Welcome back to Smexybooks as we do our last Countdown to 40–Obsession in Death release post with a look into Innocent in Death, #24 and my thoughts on pivotal scenes in the book. On Tuesday we discussed Part One–the moment from when Eve first meets Magdalena Percell and realises that this old flame of Roarke’s meant more to him than he is letting on. On Thursday we discussed Part Two-Eve’s evolving relationship with Summerset and the surprising support he offers her.

Today we are discussing Part Three-Eve and her friends. Horrifically abused as a child (something we come to learn was sadly preventable), she was found alone and traumatised at age 8 in an alley. Unable to remember her name or past, Eve was placed in foster care until age 18. From there she went into the police academy and the rest is history.

Eve suffers what some may call insecure attachment. Her ability to bond to anyone was severely damaged and it has taken years for her to accept and form any long lasting attachments. Even to this day, she still finds herself at times unable to quite understand how she has gained and kept such amazing friends.

Part Three. Eve gets by with a little help from her friends.

I found this to be the most fascinating aspect of this series. From the beginning, Eve’s perception of the world is rather skewed. She did not have a normal childhood. She doesn’t understand the nuances and gestures that most of us take for granted when forming any societal relationship. As I’ve stated before, Eve is very black and white. Literal to the extreme though she has softened gradually through the years. Justice is what moves her. Little things confound her. I always have a good laugh when Eve hears an idiom and Roarke or Peabody have to explain the meaning behind it. I don’t laugh at her ignorance of the saying but rather her assertion that it makes no sense because in reality, she’s right.

Eve is devastated by Magdalena Percell and Roarke’s obvious blindness at the game Magdalena is playing. Eve feels stupid and petty over her jealousy and fear but knows deep in her heart that something isn’t right with the whole situation. Luckily for Eve, she has a solid group of friends who are there when she needs them.

Mavis Freestone: First appeared in Naked in Death, #1. . A tiny colorful pixie, Mavis is hands down Eve’s bestest female friend. They met when Eve first arrested her for running cons. After multiple arrests, a friendship developed despite their very different natures. This former grifter turned famous singer has never let fame or fortune turn her head and has always been there for Eve when she needed her most.

Page 179 of 288

“So…” Mavis nursed and rocked, nursed and rocked. “Why haven’t I heard any media dirt about a blonde fuckhead found floating in the East River?”

Eve lifted her wine, set it down. And did what she’d needed to do all day. She cried like a baby.

Captain Ryan Feeney: First appeared in Naked in Death, #1. Feeney is Eve’s former Homicide trainer and partner. Even though Feeney now heads the EED (Electronics Detection Division), he still keeps a very close eye on Eve. There is a parental aspect to their relationship and he is very protective of her. Feeney is the father Eve wishes she could have had and she is like his daughter though this has never been formally addressed. They are alike in many ways with Eve subconsciously mimicking Feeney in both her professional and personal habits, much to Roarke’s amusement. Feeney is one of the few people who know exactly what happened to Eve as a child and the role Homeland Security played in it. Though he never talks to her about what is happening with her in here, and they wouldn’t, he always has her best interests at heart.

Detective Delia Peabody: Everyone loves Peabody. Introduced in Glory In Death, #2, Officer Peabody became Eve’s temporary aide though by Rapture in Death,#4 she is Eve’s permanent aide and partner. She makes detective in Imitation in Death, #17. A child of Free Agers (hippies), her Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farms attitude is a glaring contrast to Eve’s dark and brooding countenance. A mentor/mentee relationship forms that gradually becomes a deep friendship. So deep in fact that Eve eventually confides in Peabody the details of her childhood and the subsequent killing of her father. Through out their relationship, Peabody has strove to not only have Eve’s back professionally but also personally. Peabody is the sister Eve never had.

Page 95 of 288

“You’re sure—” It only took one look from Eve for Peabody to blow out a breath. “Okay, you’re sure. First I’m going to say he wouldn’t twist on you, not with anyone. But having some bitch put moves on him is a steamer. You want to go have a talk with her, put a little muscle into it. We can tune her up, put her ass on a shuttle for Siberia.”

“Sounds good.” She stopped at a light, scrubbed her hands over her face. “Can’t do it, can’t touch her, can’t beat her to death with a hammer and bury her in White Plains.”

“Bloomfield would be better than White Plains anyway.”

Dr. Charlotte Mira- First appeared in Naked in Death, #1.  Dr. Mira is the NYPSD’s resident psychologist and profiler. If Captain Feeney represents Eve’s father then Dr. Mira represents Eve’s mother. In fact, Mira’s own daughter has expressed jealousy on at least one occasion over her mother’s close relationship with Eve. It has taken Mira years to break through the Eve’s protective layers and the details she uncovered broke her heart on many occasions. Eve adores Mira though as of yet she has never told her. Mira both confounds and delights Eve with her femininity in such a hard stressful job. Eve is one of the few people, besides Mira’s husband Dennis, who can drive Mira insane with their stubbornness. Mira is always there for Eve; the calm eye in the storm.

Page 108 of 288

“Let me say first that in my personal, and my professional opinion, Roarke loves you to the point where there isn’t room for anyone else. And I agree, being unfaithful to you isn’t his way. Not only because of that love, but because he respects you—and himself—far too much. Now. Tell me about the woman.”

“She’s beautiful. Seriously beautiful. She’s younger, prettier, and classier than me. She has bigger tits. I know that sounds ridiculous.”

“It certainly doesn’t. I dislike her intensely.”

Dr Mira reaffirms to Eve that she isn’t being a jealous shrew. She is a trained observer so she sees the pattern, hears the threat, and feels the danger that Percell represents.

Page 109 of 288

“She came to my office.”

“She came to see you?”

Eve had to stand again, had to move again. “She said she wanted to buy me a drink, have a chat. All smiles and let’s-be-buddies. But what she said wasn’t what she was thinking, not what she had in mind. God, that sounds stupid.”

“It doesn’t,” Mira disagreed in that same calm tone. “You’re trained to hear what’s not said. And even when it’s this intensely personal, you’d hear.”

Nadine Furst: First appeared in Naked in Death, #1. A local crime news reporter whose life is saved by Eve in Glory By Death, #2. Nadine and Eve’s relationship is give and take professionally, though has developed into an enjoyable friendship. Eve gives Nadine just enough to start her digging, then Nadine gives Eve the information she’s found in return for an exclusive when the case breaks. Nadine has helped to clear Eve when her badge was taken away and attended Eve’s bachelorette party. Both are committed to their jobs and believe finding the truth and delivering justice is what’s most important.

Commander Jack Whitney: First appeared in Naked in Death, #1. He is Eve’s immediate supervisor and commander. Though their relationship is more based on employee/employer then friendship, Whitney values Eve as an employee and as a person. He trusts her judgement and her no nonsense style of investigation. He has gone to bat for her against the powers that be many times and always has her back. He has covered for her on occasion; some she knows of and others she does not. While he is not one to give praise or advice lightly, he gives it true and when needed.

“Dallas? Gossip is an ugly and insidious form of entertainment. Maybe that’s why people can’t resist it. A good cop knows it has its uses, just as a good cop knows it’s often twisted and pummeled into a different shape for the purpose of the purveyor. You’re a good cop.”

Of course, where would be be if we didn’t mention the most important person and friend in Eve’s life???

Roarke: First appeared in Naked in Death, #1. Eve mets Roarke when his name comes up as a possible suspect in the homicide she’s investigating. Gorgeous and rich, Roake is every woman’s fantasy. Born in Ireland, he, like Eve, had a rough abusive childhood. Possibly one of the richest men in the world, his life has been a series of cons and thefts until he meets his cop and decides love and family is more important than staying in the game. He asks Eve to marry him and soon the house he built as a monument to his achievements becomes a home filled with laughter and love for him. Eve and Roarke are very much alike though Roarke is more nurturing. Whether he’s nagging Eve to eat “real” food and not the junk food she loves, or picking out her clothes because her fashion sense is nonexistence, Roarke involves himself in every aspect of her life because she is his life. His a ghrá and a chroí.

Page 182 of 288

Christ Jesus, where was she?

Why the hell was she putting him through this? He’d done nothing to earn it. God knew he’d done plenty along the way to earn her wrath, but not this time. Not this way. Still, that look on her face that morning had etched itself in his head, on his heart, into his guts. He couldn’t burn it out.

He’d seen that look once or twice before, but not on his account.

He’d seen it when they’d gone to that fucking room in Dallas where she’d once suffered beyond reason. He’d seen it when she tore out of a nightmare.

Didn’t she know he’d cut off his own hand before he’d put that look on her face?

She bloody well should know it. Should know him.

This was her own doing, and she’d best get her stubborn ass home right quick so they could have this out as they were supposed to have things out. She could kick something. Punch something. Punch him if that would put an end to it. A good rage, that’s what was needed here, he told himself, then they’d be done with this nonsense once and for all. Where the fucking hell was she?

He considered his own rage righteous, deserved—and struggled not to acknowledge it hid a sick panic that she didn’t mean to come back to him.

She’d damn well come back, he thought furiously. If she thought she could do otherwise, he had a bulletin for her. He’d hunt her down, by Christ, he would, and he’d drag her back where she belonged.

Goddamn it all, he needed her back where she belonged.

Thank you everyone for joining us our Countdown to 40-Obsession in Death release and our re read of Innocent in Death. We’ve had a blast tripping down memory lane with fans who love Eve and Roarke as much as we do

Lieutenant Eve Dallas walks the thin line between love and hate in this fabulous 40th thriller from #1 New York Times–bestseller J. D. Robb…

Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She—and her billionaire husband—are getting accustomed to being objects of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person’s obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her—again and again…

With a murderer reading meanings into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate—and dangerous—psychological dance. And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her “true and loyal friend.” And in time, idols always fall…

Obsession in Death releases February 10, 2014.