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A review by laurenjodi
Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb
4.0
Abandoned in Death
4 Stars
When the body of a young woman wearing turn-of-the-century clothing along with a sign reading "BAD MOMMY" is found in a playground in Mavis and Peabody's neighborhood, Eve takes the case even more personally than usual. As the clues begin to unravel, Eve realizes not only that the killer must have suffered some childhood trauma, but that they are at least 60 years old. What could possibly have triggered such an old wound and will Eve be able to stop them before they kill again?
The narrative style differs from the usual In Death formula as the story is divided into two timelines - the past providing details on the killer's mother, and the present day investigation. The sections set in the past are compelling as they evoke conflicting emotions. While it is easy to identify with the mother as she clearly; the fact that she cannot be ignored. Regardless, these past events do not excuse the killer's actions, and it is, in fact, implied that genetics might have played a role in their psychosis. This is not the first time Robb has included the nature versus nurture debate in her books, and it is always interesting.
The investigation progresses at a solid pace with a couple of strong red-herrings. Kudos to Robb for managing to surprise me with the identity of the killer after 54 books! I really did not see that coming even though the clues are definitely there.
In sum, it is good to see the series is still going strong after so many books and I look forward to the next one.
4 Stars
When the body of a young woman wearing turn-of-the-century clothing along with a sign reading "BAD MOMMY" is found in a playground in Mavis and Peabody's neighborhood, Eve takes the case even more personally than usual. As the clues begin to unravel, Eve realizes not only that the killer must have suffered some childhood trauma, but that they are at least 60 years old. What could possibly have triggered such an old wound and will Eve be able to stop them before they kill again?
The narrative style differs from the usual In Death formula as the story is divided into two timelines - the past providing details on the killer's mother, and the present day investigation. The sections set in the past are compelling as they evoke conflicting emotions. While it is easy to identify with the mother as she clearly
Spoiler
loved her son but struggled to provide for himSpoiler
made a concerted effort to embrace her amnesia and suppress the emerging details of her previous lifeThe investigation progresses at a solid pace with a couple of strong red-herrings. Kudos to Robb for managing to surprise me with the identity of the killer after 54 books! I really did not see that coming even though the clues are definitely there.
In sum, it is good to see the series is still going strong after so many books and I look forward to the next one.