FFB Review: Creation In Death: Eve Dallas Mysteries by J.D. Robb

 

It is March of 2060 as Creation in Death begins, and for NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, it is movie night at the crib. In their case, a mansion in New York City, a video on a big screen, and real popcorn massively drenched with butter and salt. The movie is a mindless action one which gives her more time to contemplate how good life is these days and how she has plans for Roarke and his body once the movie is over.

She should know better.

Long before the movie is over, Commander Whitney calls and orders her to report to a scene. He gives no explanation and she does not ask because of her training and the fact that for him to do this means it is important. For fun, and to watch his wife in action, Roarke goes with her.

That is just as well as Roarke knowns the naked dead woman who is arranged as if she is a piece of art. The death tableau is arranged in a certain way and with a certain style. A style last seen over nine years ago when Eve Dallas was part of a task force on the hunt. After a series of gruesome torture murders, the killer went dormant. They hoped he was dead.

He was not.

Now he is back as this is no copycat. His apparently first victim of what will probably be another wave of killings is 28-year-old Sarifina York. Last time he took, tortured, and ultimately killed four women in fifteen days. Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows that already his next victim has been taken and is going through hell. That victim’s only hope, as well as the next ones to follow her, is for Eve Dallas and her team to find and stop this psycho. 

What follows is a complicated read. While some of the head hopping and other flaws are still present in these books, it is also clear that they are far fewer than the early books in the series. What is also increasing clear is that by repeatedly having Roarke directly or indirectly knowing the victim, it creates an easy excuse to be involved in the case. Granted, Roarke owns virtually everything, but seeing him involved so much in several books in a row, the author’s crutch becomes noticeable. 

Collection in Death puts Dallas and all the recurring respective characters through their paces as it takes a team, if not a family, to find the killer. One knows they are going to get him. The pleasure of the read is the hunt.

My reading copy came in digital format by way of the OverDrive/Libby app and the Dallas Public Library System. 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023