Witness in Death (In Death, Book 10)
The opening night of the revival of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" at New York’s New Globe Theater turns from stage scene to crime scene when the leading man is stabbed to death right on center stage. Now Eve Dallas has a high-profile celebrity homicide on her hands. Not only is she lead detective, she’s also a witness—and when the press discovers that her husband owns the theater, there’s more media spotlight than either can handle. The only way out is to move fast. Question everyone and everything…and in the meantime, try to tell the difference between the truth—and really good acting…
Reviews (209)
Feels Like an Agatha Christie Mystery
FINAL DECISION: This one feels like an old fashioned mystery novel with lots of suspects with a motive and the detective having to use physical evidence and interviews to ferret out the killer. One of the better mysteries of the series. THE STORY: An actor is murdered on stage in full view of all the audience, including Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Now Eve has to figure out who the killer is. Since her husband Roarke owns the theater and other people she knows have connections to the crime, Eve has to work in the spotlight to solve the crime. OPINION: This is a book where, appropriately, the murder is committed during a performance of Witness for the Prosecution and then the mystery itself feels like an Agatha Christie mystery including the gathering of suspects for the big reveal at the end. The emphasis in this one is definitely on the mystery although there are some nice scenes between Eve and Roarke. I also enjoyed the continuing character development of Eve's friends. Both Peabody and Nadine have important roles in this book. I think the books where Eve has a personal connection to the murders works best and her friends having connections work almost as well. The story also is teasing out Eve's continuing struggles with her past. Much as been resolved and Eve is happier, but things are still lurking that she struggles with. This book only teases those issues gently, but I like that her past has not been easily resolved and set aside. WORTH MENTIONING: My favorite part of this book is Eve setting up a romantic dinner for her and Roarke. This is a turning point in their relationship as she begins to do those regular romantic gestures which make a good relationship. CONNECTED BOOKS: WITNESS IN DEATH is the tenth book in the In Death series. This series has standalone mysteries with continuing character storylines. This book can be read as a standalone. STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
All the World's a Stage--And Here's an Interesting Cast of Characters
Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb never fails to please me. Her characters are so real, from the heroine, the vulnerable but tough Detective Eve Dallas, to her slightly overweight, insecure but highly talented aide, Peabody, to her incredibly sexy, handsome, rich, Irish, supportive husband, Rourke and all the peripheral characters in the plot. The action moves, the mystery complex, the solution often a shock. This tenth installment does not disappoint. Rourke manages to get Eve to dress to the nines and attend an opening performance of a new play at his elegant theatre. The plot is a mystery and by intermission, Eve knows that a murder will be committed and has determined who the murderer will be. Rourke refuses to confirm or deny but when the play resumes a murder--a real one --IS committed on the stage in front of a full house. The lead actor, playing a deplorable, is actually stabbed to death with a real knife that has been substituted for the prop knife that has a retractable blade. Immediately, Eve in her designer gown, reverts to Dallas and gets the show on the road--the investigative show, that is. As always there are red herrings, convoluted associations, many reasons for the victim to be murdered and lots of people who would have wanted him dead. To compound the dead ends and run arounds, seemingly unconnected the head stagehand commits suicide--or was he murdered, too? Keeps one going until the very end, when things are pulled together but are not what would be expected and, as usual in this future New York City of late 21st century, somehow are worse than anticipated.
Excellent additon to this series even though Eve is not at all nice in this one.
J.D. Robb (Actually, Nora Roberts) is constantly changing themes as she adds to this never ending series. This is a good thing because while some things remain the same – primary characters for the most part, others change from book to book giving the reader much to choose from and each book is a bit of a surprise. Eve and Roarke are attending the premier of a revival of a famous Agatha Christie play, ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ when, during the final act, one of the stars of the play is stabbed through the heart by another actor. (Just like in the original Christie work). Hundreds and hundreds of people, Including Eve and Roarke witness this and it is found that someone has switched the stage knife with a real knife. There are many, many suspects involved with this one and Eve soon finds that the victim was universally disliked and that many to most of the actors involved are glad he is dead and indeed, many wish they had been the ones to do the killing. (I feel most readers will agree to this assessment of the victims character as the story progresses). While it is not necessary to enjoy this book, it is more fun if you have read the original Christie work, or watched one of several remakes of this one on film, because you can see how well Robb has paid tribute to Dame Christie...a rather remarkable job! This work has a touch of noir involved and Robb has done a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the Christie play although some (myself included) had some trouble form time to time following the many characters (suspects) in this one due to the number involved. Also of note is the fact that of all the books in this series, and I think that number is quickly approaching 50 or more, Eve’s personality is at its worse in this one. She spends a great amount of time making physical threats directed toward her faithful Peabody and to be quite frank, comes across as a bit of a bully throughout this work. It should also be noted that the subject of rape in incest plays a major part is this one and that some readers may be put off by this although the author handles it well and it is most certainly not done in a gratuitous manner. This is one of my most favorite series and Agatha Christie is one of my favorite detection authors so for me I had a double dose of what I enjoy. It should be noted that it is nice if you can read these books in order of publication but it is most certainly not absolutely necessary due to the fact that each of these novels is a good stand-alone. I also must note that unlike some of the books in this series I failed to figure out whodunit right up until the end. All in all a great read and good addition to the series it also moves the series along quite well.
The Rapes Continue
Well, the author forgot how to spell the medical examiner's name. Then again the author forgot what Peabody 's first name was. For this series rape is the main theme murder coming in second. The books are short and padded with page after page of sex. The author seems to particularly enjoy writing about child rape. The description used is pretty much word for word; so more filler. The books are straight fantasy. No actual victim would ever have the responses of the main character. Eye contact good. Flinching when touched; doesn't happen. Able to trust; amazingly everybody. So, an ok fantasy but if anyone has been an actual victim; this probably isn't the series for you.
Grumpy in Death
This book should have been called “Grumpy in Death.” I enjoy the In Death series, but lately in this books, and particularly in “Witness In Death,” JD Robb has evolved Lt. Eve Dallas from a level headed, competent cop to a snarky, cold, pouty and often bombastic character. And EVERYONE close to her not only gives her a free pass on her cruel and/or snotty behavior, sometimes they APOLOGIZE when she gets mad at them for calling her on it. Roarke, the only one who might successfully rebuke her, coos and pats and tells her that everything she does is perfect (as long as she doesn’t try her coldness on him). So why the four stars? Truth to tell, no matter how hypocritical and unsatisfactory I find Eve’s (and Roarke’s) character sometimes, these are fun, engaging stories, with diverse and campy cop storylines, fun window dressing (who wouldn’t like to be married to a billionaire in the high tech future and have the class to get to reap the benefits while grumbling about it?) and an almost comforting plot formula. I’m just getting tired of everyone marveling at and praising Eve for “standing for the dead.” What good is her so called compassionate, when she NEVER has any to spare for the living when it counts?
In my opinion, a person is going to love these books or hate them, I happen to love them.
I am reading everything's on my Kindle keyboard before I start using my Paperwhite. Came across a whole bunch of books by J D Robb and I have been binging on them this week. J D Robb, as you probably know, also writes romance as Norah Roberts. Writing as J D Robb, however, her style is darker and grittier. This is a series of mysteries set in the not too far distant future when the earth has colonized a lot of planets, societal norms have changed in some ways, yet law and order remains law and order and the police are there to protect and serve. This series chronicles the cases of Eve Dallas as she investigates murders and believes it is her vocation to stand for the dead, to see that they get justice. In my opinion, a person is going to love these books or hate them, I happen to love them. Well written, strongly developed characters, detailed plots. Someone is doing research and I appreciate that. Of course, there are some love stories woven in because that is part of life, after all, it can't be all grim.
Amazing Mystery!
I would not have guessed the killer! There were so many suspects and twists in this story. The author has a way of captivating her audience and reeling them into the story itself. She careful depicts the story in such a way that the reader can see themselves as Dallas. Although fictional, there are real life issues being brought to light that I’m sure many individuals have suffered from and is offered some form of hope and consolation by reading this series. It’s more than just a story, but also offers empowerment and a road to healing so to speak for any individual that can relate to Eve’s childhood. I already have so many in the series and I look forward to reading all of them. I never want it to end!!
Truly fantastic!!!!
How this author, Nora Roberts (J.D. Robb), can write like this for so many years and so many books is incredible. She never misses a step. She is probably one of the premier writers of the modern era. Eve is the best character I've ever read. Roarke is the second. All the characters are great. To maintain such great characters for so many books is the mark of a master storyteller and that is the greatest compliment I can pay an author. Don't stop writing the In Death series and I'll never stop reading them. Highly recommended.
A Series Review! {NO Spoilers}
4.5 stars! After basically years of seeing this series around and reading about this mystical Roarke, I gave in and decided to read the In Death Books. It was quite an undertaking, since when I started there were 33 books already released in the series, not counting short stories and novellas. Besides that, deciding to read this series was a big commitment in two fronts. One, I simply had to by 33 books and secondly, I would not be reading anything else until I was done. That's how psychotic I can be when it comes to book series. December 2011 was when my journey began and by February 2012 I was done and now there is NO turning back. I am IN LOVE with this series! I not only obviously love Roarke, but I love Eve and all the secondary characters that make up this great story as well. Yes, I have become irritated with Eve at times, but I adored being able to see her grow throughout the series. It has been quite a ride, but one I will never regret hopping aboard. This series is a great mix of mystery, police drama and romance. I love every aspect of it, from the near futuristic setting, to the way J.D. Robb writes her prose. If there is one thing that bothers me, is that considering the series has 35 books published, the span of time that has passed is very short and I wish the lapse between books was a bit longer. But if you read the books throughout a longer period of time, it won't really matter, but reading them so close together made me wish for that longer lapse. Eve is such a complex character. All that she has been through has made who she is, but her story is not less heartbreaking because of it. For that matter, so is Roarke's and the fact that these two found each other is nothing less than serendipity. They need each other and I am sure they would never have grown to be who they are in the series by book 35, if not for each other's presence in their lives. Not to mention the "family" they have built with their dear friends. One of the biggest issues brought up in this series by J.D. Robb, is the Nature Vs. Nurture debate. I love it! It always makes me think and it is very satisfying to see these people that could have become something very wrong, rise above nature and blood, to become amazing people. On the crime fighting aspect of the series, I find that Robb uses two types of narrative. Sometimes she carries more of a "Monk" style, where the perpetrator is clear if not early on, but soon. The other one is where we get a punch in the face when we finally find out out who it is. I really enjoy that she doesn't have only one style, since that always keeps me guessing =D I LOVE this series and if you have yet to check it out, please do so! The first few books might not compel you completely, but keep reading! You won't regret it!
A stage production of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution"
Here's the thing about this fab series: every book is good; some of them surpass. This is one of the best that I've read yet. Ms. Roberts features a stage production of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" and has the Leonard Vole character murdered on opening night in the final scene. Brilliant, just brilliant. And then as the story unfolds, the reader - and Eve - begins to sympathize with the killer. Especially when we learn the victim knowingly seduced his unsuspecting daughter from a long-ago affair. As Peabody said, "Ick." Personal relationships continue to grow; really, it's sheer genius how she keeps these characters fresh and dynamic. Some of the highlights in this one include McNabb asking Roarke for advice on his love life and Eve slipping into her waking nightmares in front of Peabody. Eve finally erupts into a very revealing tirade about fathers who sexually abuse their daughters. We do not know whether Peabody has put two and two together yet. Oh, and the scene where Eve puts together a romantic dinner for Roarke!!! I LMAO'ed on that one! And then Roarke comes in and makes a rare mistake, hurting Eve's vulnerable feelings. Although he does make up for it. Wowser, does he ever! Anyway, another terrific one in this series. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
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