I hate it when I run into one of these where it doesn’t flow for me and it always makes me wonder whether it’s ghost written. The dialogue isn’t quite right for these characters, the way they all function together… I’ve read all of these so I know what I’m talking about.

I enjoyed this much more the second listen, especially when I hadn’t just finished a series similar.

Most brutal In Death book to date. Desperation In Death tackles the gut wrenching topic of sex traffic, starting off with the murder of Mina, one of two young girls who managed to escape the vicious human trafficking prison known as The Pleasure Academy. Lt. Eve Dallas concludes sex trafficking was the basis for the murder and quickly realizes another girl is involved. Given the nature of the crime it’s no wonder everyone around Eve who knows of her childhood trauma is worried about how she will deal with the case as she delves deeper into the Academy. Timeline wise it’s been a little over 3 years since Eve and Roarke meet and she’s recovered her memories of childhood sexual abuse. It’s completely absurd to think she’s got over it already and won’t have bad days where her past trauma gets retriggered by a case she’s working on. She clashes with Roarke, and at times with Dr. Mira and Peabody, over the emotional toll a case causes her when she’s triggered, but they are always a rock for her when she becomes overwhelmed and feels like she’s sinking. They fight for her, they don’t turn away from her. Isn’t that what true love, what true family, is?

13 year old Dorian, the girl who escaped, is badly injured and suffering from temporary amnesia, and ends up finding shelter with the enigmatic Sebastian. Mavis, one of Sebastian’s former street kids, acts as a mediary for him when Dorian very reluctantly agrees to speak with Eve. Mavis surprises everyone by standing up to Eve’s anger over his involvement. Sebastian kept Mavis safe when she needed his help and helped her hone street skills (grifting) to survive. Eve’s stubborn insistence that Dorian needs to trust the system is super hypocritical given the terrible time she herself had in foster care, and then there’s the fact that the entire basis of Roarke’s business empire is rooted in his youth as a pickpocket. Mavis kicked verbal butt in her scenes in this book. With Roarke’s help, Eve circumvents normal police procedures to relocate Dorian and her new friend Mouser to An Didean for safe keeping, thereby offering both abused kids a golden ticket to a safe and supportive environment few lost kids would have the opportunity to attend. Other highlights include Eve encouraging Jenkinson to go up for the sergeant’s exam and the entire team coming together to take down the Academy. And of course Roarke arranges for a much welcomed meal for Eve and her team, who have become as much an extended family to him as they are to Eve.

Overall, this was a great book, in part due to the brilliant narration of Susan Erickson. Sigh, if only Erickson could narrate all the audiobooks I listen to. I don’t think Desperation In Death is one I can listen to again, or at least not in its full entirety, given the disturbing nature of the crimes and the all too harsh reality of sex trafficking. Hoping the next book will be a little lighter than this one, and maybe feature Roarke’s family, who I absolutely adore.

I don’t know how she does it. How these still hit so well after 55 books, I have no idea. But lord did this one hit hard. So good. I essentially finished it in one sitting and it’s now midnight and I have to work tomorrow. But such a good entry in this series.

It has been some many whiles since I last read an Eve Dallas book. Got this one as a gift. Kept my attention, as the tension built and the case gathered steam. Not a happy case to be sure, but well-solved in the end (is that a spoiler?).

Boy, do I wish someone would invent an AutoChef already. Fun to see an imaginary depiction of 2060 NYC and not at all suprized to read that traffic is still a daily mess.

Excellent addition to the series! Good plot, good villians, lots of secondary characters involved, loved seeing Tiko again, Bella was delightful, Mavis's rant at Eve & the witness/ victim was awesome, Mr. Mira was as insightful & charming as ever and Summerset's vulnerable gooey center was exposed. While the tension between Eve & Roarke was bitter, the resolution was delicious. My only 'criticisms' are: 1. I expected Charles to be involved, due to the nature of the case, and was disappointed he was not.
2. Whitney's over reaction to Eve not asking for approval in handling witness/ victim when she did the same with Nixie in Survivor (worse, took her home) and has acted without approval in many other cases. It seemed out of character.

Always a winner!

You get sucked into the story and can't let go till the end.
All JD Robb fans will be happy with this addition to the "in Death" collection.