Treachery in Death

Starred review from December 13, 2010
Lt. Eve Dallas and her squad take on corrupt cops in Robb's 33rd full-length novel featuring the New York Police and Security Dept. homicide detective (after Indulgence in Death), a fast-paced, intricate, and deadly dance of well-matched opponents. When Dallas's partner, Det. Delia Peabody, overhears an angry exchange between Lt. Rene Oberman and Det. William Garnet that reveals an unlawful killing and ongoing skimming, Dallas's reaction to this news is decisive: "the blue line breaks for wrong cops." The setting may be slightly futuristic, but the procedures are familiar: Dallas puts together a solid team that meets in her home to avoid leaks as they compile evidence. At the same time, she initiates confrontations with the dangerous Oberman, whom she begins pushing toward a trap. From this pure good guys versus bad guys scenario, Robb (aka Nora Roberts) wrings plenty of exciting strokes and counterstrokes before reaching the satisfying climax.

January 1, 2011

Could real-life high-tech be catching up with Robb's future-crime scenarios? There's barely a single development in 2060 transportation, communications or research in this tale of dirty New York cops.

After cracking her first case as lead investigator, Det. Delia Peabody overhears a locker-room conversation that spells big trouble. It isn't just that Lt. Renee Oberman and Det. William Garnet are on the take; Oberman, whose saintly retired father, Commander Marcus Oberman, gives her a powerful shield against accusations, has organized her whole Illegal Substances unit as a power base and cash cow. Peabody reports this intelligence to her training partner, Lt. Eve Dallas (Indulgence in Death, 2010, etc.), who brings it in turn to her boss, Commander Jack Whitney, who vows a full-court press against Illegals. For such a powerfully corrupt unit, though, Illegals turns out to be remarkably toothless. Every attempt Eve makes to unearth new information bears fruit, and every move she makes weakens Illegals further. Oberman doesn't protect his daughter, who never suspects Peabody, and whose minions fail to kill a key witness. There's conflict aplenty, but no obstacles, no setbacks, no complications—nary a doubt what's going to happen next, or ever. The deepest pleasure to be had from this tale of justice triumphant is the repeated, satisfying smirks that will cross your face every time the self-righteous heroine baits the villain.

The futuristic technology isn't the only thing that's stalled in this 32nd installment of Robb's venerable series.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2011

In this latest series entry (after Indulgence in Death), Lt. Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, investigate a case of crooked cops. Peabody has just wrapped up her first case as lead detective--an elderly store owner murdered by a trio of junkies--when she decides to end the day in the precinct's gym. Alone in the locker room's shower stall and without access to her weapon, she overhears two cops in a heated argument. It's very clear that they are both involved in a long-running scheme of corruption and murder. Even more shocking is the identity of one of the cops; Lt. Renee Oberman is the only daughter of a highly respected former police commander. Now Dallas and Peabody, along with Dallas's husband, Roarke, and internal affairs man Webster, must find a way to bring a ring of dirty cops to justice. VERDICT It's always fun when Dallas manipulates her enemies and watches them slowly unravel. Fast-paced and humorous, with just the right amount of romance, this is sure to please fans of this highly addictive series. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/10.]--Makiia Lucier, Moscow, ID

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
After her boss, Lieutenant Eve Dallas, suggests that New York policewoman Delia Peabodys footwork needs some work, Delia books some time in the gym for what almost becomes a killer workout. Rather than visit NYPDs brand-new, state-of-the-art exercise facilities, Peabody opts for the buildings old gym, since fewer of her well-toned, light-on-their-feet co-workers will be there. Upon arriving, Peabody has the place to herself until she hears voices and realizes that shes listening to two cops angrily arguing about a deal in which they are both involved. Fortunately, the two leave before they realize Delia has overheard them. Not only does Peabody know the name of one of the corrupt cops, she also knows they are both guilty of murder. Now it will be up to Peabody and Eve to take these crooked cops down. The thirty-second (!) entry in Robbs gritty, futuristic procedural series is one of the best yet: a sexy, high-stakes, high-adrenaline read that will delight series stalwarts, hook readers new to Eve Dallas, and please both mystery and romance readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)