Rapture in Death

Suspense (with sex scenes)!

On October 16, 2016 I purchased six books of this 46 book "In Death" series while on sale in case I ever ran out of good novels to listen to. They have sat in my Audible library since. It's time to delve into them beginning with Rapture in Death. My first observation is that this novel is an excellent suspense mystery with superb narration. Protagonist NYC Detective Eve Dallas and her new husband and rogue Irish billionaire Roarke are on the honeymoon strolling in the evening on a French beach as the novel opens when a romantic mood strikes. So the book with sex on the beach, the act not the alcoholic cocktail by that name. During the sex scene a murder with a gun is committed near them. So less than 10 minutes into the novel there is a sex scene and a murder, so the novel starts with two bangs. The sex scene was the first of more than a dozen as the newlyweds act like...newlyweds and the author dutifully reported each in varying degrees emotional and anatomical detail.

The In Death series is by Nora Roberts using her J. D. Robb nom de plume. The series books are police procedurals set possibly 50 to 100 years in the future. This allows Eve, Roarke, and others to utilize technologies that do not currently exist.

16 people found this helpful

Good but <br />

the story was a bit futuristic for me, more so than her earlier books in this series. Perhaps subliminal mind control at the level covered might be possible in the future but I prefer to think we as humans will have the final control of our mind and actions.
The voice of Peabody was awful and distracted my enjoyment of the book. I can only hope in future audible performances it will be modified, the narrator has demonstrated with other characters she has the ability

4 people found this helpful

Awesome as Aways!

STORY (Detective) - This is the fourth book in this series, and I'm rating it the same as the others. Five stars all around! It is set in the future, something like year 2050ish, so there are futuristic gadgets and situations, but the characters and crimes are very realistic. I love the characters and their development throughout the series. Eve and Roarke meet in Book 1, marry in Book 3, and are newlyweds in this Book 4. Eve is a tough-as-nails cop and her crime-solving is top notch, but she also has tender, sexy moments with Roarke. Roarke is a sexy multibillionaire who usually gets drawn into her investigations in one way or another. The book will keep you guessing and is good from beginning to end , as are the rest. I suppose I'm going to have to listen to all of them (there's like 50 books!!)

PERFORMANCE - Susan Ericksen is amazing. Different voices and accents for characters as appropriate. Love her!

OVERALL - Eve is tough and so is her mouth, so be prepared for a healthy dose of cussing. There are several short sex scenes in the book, but they're more passionate than they are explicit. The story stands alone, though if you start with this book you will be picking up in the middle of the character development. You definitely don't have to start with Book 1, but I'd recommend it. I think males and females both would enjoy this series, but it might be a bit more oriented towards women because of the romantic thread. Go for it, you won't regret it.

9 people found this helpful

GOING BACK TO #4 AFTER LISTENING TO MOST RECENT

Would you listen to Rapture in Death again? Why?

YES
I WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD BE BORED. I HAVE LISTENED TO MOST OF THIS SERIES AND ALWAYS COME BACK TO IT. I HAVE EVEN LISTENED TO #33 THE MOST RECENT. I HAD MISSED THIS EARLIER VERSION. I WASN'T DISSAPPOINTED. YES THE CHARACTERS HAVE EVOLVED AND I AM AMAZED HOW THIS AUTHOR IS ABLE TO KEEP THEM EVOLVING AND THE MURDERS AREN'T THE REASON TO LISTEN BUT THE CHARACTERS. I STILL ENJOYED #4 AS IT JUST BROUGHT ME BACK IN TIME AND SHOWED THE RELATIONSHIPS EARLIER ON.
I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE THAT HAS NOT LISTENED TO THIS SERIES START WITH THE FIRST ONE AND GO STRAIGHT THROUGH NOT MISSING ANY. I CAN'T GIVE A NEGATIVE ABOUT ANY OF THE BOOKS.

What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?

SHE DOES ALL THE VOICES WITH THE ENTIRE SERIES AND YOU INSTANTLY RECOGNIZE THEM. SHE NEVER CHANGES THE VOICES AND YOU KNOW WHO THE CHARACTERS ARE. THE VOICES AND INFLECTIONS ARE VERY GOOD FOR EACH CHARACTER.

19 people found this helpful

Not Eve's most exciting case, but enjoyable still

Eve Dallas is now officially married to the handsome Rourke, but despite a pleasant honeymoon, Dallas doesn't know how to tear herself away from work. This latest case actually starts during that honeymoon, and she becomes involved in investigating a series of suspicious suicides.

I enjoy this series because of the psyche of the characters. There is a bit of that as Eve continues to evaluate who she is and how her past has affected her. For example, during this book, Eve offers up her first unsolicited "I love you" to Rourke, and it's a touching moment. The case itself is a bit odd and seemed pretty transparent to me, although it lead to a hilarious situation with two virtual reality lovers. I mostly enjoyed the story because I'm committed to the series already.

I have read a few of these books, and this is the second I listened to. I'm disappointed in the narration now that a new character, Peabody, has been introduced. The narrator sounds so cartoonish in her dialogue as this character. It was incredibly distracting and I was disappointed to learn that Susan Erickson does all the narration for the series. It makes me think twice about going audible with any more of the books.

1 person found this helpful

Good, but not best

Would you listen to Rapture in Death again? Why?

Yes, I've enjoyed the series so far.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I guessed the method and murderer early on so that was a let down.

Have you listened to any of Susan Ericksen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and it's as good as the rest. Excellent reading and characterizations.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A little disappointed. FIrst time I guessed the method/murderer early on and the ending was a tad abrupt.

Any additional comments?

I still enjoy this series and look forward to reading more.

1 person found this helpful

Irresistible Series!

I've already said this series is addictive. Each time I finish one of the books, I tell myself to let it rest a while, make the whole experience last longer. But I can't resist -- I HAVE TO buy that next book in the series, and listen to it right away.

Numbrer 4 in the series, Rapture In Death, begins during Dallas and Roarke's honeymoon, on an off-planet resort being built by one of Roarke's companies. Taking up right where Number 3 left off, there is a death, apparent suicide, of one of Roarke's contractors in the almost completed resort. Apparent suicide, except that the guy was smiling when he died.
Back on earth, more suicides happen, each one with a smile.

While investigating the suspicious suicides, Dallas begins to have some insights into what it means to love and be loved. She's still not real sure about how to express herself, to Roarke or herself. Mavis gets tangentially involved in connection with a big break in her singing career. Mavis and Leonardo grow more in love. Dallas tags Peobody to become a detective and her aide. So all around, slowly, Dallas is picking up little clues about how people relate on a non-cop level. It's interesting to watch.

I love the inventiveness with which J.D. Robb describes the world of New York in 2058. Very ingenious. And I'll keep coming back for more to see those relationships grow, deepen, and flourish.

3 people found this helpful

Rapture in Death

Great series

4 people found this helpful

Grounding

Peabody grounds Dallas I just realized that when reading them again. That good you can read again and pick up little nuances about the character. I do love the depth the characters have it makes you really love them

J D Robb always a good read...

I really enjoy the suspense of Robb's books, trying to determine who the killer is challenging! Another great read!!