No 3

Title: Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb: Smiles, Suicides, and a Whole Lot of Virtual Reality

Subtitle: Why Eve Dallas and Roarke Have Me Hooked—No Escape Needed!

Let me introduce you to my latest literary obsession, one that has me more addicted than chocolate during a midnight craving. The book? Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb. The fourth in the In Death series, and trust me, once you start, you won’t be able to stop. It’s that good.

Now, let’s get to the heart of this gripping story. Imagine this: three people—a brilliant engineer, an infamous lawyer, and a controversial politician—decide to check out of life early. They all go out with smiles on their faces, which, let’s be honest, is a bit creepy. It’s enough to make you rethink the whole “turn that frown upside down” mantra! But what could possibly connect these three strangers, who seemingly have nothing in common?

Enter Eve Dallas, our fearless police lieutenant with instincts sharper than my cravings for these books. While everyone else is ready to write these off as suicides, Eve’s not buying it. And good thing too, because the autopsies reveal something that makes my skin crawl—tiny burns on the brains of the victims. Yikes! Turns out, it’s not some weird genetic quirk but a high-tech method of murder. Yes, murder. And where does our investigation lead? Straight into the trippy world of virtual reality games. Who knew that the same tech that makes you smile and feel all warm inside could also turn your brain into its own worst enemy?

Now, let’s pause for a moment of honesty—I’m totally addicted to these books. Seriously, if I could live in Eve Dallas’s world, I would. Eve is the kind of character you can’t help but love—smart, tough, and with a heart buried beneath that badge. And then there’s Roarke. Oh, Roarke. Excuse me while I wipe away the drool. He’s the kind of guy who could sell me on just about anything, even if it’s just to hear his voice one more time (thank you, Susan Ericksen, for bringing him to life in the audiobook!). Whether I’m reading or listening, I can’t get enough of their dynamic, their banter, and the simmering tension between them that keeps me coming back for more.

What’s the best part, you ask? These books never get old. I can read and reread—or in this case, listen and re-listen—to them, and they’re just as captivating the fifth time around as they were the first. It’s like comfort food for the soul, only with more crime scenes and a lot more virtual reality.

So, if you haven’t dived into the In Death series yet, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on Rapture in Death and prepare to be hooked. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself binging the entire series faster than you can say “Eve Dallas and Roarke forever.”

Happy reading—or listening—and may your brain remain burn-free!