Origin in Death

In Death, Book 21

By: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her partner Peabody enter the hallowed halls of the Wilfred B. Icove Center for Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery on a case. A hugely popular vid star has been beaten to a bloody pulp - and has killed her attacker in the process. After a post-op interview, Dallas and Peabody confirm for themselves that it's a clear-cut case of self-defense, but before they can leave the building, another case falls into their hands.

Dr. Wilfred B. Icove himself has been found dead in his office - murdered in a chillingly efficient manner: one swift stab to the heart. Struck by the immaculate condition of the crime scene, Dallas suspects a professional killing. Security discs show a stunningly beautiful woman calmly entering and leaving the building: the good doctor's final appointment.

Known as "Dr. Perfect," the saintly Icove devoted his life to his family and his work. His record is clean. Too clean for Dallas. She knows he was hiding something, and suspects that his son, his successor, knows what it is. Then - like father, like son - the young Dr. Icove is killed...with the same deadly precision.

But who is the mystery woman, and what was her relationship with the good doctors? With her husband, Roarke, working behind the scenes, Dallas follows her darkest instincts into the Icoves' pasts. And what she discovers are men driven to create perfection - playing fast and loose with the laws of nature, the limits of science, and the morals of humanity.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.

©2005 J. D. Robb (P)2005 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Robb tones down the romance and ups the action ante as the team uncovers an increasingly horrific crime that builds to a race-against-the-clock climax that will have readers cheering." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Susan Ericksen brings enthusiasm to the eclectic cast of characters, offering a unique voice to enliven each one. Her rendition of Lieutenant Dallas as a brash, yet secretly sensitive woman is likely to resonate most with listeners." ( AudioFile)

Good Story, Very High-Tech

One of the more futuristic entries in the "In Death" series. This combines interesting social questions with a peak at Roarke's personal life

Who wants to live forever - The Icove Case

In Origin in Death , Eve Dallas , snarky as always , investigate a terrifying and provocative case ; where Nobel Prize winners , father and son Doctors are murdered. Yet, it's not all what it seems in these gifted men family and work lives.

Together with Peabody , Summerset , Mira , Nadine and Rourke -who is also, getting ready for their first Thanksgiving celebration with his Irish family - they track the killer and discover the unthinkable.

🎧 Susan Ericksen did great with her narration.🎧

Great performance.

The narrator did a great job. Made the characters come alive. The story as always with this series is exciting.

Origin in Death

Great storyline, enjoyed this read, excellent narration. I highly recommend this book and series.

Ahead of her time

The technology that Nora Roberts show is amazing. From 1995 with cars that fly and facetime talking, to a smart home.
This one deals with what we face today in a society that in 2023 are completely nuts with indoctrination in our schools, and social DNA changing to make people more to someone else's liking with CRT.
At least in her books the DA puts criminals in a cage instead of right back on the streets.
Her advancement in tech is amazing..self driving cars...medical wand to heal bruising, ID and time of death established in minutes, using seal up..I just think she is the best and love her characters. The best. Thank you.

4.5 Stars

This book is one of the few so far in this series that has really given me the shivers. I do like crime procedural TV shows so it takes something to creep me out like Origin in Death did. Things start off normal with Eve interviewing a starlet who was beaten by her lover right before she killed him with a knife, but then the story is thrown for a loop when a doctor is killed in his office at the very hospital Eve is visiting. This begins a complex and eventually shiver-inducing mystery into the reason behind the good doctor's death.

Eve really has to dig into the deeper realms of human motivation and how far someone will go to reach their ultimate goals. I was impressed with her careful handling of the sensitive situation especially when her own past trauma kept rearing its head. I also liked the fact that she was determined to do right by the people who had been hurt (physically and emotionally) by the Doctors Icove. The In Death series takes place in 2059, but it doesn't always give me a sci-fi feel despite the advanced technology and off-planet discussions. Origin in Death is definitely one that emphasizes the futuristic setting with the advances of medical technology as well as the ethics behind such knowledge.

While Eve is handling this complicated case, she is also dealing with the fact that Thanksgiving is approaching and many of Roarke's newly discovered family members are coming over from Ireland. It is rare to see the suave Roarke in a state of discomfort and I liked getting to see more proof that he is actually human. There are also, of course, plenty of interesting interactions with side characters. I especially enjoyed seeing Eve and Dr. Mira have an argument regarding medical ethics and the Doctors Icove's real motives. And I have to mention the hilarious scene where Eve, Peabody, Mavis, Nadine, and Louise all have a spa treatment day with terrifying Trina, one of the few people Eve is genuinely afraid of.

All in all, another successful (if a bit freaky) installment in the series. Susan Ericksen brings her impeccable narration to the table for a story that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go until the last page.

One of my favorites in this series

Justice takes the lead over law and order in this excellent book of this series.

FAVORITE Eve Dallas so far!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. I find Eve Dallas, along with most of the other characters, to be very likeable, despite her tough-New York Cop-attitude. This story takes you to something that should be unbelievable, but knowing that it really could happen today (or in the near future) makes it extremely intriguing and fascinating.

What did you like best about this story?

Finding out the actual root to the murder and the twists it took to get there.

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

Yes, I have listened to her in each of the Eve Dallas novels I've read, and can't imagine anyone else narrating for Eve. Susan is great and makes listening to the book very enjoyable.

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

When Eve nervously invites her friends to her and Roarke's over-the-top Thanksgiving!

Fascinating

Loved it, Eve and Rourke are fantastic. The story line was very good, didn't see that ending coming as Eve is such a stickler for the law. Susan Erickson's voice was made for the in Death series. Loved it, would definitely recommend it

A great listen

It's an interesting story and it makes for a great listen. It's a little far fetched but who knows what we'll be able to do by the 2050's. If you're a Dallas fan you can't miss this, especially because it gets mentioned in the following handful of In Death books.