“Judge not, least ye be judged yourself” is not just a famous adage but it’s also part of scripture from Matthew 7:1, yet, how often do we find ourselves doing just that?

In J.D. Robb’s book, Judgment in Death, this is the basis of the story.

Lt. Eve Dallas of the NYPSD is called to the crime scene of a man who was brutally bludgeoned to death. As she picks her way through the blood and gore, her heart sinks as she sees her husband, Roarke enter the strip club. “Don’t tell me! One of yours?” she asks already knowing the answer.

As it turns out, Roarke does, indeed, own the strip club and that only complicates her investigation. Roarke was known to own only the best business in the city. So, why then, did this murder happen in one of his clubs? But most of all, why did it happen at all?

To further complicate the investigation, Eve is called into her supervisor’s office where Commander Whitney tells her the person found murdered was undercover Detective, Taj Kohli and rumor has it, he was dirty. She’s asked to investigate not just the murder but the rumor, as well. But, she’s reminded, she must keep the investigation of the rumor as quiet as possible – from the public, from the media and especially from the other cops.

Most dirty cop stories have cops sticking together no matter what the circumstances. After all, they patrol the same areas, fight crime together and all too often must risk their own lives to save another officer. While they know a cop can fall by the wayside, a cop is a cop and must be protected.

During her investigation, it leaks that she found evidence indicating the cop was on the take. Eve knows better than to believe what she finds until the investigation has been completed. But because of the initial reports of her findings, she’s accused of investigating one of her own.

Although she gets more and more frustrated with the investigation and while she thought things couldn’t get worse, in walks Internal Affairs detective, Don Webster. Immediately, Eve is put on the defensive. She and Detective Webster had a brief affair – something he’s never forgotten and doesn’t want to. That puts Roarke on the offensive.

J.D. Robb has done a fantastic job with book as she combines the camaraderie of the boys in blue with the refreshing and growing relationship between Dallas’ aide, Officer Peabody and her lover, Detective Ian MacNab, the jealous streak she never knew her husband possessed and the fun-loving friendship between Eve and her long-time pal, Mavis Freestone.

J.D. Robb just makes this book, like the others in the In Death series flow smoothly.

Looking at our own lives, we see a serious side and a comical side. We take our work and family responsibilities seriously yet we enjoy having fun with our families and friends.

This is a part of life we often take for granted because it just happens - now, try writing a journal. In that journal, write down the personalities of your family and friends and add them with yours. You'll see that each one, with different traits has the ability to make or break a friendship.

If that isn't difficult enough to understand, try writing a story blending all those personalities - and make it work for smooth and enjoyable reading.

It's not easy - and yet, J.D. Robb does just that.

Robb pits Dallas' serious work-related personality against that of Officer Delia Peabody's free-ager free spirit and shows you the police-related camaraderie and blooming personal friendship.

Throw in Mavis Freestone and you witness Eve Dallas toss her somber personality aside to finally have some fun.

Bring in Dr. Charlotte Mira and you'll see Dallas' true fears begin to emerge while she lets Dr. Mira begin helping Dallas understand and cope with them.

And if that's not enough she takes Dallas' tough cop-personality and links her to a just-as-tough husband and allows them to melt into each other and demonstrate a love affair we can actually envy.

One of the things I enjoyed about this book is that the action never stops. Whether the action find Dallas verbally abusing her computer that often breaks down, interrogating a witness, fighting with the vending machine at headquarters, conversing with Peabody or having a romantic interlude with Roarke, each page keeps your mind focused on the action that never stops.

This is the kind of book that makes you want to read more. As the book is drawing to a close, part of you is elated because the killer is caught, justice is served and Dallas has uncovered the truth behind the rumor of Detective Kohli. Yet - keep in mind that as you're enjoying that elation, the book is ending and you begin to look forward to more of the life of Eve Dallas.

Definitely NOT a boring book - by any means!

It’s a book definitely worth reading and I’m sure once you pick it up and begin the story, you won’t want to put it down until its final page. “You’re gonna enjoy this one.”

I did.


Thank you for reading.



Please, don’t forget to read my other reviews on the In Death series:

Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death


Recommended: Yes