I’m not big on reading police procedurals; I much prefer watching them. I’m not big on reading romance novels; I much prefer reading romance in a non-romance. So the question on my–and I’m sure everybody else’s mind–is “What the heck are you doing with a police procedural romance novel?!”
NAKED IN DEATH
by J.D. Robb (a.k.a. Nora Roberts)
Berkley, July 1995
Romance mystery
Rated: 
/ 5 cookies
In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line–between seductive passion and scandalous murder… Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she’s seen it all–and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she’s going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire–and a suspect in Eve’s murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it’s up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about–except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.
Gifly Thoughts
LMAO. On second thought, don’t read the blurb. I sure didn’t before I read the book. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have been able to take myself–and the novel–seriously.
Why did I pick this book up?
Million dollar question, quarter-dollar answer: Because one of my silly friends–who I’ve squeed to recently about my newfound love for the Mercy Thompson books–mentioned it, which piqued my interest. Because it’s Nora Friggin’ Roberts and I just had to see why she’s super-popular in the romance circles. Because I’m a grown-ass woman and I can read whatever the hell I want, including smutty literature.
To accompany my reviewing of this story, I’m going to go gif-crazy with one of my favorite females in Bioware’s Dragon Age Inquisition: the badass lady knight, Cassandra Friggin Pentaghast.
It’s 2058 in New York City and guns are illegal, but people are still killing each other anyway. In comes Eve Dallas, NYSPD (or was it NYPSD?), a veteran policewoman with a chip on her shoulder, a laser in her holster, and a case that deals with legal prostitutes. Yes, you got that right. Prostitution in this futuristic world is legal, people.
The murder of a politician’s granddaughter sends Eve on a high profile hunt for the culprit, which, coincidentally enough, puts her in the crossfires of one Roarke, a man who clearly owns a good fraction of the solar system. He also happens to be the prime suspect of the prostitute murders, so talk about a conundrum when Eve finds herself sexually attracted to him. Not that I blame her. Everyone and their mothers seem to be having joyasmic fantasies thinking about this guy. He’s hot, he’s got the ‘Rish brogue, he owns the world, he’s a super-nerd, he’s charming, he’s got a huge vintage–and apparently legal–gun collection (haha, guns are vintage!), he gives Eve coffee.
Like, legit coffee. Honestly, that last point won me over. To Eve, it’s pretty much the equivalent of flowers and poetry by candlelight. I can tell you now she was certainly swept off her feet. Real coffee is clearly really hard to come by in the not-so-distant future (WHY, FUTURE, WHY?!).
And then things escalated quickly. Way quickly. Like whoah there, tigers, WHAT IS HAPPENING. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A MURDER INVESTIGATION HERE! What happened to foreplay and sexual tension and dragging this shit out? What happened to COURTSHIP?! I was expecting a grand blow-out by like, the third or fourth novel in the series, not the first damn one (and there are 30-something books in this In Death series!).
Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I quite enjoyed what I read. I wouldn’t say the smutty scenes were super “refreshing” (snort, then I remember one of them happens in a shower, so I walked into that) or that Roarke is my new favorite romantic interest (he’s certainly irresistible, I’ll give him that). I do like Eve, and I’m certainly hoping the romance doesn’t “fizzle out” in the sequels to come. She and Roarke are, admittedly, interesting together.
And yes, I do have the second book on hold from the library.
5 out of 5 cookies! Now…I need to find something less intense, romantically speaking.
Story and Somnomancy 
HAHAHAAAA got’cha. *prances the happy, dancey prance* Besides which it is a very very good story. A mystery (which I didn’t guess who for ages)! You forgot to mention that. ps I love the gifs.
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Oh. THERE WAS A MYSTERY TO THE MYSTERY?! LMAO. TBH, I kind of guessed the perp halfway into the story. When Eve suggested two murderers, it was even easier to explain my suspicions, lol. But again, I watch way too many police procedurals, so my mind probably works in morbid ways at this point.
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FIVE COOKIES? *swoons*
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Yes. Five. For very specific reasons. >____>
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The reasons being … you could properly use 5 gifs?
(As for your comment above “so my mind probably works in morbid ways at this point” I will just add in here: … )
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Of course *g*
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I’ve been meaning to read this book, even though I have the same qualms about police procedurals and romance that you do, his is one of my mom’s favorite series. According to her their relationship stays good. I’m glad to hear that you liked it!
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Haha, having read the book, I can totally see the appeal and why Nora Roberts is the Queen of Romance. I’m not in a hurry to find another series quite like the In Death series, but I will definitely continue this for as long as I’m still interested.
Although it did help that I was previously reading romance-driven fanfiction. Now…transitioning between Naked in Death to my regular fare of fantasy is interesting, ’cause now I’m shipping relationships I shouldn’t be shipping (like the Darkling and Alina in Shadow and Bone…and I’m already past the point where the big “SO-AND-SO IS REALLY A VILLAIN”-reveal took place).
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Haha You’re not the only one to ship Alina and the Darling. 😉
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