Witness in Death: In Death, Book 10

J.D. Robb (Actually, Nora Roberts) is constantly changing themes as she adds to this never ending series. This is a good thing because while some things remain the same – primary characters for the most part, others change from book to book giving the reader much to choose from and each book is a bit of a surprise.Eve and Roarke are attending the premier of a revival of a famous Agatha Christie play, ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ when, during the final act, one of the stars of the play is stabbed through the heart by another actor. (Just like in the original Christie work). Hundreds and hundreds of people, Including Eve and Roarke witness this and it is found that someone has switched the stage knife with a real knife.There are many, many suspects involved with this one and Eve soon finds that the victim was universally disliked and that many to most of the actors involved are glad he is dead and indeed, many wish they had been the ones to do the killing. (I feel most readers will agree to this assessment of the victims character as the story progresses). While it is not necessary to enjoy this book, it is more fun if you have read the original Christie work, or watched one of several remakes of this one on film, because you can see how well Robb has paid tribute to Dame Christie...a rather remarkable job!This work has a touch of noir involved and Robb has done a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the Christie play although some (myself included) had some trouble form time to time following the many characters (suspects) in this one due to the number involved.Also of note is the fact that of all the books in this series, and I think that number is quickly approaching 50 or more, Eve’s personality is at its worse in this one. She spends a great amount of time making physical threats directed toward her faithful Peabody and to be quite frank, comes across as a bit of a bully throughout this work. It should also be noted that the subject of rape in incest plays a major part is this one and that some readers may be put off by this although the author handles it well and it is most certainly not done in a gratuitous manner.This is one of my most favorite series and Agatha Christie is one of my favorite detection authors so for me I had a double dose of what I enjoy.It should be noted that it is nice if you can read these books in order of publication but it is most certainly not absolutely necessary due to the fact that each of these novels is a good stand-alone.I also must note that unlike some of the books in this series I failed to figure out whodunit right up until the end.All in all a great read and good addition to the series it also moves the series along quite well.

If you're a newcomer to this series, welcome to Nick and Nora in the Third Millenium. JDR has slicked up the old Thin Man concept and brought it into the future, where the world is one of excess and hyperbole in all forms. Beef and coffee are delicacies, prostitution is legalized and rigidly controlled, new drugs - legitimate and otherwise - are readily available, but the seven deadly sins are unchanged. Cars travel in all spacial dimensions and planets are for sale, but cops still like donuts...Soft-boiled Eve Dallas and her handsome, mysterious, omnipresent husband Roarke, sleuth together in a plot that regulars to the series will recognize as more psychologically oriented than its predecessors. Eve and Roarke witness a real murder onstage during the opening night of a 20th century crime drama staged as a retro-performance - one of Roarke's weaknesses is for 20th century black and white / film noire, and of course, it's his playhouse...All the players are related to one another in some way through the victim, and Eve has to look closely at the nature of love and hate in personal relationships as she struggles to figure out whodunnit right under her nose. All of the books in this series develop subplots, the strongest of which is the evolving relationship between Eve and Roarke, two abused children who have grown up to excel at what they do, but who bear the scars of their youth in grim silence - until they find each other. This story brings us regulars along a little further in their lives. Eve finally starts to conquer her ambivalence about their bond, although she clearly has a way to go. Roarke remains somewhat maddeningly cool - it'd be interesting to see him lose control once in a awhile.Reading these novels is like coming home every six months to the next installment of an ongoing saga, although we still know less about Roarke, and it would be nice to see more through his eyes. Their relationship still has a thorny side that can leave the reader just a little annoyed at both of them, which is a tribute to the empathy with which the characters are drawn. There's lots of room for other characters to shine, although fans will note that Mavis and Nadine took something of a back seat this time, to make way for Peabody, McNabb, and the up and coming Trueheart. I was waiting for this one, and now that I've finished it, I have to wait another six months for more! If this is your first book in the series, don't despair - you've got nine others to savor, and if you pace yourself, maybe you can make them last until JUDGMENT IN DEATH comes out later this year. You'll probably understand the nuances of Eve's and Roarke's relationship faster if you read them in chronological order, but I started out in the middle and then bactracked, so it's not lethal if you end up reading this book first - and it might be more fun!One thing - I wonder who the candy thief will turn out to be?

My favorite writer ❤️, can't wait for the next one or the one that is out now in hard copy to come out in soft copy.

+++Trigger warning for those effected by incest.+++I found this story to be absolutely jaw dropping. The sadness of our murderers truth comes gleaming through with this one. You cannot help but feel sorry for them and the victim they were arranging justice for by administering their own illegal hand of death. You will not believe the epic twist with this story - highly recommend getting audible to accompanhthe the book. IJD Robb kept me up all hours again! 10\10 truly brilliant! Wheres the netflix series for these books?!!

Loving this series

ロークの経営する劇場のこけら落としの舞台上で、ダミーだったはずのナイフが、本物とすりかえられて殺人事件がおきてしまう…近未来独特のドロイドやその他の機器が出てこず、はじめから終わりまで人間味に溢れています。舞台の筋書きになっているのは、クリスティの作品。残念ながら、私は読んだことがないので理解できませんでしたが、クリスティの作品をご存知であれば、この作品の奥深さも充分堪能できるかと思います。ピーボディーとの関係に頭を悩ますマクナブ、相変わらず無愛想なサマーセット天真爛漫なメイヴィス…など、おなじみのメンバーも勢ぞろい。作品全体に人間味があって、今までの中ではこの作品が1作目を除けば、一番好きです。それだけに、夜を徹して読んでしまいました。

Ich habe jeden J.D. Robb Roman gelesen und bin jedes Mal wieder überrascht, wie sehr Ms Roberts es versteht, sich nicht zu wiederholen und immer wieder neue spannende Fälle für Eve Dallas und ihren Göttergatten zu erfinden. Diesmal geht es um einen Mord, der in einem Theater geschieht, genau vor Eves Nase. Es ist eine typische Whosdunnit-Krimi-Geschichte und nicht so arg blutig wie viele der andere J.D. Robb Krimis. Also durchaus auch für zarter besaitete Gemüter geeignet. Allerdings MUSS man fast zwangsläufig nach einem J.D. Robb auch die anderen lesen (Suchtgefahr!) und die sind dann durchaus manchmal blutiger und brutaler als dieser Roman...