Apprentice in Death
By J.D. Robb
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 6,
2016
Of the usual characters,
Roarke (of course), Mira, and Peabody feature most prominently, but Berenski in
the lab gets new depth in his character, Lowenbaum of the SWAT team (last seen
in 2012’s Delusion in Death) returns,
and Somerset steps to the fore in an unexpected way. Each of Eve’s squad, along with Feeney and
McNab, also contributes to the increasingly tense investigation.
The exchange between Eve and
Peabody about Lowenbaum nicely illustrates the difference in their two
characters while giving him a very nice introduction:
“Lowenbaum. He’s so cute.” At
Eve’s steely stare Peabody hunched her shoulders. “I’m with McNab through and
through, but I can see cuteness through my eyes and my Cute-O-Meter. You have to admit, he ranks high on the
Cute-O-Meter.”
“Cute’s for kids and
puppies—if you’re into kids and puppies.
I’ll give you he’s frosty enough.”
He’s also a very good cop,
willing to follow the investigative trail wherever it leads, even when he finds
it personally disturbing.
Later in the book, we get a
look at Eve and Summerset through Roarke’s eyes. He and Eve quarrel over her
need to take a statement from Summerset.
When Summerset intervenes, Roarke snaps at him, too. Roarke stalks off, leaving Summerset with Eve.
“I frightened him,” Summerset
told Eve when they were alone. “It’s
difficult to see weakness in the one who raised you.”
“Understood, but—”
“And you worry him. You look, Lieutenant, as brutally tired and
heavy as I feel. And what can he do for
us, he asks himself when one he loves above all else must use one he cares for
as a child for a parent? Why, snarl at them both, of course.”
The team uncovers the identities
of the killers fairly early in the book, but the difficulty in actually finding
them, especially after a second hit, ramps up the tension as the story
progresses. The race against time has an urgency that makes the book difficult
to put down.
As is often the case in this
series, the investigation causes both Eve and Roarke to ponder fathers and
children and the importance of roads not taken.
The role of mentor also comes in for some discussion, and there’s a
little comic relief near the end, as Eve and Roarke attend the first birthday
party for Mavis and Leonardo’s Bella.
One of the killers is twisted
but pathetic, while the other is twisted and evil. As the story progresses, additional
motivations emerge, and the expectations of one are thwarted by the plans of
the other. The targets are also well
drawn, with distinct personalities despite having very little time on the page.
The action scenes, packed
with danger, move fast but are clearly choreographed and easy to follow.
Apprentice in Death has a tight plot, engaging character
interaction, and a smooth pace. It also
introduces new characters and sheds new light on familiar ones.
~Nancy
~Nancy
I've yet to start this series but since I enjoy Nora Roberts, I have no doubt I'm going to love it - thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi, Catslady--These are a bit darker than other books of Nora's that I've read, but I think she handles that aspect well. I recommend reading in order, starting with the first nook, Naked in Death.
DeleteGreat review! I need to start reading this series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pamela! I recommend starting with the first book, Naked in Death.
DeleteI read each new installment as soon as they come out. Last week I started reading from the beginning again - it's fun to see the introduction of the characters that have become staples or occasional visitors.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Di. I've particularly enjoyed seeing Eve evolve and the relationships around her change.
DeleteThis is such a great series! I always caution new-to-Eve-and-Roarke readers to start at the beginning with Naked in Death. These simply must be read in order. And I am envious of those who haven't read them yet.
ReplyDeleteNikki, I obviously love them, too, and I agree on reading in order. I think they can be read out of order just fine, but the characters' growth arcs are easier to track if they're read in sequence.
DeleteI have read much of Nora Robert's work. I remember when her J. D. Robb books came out, but I never started the series. I prefer to start at the beginning when reading a series and I have waited so long that there is almost too much to catch up with. I will have to sit down and binge read for a month or so to catch up. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThanks, librarypat. I also like to start with the first book in any series. The nice thing about there being so many In Death books is that if you like them, you're well stocked for a while.
DeleteThanks, everyone, for your comments. I apologize for my late responses.
ReplyDeletethanks to holiday chaos, I lost track of when the review was going up.
Happy New Year!
I just love the "In Death" series. I never get tired of Dallas and Roarke. It is a great escape yet there is a sense of realism. The books are very entertaining. The characters have a wide range and I like the futuristic aspect as well. I hope Dallas and Roarke never have big marital problems.
ReplyDelete