Happy New Year … Going Back in Time

As 2014 comes to a close today, I just want to wish each and every one of you a safe, joyous and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have enjoyed spending this past year with you. Despite its ups and downs, tears and sorrows, there were many happy times too. Knowing all of you has made my life fuller and more entertaining. While I haven’t been a good blog buddy lately, I hope y’all know how very special you are to me. I am most grateful for your friendship and your support of Thoughts in Progress. 

As we close out the year, I thought it was a good time to talk about going back to beginnings. With that in mind I have three audio books I want to tell you about.
If you visit here from time to time, then you know I’m a huge fan of the In Death (Eve Dallas) series by author J.D. Robb. I especially enjoy the audio format with Susan Ericksen as narrator. However, I began listening to the series somewhere around two-thirds of the way in. Since each book can stand on its own, I wasn’t really lost starting so far into the series. But I have often wondered about the case that brought Lt. Eve Dallas and Roarke together.

Well, thanks to the delightful Kailyn and the great folks at Brilliance Audio, I had the opportunity to listen to the very first three installments of the series. It’s fun listening to the beginning of a series even if you’ve just recently listened to the 39th book in the set.

Here are my thoughts on the first three books in order.

NAKED IN DEATH

When the granddaughter of a politician is found murdered, Lt. Eve Dallas is determined to find her killer. The high ranking senator doesn’t want his granddaughter’s murder linked to a second and third murder even though all three of the young ladies were licensed paid companions.

As Eve sorts through the list of suspects, she continues to encounter the wealthy Irish businessman, Roarke. Eve finds herself drawn to the Irishman as she closes in on a killer and a tangled web of betrayal and greed.

Narrator Susan Ericksen does a wonderful job giving individual voices to the characters. Her mannerisms and accents will have you believing there’s more than one narrator. Her vocalizations enhances the story. 

Author J.D. Robb creates electrifying characters in Eve and Roarke. The secondary characters add depth to the story. Readers/listeners learn how Eve and Roarke met, as well as Eve’s first encounter with Charles Monroe.

The futuristic setting in NAKED IN DEATH will draw you in as Robb crafts the first installment in an intriguing series.

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb, In Death Book #1, Narrated by Susan Ericksen, Brilliance Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-1469265421, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Run Time: 9 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of 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. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GLORY IN DEATH

The murder of two highly successful women has Lt. Eve Dallas ready to set a trap with herself as bait.

Susan Ericksen does a superb job as narrator giving distinct voices to all the characters. Her vocals of the emotions throughout the story adds depth.

Investigating the lives of the successful and glamorous women, Eve once again has to include Roarke in the list of suspects. While she has no doubt of his innocence, she must follow the rules. When the killer goes after the wrong bait, Eve has to use every resource she can to catch the killer and save a friend.

In this second installment in the series, author J.D. Robb expands Eve’s development with a friendship between her and Nadine First, a television reporter. In addition, Officer Delia Peabody is briefly introduced and Eve’s relationship with Roarke advances.

The setting, the characters and the conversational dialogue in GLORY IN DEATH makes for an intriguing story.

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb, In Death Book #2, Narrated by Susan Ericksen, Brilliance Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-1455897810, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Run Time: 9 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of 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. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

IMMORTAL IN DEATH

As Eve prepares to marry Roarke, her best friend Mavis Freestone introduces her to an up and coming fashion designer, Leonardo, to make her wedding gown. During the first meeting, Leonardo’s ex-girlfriend storms in attacking Eve and then Mavis before threatening to destroy Leonardo’s career. A short time later the ex is found murdered and Mavis is the prime suspect with no memory of what happened.

Susan Ericksen does an excellent job narrating as she brings the characters to life. Her vocals and mannerisms enhances the story bringing out the highs and lows of the characters’ emotions.

Eve is determined to clear her friend’s name even if she has to tread through the glitz and glamour world of high fashion.

Readers/listeners learn more about Officer Delia Peabody as she returns to assist Eve with the case and becomes her aide. In addition, the character of Trina plays a role in understanding the glitz and glamour, as well as Eve’s wedding.

Author J.D. Robb’s continues to evolve the characters and pull you in with amazing twists and turns in IMMORTAL IN DEATH.

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb, In Death Book #3, Narrated by Susan Ericksen, Brilliance Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-1455897889, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Run Time: 10 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of 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. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

It was fun learning how the characters I enjoy came to be together. The author continues to evolve and develop these characters, while still retaining the spark and drive that made them so special to begin with. I eagerly look forward to not only new installments in the series, but also learning more about the stories I’ve missed. It is fun to start over again.

Thanks so much for spending some time here today. Saying goodbye to 2014, I hope to see y’all in 2015. Have you ever gone back and read the first installments in a series that you’d missed?

To those who are under the weather or have family (two-legged and/or four-legged) that are sick, my greatest wish is that good health is restored. Wishing each of you a joyous, safe, healthy, prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends!!!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Festive in Death … The Marco Effect

FESTIVE IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

There’s something oddly comforting in listening to one of author J.D. Robb’s In Death novels read by Susan Ericksen.

It’s a combination of the narrator’s mesmerizing voice and the author’s fascinating characters and riveting storyline. The audio format of the 39th installment in the series, FESTIVE IN DEATH, is a fine example of these two pairings.

Ericksen does an excellent job bringing the characters to life. Her variations in the accents and vocals makes it appear there are more than one narrator. Ericksen’s mannerisms and tones, especially when portraying Roarke, adds depth to the characters and enhances the rich storyline.

FESTIVE IN DEATH finds Eve and her partner, Det. Peabody, investigating the murder of a personal trainer just days before Christmas. They soon discover the list of suspects is quite long as the victim was a jerk. They learn the victim apparently used people, was a blackmailer and had used illegals to drug women into sleeping with him. As they work to narrow down the list of suspects, they also encounter a series of other issues such as spouses cheating and embezzling.

Meanwhile, Eve also has to deal with her own major problems – Christmas shopping and hosting a huge Christmas party with her wealthy husband, Roarke.

The author once again blends homicide, humor, and a touch of steamy romance for a well-balanced story. The characters are likeable and well-developed. The story flows at a good pace with action and suspense.

This latest installment in the Eve Dallas/In Death series can be read/listened to on its own. However, fans of the series will enjoy how the characters continue to evolve with each new adventure.

Robb and Ericksen manage to pull off a Merry Christmas theme as New York’s finest track down a cold blooded killer.

Festive in Death by J.D. Robb, In Death Book #39, Narrated by Susan Ericksen, Brilliance Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1480511651, 11 Discs, Run Time: 13 Hours and 17 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

THE MARCO EFFECT by Jussi Adler-Olsen

I found the latest Department Q installment by author Jussi Adler-Olsen to be a bit different than his previous books. It wasn’t a bad difference, just different.

I think it was different because THE MARCO EFFECT seems to deal more with the actual case (which was both a cold case and current case) than in the way Detective Carl Mørck deals with it.

Narrator Graeme Malcolm brings the characters to life with his distinct vocals for each. His vocals are excellent for the various accents, ages and genders throughout the story.

This story revolves around a young boy, 15-year-old Marco Jameson, who has been taught all his life to be a pick pocket and thief. Rebelling against the cruel treatment of his uncle Zola, the leader of the gypsy clan, Marco flees. Hiding from the other clan members, Marco winds up in a shallow grave with a man’s body and overhears his uncle and father talking about the man’s murder.

Constantly on the run from the clan, Marco tries to better him and wants to help the dead man’s stepdaughter when he discovers a missing person’s flyer. Fearing the law, Marco devises a plan to turn his uncle in and save himself at the same time.

Meanwhile, Mørck and his assistants, Assad and Rose, are looking into the missing person report. As they begin digging, they learn the missing man may have had his own secrets.

While dealing with the case, Mørck is also dealing with his old boss retiring, his feelings for Monda and the changes in his former partner Hardy’s physical condition. While still a hard nose cop with an attitude toward authority, Mørck also shows a softer side and that he too is a bit vulnerable. 

Adler-Olsen creates a character in Marco that readers/listeners will be drawn to. While not innocent, Marco is a victim himself.

THE MARCO EFFECT can be read/listened to on its own. However, a better understanding of the three main characters – Carl, Assad and Rose – will be achieved by following the series in order.

The author places the reader/listener in the middle of the action. The detail descriptions will transport readers/listeners to Denmark as the area comes to life around them. Action packed, this story flows smoothly and quickly keeping you guessing until the very end how it will all play out.

The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen, Department Q Book #5, Narrated by Graeme Malcolm, Penguin Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1611762648, 12 Discs, Run Time: 15 Hours and 25 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.


Thanks so much for stopping by today, I do so appreciate it. These are two of my favorite series. They are each fascinating in their own way. I love the idea of visiting New York in the future with Det. Eve Dallas or traveling around Denmark with Detective Carl Mørck. Have you read either of these books? Do you follow either or both series?

*This post contains affiliate links.