Origin in Death

In Death, Book 21

By: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

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.

COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN

Thought provoking. One of the best in this series so far. Couldn' t stop reading it.

A fun read

My wife loves Robb/Roberts, and has read almost everything Nora aka J.D. has written. This was my first time reading one of her books, and I can see why she enjoys them. Fairly well researched sci-fi, with most items on short-term projection for our own timeline which makes it more relatable. Good plot line if perhaps a little predictable in the event you consume a lot of sci-fi entertainment. Peppered with some lightly steamy scenes of intimacy throughout. I don't know that J.D. is for me, but she seems to be perfect for my partner, and that's okay.

My Fave

Not sure exactly why this is my favorite. Like the preparation s for Thanksgiving, and Dallas's bumblings/fear of the kids. Also the villains are upstanding citizens. Thankless in death is my least favorite because the villains is a antisocial ass.

One of the best

All of the In Death books are good, but this one is particularly so. Poignant, humorous, and shocking at the same time.

Eve and Rourke cannot be beat!

My second of the death series, I buy them when they are on sale, there are so many and I plan on continuing this series. Eve and Rourke are sooooo good together as lovers and as sleuths. Eve is feisty, no nonsense and impatient, Rourke is sweet, patient and tender. The story gets a little technical in the end, I had to go back and review a few times but it is interesting with a little x-files in it. The year is like 2040 or something but it is not extreme, just fun to imagine. The narrator is great, she is the voice of the death series and there would probably be a riot if they changed to someone else.