Ceremony in Death cover art

Ceremony in Death

In Death, Book 5

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Ceremony in Death

By: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
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About this listen

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb presents the fifth thrilling novel in her futuristic In Death series—where even in an age of cutting-edge technology, old beliefs die hard.

Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong—and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.©2006 J. D. Robb (P)2006 Brilliance Audio Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Fiction
All stars
Most relevant  
Rating: 4 stars.
Spice level: some explicit scenes.
Genre(s): crime, romantic suspense.

Overall impression: though each novel follows a fairly predictable formula, the context changes making them exciting and engaging reads. Ceremony in Death focused on the occult, witchcraft and ritualistic murders. Although the murderer was obvious from the start, Eve had no proof to convict them leading to a series of bodies and no way to stop it. I do miss the days when I couldn't work out the murderer until the end, so I'm hoping the next few books don't outright tell you from the start. Still binge-worthy and perfect for the train commute.

Tropes:
➵ Homicide detective FMC
➵ Strong FMC
➵ Murder mystery
➵ Covens & cults
➵ Ritualistic killings
➵ Set in the future
➵ Billionaire romance
➵ Morally grey MMC
➵ Protective MMC
➵ Opposites attract
➵ Traumatic past
➵ Mental health representation
➵ Flawed characters
➵ Funny side kick
➵ Well-developed supporting characters
➵ Witty dialogue

Delving into the occult, rituals & witchcraft

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Eve a Dectective in Homicide was told by her Commander to investigate a fellow police officer who had recently died. The drug squad had seen him buy some illegals. Eve was not allowed to ask help from her former trainer Feeney who was now in charge of another devision. Roarke was able to help with the computer stuff as that was not Eva's strong suit. They found that Frank the deceased officer had been investigating an occult whom had influenced his grand-daughter. She finally went to him after she had witnessed a Child being killed in a ceremony. This story is excellent and the Narrator also very good.

The cult!

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2022 AUDIBLE REVIEW
I have also started buying the audible books and have listened to the audio book version as well.
Though I am not keen on the narrator, I was able to enjoy the actual story. The narrator has better inflection and seems to be improving with separating the characters voices.
BOOK REVIEW
3.5 stars. Not my favourite as I felt Eve stepped away from trusting her instincts and acted emotionally instead of her usual controlled, clear-thinking self.
Rituals, orgies and murder are unfortunately used as the backdrop to a series of murders.
One of the victims is a cop, another is his granddaughter.
Wiccan witchcraft is abused purely for profiteering and an innocent man with his own horrendous past, is taken apart in interview by Eve.
I sort of understand where Eve was coming from but felt like she was taking the easy route. It was all too neatly presented.
Great to see Peabody willing to question Eve’s behaviour and methods.
Poor Jamie, losing his sister and grandad like that.
Fantastic dramatic ending.
I have owned most of these books in paperback for years but now have them all in eBook format, so I am rereading this series once more in order, updating and replacing missing reviews.
Even knowing what is in the future, it is absolutely no hardship to reread this series and I am really enjoying how all the characters are growing and changing.

I am not keen on the narrator.

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I love this series however the occult theme didn't appeal to me. Probably my least liked book of the series so far

Love the author

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