In Death 24.5

Vampires and the promise of eternal life lure a rich young woman to her death.

A fast read, shorter than usual but no less complete in both plot and characters. Enjoyed. ( )

Tiara Kent lies in her apartment, her only visible injury two puncture wounds on the left side of her throat . . . wounds that Peabody claims resemble a vampire bite. But New York Police and Security Department homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas is certain that whoever exsanguinated the young socialite has no connection to the Dark Prince. But who then is the killer? And why drain the blood from Tiara’s body?

This novella, available in several format, including “Time of Death,” an anthology of three “In Death” stories as well as in the “Dead of Night” anthology. It follows “Creation in Death” and precedes “Strangers in Death.” Released near the end of October, it’s the perfect Halloween story.

Despite its shorter length, the basic components of every “In Death” tale are all here; the novella format of the narrative keeps the story focused on the main investigation without subplots. All the expected characters make an appearance and the investigation into the murder of the beautiful, rich, young socialite proceeds much as readers might expect.

The underground club, Bloodbath, is dark and foreboding, the charismatic club owner, Dorian Vadim, decidedly creepy. Although Eve’s team gathers all the requisite vampire-repelling paraphernalia, the lieutenant doggedly sets about collecting evidence to set the record straight in a story more closely aligned to a police procedural than to a mystery. Anchored by the eerie setting of the underground club, the unfolding tale offers readers a couple of unexpected twists and a few laugh-out-loud moments before reaching its satisfying conclusion.

Highly recommended. ( )

Eve and her partner are on the hunt for a murderer who's weapon is vampire fangs. While this was a short it had all the classic elements of an In Death novel.
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I live in fear of the day that Nora Roberts no longer writes these novels. I have read everyone of them and loved this book every bit as much as all the others. The characters in her books have become like family and I laugh and cry right along with them. I loved the city below the city and the questionable characters that must work down there. I enjoyed this very much. I sometimes laugh out loud at Dallas' reaction to social situations. ( )