Futuristic Crime series kicks off (Naked in Death - J.D. Robb)

Member Name: LIZS383

Product:	Naked in Death - J.D. Robb
Date:	10/11/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Futuristic, crime, romance, humour!

Disadvantages: Rather unreal

This is the first book in the series written by JD Robb. JD Robb is actually a pen name for Nora Roberts, a well known writer in her own right. The pen name is a distinction between the type of books she writes - under Nora Roberts, her novels are strongly concentrated on romance and family, whereas the in death series are crime novels with an romantic twist!

The style is brusque and straight to the point. There is no formal introduction to any of the characters - it is left to the reader to understand and pick up details of the characters and scenario as the book continues.

The novels are set in New York in the future (the year 2058 to be precise). Technology has moved on which gives a slightly unknown quantity - all sorts of gadgets and food particularly have dramatically advanced, so there are some surprises. Some of the new drinks sound delicious, although not the fake coffee!!!



Key characters

Eve Dallas - NYC Cop and the heroine of the series. Thin with dark eyes and dark hair, Eve is very determined and quite an angry character, with a lot of mystery surrounding her. She is extremely feisty.

Feeney - Police IT specialist and prior partner of Eve's. Guiding and sensible influence, often quite funny.

Chier Whitney - In charge of Eve and Feeney, likes to have some limited knowledge and control over them.

Mavis - Eve's best friend. Polar opposite in character - very loud, outgoing and confident. She is always described in terms of color

Myra - Police psychologist and very much a mother figure

Charles Munroe - initial suspect and licensed companion

Roarke - Rich, Irish, man of mystery. A suspect that becomes rapdly more important! He sounds (the reader is very much led to this conclusion) slightly wild and absolutely georgeous (reminiscent of Heathcliff from Bronte's Wuthering Heights). He does steal a button.....

Summerset - Roarke's butler - you know from his mere description you are not meant to like him!

All these characters appear again in subsequent novels.


Information

First pulished in 1995 by Piatkus

18.99 RRP although available for far less on Amazon Marketplace and in various cheaper book shops.

305 Pages in the hardback copy



The book

This novel follows a serial killer who targets prostitutes. The scenes are described in quite graphic detail, so it it not a suitable book for a younger or sensitive reader. Trying not to give too much away, the victims are very different (aside from their choice or career) although one is more connected to the murderer than others.

The novel is written from Eve's perspective and you can see things exclusively from her angle, but in the third person. The interior monologues are written really well. Her emotions are clear and unguarded and her moods easy to follow. I could feel my emotions echoing hers as the story built.I really liked her, I just wish my life was as exciting. Although there are moments where you as a reader are also taken aback by her reactions. She is going through some issues with her own horrific past and this is kept shrouded in mystery for the majority of the novel.

The story is fast paced and has enough twists and turns to keep a reader interested. It doesn't settle the conclusion until right at the end. I found the book did switch tones quite a lot too, from relaxed and romantic, to dangerous and fearful. J D Robb is very skillful at building suspense.

This is very easy to read and the reader is well led to conclusions. I didn't find the books scary as they did seem so surreal with all the futuristic aspects - it did make me think of what may actually be created in the future - on this planet and off it!! They are well written though and all the characters seemed lifelike - and many of them flawed for various reasons. I am now hooked and continuing to read the series, which although have the same central characters are individual stories in themselves.

Also on Ciao under Lizs383

Summary: Great start to what promises to be a great series.