As for the staff Christmas party, well it was okay. It's weird because we have labs from two different sites that come together once in a while... but you can see a big segregation between the two. I was at the party the whole time, because I was helping with the organization of it... And this year, the party took place at the other site. So the labs from that site all got there on time... while the people from my site were all late. The party was technically from 4 to 8 pm. The people from the other site showed up from 4.30 to 6.30... and my site, from 6 to 8.30 ^_^; Also, it was pot luck style... so the other site did not get to participate in the games at all... Just totally weird. Ah well. Next year, we're hoping we can go out. The energy to organize a potluck is just not worth it ^_^; The good news is that the game I organized was a success!!
With the Christmas party and recruiting patients for the study this morning, my review for Somewhere Along the Way by Jodi Thomas is still not complete :( However, I thought I'd review Indulgence in Death instead, because that one takes less thoughts to put the words together :) So here we go!
Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
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.Genre: Romantic suspense, mystery, futuristic
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...
Series: In Death series, Book #38
The Story: Indulgence in Death starts off with Eve and Roarke enjoying a little down-time in Ireland, visiting Roarke's extensive family. As soon as Eve comes back to New York, she catches a series of murders - thrill kills really. Very quickly, Eve is able to establish a pattern: the victims are people for hire, at the top of their fields, providing exclusive services... who are killed with unusual weapons and in a flashy fashion. Eve soon figures out that this is a game played by two highly arrogant men and must quickly gather evidences before the next round begins.
My Opinion: Okay, this is going to be short and to the point, because after countless reviews of In Death books, LOL, you know how I feel about this series, right? :) I mean, the In Death series has an incredible world building, but what really makes this series so good are the characters, their dynamics and interactions and when it comes to that, Ms Roberts does a great job at being consistent :) What vary are the plots, the cases and the emotional/personal Eve-Roarke component.
So, how was Indulgence in Death? I liked how the book opened, on something a bit more relaxed. It was also great to see something a bit more personal about Eve and Roarke - it's been a while. Plus, it's always funny to see Eve outside of New York LOL. I think one day, Ms Roberts should write about Eve being off-planet :P While I did enjoy seeing Eve and Roarke on vacation, I thought that adding a little murder was a bit of an overkill. We know that Eve is a cop through and through and that's who she is... I don't think it's necessary for her to run into murders wherever she goes... although I do admit, it was well handled. The way Eve did not overstep jurisdiction and simply offered her help.
As for the case itself, hmmmm, quite frankly, I thought it was a bit weak. First, I felt that Eve figured out the culprits too quickly. The case didn't really feel very obvious, but it almost seemed like Eve got her teeth onto a particular line of the investigation and just didn't let go. I get that instinct is an important of her job, but still... As a result, most of the book was spent gathering evidences and eliminating suspects, i.e. building the case. While it works in some installments, it didn't in Indulgence in Death... mainly because the case was very, very similar to the one in Seduction in Death. I mean, the basis was the same: two deranged friends playing a game in which they each took turn killing people. In both cases, the murderers are "privileged" persons who do it to have fun. Deranged, I'm telling you :P I'm actually surprised that there wasn't a mention of the Seduction in Death's case since they were so similar.
One thing that did surprise me was that Eve and Roarke have just celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary. I mean, they got married at the end of book 3 and we're at book 38... so 35 books have only covered 2 years?!? I know that there are plenty of time indications peppering the entire series and the passing of seasons is often mentioned, but it just never really computed in my mind. Now, having actual numbers, well it's pretty mind-boggling LOL. I actually don't really know how I feel about it. I think that I would prefer for the story timeline to be advancing a bit more rapidly, just because it'd be easier to assimilate real time with book time...
This is pretty much it when it comes to Indulgence in Death :) It is neither the best or worst book of the series. Actually, I would say it's on the weaker side of the spectrum for the reasons I stated above regarding the case. Still, I devoured this book in one sitting as soon as I got my hands on it. There is simply something fun and enjoyable when revisiting characters and a world that are so familiar. I guess it was good enough to fulfill the In Death series fix that I needed LOL.
My Grade: B-. While I still enjoy the series, I do think the last few installments have been only been okay... and that we need a wowzer very soon.
