#Review - Dark in Death by J.D. Robb #Thriller #Suspense

Series: In Death # 46
Format: Hardcover, 372 pages
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Thrillers / Suspense

Lieutenant Eve Dallas returns when death imitates art in the new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense

It was a stab in the dark. During a screening of Psycho in midtown Manhattan, someone sunk an ice pick into the back of Chanel Rylan’s neck, then disappeared quietly into the Times Square crowds. To Chanel’s best friend, who’d just slipped out for a moment to take a call, it felt as unreal as the ancient black-and-white movie up on the screen. But Chanel’s blood ran red, and her death was anything but fictional.

As Lt. Eve Dallas puzzles over a homicide that seems carefully planned yet oddly personal, she gets a tip from an author of police thrillers who recognizes the crime—from the pages of her own book. A recent strangulation of a sex worker resembles a scene from her writing as well. This killer may be finding inspiration in someone else’s imagination, forcing victim after victim to play an unwitting role in a criminal’s deranged private drama—and only Eve can put a stop to a creative impulse gone horribly, destructively wrong.

Dark in Death, by J.D. Robb, is the 46th installment in the author's In Death series. Set in 2061 New York City, the novel follows Lieutenant Eve Dallas as she investigates a series of murders inspired by a fictional crime novel. The story begins with a seemingly straightforward murder: a young woman, Chanel Rylan, is stabbed to death in a movie theater during a screening of Psycho. The crime scene is clean, and witnesses are scarce, but Eve Dallas and her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, quickly sense something unusual about the case. 

As Eve digs deeper, with help from Peabody and Roarke, she uncovers a connection to a novel written by a popular crime author, Blaine DeLano. The murder mirrors a scene from one of DeLano’s books with eerie precision, suggesting the killer is using the novel as a blueprint. When another murder occurs, also replicating a scene from DeLano’s series, Eve realizes she’s dealing with a methodical and obsessive serial killer who is staging crimes based on fictional killings. The investigation takes Eve into the world of fandom, where she must navigate the psyche of a murderer who blurs the line between reality and fiction. 

With the clock ticking and the body count rising, Eve collaborates with DeLano, her team, including Feeney, McNabb, Callendar, and her husband, Roarke, to anticipate the killer’s next move before another “chapter” is written in blood. The concept of a killer inspired by fiction is creepy and compelling, offering a fresh twist in a long-running series. While the mystery is engaging, some fans may find the resolution slightly predictable, especially after Eve puts herself into the story to catch a killer. 

Eve’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude shine in her interactions with suspects and her team. At the same time, her vulnerability adds depth to quieter moments, particularly in her reflections on the victims’ lives. Secondary characters, including Peabody, Dr. Charlotte Mira, Nadine Furst, and tech whiz Ian McNab, are given ample room to shine. Peabody’s growth as a detective is particularly satisfying, as she takes on more responsibility and displays her investigative instincts. Blaine DeLano, the fictional author, is a well-crafted addition, offering insight into the creative process and the unintended consequences of storytelling. While not as fleshed out as some of Robb’s past antagonists, the killer is chillingly obsessive, with motivations that feel plausible within the story’s context.

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