After the novella interlude, Eve Dallas is back in Conspiracy in Death, book eight in the In Death series by J. D. Robb. In many ways, it feels like the novella and its exploration of Eve's growing humanity gave Ms. Robb the license to start making Eve's trials more emotional and almost traumatic. I say this because what Eve faces in Conspiracy in Death is brutal and something she could not have endured without breaking down in the first few books.

The murder mystery is complex and creative, but it is Eve's potential loss of job where the heart of Conspiracy in Death lies. Almost all of Eve's identity is with her badge, and to have that taken away from her is like taking away her soul. One cannot exist without the other, and the old Eve wouldn't have been able to. Once again, Ms. Robb highlights the growth of her character without banging readers over the head with it. The subtlety used in this part of the story is masterful.

Conspiracy in Death is the first novel in the series where Ms. Robb uses the murders to explore Eve's emotional state more fully. Through the threat of job loss, Eve cannot hide behind the badge but must find the fortitude to become someone without it. As I said earlier, it is a scenario Eve would not have been able to handle in the first few books. In upping the ante for Eve, Ms. Robb made Conspiracy in Death richer and more fulfilling. ( )

It was good, I skimmed a lot of the crime stuff. ( )

Conspiracy in Death
4 Stars

When a street sleeper is found with his heart surgically removed, Lieutenant Eve Dallas realizes that this is only the latest in a series of murders targeting the most vulnerable members of society. As she closes in on the twisted mind at work, she suddenly finds both her career and the secure life she has constructed for herself under serious threat …

While the In Death books are standard police procedurals (albeit with a futuristic twist) that employ familiar mystery themes and romance tropes, they are nonetheless quick and entertaining reads.

Although the mystery is not at exciting or suspenseful as some of the others in the series because the suspects are more or less interchangeable, Conspiracy in Death is, nevertheless, one of the more touching and poignant installments as it showcases the depth of Eve's emotional scars and the extent of her humanity.

In her darkest moments, Eve relationships with her amazing friends are front and center. Whether it is the love and support she receives from Roarke; her comradery with Peabody, McNab and Feeney, not to mention Dr. Mira's mothering, Mavis's outrageousness or Nadine's sarcastic comebacks - each and every secondary character enriches the sphere Robb has created in these works.

In sum, a lovely addition to the series and I'm enjoying working my way through the books.
( )

In this eighth book of the IN DEATH series which is absolutely one of my favorite romantic suspense series, Detective Eve Dallas is hunting a serial killer who preys upon the unsheltered people living in the streets of New York. This killer seems to have medical training and is creepily harvesting their organs with the precision of a surgeon. When Eve checks for similar cases in other cities, she discovers it isn’t the first time the killer has struck. I love all the books in this series for the great pacing and wonderful cast of characters. This one was especially a treat because of the great mystery to figure out and also the subplot involving another cop that Eve gets into a disagreement with, resulting in an internal investigation after things go in an unexpected direction. ( )

good book. Worth a re-read. ( )