Wow, this is already the 55th book in the series, and they just keep on getting better! I love the Eve Dallas series and will definitely read the next ones. Recommended.

I was lucky enough to receive a ARC from Little Brown Books, Piatkus of Desperation In Death and absolutely thrilled because I have been a fan since 2000.

Eve Dallas is a member of the NYPSD and being a cop defines her. She works in Homicide and excels at her job. Readers of the series will know she has a troubled past which she is coming to terms with and trying to prevent its shadows impinging on her life and current cases. Supported by her husband, friends and team she works hard to solve the homicides that cross her path. The series is set in the future and technology has advanced greatly but unfortunately crime hasn’t disappeared.

In this book Eve investigates the death of a young girl found in an alley stabbed with a piece of wood. She’s been missing for months but is in good condition. She’s dressed in trousers that are too short but everything else is fitted, expensive and inappropriate for her age. Blood on her matches another missing girl from a very different location and background. What is the connection?

The investigation finds that there are more girls missing that fit a certain criteria and the way they disappeared is different to the usual. Maybe they’ve been targeted. Two girls manage to escape and it exposes the Academy. The non street savvy kid sacrifices herself so her savvy friend can escape and then Eve becomes involved.

Girls have been abducted and initiated into what they learn is the Pleasure Academy. There’s an element of Handmaid’s tale in how they’re trained to behave. They’re different to the clones in Origin in Death as the goal their controllers have is for them to be of service to people with particular desires. No boys are mentioned but the inclusion of them in clients inclinations is suggested. The females are grouped into classes of Pretty, Servants, Bondage and Pets, leading Eve to think about how she would have been viewed if her father had sold her. She concludes she wouldn’t fit in Pretty but we have seen in previous books that her appearance doesn’t matter to her. Only on one occasion when her toenails were painted did she take any pleasure in how she looked. Once more her past intrudes into her present.

This was a great read and addition to the series. I have read all of them since being introduced to the series whilst on holiday in the States. I look forward to many more and the continued story of Eve and her team. J D Robb writes a fantastic crime thriller every time and the futuristic setting is completely believable. I recommend it to new and continuing readers alike!

#DesperationinDeathAnEveDallasthrillerInDeath55

Wow! What a book! I couldn't read it fast enough. The tension and pace were absolute magic! Brilliantly unsettling, with characters so deftly woven that you never quite know who – if anyone – you can trust. Another riveting and powerful detective thriller from this talented author.

This is novel fifty five in the Eve Dallas series – there have been short stories and novellas along the way too. I have missed two along the way (they are on a bookshelf in my house waiting for me to get to them). It is safe to say I am a fan of J.D. Robb and I always look forward to each new Eve Dallas novel.

For those not in the know, reading the first fifty four novels are not essential to enjoying this book. After the introduction of the character back in Naked in Death you can pretty much read the books any old way you like. Down the years characters have been introduced, coupled up, had babies, lost loved ones and grown as their backstories get developed. After fifty plus stories the respective backstories are so well developed that the cast of these books feel like old friends to me. I miss them when I am not reading about them.

The books have delighted (mainly) down the years but, as you may expect, some just didn’t quite land for me. Dallas is a murder cop in New York and the stories are set in the future – somewhere around the year 2060. This may put off some readers but this series delivers terrific murder tales with each new book and I love watching Dallas and her team closing in on the bad guys. After so many years of reading I have decided some stories deliver more on developing the characters and throwing big pivotal events into their timeline (with a crime in the background) whereas most books give a solid murder story to enjoy while the characters mainly work their personal lives around the latest investigation. Desperation in Death is very much a story about the crime and not a tale to shake up the characters. That said, this is one of the biggest and most harrowing adventures which Dallas and friends have had to face for quite some time.

The blurb teases the story up really nicely. A young girl is heading home and vanishes. She turns up eight months later – a large piece of wood is sticking out of her chest and she is quite dead. But the girl has only just died, she is well fed, shows evidence of having expensive hair and nail treatments and is wearing expensive clothing. Where has she been for those eight months and why has nobody seen her?

As Eve begins to look into the murder of the young girl she discovers there may have been a second girl in the area at the same time. The reader knows who the second girl was and how both came to be together at a crime scene (which one of them never left). They also know the trauma both girls have endured prior to Eve entering their lives. It’s a compelling build up and once Eve and her colleagues start to piece together the connections between the two girls we are all on a fast paced race-against-time thriller.

The stakes are higher than we have seen for some time and if there is any hope to save dozens of vulnerable children then everything the NYPD do must be done quickly, quietly and there is no room for error. I was hooked.

I knew before I picked up Desperation in Death that I would enjoy the story – I wasn’t prepared for how engrossed I would become in this particular story. Chapters flew by and I finished the whole book in a single day. I love these stories and I’m already waiting for the next one.

Thirteen year old Mina Cabot was reported missing after disappearing when walking home from soccer practice in Pennsylvania.

Eight months later her body is found in New York, with a three-inch piece of wood embedded in her chest. Blood is discovered at the scene that belongs to another missing girl, though her mother is so awful she didn't report her missing and the social worker supposedly looking after this girl believes the mother that her daughter is being home schooled.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her husband Roarke, assistant Peabody and the rest of the department come to realise that something odd is going on. As they look at the data they realise more and more kids have gone missing. What follows is an awful trail of child trafficking that Dallas is determined to stop.

I've not read an 'In Death' book for a while but its was easy to slip back with Eve Dallas, her husband Rourke and her assistant Peabody as they investigate the murder.

Enjoyed the story, interesting topic which is emotive but almost lacked something to make it more emotional.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

Having had a few years off from Lieutenant Dallas and her crew, I was interested to see how this new one was.
A young 13 year old girl Mina is found dead in a park having gone missing 8 months earlier. Another girl’s blood turns up at the scene - another missing girl. Dallas, her husband and millionaire Roarke, sidekick Peabody and the rest of the gang come to realise that something evil is going on. More and more kids have gone missing.
What follows is a sickening trail of child exploitation that Dallas is determined to stop at all costs (to her and her husband).

Another great book by JD Robb - hard to put down.

Amazing as usual! I’ve read a few books from the ‘In Death’ series and all of them are very good. This one doesn’t disappoint either. The story is excellent and I loved the plot and the way it was written. This book is an absolute page-turner and really hard to put down once you start reading, I’m really glad I got a chance to read it. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publishers Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy of this ebook and giving me a chance to review it.

I love Nora Roberts and that was my reason for requesting this book and I wasn't disappointed.
I didn't read any previous one in the series but the story reads well as a standalone as it's a complete plot that doesn't require any previous knowledge of the main character.
The backdrop is dark and twisted reality but the characters are well rounded and you feel right at the centre of the action. It's a great thriller and I think I'll be reading more in this series.

This book, Desperation in Death beckoned to me as I am attempting to read the full series, but so far I have only managed books one, two, twenty-seven, fifty, fifty-two and now fifty-five. I always love my sojourns into Roarke and Eve's world. This story centres around the discovery of the body of a young missing girl, identified as Mina Cabot who disappeared from Devon, Pennsylvania, which sees Eve tracking down a sex trafficking ring. Another tale of magnificence from J. D. Robb.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I LOVE J D ROBB!!!!!
She is such a talented author I can't get enough of her books.
I have read all her Eve Dallas series and all of her Nora Roberts books and that author in my view can do no wrong! This is such a talent, such a gift and I hope she has many years of writing in front of her.
The mixture of fast action murder mystery and a character development that keeps on giving makes this series simply impossible to put down.
Absolutely awesome...

Really really enjoyed this book. JD Robb at her best. Plot was spine chilling and was on tender hooks to find out how it all ends.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As expected, another brilliant book from JD Robb. A difficult subject, especially as I have two teenage granddaughters, Fabulous characters, and great writing as always.

One of the best Eve Dallas novels and a fabulous return to form - up there with Visions in Death.

If you haven't started this series yet, what are you waiting for?! 5 / 5

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher.

This is the Author's latest offering in her excellent "In Death " series featuring Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke

When a young missing teenager's body is found Eve finds herself drawn into the world of 'trafficking' young girls.
Eve soon discovers inconsistencies with the body - her hands and feet are well manicured , yet she is wearing her school uniform in which she disappeared eight months ago - where has she been all this time?
Further investigations lead Eve , and her team , to realise that young girls from all walks in life are missing ..... who has taken them and why?
What follows is an investigation into a world that can only be imagined ......... where young people are drugged , tortured and groomed before being put up for sale to the most depraved in society ........... a world from which there is no escape!. A world that Eve is determined to find and destroy , bringing those responsible to justice .

This is another excellent book by the Author , fast paced , twists and turns aplenty , but a much more 'emotional' content than the reader might expect given the subject matter .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I have so much respect for J.D. Robb because not only does she release her In Death books consistently, they are consistently good. As a reader, I sometimes find myself getting bored with series at around the book 20 mark but this series is still holding my attention. I still love reading about Eve, Roarke, Peabody and the rest of the team. The cases are still gripping although I admit the sex trafficking aspect in this particular installment did turn my stomach slightly but I thought J.D. Robb dealt with it delicately. Overall, a great addition to the series.

An excellent read by J D Robb. The story revolves around the body of a young missing girl, that quickly escalates from murder to abduction. As always J D Robb has taken the time to write a well detailed book that leads the reader through a police investigation, she gives hints at the truma that was Dallas's early childhood. Through the subject matter of the book is somewhat sensitive its well written and enjoyable. Having recently reread the first book its lovely to see how much time and effort she has taken with the main characters Dallas and Roarke, they have grown into a well-blended couple even with their somewhat unusual marriage.
Through the book is a crime novel it has the taste of a well written romance blended into it.

J. D. Robb has done it again. Another excellent crime thriller with our beloved Lieutenant and Irish gazillionaire - this one exposing a huge trafficking ring that hits close to home for Eve, but is handled sensitively as always and shows how strong she is as a woman and cop. It was a very intriguing mystery, and although we knew the culprit from fairly early on, it was wonderful to see the investigation come together.

I always love dipping into Roarke and Eve's world - it feels like reuniting with old friends, especially when we have glimpses of the smaller characters like Crack and Tiko that make the world come alive again. I adore the character quirks we see in full force, such as Eve's ability to question or botch cliched sayings. I did find myself wishing there was a little more personal relationship development in terms of Roarke and Eve, though it was nice to see some movement in terms of promotions within the department etc.

Mega thanks to Netgalley for an early copy of this book!

Eve and Roark are back in this thrilling and unsettling story. This is probably one of the longest series that I have ever heard of until now. I have only read a handful, but it is so addictive that I will read them all soon.

This time, Eve has to bring to light something more than just a criminal. There’s so much more going on behind the new investigation that had me in goosebumps. I had a linking of what’s actually happening and it was confirmed. I was left speechless. That being said, this story is not for the faint of heart, even if you like mystery and thrillers.

The story revolves around child abduction, abuse and all the other things you can imagine.

It’s much more emotional and dangerous, not sure because it touched those topics or just because JD Robb shows me once again why I love this series and these characters.

Eve’s team is there heart and soul. Her personal life is marked by the investigation as well, but it all comes down to the author’s power to make it all so believable and interesting. Eve is a force that can’t be moved, but she is also so human and reliable, and I felt so much for her when her emotions showed up.

Thrilling, engaging and heartbreaking, but also an addictive story.

🆓📖 Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Desperation in Death is the latest in the Eve Dallas series In Death with Eve back to solve this latest futuristic crime with the help of her civilian husband Roarke. It features all the normal characters that you can't help but love. I have read and loved the previous 54 books in this series and this is no exception. It is a complete page turner from start to finish and I can't wait for book 56!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for my ARC.

The latest offering in JD Robb’s futuristic ‘in Death’ series featuring the gritty lieutenant Eve Dallas and Desperation in Death sees a case that starts out as a seemingly straightforward killing between two street kids evolve into something a lot more sordid that leads to a global sex slave enterprise that will evoke memories of past traumas for the detective. Young girls are being snatched off the street and trained up in some sick academy before being auctioned off to some of the worlds most influential people.

In not so much of a whodunnit but more a race against time to save the victims, this book is a fast paced, gripping crime thriller full of twists and turns with elements of humour as well as Eve continues to struggle with understanding popular idioms such as “I’m a monkey’s uncle” and when you think about it she’s right – what does that even mean?! There’s also a little marital dissension going on with Roarke and Eve at odds over her involvement in this case because he knows it’ll stir up bad memories but as always, despite his misgivings, he’s always got her back and will support her no matter what. One of the best things about this series is the fantastic character development not only with Eve as she’s gone from a solitary cop with few friends to someone surrounded by people who care about her even though she sometimes looks around and wonders where they all came from but also in Peabody, who’s gone from uniformed cop to homicide detective and Mavis, from grifter to global superstar and mother to name but a few. They all add depth and detail to an amazing series and play an integral part in helping Eve solve crimes.

The subject matter contained in this book might not be to everyone’s taste but sex slave trade does go on, maybe not the widespread enterprise it does in this book and not in the so called civilised world but it is out there.