'Glory in Death' In Death #2 by J.D. Robb

From the BLURB:

It is 2058, New York City. In a world where technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion-in the heart.

Even in the mid-twenty-first century, during a time when genetic testing usually weeds out any violent hereditary traits before they can take over, murder still happens. The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second is murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects-including her own lover, Roarke.

After an intense murder investigation that put them on a collision course, Eve has finally succumbed to entrepreneurial play-boy Roarke’s affections. They have been quietly dating, trying to avoid the spotlight (for Eve’s recent popularity with her successful murder investigation, and Roarke’s notoriety as a prominent NYC businessman).

But Eve is struggling with Roarke’s demanding affections. He wants everything from Eve, her love and her commitment. But Eve has demons in her past, old hurts and traumas that make loving and trusting nearly impossible.

Eve’s line of work doesn’t help. And when a murder investigation of a prominent New York business woman leads back to her wealthy family, Eve thinks she has found more evidence of why human beings aren’t made for trust.

‘Glory in Death’ is the second book in J.D. Robb’s futuristic ‘In Death’ murder series.

I really enjoyed the first book in this (mammoth) series, ‘Naked in Death’. We met Eve Dallas, a prickly young lieutenant whose childhood as a forgotten orphan with traumatic memories continues to influence her stern outlook on justice. And Roarke (just ‘Roarke’) a prominent NYC businessman who has a playboy past and a tabloid-splashed life . . . Roarke got caught up in Eve’s murder investigation, and upon being deemed innocent, he also became caught up with Eve romantically.

When ‘Glory’ begins, Eve and Roarke are still in deep. Though not as deep as Roarke would like. Eve is holding back; because of her haunting childhood memories, bleak job and ingrained trust issues. Throughout ‘Glory’ Eve and Roarke are at loggerheads – Eve is trying to take little steps with Roarke, but he wants grand romance and to sweep her off her feet. If only Eve would let him.

A murder investigation into two dead women doesn’t help matters . . . especially not when one of the dead used to have a sexual relationship with Roarke, once upon a time.

I did like ‘Glory in Death’. In this book we delve deeper into Eve’s damaged psyche, while still only skimming the surface of her deeper hurts. This novel is more about her building trust with Roarke, and Roarke’s frustrations when things between him and Eve don’t move quickly enough. Eve and Roarke are the big draw-cards of this series. For Robb to be 34-books deep into this series, in which the romance is firmly established in book one is fairly incredible . . . and I can see why the relationship is kept fresh. Because Eve is her own roadblock, haunted by the past that is now affecting her trust in Roarke makes for plenty of tensions and explorations.

I should also mention that the secondary characters keep this series fresh. There’s Summerset, Roarke’s mysterious and cantankerous butler who has it in for Eve. And Eve’s best friend Mavis, someone she busted years ago but who is now a dear friend. Mavis is especially fantastic, she sings like a dying cat and dresses like Lady Gaga. What’s not to love?

She stepped out of a torrential spring downpour, handing a speechless Summerset her transparent cloak strung with tiny lights, and turned three circles. More, Eve thought, in awe of the hallway than to show off her skin-hugging red body suit.

Once again, the murder investigation isn’t exactly top-notch. It’s definitely not Robb’s strong point, which is odd in a murder series spanning 34 books. The real point of interest comes from Robb delving into Eve’s personality and memory, picking apart the reasons she does what she does with such ferocity;

Calmer, with the twist of her earlier words unravelling in his gut, he slowed, glanced at her. “How many homicide victims have you stood for in your illustrious career, Lieutenant?”
“Stood for? That’s an odd way of putting it.” She moved her shoulders, trying to focus her mind on a man in a long, dark coat with a shiny new car. “I don’t know. Hundreds. Murder never goes out of style.”

I did enjoy this second book, not as much as the first in the series, but I did like it. I’m mostly enjoying the up’s and down’s of Eve and Roarke’s tender new romance, and piecing together the puzzle that is Eve Dallas. I’m still reading, even though I’m still daunted by the many, many books to come . . .

3.5/5