Delusion in Death

Delusion in Death   
by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) is part of her delightful futuristic series that features Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her oh so yummy spouse, Roarke.  This imaginative series has remarkable advances in transportation and communication yet still has its share of the evil that mankind can perpetrate on itself.

This latest addition to the series involves a horrific chemical cocktail that removes all inhibition on its victims while escalating hostilities to a killing level very quickly.  I was a little nauseated by all of the violence described even as I was quickly drawn into the spell that this amazing enchantress weaves with every one of her books.  I am always fascinated by the author's ability to paint a word portrait of the prickly homicide detective and her interactions with all of the beings (including an obese feline) who have managed to sneak past her defenses and become important to her.  The stark descriptions of the horrendous abuse that Eve endured as a child and its ongoing influence upon her are leavened by the incredibly touching vignettes that depict the genuine anguish experienced by those who love (despite her protests) the somewhat socially inept but incredibly loyal and determined advocate of justice.  E.g. Roarke tells Eve..."understand I love you beyond anything and everything there is." and Dr. Mira explains to Eve...."He loves, Eve, and those who love suffer when who they love suffers".  Sigh.  Can't help but love this series.

Eve continues to grow as a person throughout the series and I am delighted that she has come to regard her partner Peabody as a true partner and not just a protege and I enjoy the repartee between the two of them.  There's a great scene where Eve playfully warns Peabody away

from lusting after Roarke by threatening her with an icepick, a dull one...and Peabody contemplates whether it still might be worth it, lol.  The occasional lighthearted moments, including Eve's fumbling attempts to understand what her goddaughter is burbling, not to mention Eve's thumbnail sketch of Creationism vs. the Big Bang Theory, keep the drama from being overwhelming but this is definitely a murder mystery which ratchets up the tension to the very last page.  Another wonderfully crafted tale.