ORIGIN IN DEATH is hands-down my favorite novel in the series. It is utterly mesmerizing with its take on genetic modification. I didn’t expect a novel so utterly chilling as Ms. Robb imagines the legal, political, and moral quandaries that would exist should our society ever get to that same point. Eve handles the entire situation with a lot more patience, compassion, and clarity than a majority of people would, and it speaks volumes to just how far she has come. Some of the scenes in ORIGIN IN DEATH are going to stick with me for a long time. ( )

Origin in Death
4.5 Stars

Eve and her team investigate the cold-blooded murder of a world renowned expert in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. As the case unfolds, it becomes apparent that the "good doctor" was involved in some exceedingly controversial experiments whose consequences may have serious moral, social and legal implications.

While the characterization in these books is excellent, my preference, as a plot driven reader, is for stories that focus more on the mysteries. In this respect, Origin in Death is definitely one of the absolute best because it grabs the reader and forces her to think about issues of genetic engineering, designer babies and cloning. What it comes down to is the maxim that "just because we can, doesn't mean we should".

In terms of the murder, this is one of those cases similar to Witness in Death where the victim is truly abhorrent and one cannot help but sympathize with the perpetrator. Nevertheless, justice must be done, and Robb, as always, finds a way to balance the scales.

All in all, a compelling mystery with engaging characters and fantastic dialogue. ( )

The 21st In Death novel concerns the death of Wilfred Icove and his son. Senior is a beloved doctor who got his start in the Urban Wars. Mira looks up to him as a hero. However, as Eve investigates, she learns that Icove had a very dark side. He was involved in cloning which is completely illegal. He has also been breeding, raising, and training young women and selling them. Great story. I liked the conflict between Eve and Charlotte Mira. I also liked that Roarke was a bit frazzled about inviting his newly met Irish family to New York for Thanksgiving. ( )

It is almost Thanksgiving in the year of 2059 and crime keeps happening. A celebrity by the name of Lee-Lee Ten was assaulted by a Bryhern Speegal. The man is now very much dead after he apparently beat the heck out of her. She defended herself and was lucky to survive. She has wound up at the Wilfred B. Icove Center for Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery which is known for top flight medical care and innovation. Her doctor is the founder’s son, Wilfred B. Icove, Jr., and quite possibly the best ever plastic surgeon.

NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her partner, Detective Peabody, interview Ms. Ten and Dallas is not quite convinced that everything is as it appears. They are discussing the case and other things while working their way through the formidable multi-layer security gauntlet that screens everyone going in and out of the building when the situation changes. Before they can finally make their exit, they are stopped, and told that Dr. Icove is dead.

As it turns out, it is not the Dr. Icove they were just with moments earlier. Instead, the deceased is his father, Wilfred B. Icove. He has been stabbed through the heart. The investigation into who did it and why untangles a massive mess that can’t be explained without running the major plot of the book. Suffice it to say that it is an issue society is going to have to deal with in our future and sooner than later.

Disturbing on several levels, Origin in Death, is one of the more complicated reads in this long running series and a good one. As always, all the usual caveats apply and fade to the background as the story unrolls.

One is also once again reminded that it would be very cool to have access to Roarke’s library. Sure, the cars are cool and all that, but the library rocks.

My reading copy came via the Libby/OverDrive app and the Dallas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2022 ( )

One of the best of the whole series ( )