Indulgence in Death

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life-and death-are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in-and into the perverted heart of madness...

The Eve Dallas series by JD Robb is my favorite romantic suspense series. I love everything about it, the characters, the setting and the way the author tells us the story. Then you must have figured out that I would be buying the latest immediately. And that I did.

It had everything! Romance, a short holiday in Ireland that was full of surprises for both Roarke and Eve; Sex, Roarke and Dallas are always hot; Humor, the banter between Dallas and Peabody always has me in stitches; the deepening of relationship between her friends, we're slowly getting to know Dallas' softer side, her feelings not only for her husband but also friends and her concern for their well being and safety.

And there's the crime, well, crimes. I thought the idea of killing the victims with "antique" weapons very interesting. I have to admit that I couldn't figure it out until I was about 80% done. The connections made it easily understood even if it was truly senseless and disturbing.

One thing though... I wanted more. I found the book short or maybe I just wanted more. I cannot wait for the next installment of Eve Dallas.

Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Alternate Future; Published: Putnam Adult (11/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 32, Eve Dallas; Thriller & Suspense Challenge (8); Books 2010 (82);

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

For the past couple of years, I've seen this title around, I've heard people talking about it. Either love it or they just don't get the hoopla about its popularity. But I kept my distance...until recently. A few of my friends have been after me to read it, they wanted to have a group discussion. I checked at the library, but there was an absurd amount of people ahead of me that I just went out and bought myself a copy.

I found the first hundred pages or so slow. Don't get me wrong I was enjoying the story but I wanted the author to get to the point. And all of the sudden it just picked up and I felt like I was bombarded with tons of info and with all that information my emotions were all over the place. And I couldn't keep my hands off the book. I wanted and I needed to discover what or who was behind the mysterious disappearance. But there was also my curiosity about the secondary mystery of the story, the Wennerstrom issue, was Blomkvist set up or was he telling the truth.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed both Blomkvist and Salander. They are great characters, they both have their own issues to deal with, Blomkvist needing to put his life back together after the trial and Salander dealing with a creepy lawyer, and wanting a sense of normalcy. I think the author only scratched at the surface of Salander's personality and background. And I cannot wait to see more of her.

I loved this book! And I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book of the series, The Girl Who Played with Fire.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (5/5) Mystery/Thriller; Translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland; New Author; Published: Penguin Group (2008); Series: # 1, Millennium Trilogy; Thriller & Suspense Challenge (7); Books 2010 (75);

Birthright

When five-thousand-year-old human bones are found at a construction site in the small town of Woodsboro, the news draws archaeologist Callie Dunbrook out of her sabbatical and into a whirlwind of adventure, danger, and romance.

While overseeing the dig, she must try to make sense of a cloud of death and misfortune that hangs over the project-fueling rumors that the site is cursed. And she must cope with the presence of her irritating-but irresistible-ex-husband, Jake. Furthermore, when a stranger claims to know a secret about her privileged Boston childhood, she is forced to question her own past as well.

A rich, thrilling, suspenseful tale, Birthright follows an inspiring heroine, an intriguing hero, and a cast of fascinating characters whose intertwined lives remind us that there is much more going on under the surface than meets the eye.

This is one of those rare books by Nora Roberts that I didn't read when it was first released. I've been considering reading this one for a while now, and finally got around to it. Yeah!

Not only was there the mystery involving the dig site but there was also the mystery regarding Callie's adoption/possible kidnapping. There are times that one mystery is more important than the other but in this case they are both equal in importance. It had the usual things I look for when I'm reading Nora Roberts. Fast pace, great characters, sizzling heat and suspense that had me at the edge of my seat.

Birthright by Nora Roberts (4/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Putnam Adult (3/2003); Thriller & Suspense Challenge (6); Books 2010 (68);

Careless in Red

He found the body on the forty-third day of his walk . . .

Devastated by the senseless murder of his wife, Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley retreated to Cornwall, where he has spent six solitary weeks hiking the bleak and rugged coastline. But no matter how far he walks, the painful memories do not diminish.

Then, at the base of a cliff near a town better known for its surfing than its intrigue, Lynley discovers the body of a young man who has fallen to his death. First a witness, then a suspect when the hand of a killer is revealed, Lynley remains, above all, a policeman willing to aid the gruff head of an understaffed local constabulary in her investigation. But the secrets in this community run dark and deep—and Lynley must somehow find a way to let go of the past long enough to solve a most devious and dreadful crime.

It's been ages since I last read a Thomas Lynley book by Elizabeth George. I was a little turned off by what had happened to his wife. I didn't like the author's decision to kill her off, so basically I was pouting and upset....I finally got over it and picked up Careless in Red.

Thomas Lynley comes across a body while he's hiking through the Cornish coastline. And that's how Inspector Lynley becomes involved in the case, although he does not want to a part of the investigation. He is done with that life, he says. But once a cop always a cop and soon he is discovering little twists to the local's stories.

I enjoyed the story. I loved the way that the author is able to take me to this rugged coastline, and experience the pain and suffering of the characters. The reason behind the murder is terrible but understandable. I felt for his family, even though the family is dysfunctional with a capital "D". Even though the investigation takes most of the storyline the secondary stories are just as entertaining as the main. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

Careless in Red by Elizabeth George (4/5) Mystery; Published: Harper (5/2008); Series: # 15, Lynley & Havers; Colorful Reading Challenge (2); Thriller & Suspense Challenge (5); Books 2010 (63)

The Brutal Telling

Chaos is coming, old son.

With those words the peace of Three Pines is shattered. As families prepare to head back to the city and children say goodbye to summer, a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store. Once again, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team are called in to strip back layers of lies, exposing both treasures and rancid secrets buried in the wilderness.

No one admits to knowing the murdered man, but as secrets are revealed, chaos begins to close in on the beloved bistro owner, Olivier. How did he make such a spectacular success of his business? What past did he leave behind and why has he buried himself in this tiny village? And why does every lead in the investigation find its way back to him?

As Olivier grows more frantic, a trail of clues and treasures— from first editions of Charlotte’s Web and Jane Eyre to a spider web with the word “WOE” woven in it—lead the Chief Inspector deep into the woods and across the continent in search of the truth, and finally back to Three Pines as the little village braces for the truth and the final, brutal telling.

I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed this book.

I've enjoyed all the Armand Gamache books, but this one is by far my favorite. It was wonderful to see the usual characters of Three Pines, and the author also introduces new characters that are just as interesting and mysterious as the usual ones.

What I wasn't expecting was the involvement of one of my favorite characters...You think you know someone and bam everything you know is turned upside down. I wonder if there are fans out there angry with this twist? I found that it was well written into the story and it made sense. The character was more guilty in inflicting chaos and fear than any other crime, and lies were swallowing the character alive.

If you haven't read an Armand Gamache book by Louise Penny, what are you waiting for? I highly recommend this series.

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (5/5) Mystery; Published: Minotaur Books (9/09); Series: # 5, Armand Gamache; Favorite Read 2010; Canadian Author; Thriller Suspense Reading Challenge (4); Canadian Book Challenge (11); Books 2010 (51);

In the Shadow of the Glacier

Trouble is brewing in the small, bucolic mountain town of Trafalgar, British Columbia. An American who came to Trafalgar as a Vietnam War draft dodger has left land and money to the town but there’s a catch: the money must be used to build a garden to honor draft dodgers. This bequest has torn the close-knit, peaceful town apart. Then the body of a leading opponent is found in an alley, dead from a single blow to the head.

Constable Molly Smith is assigned to assist veteran Detective Sergeant John Winters in the investigation. But Winters doesn’t want the help of the enthusiastic rookie, and suspects that he’s been assigned Smith for political reasons – her mother, a life-long activist, is the leader of the group arguing for the park.
Egged on by a muck-raking TV personality, outside agitators from both sides are soon streaming into Trafalgar, while Smith and Winters search through small-town secrets for a killer.

Winters is haunted by a recent failure of judgment, and Smith just wants to be a good cop, and a good daughter, in a town where “a substantial number of the residents had seen her performing as Number Two Wise Man in the Grade Three Christmas pageant.”
In the Shadow of the Glacier is the first in first in a traditional mystery series featuring Constable Smith, Sergeant Winters, and the town in the shadow of the glacier, Trafalgar British Columbia.

I chose to read this book for several reasons: the author, Vicky Delany is Canadian; it's set in beautiful British Columbia; and the heroine is a rookie police constable. The first two reasons will help me out with a challenge and last reason, well Molly seemed very interesting.

I found the story fast paced, and it had several twists that kept me at the edge of my seat and kept me guessing on who the culprit truly was. The characters were well written and there were several of them that had me in stitches and at times had me in tears. I love Molly, she is one of those characters that have many layers, she's a daughter, a friend, a police officer, and she's trying to deal with her job, her parents feelings towards the police force and a friend that is in a abusive relationship. The veteran, Winters also has his own problems, although he has experience he is still battling his own self doubts about the job. I think Molly and Winters are a great team, they just don't know it yet.

I'm looking forward on reading the next book.

In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicky Delany (4/5) Mystery; Published: Poisoned Pen Press (10/07); Series: # 1, Smith & Winters; New Author; Canadian Author; Thriller Suspense Reading Challenge (3); Canadian Book Challenge (10); Books 2010 (46);

Fantasy In Death

Bart Minnock, founder of the computer-gaming giant U-Play, enters his private playroom, and eagerly can't wait to lose himself in an imaginary world, to play the role of a sword-wielding warrior king, in his company's latest top-secret project, Fantastical.

The next morning, he is found in the same locked room, in a pool of blood, his head separated from his body. It is the most puzzling case Eve Dallas has ever faced, and it is not a game. . . .

NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas is having as much trouble figuring out how Bart Minnock was murdered as who did the murdering. The victim's girlfriend seems sincerely grief-stricken, and his quirky-but-brilliant partners at U-Play appear equally shocked. No one seemed to have a prob lem with the enthusiastic, high-spirited millionaire. Of course, success can attract jealousy, and gaming, like any business, has its fierce rivalries and dirty tricks-as Eve's husband, Roarke, one of U- Play's competitors, knows well. But Minnock was not naive, and quite capable of fighting back in the real world as well as the virtual one.

Eve and her team are about to enter the next level of police work, in a world where fantasy is the ultimate seduction-and the price of defeat is death. . . .

I finally got to read the latest In Death book, Fantasy In Death by JD Robb. I always look forward on reading this series, in fact I tend to re-read it a lot...I guess I need my fix of Eve and Rourke throughout the year.

This time around Eve is the primary on the murder of a computer gaming genius. He is found in a closed room. There is no sign of forced entry and there's no evidence of him letting anyone in.

I loved the mystery in this book. I thought the way that Bart was killed ingenious and truly futuristic. And the reasons behind his murder is so natural in a evil genius type of way that I was blown away. We get to see the usual characters, I found that the author really focused on the friendship in this book, both the victims and the regular In Death team. But what really stood out is the science fiction, the holo gaming is intriguing, interesting and fun, and something that may end up happening.

I had a great time reading this book.

Fantasy In Death by JD Robb (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense: Alternate Future; Published: Putnam Adult (2/2010); Format: E-book for Kindle; Series: # 31, Eve Dallas; Thriller Suspense Reading Challenge (2); Books 2010 (30);

Loyalty in Death

I'm a huge fan of Nora Roberts, I read (or trying to to) all her books, I particularly love her Eve Dallas series, which she writes under JD Robb. Last year I decided to start re-reading them, so I've slowly been going through and I was surprised to find one that I actually hadn't read yet, Loyalty in Death. And I'm reading it for a challenge as well, Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge 2010.

Here's the blurb (taken from BN.com):

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb's phenomenal series has captivated readers with it tantalizing blend of romance, suspense, and futuristic police procedural. Now, New York cop Eve Dallas returns to face her most ingenious foe -- a "secret admirer" who taunts her with letters...and kills without mercy.

LOYALTY IN DEATH

An unknown bomber is stalking New York City. He is sending Eve Dallas taunting letters promising to wreak mass terror and destruction among the "corrupt masses." And when his cruel web of deceit and destruction threatens those she cares for most, Even fights back. It's her city...it's her job...and it's hitting too close to home. Now, in a race against a ticking clock, Eve must make the pieces fit—before the city falls.

And just all the other Eve Dallas books I inhaled this one. It was just one of those books you can cuddle with and lose yourself in. You have suspenseful adventure, with the added bonus of Roarke, and there's also the blossoming romance between McNab and Peabody. And we also see Eve struggle with her memories.

I was truly surprised with the who dunnit in this book and the author wrapped it all nicely and answered all my questions. You know the ones: Where the h*** did that come from? and Why? Why?... I will not share those answers with you, but it definitely had me on the edge of my seat and I cannot believe that an individual is that devious and has the ability to suck in people into his/her cause.

I wondered if I missed any other Dallas books?

Loyalty In Death by J.D. Robb (4/5) Romantic Suspense: Alternate Future; Published: Berkley (10/99); Series: # 9, Eve Dallas - In Death; Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge (1); Books 2010 (16);

Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010

Really, it's becoming an addiction! But it will be a fun one!

Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010 will be hosted by Book Chick City, this time around. The object of this challenge is to read 12 thrillers in 2010.

There are more details (taken from Book Chick City):

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• If you decide to participate in this challenge please use the links I have set up below with the buttons to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun.

• If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.

• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

• There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.

To sign up and to get the cool button visit here.

My books:

1. Loyalty In Death by JD Robb - February 15th, 2010
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