Violence vs. Sentiment

Would you consider the audio edition of Thankless in Death to be better than the print version?

I have stopped buying the print version of J.D. Robb's books because I really enjoy listening to them. I don't think it's better, just a matter of personal preference. I'll probably eventually buy the print version to complete my collection.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Maybe not on the edge of my seat, but it certainly kept me engaged and interested. I didn't enjoy the overly detailed and graphic violence in this book and when I listen to it again I'll fast forward through those parts. But I loved the award ceremony and the family involvement. I am so involved with the characters in this series that the sentiment brought me to tears. I loved the way old characters were brought back and the changes obviously happening to Eve's character as she matures and is finding her personal side. I disagree with those who found this book lacking because of less interaction with the older characters. I think it's perfectly believable that in an investigation that only lasted a few days Eve would not necessarily interact with all of her old friends. The character of the murderer in this book was very strongly drawn and created a contrast between her two worlds. (But I still would like a bit less of the details of the violence.)

Which scene was your favorite?

The award ceremony and the follow up meeting with friends and family, closely followed by the scene where Nixie presented her gift. Both were moments of growth for Eve and were extremely well done.

If you could take any character from Thankless in Death out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I love Nixie and would like to meet her. But I'd invite Roark too so he could pick up the check!

Any additional comments?

I hope that Nora Roberts never tires of developing this character. I'll never tire of reading about her.

15 people found this helpful

A Thanksgiving Review

I am thankful for this series, which I've been reading since 1995, when Eve's pocket link communicator actually seemed futuristic.

I am thankful to be done with this particular installment, which--despite a few enjoyable scenes with Eve and friends-- spends far too much time in the head of a whining, despicable, disgusting psychopath who has suddenly discovered the joys of torture, mutilation, and murder.

I am thankful that Robb/Roberts continues to write this series, and I look forward to Installment #38, because even when there's been the occasional misfire (hey, 37 books? it happens), I always come back for more and am seldom disappointed.

9 people found this helpful

Awful & Disturbing - I Fast Forwarded Through Half

Would you try another book from J. D. Robb and/or Susan Ericksen?

I LOVE this series and all the main characters. I absolutely hated this book though. I get that Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb was trying to do something a bit different, showing us everything from both the killer's perspective and Eve's perspective.

There were two main problems with that though: 1) By the time you're at book 37 of a series, the readers/listeners are all invested in the main characters, so it's disappointing to have half the book really be about someone else, and 2) The parts written from the killer's perspective were just really unpleasant and twisted. I'm not squeamish; I like true crime novels etc., but I had to fast forward through most of those parts.

It was truly just disturbing, hearing the killer be all happy and joyful as he did such depraved and cruel things. Sure, that's how the killer actually felt, but I didn't need to hear it. That's not what I expect from these books.

Would you ever listen to anything by J. D. Robb again?

Skip this one. It doesn't help advance any overarching story lines. Books 37.5 & 38 were both good though.

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

Susan did a great job as usual. It's too bad she had to read such degrading stuff aloud.

Any additional comments?

Really, skip this one. I only got it bc. I've read/listened to every book in the series and felt like I should give it a try. I wish I had skipped it myself, since I can't ever un-hear it!

16 people found this helpful

Robb-ed

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who enjoys following the heinous killings of a psychopath.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not another Dallas novel by Robb

Would you listen to another book narrated by Susan Ericksen?

yes

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. I have been reading and listening to this series from the start. This one has no plot, lacks the usual interesting dialogue, and was incredibly blatant (the story begins with the killing of a woman with 53 knife thrusts and then goes quickly to a man hit 30 times with a bat.)

16 people found this helpful

Eve is growing.

I really liked this book and would have given it 5 stars but for the graphic violence. There is a lot about the killer and his mentality - probably too much, but I fault the editor for that. I found myself removing my earbuds during the violent scenes - so be warned. But I loved how Eve has come to value the people in her life more than her career. I love the family - especially the football game and Granny fussing at Roarke. It was funny and touching. It sets the scene for the books ahead we all crave.

16 people found this helpful

Should have been named Torture In Death

I love serial books. I love that I follow along as the characters and the world are developed. I love that I saw Mavis from street grifter to cop friend to rock star to wife to mother. More than serials I love mysteries. When I can get both then it's perfect. I don't love explicit sex scenes. Just leave that to my imagination... I don't love hearing about rape--it's dispicable, unforgiveable and the opposite of entertaining. I like, however, that it's the basis for the Eve Dallas character, showing how she deals with it and that she lives with it and that it is the basis for her wanting to protect, defend and seek justice. I've read all the Eve Dallas books and this is the one that makes me wish I had never started. There is no mystery in hunting down a madman. There is no entertainment in hearing, step by step, gleeful torture and murder. If I could clear this from my brain as easily as brushing a bad taste from my mouth I certainly would!

30 people found this helpful

Thankless Indeed...

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Listening to the story was not the problem. Susan Ericksen is excellent as usual. I find no fault with her narrative skills. The content is what I can't deal with. If I had to put a label on this, it would be 'torture porn'. I can't recall when I've been repulsed more.

What was most disappointing about J. D. Robb’s story?

There is way too much explicit violence IMO. I fell asleep at one point and when I woke, it was when the antagonist was abusing an animal. That ended it for me. I know this stuff happens, but I don't want to read about it.

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

Again, I have no problems with the narration. Susan is among my favorites. She never disappoints.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Thankless in Death?

Do you have all day...?

Any additional comments?

I sincerely enjoy the 'In Death' series and until this installment, had been very happy and excited to get each book. Before I purchased this one I checked reviews and thought that some of the lower starred reviewers were being a bit sensitive. They weren't. I can only hope that the next one will redeem the series. Can't say that I'll be holding my breath though.

5 people found this helpful

THERE IS SOMETHING MISSING IN EVE'S WORLD!

I am such a fan of the"In Death" series that I can tell from just a few sentences what book I am listening to without seeing the title. What has made me such a fan is the characters and of course Susan Ericksen's portrayal of them. For me the last few books have been a bit of a let down. The formula of personal life and investigative life for Eve was perfect. Her interactions with friends and even criminals made the stories funny, sad, thoughtful and very entertaining. This book and the one before were just about investigation and the criminal. The person with the biggest voice in this book was the criminal and I just got tired of hearing him call women ugly names and act like a child. There is just something missing from this book. I hope it comes back in the next book because I will definately be buying it. Although I was looking for more, I still love the world of Eve Dallas.

23 people found this helpful

A Little Disappointed

I am an avid fan of the In Death Series. I can't want for each installment. I was a bit disappointed with this one. I was so hoping for something outstanding. when I heard Eve was finally getting some of what she deserves I had anxiety. I was so outdone she turns the Capt job down. Why bring it up if it was not going to amount to anything. It was a bit let down for me.

I usually really enjoy all the books. I enjoyed this one too, but I think I was expecting to see some things we have been waiting for like, the candy thief, Eve finally getting her promotion. You are the author, you can have her be Captain and do her job as she likes. Why toy with us. After waiting 6 months for this book to come out and it comes up short for me.

I still enjoyed the story and I love the formula but Nora, you have to engage the other characters more like the older books. I love that Nixie showed up and Elizabeth and Richard, but it was not enough. I think you focused too much on the killer. All the stuff about him you could have been giving us more story on the regulars and even Eve and Roarke.

All in all this was a good book but certainly not one of her best. It is one I will listen to more than once, but still I felt it was lacking some of the zest the books normally have.
I hope some of the issues are revealed/ resolved soon. I don't think I will get tired of the books, but I am getting tired of waiting for some answers.

23 people found this helpful

Eve, Roarke and Friends are back!

I have read this series from the beginning and have enjoyed the series and always excited to see another book has come out, can't believe this is number 37! I have grown to love all the characters which have been so nicely developed over the years. Eve and Roarke's adventures will always be a favorite of mine. But, I have to say that some of the violence in the book is so graphically detailed it is disturbing. I understand that the bad guy is a sick, twisted criminal, as the whole series revolves around a futuristic homicide detective, but I don't need explicit details about how he carves up people and gets off on it. Being a fan of the police procedural genre, I have read many books which revolve around homicide that convey to the reader that same sense of out of control insanity, without a blow by blow account of every detail.

20 people found this helpful