Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
by J. D. Robb
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Book Summary Information
Author: J. D. RobbEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1995-07-01
ISBN: 0425148297
Number of pages: 314
Publisher: Berkley
Book Reviews of Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
Book Review: Whoa that smell! Can't you smell that smell???
Summary: 3 Stars
As is my way, I leave the plot recap to others. It takes too much time, especially when I have so many other important things to address. I read this book at the prompting of a friend, after I had recommended a book to her. This, she said, was a great series. Hm... I won't disabuse her of the opinion of the series, as I haven't read any other books in it. But this book was, unfortunately, just average. And, also unfortunately, too predictable. And involved waaaay too many odors. I'm not sure WHY there were so many odors, but it definitely stood out to me (and I appear, of course, to be the only one to notice).
As is also my way, I must give examples:
The bottle of scent on the dresser was exclusive, and smelled, after a quick sniff, like expensive sex.
The air smelled of flowers and pampered flesh.
The quiet sound of birdsong and breezes sweetened the air.
"She..." He gestured grandly. "Exuded sex as others might exude an expensive perfume."
"She drew people to her..." He searched for a suitable metaphor, used the corner of the scarf again. "Like an exotic and fragrant flower."
Slickly handsome in a black silk robe, and smelling seductively of sex, Charles smiled engagingly.
The discomfort helped distract her from the misery of headstones and the smell of cold, fresh earth.
The steam rising from her cup smelled like heaven.
She hated to admit even to herself that the tobacco smelled enticing. (and in the same section, though not about smell, was THIS winner -- "The tobacco burned expensively between his long, elegant fingers." How does expensive burn?)
Mavis Freestone whirled in, a jangle of bracelets, a puff of scent.
But Eve had already scented it, already - despite herself - begun to smile.
And just a few lines later: Eve brought the bag to her face and sniffed deep.
She could smell it, as ripe and sour as the vegetable hash that was today's special.
From the smell that had greeted her outside, someone had died out there recently, or the recycle trucks hadn't been through in the last week.
Her guide was silent on the ride up and exuded a discreet whiff of sensible scent that matched her sensible shoes and neat, sleek coif.
There as a sharp, spicy scent from a bank of dianthus, blooming in shades of rose and vivid purple.
However glorious the scent, they failed to stir her appetite.
"I'm going to follow my nose."
So far her nose was just fine.
She could smell them: water, bad fish, and old sweat.
The room smelled of blood, of urine, of burned food.
It was, as she'd suspected, floral in scent and flavor.
The scent of brewed flowers lingered in the air.
It was foolish to be susceptible to his hands over hers, the press of his body, the smell of him.
Thoughtfully he blew out a fragrant stream of smoke.
A room filled with violence, the smell of gunsmoke still stinking the air, and weapons still within reach.
She could smell flowers and felt the give of carpet under her feet.
"I'm going to enjoy smelling my soap on you." (Oh, and this line: "...that had an orgasm shivering through her like gold." -- how does gold shiver????)
From another fount he drew pale green soap that smelled of wild forests.
You knew this time, she thought, how it would feel, how she'd look, how the blood would smell.
She leaned closer, looked into Joe's surprised and staring eyes, sniffed the pie.
Hetta Finestein opened her door with a puff of lavender sachet and the yeasty smell of homemade bread.
"Don't you so much as sniff this custard pie."
A short time later, Eve was in the kitchen, watching the cat sniff with delicate disdain at a bowl of food she'd unearthed...
Unable to resist, she swung by the bench, leaned close enough to smell sour vomit.
"He either knew it or smelled it."
She didn't feel awkward climbing back into her clothes with the scent of him clinging to her.
She could smell his breath on her face, sweet, like candy.
and finally:
"It's tea, a whiff of whiskey."
WOW! That's a lot of focus on aroma, don't you think? Perhaps Ms. Robb/Roberts could start using another sense? (Or scent? ha!)
On another note, I figured out the "whodunit" part by page 60. The "gadgets" were barely more technical than what's available now, except for the flying cars. Although they DID promise me flying cars! ;) The dialogue was decent and I did laugh a couple of times. While I don't think the use of "the f-word", as another reviewer put it, was excessive, it was more than twice as someone else claimed.
I agree that Eve was NOT the strong, assertive person she was described as. On the other hand, I don't think Roarke was as terrible as some people seem to think. It would take a guy like him to get through to a girl like her. The sex was a lot for such a short book, but I don't really mind that. They were about a 5 on a 1-10 scale of hot, though. Would have preferred something a bit more... sensual.
As a forensic science/crime wonk, I was terribly frustrated, if not downright disappointed, with the deduction and investigation side of the story. The mistakes in plot, the steps of the investigation in general, were basic. For example, Roarke is one of those uber-security conscious people, right (I mean, he owns a security company)? Well, did no one think that perhaps his property might have video surveillance that could provide him an alibi? Or that perhaps talking with the victim's family was kind of important and should happen before page 100?
I've been assured that the series gets MUCH better as it moves on, and I hope that's the case. If it DOESN'T get better I would be concerned for the taste of these 5 star reviewers. There IS potential here, but really only if Robb/Roberts can do better with the mystery and investigative aspects of her story. Otherwise no matter how decent the writing, or even if I learned to like the characters a lot more, I would get extremely irritated with the books.
Now if only the rest of the series isn't as focused on odors...
Edited because someone pointed out that I didn't give enough examples of the forensic/investigative problems that I had with the book. Basically, I know that when someone is shot they don't go flying backwards (which was mentioned twice). I know that if you put paint all over your body, even when your skin can't "breathe" (which I didn't include in my "aroma" references), you won't suffocate. Mythbusters has shown that both of these ideas are false. :)
I also caught SEVERAL bad editing mistakes (Eve was called "Even" in one spot, for example). With the clout that Nora Roberts must have, SURELY she could have a better editor by now.
Summary of Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
In the very first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Eve Dallas gets involved with Roarke, a suspect in her latest murder case. But passion and seduction have rules all their own.Literature & Fiction Books
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