Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb

For Lieutenant Eve Dallas murder is murder no matter how long the bodies having been hidden.

Narrator Susan Ericksen does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life in this drama. With a variety of dialect and intonation, she gives each character their own distinct voice. She is able to capture the accents of multiple personalities and switch genders with ease. Ericksen’s vocalization enhances the dimensions of the author’s story.

When Eve’s husband, the wealthy and handsome Roarke, begins to demolish a decrepit building he just bought, skeletal remains are found. Eve is called in to investigate and when the search is finished, 12 bodies wrapped in plastic have been found.

Eve learns the building had once been a makeshift shelter for troubled and homeless teenagers called The Sanctuary. Her victims are all young female teenagers. As she begins to investigate, names and faces are given to each body. Eve soon learns of a connection between several of the victims and a close friend. More determined than ever, Eve searches for a killer that preyed on troubled young girls.

This installment in the Eve Dallas series by author J.D. Robb seemed a bit different. Mainly I think it has to do with the urgency to find the killer. Eve is determined to find the murderer, but there is no suspense as to who his next victim will be. This is a cold case, so to speak, not a current killer threatening the city.

With this different focus, the author re-enforces Eve’s dedication to her job and the victims she stands for. In addition, the background of most of the victims reminds Eve of her own childhood making her more appreciative of how her life has turned out.

The interaction between Eve and Detective Peabody always adds humor to the situation. The relationship Eve and Roarke share continues to grow, as well as how she deals with other friends. Robb continues to evolve her characters sharing new tidbits about them with each new installment.

While CONCEALED IN DEATH can be read or listened to as a stand-alone, the full strength of the characters is better understood if the series is followed from the beginning. Through rich details and descriptions, Robb places the reader/listener in a plausible future. With this 38th installment, she hasn’t lost her touch for an intense drama.

The story moves at a steady pace with a few twists and turns along the way. Readers/listeners will quickly be pulled in and held captive until the final missing piece of the case is resolved.

Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb, Eve Dallas Series #38, Performed by Susan Ericksen, Brilliance Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1480511545, Unabridged, 12 Discs, Listening Time: 14 Hours and 8 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Thanks for dropping by today, I do appreciate it. Have you read or listened to this series? If you begin a series with the last installment and enjoy it, do you find you have to read the rest of the series or can you just go forward with it?