Obsession in Death by J. D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) ****

 Obsession in Death by J. D. Robb

Lt. Eve Dallas, partner Det. Delia Peabody and billionaire husband, Roarke, must find the mystery killer who is infatuated with Eve. The killer starts with people who disrespect Eve, escalates to Eve’s friends, and then to Eve. Long series, 40 of 60+

This is a police procedural set in the near future with extensive use of data science, facial recognition, video surveillance, psychological profiling, etc. The plot is straightforward with a single killer and seemingly countless computer-generated suspects. Not a thriller, but also not a cozy. The body count and the tension are low. Most of the action is sifting through clues and suspects. The author's pedigree as a romance writer (Nora Roberts) comes out in a few sex scenes between Eve and Roarke. An easy-to-follow page turner.

This is a standalone book and might be better if the reader is unfamiliar with the 39 previous books. A lot of the book reiterates and reviews Eve’s previous cases. I imagine all this history might be tedious if the reader is familiar with it. The plot follows as Eve and her team mine the previous books for suspects and red herrings.

The psychological profiling theorizes on the nature of friendship, why it is hard to make friends, and why some people have few friends. Lots of pop psychology.

There are many places where the author’s romance pedigree shows through.

“I am what I am, do what I do, and a big part of that is being yours.”

“No sexual edge to any of it. So a female, a straight female, makes sense.” “Or a gay man with good skin.”

Roarke had to deal with her moods. It was in the marriage rules.

Why in bed? Why does she put them or take them in bed?” “Vulnerability? Sleep, sex, sickness. Wouldn’t those be the top reasons for being in bed? All of those make you vulnerable.”

“I could get drunk.” She nodded at the idea as she got into the car. “Not a whole lot drunk, not just a tiny bit drunk. Just the right amount of drunk.” “The perfect amount of drunk,” he agreed. “I need another minute.” “What for?” “Just this.” Just holding her, just feeling her heart beat, smelling her hair. Just that.

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