Glory in Death (In Death)

I liked Eve more than in the first book, and I really liked the twists in the investigation.

Despite being an entirely different writing style, it does remind me a little of the early instalments of the Lincoln Rhyme series. In both series the perpetrator is often unapparent or so entirely dismissed that you'll just forget this could be the one.

I like also, how the relationship with Roarke progresses, although I find it a bit fast going and totally understand why Eve values her independence to this extent.

I'm struggling to understand why this is such a popular series. The writing is flat, Eve is quite unlikeable and the plot is lacking in pace, only picking up in the last few chapters. I ended up skimming several chapters just to speed things up. Another thing that annoyed me was the reference to the jugular on several occasions when the descriptions were clearly about an artery. I know this was written in the days before everyone watched medical and forensic dramas, but inaccuracies put me off books. I doubt I'll be reading any more of the series.

Glory in Death is the second of the long-running "In Death" series, and it's early enough still that it doesn't quite have its feet under it yet. The relationship between principal characters Eve and Roarke, which for my money is way more interesting once their marriage is established, is only just getting to the point of marriage here; moreover, another long-running critical character, Peabody, is barely introduced as of this installment. (I'd totally forgotten, upon re-reading, that she didn't show up until Book 2. And I freely admit I cheered when I got to her first appearance!) You can tell, too, that Peabody still isn't entirely fleshed out as a character as of this story; mostly, her function in this plot is to be noteworthy because of her unusual observation skills, her ambition to get into Homicide, and the fact that she gets quite, quite drunk at Eve's engagement party.

I'd also forgotten how early the critical character of Nadine is introduced in the setting, as well. Nadine's right in the forefront with the string of murders this time around, especially when one takes place right outside her own station--and Eve can't help but notice how a rival of Nadine's is surprisingly quick on the scene as each successive murder occurs.

I've said before that the "In Death" books are formulaic, but certainly at this early point in the series, the formula is still quite fresh. If you're re-reading them like me, it's nice to go back and see the characters coming into play. If you're a new reader, this second book in the series is still early enough and gritty enough to give a greater sense of presence and reality for this futuristic version of New York than what comes later. And it's certainly an enjoyable way to spend one's reading time. Four stars.