Book Review: Thankless in Death (In Death #37) by J.D. Robb

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.
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