Forgotten in Death (In Death, #53)

by J D Robb

[Berls]

Although not as great as the previous book, I really enjoyed the simpler cases of Forgotten in Death in contrast to the large scale operation of taking down the Natural Order in the previous book.

There are two, closely related cases for Eve and her team to tackle in this book - despite the deaths being spaced close to 30 years apart. All three deaths (one case ends up involving 2 deaths instead of one) are very sad and tragic. Sometimes the victims are people you don't feel badly for... that is not the case this time. Eve has to uncover identities and as she does, the senselessness and tragedy of the losses is profound. Which means, watching her nail the bad guys was all the more sweet. There's a little bit of action in one take down, but for the most part, solid detective work brings them down easy. The interviews are sometimes my favorite part of the book - I love watching Eve and Peabody skillfully play the suspects and witnesses.

I would say this is one of the simpler books, without so many moving parts -- definitely not one that Nadene will be writing another bestseller off of. And I appreciate that balance - even if the book is little less exciting, I like that we don't have 53 books of sensational cases. Books like this one allow a balance and a chance to enjoy the gang progressing in their personal lives. I enjoyed watching Eve and Roarke in their day-to-day lives, with taking walks and enjoying dinner, plans to watch a vid. I enjoyed Peabody planning for her new home, Mira going out for drinks, etc. Since the characters make this series, it's nice to just catch up with some old friends. Side note: I'm starting to have a theory on Eve's chocolate thief. It hasn't been said or anything, but in the last couple books we've heard more about the enforced health diet the Captain has from his wife. I'm starting to suspect him, especially after seeing an even more relaxed humorous side of him in this book.

I'm so glad to be caught up and am already eagerly awaiting the next book. And, of course, I'm enjoying the narration as Susan Erikson has become the voice of all my favorite characters.