• Calculated in Death

  • In Death, Book 36
  • By: J. D. Robb
  • Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
  • Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (4,950 ratings)

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Calculated in Death  By  cover art

Calculated in Death

By: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
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Publisher's summary

Lieutenant Eve Dallas must immerse herself in her billionaire husband Roarke’s world of big business to uncover the identity of a hit man in this thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series.

On Manhattan’s East Side a woman lies dead at the bottom of the stairs, stripped of all her valuables. Most cops might call it a mugging gone wrong, but Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows better.

A well-off accountant and a beloved wife and mother, Marta Dickenson doesn’t seem the type to be on anyone’s hit list. But when Eve and her partner, Peabody, find blood inside the building, the lieutenant knows Marta’s murder was the work of a killer who’s trained, but not professional or smart enough to remove all the evidence.

But when someone steals the files out of Marta’s office and the killer’s violent streak begins to escalate, Eve knows she has to draw him out, even if it means using herself as bait…

©2013 J. D. Robb (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Calculated in Death

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Still a fan!

I think it must be hard to keep things fresh after writing 36+ books, short stories and so on. Roberts has a good equation going in the In Death series- a crime happens, Eve and Peabody investigate, Roarke is drawn into the investigation, there are a few sex scenes, Roarke worries about Eve, Eve meets with Mira, they figure it out, wrap it up and there is an op to catch the bad guy. And Trina sometimes makes an appearance. The crime changes and the supporting characters (Mavis, Leonardo, Baxter and so on) have a big or small role depending on the crime and how much they can help. She writes a good story, the characters are old friends and well written. The story here is a solid one. I will continue to read this series because I can count on Eve and crew to entertain.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good, but below par for this series

If you could sum up Calculated in Death in three words, what would they be?

Confusing. Frustrating. Anticlimactic.

Would you recommend Calculated in Death to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, but please, please, please -- don't make this the first book you read of the In Death series. I'm afraid that if you read this one first, it could discourage you from taking the great ride of reading this series from start to finish.

I am a big fan of this series and I have rarely been disappointed. In this book, however, the story drags, the central murder just doesn't make much sense (I know, sometime it's just senseless, but it's hard to buy the motivations here), the trajectory of the murderer's storyline doesn't make much sense, and the motivations for many of the others involved are convoluted and incomplete and seem to be disconnected from their lives before this book.
It's a rare thing for Robb, but this murder case seems very contrived to me.

Also, I found it disappointing that potentially great scenes that could have existed around the vid premiere simply never happened. Oh, the embarrassment of Eve we could have witnessed, the groupies hanging on Roarke, Peabody and McNab charming the paparazzi. Mavis breaking into improptu music vid trilling and inciting a riot. Leonardo raptly murmuring, "Isn't she precious?" Sigh. The author has a habit of doing this (anyone wish we'd gotten more about Eve's and Roarke's wedding?!?) but it's infuriating. But, of course, I remain a loyal reader. Maybe I need abuse counseling . . .

Perhaps in print this book flows better, but I found it suprisingly confusing. So many new characters with so many new names questioned more than once, several accountants here, several real estate types there, here's three partners, there's two partners, here's a judge, there's a date, an ex, another ex, another . . . You get the point. Poor Susan, what a narrating challenge. Who can differentiate that many people in a coherent manner? By the time Roarke finally named the person he suspected, I swear I honestly had no idea who that was. I'd totally lost track. An accountant? An investor? Who? Which one? Why?

Let me emphasize. THIS IS AN EXCEPTION. Even with these issues, it's a good book. It's just not up to the normal high standard of this series.

What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?

Fantastic as always. For the recurring characters, it takes literally one word and you can identify who is speaking. She is tremendous!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A scene near the beginning involving notification of death and one near the end with Dallas and Roarke.

Any additional comments?

The recent books have been so good . . . maybe that's part of why this one seems disappointing in comparison.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Love that Dallas!

I was so blown away by New York to Dallas it almost spoiled me. I did not think Celebrity in Death was nearly as good. But Calculated in Death is better. I could have used a little more Sommerset as I love the interaction between them but all Eve and Roarke fans will enjoy this book.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Series going downhill fast

Like the last book, where are all the players? This is Eve and Peabody, a little Rourke and very little of anyone else. The story was okay, not one of the best by far, it misses being fun. I usually have a good laugh here and there in the books, but it's missing that again, like the last book. So sorry to see the series take a giant step down. I enjoyed the series cause it had a good mystery plot, and humor rolled into one book. She can end the series anytime she wants, I have just about lost interest.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Very disappointed.

I love(d) this series and look(ed) forward to each new one. Not this. What set this series aside was the personal relationships, I can read tons of other "police" case books. This has none of the ups and downs, fun, personal interactions of the older books in the series. I can't say I won't buy the next one because I will hope that the "life" rather than just "crime" returns to the series.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not of of her best...

I agree with most of the reviewer's assessment of this audio attempt. The story is not one of Nora Roberts finest. The biggest gripe that I have though is not with the story, but the quality of the recording by Brilliance Audio. They have always added a bit of reverb to the voice of Susan Ericksen, but in this recording they went too far. The audio quality is so thin that it hurts my ears at times. Frankly, I gave up on the Audio Book and finished the story in written format. The story wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be when I started the Audio Version. My recommendation is to read the book in written format. You may like it a lot better.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

How does she keep making you want more???

What did you love best about Calculated in Death?

Once again the story kept me interested from beginning to end. If you love any of the "in death" novels, you will fall in love with this book. Not as suspencefull as some of her novels; however, you get the thrill of the chase and get to catch up on the beloved characters.

What did you like best about this story?

Peabody as a sex symbol.

What does Susan Ericksen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The nuances of her voices makes you believe several people are reading.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Even the wealthy are greedy for ...

Any additional comments?

Cannot wait for the next edition of this series.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Eve and Roarke, Still a Great Couple

I eagerly anticipate every new "In Death" book. First and foremost, the success of any audiobook rests on the narration, and Susan Ericksen gives a wonderful performance as usual.

Eve and Roarke are probably my favorite fictional couple, but fans will realize that they have overcome most of their past traumas and inner struggles that contribute the tension necessary for a truly great story. Robb will need to find other sources of inner turmoil and drama. However, this was an entertaining story with an interesting plot. Most of the characters are well known and long-time friends, and the story was true to their natures. There was a good blend of mystery, adventure, humor, and romance.

Robb is such a great author; this book was just average for her In Death series. Still, it was very entertaining and the series is one of my favorites. I consider this installment to be a stepping stone as I eagerly await the next book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Murder of the Auditor

I started this series because I was curious about what Robb saw as the future in NYC police. It has turned out to be a nice series for a change of pace from more intense books. This story has the murder of a woman Marta Dickinson who is an accountant and sister in law of a criminal Judge. Eva finds the firm she works for are auditors and is soon on the trail of the killers. I enjoy the different types of characters Robb has created for the series. Some are far out such as Mavis, and Leonardo and some of the police are typical such as Baxter and Trueheart. My favorite is Dr Charlotte Mira. The final action takes place at the grand party for the movie about Eva and Peabody. Story has glamour, comic (I laughed about Peabody's pink cowboy boots) action and suspense. I enjoy the futuristic gadgets in the story.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I"m not sure what happened to the series

What would have made Calculated in Death better?

Better storyline. This one book was particularly stale and I"m a bit surprised. Death and taxes are indeed a part of life, but it does not make an interesting read. It's time for this series to shake things up. They need a kid, introduce a new character or something. Let Eve have a sibling a grandparent. Just add SOMETHING!

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

I found it boring and I had a hard time wanting to finish.

What does Susan Ericksen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Susan Ericksen is the only reason why I finished the book.

What character would you cut from Calculated in Death?

The socialite. She had no purpose at all. She wasn't even fun to hate.

Any additional comments?

It's time to shake things up if this series is going to continue. Same couples, same characters, same bantering. Same same same. I think the only thing JD Robb can do to catch my interest is if they adopt some kids or something. A girl like Eve and a boy like Roark. Not young kids but tweens or teens to shake up the story lines. I think if the next book is like all the rest I may retire myself from the series. I felt like this was a waste of my credit.

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