In Death Challenge Review: Glory in Death

Glory in Death
J. D. Robb Futuristic Suspense
In Death series/Book 2
Penguin/December 1995

From the back cover ~

In a time when technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion - in the heart. . .

The first victim was found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second was murdered in her own apartment building. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas had 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 provided Eve with a long list of suspects - including her own lover, Roarke. As a woman, Eve was compelled to trust the man who shared her bed. But as a cop, it was her job to follow every lead ... to investigate every scandalous rumor ... to explore every secret passion, no matter how dark. Or how dangerous.

Since I've read/listened to the entire series I've decided to go back to nearly the beginning and do some re-reading. The second book in the series introduces one of my favorite characters - Officer Deliah Peabody. She's a beat cop and a first responder at one of Dallas' murder scenes. Dallas is impressed with Peabody's professionalism and concise reporting of the facts. Knowing what Peabody is like in the latest book, Fantasy in Death, it was interesting to see what she was like when we first meet her.

The murder mystery was pretty good this time around. I was kept guessing at for a while, even through this second read. Apparently my memory isn't what it used to be. :) Eve is in the very early stages of her relationship with Roarke. She's still living at her apartment and feels uncomfortable at Roarke's opulent mansion. And then there's Summerset, Roarke's majordomo, who Eve can't stand.

The first murder victim is someone that Dallas knew and respected. At first there are few clues so Dallas begins by following the money trail. It leads to the victim's family which is not surprising. What is surprising is that Roarke is part of that trail. A branch of it but he still has some involvement and Dallas isn't happy about that. In fact she spends part of the book royally ticked off at Roarke. They are really feeling their way around with this new relationship. Eve is easily spooked by closeness of any kind and Roarke is so desperately wanting to draw Eve in closer. I liked revisiting this early version of the Eve/Roarke couple. As the series progresses their relationship does too into new, different editions. This is the early edition that still has quite a few bugs to be worked out. :)

We get to see Ryan Feeney, EDD Captain and Dallas' former partner. She close to Feeney but keeps things on a professional level this early on in the series. Dallas remains closed off from just about everyone except for Mavis. And even with Mavis she is hesitant to discuss certain things with.

Mavis Freestone is a reformed grifter and currently singing in an establishment called The Blue Squirrel. It's not exactly in the best part of town but Dallas likes it, especially when Mavis is singing. Mavis is Dallas' only real friend. Which is strange since they met when Dallas arrested Mavis a while back. An odd couple to be sure but they fit. Dallas keeps Mavis on the straight and narrow and Mavis adds color to Dallas' world.

The investigation continues as does Eve and Roarke's troubles. You can really feel Eve's pain when she keeps herself at a distance from Roarke. It's her choice and she has to live with it. I felt bad for her because this is all new to her and she doesn't know how to deal with it. She hates having such strong emotions and has a hard time understanding what she's suppose to do about it. She's very much an action oriented character. Even when she's thinking, she's moving. So in true Dallas fashion she pushes it away and concentrates on the job.

Dallas also has a chance to work with Nadine Furst again. Nadine is a news reporter at Channel 75 and as driven at her job as Dallas is at hers. Dallas can't stand reports but she respects Nadine so she is more willing to talk to her and use her help when she needs it. Nadine, with some help from Dallas, begins reporting on the murders and does some of her own digging into the victims lives.

Everything comes to a head when Dallas realizes who the murderer is. The problem is she has to catch him and that proves to be a lot harder than she thought. But we know she'll get the bad guy in the end, probably with some help from Roarke.

A very good second book in the series. Eve is still wearing her protective covering and not letting anyone get too close. Even when she does let Roarke close, she pulls back, afraid of allowing herself to be happy. It's interesting to see how far she's come over the course of the series. It was fun to see where she started at.

Rating: B+