Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, #43
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller
September 6, 2016
Berkley
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “We’re going in hot…because I am pissed.”
Lt Eve Dallas is used to murder in the city she calls home but when she is called to the scene of a triple homicide in Central Park, she discovers a crime unlike anything she’s seen before. Three assignations from miles away. So precise and clean, it could only be committed by a professional-military and/or police trained. As the city goes on full alert, Eve calls in some favors only her husband Roarke can provide. Sorting through the mountains of clues, Eve is shocked to discover this isn’t one killer, but two. A mentor and a trainee. And Central Park is only the beginning.
Eve Dallas is back and facing one of her greatest challenge to date in the forty-third installment in J.D. Robb’s long-running futuristic mystery/thriller In Death series. Apprentice in Death opens the door to more action, mystery, and excitement as Eve and the NYSPD find themselves racing against time to stop a pair of deadly snipers whose still unknown agenda spells death for New York and its citizens. Eve finds herself thinking of her own childhood as she dives deep into the human psyche, struggling to understand and the dynamics of this team of assassins and the personal ties that bind them together. What exactly makes a killer? Genetics? Training? Tragedy? Or are some people just born evil? Eve most answer these questions and more as she hunts these killers down.
Even forty three books in, Robb continues to combine solid writing, intriguing subplots, and dynamic characterization to keep her world evolving but familiar and comforting. Strong police procedurals keeps readers firmly engaged while subtle bits humor and lighter moments helps to offset some of the darker moments of the storyline. Readers will soak up the moments of Eve’s personal life that Robb intertwines with her professional one. Humor and some lighthearted moments walk hand in hand with the more emotional scenes, giving readers the time to come to terms with the darker aspects of the story.
This installment reminded me a little of Devoted in Death as the staging and storyline reveal is similar. Here we are also made privy to the villains in the beginning though not their identity. Robb flashes between the police and the killers, allowing us to view Mackie and Willow as they set up for their next hit while Eve uses all her wits and talents to piece together the clues and evidence to form a picture that shocks even this hardened cop. Eve and her crack team of investigators learn they will have to look in their own house for answers and the emotional depth darkens as we learn that there is a personal connection not only between the killers but also between them and the police dept. One of the killers is one of theirs and that makes this a whole new ballgame.
Robb begins to cross the two storylines and merge them together towards a climactic finale. Though not as physically violent as some of Eve’s previous cases, there is a heightened sense of anticipation and fear due to the unpredictability of the suspects. Eve and her team must work fast in order to try and predict where they will strike next. As per Robb’s style, a majority of the book focuses on the investigation of the case with well laid immersions of Eve’s personal life into the storyline. Eve and Roarke’s continued evolution as a married couple is seen through small but poignant gestures that assure us they continue to grow as a couple. Interior decorating never seemed so important until you look at the new memories being built upon the ashes of the old.The chemistry between her and Roarke is still steamy hot and Robb doesn’t cheat readers out of their private times together. And it seems Roarke may have a bit of a fetish *fans myself*
Old familiar faces mesh perfectly with some new introductions, adding to the increasing cast of characters infiltrating Eve’s world. The family style atmosphere only serves to further enhance how much Eve has grown in the past two years. I love the strong contrast Robb uses between Eve the cop and Eve the person. Both she and Roarke’s childhood left dark marks on them but we see them learning to open up (especially Eve) together and accept they are worthy of the love and respect that they receive from friends.
Apprentice in Death is another intriguing addition to this series, giving readers an emotionally complex mystery to solve while enjoying the timeless couple whose love affair continues to capture our attention even forty three books later. Per usual, I love revisiting Robb’s version of the future and look forward to the next installment-Echoes In Death-set to release February 7, 2017.
RATING: B
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Thanks for the review. It’s another must read for me. Although I do miss the action life and death take downs in the end. Lately it seems to be more of a outsmart-trap down. I guess all the books can’t be death-defying.
*POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!*
Hi–I’m a long-time reader of the In Death series. This one felt like a fresh start to me in many ways, and it seemed deliberate: the redecoration of the sets we’ve come to know so well seemed like a nod to readers–JD Robb acknowledging she was doing something new. The introduction of new characters with real speaking parts (even new uniform cops who want Homicide) expands the sometimes-claustrophobic world of the books, where sometimes it feels as though Eve, Roarke, Peabody, etc., are the only people in New York. And actually allowing some growth in the relationship with Summerset was also a welcome change, as was Eve’s very last decision in the book (re Bella’s party).
Some of the recent books have been really violent, but more than that, they’ve seemed sloppy–I question whether Robb has been at the keyboard this whole time. Wild speculation on my part: either she’s taken a few books off, and is back; or she’s been burned out the last few books, and this is a new ghostwriter. Anyway, enjoyed this one the most of the last few years.
You have some interesting views. And I agree.