Innocent in Death (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Once again Lt. Eve Dallas shows why she's "New York City's top murder cop" in Roberts's 24th thriller under her Robb pseudonym set half a century into the future (after 2006's Born in Death). Dallas tries to close a case at the exclusive Sarah Child Academy, where two bright 10-year-old girls discover the body of Craig Foster, a popular history teacher who proves to have been poisoned by ricin-laced cocoa. Dallas wonders if another staff member or a parent might be involved, but after the prime suspect, a promiscuous teacher who's been harassing another employee, turns up dead, the investigation takes a shocking turn. Besides a provocative puzzler, Robb provides an intense relationship update on Dallas and Roarke, her Irish power broker hubby, whose dark past—in the form of a crooked ex-girlfriend—returns to cause trouble. This prolific author, a recent Quills romance winner, is still at the top of her game. (Feb.)
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Product Description

The phenomenal series set in a future New York City returns as NYPSD Lt. Eve Dallas hunts for the killer of a seemingly ordinary history teacher-and uncovers some extraordinary surprises. Craig Foster's death devastated his young wife, who'd sent him to work that day with a lovingly packed lunch. It shocked his colleagues at the private school, too, and as for the ten-year-old girls who found him in his classroom in a pool of bodily fluids-they may have been traumatized for life.

Eve soon determines that Foster's homemade lunch was tainted with deadly ricin, and that Mr. Foster's colleagues have some startling secrets of their own. It's Eve's job to sort it out- and discover why someone would have done this to a man who seemed so inoffensive, so pleasant . . . so innocent.

Now Magdalena Percell . . . there's someone Eve can picture as a murder victim. Possibly at Eve's own hands. The slinky blonde-an old flame of her billionaire husband, Roarke-has arrived in New York, and she's anything but innocent. Roarke seems blind to Magdalena's manipulation, and he insists that the occasional lunch or business meeting with her is nothing to worry about . . . and none of Eve's business. Eve's so unnerved by the situation that she finds it hard to focus on her case. Still, she'll have to put aside her feelings, for a while at least-because another man has just turned up dead.

Eve knows all too well that innocence can be a facade. Keeping that in mind may help her solve this case at last. But it may also tear apart her marriage.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 385 pages
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399154019
• ISBN-13: 978-0399154010
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #307,122 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 24 in The In Death Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relax, people...it's all good., February 20, 2007

By	J. Bergin (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Reader speculation about the marital discord between Eve and Roarke had me imagining all sorts of things about this book, but most of it was unfounded, and Eve and Roarke work through their troubles in the way we've come to expect them to: they talk it out, bare their souls, reassure one another, see the other's viewpoint, beat up a few droids, manhandle each other, and have wild monkey sex. Man, I love these guys.

But back to the story...

When grade-school teacher Craig Foster is found dead in his classroom from apparent poisoning, Eve is hard-pressed to determine a suspect. Fellow teachers, parents, caregivers, and students are all on her short-list, but no one is jumping out at her as a probable lead. The murder seems senseless and without a motive; the man seems as innocent as they come. Into the mix, on a personal front, arrives Magdelena Percell, an old flame of Roarke's. During their first meeting, Eve sees something on Roarke's face as he catches sight of Maggie that unnerves her, for it's a look that Eve's only ever seen directed at her. Maggie comes on strong, calling Roarke "lover" and making loaded references to their long-ago liaison. When they talk about it later that night, Roarke assures Eve that she's no reason to be jealous or concerned. The next morning, however, she overhears him making lunch plans with Maggie. Meanwhile, the case is progressing slowly until another teacher is found dead on school grounds, and the suspect list narrows. Putting the pieces together, Eve focuses on an unlikely suspect and her alarming suspicions are not well received by her commander or Dr. Mira.

This is a more personal story than some that have come before, so the secondary characters don't play as big a role as in past books. But still there are some satisfying scenes with Mira, Peabody, Mavis, Whitney and -- especially -- Summerset, who proves once and for all just how solidly fixed he is in Eve's corner. (It's great to see how much these two have come to care about each other, despite all their recreational sniping and insults. Despite their obvious differences, they're unified by their absolute devotion to Roarke.)

When I finished reading this book I was struck again by how well-crafted this series is. I love how the crime parallels with Eve's personal life and how the title reflects both sides of the story. I love how Eve and Roarke stay true to their characters as they deal with this new potential threat to their marriage. They don't squabble like children. They don't have temper tantrums and call each other names or behave stupidly in ways that will cause irreparable damage. Eve's feelings -- more fear than jealousy -- are perfectly understandable within the context of the story as it is laid out. Even Roarke's uncharacteristic obtuseness seems totally plausible in this case. And the resolution is equally characteristic of these two strong-willed, physical personalities.

Another great installment in a great series.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars .Wow., February 20, 2007

By	I. Daco "RomanceReader" (Elmont, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As always with any Nora Robert or JD Robb book, I finished this in one sitting! I just couldn't let go. I even went to the bathroom with it! (sorry for sharing)

I think out of all the books in the series this is my favorite. The emotional turmoil Eve went through because of that blonde tarts reappearance in Roarke's life really had me going! I just wanted to reach in and strangle her and smack some sense into Roarke. What I love about their relationship is that it's very well developed. Like what the other reviewers say there's none of the petty fights and stupid misunderstanding that are blown way out of proportion! Every motion in the relationship is well-developed and believable (a choreography that is executed beautifully). Even though, I wish Eve would have drop kicked the bimbo a lot sooner--she did what we all were begging for in the end! I just loved it!

As for the mystery, the turmoil between Eve and Roarke almost took precedence but I just love the twist and turns the book took me through! The end was not shocking, if you catch it quickly you already know who the killer is--but your in so much denial that you keep fighting the truth! It was in itself a very shocking ending!

A must read! Bravo!

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Emotional Roller Coaster, February 24, 2007

By	Cherise Everhard (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is book # 28 in the In Death Series.

Right from page one J.D.Robb has the reader captivated as she spins her newest tale. She walks us through the victims last moments of life and then sets the graphic stage of his death. Each time I read an In Death book I am impressed at how well her words can create such vivid images in my head. It is so easy to get wrapped up and all consumed by one of her books. I don't know how she does it.

Eve Dallas, Lt. of the NYPSD, and her partner, Det. Delia Peabody are investigating the murder of a young teacher at a pricey private school. The staff and students are in shock and Eve can not find one motive for killing this man.

This book flowed a little differently to me than the previous books. Usually you have the homicide investigation as the center of the story and then the personal storylines either run side by side with the investigation or they play second fiddle. In Innocent In Death the personal issues between Eve and Roarke took center stage for me. For the first time in their relationship a woman from Roarke's past is really causing problems between the two of them. J.D. Robb takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions, both Eve and Roarke's; you suffer with both of them.

It's hard to say anything about this book without giving away vital information. The homicide investigation takes some interesting twists and turns and it shocks and surprises. Summerset and Eve form one of their rare alliances in this book, and Eve shows a softer side of herself.

This would definitely rate as one of the top In Death books, so far. I can't remember feeling so much while reading one book. Between the gripping mystery and the front row seat to Roarke and Eve's marriage, it is impossible to be bored.