Description from Goodreads
The incomparable J. D. Robb presents the latest moving and suspenseful novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Eve Dallas series.
In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.
The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.
Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.
My Review
J.D. Robb has done it again- 38 books in, and I'm still learning new things about the characters, and seeing growth.
The book itself begins with Roarke doing demolition on a newly purchased building, and he discovers not only one body, but 12. The bodies of 12 very young girls, all left behind.
We meet the new Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Garnet DeWinter, who aids Eve in identifying the bodies, and also appears to give Eve a new person to spare with. There is really nothing I love more than a strong female character in a Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb book, and you can tell this woman is more than just a pretty face and a nice coat. I'm really excited to get to know here more.
As the investigation goes on, we discover the building used to house a sort of half-way home for troubled and homeless teens, and this connection remains throughout the story. I have to say, I enjoyed reading the story as it unfolded, and although I ultimately wasn't surprised by how everything turned out, I still didn't out and out guess it from the beginning like I do at times.
By far my favorite part of the entire book is all the new stuff we discovered about Mavis. We knew her past was a little less than savory- but it was so emotional and raw. I re-read her part three times, so I could really take it in. Breathtaking story telling.
I gave this book four solid stars on Goodreads. It was really good, entertaining, and a wonderful edition to the series- and it continued to build the series as a whole. It's so exciting still to be reading a series that only continues to grow and expand upon what has already happened, and be able to see what is still to come. It has never become stagnant, and although not every book moves the series along as well as this one did, every one has contributed to the overall theme and story arch.
My one complaint? I want Peabody and McNabb to get married soon! Or for someone to have a baby! Maybe Mavis will have another soon???? It's time, Robb!
You can purchase a copy of Concealed in Death for Kindle here, or a hardcover here.
FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
There are a lot of books that are coming out in February that I want to read. It started to seem like every time I found an interesting book, it was coming out in February. So I'm going to just jump right in!
I'm also trying a new format for this feature- If you want to know more about a book, click on the book itself and it will take you to its Goodreads page. This way, you can add it to your own shelf, read the descriptions and other's reviews. I will list below if I have received any from NetGalley, or if I have reviewed them.
I received the following books from NetGalley to review: When Audrey Met Alice, Sitcom, Runner, Better Off Friends, and The Troop.
I've already read The Troop and my review was posted here.
Hopefully you guys like this format, because I really think I do!
There are so many awesome books coming out next month! I'd love to see your reviews if you do one on one of these books, so be sure and link me below! And feel free to add me on Goodreads!
FTC: Some of the books mentioned above have been provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I am not in any way affiliated with any of the authors mentioned.
Description from Good Reads
In the latest suspense thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, the year 2060 is drawing to a close in New York City and loved ones are coming together for Thanksgiving. But sometimes the deepest hatreds seethe within the closest relationships, and blood flows faster than water…
Lieutenant Eve Dallas has plenty to be grateful for this season. Hosting Roarke’s big Irish family for the holiday may be challenging, but it’s a joyful improvement on her own dark childhood.
Other couples aren’t as lucky as Eve and Roarke. The Reinholds, for example, are lying in their home stabbed and bludgeoned almost beyond recognition. Those who knew them are stunned—and heartbroken by the evidence that they were murdered by their own son. Twenty-six-year-old Jerry hadn’t made a great impression on the bosses who fired him or the girlfriend who dumped him—but they didn’t think he was capable of this.
Turns out Jerry is not only capable of brutality but taking a liking to it. With the money he’s stolen from his parents and a long list of grievances, he intends to finally make his mark on the world. Eve and her team already know the who, how, and why of this murder. What they need to pinpoint is where Jerry’s going to strike next.
My Review
I love how this book starts- not only are you immediately inside the head of the killer, but you know who he is. To say Jerry is not a nice person is pretty much an understatement. There is usually something that makes me feel empathy for the killers in the In Death novels, but this was one of the novels where I felt that the killer is just an evil human being.
Eve's story continues as Thanksgiving nears, and Roarke's family is coming over from Ireland to spend Thanksgiving. I love seeing the growth in Eve- she is still nervous, but through the book it is obvious she is better about family, and wanting to be near them. It seemed like for so long Eve was only about "the job", but now there is so much more to her. It's nice to see that growth, even after 37 novels in this series.
I guess what's I'm saying is, she is not Stephanie Plum. She isn't the same woman as she was in Naked in Death- yes, she does still struggle with contact from others, and babies confuse the hell out of her- but she's much more open to being with those that are alive, rather than just spend the time with the dead.
We also learn that Eve is finally up for a long due promotion, and getting a medal. Not only her, but Roarke as well. I'm not at all surprised by Eve's choice for the promotion. I think it's clear that Eve won't be behind a desk until (if ever) her and Roarke choose to start a family of their own. I'm not even sure that will ever happen, but it was nice to see that happen for her.
In the midst of everything, Jerry kills two others, besides his mother and father. He kills brutally, and it gets him off. He loves it.
I feel like Eve does- he gets so very lucky with those murders, and the police are just steps behind him.
As far as In Death novels go, this was mostly within the formula- no real surprises, just a really good addition to the series. I was glad to see all of my favorite characters live through another, as well. I'm always nervous she's going to off another person I really like.
If you are a fan, I highly recommend checking it out. And if you've never given the series I try, but you like your murder mystery with a side of romance and friendship, I recommend it as well.
You can purchase a copy of Thankless in Death for Kindle here, or a hardcover here.
FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
