery for Eve to solve each time out. One book will be a single crime of passion, and the next might be a serial killer, followed by something different in the next. Other reviewers have complained about these books getting too hard, too focused on the gore, and I thought they were wimps. After this, however, I find myself reluctantly joining their ranks. It isn't a bad book; it's just not the best of this series. It's almost as if the author forced it along in a hurry, and focused on all the wrong things. I look forward to the next Eve Dallas novel simply because I love this series, but I hope the magic is back next time. It was almost completely absent in this book.

I must have an addictive personality. I have noted over the years that I tend to latch on to a particular series by particular authors and am almost compelled to read each and every book in that series right to the end and anxiously await the next offering. So it is with this series. Now that is not to say that all the books in a specific series are equal, no, no, no...even my favorite authors come up with offerings that simply do not appeal to me and that I find fault with...and so it is with this series. Fortunately, the work being reviewed here is not one of those dogs.

Eve is pulled into the world of a very, very sick serial killer; a killer who has been dormant for a number of years. This killer capture young women and spends hours; indeed days, torturing them in the most horrendous ways until he finally kills them and moves on to his next victim.

Robb (Roberts) spends more time in this novel lurking inside the killers mind as well as his prey. The author has done this before a few times...some like this troupe; others do not. I personally am a fan of this methodology.

We find all the usual characters in this on, Eve, Roarke, et al. The banter between the various characters is sharp and witty and like most of the novels in this series is more character driven rather than plot. That is not to say the author does not do a great job in plotting her stories. Of the A-List authors in this genre she is probably one of the better. Nice crisp story with few red herrings and no unbelievable and unlikely twists are used simply to get the author out of a jamb.

Now in all farness and honesty I must admit that there are a couple of aspects of this book and others in the series...and there are a lot of books in this series, that I find mildly annoying. First, Eve seems to function either on very little sleep or no sleep at all. We are talking not only hours her folks, but days. I personally function of very little sleep but the author brings Eve into an area of almost impossible. The second annoyance is Eve’s lack of eating. This woman simply does not eat enough to function at the level that is required of her in these stories. Third, each and every book has at least two or three sexual scenes between her and her husband Roarke. These scenes will go on page after page. Hey, I have nothing against sex and like it myself but these scenes are repetitive and if you have read one of them – well, you have read them all. I simply skip over these as I know that is going to happen each and every time.

These complaints are rather moot though as other aspects of these stories more than make up for these little traits. I suppose many like these three aspects since after well over forty books in the series they still are going strong.

This was a library find.

This story is a variant on “The Collector,” i.e. a serial killer kidnaps, mutilates, and kills his young victims. It appears to be the 27th in Nora Roberts “…in Death” series. The biggest problem is that readers new to the series are not given a clue about continuing characters and how they tie in to each other. Another reviewer mentions the author’s beloved characters: Mavis, Belle, Summerset, Galahad, Feeney, McNab, Peabody, and Trueheart. To me they were as mysterious as the killer. Check out series writer, M. C. Beaton, who identifies her ongoing characters with a few key strokes, and moves on if she is not using them in the plot. Supposedly a “futuristic” series set in 2060, yet there is little in the book that feels futuristic, other than the human-like droids who serve as household servants. The better parts of the book feel like Jeffrey Deaver’s work, but Roberts too often blends the suspense with romance between the husband and wife protagonists, and one romantic scene would have been enough. She also uses too many characters in the police investigation, and as a result few have any distinct personality. She starts out by identifying a young patrolman whose father had been involved in the earlier crimes of the same perp. The reader expects young Newkirk to have some role in the story, but both Newkirks, fils et pere, get lost in the shuffle. Other reviewers suggest that Roberts often writes better than this; on their recommendations I’ll give her another try.

Nine years ago, a serial killer, dubbed The Groom, tortured and murdered four women in fifteen days. The naked bodies were found publically posed on a white sheet. Each body possessed multiple burns caused by both heat and cold, multiple puncture wounds caused by round objects, multiple bruises caused by inanimate objects and multiple lacerations caused by very sharp blades. Not a one had been raped.

And while he was called “The Groom” because he placed a silver ring on the left hand, that was only part of the killer’s signature. Another part was that all the women were brunette, fitly built and between the ages of 28 and 33. Never released to the public, however, was the fact that the killer carved into each torso, post-mortem, the exact number of hours, minutes and seconds that had elapsed from the first mark to the final heartbeat.

Now, in March 2060, The Groom has returned, placing on display the tortured and carved body of the female manager of one of Roarke’s more popular clubs. The body has been bathed and anointed in high-end products exclusive to a subsidiary of Roarke Enterprises. And the sheet on which the body is posed is expensive Irish linen, again exclusive to Roarke’s company. Then, within hours of discovering that body, another female Roarke Enterprises employee is reported missing. It appears that The Groom is targeting Roarke by proxy.

In charge of a task force dedicated to the capture of the killer, Eve Dallas and her team soon discover that at least 20 bodies with the same signature have been found worldwide over the past 9 years. However, none of those victims, or any of the four previously found in NYC, relate to Roarke in even the slightest way. It appears that, in this spree, Roarke is only a pawn, a connector to the killer’s end game - Eve. Just as the Biblical Eve was God’s last creation in life, Eve Dallas is meant to be the killer’s most important, most challenging, most exquisite – and his last – creation in death.

Pawn or not, Roarke is involved in this investigation from call-out to heart-pounding conclusion, a situation that Robb has not duplicated since the first novel of the series. As a full-time member of the task force assigned to the investigation, Roarke finally gets to observe Eve in every aspect of her job. He sees her functioning as the primary investigator into the murders, as the departmental head of a team of detectives working a myriad of homicides, as a drone gnawing on the bones of every lead, as a leader of a multi-divisional task force – and as bait for the killer.

Roarke learns what a day in the zoo that is Cop Central really consists of as opposed to his comfortable and secluded home office where he usually does his research. And he re-learns what it means to be absolutely and totally mentally whipped and bone-weary at the end of a day, as he must, in addition to his task force assignments, still command Roarke Enterprises.

Although this is the 25th entry in the series, Robb still finds a way to keep it exciting and not be a cookie-cutter version of previous books. Subtly changing both the personal and professional dynamics of several main and secondary characters, Robb makes this entry an original. And those subtle changes set the stage for the next book.

While I enjoy all the Robb books this one was just too gross and depressing, too much how to hurt another human being in sadistic and twisted ways, from the prologue onward. Whereas usually Robb gives us graphic details of happy sex, this time it's just one graphic detail about one extreme torture after another. I'm re-reading the series for the third time, but this round I will skip this one, reading only the ending to remember where it stopped before I go on to Strangers in Death, one of my favorites for a straight forward who dun it, without ghosts or other things that go bump in the night.

My first impression was - Wow. You see sides of Eve Dallas you have never seen before. Roarke is his usual charming self but Eve is given a different edge in this book. The Groom who has been dormant for some years now makes a reappearance and I must say that the description of murders / dead bodies were far more descriptive in this book than in others.

As I got to the middle, I felt - Spooked. It really didn't look as if they would catch him. The Groom attempts to justify his killings and by this stage you know that his ultimate prize is Eve. When Eve is told this, she doesn't believe it at first but as the pieces slowly fall into place Roarke too is shocked at the realisation that he may lose her to a lunatic.

As I neared the end, I thought - Oh no. Roarke has joined the investigation with everything he has because he knows the stakes are high. Eve is vulnerable. Even if she does not show her fear there is a sense of worry about what the Groom has planned for her. They are racing against time to save his latest victim and you feel the urgency with every turning page.

My final impression and recommendations - This is the best "In Death" series book I have read. While the others show a tough Eve, this one exposed her. Her relationship with Roarke is strengthened and while the sex gave the book some steam it also signalled the passion the two of them shared. The ending did feel too convenient and easy but in hindsight, it could not have happened any other way.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

I never put spoilers in my reviews.
...absolutely chilling, haunting- the least part and more insight into some of the various relationships and backgrounds of both the major and secondary players in the series- the most part.
J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts) is one of the few authors I reread. Everything about the "in Death" novels is quality writing and defies genre labeling.
From the relationship between Dallas and Rourke, the mystery/thriller storyline, an extremely strong female role model, the secondary characters, the setting, well, everything, you just can't wait for the next one. Robb shows that a woman can be strong and capable despite soul crippling events in her life. I have a mantra, "just step over it and move on." Eve Dallas personifies this. It doesn't mean you never think of it or that you forget but life goes on.
Dallas "stands for the dead," they are hers, no matter who or what they were in life and grieves for their lost futures. To her it's almost a sacred trust and she is uncompromising in her pursuit of justice for those in her care.
I think even most men would like these books, if for no reason than to see how women would like to be treated.
Read, enjoy, repeat.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

creation-in-death-j-d-robbEve Dallas is back in the 25th installment of J.D. Robb's popular In Death series. This time Eve is faced with an all familiar case. The victim is found in a park naked laid out on a white sheet, torture wounds covering her body and the time she survived the torture in hours, minutes, and seconds carved into her torso. Eve and Feeney know all about this case as they worked it nine years ago, but the killer got away. He moved onto other locations, but now he's back and they're more determined than ever to get him this go around.

This time it seems more personal to Eve as the killer has changed his pattern slightly. The murder victims this time have all been Roarke's employees, the sheets they are laid out on were made by one of Roarke's companies, as were the products used to clean the victims. So is it that much of a surprise that this murderer's grand finale also belongs to Roarke? He has his sights set on Eve and she is more than willing to play the role of bait. But will her trusted team and loving husband get to her in time? Will the techie surveillance equipment they outfitted her with be enough to keep her safe?

This book was pretty good. It's not one that jumps out at you as a stunner. But the storyline is interesting enough, and I was never bored, but it wasn't one that I couldn't put down either. When I reached the end of the book though, I realized that I did really enjoy it.

One thing that did surprise me is that for once Eve's nightmares weren't plagued by appearances of her father. I kept waiting for her to see him, but he never came to torment her in this installment. I guess she was too involved for her unconscious to bring him into the mix.

And, we're used to seeing Roarke work beside Eve at this point in the series, but it was a bit of a surprise to see him work as a cop, in Cop Central even, throughout this entire case. He was trying to find justice for his employees he lost and save those that still had a chance, and most importantly, to keep his wife safe. We didn't get to see as many romantic interludes between the couple as we're used to, but you can feel their love and Roarke's determination to protect.

"I want a homing beacon on your vehicle."

"There will be."

"No, I want one on before we leave the grounds in the morning. I'll see to it."

Give and take, she reminded herself. Even when-maybe especially when-give and take was a pain in the ass. "Okay. But there go my plans to slip off and meet Pablo the pool boy for an hour of hot, sticky sex."

"We all have to make sacrifices. Myself, I've had to reschedule my liaison with Vivien the French maid three times in the last couple of days."

"Blows," Eve said as they slipped into bed.

"She certainly does."

This is a good solid read that any mystery buff will love, to say nothing of Roarke and Eve fans, who will enjoy it that much more!

This review and more at openbooksociety dot com

Summary from Goodreads:

"To police lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, the corpse seemed like a ghoulish personalized greeting card. Not only was the young brunette victim an employee of Eve's billionaire hubby; products from his company were used in the staged crime scene. Dallas recognizes the slaying as the latest handiwork of "The Groom," an arrogant serial killer just returning from a nine-year break. What she doesn't realize immediately is that she herself is targeted as one of his next victims."

My Thoughts:

This series gets harder and harder to review the farther I get in to it because it is next to impossible to not share a spoiler here and there from past books. In this book Eve is up against a killer from a past case that was never solved. The killer seems to be taunting both Eve and Roarke, and it is turning out to be one of her toughest cases yet. What I liked about this book is that we got to see a little bit of Eve's past history as a rookie cop. This wasn't an easy case for Eve (back then and now) and it was a nice change to see her work so closely with Feeney. This series has become a comfort series for me that I go to whenever I need my Roarke and Eve fix or when I'm in the midst of a reading slump. This wasn't my favorite book of the series but it was a solid read.

This is a series that I can't help but recommend. Start at the beginning and watch as the characters grow throughout....I couldn't resist and found myself immersed in the world that Robb has created. Highly recommended!!

Bottom Line: Another great addition to one of my favorite series!

Disclosure: This book was given to me by a friend.

This was the first J.D. Robb I read and I was hooked. A lot of suspense, action and romance.
The characters were intriguing especially the main character and her assistants at the NYSPD and EDD. It was a bit difficult to figure out what all these EDD, LC, etc mean because I had not read all the previous books, but eventually I did find out their meanings. It is also interesting how the writer has placed these stories in future, but not too far in the future. Some things have changed, but not too much. Although, having different space resorts so close in the near future is quite unbelievable.

Creation in death involves the death of women - a serial killer is on the loose. The serial killer has traveled around the world and now he has returned back to New York where he started a long time ago when Eve was not able to capture him. Now she got her second chance.

If you have not read these books before, then I would recommend to start with this one or the first one. I tried to read another one earlier, but I did not finish that one. This one was more easier to follow and to get hooked.

Lt. Eve Dallas solves a case that she and Feeney had worked nine years earlier. A serial killer returns to New York with the goal of capturing Eve and making her his final work. His work is to torture female victims and carve the time it takes before they die.

Even Somerset, Mavis, and Trina assist the Homicide Dept. in solving this case.

Tempers and patience are short between Feeney and Eve while working this case. Feeney gets his feelings hurt. Like family they makeup the next day.

Another good story.

Creation in Death is the twenty-fifth book in the In Death series written by Nora Roberts (writing as J.D. Robb). I've been slowly reading all the books in this series (and some of the novellas in between numbers) for over a year now.

The characters are real and engaging. They have grown and changed through the whole series. I enjoy how Roarke and Eve support and care about each other, even though they tend to fight a lot. Most of the characters have some snarkiness to them, and the sarcastic jibs help lighten the story which is about torture and murder.

The book is written well, the action is fast paced. It's hard to put this book down once you start reading it! Even though this book is later in the series, you can read it as a stand alone if you wish. But to get the full background on the characters and their stories, start from the first one, Naked in Death.

Ten years earlier, Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas had failed. "The Groom," a serial killer who tortures beautiful women to death, then wraps their body and leaves them with a silver wedding ring, has murdered dozens of women, but he vanished from New York and Eve has gotten on with her life. Now, though, he's back, and this time it's personal. The women he kidnapps and tortures seem to come from Eve's husband, Roark's businesses. The products he uses to wash them, wrap them, and dispose of them come from Roarke's shops. And this time, Eve isn't a junior detective, she's in charge of the task force established to hunt "The Groom" down. This time will be different. This time, she'll make sure he kills no more.

Eve relies on help from Peabody, Roarke, and psychiatrist Mira to chase down the leads and gradually a profile emerges. The Groom is older, picks a specific type of woman within a specific age, and has distinctive habits. Perhaps, the evidence says, he's a survivor of the Urban Wars. Perhaps he's acting out some behavior he learned during those brutal events. But for Eve and Roarke, there are no excuses for torture and murder. And when Roarke suspects that The Groom may be targetting Eve, he threatens to explode.

Author J.D. Robb (a pseudonym for romance author Nora Roberts) writes a tight and page-turning mystery. With the emotional damage she's suffered and the many people who love her (especially Roarke but also Peabody), Eve makes a sympathetic protagonist. Roarke is every woman's fantasy--richest man in the universe, handsome, and willing to drop everything to help Eve pursue her goals--but with his own issues to keep him from becoming too perfect (or maybe to make him that much more perfect). For me, the twist at the end with The Groom seemingly able to avert justice was an excellent touch--although I thought perhaps Robb cheated a little in the story resolution. We also learned more about the history of the near-future world in which Robb sets this story--a history I hope Robb will share more of with us.

Nora Robert/J.D. Robb can write the pants off a story and she does it here with CREATION IN DEATH. I'm happy to recommend this novel.

Flat-out classic Eve Dallas... Creation In Death by J. D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)... Roberts is hitting on all cylinders here, and Creation is exactly what drew me into the In Death series to begin with (many, many years ago). Tight story, driving plot, good interplay between the characters...

In this episode, Dallas is taken back to a case she and Feeney worked nine years ago... A killer was loose in the city, and his modus operandi involved abducting young women and slowly torturing them until they died. The total time it took was then carved onto their bodies as his "signature". The case was never solved, as the murders stopped before they could find the killer. Fast forward to now, and a body has turned up that has all the same characteristics of the prior killings. Dallas doesn't take well to the fact that they didn't put him away the first time, and Feeney shares her frustration. Now that he's back, they're both resolved that everything will end this time time around.

The case dynamics have changed somewhat, in that Feeney was lead the first time with Dallas as his secondary. Now the roles are reversed, and there's a bit of tension over how much Dallas feels she should hand over to Feeney as the secondary. However, the reality is that they are both cops first, and even through the stress they understand that it's not a matter of who leads, but that the killer is stopped. Roarke plays a slightly different role in this story, in that he's brought into the case from the very beginning as a "civilian expert". He usually gets involved in some ways anyway, but there's a possibility that the killer is focused on Roarke as a revenge factor. Being in it from the start, he sees exactly how Dallas lives and breathes a crime like this, and why she's unable to turn it off until the victims have justice.

Some of the more recent In Death novels have had a more prominent plotline involving the relationship between Dallas and one of the many secondary characters in the series. They've still been good, as it's served to round out the characters and make them even more real. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the more crime-driven episodes a bit, and Creation falls squarely into that category. I started this book just a couple days ago, and finished it up while I was working out at the gym. As always, my only regret is that I have to wait for the next one...

It should first be said that this is part of a series about New York Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her friends and colleagues and her husband, multibillionaire Rourke. It makes sense on its own, but regarding the characters it's a lot better to have read the other titles in the series first. And they're definitely worth it.
'Creation in death' is about a serial killer who kidnaps young women with a specific look and age and then slowly tortures them to death. He then cuts the time they lasted under his torture into their chests, washes the bodies, and leaves them where they can be found. The case is particularly important to Eve Dallas because the killer was in New York when she had just become a policewoman. She and her instructor Feeney couldn't catch the killer back then. And the killer already has his next victim. So the police know that while they're desperately trying to find this killer, the next woman is already being tortured. A race against time begins. As always, Rourke helps his wife, so do her colleagues. But it soon becomes clear that the killer will come after Eve herself as his final victim. And she is more than willing to let him catch her in the hope that she can save his present victim.
This was one of the most intense books in the series when it comes to the crime story because it's not 'just' about catching a killer after the crime or before he / she can commit another, but about saving women who are being tortured to death as the police are investigating. I could imagine that this story may be hard to take for some readers, but I thought it was really well-done and gripping. As I like the characters and the series, it's always a pleasure to get another Eve Dallas novel. I would definitely recommend this book and the whole series if you like intelligent crime stories with well-developed characters.
Naked in Death (In Death)

After 25 books and a couple of novella stories, you would think the In Death series would run out of ideas. JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts) keeps this long running series fresh and exciting with characters that continue to grow and entertain and mysteries that are exciting and suspenseful. The newest addition, Creation, is no exception.

Eve comes across a murder scene that is all too familar and a case that was never solved. The Groom is back and has started murdering young women again. The initial case was back when Eve was a rookie and Feeney was the primary. Now Eve is the primary and will not let this murderer get away again. Many on her team either remember or were a part of the initial investigation as well.

This time around the focus is on women who work for Roarke in some fashion and involves products that he manufactures. Why is this murderer targeting Roarke? Is his plan to go after the one thing that Roarke treasures most? Eve fits the profile of the intended victims and would be the ultimate match to end this murderer's game plan.

Creation In Death involves more procedure than in past books in this series which does not detract from the suspense and excitement in the plot. Each step in the investigation is seen and continues to keep you in suspense as they look for and eventually find the one key that will unlock the mystery of who this killer is and lead them to him.

Roarke is involved in the investigation from start to end. In past investigations, he has only come in to assist on an as needed basis. I think this gives him a better understanding of what his wife, Eve puts herself through in each of her investigations where she will not rest until the justice is served for the victims of these heinous crimes.

I also enjoy the relationships that Eve has formed in this series whether it be with her husband, Roarke, her partner, Peabody, Peabody's boyfried, McNab, Feeney ( who is like a father to Eve), Dr Mira ( who is like a mother to Eve), Commander Whitney, Baxter, Trueheart, Summerset, Trina, Mavis, and countless others. Eve now has the family that she never had growing up.

This series continues to entertain and I can't wait for the next in one this exciting series, Strangers in Death, coming out in Feb 2008. My only disappointment is that you then have to wait until Oct/Nov 2008 for the following one in the series.

This is a series that I NEVER get tired of reading...over...and over again. There is nothing like a full novel written by Nora Roberts to make for an entertainingly scrumptious story that pulls you in and makes you feel homesick in between installments. And, when that installment comes out and you finally have a chance to read it, your back at home with life, death, intrigue and love.

You gotta love Roberts. She makes the best characters and stories.

Also, let me say that Susan Erickson's right on, talented and engrossing professional narration of Roberts' books is like icing on the cake. If you love the book, try it again with the audio enhancements...truly entertaining!

This is a good & enjoyable addition to J.D. Robb's "In Death" series, but not the best one. And it is not a good one for the brand new Eve Dallas reader.

I "discovered" this series last winter and have read them all. As a reader who has been through all the previous books, I appreciated that the author didn't spend a lot of the book explaining the back stories of the characters. But a new reader of the series should probably not start with this one -- there is too much knowledge assumed and mentioned only in shorthand references. Some backstory was not mentioned at all. I sometimes get tired of re-reading about Eve's childhood but I don't recall even a reference in this book. It is such a motivating part of her personality that the absence seemed odd.

This book is centered with the police force so Eve's relationships with the non-police regular characters were short-changed compared to previous books. I particularly enjoy her prickly friendships with her women friends, including her partner, so this was disappointing.

I also missed some of the futuristic elements from some of the other books. With few changes it could be a contemporary police procedural mystery.

All that aside, I did stay up late reading it!

What happens when you can't save everyone? When you couldn't bring justice to every single soul you meet? What happens when the soemthing so evil comes back to haunt you?

To us mere mortals, we would be screaming and trying to leave town!

To Dallas...catch the SOB and send him to jail!

When a young brunette is found in the East River park, artfully positioned and marked by signs of prolonged and painful torture, Eve is catapulted back to a case nine years earlier. The city was on edge from a killing spree that took the lives of four women in fifteen days, courtesy of a man the media tagged "The Groom"-because he put silver rings on the fingers of his victims.

Looks like "The Groom" is back in business and he has his eye on the finishing touch: Eve.

I've been reading J.D. Robb for years, well, from the inception of the Eve Dallas series. I've always liked this series a great deal, although I'm not a big fan of "Science Fiction", per se. However, this series is set in the immediate future of the 2050's initially, so it's not so far-flung that I'm not able to relate to the evolutions in the technology that runs throughout the stories. The advancements in the technology are definitely a part of the stories, but they are used with such surprising subtlety that they are barely there. The characters are very strong and the developement from book to book is apparent and, in many cases, captivating.
On to this particular book. This is one of the Eve Dallas books that is devoted almost completely from start to finish in the actual crime drama that is going on with Eve and company, including yummy husband, Roarke, with little to no understory happening. Now, understand that part of the fun of these books IS the understory and the continuing lives of the characters that populate these books, so I'm not belittling that in any way. But, because this book is totally devoted to the crime and the solving of same, by the time I got to the end of the book and the resolution, I was actually in tears. We all know Eve comes through because there is a "next" book, so I'm not giving anything away when I say, when Eve came through and the crime was done, the condition she was in, as well as the comedic timing of the person for whom she came through lent a whole new aspect to who Eve is a person. Her heart and compassion was just dripping from her as well as her sense of ownership of the victims. Sometimes, Robb can make Eve just a tad too rough and tough and those final scenes, final chapters, were just the fix I needed to remember that Eve has a wonderful, soft, almost magical side to her and that that is much of what Roarke loves in her. Me, too! Enjoy!

This story moved a little slower than some of the other books in this series but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. The author did an amazing job at showing just how sick the human mind can be when left to its own devices. It was good to see some tension between Roarke and Eve as they worked together on the case more than any other case she's had that I've read so far. It shows they aren't always lovey dovey but that such situations can make even a "perfect" couple hit a few snags. Peabody as always was a delightful character in the book; she always adds a great upbeat tone to keep the book from getting completely dark. Enjoyed the ending very much.

Creation in Death is another will written mystery in the series with the usual interesting will developed characters plus some new good and bad ones. The story has death taking front an center as Lt Dallas tracks down the killer. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. Enjoy reading

Having read each and every book in the In Death series, it takes a lot for me to say that this one was the very best yet, but I have to say that to my mind, it was perfect. I picked it up, and that was it--I could not put it down again. With lives as busy as they are in this day and age, that's not a cliche. I truly could not put it down!

Others have gone over the plot, and I won't do it again here, we know we have a murderous, torturing serial killer whose methods are the worst yet. We see him from his point of view, and we watch Eve and her crackerjack team (including "civilian consultant" Roarke) scramble to find him before he tortures and murders yet another innocent young woman in his long, horrible career.

There are some really interesting flashbacks to the mythical "urban wars" that supposedly happened in the early 2000s (these futuristic books take place in the late 2050s), that I found absolutely fascinating. These Wars have been mentioned before, but never in such detail.

All in all, this is a sterling effort, and again I stand in awe of Nora Roberts/JD Robb's incredible prolific talent.

Another great case and I liked seeing how Eve handled both the case and Roarke being involved with the victims. I liked seeing this different side of Roarke, because we can see he always help with the investigation, but this time he was more worried than anything. Eve made a huge decision in the end and we could see the way things would be different if she chose to let it all go.

To me this book was more about the investigation and we lost a few of those hilarious scenes. Mavis made an appearance, but things were too tense and it didn’t really mattered. I love seeing Eve more human with friends and having problems dealing with normal situations, but I understand things should go different for this series.

He's back.

Nine years ago, long before Eve Dallas had her lieutenant stripes, a killer who was dubbed The Groom abducted, tortured and murdered a series of women. The New York City police were unable to catch him before he dropped off their radar. As the years passed, it was their collective hope that he had been captured, incarcerated or, better yet, killed. Whatever had happened, they wanted him gone for good.

But he's back. And this time, he wants Eve Dallas.

In the years since he disappeared, The Groom has been honing his skills. Organization and patience aren't the only things he has going for him. He picks his partners --- as he considers his victims --- methodically, taking time to choose carefully. Plus, he's more than just highly intelligent.

"He was a maestro in the art of death. The keeper of time. The bringer of destiny."

But his obsession with Eve Dallas may be his undoing.

A body is discovered, then a second, and the clock is already ticking on a third victim. With a sizable task force behind her, tracking devices on her car and her person, a tag team in close following distance, it seems safe for Lt. Dallas to use herself as bait. She knows that he wants her. Besides, what could possibly go wrong? Famous last words. It's possible that the police might not be giving this clever serial killer the credit he deserves. They need to keep in mind that he has eluded their attempts to stop him for many years --- and, they learn, in many countries.

How does he manage to lure women off the streets, during daylight hours, without a struggle? Particularly once the killings start. With the word out, what woman would accompany a stranger anywhere alone?

The psychologist's profile, coupled with Dallas's intuitive instinct, gives the cops an advantage that they didn't have nine years ago. The killer starts to take shape from their tenacious digging and logical deductions. His history emerges, showing what made him into the monster that is now stalking young brunettes.

Roarke, Dallas's sexy, rich, Irish hunk of a husband, adds his invaluable expertise --- along with some occasional bouts of pizza delivery --- to the lieutenant's task force. Together, they thrust and parry their way through the nerve-wracking hours to the end of the toughest case Dallas has seen in a long time. Both are strong characters, quick of temper, hard loving, hard working and hard playing. They will need to be every bit of that --- and much more --- to catch this killer.

And then there's Roarke's man, Summerset, who displays a palpable distaste for Roarke's distinctly unfeminine wife. He proves himself worthy of a very large pat on the back in this investigation. To her surprise and chagrin, Dallas almost starts to like him.

J.D. Robb's stories are fun to come home to at the end of the day. With CREATION IN DEATH --- the 25th installment of her bestselling In Death series --- she gives us one of the nastiest villains she has conjured up to date. With the target being Dallas herself, it makes for an interesting challenge. And warp speed reading.

--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers

Some cases haunt you...

Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows the killer's signature as soon as she sees the dead body. "The Groom", as the killer was dubbed, is one of those cases that has haunted her from her early days as a cop, when she was still green and partnered with Feeney. Eve's husband, Roarke, has ties to the case as this new victim worked for him. As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that this time "The Groom" is making things personal. Will Eve be able to stop the killer this time?

J.D. Robb continues to amaze with her long running series featuring Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke. CREATION IN DEATH is easily a stand alone as J.D. Robb ensures all the relationships are explained well enough for even one new to the series. Just be warned that once you start reading this series, you'll be hooked!

CREATION IN DEATH is yet another stunning installment, with the case becoming very personal this time. The insights into the working relationship between Eve and Feeney are startling as Eve gets as emotional as she is capable of getting. This is a case that haunted both Eve and Feeney, and neither of them is good at handling their emotions.

Each book in this series adds another layer to these phenomenal characters, characters I never tire of reading about. The moments between Peabody and Eve had me laughing out loud; their friendship is strong and it is always uplifting to read about their interactions. Roarke and Eve have perhaps one of the strongest romances I can ever remember reading and CREATION IN DEATH only solidifies just how much they love one another.

CREATION IN DEATH once again demonstrates the writing prowess of J.D. Robb. Ms. Robb delivers a story that is powerful and intense. Highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

CREATION IN DEATH is another winner in the Eve Dallas/Roarke series, although it's not one of my personal favorites. This time around, a killer who began his murder spree in New York nine years ago has returned -- same MO, same type of victims, and the same cops, Feeney and Eve, out to catch him.

When the team realizes that the first victim has a connection to Roarke and his buisness dealings, he steps up to help with the investigation. And as more women go missing, it's up to Eve to find the killer, before he grabs his final victim -- Eve herself.

Overall, another good read in the series, but I didn't find it as emotional as some of the past books. There are some really funny parts in the book, though, especially dealing with Mavis and her baby, a scene between Roarke and McNab, and, as always, the somber yet somehow lovable Somerset.

If I had to describe this book in 1 word - that word would be RIVETING. It caught my attention within the first few pages and held it. LOL, So much so that the family got tired of waiting for me to fix supper and someone decided to bring home McD's.

The mystery is very skillfully woven through the story with hints popping up here and there, but you don't really get a sense of who done it till nearly the end. You get to see Eve and Roarke's relationship deepend even further as does Eve's and Feeney's.

The killer (The Groom) was actually one of the first cases Eve worked on as a detective, and he got away, now he's back, and you could say he's back with a vengenace. Nine years and at least 20 kills later he comes back to where he started, but why? That's the question and can Eve and crew stop him this time.

Creation is frightening and quite compelling. The villain is brutal and cagey. Again, as with other books in this series, powerful emotions are brought to the surface--especially those of the cops chasing a sadistic killer in hopes of saving innocent lives. I've read Creation three times and have loved it every time.

If you haven't read the 'in Death' series, you're denying yourself hours of entertainment and pleasure. Take the advice I was given, though, and read them in order so you meet the main cast members as they come into play and develop into first-rate characters. This series is additive.

Thank you Ms. Robb!

Shelley Dawn, author of Dark Nights and Sweet, Sweet Jessie

This was one of the series that really satisfied. When I finished reading it, I patted the cover fondly as if to thank the story for the time we spent together.

Eve and Roarke have changed each other as happens to married couples. They've blurred themselves and unbent their own rules in favour of the other's position in small ways. And, I think, to the betterment of both. Eve has learned that Roarke's ways, although completely illegal and perhaps at times unethical, are in fact more just than justice. And Roark has learned how cops work and how they feel about the work and I think he is amused to find himself in their milleau.

The villian is horrific and you really feel for the victims and are acutely aware of time ticking by while Eve, Roarke and the police team struggle to find the killer in time. It creates a knife's edge dance supported by the tension that makes this read so satisfying. Will they come in time? Who will be next? As each victim fades away from life, you grieve a little and it fuels the tension of wanting Eve to solve it soon. This was a captivating read from start to finish which took me away from this world for the duration. If you want to escape for a while, this one will do that for you.

I love this whole series. Great, strong characters.
When the series first came out, I was concerned I wouldn’t care for the futuristic story line but most of it doesn’t seem that far out any longer.

As an avid Eve Dallas fan and a total Nora Roberts addict, I found this addition to the J.D. Robb series a little disappointing. Since other reviewers have already summarized the story itself, I will give my opinion on why I was not as taken by this story as I had been in the past with this series. First of all, the business of how great Eve is and how perfect Roarke is, is definitely getting a little too old. I miss not having more interaction with the other characters (perhaps a little side line on the relationship - and maybe marriage - of Peabody and McNab). Another disappointment in this story was the relentless research and digging into background to catch the killer. I think that this being fiction, the focus should be on the other characters of the series more so than having to listen to how Roarke calls a buddy in Ireland or how he digs up information on his unregistered computer over and over again. We all know about these tactics from the prior stories in the series and mentioning them several times is necessary to give the new reader background, however, too much of this takes time and space away from the personal interactions of the other main characters. Also, the ending was anticlimactic. A big build up for a nasty murderer who has killed over the course of more than a decade comes to a close very quickly and without much effort. More sub-stories or interaction with Mavis, Leonardo, Feeney, Peabody, and McNab would definitely add a fine touch to this series. Also, I am afraid it is getting stale with the same-old, same-old. Too much about how Eve doesn't like babies. She is down right mean about her assessment of Mavis' baby, Belle. The very best stories in this series, to my mind, were the early ones; stories that showed friction, love and companionship (as only Eve can show it) added more interaction with other members of Eve's life while still telling a great murder/mystery story.

This installment of the 'In Death' series has Eve, Roarke and the entire NYPSD at war with a serial killer; a man who has returned to New York after nine years to pick up where he left off torturing and murdering young women. All of my avorite characters are pulled into storyline as the police work feverishly to find the killer who previously escaped them. Tempers flare and desperation sets in as a second victim is found and it becomes obvious the killer is after Dallas. Well written and a book I was unable to put down until the end. Kudos to J.D. Robb on another great book.

J D Robb has done a good job of keeping a series going over so many books - I think this is number 27 in the 'In Death' group. Even more surprising, the heroine, Eve Dallas, has stuck with the same man for the entire run; it's unusual for an author to try to portray a steady marriage in a novel as perhaps that's less interesting than the spikes and fireworks of unmarried characters or warring partners. In this particular book, however, the relationship between Eve and Roarke is less significant than the overall plot and, for me, that was an improvement over the more recent books in this series that I have read. Yes, Eve and Roarke still have a few scenes together, they still talk with the rather toe-curling phrases like "you centre me" and all that stuff, but a lot of that can be skim-read if it's a bit too gooey for you (as it is for me; let's face it, how many married people say that sort of thing to each other? - well, we don't in England anyway!)

The murder in this story is one that affects both Eve and Feeney very deeply. Of course in all the other books the murders affect Eve very deeply (for someone who appears quite cold and heartless towards living people she is surprisingly nice to dead ones) but this murder is perhaps more significant because it is the work of a serial killer who they weren't able to catch nine years ago. This killer, dubbed 'The Groom', killed four women in New York and then moved on to Europe, South America and elsewhere and so Eve and Feeney missed their chance. However when Eve's called to the site where a body is dumped and she sees the unique pattern of this killer's handiwork on the body, she knows it's all starting again and she knows that many more women will die.

This time, however, she's the Primary in the case and Feeney is helping her; also this time there seems to be a more personal element to it, with links between the dead woman and Roarke's world. Once again Roarke seems able to completely dump his entire workload (of apparently running half the businesses on the planet) to help Eve; I find this lack of realism annoying in J D Robb's writing. His ability to know all his staff, at least vaguely, is also vastly unrealistic. Anyway, they soon realise that it's not Roarke that The Groom is working towards but Eve. They couldn't catch him last time, he seemed to make no mistakes - can they get him this time?

Coincidence plays quite a part in this story; there are also a number of occasions where Eve makes a leap of logic that pays dividends (as always) and she doesn't seem to put a foot wrong. The story is fast-moving with the events taking place over just a couple of days and it was an interesting read but I did feel rather too much unreality was injected into the story in terms of solving the plot. Interestingly at the end Eve does something illegal (with Roarke's help) which involves her carrying out her own brand of justice; I wondered whether this is a new step in her character, someone who previously was completely moral is now setting herself up as some kind of judge to override someone's else's rights. Perhaps this will be explored further in future books as it's an interesting possibility although didn't add to her appeal to me at all - in fact, I don't find Eve a very appealing character at all. The usual subsidiary characters are in this book - Peabody, McNab, Mavis, Feeney, Trina, Baxter, Dr Mira etc, as well as Summerset (I enjoy the scenes with Summerset the most) but the focus of this story is much more on the murder and the desperate race to solve it than the characters and their lives. I found that an improvement although others might not. It was a good read but there is no novelty in this series any longer and I fear it's outlasted its natural life.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007

Since Naked in Death, I am an avid J D Robb fan. However, the torture murders in Creation in Death pushed the limit of my reading sensibilities. Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell gave me the same feeling ... we are trying too hard to horrify our readers! Unlike Book of the Dead and similar torture scenes, Creation in Death has merit based on the characters. Eve is still the undefeatable NYC murder cop and Roarke is still her devoted rich husband who rolls up his sleeves way beyond the elbows to help bring this serial killer to justice. All the other players in the "In Death" series have tossed aside their personal lives and joined in the effort to keep one more woman from suffering a horrific death. But the horror is still there ... throughout the book ... in graphic detail ... it's not pretty.

I hope authors will soon eschew advice encouraging them to shock their readers beyond the point of enjoyment. As a reading audience, how calloused can we become?

Another well-crafted tale of Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband Roarke with more twists and turns than imaginable! This series, set in the second half of the 21st century, has a futuristic backdrop that adds to the texture of each story. Make sure to read the series in order and let us know in Goodreads what you think of these great characters!

I loved this book. It was extremely suspenseful, gut wrenching, but also very satisfying. The characters we have come to love so much in this series were very true to form, but also showed great growth and depth. I especially enjoyed Susan Ericksen's reading of the book for the audiobook version. I've been waiting for months for this book and audiobook to come out, and boy was I not disappointed. Stayed up late getting thru the audiobook and continued as much as I could squeeze in the next day. This book is really the very best of the series so far in my opinion. I've noticed the books have been getting better and better and this "episode" sure reinforced that observation! Kudo's to J.D. Robb / Nora Roberts. And kudos to Susan Ericksen. Thanks for a really great book. Now when do we get a movie?!

Warning: this thriller is about a torture murderer who stalks women. It does not make for comfortable reading, but it does what a thriller is supposed to do: keep you up late at night turning pages.

This novel is the adult equivalent of a scary theme park ride: it takes you to the edge of the abyss and gives you a good long look down, but it does not drop you. It's slick and sexy and J. D. Robb is a reliable commercial trademark that promises and delivers a good "read" as opposed to literature.

I'm not going to summarize the plot because it has more bends than a corkscrew. The villain is a plausible conman with a slick system for luring his victims to their doom. All victims are female and women who have had personal experience with a stalker might want to avoid this one entirely, or read it with your therapist.

IN all but one other Eve Dallas books, the first thing she would request is surveillance tapes. Since the killer bought all his props from Roarkes businesses, you know those places had cameras yet Eve never once requested to see them. While the book was fairly well written, I couldn't get past that little slip especially when I was constantly reminded how Eve is the greatest cop who ever lived.
The series is starting to wear thin. Eve is starting to be a caricature of herself. She's so rude when in most cases it's unnecessary. Being a good cop doesn't mean you have to be mean and rude to everyone person you speak with. Ease back on that.

A serial killer who had eluded the NYSPD nine years ago has returned. Feeney was the primary investigator back then and Eve was a newly minted detective and his partner. The fact that the killer escaped clean to go ply his trade in other cities and countries has sat bitterly with not only Eve and Feeney but with Morris the coroner, Whitney the chief and even Berenski the lab tech.

Now, nine years later he is back, doing exactly what he did before in his same MO. The cops of the NYSPD have a chance for redemption. Eve is tagged as the primary investigator and hits the ground running with her usual band of co-horts: Peabody, McNabb, Feeney, Baxter, Trueheart and of course Roarke. Even Trina, the scary hairdresser plays a part that surprisingly does not involved terrifying Eve with grooming products. And we get introduced to a few new characters such as the sassy e-girl Callender.

What I liked the most about this story is the pacing. Robb writes the book just like what it is, a race against time. The pacing and the tension ratchets up so as you read it you feel the same sense of urgency that the characters on the page feel. It is a nice effect and Robb does a good job with that. Another nice touch is that there is quite a bit of it shown from Roarke's POV. And Robb does a nice job of flipping the script a bit from some of the previous books. Whenever Roarke gets involved with Eve's job it is done in their home on his turf, but she takes him out of his comfort zone and puts them all at the police dept. almost around the clock. You can see Roarke struggle a bit as he is working in a place that is alien to him. Nice touch there.

I knock off a star because of the whole mother/female figure that the perp is killing over and over again. Robb has drunk from this well a little too many times before.

I am big fan of Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb and I have read all of the "in death" series. This was a good read, but it didn't draw me in like the books in this series usually do. Usually, once I start reading an "in death" book, I can't put it down until I'm finished, but not this one. It took me a few days to finish. This story seemed to focus more on the case and less on the personal relationships of the characters in the story. I like the stories where it is balanced. I like a good mystery, but I also enjoy the interactions and storylines involving the relationships between the different people in the story. This story did not really focus on Eve and Roarke as much. There also wasn't as much about the other characters, like Peabody and McNabb, etc. All in all, it's a good story, but not one of the best.

Wasn't my favorite In Death book of the series so far. I usually finish them in a day or 2 but this one just didn't grab me like the others did. First half was slow going and rather boring. That being said the second half was great and will continue with the next book.

I think "Creation in Death", the latest installment to J.D. Robb's "In death" series is an excellent read. I enjoyed the plot very much.

I've read all the books in the series and I think they keep getting better and better. The characters also evolve in each book, so it feels like you know them really well.

The ONLY critique I have with not just this latest book but all the books in the series is this:
The characters (especially Eve and Roarke) are too mushy-mushy at times. It's a bit cheesy!

Otherwise, each book in the series have great plots, and I like the characters. "Creation in death" is a great book and I would highly recommend it, especially to fans of the series. You won't be disappointed!

Eve Dallas, homicide Lieutenant of the year 2060 has come a long way from her days as a rookie cop. Owing much to Captain Feeney, who now heads up the department's electronic investigation unit, Eve hopes she has become the homicide investigator that Feeney once tirelessly trained her to be. When she is nominated as lead on a case that involves re-visiting an old investigation, Eve feels uncomfortable giving out tasks to her old boss. Were there mistakes made by Feeney and the original team of detectives?

It seems "The Groom" has returned, the killer so dubbed by the press for his habit of placing rings on the fingers of the women he kills after prolonged torture sessions. One thing they learnt the first time around was that the Groom always had a back-up bride, meaning that when one woman dies, the next victim has already been kidnapped. With a ticking time bomb of the worst kind spurring them onwards, Eve and her team are short of time and short of temper. The big question to Eve is why is this killer, who successfully escaped the New York police the first time around, back in action after such a long time? The answers are in the last case, and treading on tender egos is the least of Eve's concerns. Setting herself up to be the Groom's next target is not something she wants to share with her protective husband any time soon either. As for the Groom's victims, time will keep on running out for them unless Eve can successfully place herself within the sights of a very efficient killer.

Just as it is thought that this series is nearing an end, another book comes along. CREATION IN DEATH is the 25th entry in Robb's very popular "in Death" series, a major achievement in anyone's terms, and particularly so considering how many books it is that Robb also manages to churn out under her own name of Nora Roberts. For the regular reader, this latest book is well within the comfort zone of how we expect Eve to behave, and also of how the relationships of those around her function. The character of Eve Dallas still throws out the smart and snappy dialogue, while stomping over the social niceties in police boots in order to catch her prey. Secondary characters share the limelight less in this latest offering - a plus, as they can get annoying. Making it more of a one woman show with husbandly backup is this reader's preferred manner in which the series should operate. The platform of a future world is far more interesting than the domestics of what Eve's friends and workmates are up to.

Despite the future setting of New York, science fiction high-tech style, Robb manages to keep the crime in her "in Death" series on a local level which is something of a relief. The crimes remain those of the city, and so well has Robb maintained the rules of her fictional future world that the procedures of investigation have become very familiar to regular readers. The world of Eve Dallas and her billionaire, drop-dead gorgeous (of course) husband is populated with a myriad of interesting characters (the villains being the best of these) and cool gadgets for everyday living. The momentum begun with the debut of the first book continues to CREATION IN DEATH. Said before, worth saying again - this is the crime fiction reader's sorbet. Great fun, fast, and refreshingly different.

JD Robb's Creation in Death had me going from the start. a fantastic regression with Eve's case of nine years prior. The Groom's return is the best yet. This is a great read packed with suspense and heart stopping forensics. Nora Roberts remains one of my favorites in sci-fi mystery and suspense. The future world of 2060 is vivid as it is awesome. Warning; there is gore!!! In my case and perhaps many others the forensics in this story are nearly to the limit of horrific involuntary reaction. Aside from that, five stars all the way. I highly recommend you read this one.
BTW with me on the road nearly 24-7, I ordered the cd to catch up on my 'Creation' reads, and I have to say Susan Ericksen did an excellent job. I plan to do a lot more listening with this kind of quality. I nearly had trouble leaving the car between chapters.

This was another great addition to the series. I took a break in the middle (before reading Innocent in Death) and recently resumed. It's great to become reacquainted with all the characters, and almost no one does better characterization than Robb/Roberts. Creation was very exciting and fast-paced. The mystery was interesting, as was the glimpses into everyone's lives. The way Eve's friendships keep building, and how everyone has meshed into a "family" is very rewarding. Well done! Looking forward to reading the next one.

This 25th book in the series is horrifying, suspenseful and thrilling just to start! The book opens with the reader being introduced to the killer although not by name. We learn that to the killer death is a "vocation" the end all. The killer loves opera and apparently started his killing in New York almost a decade before and decides after "traveling" around both on "vacation" or his dormant periods and killing in other locales to come back to New York to "finish." He has a woman on a table tied down and has been systematically been using heat, cold and sharp objects on her to see how long she can last.

Lt. Eve Dallas and Roarke and their cat Galahad are relaxing watching an old action flick. Eve has the next 48 hours off and is looking forward to some quality time with her hubby. She is content munching on popcorn that is over salted and over buttered so that Roarke won't touch it. Her 'link goes off and it is Commander Whitney, her boss, calling her to a discovery of a dead body in a park. He knows it is her time off but tells her he needs her to be the primary detective in charge of this case. Roarke goes with her and it turns out that the woman found spread out and nude on a white sheet worked at a club he owns. It also appears to be the work of the Groom as the pressed dubbed this killer over nine years ago. He killed 4 women horribly, put silver rings on their left hands and left them where they would be found.

As Roarke gets more and more involved, we get to see the Homicide and EDD cops from his point of view which is very interesting and we also get to see how he and Eve can work together. We also see more interaction with Eve and Captain Feeney, her old partner and the detective in charge of the Groom case nine years ago. This time Eve determined to solve it even as the killer appears to be targeting Roarke in some ways.

I love also the extra interaction with Peabody, McNab, Mavis and Trina who all have parts to play. A very thrilling story with a most horrific killer!

Highly recommended!

Valerie Matteson
Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is a great new novel in the "In Death" series. As a serious Nora fan, I was at first skeptical of her series of books written under the nom de plum of J.D. Robb. After all, I've never fancied myself a sci-fi fan and I knew that it was set in the future. I decided to give it a chance, and boy am I glad I did! These books are filled with everything I like in my novels: mystery, romance and suspense. The futuristic aspects only add to the twists and turns of the plot and are kind of fun (I've found myself thinking, "huh, wonder if we'll get that any time soon"). If you haven't already, you should definitely give them a try-- and start with the first one! ( Naked in Death) The books are great in the sense that you get to follow your favorite characters over time (and don't have to stop at book three, as is the case w/ trilogies.) The only complaint I have is that she doesn't write them fast enough!

This book in particular is another great! Eve faces down an old foe-- a psycho killer who is murdering young women after torturing them. Early in her career, she and her partner, (now Electronic Division Supervisor) Feeney tried unsuccesfully to stop a rash of murders by the same sicko. Now Eve along with Roarke, Peabody, McNab, and of course Feeney and the rest of her team work long and hard to catch the murderer-- you'll have to check out the book to see if they succeed!

This is the 25th (30th if you count all the novellas in between) book in the In Death Series.

The year is 2060 and Homicide Lt. Eve Dallas of the New York Police and Security Department is called to the crime scene of a young woman murdered and then left in the local park. Eve immediately recognizes the torturing signature of a killer she investigated 9 years ago when she was just a rookie, partnered with Feeney. This is a killer they dubbed The Groom and were never able to apprehend.

This is a case that brings back a lot of memories, emotion and anger from everyone on the NYPSD. When the victim turns out to be one of Roarke's employees, he too becomes invested in finding this killer.

There is a reason I rush out to the bookstore on the release dates of all of the In Death books. Nora consistently creates spellbinding and suspenseful stories with the most charming characters and this book is no exception. Her villain's wheedle their way into your mind as they are so deliciously evil; you can't help but be fascinated by them. Her books never cease to entertain and delight me, and they are stories that I read over and over again and never tire of. This was an excellent addition to an ever fabulous series.

In March 2060, NYPSD Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas watches an action movie with her husband Roarke when an official call comes in from Commander Whitney. He tells her to go to a crime scene without providing her any information as to why he ordered her to do this on her day off. When she arrives at the location and examines the corpse, she knows why her superior provided her with nothing.

Eve realizes that Whitney wanted her to verify independently his theory that "the Groom" a serial killer who tortures his victims to death and then carves into their bodies how long they lasted under torture. Dallas believes this is the same culprit who she failed to catch nine years ago. He killed four women back then and many others in other states and countries, but apparently he is back in NYC. Eve vows to cage this animal.

Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb is at the top of her game in CREATION IN DEATH, the latest exciting entry in her futuristic police procedural series. Even though the tale occurs only five plus decades from now, the audience easily accepts the future ambience as tidbits are blended into the fine story line. This is a terrific cat and mouse thriller with the determined Eve assuming she is the hungry cat on the prowl while her opponent is a master tiger tamer.

Harriet Klausner

Again, Robb brings back the characters we love with a new crime to solve. Roarke works more hands-on this time, getting a real picture of what cops do. He'd never been this 'in' it before, and it was great to see him there, and get his 'feel' for what cops go through during an intense investigation.

Arguments and fights between some of the more active characters make them appear more human and all the more believable.

The plot was good, not so many twists but you get even more information and more of a feel about the perpetrator in this one, a better sense of the why. Although it wasn't complicated, I really loved how it all came down. Ariel was perfectly added as the last 'victim', and I'm glad Eve connected with her on some level. Although only a 'temporary character', I really hope to see her again in a future novel.

What Eve asked Roarke to do - stepping 'over the line' as she did, I wholeheartedly agreed with and would have done the same in her position. I won't go into further detail as it would spoil the ending, but I was more than glad of it. You'll understand what I mean when you read it.

First Sentence: For him, death was a vocation.

Lt. Eve Dallas is off duty and off call when she's called in a primary on the case where the body of a young woman who had been systematically tortured, cleaned and finally posed on an expensive white sheet wearing nothing but a silver band ring is found. Dallas quickly realizes this case ties to series killings she worked on as a young detective. Once they identify both the victim, and another young woman who is now missing, work for businesses owned by her wealthy husband, Roark, he becomes involved in the investigation as well.

In some ways, this is a more serious book than others in the series from the perspective that Roark is there as a witness to Eve's job, from start to end. At the same time, it was not one of my favorite books in the series.

The seriousness of the plot, by necessity, diminished some of the spark and humor that is usually there. But I also found the plot painfully predictable; I knew where the story was going from the beginning. I still love the characters, and Roberts' combination of new future technology and the determination of Eve to find justice for the victims of crimes.

It was enjoyable, but not the best book in the series.

I love this series and this book has the usual plot twists combined with romance and suspense. Nobody does this better than Nora Roberts. You can pick up any of her books from the series and be able to follow them. It's also fun to read the books in order from the first book titled, "Naked in Death" & see the relationships between the main characters develop. "Naked in Death" is where the suave and sophisticated Roarke, former thief, meets the tough and infallible Eve, who's a cop. Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)

The last "Of Death" I read was not as good and it seemed as if the series was, lagging, if you will. But I got this book in the mail on Saturday 1/5 and finished it on Sunday 1/6!!! Awesome book, it was fast, things were unraveling from beginning to end. The usual characters were still here (Feeny, Peabody, McNab, etc....) and I loved that! It seems as if Eve is actually becoming more "feeling" for lack of a better word.....she's showing more emotions and allowing herself to be open...and I like that....for all the series fans out there, get this one...it's worth it!

First, I must tell you that I am a JD Robb lover. I have read most of the series if not all and love the characters and the plots. I immensely enjoyed "Innocent in Death" because we got to see Eve vulnerable and out of sorts. I guess when I pre-ordered "Creation", I had high expectations. You had the usual blurb, about the book, "Eve is reintroduced to the work of a killer that she failed, along with Feeney, to stop 9 years prior. And now, there is a link to Roarke, her sexy and successful, husband". When I tell you I couldn't wait to get it, I really mean it.

So, when it arrived in that wonderful the store box, I was prepared for the ride of a lifetime. And that is why I have given this book a 3. For the first time, JD Robb/Nora Roberts did not offer anything new and exciting. The plot had potential, but it seemed to be forced together. The killer changed his MO just enough to give the police information that would lead to identifying him. And the killer, was lackluster at best. He seemed to have a plan that would "make Eve his last victim", while initially it appeared that Roarke was behind the motivation. And that is where I thought the storyline was a little weak. I love the fact that Roarke, a business morgal puts everything aside to assist his talented and driven Supercop Wife, Eve. But trying to tie him into the story seemed a little redundant. In the past, Roarke's links to the story has been vague and it is his ability to manipulate computers and his access to resources that comes into handy. Here, there were efforts to make all the victims, and evidence from the scene come back to Roarke. The story would have been fresher if he was simply there to protect his wife, and offer his skills and services.

The killer was not even interesting. He was a lover of Opera and has a grudge against brunettes (who of course probably resemble someone who hurt him in his past). This was not original.

What I did like about the story was the opportunity to see characters that we have all grown to love and read about. Mavis, Belle, Summerset, the cat Galahad, Feeney, McNab, Peabody, Commander Whitney, Trueheart, and a mirad of others. We even get to meet new people, McNab's cyber partner. What I would like to see in future novels is a growth in Eve and Roarke's relationship. Am I the only fan who would love to see the two of them with a child, having worked through their horrible pasts and childhoods? I mean after 28 novels, which span 2 or 3 years in Eve and Roarke's time, I think the next novel should have them concurring their fears. Everyone knows that Eve is a great cop, and Roarke a brilliant businessman, but can't they have more. Imagine a story where Roarke and Eve solve crimes while changing their lives to accommodate a child. Just food for thought.

Anyway, I am giving this book a 3, and if you love the series read it, but I wouldn't say that it was one of the best. Perhaps, I will re-read it in a couple of weeks to see if my review will change. Maybe with the whole holiday season, and too much turkey, I was too harsh!

I've not listened to all of the "in death" series but this blew all the others that I have listened to, out of the water. Susan Erickson should be given some kind of award if she hasn't already, she is an amazing reader. This book held my attention from start to finish. Highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed!

Another journey into the world of Lt. Eve Dallas' futuristic NY. It is such a treat finding Dallas lovers who share the gems on their bookshelves for those of us who somehow missed them the first time around.

This book brings back Eve Dallas, her husband Roarke, and all the rest, against a new foe (of sorts), The Groom. The Groom was a serial killer, who tortured and murdered women, then carved how long they lasted in their chests. Nine yeas earlier (2051 in their time, still the future to us), the Groom killed four women in New York, before moving all over the world, and killing 18 aditional women. Now, he has returned, and Eve is extra determined not to let him escape. This is a more violent book in the series, but a very good one at the same time.

One of my favorites in this series so far. There was a lot more going on than normal, with quite a few more characters involved as the task force was large. But it wasn't distracting nor did it take away from the story.

...and he has murder on his mind. Not just murder, but torture. Nine year's ago Eve had a chance to put him away, and failed. That's not an option this time. When The Groom's victims all seem to be tied to Roarke, the stakes are even higher.

Another wonderful installment to the In Death series!!

As an avid reader of JD Robb and Nora Roberts I always know I am in for a good book. Excellent characters you can count on with a great story line. With this latest addition I was staggered by the twist and disturb by the story line. This novel was graphic without crossing a line. Something I appriciate since I am a profound sissy. Well worth the read. For those that follow the series I thought this book was a lot more fresh than the past few. Buy and enjoy.

This is the first and last novel I will ever read by Nora Roberts. It is possible she may be a decent romance novelist, but since I dont read that stuff, I will never know. But as a crime/suspense novelist, there are hundreds and hundreds better. The most interesting character in this novel, the serial murderer himself, was given a grand total of maybe 4 or 5 pages until the end. So much of the first 2/3 of this book concerned characters perusing e files that it became laborious to read. I realize its time consuming grunt work to actually solve a crime, but a little more attention should have been given to the actual crime to at least make the first 2/3 of the book more interesting to read.

And Nora Robert's attempts to make Eve witty are embarrassing. (Since I dont have the book in front of me, forgive me if the following quote is not perfectly word for word). One scene involves Eve passing some male cops near the elevator after she was bitten by a petty thief she had chased and apprehended. A male cop joked "Hey Dallas (Eve), I hear you got bitten by a perp and now he has rabies" to which Eve replies "I hear you spent time with an LC (a call girl) and now she's got a case of the clap." Uhhh huh huh...Uhhh huh huh (Beavis and Butthead laughter). Nora must have been reading the bathroom stalls in Metro stations to come up with that knee slapper. I hate to break it to you Nora, Ive known many police officers in my life, and they are FAR more clever than that.
Almost as bad are the scenes where Eve becomes "upset" with Roarke. The reasons are so contrived and the dialogue gets so fake and the disagreements are resolved so quickly, it makes me want to throw the book across the room. Its clear Nora has no clue what an actual argument in a healthy marriage is like. And Roarke is simply too fawning and too patient and too understanding and too adoring and so strong when he has to be and soooo romantic (and on and on and on and on) to be believable. His character more than any other reminds us that the author writing this book is actually a trash romance novelist. I dont know anyone in real life like him and I dont believe anybody does.

When I finally reached the climax of the book, without spoiling the ending, it seemed to end too quickly. Eve was in danger, but got out very quickly and conveniently. Again...way too contrived to be believable.
Im giving this book 2 stars because at least I finished it. The serial killer was somewhat interesting, and Nora should have let us peer a little more into his twisted world earlier in the book. Thats why people read crime novels. But I certainly didnt like the book enough to ever pick up another Roberts novel. I should have seen the signs before I read it. Cranking out 120+ novels in a career, when the career is far from over? Quality is bound to suffer.

I thought this was a very good addition to this fabulous series. I know that some people did not like the fact that a lot of the story was told through Roarkes eyes but that was one of my favourite parts. However I did not think Roberts gave enough attention to the dynamics between Roarke and Dallas, which is the reason that so many fans have remained loyal to the series which would otherwise be just another crime novel albeit very well written with a great villian but another crime novel all the same.
Even though I enjoyed this book I was able to put it down and forget about it wheras with the other books I would read it every spare minute I had, stay up late to finish it andgenerally devour my way through the book at a frenetic pace. This one was a dissapointment in that grab factor that the others had. However it is still a very good book and I would reccomend that you read it.
Even a writer of Roberts talent can't get it 100% right and please everybody all the time. $ stars may seem like a lot for a book that I say I do not Like but it is only when it is weighed up against the others which are 5 star that I came by this ruling. If this was the first I had read of theis series it would no doubt get 5 stars plus.

A serial killer has returned to New York after a "World Tour" spent killing brunettes who seem to have no apparent connection to each other. His signature - he tortures them to death slowly and then writes the time it took to kill them on their bodies. Nine years ago, Feeney & Eve were assigned to the case, but were unable to catch the killer. Eve is now the primary and she assembles a team of all of our police department characters we know & love. She also includes Roarke who as a twist spends most of his time working at the station (funny bit with him realizing the frustration staring a screen doing grunt work). Eve needs to twizzle out clues from the past murders before his next victim dies and he collects the next brunette on his list - which includes Eve.

The killer is interesting. The victims have a personality. The clues are well thought out and not just an "oops, we missed that". This was a page turner and the ending had a nice surprise.

But... the "in Death" books have ongoing subplots that seem to be ignored for this book. No new movement in Eve's growth. The only regulars outside of the police & media personnel that appear are Mavis (and baby Belle), Trina, Somerset, & Brian from Ireland and this only on very few pages. Peabody has a few one-liners, but might as well not even be around. McNabb has it even worse. There is a half-hearted blip with Feeney, but looking back, Robb has done much better.

Normally, I am the type that is frustrated by "character development" that some use to excess over plot details. In this case, I have a great murder mystery, but I miss the peanuts in my chocolate bar.

I pretty much love all the books by J. D. Robb. I love how Eve has a suspect on the top of her list and sets out to prove it so she can arrest him/her. She doesn't wait til the last chapter to reveal the guilty one.

I'm going to concur with the other 5 star reviews already listed on this page. And just say that Nora is definitely in her zone these days. I've thoroughly enjoyed Innocent, Eternity and now Creation. I had been a little disappointed in Memory and Born's storyline, even though the personal story within was good. Of course, no matter what angle or story is created for the In Death series, you can't argue with the clever writing & the know how to pull our heartstrings when it comes to the lives of all the characters; because we've come to know and love them so much. This series is the BEST series I've ever read. Enjoy.

I won't restate the plot since its done so well in previous reviews. This book IS different than previous one's in the Dallas/Roarke series (the case is the focus and not so much the personal). The plot builds and builds until the end, at which time you want to both cry and cheer (I did a little of both). Roberts is a prolific writer and as a result some books are significantly better than others. Do yourself a favor and get this one, you won't be sorry!

I Have read each and every one of J.D. ROBBs In Death series. I enjoy each and every one. It is a fun read. I do recommend these highly. As the characters have evolved throughout the series, I just can't wait for a new book to be released so I can see what happens next, both to the story but most of all to the characters.

I am new J.D.Robb fan so i had to play 'catchup'.I wanted to purchase all of the older novels that i was unable to locate locally. I've had great success with the store.com in the past so i decided to try my luck again. the store.com didn't let me down, and now i have most of the older J.D.Robb books to add to my collection at fantastic prices. It can't get any better than that. If you're looking for anything for great prices and products in great condition, i highly recommend the store.com.

Thank You, Fayet37

Was fantastic, I was engrossed from the minute I started reading the book. Made me feel like I personally had a part in finding the bad, bad man who was torturing the young women.
Thank You JD Robb, and please keep them coming.

J. D. Robb's "in Death" series of futuristic mysteries featuring Lt. Eve Dallas of the NYPSD should be much better known, for Robb has managed to meet the rigorous standard set and defined by the greatest writer of science-fiction mysteries, Isaac Asimov. This latest volume, CREATION IN DEATH, is no exception, and ranks among the best of this fine series.

Robb is remarkably skilled at creating a future world -- New York City in 2060, after the "Urban Wars" (which feature well in the plot). She also creates believable characters of all kinds -- heroes, villains, supporting players, and extras -- to inhabit this convincing setting. She never resorts to springing information on the reader without which he or she can't solve the case; everything is carefully and painstakingly set up with total fairness. Also, she never resorts to gimmickry to solve crimes or to save heroes from certain doom. These are first-rate mysteries, first-rate science-fiction novels, and the romantic suspense elements are neatly woven into the story.

This is a serial-killer novel in which the killer is terrifyingly real, with motivations and attitudes that are at once alien to "normal" people yet one klick away from the range of behaviors and attitudes we all have seen or read about in people, normal and abnormal. The suspense is sustained so that this reader, at least, had to put the book aside at 2:00 a.m. to get some sleep when only 60 pages or so from the end. And it bears re-reading.

I have to start by saying that so far I have loved the In Death series and can't wait until the next book comes out. However, I was a little disappointed in Creation in Death, it falls a little short compared to her other books. Still Nora Roberts is always a good read and I look forward to the next installment.
Creation in Death (In Death)

Outstanding!! Once again J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts did a great job. Believable characters and situations. Nice twists and turns. Dallas, Roarke and Peabody triumph again in very fine fashion. Loved it and highly recommend it.

Excellent as usual: plot villain Roarke and Dallas" love story., supporting characters. No better combination.... I don't care if it may be a bit predictable - reforming works!
I have read every one of this series and remain a big fan. Wonder when the movie will come... any ideas on who will play the lead characters?

I love the In Death series by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts), and Creation In Death is a great addition to the series. I found it to be fast paced & interesting, and showed continued development of Eve & Roarke's relationship (they respond to conflicts more maturely). Definitely worth reading if you like the series.

If you are new to the series, I recommend starting at the beginning, the first book is "Naked In Death".

I love this series so much and couldn't wait to receive the latest. Unfortunately, I found it disappointing. It was so serious -- no fun scenes, no really great stand-out scenes, especially with Roarke. It seemed formulistic and for the first time, I thought Roarke really became a lapdog to Eve's demands. Also, the crime-solving details got very tedious and then --boom, it's over. This is the first of the 25 that hasn't wowed me. That said, I can't wait for the next one!

The latest in the ongoing adventures of Eve and Roarke follows a slightly different form from that of the others that came before. Without any build-up, it plunges directly into the pursuit of the serial killer with all the drive and energy that Eve and her crew are known for. The perp himself appears slow and relaxed in his despicable activities, a sharp contrast to the ongoing investigation that should cause increased tension in the story line, but occasionally seems to drag on it instead. Nevertheless, if you are a Robb junky, you will want to add this to your collection.

Fast paced, easy to read thriller! I won't be able to give a completely unbiased review on this book as I've read the entire series, but I enjoyed it easily as much as most of the others.

Another fabulous installment of In Death...I love this series. It's the only series I follow and can't wait for the next one. If this is potentially your first time reading about Eve Dallas, go to the beging. It's worth it.

I have an entire shelf dedicated to this series, so believe me when I say that I truly enjoy the "In Death" line of books. While it was an entertaining read, I have a couple of main complaints...

The first is that Nora continues this annoying trend of having her characters (mainly Eve) speak in single word sentences. One example is where someone runs an idea by Eve related to the investigation and her response is "Works." Can you imagine if someone spoke to you like that? This is just one of many examples throughout this book, and is something I have commented about on a previous Nora Roberts book. I would suggest she just slow down and allow her characters to use full sentences.

Secondly, she has introduced so many secondary characters that is must be getting hard for her to keep all their story lines in place. At first I liked following Charles, Morris, Truehart, Mira, Feeney etc It has gotten to the point, unfortunately, that she has too many secondary people involved to add a meaningful secondary story.

I will always buy these books...they are so much fun to read. I just think she could tighten up some areas, and expand the conversations in the story to avoid having everyone sound like cavemen who can't string two words together.

Received this book one day and in part time reading got through it in 3 days, not a real easy read but one that required me to pay attention to the story to keep track of the various players, any way an enjoyable read then I sold it on the store for most of what I paid, a good deal all around

It's kinda sad...Nora Roberts isn't even trying to give us many of the fun futuristic details anymore. Aside from the occasional Auto Chef meal, nothing was really futuristic in this novel. I missed that.

This is an excellent addition to the series. A little different, you spend a lot of time in Roarke's head as he observes the nuts and bolts of an intensive investigation. And the investigation is the story, we get a bit of an emotional break after the last installment. All of the gang is here and in fine form, lots of humor and wit. My only disappointment was that it wasn't longer, I blew through it in an evening.

Please don't get me wrong, Miss Roberts' latest instalment is above average and can be consider being one of the most gripping instalments to date. However this reader has found that whilst Creation in death is gripping it lacks character development that drew the reader in at the beginning. In that Eve and her relationships are stationary whilst other secondary characters are seen to be progressing at an alarming rate. Even though this could be considered a character trait it is becoming mundane and boring, taking away the distinctiveness of the book. Eve's past and struggle with relationships and new experiences is what initially hooked this reader to the series; as on some level I empathised and sympathised with her. However this connection has slowly disappeared over the last few books, it is there for time for Miss Roberts to shake things up!

The first in the series that was a complete waste of paper. The story was choppy, none of the supporting characters or stories were advanced in this installment, but merely showed up as garnish to the hash of this plot. The entire book can be summed up as this: Eve gets a case, Roarke admires her. Eve tackles the case, Roarke admires her. Eve gets beat up, Roarke admires. Eve gets beat up again, Roarke admires her. Eve risks her life, Roarke rants, then admires her.

The book was one long internal monologue while Roarke sat back and admired what a strong, courageous, brilliant, dedicated woman he married with a few pesky little pages in between devoted to plot. Roarke came off as an accessory and not a main character. The very first In Death book that added nothing, made Roarke into a side piece who was only there to tell us how great Eve was and did not further my appreciation of the series or the characters. Is it time to retire the series before it is destroyed by lack of inspiration?

**edited to add--I just realized why there was absolutely no thought devoted to plot. After just reading the short story Midnight in Death, I realize Nora's ALREADY USED THIS PLOT. How many serial killers from Eve's past can target her as the "ultimate prize" in their 'torture them to see how they take it' game? Apparently if you are Eve Dallas, several. So many of the elements were the same, it was nauseating--the public display, the idea of messages being carved into the chest, Eve being the ultimate challenge. If there was a zero star option, I'd be utilizing it now.

This was SO boring. I've read many Nora Roberts books before, but this was just an extremity of what her flaw is as a romance author. In her romance books, I am often left with some emptiness or apathy of the characters but she doesn't do a good job of writing about a character's emotions and internal struggles they are having. There was never enough detail about what was happening at important points in the story. This book is a supreme example of that. It was basically just dialogue. Dialogue with no emotion, slang words that nobody understands, supposed NYC detective lingo (which was all wrong - who says wit? What's with all the abbreviated words? No one abbreviates "cause of death" unless it's on paper), and, most irritatingly, no depth. I couldn't bring myself to even care about any of these characters. What's the point of reading a story if there's no feeling or connection that the reader feels for somebody? It's just people talking and that's about it.

Quite frankly, I'm embarrassed for JD Robb/Nora Roberts. This is quite possibly the most ridiculously written book posing as a suspense novel that I have ever read. Robb's "grasp" of the world in 2060 is laughable, and is limited to overuse of the word "e-(fill in the blank)", a 'link (which is basically a Blackberry, available in the early 2000s), running probabilities (haven't we been able to do this since statistics was discovered?), TUBES of soft drinks rather than cans/bottles, and an AutoChef. Oh, and a droid butler here and there.

Her dialogue is ludicrous. Roarke is presented as this silly fawning co-dependent relationship and Eve wears the pants.

I didn't care about any of the people because I couldn't get past the irritating and lame plot.

I will never read another one of her books. Do NOT waste your time on this series.

I am disappointed that Robb chooses to denigrate being a female. It is disturbing to hear from the female protagonist (Eve) that if she is ever concerned with her appearance, she requests that her husband "put her down." (p.179) So she would rather be *dead* than sound or look or be female or associated with anything feminine. For her mostly female audience, it must be disquieting, at the very least, that the author spits out this message, from the mouth of the loved protagonist, no less. The author makes sweeping, judgmental statements about femininity and what it means to be a woman. Robb lacks creativity in distinguishing Eve as focused and driven (notice, those traits are non-gender specific). Instead she uses the trite concept that all other females are only interested in "girly" things, that is, "frivolous" things. Therefore Robb is attempting the impossible: proving a negative, as in describing Eve as 'not' something instead of who she is. This concept makes all other females viewed as 'less than' and okay to denigrate. Except if they are victims that Eve rescues. So women are put down for being interested in "female" things, but it is certainly okay if they are the victims. The author has really mastered the mixed message about femininity and what it means to be female.

I hated this book. I didn't like the "futuristic" slang. It drug on too long and I felt like I had missed some very important history on the characters. It was like starting a 6 hour movie 3 hours in.

I love JD Robb. and Dallas and all the crew. Beware though, this book is not 5 stars for a reason. The B plot is hidden inside the A plot.
And Mavis isn't here at all ( well I haven't read the whole book, but that's what I've seen) The basic B plot is that Roarke is totally involved in the case, so that the B plot is giving us all the details of cop shop from Roarke's point of view. I'm putting it badly, but the B plot is an intensification of the A plot.

If you like horror this book is for you. I had to put it down after the third chapter. It was just to detailed in the murders for me personally. I have read every one of the in death series and never before have I had to leave one because it was just too gross. Maybe the next one will be better.

I ran to the bookstore Tuesday night to pick up this book (I've read ALL of them)...

And I was disappointed. It was almost like no thought went into this book.

And come on; as much as I like that Eve and her husband can work together; it's better when he's not so damn "my cop crap"..

I was really disappointed.. But anxiously awaiting the next... Maybe it's time to put an end to the series.

Make Eve a mother and marry off She-body... And end it!