DIVIDED IN DEATH is J. D. Robb's eighteenth book in the In Death series. There is the ubiquitous murder mystery Eve must solve, and Ms. Robb even adds a little spy thriller to the plot. But I will remember DIVIDED IN DEATH as the one where Roarke learns the art of compromise.

Every book to date sees Eve or Roarke losing a little more of their rough edge, which is a fabulous thing to happen and one of the main reasons why the series is so compelling. Sometimes, the changes are slight, and sometimes, like in DIVIDED IN DEATH, the characters take a huge step forward in healing from past trauma. Roarke is that character this time, and his struggle to let go of his anger and need for vengeance is powerful. After all, that anger and the doling out of revenge is who he is.

At the same time, we see Roarke struggling to make peace with certain knowledge, Ms. Robb captures that sense of loss when a good relationship turns upside-down. At times, watching Eve muddle through that pain and loss is more troubling than her recovered memories. If you are an Eve and Roarke 'shipper, DIVIDED IN DEATH is a tough read.

The spy plot in DIVIDED IN DEATH, however, is so much fun. It adds another level of complexity to the murder. Not only that, but it allows Ms. Robb to speak her mind about the NSA and certain powers it can use in the name of protecting the country. Now that the NSA is over twenty years old, we can say that in some regards, what Eve rails about has come to pass. Hopefully, the rest will remain fictional.

DIVIDED IN DEATH is another strong novel in the series. We see some excellent growth in the characters. At the same time, we continue to see Eve and Roarke demonstrate and overcome marital difficulties. With the addition of a spy plot and corporate espionage, DIVIDED IN DEATH becomes more than your average murder mystery, and I loved every second of it. ( )

Romance

The 18th in Death novel starts out with Roarke's admin Caro's daughter Reva walking in on her cheating husband and best friend and finding both of them messily dead. Then she's knocked out. When she comes to, she calls her mother who calls Roarke. It doesn't take much for Eve to see the scene as a frame up but figuring out the who and the why will take a while.

Because Reva works for Roarke in computer security and has been working on a program to protect computers from being hurt by a virus that can kill networks, Homeland Security gets involved. It seems both the husband and best friend were HSO agents sent to become part of Reva's life in order to find out what Roarke's company knows.

While using Roarke's unregistered, they discover that HSO has extensive files that go back to the time in Dallas when Eve was an abused child. They knew what her father was doing to her and did nothing. What to do about the knowledge almost causes a break in Roarke and Eve's relationship. Their basic difference in regard to the law is almost too much for them to overcome. But love wins. ( )

Divided in Death
4 Stars

Roarke asks for Eve's help when one of his employees is implicated in a murder. As she investigates, the lieutenant quickly realizes that there is more going on than a simple crime of passion, and the case may be an attempt to cover up an act of cyber-terrorism that will have devastating consequences.

A good installment with some intriguing revelations and excellent character developments. Nevertheless, there is a little too much techno-babble for my tastes and it all went straight over my head.

Eve and Roarke's conflicting principles cause them to hit a substantial roadblock in their relationship. There are several emotionally fraught scenes between them, and they say harsh things that cut deep. However, all is resolved satisfactorily, and the couple come out even stronger for it in the end.

The mystery is one of the more complex in the series with the inclusion of espionage, government secrets and cyber-terrorism. That said, the twists and turns are compelling and the search for the killer leads to a number of intense and exciting moments.

The secondary cast of Feeney, Peabody, McNabb, and Dr. Mira are wonderful as always and I look forward to seeing what is next for them all.
( )

The 18th in Death novel starts out with Roarke's admin Caro's daughter Reva walking in on her cheating husband and best friend and finding both of them messily dead. Then she's knocked out. When she comes to, she calls her mother who calls Roarke. It doesn't take much for Eve to see the scene as a frame up but figuring out the who and the why will take a while.

Because Reva works for Roarke in computer security and has been working on a program to protect computers from being hurt by a virus that can kill networks, Homeland Security gets involved. It seems both the husband and best friend were HSO agents sent to become part of Reva's life in order to find out what Roarke's company knows.

While using Roarke's unregistered, they discover that HSO has extensive files that go back to the time in Dallas when Eve was an abused child. They knew what her father was doing to her and did nothing. What to do about the knowledge almost causes a break in Roarke and Eve's relationship. Their basic difference in regard to the law is almost too much for them to overcome. But love wins.

We learn so much about Eve's past in this one. We also get to see Roarke learn how to grill after attending a picnic at the Mira's. ( )