Una muerte extasiada = Éxtasis ante la muerte (1996)

"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

In all long series, some books are just stronger than others. I couldn't get into this one for some reason. Worse, I sort thought Eve was a bit slow. Still, sort of nice to see her relationship with Peabody at and earlier stage and loved the Mavis storyline. All in all, not her best effort ( )

The fourth book of the popular “In Death” series by J.D. Robb starts at the end of Eve and Roarke's honeymoon at the Roarke-owned Olympus One resort. When an engineer is discovered dead in his room by his roommate, Eve is asked to check into it as a favor. It appears to be self termination and Eve and Roarke head back to New York to start life as newlyweds. On her first day back to work Eve has to testify at a trial. The next day the defendant's lawyer is discovered dead and it's also ruled a self termination. When a controversial politician kills himself Eve thinks it's just too coincidental. Why are all these brilliant people with great futures and no history of depression killing themselves? Soon Eve is thrown into the world of virtual reality and mind control, where your own mind can become someone else's weapon. Eve is determined to find the murderer responsible for these deaths, but the closer she comes to the truth, the more danger she, and Roarke, are in.

This is a great series when you just want to be entertained by a blend of romance and Eve's kick butt personality. I'll continue to read the series because I enjoy the characters, especially Peabody, even when some of the situations they find themselves in seen a bit implausible. The books hit all the right buttons for those who love strong women with inner vulnerabilities in the not so distant future. Just sit back, enjoy the fun and don't expect to be challenged by difficult mystery elements. I'm a fan and am moving on to #5, Ceremony in Death.
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