The story begins with Eve and Roarke going to a fancy cocktail party at Nadine's new home. It is interesting to see Eve realizing how many people are now a part of her life. And it is rather dismaying for Eve too.

Eve meets Rochelle Pickering. She's a child psychologist who is dating Crack who is one of Eve's friends from even before she met Roarke. Roarke is planning to hire her to be the head therapist an An Didean - a residential project to help young girls. Naturally being Eve, she takes an opportunity to check her out for any criminal past.

The next thing she knows, Crack is calling her because they have found Rochelle's younger brother dead of an apparent overdose when they return home. Rochelle doesn't believe that Lyle killed himself. He did have a troubled past with gang involvement and drug use but prison and rehabilitation worked for him. He's clean, he's working, he's happy and rebuilding trust with his family.

It doesn't take more than a brief look for Eve to realize that Lyle was murdered instead of falling off the wagon and overdosing. Her investigation takes her deep into the Bangers - Lyle's former gang - where she uncovers much more than the usual gang violence. There is dissension in the ranks, a corrupt disbarred lawyer, and plots and betrayals. There are also a whole bunch of stupid members of the gang.

While the case is pretty easily solved and lots of gang members are taken off the street, Eve is generally sad. She begins to think that the system that is her moral center has failed. It takes Roarke's support and his own explanation for why he helps her solve her cases before Eve regains her balance.

This was filled with the usual snarky banter between Eve and Peabody. It also explores more of Eve's unique viewpoint regarding social things and her usual mangling of idioms. Her relationship with Roarke and her friends remains strong and gives her emotional support as she does a difficult job.

The series continues to be strong even in this 48th episode. ( )

I used to enjoy this series, but this one left me very "meh"... It was rote ( )

Connections in Death
3 Stars

When the brother of Roarke's newest employee is found dead in his own home, Eve soon realizes that his apparent overdose is a poor attempt at disguising a homicide. The investigation takes Eve and her team into some of the seediest and most dangerous areas of the city as the victim's connections expose gang affiliations and rivalries. Can Eve uncover the truth before the city erupts in gang warfare?

Unfortunately, this is one of the weakest installments in the series. Even though the death of a young man who has turned his life around is sad, none of the investigative elements are particularly interesting, and the pacing is also slower than usual. The motivations and villains are revealed relatively early, and there is very little tension or suspense to draw the reader in completely.

Even though the fan favorites all put in an appearance, there is no character development, and much of the humor and snark that characterizes the series is also missing.

All in all, this addition is disappointing. Better luck with the next one!



( )

J D Robb just keeps coming with better reading each time. I have read everyone of the "Death" series and still wanting more! All of her Death books have been fantastic. Waiting patiently for #49!!! ( )

I.Just.Love.Her. Anything she writes. And after I loved JD Robb a million years ago, I fell in love with Dallas and Roarke. It is like hanging out with friends. ( )