Reviews

Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

incryptia's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25


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anbananova's review against another edition

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5.0

it was a hard case and the last book in my rereading “in death” series journey. these last 2.5 months were wonderful, i’m going to miss the gang until the new releases. 

dennis mira is one of my favorite characters. he’s just so sweet and comforting. i was glad eve told him her story. 

💝

“Eve caught his smile, sly and sweet, when Mira laughed at that.
“No double vision, no dizziness or nausea,” he assured her. “Maybe a little headache.”
“If, after we get home and I give you a thorough exam—”
This time he turned around, wiggled his eyebrows, and grinned in a way that had Eve swallowing an embarrassed laugh of her own.
“Dennis.” Mira sighed, and cupping his face in her hands, kissed him so softly, so tenderly, that Eve had to look away.”

“You own this place?”
“No. Why don’t we go in, see if we want to.”
“I get to intimidate the doorman,” she said before they got out. “Do not bribe him.”
“And spoil your fun? What do you take me for?”

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”
“Why? They’re idle when you’re sleeping—does he set up shop then? Are we all supposed to stay awake using our hands so the devil doesn’t make stuff? What if you broke your hand? Is he doing his workshop thing while you’re waiting to have it fixed?”
Roarke contemplated the pale gold ceiling. “Such a simple, if moralistic, phrase now thoroughly destroyed.”

“Sex makes people crazy. Mean, vindictive, violent.”
“Promise?” he said and made her choke on her wine.
“Such a pervert.”

“We should add that as like an addendum to the banner the bullpen made. You know, ‘No matter your race, creed, blah blah, we protect and serve, because you could get dead.’ We should put one of those . . .”
She squiggled a shape with a finger in the air, making him smile because he understood her so easily. “Asterisk.”
“Yeah, that thing. And add: ‘Even if you’re an asshole.’”
“Past tense might be more applicable, being Homicide. ‘Even if you were an asshole.’”

“You weren’t there with them at the crime scene. It was . . . it’s the way they look at each other, and touch. A couple times I had to look away because it felt like I was intruding. They’ve been married for decades, but when you see them like that . . . like last night? You know why.”
She closed her eyes. “I want that. I never thought I did or could or would, but I want that. I want to be with you for decades and have you still look at me the way he looks at her.”
“You’re the love of my life. And always will be.”

“There’s a room upstairs that’d curl McNab’s hair.”
“S and M?” Feeney asked.
“Dolls. A zillion dolls.”
Feeney hissed through his teeth. “Sick fucks.”

“I’d have stopped surviving without what I let in, with him. Without what letting that in let me let in otherwise. I might have pulled you in, like maybe I’ll pull in Shelby, but we wouldn’t be partners. I wouldn’t have had the chops for it.”
She made the turn into the garage at Central.
“So I found that peace. Cases like this, they can shake it. Sometimes I can lose it, like water dripping through your fingers. But I know where to find it again, and with who. You’re part of that. Part of the where and the who.”
She pulled into her slot, glanced over. “Stop that!” she ordered as tears streamed silently down Peabody’s cheeks. “No blubbering. We’re in a cop-shop garage. There’s no blubbering in a cop shop—when you’re a cop.”

“Show the LT your socks, Reineke.”
“I don’t want to see—” She broke off when Reineke shot his foot out from behind his desk and showed off red socks shocked with blue lightning bolts.
She had a terrible flashback to Juju’s airboots.
“There is no merciful God,” Eve muttered.
“I gotta keep up with my partner,” Reineke claimed. “Figured I’d go for the footwear, and shoes cost too much to play with.”

“I’ll beat you to death with a hammer, then stomp what’s left into dust. I’ll torch the dust. Register this room and this equipment at this fucking time to Dallas, Lieutenant Eve.” She slapped her badge on its pad. “Scan it. Do it. Or I swear, you’ll be in the recycler in two minutes flat.”

chrys_marin's review against another edition

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4.0

Yes! Finally we get a book in the series that develops the characters a bit, rather than just being an episode in their lives. The story revolves around one of Professor Mira's cousin, who is kidnapped at the beginning of the story. Without giving away any spoilers, the case turns out to resonate with Eve's childhood nightmares, which brings back to surface her fears and traumas. During the story we see her struggling to find steady ground so she can work on the case. I am glad that the author brought this up again, because it seemed that after "New York to Dallas" Eve might have already come to terms with her past. But this book showed it just isn't that simple. Eve's peace of mind is balanced on a very thin scale that is highly dependent on her resilience and the people who support her. So what she understands with her head sometimes will not necessarily be able to control what her heart feels and remembers. It shows that surviving traumas such as the one she went through is an ongoing battle.

There was also some development in Roarke and Eve's relationship. It showed that Roarke isn't perfect either, and he sometimes wishes things could move forward much faster than it might be possible for Eve. But his effort to understand this shows how much he loves her and wants to be with her. They are really one of my favorite fictional couples.

There is also development between Eve and Professor Mira's relationship. I really like their relationship--it is the only time you see Eve really soften. I think she loves Professor Mira like the father she never had. Although they had mentioned in the series before that that's Feeney's role, to me it seems that Feeney is more like a mentor, while Professor Mira is really the father figure. In any case, the interactions during the book between Eve and Professor Mira are just so sweet it is unavoidable to feel touched.

The case itself is interesting enough that it will keep you engaged, and at least there were less graphic scenes than the last book (I really could not stomach the last book's descriptions of torture). There is one really graphic rape scene, so be prepared. Otherwise, it seems that Robb toned down a bit for this installment (thank God).

If you love the series, you will really enjoy this book, no doubt about it.

isalaur's review against another edition

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fast-paced

5.0

veraann's review

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5.0

In Death Series Book # 42

While each case in the books are different, I'd recommend reading the series in order for the character development and interactions to make sense and be enjoyable. There are also sometimes references to previous cases from earlier books.

This one gives a big role to Denis Mira. Such a lovable character. The relationships and interactions of characters is sweet and has some amazing moments.
The murder parts are gruesome and lead to questioning morals. It ant so much of a following the clues to figure out whodunit as a question of justice and gray areas.

Overall in the top of this series. Has some of the charm that draws me to this series again. Very well written, good mix of sweetness and horrific.

kathydavie's review

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5.0

Forty-second in the In Death romantic suspense series revolving around Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her gorgeous husband, Roarke.

My Take
It’s a classic case of greed with one heir wanting the money and uncaring of promises made or family loyalty. And it’s another case of a victim whom no one cares about. No one but Eve, that is. That Mandy Mira…jesus…there are no words awful enough for her. The contempt she has for Dennis! I love that Eve lets no one intimidate her.

Snicker, I enjoyed Peabody’s analysis of why Edward Mira decided not to run for Congress. [spoiler]I can’t say I’m upset about hearing how he died.[/spoiler]

It is so sweet that Eve keeps wearing the snowflake hat that Dennis gave her, even though it embarrases her. And I love that Eve has this crush on Dennis. It says so much for what is truly important to Eve. And I’m with Eve. Dennis is such a sweetheart and his appreciation of the “science and art of what [she] does” is so comforting. Her later interaction with Dennis will have you weeping. He’s such a total contrast with his cousin and his wife, both of whom are completely absorbed by status. Wait’ll you read about their children and the roles they were forced to play.

Then there’s the generous Roarke who sees Dennis Mira as family. Another bright note is Trueheart. He’s getting his detective shield!

I keep trying to figure out if Eve purposely twists up clichés or if it really is a reminder of her unnatural childhood. That speculation about idle hands and the devil’s workshop cracked me up. Of course, that would be Raff speaking with Riff considering, ahem. I don’t know where the doll thing comes from. Sure, I expect that roomful was creepy, but Eve really goes nuts with it. Nor does it make sense that Peabody falls into the fear so easily. I suspect Robb was on deadline…

Sweet. We learn of Roarke’s dreams for building his “castle”, and it sounds of childhood dreams that take me back to my own fantasies as a kid. That said, I’m with Eve about those catapults, lol. Roarke has his usual too-funny comments about male anatomy: “Well…” Roarke glanced down at his own. “It does have opinions.” However, even Roarke can make mistakes. Who’da thought?

It's a mistake that leads into a diatribe by Roarke about what he had to do to get Eve to consent to come live with him, which in turn, leads to Eve denouncing Roarke’s actions. Whew… Of course, it also surprises Eve into that remark that warms his aching heart.

There isn't as much interaction with Eve's command, Peabody, Ian, or Feeney, etc., in this.

I gotta say…I’m slowly buying up the installments in In Death, and I’m not sure I want this one. It is so full of disgusting people and their self-righteous attitudes, that it makes me want to throw things and find a shotgun.
Hey, “it was one harmless night a year.”
The Story
It’s trouble. Dennis has been attacked in his grandparents’ deserted house and his cousin is missing. The cousin who had been bound to a chair and bleeding.

Luckily, Dennis' wife is good friends with the indomitable Lieutenant Eve Dallas who lets nothing and no one stop her when she's on the trail, and she intends to shine some light on the dirty deals and dark motives behind the disappearance of a powerful man, the family discord over a multimillion-dollar piece of real estate…and a new case that no one saw coming.

The Characters
Lieutenant Eve Dallas has been softening into marriage with its rules and loving every minute of learning how to love. Roarke is one of the richest men in the world and one of the most gorgeous and compassionate. He adores his Eve. Summerset is their majordomo and has been a father figure to Roarke. His and Eve’s relationship is hysterical; you can’t help but laugh when Eve thinks of the bedsheets! Galahad is their fat cat with quite the appetite. This is another crack-up as Roarke refuses to allow Galahad to get away with his desires. Richard Troy was Eve’s unnatural, pedophile of a father.

Cop Central, New York Police and Security Department is…
…where Eve is based. Detective Delilah Peabody is Eve’s partner. The newly minted Detective Troy Trueheart is getting his shield, and his partner, Detective Baxter, is quite proud. Heck, the whole Homicide department is proud including Detective and Officer Carmichaels, Detectives Santiago, Jenkinson with his eye-burning ties, and Reineke. Commander Jack Whitney is her immediate supervisor; Anna is Jack’s terrifying wife and fully on line with Eve’s attack on Mandy. Chief Tibble is the head of it all.

Dr. Li Morris, the chief medical examiner, attends Trueheart’s swearing-in as well. Harvo is the queen of hair and fiber. Detective Hanson will head the missing persons investigation. Officers Tanker and Messing talk to Laurel who has quite a good memory. Detective Yancy is their premier sketch artist. Uniform Shelby is with the Five-two and may be joining the Homicide Division at Central. Cher Reo is the assistant prosecuting attorney Dallas works with most often.

The Electronic Detective Division (EDD) is…
…headed up by Eve’s old mentor (and her own father figure), Captain Ryan Feeney. Detective Ian McNab is Peabody’s live-in sweetie, and he’s quite handy with technology. Detectives Callendar and Juju are also in EDD.

Dr. Charlotte Mira is the New York City Police and Security Department’s shrink and top profiler, and both friend and mother to Eve. Her sweetheart of a husband, Dennis, is a professor at the university. Gillian is one of their daughters, a Wiccan who lives in New Orleans.

Judge Bradley Mira, their grandfather, had been a respected prosecuting attorney for New York who died a year after his wife, Gwen, passed. Their home was left to the two oldest grandsons. Frankie Trent was the Miras’ housekeeper back in the day. Sila Robarts, Frankie’s daughter, runs Maid to Order and her husband, Mel, runs We’re Handy out of their townhome. Dara Robarts is their daughter who helps with the cleaning end of things.

The Mira Institute is…
…a think tank formed by the bullying, cheating, highly functioning sociopathic former Senator Edward Mira (he sounds a right twat) when he retired from Congress. He's Dennis' cousin and the two of them are at odds. The cousins attended Yale at the same time, but Dr. Mira graduated early, magna cum laude, while the senator was seventy-something in his class. I know. I'm being catty. Mandy is his horrible bitch of a wife. Tressa MacDonald has a Harvard law degree and was Mira’s chief of staff when he was in Congress. Aiden Bannion is MacDonald’s admin. Wyatt Book and Liddy also work at the Institute. Somehow these Miras have two great kids: Edward “Ned” Mira, Jr., and Gwendolyn “Gwen” Sykes, who adore Dennis. Zoe is Ned’s wife.

Hank is the Miras' long-suffering bodyguard. Eugene and Jonah are the doormen at the Miras’ home. Eve takes such delight in jumping on them, lol. Then the delight she takes in ticking off Hank and the indomitable Mrs. Mira, ROFL. Silas Greenbaum of Greenbaum Realty had been Mira’s Realtor. Senator Fordham was a friend of Edward Mira’s.

The mistresses include…
Lauren Canford, a married lobbyist. Mylo is the officious, young, receptionist in her office. Curtis Flack is the head of the organization and a lawyer who will represent Canford’s interests. Charity Downing is an artist who works at Eclectia. Marilee is a coworker. Dr. Lydia Su is Charity's best friend and a biophysicist at Lotem Institute of Science and Technology. Laurel Etsy is Charity’s chatty neighbor with a roommate, Reb. Asha Coppola, on her second marriage (to Jack), works for a nonprofit; Allyson Byson is on her third marriage. Carlee MacKensie is a free-lance writer who roomed with a small-time loser, Marlee Davis. Deena Lacey is Carlee’s neighbor; Georgie is Deena's coworker.

Inner Peace is a lifestyle enhancement center. Therapists include Dr. Natalie Paulson; Dr. Kim Ping; and, Felicia Fairburn, a body-mind-spirit therapist. Elsi Lee Adderman was a victim who couldn’t take it; Tara Daniels, Marcia Baumberg, and Grace Carter Blake (Ms. Kolo and Ms. Jackson are neighbors) are more victims. Cecily Anson, a biographer, is married to Anne C. Vine, a software designer; they’re also known as the Moms. Both women are part of Femme Power and volunteer at women’s shelters. Lillith is Vine’s daughter, an architect. Detective Mike Bennet is Lillith’s fiancé, and he’s on the job at Central.

The other Yale housemates include…
Jonas Bartell Wymann was the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers some years back. Vanessa is a pediatric surgeon and his ex-wife. Jonas Wymann Baker is his grieving grandson with an interest in theater. His grandson makes him sound like such a great guy… Gavin is Jonas’ brother and is in law school at Yale. Frederik Betz is the third-generation head of Betz Chemicals. George is his usual driver from Royal Limo and Transportation Service. Stevens is the officious house droid. Mrs. Betz’s masseur is Sven. Marshall Easterday, a third-generation lawyer and senior partner at Easterday, Easterday, and Louis, is currently married to Petra whom he loves dearly. Marian is the Easterday’s housekeeper. Ethan MacNamee currently lives in Glasgow. William “Billy” Stevenson was the sixth one; he committed suicide a few years ago.

Nadine Furst is a friend (and on-air TV reporter) trying to decide between a warehouse loft and a triplex. Charmaine Delacroix is an interior designer who has worked with Roarke before, including the dojo. Lloyd Kowalski works at the Palace, one of Roarke’s hotels.

The Cover and Title
The cover has a deep and bright orange at the top in a close-up of Eve’s lieutenant’s shield with the author’s name large in an embossed metallic royal blue. A wide band of honeycombed black forms a band for the title which is in an embossed pale orange while the bottom sixth is a graphic collage of buildings, white roses, and a glass elephant that started it all.

The title is true, it is a unwelcome tie leading to a Brotherhood in Death.

rebelkiss's review

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4.0

*may contain spoliers*

Powerful men are being killed in a very sexually sadistic way. Eve's on the case to find what drove the killers to commit such a horrible act.

This one was a hard one for me to read. Being the victim of 3 separate sexual assaults myself, I really felt for the 'bad guys' in this one. I wanted them to win in the end and finish what they started. I like how we got to spend more time with Mr Mira. It was nice getting more insight in to him. I also liked that Eve talked about bringing in a new character.

katyanaish's review against another edition

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4.0

Boy, I couldn't have been Eve in this one. After watching that video, not only would I have released it to the media immediately to destroy those assholes, I also would have stopped looking for the killers ... or looked for them to help them kill the rest of the assholes.

These guys deserved what they got.

I can respect, though, that Eve would never cross that line. It speaks well of her. I just couldn't have done it.

There were some tearful moments with Eve and Roarke, Eve and Peabody, and with the always-lovely Dennis Mira. It was a good book in the series, just a really tough case.

reikista's review

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3.0

Futuristic story of a NY police lieutenant investigating the kidnapping and murder of a politician connected to a person she cares about, that results in her discovery of a rape brotherhood and a sisterhood born in revenge. Interesting view of future technology and sweet love relationships.

mamasmrf22's review

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3.0

This was a good read, and a solid set of characters. It was the first I've read by this author. I appreciated the well developed story, and the avoidance of unnecessary plot twists. I will say that there were some fairly graphic assault scenes.