Book Review: Concealed in Death (In Death #38) by J.D. Robb

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.