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)

WOW! Another GREAT ONE.

I am waiting for the other shoe to fall in this series. How can one series have so many books and still be good. I can not stop spending my money on this In Death series. (It's like an addiction.)This one was really good and interesting .I even shed some tears at the end.
I have to give it up to Susan Ericksen ( the narrator) she really makes these stories real. ( I especillay got a treat with Roarke's relatives being in town). (Susan has that Irish accent down).
I have tried saving money and reading a couple of the books but it is trully not the same without the voices that Susan gives us.
Do yourself a favor start with the 1st one you will not be disappointed.

One of my favs

I read all of the Eve stories and this is one I really noticed out of the crowd :)

The BEST Eve Dallas I've read-the Icove Agenda sot

I NEVER thought I'd ever give a Nora Roberts book 5 stars but this book had everything, especially in the audio version.

It was an exciting tense plot that kept me up all night listening. I dozed off towards 5AM but woke up and reset my iPad back to when I could remember what was going on.

Tense, a great turn around at the end, stressful and terse writing and Susan Ericksen's wonderful narration made this a superior Eve Dallas entrance to the series. I'd started listening to the last books from last towards the middle and had heard "Icove Agenda" for several books-so I checked it online and found out which book it was in. Since so many of the later books referred back to this case, I finally had to listen to it.

It also made me realize how many Eve Dallas books I've missed over the years...time to catch up.

Don't miss this one!

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.

Origin in Death

This is a great series by this author.

perfection can’t replace free will

Interesting addition to the series with a few memorable moments. Just not one of my favorites. Father and Son Doctors Icove are murdered consecutively in the same manner. When Eve and Peabody investigate, a long term project comes to light. I got a kick out of Peabody, Nadine and Cher Rio petting Eve’s new leather coat. This is not the body armor coat Roarke gives her in Celebrity in Death. Interesting that Celebrity is about the movie version of Nadine’s book about the Icoves. Ericksen does a good job of narration.

The best so far, and that's saying something

I'm a huge fan of the "In Death" series, and I think Origin in Death is the best so far. Besides being a fabulous thriller, this book moved me to tears with its surprisingly profound exploration of the nature of family and of personal identity. It broadens and deepens our understanding of many of the recurring characters. And, as always, it has the fabulous Peabody, Mavis and others for comic relief. And, of course, there is Susan Ericksen's incomparable narration, which makes the characters spring to vivid life. I've listened to the whole series so far in audio form, but I ordered this book in hardback so I could have it as part of my permanent library.

Job well done JD Robb!!

What made the experience of listening to Origin in Death the most enjoyable?

Susan Ericksen did a great narration as she usually does, but the best part of this novel was the unexpected humor--JD Robb outdid herself this time around. Very enjoyable storyline with great characters.

What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?

She's always read each novel very well, however this time she seemed exceptional in her ability to breathe life into each character in a unique manner.

What happened at Thanksgiving?

That's my only complaint. I wanted to hear about Crack meeting Roarke's family, etc. Rest of the book was great!

Not the best performance

Any additional comments?

Which was really sad and annoying because I LOVE this author and performer—and this particular story. But somehow the performer's speech was too fast for comfortable listening in parts and when I tried to slow it down it became too slow and sounded weird. So I'm really disappointed that I won't be able to listen to it again. I listen to my audio books hundreds of times each.

good read

once again a good read and I am loving this series l am reading this series

Clones

This story is all about clones not really my thing,the story line was ok, the narrator was once again fabulous. The best part of the story for me was when all the Irish relatives turned up for Thanks Giving.