If you look at my Goodreads history, you will see that I absolutely adore JD Robb and the entire In Death series. Unfortunately, I felt just slightly let down by this one. Super NYPSD cop Eve and her resourceful and sinfully good looking husband Roarke are on point as usual, as is the former's feisty and prickly relationship with major-domo Summerset. The mystery at the centre of the story is engaging in it's complexity, nothing really is as it seems. However, throughout the whole book I felt there was a weight around the narrative, something hanging about it's neck like a stone. I believe that weight is Nixie.Nixie Swisher is characterised as a brave little girl who had the misfortune to be witness to the tragic deaths of her family (no spoilers, it's in the blurb). Unfortunately, I found her to be more of a drag to the story and an intriguing character, serving more as a halt in the narrative than any progression. It was interesting to see Eve Dallas interest with a child, but after a while it became clear how uncomfortable she was and that in turn made me wish the child was no longer in the story. This is, of course, an entirely subjective viewpoint. Precocious children in film and television tend to make me roll my eyes, so my aversion to Nixie could stem from that.I will say that Robb does an excellent job of normalising Eve's issues with children. Eve isn't comfortably with them at all and that's okay. Whilst there is an implication that she will settle down and have children one day (an assumption I find slightly distasteful considering Eve's wishes), it isn't stated that Eve is somehow deficient for not immediately warming to children.All in all, I would absolutely recommend reading the In Death series, but this is one book I will not be eager to pick and re-read as much as the others. YMMV.
I was hunting through the library's audiobooks before I took a long trip, and snatched "Survivor in Death" off the shelf--and boy was I glad that I did! I've now been introduced to the whole world of Eve Dallas-Roarke-Peabody-Sommerset-ect. I listen to JD Robb's books exclusively as audiobooks, which makes carrides infinitely better. This being my first book (though the 20th in the series) there were many elements that confused (like, what is a link?). I quickly got past that, and fell in love with Eve, and her desire to find justice for Nixie and solve the crime. I love the Peabody-Eve dynamic, and Peabody's raunchy jokes. Roarke only irritates me because he seems too good to be true. Frustrations: With most of JD Robbin's "... In Death" it's difficult to figure out whodunnit because the suspect will often come up later in the series, or is fairly insignificant in the early to middle part of the series. Clues-dammit!! The series is very violent and sexual, and includes lots of sexual assaults. While sexual assault is a part of reality, I have trouble listening to it. Nora Roberts truly comes out during Eve and Roark's sex scenes--again, I fast-forward through it. I prefer to see Eve as a cop and wife, but don't need details that involve the word "nipple." I feel like I'm part of her professional world and only get to see bits of her personality--but I don't want to go into her bedroom.
What do You think about Survivor In Death (2005)?
Nine year old Nixie Swisher gets up in the middle of the night to get a forbidden orange fizzy. While up she catches a glimpse of a shadow entering her housekeeper's room. Thinking they are about to do the naughty Nixie watches only to see her housekeeper murdered. The murderer goes up the stairs and proceeds with another assailant to murder her whole family and her best friend whom she left asleep in her room.Eve must find out who wanted to kill this upstanding family. This is an ordinary family with no person who holds any grudges against them. Eve has a sense that Nixie is not safe. The killers wanted her whole family dead and she is still alive.Robb spins it out in this story. The reader does not know what is going on and there are lots of twists and turns. You have to love Eve in that she knows she is no good with children but she does her best and really tries with Nixie. Robb keeps on with great character development in this series and I will be looking forward to the next in the series.
—Dana
This one has some "nature versus nurture" overtones. And what makes "Home."I never put spoilers in my reviews.J D Robb (Nora Roberts) is one of the few authors I reread. Everything about the "in death" novels is quality writing and defies genre labeling.From the relationship between Dallas and Rourke, the mystery/thriller storyline, an extremely strong female role model, the secondary characters, the setting, well, everything, you just can't wait for the next one. Robb shows that a woman can be strong and capable despite soul crippling events in her life. I have a mantra, "just step over it and move on." Eve Dallas personifies this. It doesn't mean you never think of it or that you forget but life goes on.Dallas "stands for the dead," they are hers, no matter who or what they were in life and grieves for their lost futures. To her it's almost a sacred trust and she is uncompromising in her pursuit of justice for those in her care.I think even most men would like these books, if for no reason than to see how women would like to be treated.Read, enjoy, repeat.
—Katy M
A good kick-a book. Great characters (some throw back and some new), some hi-ya moments, definitely some hold-your-breath parts, humor, some scariness (for E&R anyway :)), truly evil bad guys, woo-hoo parts, some good down time in the holoroom, some sweet and sad scenes, more holding-your-breath, and a great ending! Packed full to bursting and had me turning pages like a mad person. I was diggin' the dojo too. Don't see that part of Eve much and I liked it even if it was a small part. Can't wait to dig into the next! Enjoy!!!
—Caro
