Una muerte extasiada = Éxtasis ante la muerte (1996)

Long-time readers know I adore Nora Roberts and will gleefully read anything she publishes. Despite my love for her, I always avoided her In Death series because I didn’t want to have to tackle the 50+ novels in that series in addition to everything else I want to read. Still, I tasked myself with listening to my long audiobook list in order of publication date, and it just so happens that my husband had downloaded the first book in the series. So, I started Naked in Death, not knowing what to expect. I finished it in a day and immediately listened to books two, three, and four in short succession. Yeah, I’m a fan, and I cannot wait to get back to the series. First of all, I love the tone of this series. Not only is it darker and grittier than the novels she writes under her name, but there is also a rawness to Eve and Roarke that I adore. Everything about the series has an edge, from the characters to the world itself. Sure, it has fancy technology and gadgets, but there is something broken in Eve’s world that draws you to her. Only my self-control is preventing me from using my extra credits from downloading as much of the series as I can get and devouring them all. ( )

Detective Eve Dallas and billionaire Roarke are married now, but the honeymoon is short lived. People are dying and Eve is convinced that their deaths aren’t the accident they initially appear to be. As always, this series so, SO works for me because the writing is very tight—sticking closely with a no nonsense police procedural, but also allowing just enough character development as the series develops that I’m quite attached to Eve, Roarke, Peabody, Mavis and all the regulars. There’s an interesting mystery to solve in each one. And Eve with her smart talk and grit is a kick butt main character I can’t read enough of.

Content Warning: suicide, rape

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
( )

"A woman who steps out on a ledge is either very brave or very stupid."

The scowl turned into a sneer. "I don't have to ask what category you put me in."

"No, you don't." He watched her climb up and thought her courage was terrifying.

Winding down from her honeymoon with newly wed husband Roarke, Eve is unfortunately unable to fully separate herself from death. It follows her in her dreams and in reality. When people with no suicidal tendencies begin ending their lives naked and with smiles on their faces, Eve's gut cries foul play despite the cases.

Trigger Warnings: dubious consent/rape, mind control

I'll admit, this one had me guessing. Roberts led me as astray as she possibly could, but I'm not complaining. Roarke and Eve's dynamic is so absurdly wonderful to me, and I adore how much they can't get enough of each other while also simulatenously trying to let the other person still be themselves. They continue to learn more about each other and fall impossibly further in love.

Two minor qualms I have with this series though:
1) Eve works in the New York Police Department. Why is their funding so shitty? Why don't they have good equipment? It's a bit of an odd point for me.
2) The novels always end very abruptly; almost always directly after the criminal is caught and Eve walks/is carried away from the scene. It doesn't really let anything settle with the reader (at least imo)

Also I'm happy Roberts finally introduced a female criminal. ( )

In Death 04

In Death 04