Naked in Death

In Death, Book 1

By: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

THE FIRST NOVEL IN THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING IN DEATH SERIES

It is 2058, New York City. Technology now completely rules the world, but for New York Detective Eve Dallas, one irresistible impulse still rules the heart: passion...

Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she’s seen it all - and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she’s going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire - and a suspect in Eve’s murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it’s up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about - except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.©1995 by Nora Roberts. (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Police Procedural with a Dash of Romance

Set in a not unrealistic future where violence and murder has been greatly reduced through education, government legislation and social engineering. Eve Dallas is a cop who gets the job done and does so by following the book.

During this case she meets a love interest which J.D. Robb intricately weaves into the plot of murder mystery. Two parts CSI/Law and Order with a dash of the Silk Stockings this is a great book for the beach, park or a long weekend because you will be riveted to it.

The narration by Susan Erikson is nearly flawless with a good range of accents, characterizations and an amazing range of emotional inflections. At one point in the reading she reads a scene where a female character is crying and a male character was consoling her and both were done flawlessly.

If I have one complaint the sex scenes in the book are a bit derivative and somewhat distracting from solving of the case. That being said it was an immensely satisfying listen and highly recommended.

Pringles series; book 1 is reverse Basic Instinct

This has aged well for a book at the quarter century mark (1995, I think). This book 1 has the feel of the movie Basic Instinct with the genders reversed: Michael Douglas’ rough cop with a tortured past is played by Lt. Eve Dallas and Sharon Stone’s rich, sexy, maybe killer is played by Roarke. The murder mystery similarly involves kink and the rich and powerful. While this is set in 2058, there’s surprisingly little future-talk, aside from the scarcity of firearms compared to laser weapons.

After book 1, you can skip around the 50+ books for the equivalent of a TV episode… but this is cable TV, with occasional F-bombs and Basic Instinct level violence rather than Murder She Wrote. I enjoy the romance side-action, but wouldn’t call these romance books (in this book, there’s only one full on scene and the rest tends to fade to black). The supporting characters, while tropey, are colorful and fun. This series gradually found its way into my top ten because of its consistent delivery of entertaining cop procedural in the not so distant future. Wait for a sale, but these are great Pringles listens; tasty but not too filling.

Even blend of romance and detective novel

It's a cross between a romance novel and a detective novel (it involves nearly equal parts detecting and romance). It's set in the future, but there's nothing unfamiliar about it.

It has some graphic language and adult concepts (prostitution, incest). In a couple scenes Eve's very unpleasant childhood is explored and the author attempts to tie it into the story but it feels forced and is overall an uncomfortable topic.

The romance is mostly okay. At least it's mature and not some teenage drool fest - though in real life nobody is as perfect as Roarke.

The narration is very good, nice accents and no over-dramatization. The voicing of the characters is distinct.

Not Bad

This is my first of the JD Robb series with Lt. Eve Dallas. I found the story light and somewhat entertaining. If you can get past a bit foul language and diffidently a leftest wet dream, you'll enjoy it. I may try the next book to see if Robb can win me over as a fan.

My Thoughts on Naked in Death

This is the kind of book that you could listen to again and again. The characters are not just well developed, they’re intriguing. They make you want to get to know them better. They make you become more involved with their progression and growth with every word. And it certainly was just a bonus to have those words brought to life by such an amazing narrator. I couldn’t get enough and can’t wait to continue this series and also to come back and relive where it all started again and again.