Immortal in Death

In Death, Book 3

By: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

She was one of the most sought after women in the world. A top model who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted - even another woman's man. And now she was dead, the victim of a brutal murder. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas put her professional life on the line to take the case when suspicion fell on her best friend, the other woman in the fatal love triangle.

Beneath the façade of glamour, Eve found that the world of high fashion thrived on an all-consuming obsession for youth and fame. One that led from the runway to the dark underworld of New York City where drugs could be found to fulfill any desire - for a price.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.

©2004 J. D. Robb (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

so I had to buy the 3rd

Once I bought the first and second audiobook, I couldn't stop. This series was like a drug in paper form when I first started reading them, and now as an audiobook it has the same power. I have read the book but it's been some time and I could still enjoy the story as well as Eve's voice via Susan Ericksen. Loved it.

Addict

I have fallen in love with these characters. Susan Ericksen is a master at the naration. I know immediately from the accent if Eve, Rorke, Mavis, etc. is speaking. I find myself at the end of the book wanting more. I would suggest listening in order as their are often references to past cases that were solved.

The Story Works the Narrator not so much

This being my 3rd In Death book about which I would say much of what I said about the first one. The difference here was that the Narrator's ability to use the variety of voices necessary for the number of characters in the story was taxed. While by now she is the voice of the In Death books for me I found that she has about 5 voices while this book required 7 or 8. Often when she would begin speaking I would think that it was one character until I'd heard enough to figure out that it was a different character entirely. At which point my mind would have to switch gears and reorient to the actual character who was speaking and their part if the story. It wasn't horrible just disorienting.

This Series is Addictive!

Because I have already read all of the In Death series that has been published, and read each new one as it comes out, I already knew it was addictive. So I pretty much had no choice but to get the Audible version of the 1st Eve Dallas book, then the 2nd, and now the 3rd! And I am already resigned to the fact that I will continue until I've listened to them all.

What makes them addictive? For me it's not the violence, or the sex scenes. It's not even really the romance. The mystery/police procedural aspect of the stories is part of what keeps me coming back for more. But the main draws in this series are 1) the characters and their evolving relationships, and 2) the imaginative details of the futuristic world which J.D. Robb has invented.

The author draws her characters so well, and gives them such human characteristics, that you end up really loving these folks and wanting to see them succeed, whether at personal relationships or at work, or at catching another despicable felon. And the development of relationships is the reason that you need to read them in the order they were published.

In Immortal in Death, Leonardo the fashion designer shows up, designs Eve's wedding dress, and becomes Mavis's main squeeze. Peabody loosens up a bit and has a short-lived entanglement with another cop. And at the end Eve and Roark get married in a glorious ceremony.

Of course, the most interesting character development is that of Eve Dallas, a woman who pretty much had to turn off all feeling just to survive to adulthood, who never felt love and doesn't know what to do with it, who as a child never saw an example of someone simply being kind and never had a friend. And now, at full adulthood, she starts to recognize that one really should try to at least be polite if not nice, because it makes people feel good, and makes things easier for her. She starts to recognize it, but she doesn't really know how to do it. Over the course of the books she slowly begins to catch on a little, and that's part of the fun of these books.

I'll keep coming back for my fix as long as this series continues.

True JD Robb

The in death series are good - but what I am after is the relationship between Eve and Roarke, how it evolves, how she changes and comes terms with herself.

I love the way Susan Ericksen narrates, she is fantastic!!

Great way to plan a wedding.

I absolutely loved the story. I didn't want it to end. I love the many characters and their development in Eve and Roake's lives. Shocking learning how Eve life takes it turns. I am loving this series.

Book 3 Is Another Hit

Another spectacular murder-mystery with lots of Eve and Roark and crew. This book kicks off the Peabody partnership and sets the tone for the next books in the series. Futuristic cop Eve Dallas remembers what happened to her when she was 8 years old and wants to confront it by going back and facing the charges. Thank goodness Roark and Dr. Mira convince her that what she did at 8 years of age bears nothing to the woman she has made of herself. Whew! this murder centers around an illegal drug that brings beauty, strength, and makes the taker immortal. it also is lethal if taken over a long period of time and turns out to be addictive. The investigation soon uncovers off planet involvement and the twists and turns are your typical J.D. Robb style. It is terrific. I read the print version in 2006 and listened to the audible version today. Susan Ericksen, the narrator for all the Eve Dallas books, is terrific. Audible books are my favorite.

Wedding Bells

Wedding bells are in the offing for Eve and Roarke. Mavis's new love, the megatalented Leonardo, has designed The Dress. But the violent murder of the city's top model incriminates Mavis and Leonardo in a case that may send Eve's plans skidding off the runway, especially when her escalating flashbacks to her painful past reveal a long-repressed truth.

As with all these books, the mystery is secondary to the growth and interaction of the many characters. Going back to this book--the third in the series, all of which I've read--after several years makes you realize the "genius" of Robb/Roberts' long-running saga about what amounts to an extended family. New characters at the time of this story are now old friends.

A word about narrator Susan Ericksen, who most people (other than me) seem to love. She's not bad. She does an OK job differentiating the characters. I've finally gotten used to her Peabody voice, which was a shock when I first heard it. But she almost invariably "punches" the wrong word in important sentences ("You're not supposed to BE here" is not the same as "YOU'RE not supposed to be here"; the technical term for this, if I may be obnoxious, is "prosody."). A lot of the books' humor and humanity gets lost because of these misreads.

Ericksen needs to spend more time in prep--I get the sense she's reading "cold" and that the producers are in the control booth saying OKlet'shurrythisalong. The shifting scenes run into each other, without the proper pauses that characterize good audio productions.

This series, although not great literature and not everyone's cup of tea, is a unique phenomenon that deserves better production values. Personally I'd love to see them redone with less "chirp" and more nuance.

3 books down, 50 to go!

STORY (mystery/thriller) - You can always count on Eve and Roarke (the main characters) for a great story. Eve Dallas is a New York detective. Roarke, her fiancé, is a handsome billionaire. In this story they solve the mystery of several murders that seem to revolve around an illegal fountain-of-youth drug, and Eve's best friend Mavis appears to have committed the first brutal murder of a famous fashion model. There are wedding plans going on, and you will also hear a small glimpse of Eve's past. The book rocks along with a great mystery and police investigation, then adds a twist at the end. (And there's a toast by Peabody which is a total hoot!).

This has become my go-to series when I want to hear a great mystery. I listened to one or two books in this series out of order, then decided it was so good that I started over at the beginning. Not only are there great characters, but I also love the futuristic setting. The mysteries are always the perfect combination of suspense without being so complicated you have to stress to keep things straight. Then there's a small romantic thread running through the series as well, just for an added touch.

PERFORMANCE - And to top off the great story, there's the wonderful performance of Susan Ericksen. Every time I hear her narrate one of these books, I wish I had a sixth star to award. Her voices, her emotions, everything is just perfect.

OVERALL - This is Book 3 of a huge series of 53 books. There is a lot of what I call "cop mouth," in other words, abundant F-words and other expletives. There are several murders, but the author doesn't dwell on gory descriptions. There is also a small amount of fairly hot sex. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes police procedurals. Each book stands alone but the characters and relationships develop slowly book by book, so you should start at the beginning.

J D Robb is wonderful!!!!

Hubby & I both love Eve Dallas and all the other story players. We have all of the "in Death" books. He doesn't like to sit down and read but he will listen to audiobooks in the car. We have sat in the driveway to listen until we find a stopping point.... That's how great these stories are... Now I'm putting them on my MP3 player.
These stories are A+++++.

Eve and rouke near the beginning

Would you consider the audio edition of Immortal in Death: In Death, Book 3 to be better than the print version?

I wouldn't say the audible was better I would say on a par with the book

What other book might you compare Immortal in Death: In Death, Book 3 to, and why?

Well ..... In my opinion the start of the "in death" stories are better than the new ones because the relationship is still so new and eve is still learning how to fully trust and to depend on rourke, as the series continues they seem to be more police and investigative books, I know there's still a lot of the romance in them but in this book the romance is still shiney and new.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene I enjoyed most was eve punching out the beautiful model! I also love the other characters and enjoy Mavis and Leonardo so much. Their romance is so sweet I can't wait to retread the next book with their story in.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I like the narrator I know some people don't but listening to so many audible books I think she's quite distinctive.

Any additional comments?

I am slowly buying all the in death series on audible and while I'm waiting I retread my books.

Another fantastic audio

Loving the In Death books, the narrator for these books is so very good. She takes on each character and gives them a different voice, really brings the stories alive.

good read

once again a good read and I will be listening to more of these books

Another outstanding story

What made the experience of listening to Immortal in Death: In Death, Book 3 the most enjoyable?

The continuing romance and relationship between Roarke and Eve and the development of all her weird and wonderful friends. The characters stay with you. Never have I enjoyed something as much as I am enjoying this series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Immortal in Death: In Death, Book 3?

When Roarke wanted Eve to sleep so he took care of her and the next morning she was so mad. I just love their relationship.

What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?

Susan Ericksen is an audio voice genius. All of her different voices for every character are so distinctive and clever. She is quite remarkable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could have I would but I like to save it for my journey to and from work. It does however make me want to walk instead of ride my bike so I can listen to the book while I walk. I don't feel safe biking while I get lost in a book.

Any additional comments?

Brill, fab, amazing. Don't want the books to ever end. I will buy them all one after the other and when I get to the end I will start again and listen to them all over again.