Thursday, April 16, 2015

Review: Naked in Death by J.D Robb (In Death, #1)

Brutality of crime is always a very challenging notion. Even investigators cannot decipher the notion behind a sick mind. Generalizations are many but it always takes a killer to change the notion of the crime altogether. Author J.D Robb in his book "Naked in Death" takes a paradoxical journey of a crime scene where your guts will be challenged to the wit's end. So will it be the wit and grit of the readers or the brains of the author or both will come out as a winner? Let's find out. 

In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line--between seductive passion and scandalous murder...Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all--and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire--and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about--except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.



First look at the title and a reader can smell a murder mystery cooking. The cover is nothing to talk about. It's a pretty pale offering as compared to the title. The blurb talks about a cop and her life as a dutiful protector until recently. The blurb manages to put a lid on the circumstances and the story which is a big thumbs up. 

The story is of Eve Dallas, a hard beat down cop whose life circles around victims and criminals. But the recent disturbing high profile death of Sharon DeBlass snatches away the peace of her life as her life as a primary tears apart her privacy and vulnerability. The killer at large, the pressure from the Senator and others, the eluding crime scene and a hazy motive with a long list of suspects puts her life on a back burner. So what will it take to catch the killer? Who among them wears a facade of innocence and who out of the least turns out to be a devil? The fingers point to many but there is only one who is going to be a grave nemesis. That's what the story is all about. 

The story has everything to talk about. A boiling crime thriller, brutality, edge of the seat action, personal involvement, exasperation and in the end a moral victory of sorts. But it all comes at a cost of conflicting emotions and interests. The personal as well as professional mix up is a huge difference maker to the story. Not to forget the crime committed which is nothing less than barbarism and clinical. Methodical approach is what the story acquires to deduct the purpose of the killer and the characters manage to spin off an intriguing tale and a wobbling journey. There are times of tough decisions and some indecision but it all gels together to let the reader soar sky high in an unnaturally natural crime thriller. 

The possible downside of the book is not shedding appropriate light on the exploits of the villain and turning his role into a guest appearance. Giving him more leverage in the story would have toyed with the minds of the eager readers. Also possibly more involvement was required from few other characters which is found short, rather left out in this diverse environment. 

All in all the book from page one turns on the heat and let the readers be at the driver seat. Often or not they find themselves embracing disappointment in not being able to put finger on a single person as a killer but that's what keep the story up and running. There are only few hiccups but by the time it folds the story has a lot to offer and even the naked truth takes some amount of grit to be uncovered. But by and large the book gloriously defines death and it's outcome and let others be the bearers of the torch of sufferers and go getters. A tough nut to crack. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5

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