These two whodunnits follow the comforting pattern of police procedurals, with the added twist of futuristic elements and the engaging romance of protagonist Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her lover, the wealthy, connected Roarke. It’s easy to see why there are 55 books in the “In Death” series (although I personally am going to take a hiatus after overdosing on this series in the last month).
In Glory in Death, Dallas investigates the murder of the prominent Prosecuting Attorney, Cicely Powers, whom she knows personally (and who, of course, is involved in business dealings with Roarke). There is no shortage of suspects for Towers’ murder, but Dallas must sort how her murder is connected to subsequent attacks in order to solve the case. Immortal in Death takes an even more personal angle, as Eve’s best friend Mavis is framed for the murder of her romantic rival, the model Pandora.
As she is solving these crimes, Eve must also reckon with how she and Roarke–each fiercely independent and set in their ways–can build a life together. Roarke pushes for more intimacy, and Eve frequently reacts with stubbornness and withdrawal.
As with almost any series, the further along a reader gets, the more they learn about the characters. Immortal in Death in particular delves into Eve’s and Roarke’s backstories. They share childhoods marked by trauma and abuse, although Eve’s father is singular in his cruelty. In all honesty, I found these sections the least appealing–I found the vague allusions to Eve’s and Roarke’s pasts to be more compelling than knowing their specific circumstances, and I’m leery of the “recovered memory” trope. I also don’t think people need reasons rooted in trauma to advocate for women who are victims of abuse (Eve), or to want to amass a fortune and exercise control in as many areas of life as possible (Roarke).