"entertaining futuristic police procedural"

In 2060 New York City, everyone believes that affluent businessman Thomas Anders is an upright moral person. He gives away sports equipment to needy children; has set up sports camps and special programs for the kids. He wants to give impoverished children a chance and his lovely wife Ava helps by creating successful fundraisers. Thus it comes as quite a shock when he is found dead in his bed with his hands and feet tied to the posts with black velvet ropes and one around his neck.

NYPSD Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches the case and quickly believes certain evidence does not make sense. Only someone who knew the security codes could get in, but that limits the suspects to the victim's wife, nephew and few others; all have air tight alibis. Morris the medical examiner finds a trace of barbiturates in Thomas' system, which means he was unconscious when he was killed. Eve has an idea who did it, but lacks proof to prove it.

Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb consistently provides quality entertaining futuristic police procedurals; her latest "in death" thriller keeps her readers attention throughout as the suspense remains high while the audience wonders how Eve will prove who the killer is as fans know early on who she suspects. Eve continues to grow so that she remains fresh adding to the fun of observing her seek evidence to affirm who done it.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 1, 2008

Summary

The new novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series.

Technology may be different in 2060 New York, yet the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. But as ever, some murders receive more attention than others—especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed—and strangled—with cords of black velvet.

It doesn't surprise Lieutenant Eve Dallas that Thomas Anders's scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation to the public—and of humiliation to his family. But while people in the city are talking about it, those close to Anders aren't so anxious to do the same. With some help from her billionaire husband, Roarke, Eve's soon knocking on doors—or barging through them—to find answers.

But the facts don't add up. Physical evidence suggests that the victim didn't struggle. The security breach in the apartment indicates that the killer was someone known to the family, but everyone's alibi checks out. Was this a crime of passion in a kinky game gone wrong—or a meticulously planned execution? It's up to Dallas to solve a case in which strangers may be connected in unexpected, and deadly, ways.