Review of Promises in Death by J.D. Robb

From New Jersey Star-Ledger --

Books: Five thrillers from women authors, including Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb --

By Kathleen Daley --
January 16, 2010 --

Promises in Death
J.D. Robb
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 352 pp., $25.95

In 1992, Putnam, the publisher of Nora Roberts’ romance novels, suggested she adopt a second pseudonym because they couldn’t publish her works fast enough. (Roberts’ real name is Eleanor Marie Robertson.) So the Maryland author became J.D. Robb when she began her "In Death" series of romantic suspense novels set in mid-21st-century New York City.

"Promises in Death" is No. 28. The heroine, homicide detective Eve Dallas, and her rich husband, Rourke, work together to find the killer of a fellow cop, Amaryllis Coltraine, who was romantically involved with the chief medical examiner. All very close to home. The prime suspect is an old lover of Coltraine’s, and that leads to the local prison on a remote pod. Dallas’ new car can go vertical.
It’s all very high-tech.

Dallas is a tough cookie with no sense of humor. She is all business, even during her romps in the hay with Rourke, where the dialogue is not remotely authentic. But Robb’s fans won’t care.