Golden in Death

An Eve Dallas Novel (In Death, Book 50)

By: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In the latest thriller in the number-one New York Times best-selling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas investigates a murder with a mysterious motive - and a terrifying weapon.

Pediatrician Kent Abner received the package on a beautiful April morning. Inside was a cheap trinket, a golden egg that could be opened into two halves. When he pried it apart, highly toxic airborne fumes entered his body - and killed him.

After Eve Dallas calls the hazmat team - and undergoes testing to reassure both her and her husband that she hasn’t been exposed - it’s time to look into Dr. Abner’s past and relationships. Not every victim Eve encounters is an angel, but it seems that Abner came pretty close - though he did ruffle some feathers over the years by taking stands for the weak and defenseless.

While the lab tries to identify the deadly toxin, Eve hunts for the sender. But when someone else dies in the same grisly manner, it becomes clear that she’s dealing with either a madman - or someone who has a hidden and elusive connection to both victims.

©2020 Nora Roberts (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Time to call TOD

Here we are again, another book published. We’ve reached that magic 50 book number, but sadly it just isn’t up to par. I’ve been with this series from the beginning, and the early works were really addictive, but now… well the series has lost its sense of place. The books used to captivating, thrilling and fun. I found Golden in Death to be a dry police procedural with futuristic elements. I’m not saying police procedurals are bad, far from it, but it’s not what this series used to be.

I miss the human interactions; Eve spending time with friends and family, trying to fumble her way through social interactions and social cues. I also miss the snark and banter that was so prominent and kind of defined the books. Even Eve and Roarke’s relationship is bugging me. It’s always one-sided. I mean Roarke is always there for her, engaging in her life, helping her in any way he can. But I can’t really say that she does the same. She only ever has the odd question about his day, but she never really takes the time to do anything nice for him. It’s not sitting right with me.

Susan Ericksen is an engaging narrator just like always and she does a tremendous job bringing this book to life. I love listening to her performances and I don’t see that ever changing. I think I want to go as far as saying she’s the one redeeming quality of this book. But sadly the magic is gone and at this point I’m not sure Robb can bring the series back to life. Maybe it’s time to call time of death?

Disappointing

The last few books in the “In Death” series have been disappointing. Rourke is not as involved in the cases and shows up mainly to get Eve to eat or have sex. Their relationship is what I enjoy most and it hasn’t been enough. I hoped for a much better story - there was a good opportunity with the murder weapon. But it was rather boring and the culprits weak. So sad, I love Roarke and Eve but have been very disappointed in the last few books!

All In Death books

I don’t want this series to ever end and, for right now, at least, there is a new one to come in 214 days (aka 9/8/20 😉) and my prayer is that there are at least another 50!!

These characters are so strongly and creatively developed!! I feel like they are so well known. There were a few I missed in this specific book BUT they were mentioned and that was actually enough...enough to get me through!!

As I am getting older, each year seems to be speeding up but for the next book, I wish August was almost over!!

Happy reading (listening), and if you have missed any of the previous 49 books in this series, stack up your credits and enjoy!!

BTW, a plus to this series is that the amazing narrator Susan Erickson has been with us from the beginning!! Consistent voices make a huge difference and Susan is one of the best!!

This review is painful for me to write

Let me start by saying I am a diehard eve Dallas fan. I always, always, always have the book day one of its release. This Hass to be my least favorite book of all. It felt like the author was just going through the motions. The story was flat and not very exciting. Also, I was missing a lot of my favorite characters. I am hoping the next eve Dallas book is more exciting. At least give us some thing in the personal life. When will Peabody get engaged to McNabb? When will Eve discover she’s pregnant? When will something happen to Rork? Give me something to care about I have been known to read and eve Dallas book in one day. It took me three. I was just so bored

The 50th

I did note that this is Robb’s fiftieth book in the Death Series and the title is “Golden in Death”. Robb continues to amaze me by not repeating crimes. Each book is different. This time, she outdoes herself with a creative murder.

The book is well written and continues the futuristic police procedural. I enjoyed Lt. Eve Dallas and Detective Delia Peabody’s adventure while solving the crime. There is humor, action and interesting characters in the story. I wonder when one of them is going to get a promotion in rank. This is a great get-away-from-it-all book.

The book is thirteen hours and fifty minutes. Susan Ericksen does an excellent job narrating the book. Ericksen has been the only narrator of the series. She is a multi-award-winning audiobook narrator.

A major disappointment

I love the In Death series. I love the characters, the humor, the over-the-top villains. I was anticipating Golden In Death while in the process of listening to the other books for a second time, this time in order. If I had started the series with Golden, I never would have read another one.
It is appallingly repetitious at the beginning, and doesn't get much better. Repetition in various ways to use as filler. There's very little of the humor I've come to love. None of the characters sound quite like themselves--more stilted. Peabody suddenly has a filthy mouth--dropping the f-bomb with alarming frequency for her.
And Susan Ericksen--nomally I listen to In Death books at normal speed, but I had to bump it to 1.25 in order to tolerate Susan's narration, which was uneven at best, and at times it sounded like she was sneering while reading--which maybe she was since the writing was so bad. JD Robb's editor did her a serious disservice but not sending this manuscript back for revision. I think Robb is tired of writing the series. I wanted to love Golden, but it just laid a big stinky egg.

I expected a brilliant Golden Anniversary book. It glitters, but it’s gold plate.

Audible version review. 5 star narration by Susan Ericksen. 3.5 stars overall.

As a crime fiction fan who has read every Eve Dallas book in the series, I looked forward to reading this milestone 50th book. This is a quick, enjoyable read, but there’s nothing new, different or stellar about this book. It’s just another readable Eve Dallas police procedural with a decent but not spectacular plot—in keeping with the more recent books of the series.

Characterization is not as strong in this book, with the exception of Eve Dallas. Many long-time, secondary characters are missing, because they aren’t relevant to the story. However, one character was sorely missed. This murder/poisoning case (unbelievably) gets minimal press attention, and worse, there’s no input from and/or interactions with Nadine, the ace reporter. This case needed, at the very least, some press attention.

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Audiobook narrator Susan Ericksen’s fantastic voice-acting. I can honestly say that her performance saved this book from a lower rating. There’s more NSFW language than usual, and it seemed to increase as the story proceeded. I’m no prude, so at times use NSFW language, but in this book, it became an annoyance. Audiobook fans, be warned that the NSFW language comes through loud and clear.

Blown Away

I am again amazed at how this In Death Series never disappoints. J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) is an amazing author. I've read every book since Naked In Death. While anxiously awaiting the next i continue to reread. Golden In Death has me once again waiting for the next.

I highly recommend this series

No growth for Eve

I get that Eve didn't have the best upbringing in the world but either she just doesn't care about her husband and friends or she is incapable of learning how to be a wife or a friend. I don't know why Rourke stays with her. She is blind to anything except her job. I feel sorry for her. I hope the author ends up killing her off instead of getting her pregnant one day because she has no ability to be a parent. And I don't see parenthood magically changing her to a warm person. This story was so-so. Lots of stuff from previous books and not much heart to it. On the plus side, there were no nightmares that go on and on and on. If book 51 isn't a lot better, I am going to have to be one with the one-dimensional Eve Dallas.

Spoiled Rich Kids!

Enjoyed the story. However, I just wish the stories involved some of the original characters. They were colorful and gave Eve a little more character development. The stories of their past add insight into the current timeline. Looking forward to the next book.