Gripping

I am amazed, this is book 43 in the Death series and J. D. Robb keeps coming up with new ideas. Most series go stale at about book 25 but not Robb’s.

In this story we have a sniper on the loose. All of Dallas’s staff is on the case along with a new person, Lowenbaum, a weapons’ expert. He is head of the SWAT squad and is acting as a weapons consultant for Dallas. We might have a new member of the squad, a female uniformed officer named Shelby. To lighten the story, we have Bella’s birthday party; the usual banter with Summerset and Rourke is redecorating the house.

The book is well written and fast paced. The plot winds around and snaps at the reader. The suspense builds during the book and one just cannot put the book down. Robb has a way of writing that grabs the reader’s attention and holds it until the last word. Robb mixes humor with murder to prevent the reader from becoming overwhelmed by the violence. I think it is best to read this series in order so one can get to know all the characters that weave in and out of the various books. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Susan Erickson does an excellent job narrating the series. I am so glad the publisher kept Erickson as the narrator for the entire series. Erickson is a classically trained actress and an award winning audiobook narrator.

23 people found this helpful

Her best book ever!!!,,,

I listened from start to finish !!!! Loved this book my new favorite until the next one comes out!

17 people found this helpful

Not one of my favorites

This was fast-paced and overall a good story. But I can read or listen to this type of story from many different authors. The reason I wait for the latest death series is because I love the characters. To me in the last three books Rourke character has been diminished. All we hear from him is you have to Eve? You look terrible Eve. Welcome home let's make love blah blah blah. This wonderful characters become stagnant. To me it's almost like there's another author writing the story. What's happened to the exciting fast-paced multifaceted stories that include all the wonderful characters especially Rourke and Eves dynamics. She's created this super interesting character Rourke. Who is so multifaceted and interesting if you remember everything you've written into his character in the past. I hope it changes because I love this series and I would hate to start getting bored with it.

12 people found this helpful

J. D. Robb does it again!

At first the random sniper brought back horrible memories. I live in the Washington, D.C. Metro area and did during the time D. C. Sniper s were on the loose, shooting randomly. We all had a target on our backs, it was horrible. Ms. Roberts lives in the area as well so I think this story was influenced by that period but she told a great story.
That said, it was nice to hear the whole gang again. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
I don't know how but Susan Ericksen is amazing.
The In Death series was one of my first Audible experiences and unfortunately Ms. Ericksen is such a high standard that I compare other readers to. I can always tell whose speaking, never an "She said or he said", all of her character voices are different. Katherine Kellgren, Tony Roberts, Scott Brick, Rene Auborjonois and Richard Armitage are some , if not the best readers.
As long as Ms. Roberts/Robb continues to write and Ms. Ericksen continues to read, I'll be purchasing and listening to the magic they weave.

11 people found this helpful

Another hit in a wonderful series

If you could sum up Apprentice in Death in three words, what would they be?

Brilliantly developed storyline

Who was your favorite character and why?

As always... the incomparable EVE.

Which character – as performed by Susan Ericksen – was your favorite?

I love Ericksen's depiction of Roark and really swoon at Roark's Scottish accent. His devotion to Eve comes through with such sensitivity, passion, and love.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Eve's concern for Somerset and for Mavis at the third shooting.

Any additional comments?

I have listened to all of the "In Death" series books. I always anticipate with excitement the release of the next one. I wish this could be a T V Series. I love how Eve's mind works as she figures out what has happened. I love her working with Roark. I love their relationship.... Just great books with an entwining mystery to be solved and realistic but engaging relationships between extraordinary characters. A unique ability to delve into the criminal mind as well as the "mind of justice." Totally captivating.

8 people found this helpful

Another fantastic case

Join Eve Dallas and her team as they race against time to stop two killers. A father and daughter team. This book is fantastic. Full of action. As always, Susan Erickson brings each character to life with her unique way of making a voice for each character. I love reading books but when it comes to these i prefer the audio with books. with Nora Roberts writing talent and Susan's narration these books are so real. You feel like you are part the stories. This book is no exception. As always, Eve uses her wits along with her team to figure out the killers next move.

7 people found this helpful

Less review, more character analysis...

Awesome story, scary bad guys, great performance. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment. Eve, as always, is at her best. (Here is where the character analysis begins) At this point, though, I am at odds with Eve's constant ability to do all things right, even when she is wrong. I would love to discover how Eve would handle a loss of someone in her inner circle. How would she behave as the survivor? Her friends have lost loved ones, even Roarke has experienced a loss in his youth, but what about Eve? Would such a loss set her back to the point she couldn't do her job as effectively? Would it make her an even better detective? Would she push away or draw closer? Eve is not a simple character but at this point I have her figured out. I would love for her to surprise me like she used to! She's certainly not boring, but she is getting a bit predictive.

7 people found this helpful

Excellent

Another great read in a series that never disappoints. The continuing growth and depth of the characters makes the people real. You would love to join the group as they interact and solve the crime.

5 people found this helpful

Not the Best In This Series

The story line here wasn't up to Robb's usual standards. Without spoiling it, the concept of the apprentice was good, but the way it was presented and developed disappointed me. The characters, the father-daughter relationship, Willo's obvious emotional problems, aren't developed with much insight or detail. The effects of Suzanne's death on both just didn't gel.

Once the murderer's are apprehended, the book goes downhill. The interrogation of Willo was almost boring.

There are of course the obligatory sex scenes between Eve and Roarke. Galahad is himself.

Somerset gets a bit more filling out, as does his relationship with Eve. That was perhaps the best aspect of this book.

Susan Ericksen turns in her usual performance. But I have to say when she was reading the lines of a potential victim, it was loud and annoying. I almost fast forwarded past it because it just grated on my ears.

3 people found this helpful

Not my favorite

I am a huge fan of this series and they usually don't disappoint. However, sadly, I think this one didn't have much depth. The main plot was compelling enough but all the usual characters just fell flat. Eve and Roarke, dare I say it, are getting a bit boring. I think they do need to get a little boost ( maybe take in a street kid or something). All the characters were thrown in but had very little substance - this isn't usually the case. It just felt a little tired and I hate saying it!! Unlike others reviews I thought Susan Ericksen did a good job and brought as much life to the characters as she could.

2 people found this helpful