The paperwork after the events in Shadows in Death is incredible and never ending in Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb. It is the spring of 2061 and Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD came in early to work the numbers. Minutes after she has finished and submitted the reams of paperwork accounting for everything, she is contacted by dispatch regarding a possible homicide.

When her and her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, arrive on scene, it does not take long for the pair to determine that there it is most definitely a homicide.

Ariel Byrd, an artist who sculpted, is very much dead. The back of her head is caved in. Probably by way of the mallet of some sort, on the floor next to her, with visible blood and gray matter on it. She died in her studio in the West Village.

What is weird is that the 911 call reporting the scene came from a home in the Upper East Side. Gwendolyne Huffman, known to many as Felicity, called it in. She has an explanation for how and why she knew that Bryd was dead. But, is her story believable?

What follows is a complicated case that uncovers a horrific situation regarding a cult, sex trafficking, and a lot more. While the year is 2061, a lot of what is going on in this read published a few years ago very much resonates in the here and now of 2024.

While the usual caveats apply regarding the character head hopping, that soon falls away as the police procedural read grabs and does not let go. Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb is another entertaining and good read.

My Large Print hardback came from the Vickery Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2024 ( )

I loved this book, very engaging and charming, lots of little stories from Eve's friends, I was very happy to see Mavis again. In such a long series some books must be worse than the others, but this one was really good. Five stars. ( )

Eve & team investigate a murder that leads to an "organization" that thrives on bigotry, human trafficking, kidnapping, & wealth. The investigation leads to international crimes and the biggest bust of her career. Coordinating multi state & countries it takes everything to have a successful bust and put everyone in cages. Flashbacks to Eve's childhood spur her on. Trina, Peabody, & their men celebrate some new beginnings & Roarke is his usual anchor. The book holds a lot of shades of truth and could be ripped from today's headlines. ( )

Eh.

Faithless in Death
4.5 Stars

A seemingly straightforward investigation into the death of a young artist takes a life-altering turn when the victim's connection to a fanatical religious cult becomes apparent.

As with any long series (and Robb's is certainly one of the longest), it is not surprising that In Death has had its ups and downs. Nevertheless, the last few installments have returned to the original plot-focused storytelling that appealed so much to me at the outset.

In this book, the case is front and center as Eve and her team confront one of their most horrific investigations yet (and that is saying a lot considering the Icove and Red Horse storylines). The emphasis is on the police procedural elements and the truly evil villains whose crimes are amongst the most awful that one human can inflict on another.

Yes, there is less character development and little romance, but after 52 books, these can no longer be considered a priority for me.

Overall, an excellent addition to the series. My one caveat is that there are some secondary characters who deserve their own HEAs and it would be great if Nora wrote a romance for them.
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Eve's next case starts out simple. What looks like a lover's quarrel leaving a young female sculptor dead in her studio quickly becomes a much deeper and darker case. First of all, why did Gwen Huffman wait more than an hour before calling in the discovery of the crime? And why did she call her lawyer-fiancé before she called the cops?

Gwen's lies and inconsistencies quickly alert Eve and Peabody to the idea that something is being hidden but neither could have imagined the scope of her secrets. As they investigate Gwen and her background and contacts, they discover that she is part of a cult called Natural Order. It hates anyone who isn't straight, anyone who is mixed-race, and women generally.

Founded by Stanton Wilkey who Roarke describes as "a charismatic lunatic", it has been growing in great secrecy for years. Eve's friend reporter Nadine Furst tried to investigate it when she was a young reporter with no success. All attempts to get the details, including the FBI's attempt to get an agent undercover, have been unsuccessful. But when Eve goes to interview Wilkey, she is surreptitiously passed a note which indicates things are even worse than everyone feared; a young woman is being held captive after being abducted and having her identity erased.

As Eve investigates possible killers of the young sculptor, she also discovers the members of the cult are imprisoning women and forcing them into marriages and motherhood. This triggers all sorts of reminders of her own childhood and deepens Eve's determination to destroy this cult and its members. Luckily, her contacts in the FBI and Interpol are also determined to do the same thing.

While this story deals with a deep and dark crime, there are still happy notes. Mavis and Leonardo have bought a house with the intent to grow their family. The house also has a sort of guesthouse/mother-in-law suite that they intend to rent to Peabody and McNab. Roarke found the house, which is a real fixer-upper, and is helping with the rehab. There are also the usual problems with idioms this time including "lo and behold," "a flash in the pan," and "irons in the fire" that added some humor to a story with lots of darkness.

Fans of the In Death series will enjoy this latest episode and be glad to spend time again with Eve, Roarke, and the family they have built around themselves. ( )

A book discussion group introduced me to this series. I agree with another reviewer that these books at this point are like visiting with friends. At the same time, though, I don't agree with the actions of some of the characters.

Possible triggers for some readers:
*Division of races
*Homosexuality/Realignment
*Strict religion portrayed as a cult
*Torture
*Enforced breeding programs/Slavery ( )

When the murder of an artist becomes more than a crime of passion once Eve and Peabody are on the case. Little things don’t add up from the beginning and the trail leads them to a cult and human trafficking. Once again the case is wrapped up with a big interagency task force and several happy endings.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
( )

I will forever and ever be a sucker for these books. It's interesting to see, in such a long running series, how the "power creep" happens, especially when none of the characters are sf/f or have "special" powers. Robb still has to deal with the gigantic cast she has built up, but I feel like she does it very well, and because I listen to the audiobook, the voices are very distinct and memorable. Another great entry in this series. ( )

When a young artist is killed, and it is reported by a socialite after leaving the scene and going home to call her lawyer/fiance before contacting police more than an hour after the crime was committed, Dallas and Peabody suspect that more is going on than just shock from a murder. The trail of clues leads them to something much bigger that will take all of the resources of both the police department and the FBI to figure out.

While Faithless in Death starts a bit slow with what appears to be a simple murder case, layers upon layers of evidence begin to pile up and that is when the book starts to move into overdrive. Although this story doesn't have the personal connection that some of the other cases in this series have, it still builds suspense that leads to a very timely and satisfying case, making the book very difficult to put down right up to the very end. Almost every character from previous books is involved in solving the mystery builds the need to rush to get to the end and find out what is going to happen. Overall, Faithless in Death is another very worthwhile addition to the In Death Series. ( )

One of the large scale take downs (that Nadine will be writing about as her next book). Nothing spectacular about the case. Fun extra is Leonardo and Mavis buying a house. ( )

In J.D. ROBB'S FIFTY SECOND EVE DALLAS NOVEL FAITHLESS IN DEATH, Eve and her team go after what they first think of as just a run of the mill murder . As the case evolves they encounter a wack job of a faith leader , a fanatic, a evil man and his family.

To put it pretty simply: WOW! Just when you think the IN DEATH series is done,along comes FAITHLESS IN DEATH and J.D Robb shocks the daylights out of readers or in my case listeners! FAITHLESS went from ho hum just another murder to WOW!
Robb takes and builds the suspense up and just when you think the whole thing is done,Robb slaps you awake and you get the wacko religious leader and his chamber of horrors!
Susan Erickson,once again narrates . I found her a characterization a little off in this one, especially with Peabody. Other than that she still , for this listener , the only one who can do the IN DEATH series well. ( )

52 books into a series, you either like it or you are reading for something specific. Whichever it is, this one delivers. The last few installments, while not bad series books, had been somewhat weaker on their own. This one probably can even stand on its own - if you filter some of the secondary characters (or maybe even with them - we do get a reminder of Mavis's story).

The novel starts as usual - someone is dead and Eve needs to find justice for them. Before long, it starts looking like a cult is somehow related to the death - and to some other weird happenings in the city. Before long everyone is involved - the police department, the media (in Nadine's shoes), Roarke (because he is there). People keep dying - which never sits well with our heroine. And what sits even worse with her is abuse - which she finds plenty of in the case.

For a bit I was worried that Robb will get back into the "Eve sees something that reminds her of her past and has terrible nightmares" mode. While for a few books it made sense, Eve had grown out of it and healed some of those old scars - and thankfully Robb acknowledged that and decided not to go there.

Overall, another good addition to the series, stronger than the last few. ( )

As always, I love these books ( )

Just read this. It's #52 for a reason. ( )

The last few installments were weak on the mystery aspect, but I feel like this one stepped up tge game again. What seems like a lover's quarrel gone bad explodes into a huge conspiracy involving an international and well-funded cult. Given the international aspect, and big money, it made a wee bit more sense for Roarke to be involved but also for the FBI.

The story also had a lot of development on tge rekationship front, particularly with Peabody. I wouldn't mind reading a spin off from her POV.

Overall, this was an entertaining albeit quick read. ( )

In a West Village studio, a young sculptor named Ariel Byrd lies dead, apparently the victim of a crime of passion. But the details supplied by the woman who called 9-1-1 to report the murder . . . anonymously . . . simply don’t add up for New York Police and Security Department homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas. The woman’s wealthy parents are important in the community; her lawyer-fiancé is by her side. So why does Gwen Huffman need to lie?

As Eve and her team investigate, they soon discover a far-reaching conspiracy that pits them against a sinister, fanatical group. Can Eve find her way through the lies to give the murdered woman justice?

“Faithless in Death,” the fifty-second book in the series, works well as a stand-alone for readers new to the series. Unexpected plot twists and turns keep the suspense ramped up as the intricately plotted narrative shines a spotlight on Eve’s team and their investigative work as they seek to identify the murderer. Anchored by a strong sense of place in the near future New York City of 2061, all the expected characters are in place; for readers of the series, it’s like meeting up with old and dear friends once again.

As with earlier stories, the relationships between the characters are at the heart of the story; here, the compelling story, ultimately focused on the cult-like Natural Order, gives readers a chilling glimpse into the world of evil, entitlement, and egomania. Whether readers are new to the series or are staunch fans of the books, this one should be on everyone’s must-read list.

Highly recommended. ( )

52 of these wonderful books with these bigger than life, adorable characters and J.D. Robb still manages to come up with fresh and believable plots. Every one of these books will hold the readers interests from the first page to the last and always bring new as well as seasoned readers back again and again for more. I don’t want to give anything away here but I couldn’t help but notice that when this book was being written in 2020 Ms. Robb used many of the “isms” that we are facing in our society at this same time…the cops of that future time (late 2050,- early 2060) dismissed as being incapable of happening…racism, sexism and homophobia to name but a few. There is a little less of the “home life” that have always made these books....”homey’…but we see the murder worked…the bad guys sent “off planet”…and Eve and that “Hunky Irishman” are still in love. What more could you ask for? ( )

In Death 52

Very good entry in in the IN Death series. As always, the story moves right along. There's just enough of the old characters but not so much it interferes with the current story. The mystery unfolds as evidence is discovered and people are interviewed but not by the "villain" explaining all in the last few pages. The latter technique which some authors use annoys me but Roberts doesn't do it so YEA. ( )

Another improbable but somehow believable plot, another few days with the familiar and lovable characters of the In Death series, another fine book, another winner. It's great; read it. ( )

When a local artist is clearly murdered, Dallas and company are called in to solve the crime. As suspects are interviewed, it becomes apparent that a white supremacist organization, Natural Order is at the heart of the crime. But who committed the crime? What of others that have gone missing? In general, I find JD Robb's Eve Dallas novels satisfying and quick to read. ( )

Eve's next case starts out simple. What looks like a lover's quarrel leaving a young female sculptor dead in her studio quickly becomes a much deeper and darker case. First of all, why did Gwen Huffman wait more than an hour before calling in the discovery of the crime? And why did she call her lawyer-fiancé before she called the cops?

Gwen's lies and inconsistencies quickly alert Eve and Peabody to the idea that something is being hidden but neither could have imagined the scope of her secrets. As they investigate Gwen and her background and contacts, they discover that she is part of a cult called Natural Order. It hates anyone who isn't straight, anyone who is mixed-race, and women generally.

Founded by Stanton Wilkey who Roarke describes as "a charismatic lunatic", it has been growing in great secrecy for years. Eve's friend reporter Nadine Furst tried to investigate it when she was a young reporter with no success. All attempts to get the details, including the FBI's attempt to get an agent undercover, have been unsuccessful. But when Eve goes to interview Wilkey, she is surreptitiously passed a note which indicates things are even worse than everyone feared; a young woman is being held captive after being abducted and having her identity erased.

As Eve investigates possible killers of the young sculptor, she also discovers the members of the cult are imprisoning women and forcing them into marriages and motherhood. This triggers all sorts of reminders of her own childhood and deepens Eve's determination to destroy this cult and its members. Luckily, her contacts in the FBI and Interpol are also determined to do the same thing.

While this story deals with a deep and dark crime, there are still happy notes. Mavis and Leonardo have bought a house with the intent to grow their family. The house also has a sort of guesthouse/mother-in-law suite that they intend to rent to Peabody and McNab. Roarke found the house, which is a real fixer-upper, and is helping with the rehab. There are also the usual problems with idioms this time including "lo and behold," "a flash in the pan," and "irons in the fire" that added some humor to a story with lots of darkness.

Fans of the In Death series will enjoy this latest episode and be glad to spend time again with Eve, Roarke, and the family they have built around themselves. ( )

One of the many things I look forward to at the beginning of each year are the new releases in the In Death series as well as other books by favorite authors. Faithless In Death picks up with Eve doing paperwork after the Cobbe event Shadows in Death and, of course, there's a new murder. Her witness is a liar and also has ties to one of the patrol officers in Eve's division. Eve and Delia quickly discern that their witness is not only a liar but someone that tries to manipulate others to get her way and the sole reason why is for monetary gain. Her parents will stipulate she must marry a Caucasian male and have a child in order to inherit her trust fund before age 35 or she's cut off completely. The only problem with that stipulation is that she's a lesbian and her fiance is completely clueless.

One would hope that by 2061, such petty things as racial prejudice, prejudice against sexual orientation, and notions of racial superiority would have died out. But in this fictional world (and something tells me in the real world as well), these prejudices are alive and well. It begins with the murder of a multiracial, lesbian artist and the alibi by the witness leads Eve Dallas and her trusty sidekick, Delia Peabody, along with Eve's uber-wealthy husband, Roarke, into the shadowy world of what can only be called an alt-right, ultra-conservative, white supremacists religious organization called the Natural Order. The group graciously allows people of inferior birth, i.e., lower races to join, but keeps them segregated and forces them to wear color-coded clothing to ensure they remain separated. Women are considered inferior to men and good for only one thing, childbearing, and are forced to do so, if necessary. One murder uncovers a plethora of evil by this group and Eve, the New York Police and Safety Department, the FBI, Interpol, and Homeland Security and are all working diligently to shut it down as quickly as possible so that none of the leaders are able to get away without being duly charged for their crimes.

As with most of the In Death stories, there's a lot of action going on in this story. I was happy to see a brief appearance of Mavis, Leonardo, and Bella (y'all, they bought a house!). Nadine reappears in this story although not as prominently as in the past, as does Dr. Mira. However, Feeney, McNab, are all duly noted throughout the story. As previously mentioned, Faithless In Death features a lot of action, namely murder, spousal abuse, child abuse (although not directly seen), rape is mentioned as is drug abuse and suicide, embezzlement, forced sexual re-orientation therapy, forced marriage, trafficking, cults, and more. There were definitely some dark elements to this story, but not as dark as some of the previous stories. I felt that Ms. Robb presented the story in a respectful manner yet stayed true to the themes being presented, and that is often difficult to do when dealing with stories of abuse. This story was much more about the case than it was about the people doing the investigation and perhaps that's because we've become so invested in these characters, they feel like family after 50+ books. I enjoyed reading Faithless In Death and recommend it to anyone that's read and enjoyed this series. I can't wait to see what happens next for Eve Dallas, Roarke, Delia Peabody, Ian McNab, etc.

Happy Reading, y'all!

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review originally posted on 01/28/2021 at https://thebookdivasreads.com/2021/01/28/2021-book-37-faithless-in-death-by-j-d-... ( )

This book is yet another edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful, engrossing, can’t-put-it-down offering by the inimitable J.D. Robb. I can never get enough of this series and if she produced one a week, I’d read it. The first book of the series was set in 2058 and after 52 books, we are only up to the spring of 2061. I’m definitely NOT complaining about the amount of time passing – New York Homicide cops get lots of cases. What amazes me is the imagination the author has and her thorough descriptions of life in that time and the gadgets – OMGoodness, the gadgets are wonderful! I sometimes have to wonder if Robb doesn’t have a bit of the ‘fey’ within her because – well – in the books she talks about the Urban Wars of the 20’s – and just look where we are today in the real-world 20’s. Since the series began in 1995, she couldn’t have known what the real 2020’s would be like. I hope she wasn’t right about all of it – but I do hope she was right about the gadgets – I’d love to have an AutoChef and a car that can go vertical.

This case comes just on the heels of the last case, Shadows In Death. Eve has gone in early to finish up all of the paperwork for that case when she gets the call from dispatch. A body has been found in the West Village. It is a lovely young woman, Ariel Byrd, who is an up-and-coming sculptor. Her head has been bashed in with one of her own tools. The body was only discovered because a 9-1-1 caller reported the dead body. That caller, Gwen Huffman, didn’t report it right away because she panicked and ran away from the scene. Or, did she panic?

Eve and Peabody are off on an investigation that is going to lead to some totally unexpected places and people. Such a ‘normal’, almost insignificant, crime leads to a vile cult named the Natural Order, missing FBI agents, and involvement by the FBI, Interpol, and Homeland Security. OMGoodness – you are in for a roller-coaster of an investigation in this one.

It takes Eve’s entire team, along with Roarke (we can never get enough of him), Feeney and McNab with the rest of the EDD team, not to mention Nadine Furst and ADA Reo to find the real villains and see that they are brought down and punished. I also loved that Police Artist Yancy was more involved in this case. He’s always been a favorite character but doesn’t usually get much page time.

I absolutely loved this read and can highly recommend it. I was left with a bit of a puzzler though. All of those Eve was focusing on finding we definitively solved – whether dead, injured, etc. except one. There was a mention that they thought he was probably dead, but since they wrapped up everyone else, I would have liked to learn, for sure, the fate of Keene Grimsley.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )