This was book 59 in the Eve Dallas. I love all the characters’ interactions as I always do. However, I think it is time to wrap up the series. The books are essentially the same, and the relationships have become stagnant. I still enjoy them, but I am looking for progression or something different.

As usual, JD Robb hits it out of the park. We get a chance to get to know a bit about the victim, a soon-to-be bride out celebrating with her friends and fiancé at a girls’ night out at the Down and Dirty. The cheerful celebration takes a dark turn when someone kills one of the brides when she slips back into a private room to change outfits and present a surprise, one that she’s scrimped and saved for, to her wife-to-be. Called to the scene, Eve and the faithful Peabody begin an investigation into the devastating murder of a bride a week before her wedding. I have to say, I knew there was going to be a murder happening, I mean It’s an In Death book after all, but I *really* didn’t want it to be one of the brides. They were just so happy and in love and looking forward to beginning a life together. Having that emotional investment, that connection to the deceased and her fiancé, just made the read more intense and involving.

Along the way, we get a chance to catch up with some of our favorite characters. Since the murder took place at the Down & Dirty, we get a chance to catch up with Crack and Rochelle. Needless to say, Crack is not happy that this happened at his place, especially as it happened to someone he knew and liked. We also get a drop in at The Great House Project - move in is getting closer! Threads of friendship and loyalty are wound throughout, both through Eve and the friends she’s somehow found herself with, as well as with the victim and her circle of friends. The circle of friends it soon becomes obvious holds the murderer. The problem is that eventually, even after Eve <i>knows</i> who the suspect is, she doesn’t have any evidence to go on. So, in true Dallas and Peabody fashion, they go digging through pasts and connections and finally get the proof and the confession they need. All in all, another solid entry in the In Death series. Highly recommended!

Passions in Death features an innovative plot that is rich with nail-biting suspense and a cast of captivating characters. Among them is Eve, a relentless investigator who tirelessly seeks justice for the victims in each murder case she tackles. A captivating read that keep me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Passions in Death J. D. Robb. As always the writing and characters were very good. Hard to believe that this is the 59th book in the series. Not a favorite in the series, but an okay read, entertaining read.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

The Down and Dirty club has just taken on a new meaning. Known for its fun atmosphere, what started as just a fun night turned into the scene of a horrific crime. A pre-wedding celebration that has now turned a bride into a single woman. Eve Dallas and her husband, as well as her fellow detectives are determined to solve this deadly disaster. So many witnesses, a tight friend group, who would want to kill the bride? Eve and her team are determined to find the killer- and won't stop until they're behind bars.

Another fantastic addition to the Eve Dallas collection, I'm hooked on this series!

When you read a book in this series, you always know exactly what you are going to get in a very good way. I can’t believe that I’m still reading this series after so long, but it still feels like it did when I first started reading it so many years ago. Anyway, in this installment, Eve is of course called to a murder but this time it’s in a friend’s place of business. We are lead around as she and Peabody find clues and narrow down to the killer and their reasoning. Speaking of the killer, I had a little inkling of who it was, and I was right. However, not only is this series good for an entertaining mystery, it’s also about catching up with old friends and what’s happening in their lives at that moment. As always, this is a great read, well-written, and full of heart. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

3.5 rounded up

Good grief, I can't believe there are 59 books in this series! I can easily see that the writing has changed over the years, sometimes for the better and sometimes not so much.

This book starts off slow and is a bit tedious at times, but it sure does pick up toward the end. The slang was a little hard for me to follow at times. It sort of reminded me of the one Eve Dallas book where she used the abbreviated word 'anal' for the word "analyze." I couldn't help but snort every time I read that term. The abbreviations in this book did much the same for me.

I was also disappointed that we didn't get to see many of the usual secondary characters, and Roarke gets a bit of an abbreviated part in this book.

The story was good, but for the obvious red herring the author throws in. It did have me wondering for quite a while who-dun-it, so that was satisfying.

All in all, it was a good early autumn vacation mystery. (this book comes out September 3rd).

*ARC was supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley.

This one starts out with a murder at a bachelorette party and Eve Dallas and her team get called in. Such a great police procedural, the author takes you through Eve’s thought process in solving the case, and her team’s actions. Lots of appearances and mentions of recurring characters, which I love. There is a big moment in one of the side stories, I was like OMG!!!!!! I am hoping she reveals this secret soon in an upcoming book. Can’t wait for the next one!

I have had this book in my cue for a while. It is the 59th book in the series. I was given the book from NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review. I’ve tried to ignore it, but I could hear the book calling for me, but the book doesn’t come out until the third of September. Well, I broke down and read the book today! Once again I was swept into the futuristic world of NYC with Dallas, Peabody, Roarke, Dr Mira and all the other wonderful characters that make up the In Death Series by J.D. Robb.

Dallas is notified late one night (or early in the morning) about a murder at a club, the Down and Dirty club, where a murder has been committed. That particular Monday night a pre-wedding party was celebrating with their friends. One of the brides has been found dead, in the room where Eve was almost murdered a few years ago on the eve of her wedding to Roarke. While the scene is nothing like hers, there are flashbacks to remind us of all the prior happenings.

The story as always weaves through the various people at the party and in the sphere of the two brides. Dallas and Peabody are relentless in tracking down various people and looking at the interviews and facts, until they find a small clue. From that, they are merciless until they have what is needed and pull the guilty party into cop central. What a great ride!

I love JD Robb’s books. I love Eve and Roarke and the stories of their world. I love how Eve stands for the victims. I love how she interacts with the world and her nativity with social customs. I was in heaven reading the novel and know that this book will be loved by others. Passions in Death by JD Robb was an awesome read!!!

Another great book in this long series. But I never get tired of them. Through tjhe series I enjoy the character development of the tribe as Peabody calls them. The relationship between Dana’s and Roarke has also developed. Good plot as always. Good read.

I love the continuing saga of Eve and Roarke and their friends and colleagues. The mystery itself was fast-paced and engaging. The suspects were all capable and intriguing. I like the connection between Eve and the victim. It links back to other cases in the series. While you could read these as stand-alone mysteries, the heart of the story is its connective tissue as an ongoing series. Do your self a favour and binge this series. 100% recommend.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for this advanced reader copy.

Eve just gets to sleep and she is awoken to go to a crime scene, someone is dead. Roarke, Peabody and McNab show up also and continue to help solve the crime. It’s frustrating and it is not clear who has committed the murder. I hate to say more because I don’t want to give it away. A great read!

Another great Lt. Eve Dallas book. This had murder and all the usual characters and especially tender moments between Eve and Roarke. Peabody and Eve work together to find who murdered a bride at her pre-wedding party. I loved it and can’t wait for more. It’s like catching up with friends.

Passions in Death brings back the Eve and Peabody from the earlier novels. There is a lot more of them working together in this book and I absolutely loved it. I also loved Eve's response when Roarke has a bad day - it's not often that we get to see that side of Eve. Re the case, you kind of know who the culprit is halfway into the case, but it was nice to see all the friendships and relationships in action in this book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

PASSIONS IN DEATH is book #59 in the immensely popular ‘In Death’ futuristic police procedural series by JD Robb. The Down & Dirty Club is open on a Monday night for guests of the pre-wedding party of Erin Albright and Shauna Hunnicut. The brides and their tribe of friends’ drink, sing and dance the night away in celebration of the two women's upcoming nuptials, leaving all inhibitions on the floor with their clothes. During the height of the party, Erin slips away unseen to a back room to prepare for a special surprise she's planned for her bride-to-be Shauna, and that's where Lt. Eve Dallas, accompanied by her ridiculously wealthy husband Roarke, finds her lying in a pool of her own blood. Eve's momentarily taken aback as she recognizes the room as the same one in which she had once fought for her own life, and she vows to get justice for this woman whose future has been brutally stolen from her. As the story unfolds, evidence points toward a cold, premeditated murder of passion by someone close to the victim - someone she trusted and considered a friend.

Erin and Shauna will be married in five days. But tonight is all about music, friends, dancing, and drinking. Until one of them is found dead, and it wasn’t an accident.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called to the scene. With a little help from Roarke, she gets the investigation started. As soon as Detective Peabody arrives, she starts looking for motive and opportunity. Eve is certain that this wasn’t a random crime. As she digs, she finds that a relationship is at the heart of this tragic murder.
As always, and enjoyable whodunnit. Who would want to kill someone who is everyone’s friend and so in love. Chalk one up for me, because my early guess proved correct! 59 must be my lucky number. I look forward to spending time with these characters twice a year.

PASSIONS IN DEATH is the fifty-ninth book in J.D. Robb's futuristic, police procedural style In Death Series. For new readers feeling overwhelmed with the sheer number of books, you can be confident jumping in at any point as each title in the series stands alone with a murder mystery solved and needed backstory included within the pages of each book. However, the main characters as well as some of the repeat support characters are introduced in early books, and character development is a key part of the storyline throughout the series. Hard-core Dallas fans will tell you that it enhances your reading pleasure to start with NAKED IN DEATH and proceed through the series in order of publication.

Drinks flow freely at The Down & Dirty Club which is open on a Monday night for guests of the pre-wedding party of Erin Albright and Shauna Hunnicut. The brides and their tribe of friends’ drink, sing and dance the night away in celebration of the two women's upcoming nuptials, leaving all inhibitions on the floor with their clothes. During the height of the party, Erin slips away unseen to a back room to prepare for a special surprise she's planned for her bride-to-be Shauna, and that's where Lt. Eve Dallas, accompanied by her ridiculously wealthy husband Roarke, finds her lying in a pool of her own blood. Eve's momentarily taken aback as she recognizes the room as the same one in which she had once fought for her own life, and she vows to get justice for this woman whose future has been brutally stolen from her. As the story unfolds, evidence points toward a cold, premediated murder of passion by someone close to the victim - someone she trusted and considered a friend. No one has a bad thing to say about the victim . . . so which member of her close tribe of friends murdered her?

A gripping, deeply emotional police procedural, PASSIONS IN DEATH displays Robb's expertise in continuously delivering highly visual, masterly plotted, strong character driven stories that keep fans clamoring for more. Her ability to meticulously maneuver Eve and company through the solving of yet another complex murder case is highly entertaining and nothing short of amazing. While PASSIONS IN DEATH is a bit slower paced than some of the other books, the short list of red herrings, lack of apparent motive, and frustrating perplexity of the case keeps both characters and readers on their toes while setting a mysterious smoke and mirrors atmosphere and tone throughout. As always, I find Eve's mind a fascinating place to be when she's sniffing out clues and homing in on the murderer with the intensity of a bloodhound on the trail of prey before striding into the interrogation room with fire in her eyes and justice on her lips in an old fashion showdown with the villain reminiscent of the final gunfight at the OK Corral. There's never any doubt who the victor will be.

PASSIONS IN DEATH is another highly visual, inventive masterpiece by Author J.D. Robb, aka Nora Roberts, highlighting the many intricacies of relationships especially within found family or a close circle of friends. Fans will appreciate appearances from a few of the series' regulars like Peabody, Mavis and Bella. PASSIONS IN DEATH is a compelling, highly addictive blend of crime and police procedural suspense with a sexy side of fairytale romance ala Eve's own mysterious prince of a husband, Roarke. Highly recommended to fans of the series as well as fans of intriguing mysteries and suspense thrillers.

As an avid long-time fan of the In Death series, this is another hit. And particularly if you like it with JD Robb gives us a tiny bit more of ooey gooey Eve and Roarke. Passions in Death takes us to murder of soon to be bride that may seem like it was accidental but quickly narrows in what seems to be like a close knit circle of friends.

Although I enjoy the serial killer stories JD Robb writes, the ones with the singular homicide is where the case work shines because it is able to examine singular persons and walk through every concept. For fans of the tech geeks, this one involves more low tech and more Mira driven techniques. As usual, you'll have a toss up between who you might think the killer is, but in the end, you can't beat the evidence and inkling.

For newcomers to JD Robb, you'll enjoy this for the fun bantering between the LT and partner Detective Peabody. You'll love reading about them in action and how they meticulously solve murder cases. It'll be a great introduction to the love between Eve and Roarke and then you'll want to delve into her other 50+ books in this series!.

DEATH BY J.D. ROBB

Passions in Death may be the fifty-ninth book in J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas series, but the stories are still fresh. Best of all, though, is the chance to catch up with Eve Dallas, her husband, Roarke, and Dallas’ co-workers and friends.

It’s the early hours of the morning when Dallas is called to the Down and Dirty, a sex club. A group of friends had enjoyed a loud and boisterous night of drinking and dancing before Erin Albright married Shauna Hunnicut. But, a staff member found Erin’s body in a private room where she had been garroted. Erin planned to surprise her fiancee with honeymoon tickets to Hawaii. The artist had been saving from sales of her art. Now, Shauna’s world is shattered with her lover dead in the club.

Eve and Roarke know this will be a tough case for Dallas. Before their wedding, she was attacked in that same room. She managed to fight off her attacker and bring him to justice. Now, she and her partner, Peabody, and the rest of the NYPSD team will have to find justice for Erin.

As always, this series combines fascinating police procedural set in the near future with personal details of the lives of Eve, Roarke, and their friends. Their home life is always fun to read about, with their butler, Summerset, their cat, and their sex life. There’s humor and so much love. And, Dallas is always learning more about the people in their lives, learning about friendship and the social skills she lacks.

But, I always look for those phrases that emphasize Eve’s passion for justice. This time, she knows the murder was personal, and there was passion involved. She sees it as mean and stupid and a personal murder. Roarke tells her she’s the victim’s “agent of justice”. When Erin’s parents show up, Dallas saw “the weight of their grief. She carried it with her to the bullpen.” That’s what I admire about these books. The stories are excellent. I love police procedurals. But Eve Dallas never forgets the victims, and, with every investigation, every case, she carries the weight of the grief of those who loved the victims.

So many years on and so many books in, J.D. Robb's "In Death" series remains one of my favorites. In this latest installment, we get a somewhat softer Eve Dallas than we have seen before, as she and her team work on a case that leads Dallas to reflect on love, friendships, and how the ties that bind come to be.

The focus of "Passions in Death" is very much the crime, even if it does force some interesting introspection by Dallas. The crime isn't huge as crimes go, though the ripple effects are of course, many. Overall, a nice addition to the series.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and SMP for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.