Purity in Death
by J.D. Robb
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Book Reviews of Purity in Death
Book Review: Extraordinary Purity
Summary: 5 Stars
What we often overlook when we review a Nora Roberts/J. D. Robb novel is the author's extraordinary wit and sense of humor. Her comedic timing and spacing of these oratory gems are impeccable and enjoyable. The repartee between Eve Dallas and her aide, Officer Peabody, often makes you laugh out loud. And then there is that dry humor between Eve and Roark that seems so much a natural part of their relationship that, from the very opening lines of any of her "In Death" novels, you're held in a state of suspended animation waiting until the very first scene between the couple unfolds. That is, of course, until Ms. Robb takes Eve and Roark on one of their erotic journeys. Nothing to laugh about there; just enjoy the ride. (You may want to read or reread her "Midnight Bayou" novel for some excellent examples of her comedic talents.)I'm sure that we can all pick out special scenes and situations in Ms. Robb's novels that are memorable, but in "Purity" the most hilarious (in my view) involved Mavis' announcement to Eve that she's pregnant. Poor Eve (and it's hard to think of Eve as being poor in any sense) has no clue what to do with her emotions even as she tried with difficulty to tell Roark and Dr. Mira about Mavis. We will all likely be in stitches when the stork finally visits Eve and Roark. Though I thoroughly enjoy Robb/Roberts as a seriously "mag" literary talent, that "In Death" episode when Eve finally becomes pregnate will fly off every global best seller list. Let's hope that it comes soon.
Book Review: The Mother of All Computer Viruses
Summary: 5 Stars
A computer virus from hell is infecting more than machines in New York City circa 2059. Launched by a self-righteous terrorist organization (aren't they all?), this baby seeps into the brains of its victims, causing paranoia, extreme violence, unbearable pain, and unspeakable death. The victims are not stellar human beings--most are drug dealers and/or child molesters--but in the throes of the virus, each has murdered an innocent victim, including a cop. Besides, thinks Eve Dallas, who is primary on the case, vigilante justice is never warranted.The story of the terrorist organization, Absolute Purity, and Eve's desperate fight to bring it down, is one of the best JD Robb/Nora Roberts has written in this series. It's fast, it's furious, it's interesting, and not entirely predictable. The deep introspection that has so plagued the last few books in the series is gone, as is the endless back-and-forth battle Eve wages to accept that she is loved. MacNab and Peabody are back, and their relationship has, just in the nick of time (for the reader, anyway), deepened. Roarke is his usual inhumanly gorgeous and brilliant self, Feeney is aboard with his omnipresent bag of candied almonds, and Eve's "rad" friend Mavis has a surprise that far surpasses her purple hair.
All in all, this is one fun read. Unlike the last few in the series, it left me wanting more, and I'm looking forward to the next In-Death release.
Book Review: A Disappointment
Summary: 3 Stars
"Purity in Death" is a disappointment. I've been a fan of Robert's `in Death' series for years. What I have really love about this series is that it's rich cast of supporting characters, and how the heroine, Lt. Eve Dallas seems to emotionally grow in each book. There was no growth this time, just a lot of recylcing of catch Dallas phrases.
Actually I felt as if she wrote it on a template. There were the usual Dallas ... moments, Dallas can't accept the softer feelings, Dallas fly's off the handle when confronted by conflict, etc..., but very little real interaction between she and her friends / collegues. We are TOLD (and not shown) so often that Eve Dallas feels certain these ways, with the same stock expressions, that the book it reads more like a write by the numbers than a book put out by the ever prolific, but usually engaging. Nora Roberts. Also, since this case was so focused on people who prey on children I would have expected a bit more actualization in regards to her scarred childhood.
I gave it 3 stars because the plot is engaging - and if anyone else but Nora Roberts had written it I would have given it 4, but this feels phoned in. The plot is interesting as usual but she fails to create a connection with between reader and charecter.
Book Review: Same Book, Different Title
Summary: 2 Stars
I have all but 2 books of this series (but not necessarily in chronological order), and at this point, I'm coming to the realization that after awhile, an author has said all there is to be said with a certain character/scenario.
How many times can Eve Dallas be personally targeted? How many victims remind her of her own troubled past? How many times can Roarke save the day? How many times can they have passionant sex that's a metaphor for how much she cares for him but is unable to express in words? After awhile, it seems like everything in Eve Dallas' life is a drama of Soap Opera proportions!
Like most hard-boiled type detectives, the action and adventure is non-stop and you never get the feeling that Eve gets to rest. After awhile, I find myself exhausted FOR the heroine and eventually I lose sympathy and interest. After all, who can identify with someone who is always strong enough to deal with anything that's pitched to her?
When the plot is intriguing, I don't mind the constant drama so much. I've enjoyed many of the other books, particularly Portrait in Death and Rapture in Death. But by this point, the clichés are getting really old, and I wonder if it isn't time for Ms. Robb to start a new series?
Book Review: A futuristic kind of terrorism...
Summary: 4 Stars
J.D. Robb incorporates the threat of terrorism, this time through a computer virus designed to spread from machine to man, into the latest installment of her Eve Dallas series. People are dying, and it takes awhile for the detectives, with the inevitable help of Roarke, Eve's husband, to figure out what is causing it and who is behind the plot. Without giving the plot away, those close to Dallas are in danger, and are injured, compelling her to work at an exhausting pace to resolve the mystery and put "criminals in high places" behind bars.Dallas is true to form both in action, and in squirming over the politics of being on the police force and being married to Roarke. All the colorful supporting characters are back, although there is rather less of the butler, Summerset, than I would prefer. His love-hate relationship with Dallas is always colorful.
Something about this installment dragged for me, although I couldn't put my finger on it, and I kept putting the book down and picking it up again...as a result, it took me longer to read than usual. Don't think that I'm tired of the series, I just believe that it wasn't quite up to Robb's usual standards.
I'm still looking forward to the next "In Death" book in March!