Format: Hardcover, 371 pages
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Mystery / Suspense
When the young woman—dazed, naked, and bloody—wanders in front of their car, Roarke slams on the brakes just in time, and Eve—still in glittering gown and heels—springs into action. It’s been a long night for the tired homicide cop, and it’s far from over.
Daphne Strazza is rushed to the ER, but it’s too late for her husband Dr. Anthony Strazza. A brilliant orthopedic surgeon, he now lies dead amid the wreckage of his obsessively organized town house, his three safes opened and emptied. Daphne would be a valuable witness, but in her terror and shock the only description of the perp she can offer is repeatedly calling him “the devil”...
While it emerges that Dr. Strazza was cold, controlling, and widely disliked, this is one case where the evidence doesn’t point to the spouse. So Eve and her team must get started on the legwork, interviewing everyone from dinner-party guests to professional colleagues to caterers, in a desperate race to answer some crucial questions:
What does the devil look like? And where will he show up next?
Daphne Strazza is rushed to the ER, but it’s too late for her husband Dr. Anthony Strazza. A brilliant orthopedic surgeon, he now lies dead amid the wreckage of his obsessively organized town house, his three safes opened and emptied. Daphne would be a valuable witness, but in her terror and shock the only description of the perp she can offer is repeatedly calling him “the devil”...
While it emerges that Dr. Strazza was cold, controlling, and widely disliked, this is one case where the evidence doesn’t point to the spouse. So Eve and her team must get started on the legwork, interviewing everyone from dinner-party guests to professional colleagues to caterers, in a desperate race to answer some crucial questions:
What does the devil look like? And where will he show up next?
Echoes in Death, by J.D. Robb, is the 44th installment in the author's In Death series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the New York Police and Security Department (NYPSD). The story takes place in the year 2061, and entirely within futuristic New York City. Echoes in Death opens with a harrowing scene: Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, are driving home from a social event, shortly after returning from a much-needed vacation, when they encounter a naked, injured woman staggering through a snowy February night.
The woman, Daphne Strazza, is the victim of a brutal assault, and her husband, prominent surgeon Anthony Strazza, is found dead in their home. What initially appears to be a home invasion gone wrong soon reveals darker layers as Eve uncovers similarities to other crimes. The case spirals into a hunt for a calculating predator whose attacks are both meticulously planned and deeply personal. Eve and her team piece together forensic evidence, witness statements, and psychological profiles to track the killer.
The investigation is intense, and the mystery is engaging, with enough red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing, though some longtime fans might find the perpetrator’s motivations familiar from earlier books in the series. Eve remains a fiercely dedicated cop haunted by her traumatic past. In this book, the case resonates with her own history of abuse, adding emotional weight to her relentless pursuit of justice. Her growth as a character—learning to lean on others while maintaining her tough exterior—is subtle but rewarding.
Eve’s billionaire husband, a former criminal turned legitimate businessman, continues to be a fan favorite. His role in Echoes in Death is significant, as he provides both technological expertise and emotional support. His interactions with Eve, from playful banter to profound tenderness, are highlights of the novel. Familiar characters like Detective Delia Peabody, Eve’s loyal partner, and Captain Ryan Feeney, her mentor, bring warmth and humor to the story.
Dr. Charlotte Mira, the NYPSD’s psychiatrist and Eve's best friend, plays a key role in profiling the killer, while tech genius Ian McNab adds his quirks to the mix. New characters, including victims and suspects, are well-developed, though some feel archetypal within the series’ framework. It has been a long time since I last read this series. Eve hasn't really changed all that much. She still marvels at things like the movie The Avengers, and gets excited over pizza and chocolate. Her relationship with Roarke is solid; he knows when to slow Eve down when it gets too much.
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