Thursday, March 19, 2009

Promises in Death - JD Robb

This is one series where every single one of the books have worked for me - some I've liked more than others, but I've enjoyed each and every one.

Promises in Death was no different. I opened it as soon as it came into my hands, and read it in one sitting. The mystery element was complex and interesting, but it was the emotional component - Eve and Roarke's relationship, their ties with the others in their world - that really made it stand out.

I simply don't know how JD Robb does it, but with each book, I simply fall more in love with the dynamics of this world and the people in it. This is absolutely recommended.

If you haven't read this series, I'd suggest starting with the very first one Naked in Death. While each mystery stands on its own, you'll enjoy the relationships so much more if you see them develop over the books. Also, this particular mystery does have a tie to an earlier book.

So, who else is a JD Robb fan? Who's your favorite secondary character?

23 comments :

Suzette said...

I absolutely love JD Robb aka Nora Roberts. She is one of my favorite authors. I actually fell behind on reading the In Death series but I will catch up.

In that series, Rourke and Peabody are fave secondary characters. Although, Rourke is usually pretty much a primary character in each story.

Lisa F. said...

I love JD Robb. I sigh each time I finish a book.

Secondary characters, Roarke is of course a fave. But I've always love Morris and Baxter.

Missy Ann said...

Trueheart. I know she's barley done anything with him, but he seems like he's such a doll. I'd love to see him develop from sweet little Troy to Troy the NYPD detective.

azteclady said...

Oh Roarke!

:sigh:

I don't think I have one favorite secondary character, because they all have their own appeal.

Morris has been a favorite for ages, but so have Peabody and McNabb, and Summerset, Feeney, Mira and her family, Nadine, Webster... oh Crack! :grin: and obviously Mavis and Leonardo...

All of them, actually :grin:

Chris said...

Mmm.... Roarke.... Peabody & McNabb are favorites, too.

orannia said...

I have this on my TBR list..but I have to read Salvation In Death and the novella first (although does it matter when I read the novella?)

Hmmm...secondary characters. Roarke and Peabody are a given, as is McNab. (I keep thinking of him as a short version of Legolas :) I also love Charles...he's fabulous! And am growing to love Morris, Baxter and Trueheart. I just love Baxter's sense of humour :)

Anonymous said...

I like Roarke & Eve A TON!! But I got away from this series a couple years ago, I still buy the books, LOL but they sit on my TBR pile. I now tend to let her series build up and then read a whole bunch of the books over a few weeks time. One after the other, no waiting 6 mo - 1 yr for the next one. It works. Wish I could do that with other series (ie KMM's Fae series, Briggs Mercy Thompson, YOUR Psy/changeling...) But nope I have to run out and gobble them up the same day of release!

Lisa said...

I have always loved the JD Robb books but I'm with you on this one the dynamics between all the characters was amazing. Mavis has always been one of my favorite secondary characters but with this book have to say Morris now as well. It's oblivous from this book that as Mavis is Eve's "sister" Morris is her "brother".

Leslie said...

I just started this series a few months ago and love it! I'm lucky that the library has the series on audio discs so I've been slowly trying to catch up.

I'm currently listening to the short story Midnight in Death. Thankfully the woman who reads the books does an amazing job with the voices. I just hope she does the whole series.

Jenny Schwartzberg said...

I love Eve and Roarke! Of the secondary characters, Mavis is a hoot, and I really fell in love with Morris during Promises in Death. But I really love all of the characters. I'd love to see more of Roarke's family and of Peabody's parents....

Danni T said...

Love JD Robb/Nora Roberts. I read about everything she writes. Favorite secondary characters would be Rourke(of course, though I don't know if he would be a secondary character), Summerset, Morris, Charles Monroe, and McNab.

Unknown said...

I agree with you that I like some of the "In Death" books better than others but they all are keepers! A friend gave me a nighshirt that has a woman in bed dreaming and the bubble above her head says, "I dream of ROARKE". Pretty cool gift.

I enjoy how Nora brings back her secondary characters and gives them some time on stage that is relevant to the plot but lets you enjoy seeing them again:Baxter, Trueheart, Crack, Mavis...

Jenn said...

I'm Two Books Behind in this series, but I dohave them both and hope to read them before the end of the month.

For me It's Peabody and McNab, just the fact that them being together is a constant irritant for Eve makes it for me. I remeber when Roarke was encouraging Ian to go after Peabody, I thought Eve was going to stangle him. And when he calls her Shebody in front of Eve and she tells them no funny business. OMG Too Funny.

I will say that the cast of characters J D Robb has created in theIn Death series definitely contributes to readers coming back again and again. Eve and Roarke are the focus for certain, but their freiends truly make each book all the more enjoyable.

Courtney said...

To quote azteclady: Oh, Roarke! *sigh*

I love this series. For secondary characters, it's to hard to pick favorties. Peabody and McNab are right up there. I hope we get to see McNab ask Roarke for advice on asking Peabody to marry him. THat will be awesome.

I love Crack, too, and the Charles/Louise pairing. I was a little disappointed that we didn't actually get to see them together in this book, but the fun of the bridal shower/bachelor trip and the awesomeness of the following morning was great.

I love it when the books are about the personal as well as the murder investigation. This one was fantastic because it combined the two, a lot like Vengence did. Loved that.

Marnie said...

I love the In Death series...Roarke and Eve are my faves. I like the dynamic duo of Peabody and McNabb. Their like a R&E in training.

I read the stories not only for the mystery but for the character dynamics and progression of their stories.

Anonymous said...

You know, I TOTALLY love Nora Roberts but could never get into the JDRobbs! Maye it's because I like the thrill of the chase of having characters fall in love, lol. Maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the recos Nalini!

Anonymous said...

Love the In Death series. I haven't read Salvation or Promises yet though.

I have to say I wish there was more Baxter. I really like him, and I really want for him to have a HEA. I would love for him to have a book of his own.

Anonymous said...

Another rabid fan here, my fave secondary character though would be Peabody.

Mariana said...

I love this series. Roarke and Eve are the BEST couple.

My favorite secondary character is Peabody. The way she and Eve play off each other is great. Some of the funniest scenes are when she and Peabody are going at it.

An honorable mention goes to Mavis. It's always interesting to see what she's wearing and what she's saying.

PS. Good luck on DA BWAHA.

Anonymous said...

*soft smile* - I've just finished and reviewed Loyalty in Death, so I'm way behind at this stage. I discovered the series when Orannia recommended them to me, and one of my categories within my 999 challenge for this year is to get through 9 more books in the series over the course of the year - no great hardship, I can promise!

Heather said...

I have to agree. I am rereading the series, in fact I just got
them on cd and let me tell you that the lady that narates it has got Eve and Peabody down....

Here in the States there is a new show on ABC called Castle that has a female homicide detective and she is eirly like Eve Dallas..

Heather said...

I forgot to say my fave secondary characters....

I love the standard ones, Peabody/Mcnabb, Mavis, Mira, Feeny...

but I have to say that I really enjoy it when Baxter and Trueheart are a part of the invesitgation. I would love to see more of Baxter.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely adore Peabody. For some strange reason, she reminds me of Peppermint Patty's sidekick, Marcy, from the "Peanuts" comics by C. Shultz