Salvation in Death

In Death, Book 27

By: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

In the year 2060, sophisticated investigative tools can help catch a killer. But there are some questions even the most advanced technologies cannot answer...
Harlan Coben says, "J.D. Robb's In Death novels are can't-miss pleasures." Her latest is no exception, as the priest at a Catholic funeral mass brings the chalice to his lips - and falls over dead...

When Detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas confirms that the consecrated wine contained potassium cyanide, she's determined to solve the murder of Father Miguel Flores, despite her discomfort with her surroundings. It's not the bodegas and pawn shops of East Harlem that bother her, though the neighborhood is a long way from the stone mansion she shares with her billionaire husband Roarke. It's all that holiness flying around at St. Christobal's that makes her uneasy.
A search of the victim's sparsely furnished room reveals little - except for a carefully hidden religious medal with a mysterious inscription, and a couple of underlined Bible passages. The autopsy reveals more: faint scars of knife wounds, a removed tattoo - and evidence of plastic surgery suggesting "Father Flores" may not be the man his parishioners thought. Now, as Eve pieces together clues that suggest identity theft, gang connections, and a deeply personal act of revenge, she hopes to track down whoever committed this unholy act. Until a second murder - in front of an even larger crowd of worshippers - knocks the whole investigation sideways.

©2008 J.D. Robb (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Loved this one

Really enjoy all these stories! This one was one of the best so far!! Love the narrator too. I do get tired of the sex scenes, my God, no one has 5 orgasms.

A case of false identity

In this story, Eve Dallas and Detective Peabody arrive to investigate a murder at a Catholic Church in Spanish Harlem. Someone put cyanide in the communion wine and killed the priest. While trying to put the puzzle together, they find out that the priest wasn’t who he claimed to be and it takes digging through decade old crimes to find out the truth. I really enjoyed this audiobook and it has a twist at the end on who is really guilty of murder. Narration was excellent!

Murder cases involving religious leaders and gangs

I have read this novel in paperback twice. This is the first time I have listened to the audio book version. Excellent narration by Susan Ericksen.

Father Flores is murdered by poison in the wine chalice at a Roman Catholic funeral mass at a Spanish Harlem church. Jimmy J. Jenkins, an evangelical preacher of his own church (corporation/organization), is murdered by poison in his water bottle during a full house religious service at Madison Square Garden.

One murder is simple. The other is very complex. When listening to this entry in the series, think about the Seven Deadly Sins. Good cop work by Eve who has very good instincts. Lots of love and support between Eve and Roarke. I like the discussions of ethics between Eve and Roarke, Eve and Peabody, Eve and Father Lopez, and finally Peabody and McNab. It is good for readers to think about ethical issues. Got to think about them constantly to make sure your own ethics are in good working order. Also, that your compassion is in working order too.

Also includes some character discussion about salvation, which is why it is in the title. Very enjoyable. A good entertaining distraction from the troubles in one's own life.

Salvation in Death

Priest Flores dies while conducting mass at a funeral – poisoned by the consecrated wine. Eve and Peabody are assigned to find the killer. One thing they find is that Flores was not really Flores but instead was a person who had assumed his identity. Shock! Then an evangelist is murdered by poison in his water in front of thousands. Eve searches for the connection, if any. It gets very complicated. My favorite characters, Roark, Peabody, McNabb, Feeney, and Morris all have parts in the book. All help bring the villain to justice. Good story

Eve Dallas rocks - and so does Susan Ericksen!!!

Susan Ericksen is a brilliant audiobook reader, IMHO, because I love how she does the voices of the characters. I read another review for another J. D. Robb book where the reader was bothered by this, but I think she's absolutely brilliant. Nora Robert's characters are wonderful - I love all of them, down to the smallest parts - and with Susan portraying them so wonderfully...you have a complete experience when you listen to any of these audiobooks. I even hear the voices in my head when I read the regular books!!!

My Favorite "In Death" So Far!

I used to live in this neighborhood around 1960 when I went to nursing school. The book brought back lots of memories.

The story was fabulous but the narration was the best. All of the voices and accents were done so well. It was like being in the neighborhood with the cacophany of sound that I remember so well.

In death series never disappoints.

Love the series' characters. They are as familiar and as comfortable as friends. Always a good plot. Always a great listen.

Might be stretching our Suspension of Disbelief

Well, there's always a theme to these books. After some 30 books, though, a theme would be necessary for any of us to keep them all straight!

This one is centered around religion, faith, and the church. The plot turns out to be a bit TOO convoluted for my taste. (Don't worry - no spoilers here!) One of the things I have always loved about this series is that, with the exception of a few futuristic devices, and the sheer volume of drama that befalls our heroine, it's 100% believeable!

But in the end our plot, plan, and motive tuns out to be extremely intricate and somewhat forced, really. Generally speaking, people just aren't that complicated! And their motives are usually less so.

Didin't stop me from squeezing in every minute I could to finish it, though...

As good as always

I am never disappointed with the storyline, not with the audible reading of the book. J D Robb is a wonderful writer, and Susan Erickson brings the story to life.

Great story

Love the Eve Dallas books and this is another great one. Great mystery and compelling story. The narrator does such an amazing job. Well done all around.