Review: ‘Promises in Death’ by J.D. Robb

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Promises in Death
by J.D. RobbSeries: In Death #28
Published by Berkley Books on February 24, 2009
SubGenres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
Format: AudioBook, Paperback
Pages: 352
Length: 12 Hours And 43 Minutes
Source: Purchased
Audience: 18+/Adult
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#1 New York Times- bestselling author J. D. Robb takes us to the New York City of 2060, where Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces down a cop killer. A Amarylis Coltraine may have recently transferred to the New York City police force from Atlanta, but she's been a cop long enough to know how to defend herself against an assailant. When she's taken down just steps away from her apartment, killed with her own weapon, for Eve the victim isn't just one of us. Dallas's friend Chief Medical Examiner Morris and Coltraine had started a serious relationship, and from all accounts the two were headed for a happy future together. But someone has put an end to all that. After breaking the news to Morris, Eve starts questioning everyone from Coltraine's squad, informants, and neighbors, while Eve's husband, Roarke, digs into computer data on Coltraine's life back in Atlanta. To their shock, they discover a connection between this case and their own painful, shadowy pasts. The truth will need to be uncovered one layer at a time, starting with the box that arrives at Cop Central addressed to Eve containing Coltraine's guns, badge, and a note from her killer: You can have them back. Maybe someday soon, I'll be sending yours to somebody else. But Eve Dallas doesn't take too kindly to personal threats, and she is going to break this case, whatever it takes. And that's a promise.
It’s been a while since I read a book from the In Death series, and picking this one up reminded me that I really need to catch up on this series. Promises in Death is the twenty-eighth book, and this time, Eve and her team are investigating the murder of a fellow officer. Amarylis Coltraine had just moved from Atlanta to New York City and was dating Eve’s friend, Morris. As Eve takes over the case and starts looking into Amarylis’s murder, she realizes it might be connected to an older case she worked on, which brings up some tough memories for her.
This case was especially emotional for Eve and her team because the victim was one of their own. I felt for Eve when she had to break the news to her friend Morris about Amarylis’s death, but she was determined to get to the truth. Eve even had to question other officers, since it seemed likely that one of them was involved. It wasn’t easy, especially since some of Amarylis’s coworkers didn’t like Eve and her team handling the case.
J.D. Robb really had me hooked with this case, and I felt like I was right there with Eve, Roarke, and Peabody trying to solve the murder. Every time I thought I knew who did it, especially after Eve found the link to an old case, I turned out to be wrong. I didn’t see the ending coming at all, and I’m still shocked by who was behind everything and why the murderer did it.
The case in this book kept me on the edge of my seat, but the scenes with Eve, Roarke, and her friends made me laugh out loud. I especially enjoyed it when Eve had to shop for a bridal shower gift and then host the shower at her own home. Eve has always been so relatable to me because I would have done the same thing that she did when I came upon what was happening at the bridal shower, and I loved how Roarke told her that she could handle it without him. (My husband would have said the same thing.) I absolutely love Eve and Roarke and their relationship; they’re my favorite married couple in any book. I can’t get enough of them and all the other characters that make this series so special.
Overall, this is another great book in the In Death series, and I’m giving it 5 stars. I can’t wait to read more and finally catch up. Every book is just as addictive as the last, and I love these characters because they feel like family. Hollywood really needs to turn this series into a TV show. I would love to watch it.
POV: Third Person (Multi-POV)
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading Romantic Suspense/Police Procedurals with a Strong Heroine and a fantastic cast of characters, then this book/series is a must-read.
Favorite Quote(s):
“Oh shit, oh shit, stupid shower present!”
Now she did pull her hair as she made the dash to her office.
Roarke sat in her visitor’s chair, comfortably involved with his PPC. He glanced up, let loose a regretful sigh. “You changed. And I didn’t have any time to ogle you in uniform.”
“I have to go shopping!”
Staring at her, Roarke pressed his fingertips to his temple. “I’m sorry, I believe I must have had a small stroke. What did you say?”

About J.D. Robb

J.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Shadows in Death(St. Martin's Press, September 2020) is the 51st entry in the series.
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