Book Review: Witness In Death

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Witness In Death     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
J. D. Robb
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Eve Dallas & husband Roarke # 10
Berkley, Mar 2000, $6.99, 368 pp.

The world of 2059 is very similar to that of late 1999 except advances in technology have risen to greater control the environment. Crime continues to plague New York City, keeping homicide detective Eve Dallas very busy. Though her caseload remains humongous, even an obsessive workaholic like Dallas needs an occasional night out on the town. When her billionaire husband Roarke suggests they go to the opening performance of a new play, she agrees. Both of them enjoy the play, but Eve quickly realizes that the death scene was real and not a performance. She closes off the crime scene.

The victim is veteran stage actor Richard Draco, who most people felt was a despicable person. Anyone who came into contact with Richard had a motive for killing him because he was that odious and nasty of a person. Eve is determined to find the individual who crossed the line form loathing to murder. Before she can apprehend the killer, someone else identifies the culprit. A blackmail attempt leads to a second killing. Eve gets closer to uncovering the identity of the murderer, unaware how her personal demons will be rattled by the investigation.

WITNESS IN DEATH, the tenth installment in this exciting futuristic mystery series, retains vigorousness not often seen by long running series. J.D. Robb provides an interesting mystery set in a New York City sixty years from now that feels plausible. The lead characters seem to have grown, which helps keep a freshness that keeps readers wanting more such tales. The love between the married couple as always is fun to observe, but this time around Eve’s investigation is clearly the center of the plot that will please romance and mystery readers alike.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner