This episode of the In Death series goes back to a sort of basic mystery and had less of the emotional intensity the New York to Dallas. It was a sort of a breather both for Eve and for us as readers. Eve is learning to cope with the events of the previous book and is having some lucid dreams that have her relive part of the experience. Roarke is worried about her and treating her more carefully than usual which is actually worrying Eve more than the dreams.

The murder of an actress that no one liked is the focus of this story. Adding to the tension is that the murder occurred at a dinner party which brought together the cast of the movie with their real-life counterparts incuding Eve and Roarke, Peabody and McNab, Dr. Mira and her husband, and Nadine Furst. The victim who was portraying Peabody in the movie was a very unpleasant person. She was a prime manipulator who liked to have inside knowledge of the other cast members that would let her get some advantage from them. Many of the actors at the party had good reason to want her dead.

Eve uses her skills to interview all of the suspects and uncovers something that makes her even more eager to stand up for the victim. This story was more in the lines of a police procedural than many of her more recent cases. But even though the focus was the case, it was still good to see the relationships Eve has with the people around her. I liked her relationship with Peabody as they work the case. They both have a strong respect for each other and respect each others skills but Peabody feels comfortable enough with Eve to tease her on occasion. I liked the relationship with Nadine in this one. Again there is strong respect in each of them for the other and a deep friendship.

I especially liked seeing her relationship with Roarke. The love and support that each has for the other is just such a backbone of this series. But it is not anything either of them take for granted. Both are willing to work hard to keep their relationship strong. I love the way Roarke keeps surprising Eve with gifts and how uncomfortable this makes Eve. I love the way Eve constantly teases Roarke about his business.

This was an excellent addition to the In Death series. I recommend it for mystery lovers and romance lovers. ( )

Mystery

Lieutenant Eve Dallas never wanted to be famous. Being Roarke’s wife has bought her more than enough unwanted attention as she sees it. There is also a certain amount of attention that comes her way working the occasional high-profile case. But, nothing like this has gone on before. Now Big Bang Productions is filming a vid (movie) about what she and Detective Peabody went through solving a certain case as Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb begins.

Peabody is absolutely thrilled. Dallas isn’t by any measure. She also isn’t thrilled that she has to keep going on to the set because the bosses want her there. She also isn’t thrilled that she has to attend a dinner party hosted by the director. All the actors and actresses will be there as well as the real-life people they are playing such as Dallas, Peabody, and many others.

Despite doing what she can to try and avoid, Roarke and Dallas make it to the party. The evening was going okay, as well as those forced events do, and she even has had fun now and then. That was until the actress that plays Peabody is found dead in the garden on the roof. The actress was a nasty piece of work and somebody decided enough was enough.

The problem is not only is the case a bit of locked room mystery, Peabody and Dallas are also on the suspect list. While they and their bosses know they did not do it, should they even work a case where they are possibly suspects? Will the fact that this is going to very much be a high-profile case factor into the decision?

What follows is an intriguing and complicated case set in October 2060. Guns are pretty much outlawed and nonexistent, but there are plenty of ways to kill. Such is the case here in another fun read.

My reading copy came by way of the Libby/OverDrive App and the Dallas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023 ( )

Celebrity in Death
4 Stars

Pleasure turns into business for Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her partner when the actress portraying Detective Delia Peabody in "The Icove Agenda" is murdered at a cast party. The trouble is that the victim was a nasty piece of work who antagonized virtually every person that she met, so Eve and Peabody are forced to sort through numerous suspects and motives.

The mystery is good albeit reminiscent of Witness in Death in terms of the setting and suspect pool. The numerous red herrings keep the reader guessing throughout, but the ultimate revelation of the killer and motive are problematic as they come out of left field. Personally, having a more likable culprit would have made for a more intriguing moral dilemma.

There are also some wonderful moments between McNab and Peabody as well as Roarke and Eve as they all cope with being the focus of a Hollywood film.

Overall, an enjoyable addition to the series.

( )

This episode of the In Death series goes back to a sort of basic mystery and had less of the emotional intensity the New York to Dallas. It was a sort of a breather both for Eve and for us as readers. Eve is learning to cope with the events of the previous book and is having some lucid dreams that have her relive part of the experience. Roarke is worried about her and treating her more carefully than usual which is actually worrying Eve more than the dreams.

The murder of an actress that no one liked is the focus of this story. Adding to the tension is that the murder occurred at a dinner party which brought together the cast of the movie with their real-life counterparts incuding Eve and Roarke, Peabody and McNab, Dr. Mira and her husband, and Nadine Furst. The victim who was portraying Peabody in the movie was a very unpleasant person. She was a prime manipulator who liked to have inside knowledge of the other cast members that would let her get some advantage from them. Many of the actors at the party had good reason to want her dead.

Eve uses her skills to interview all of the suspects and uncovers something that makes her even more eager to stand up for the victim. This story was more in the lines of a police procedural than many of her more recent cases. But even though the focus was the case, it was still good to see the relationships Eve has with the people around her. I liked her relationship with Peabody as they work the case. They both have a strong respect for each other and respect each others skills but Peabody feels comfortable enough with Eve to tease her on occasion. I liked the relationship with Nadine in this one. Again there is strong respect in each of them for the other and a deep friendship.

I especially liked seeing her relationship with Roarke. The love and support that each has for the other is just such a backbone of this series. But it is not anything either of them take for granted. Both are willing to work hard to keep their relationship strong. I love the way Roarke keeps surprising Eve with gifts and how uncomfortable this makes Eve. I love the way Eve constantly teases Roarke about his business.

This was an excellent addition to the In Death series. I recommend it for mystery lovers and romance lovers. ( )