Member Reviews

A fan of the In Death series, I struggled a bit with the opening. Most entries in the series start immediately with a murder while Bonded In Death gave a history lesson of the Urban Wars. Interesting but not enthralling... until the murder brought it all together.

Bonded In Death does a beautiful job of bringing in the history of characters, like Summerset giving a glimpse into who they are and adding dimensions. Some of the prose is still heavy handed, but the story flows well, continuing to show the relationships and ties that bind. I continue to love the growth and confidence of Peabody, the love between Roarke and Eve, the team that Eve works with. Eve is smart as ever and less of a lone wolf.

Beautifully written, crafty villain, and a well done story to continue the series. Highly recommended.

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Bonded in Death by JD Robb is number 60 in the “In Death” near future homicide detective series featuring Eve Dallas- a really tough kick butt lead character. Eve Dallas is one of my favorite authors, and I have been reading the In Death series since she first published Naked In Death in 1995. Now, book 60 of the series is out and I had to dive right into it.

Eve Dallas is in charge of homicide for the New York City police department in 2061 when she receives her newest case: Giovanni Rossi, who was killed by some unknown chemical shortly after flying into NY City. There is a strong connection to the Urban Wars ( a fictionally war set in 2024-2026) and potentially even Summerset had been part of an elite organization of 12 people.. I like meeting Summerset’s friends and how Eve and her team work on the case - someone closely associated with Summerset’s past.

Highly recommend Bonded in Death by JD Robb- great storyline, character development and the setting, of course is perfect! Ass the storyline develops and as the title reflects, the bonds between the original group and what they are willing to do to protect each other. The continued beloved characters that are a main focal point of the In Death series. I enjoy that it could be read as a stand alone (although I always recommend start with the first book, Naked in Death). I also liked the geeky stuff with technology and how the crime is analyzed.

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The In Death series is one of my favorites, and Bonded in Death is one of the author's best stories. I always enjoy the intricate plots, and the author has created a cast of characters who are interesting and entertaining. Lt. Eve Dallas is a tough, no nonsense homicide cop who always stands for the dead and solves the case. She is surrounded by her husband Rourke, a handsome reformed thief who now owns"half the world" and is very handy with technology, his father figure Summerset, and a homicide department full of colorful characters.

Thirty years ago, Nora Roberts, using the pseudonym J.D. Robb, decided to try her hand at science fiction. The police procedural was set in the future, the 2060's and part of the back story involved The Urban Wars which had taken place about forty years before hand. These books usually begin with the murder. But this novel begins during the Urban Wars as a team in the Underground plans a mission. One that does not end well. When Eve Dallas investigates the latest homicide she begins to suspect that her elderly victim had been a spy and that the crime is connected to his days in the underground. She needs to mine Summerset as a source of information, but soon finds that the crime hits close to home. The plot of this thriller was intricate and compelling and it was interesting to see Sumerset in a new light and all the new characters that Roberts created for this book. Some of them are delightful and I hope that we see them again.

There was only one problem with this novel. Nora Roberts accidentally painted herself into a corner. I have heard that science fiction writers should always place a book at least 100 years in the future. The first book in this series was written in 1995 and the series was planned as trilogy. Now thirty years and sixty books later, the calendar has caught up with the story and the science fiction has become alternate history instead. The murder weapon is from 2024 at the ends of the Urban War. The reader needs to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story anyway. It is similar to reading Orwell's 1984. The futuristic events didn't happen, but it still a fantastic book.
I recommend this book for any thriller or police procedural fan who enjoys science fiction as well.

I received advanced copies of this book from the publisher in both ebook and audiobook and alternated between the two formats. This series is narrated by Susan Ericksen, a talented actress who nails the main characters and captures each of them brilliantly.

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This 60th In Death novel centers around an escaped criminal eager to get revenge on those he feels caused him to be caught and incarcerated. It all goes back more than forty years to the final days of the Urban Wars. Sommerset and those who were part of a select group called The Twelve is one of the targets of the traitor in that group.

This is very much a police procedural as Eve and her team need to follow the clues to find the killer before he can kill again.

I enjoyed learning more about Sommerset and what he did during the Urban Wars. I also liked meeting the people he worked with and seeing how their lives had gone in the years since the war ended. I liked the strong bonds and loyalty between all the remaining members of The Twelve.

I also like seeing an echo of that bond in the team Eve has built around herself. Her detectives and officers, Feeney, Nadine, Reo, and Dr. Mira and most of all Roarke are her crew. The bonds and loyalties between them all look to stand the test of time.

This was another excellent addition to an amazing series.

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Book #60 in the ‘In Death’ series, “Bonded in Death” can be read as a standalone or with the entire series. I picked this series up on book 58 and have loved every minute getting to know Lt. Eve Dallas, her husband Roarke, Detective Peabody and the rest of the officers at the station along with their quirky personalities, and this time, learning more about Summerset’s background and character. This was my favourite book yet, I think in large part because I’m getting to know the main players even better and also because I really enjoyed the dynamic between Roarke, Summerset, and Dallas. These characters have come alive for me through Robb’s descriptions and I have to say if ever I found myself in trouble I’d really want this crew to have my back. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics the 12 brought to the book and hope a few of these characters make appearances in future books helping out Dallas and Peabody. With laugh out loud moments, intense action, solid police work, characters you’ll fall in love with, and a world that is futuristic yet very current and contemporary, the ‘In Death’ series will be one I return to time and again for the suspenseful action, the unfailing loyalty and the respect the characters have for each other. One day very soon I will be picking up the earlier books and I already cannot wait for book 61 to be released!

As soon as I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from @stmartinspress I requested the audiobook as well on @netgalley from @macmillan.audio as I love the narration by #susanerickson who really brings the story and characters to life in each audiobook. This thriller is available February 4, 2025!

#macmillanaudio #jdrobb #indeathseries #bondedindeath #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #mystery#mysteryandthrillers #stmartinspress #netgalley #bookfluencer #youshouldreadthis

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Even after 60 books this series hasn’t gotten old. Eve and her team go after a ruthless killer. Set in the year 2067 there are many futuristic weapons and toys. The dialogue is an interesting read and specific to the characters. I love the descriptions of the outfits the characters wear that reflect their various personalities. The plot is magnificent and moves at a quick pace. The final chapter is the best part of the story as everything comes together wonderfully.

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OMG! I loved this one so much. There is a backstory that I have been interested in for years and it was finally addressed in this one! I loved the storyline and the characters, and as always Eve kicks ass. The ending is so good, I simply loved it. Can’t wait for the next one!

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Not much to say about this one, it's a solid 3 star "In Death" book, but the 60th book laid all of the flaws of the series out there in my opinion.

This "In Death" focuses on Summerset and a group of people he worked with during the Urban Wars. They were apparently part of a secret organization called "The Twelve." When one of them is found dead, Eve is racing against time to stop someone who wants to see the remaining group and those they loved, killed.

So here's the thing. Does anyone even understand the Urban Wars at this point? I am very confused about what was going on, because this book made it seem like secret spy rings were all over the place. Doing what exactly? Why? I could have sworn earlier books talked about when crime got so bad in the cities, police forces were out there arresting tons of people and the fallout was certain things like "antique guns" being banned. It also made it seem like this was a result of gangs. But now it seems like larger governments were at work? I don't know all. It just got muddled and didn't make any sense. We know that Summerset was a medic during the Urban Wars, but now he's like a freaking Bond agent? And we get more detail about his dead wife and I just felt like plot hole city came to play and I just let it go.

We have some callbacks to prior books, especially with one character and there's a whole scene between Eve and Peabody that just didn't ring true.

Nadine. I just want her shuttled off of the series. Her stopping by to talk about her relationship (again) was annoying. So is her protégé. I just don't know why Eve would continue to use Nadine for information. She doesn't need her. At one point she gives Eve something she already knew. It just seems a way to have Nadine write Hollywood Oscar worthy material. At some point I want someone anywhere to bring up their connection and ban Nadine from coming to Cop Central. Let's at least pretend conflicts of interest matter in the future.

The house renovation thankfully was short and we did not have to explore it too much.

I am very confused on ages. I just realized Jamie is somehow going to the Academy, but he was how old in he first book that introduced readers to him. He is 19 now in the series, and he was I think 16 or Eve pegged him as such as in Death. I just cannot anymore. It's only been three years since Ceremony in Death?

Oh, Eve told Roarke he should not be assaulting potential suspects since it's a bad look for the other cops. I maybe laughed a little too long. I love how there's no call back to the prior book where Roarke fist fought a dude in front of NYPD and international law enforcement and no one blinked an eye.

The ending didn't do a lot for me. I think we were supposed to be all girl power, but I just wanted it over. It was very repetitive.

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One of the best in this series! It finally brought the story back to the connections and relationships while also keeping the reader in suspense with a great mystery. Amazing that after so many books, I just want more of Eve, Roark, and the gang.

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JD Robb does it again! I love the Eve Dallas series and the newest installment doesn't disappoint! When a retired covert group of operatives is targeted and Eve's card is left in one's hand, she's one the case. Is the killer someone out to shut down the group? Or is he one of their own? Meeting the characters and watching the story unfold kept me glued to the pages. How I love this main character!

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If there’s one thing you can always count on in J.D. Robb’s In Death series, it’s the perfect balance of familiarity and freshness—and Bonded in Death delivers exactly that. As a longtime fan of this series, I was once again swept up in the world of Eve Dallas, Roarke, and the rest of the beloved cast of characters. These books feel like coming home, yet they never fail to surprise with a new twist or compelling mystery.

This time, the case centers around Giovanni Rossi, a man with a shadowy past tied to a small, secret organization from the days of the Urban Wars. When Rossi arrives in New York for enigmatic reasons, he becomes the target of a calculated and lethal attack. The mystery behind who wanted him dead—and why—pulls readers into a thrilling and intricate investigation. J.D. Robb keeps the stakes high, the tension sharp, and the emotional beats perfectly in tune as Eve works to unravel Rossi’s secrets and hunt down the assailant with a vendetta.

One of the things I loved most about Bonded in Death is how it balances the ongoing arcs of its central characters with the uniqueness of this particular case. Spending time with Eve and Roarke, with their unwavering bond and witty banter, feels as comforting as ever. Yet the story never feels stagnant; Robb’s ability to blend action, suspense, and the quieter moments of connection is unparalleled.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or diving in fresh, Bonded in Death will not disappoint. The mystery is absorbing, the pacing is tight, and the characters continue to shine. Once again, J.D. Robb proves why this series remains a standout.

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If you have been following this series since its start, you may have wondered, like I did, just what happened during the Urban Wars and who exactly fought in them. Well, this book might answer most of your questions. Maybe not all, but most.

This was a powerful book, especially considering the world as it is today. I can somehow imagine things like this happening now. It has very strong characters, some of whom don't like each other much but worked very well together. It is a great side story learning about The Twelve, who are Summersets' friends and colleagues from back in the day. And they still work well together.

Action-packed both mentally and physically, with Rourke using all of his skills, The twelve kicking in with some of their own, and the ending was just spectacular. To see the four prominent women in these books (Eve, Peabody, Reo, and Mira) completely mess with The Shark was the icing on the cake for me.

I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I feel that you can read this as a stand-alone...but if you do, be aware that it may hook you in to read all of the other 59 books.

I can't wait for the next in this series.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher The St. Martin's Publishing Group / Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

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This is a great addition to the series. The story reaches back into the past and we learn more of Summersets history. Plenty of twists and turns, but don’t ever count Eve and her team out. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

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Hard to believe the In Death series has been going strong for 60 full length books now!! I've read the Eve and Roarke adventures from the start and been a loyal, die-hard fan. If this is the final book I think it was a satisfactory send off. I especially liked that this instalment goes back to the Urban Wars of the 2020s and features Sommerset's backstory. Great as always on audio narrated by Susan Ericksen and filled with found family, action, suspense and some romance. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

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Initially I had trouble getting into this one as I didn't realize it was part of a really long series so i had no prior knowledge about any of the characters. It begins with the Twelve gathered in a church as we realize they each have code names and a special talent; none of the talents will be used for good! Enter Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Roarke who are a great team at getting to the bottom of an insidious plot!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

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Bonded in Death is another great addition to J. D. Robb’s In Death series. Non-stop action, mystery solving, passion and ages long friendship are all blended into a fabulous book! If you love this series, this one will be high on your list.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb. Book 60 in the In Death Series. This is one of the best. Slightly different type of mystery than previous books. The best part was learning more about Summerset and his past. He is an interesting and special character and was glad to learn more about him. Fast paced and many twists and turns make suspense filled entertaining read.

Thank you to Ms Robb/Roberts, St Martin's Press and NetGalley and for opportunity to preview the book.

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BONDED IN DEATH is another good story by J D Robb in the futuristic “In Death” series. It’s always good to be in the world of dogged cop Eve Dallas and her super rich and adorable hubby Roarke, plus all the other familiar characters. The story begins with a prologue set in the past. This book has a deep dive into Summerset’s personal history as more is revealed about his own hearfelt losses as well as how he came to be in Dublin, saving a young Roarke from the streets. Readers of this long running series have heard bits and pieces along the way but now, it comes full circle. When all of Summerset's former colleagues are gathered under their mansion, Eve has the task of not being overwhelmed with too many people in her sanctuary and most galling of all, she must play nice with Summerset. Eve has quite the challenge to deal with all those former agents who want to be back in the field despite their ages. A little different, and a bit draggy in the middle, but for a series 60 books in, it’s still steaming along nicely. Recommend.

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Another compelling mystery in the In Death series. This is book 60 in the series and will really ring all the bells for long-time fans of the series. Part of what I love about the series besides Eve's burning desire for justice is the character development and interaction of people we have come to know and love. In this installment, we learn a lot about another group of heroes who sought justice and sacrificed during the Urban wars to bring justice and protect the innocent. One of our favorite reoccurring characters, Summerset plays a large role in this book, and the team Eve has built in the Homicide Department also gets a chance to shine. This was an enormously satisfying read. Many thanks to #Netgally, #StMartinsPress, and the author for an opportunity to read. #BondedInDeath #InDeathMysteries #NoraRoberts #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

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I've been reading the In Death series for over 25 years and every time I see an upcoming title, I can't wait to read it. The world J.D. Robb has created is vibrant and the characters are relatable, each in their own way. This time, it is Summerset's past that comes to the forefront to haunt him and pose danger to Eve, Roarke, and the rest of the gang.

Back during the Urban Wars, Summerset was part of a secret society called The Twelve, and one of the Twelve has long wanted revenge on the rest. The book opens with a murder, and it is up to Eve, Peabody, et al to figure out the reason and the identity of the killer.

Summerset and Eve do not have the easiest relationship, although they both come to respect and care for the other as the series has progressed. But there is no doubt that Eve will do whatever it takes to protect him, and that Summerset will do what he must in order to keep his family safe.

This is the 60th book in the series - may there be at least sixty more.

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