Book Review: "Imitation in Death" by J. D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)

Once again I've read a Nora Roberts book and well I'm happy to say so...okay, sure it is her writing as J. D. Robb, and sure it's not her normal genre but wow she can weave a great sci-fi/mystery/thriller when she puts on the pseudonym cap.

The summer of 2059 is a scorcher and crime is on the rise but Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the New York Police and security department has a case that will soon make things hotter. The body of a prostitute is found in a back alley in Chinatown and the way she was killed is identical to Jack the Ripper's signature. On the toe of the victim is a letter addressed to Eve challenging her to try and catch him.

The only clue he left behind is the stationary addressed to Eve that is illegal in this country since it is not recycled. Only a few outlets in Europe sells them and Eve is able to get the names of the people who bought it who are now living in New York. All the suspects are rich and powerful so Eve has to tread carefully even when the perpetrator strikes two more times mimicking The Boston Strangler and Ted Bundy.
Her superior soon gets complaints and that just makes her job harder. Eve is in a race against time before the suspect kills again but she needs one more piece of evidence before she can take him down.

J.D. Robb (Nora) has written another exciting futuristic romantic mystery that will have fans of many genres jumping on the "...In Death" series bandwagon. I should say at this point, that yes Nora Roberts doesn't completely shrug off her romance writing when writing as J.D. Robb. The romance between Roarke and Dallas really makes the characters human and definitely makes the story more real.

"Imitation in Death" is yet another example of how the characters make the book and that help you get lost in a great story. Secondary characters including Peabody, Eve's assistant, who is preparing to take her detective's exam and move in with her lover, E.D.D. officer McNabb. The heroine solves this dark and bloody case with her usual panache and a little help from her busy billionaire husband Roarke, who along with helping out the police force also manages to find time to buy the Boston Celtics.