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In Death #8

Conspiracy in Death

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It was always a shock, not the hard one Bowers had hoped for. Eve had seen too much for that. But what one human could do to another was never routine for her. With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable of souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a homeless person, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of a struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Detective Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But as she is lured in to a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas also becomes the focus of an internal investigation. In her mind, Eve feels she has done nothing except irritate some fellow cops with connections in high places. But her struggle to bring a murderer to justice is about to be hindered by the fight to save her career

364 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

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About the author

J.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Forgotten in Death (St. Martin's Press, September 2021) is the 53rd entry in the series.

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5 stars
19,660 (51%)
4 stars
13,114 (34%)
3 stars
4,495 (11%)
2 stars
450 (1%)
1 star
149 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,355 reviews
Profile Image for Phrynne.
3,219 reviews2,052 followers
September 5, 2016
Every book in the In Death series is a five star read for me but this one is something special. So much raw emotion - Eve and I blubbered through a large part of it! Roarke comes through as the world's number one guy being everything Eve needs exactly when she needs it. And then there are all of Eve's friends and colleagues standing up for her when she is down.
This book brings together everything that is enjoyable in this series, a great story, effective police work, strong characters, a delightful romance, funny dialogue and many really emotional moments. Definitely one of my top favourites in one of my top favourite series!!!
Profile Image for Karla.
1,043 reviews225 followers
June 10, 2021
Re read June 2021

This series keeps getting better and better! Seeing Eve’s vulnerable side was so heartbreaking but more than anything the way her family had her back especially, Roarke was badass. I think she’s starting to realize the protectiveness and loyalty she feels for them is returned ten fold. I still have a long way to catch up to this series, but so far it has been an unbelievable ride. ♥️
Profile Image for Mo.
1,351 reviews2 followers
October 21, 2016
My only complaint about these books is that we don't get enough Eve and Roarke time. I know, I know she is bogged down in the investigations. Saying that, when they do get together, things are pretty steamy.


The bodies are piling up. In her research Eve uncovers similar crimes in several cities that were dropped under mysterious circumstances, Dallas knows she's facing a killer cruel enough to prey on the weakest in society and powerful enough to conspire an extensive coverup. To complicate matters further, Dallas faces an equally troubling threat to her career when she's linked to the death of a fellow cop.



"Lieutenant." Ireland whispered, silky and romantic, in his voice.
"An unexpected pleasure."


Roarke. Not sure what to say. He seems perfect to me. His patience and love with Eve is wonderful and she is slowly thawing and realizing that she is worthy of his love and devotion.


"Was he wearing a tux?"
Peabody had seen Roarke in a tux. The image of it was etched on her mind like acid on glass.
"Man" Peabody closed her eyes ... "Man." she repeated.
"You know a lot of women would get pissed off at having their husband star in their aide's purient little fantasies."
"But you're bigger than that, Lieutenant. I like that about you."


I love Eve but I love Peabody too. Great partnership they have.

"I never saw much snow as a boy.
Dublin's for rain."



But someone is not happy with Eve's progress with the investigations and she needs to be stopped.


As she stood pale as death in the pale winter light, her eyes glazed, dark, and, he thought, impossibly young. The strength, the tough edge she wore as naturally as her weapon, was gone.



"What I have with you, darling Eve, I never thought to have with anyone. Never thought to want it or to need it."



Time to decide if I will continue with this series or take a wee break. Decisions, decisions.
Profile Image for Jilly.
1,838 reviews6,163 followers
May 14, 2018
Aww, finally some answers as to why the delicious MY book-boyfriend, Roarke, loves Eve so much.

"Can I watch while you hit him? You know how it excites me to see you pound on someone."
....

He knew there was nothing, nothing more arousing than the surrender of a strong woman, that melted-bone yielding of a tough body.
....

"When we get home," he began as they walked down to street level, "you can... reprimand me."

"Keep your mind off sex."

"Why? It's so happy there."


Oh, yeah. He likes strong women. I totally support his taste.


We can produce another human inside of our bodies. That is one helluva superpower.

The crime in this book has to do with illegal organ harvesting. Someone is stealing diseased organs from the homeless and the hookers. They needed those things!

Unfortunately for Eve, the person or people responsible are willing to do anything to stop her investigation. She goes through the wringer with this one and it shows us another side to her and another side to her relationship with Roarke. And, although there were a little too many feelings in this book for me, I still really loved the new dimensions that they brought to the characters. It was definitely one of the best books of the series, so far.
Profile Image for Kat.
Author 8 books351 followers
April 4, 2022
In this eighth book of the IN DEATH series which is absolutely one of my favorite romantic suspense series, Detective Eve Dallas is hunting a serial killer who preys upon the unsheltered people living in the streets of New York. This killer seems to have medical training and is creepily harvesting their organs with the precision of a surgeon. When Eve checks for similar cases in other cities, she discovers it isn’t the first time the killer has struck. I love all the books in this series for the great pacing and wonderful cast of characters. This one was especially a treat because of the great mystery to figure out and also the subplot involving another cop that Eve gets into a disagreement with, resulting in an internal investigation after things go in an unexpected direction.
Profile Image for Cyndi.
2,338 reviews97 followers
July 2, 2018
I shudder to think what kind of searches my computer would take if it worked with voice commands like Eve's does.

Reread June 2018 — In this book we meet my favorite doctor in literature, Louis DeMato. Someone is stealing organs from homeless people, and killing them while doing it.
Eve deals with the rich and powerful while standing up for the poor and homeless.
Profile Image for Hulya Kara Yuksel.
903 reviews1,081 followers
April 6, 2018
Words will only fail me but still I'll try to express my feelings. 😊 This book, no actually this series are brilliant. I'm seriously in love Roarke & Eve. Their love is just so beautiful. ❤❤❤

I highly recommend this series to you! Trust me, you have to meet with Roarke. 😍


He moved through the dark, quiet as a shadow. The bed shifted slightly as he sat beside her, found her hand. "Do you want the light?"
"No." Her voice felt rusty, but she didn't bother to clear it. "No, I don't want anything. You didn't have to stay here, in the dark."
"Did you think I'd let you wake alone?" He brought her hand to his lips. "You're not alone."

Profile Image for Apoorva .
166 reviews172 followers
November 22, 2020
I'll just say it through gifs because I don't know how else I can do this.

In the first 50%:


When she's taken off and the enemy cop dies (I was actually pretty emotional for Eve in this one, so yeah it sucked):


When she's drowning in self pity and stupidity:


When we reach the end and the research records are discovered (I was a little horrified tbh but it's 2058, so anything goes):


And when the hell do we get to know how Roarke acquired the genius tech knowledge of a hacker? It's been ages, it better be out in the next ones, or I'm going to abandon this series like a hateful lover for months and use it for rebound afterwards. Because simply put-

I. WANT. MORE. ABOUT. ROARKE'S. PAST.
Profile Image for Alex ♈.
1,568 reviews1,181 followers
December 18, 2018
Suspense 5 stars / Romance 4.5 stars

Damn, it was intense! What could I add to my previous statement, that I love and admire Eve’s mind?
This woman is Goddess!

Romance. For the 1st time since starting this series, I liked Roarke. I could feel his love and devotion and I was deeply touched how he cared for his wife.

Eve had one of the most painful experiences in her career.
God, I can’t stop to admire this woman. She was strong even when she was broken.
Respect!

Profile Image for Al *the semi serial series skipper*.
1,658 reviews666 followers
October 25, 2017
This is one of the best ones yet from this series. I was a mess reading this, I love Eve and to see her, not as the superwoman she always is but as a person was one of the finer points of reading this.

Roarke was mag, as always.
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,203 reviews918 followers
September 5, 2016
I love the In Death series but this story is special. You see Eve Dallas as never before. It's gut wrenching, emotional and embodies everything that sets this series apart.

This is my #1 favorite of all the books.
Profile Image for Katerina.
399 reviews48 followers
January 24, 2023
5 stars because I had an amazing time reading it!

In Conspiracy In Death, Eve is faced with the yet most difficult case in her career, not only because the perpetrator hasn't got anything personal against his victims but also because he threatens something dear to her, something that defines her!

Her husband Roarke is always by her side, and in this case, they work more closely together!
They are a delightful couple, not only because of the love and passion between them but because the banter between them is one of the highlights for me in their relationship!

Apart from Roarke, her close colleagues and friends are by her side in this difficult time for her, and even though she hasn't relatives in her life, they form the family who'll do anything for her!

The case is intriguing, fast-paced, and well plotted!
Between a perpetrator who uses the weak and unfortunate for the greater good and hasn't any problem to get rid of any obstacle for his mission and an individual full of resentment and jealousy towards Eve and is capable to do anything to bring her down, she must fight against time and herself to close the case!

Another great instalment in The In Death series! Can't wait to get my hands in the next book!
Profile Image for Antonella.
3,404 reviews450 followers
March 24, 2021
8 down ... 44 to go.. and I don't mind one bit

at this point, I don't know who I like best Eve or Roarke..both!! for sure..
and all the cast of side characters is excellent..
Profile Image for Lana *Lifeinwordsandlyricscom*.
556 reviews123 followers
December 5, 2018
I figure I would always give these books a five star rating and here's my reasoning:

* for Roarke. Cause, duh!
* for Eve. She's a badass.
* because Eve&Roarke should be #marriagegoals.
* for Peabody. Girl cracks me up all the time.
* for all the weird and shitty ways people invent for killing each other in these books.

Over and out
Profile Image for ♥Sharon♥.
961 reviews143 followers
February 7, 2017

I am so annoyed with myself that I cannot seem to find the time to write a proper review for a book that I LOVED. I'm so disorganized and feel as though all I am doing is chasing my tail. UGHHH

This series continues to be amazing. The characters grow and change in ways I hadn't expected which only makes the story telling that much better.

In this one it was things that happened to Eve that broke my heart. And as much as Roarke has that magic touch, those perfect words, it wasn't something that he could fix for her.

❤ Roarke
❤ Eve
❤ Peabody
❤ McNab
❤ Feeney
❤ Mira
❤ Galahad

Profile Image for Irene Sim.
711 reviews79 followers
August 18, 2017
A very emotional installment to the series.



Eve tries to act all tough but her opponent this time is a cunning one and manages to almost bring her to her knees. It is amazing how after just one year with Roarke, she changed so much that depending upon him isn't such a burden for her any more. And depend she does. All her friends gather around her in a big hug to support her and keep her spirit up.
I love how this series's getting better and better with every new story. And maybe the mysteries aren't all great every time-even though this one was very complicated and had me guessing till the end-the characters and excellent writing make up for it.
Profile Image for Lizzy.
305 reviews166 followers
July 6, 2016
Sorry fans of the In Death series. After more than a handful, the stories become somewhat repetitive and predictable. J.D. Robb's Conspiracy in Death is still an entertaining read. But I can't imagine myself reading 40-plus books with these same characters and revolving around its basic formula. 3 stars.
Profile Image for Diane.
650 reviews23 followers
March 11, 2019
I really, really like this book - right up there as one of my favourites!

When doctors play God!

We meet Troy Trueheart (what a cutie) and Louise Dimatto - love those characters. Nothing too wonky about the book except the time frame for Louise getting injured - I can overlook that.

Two thumbs up - great read!
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,650 reviews3,233 followers
January 1, 2020
5 Who Are We Really Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
As I travel this Robb Odessey, I am taken by the way the author is able to approach truly serious subjects, dissect them and then have our incredible Eve and Roarke work through all of the shadings and levels of these things.

In Conspiracy of Death, we are given the universal question we all have asked at one put or the other...Who are we if our career and all we have worked for is stripped from us...
With our current times, people have been downsized, laid off and not been able to recover. There have been huge changes in the way business is done causing people to feel lost and through no fault of their own.

I only mention these situations because Robb looks at how a person like Eve feels when she is threatened with losing who she thinks she is. It is a powerful part of this story and was handled well.

Eve is not used to having others care about her or for her so to have this take place was an added delight to the reader.

The other challenge addressed in this book was the concept of doing for the greater good...Who gets to decide these things... The Medical profession is expanding every day the ability to change the paths of diseases, curing them before babies are even born. As we move closer to the Real 2058...What will be considered moral and ethical...So these things were approached here as well.

But the Continuing Draw is, of course, Eve and Roarke. Oh, how I love them both.

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
I am so into this couple and the way Robb frames everything that I cannot stop reading them!

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Profile Image for Veronique.
1,231 reviews169 followers
December 19, 2019
Compelling thriller - couldn’t read anything else until I finished this one :O)

Robb, as I’ve mentioned before, can write suspense! This might actually be the best of the series so far, but you have to read the previous ones to get here. The plot is a good one, dark enough, with some very unpalatable baddies. Eve Dallas ends up this time the suspect with the effects you can imagine this would have. As much as I like the crime mystery with all its accoutrements, I keep reading these for the characters, and not just the main ones of Eve and Roarke. The whole recurring cast, the way they interact and ‘grow’ in front of us, is a major bonus.
Profile Image for Tina.
1,758 reviews280 followers
July 7, 2019
This is the 8th in the In Death series.

It is early winter right after the New Year 2059 and Eve is called to the murder scene of a sidewalk sleeper. Wondering why "homicide lite" simply doesn't handle the case, Eve quickly learns the reason why. The old homeless man who was murdered had his heart neatly, surgically removed.

At the crime scene Eve bumps heads with a troublemaker cop who has been jealous of Eve since the academy days when Eve, even then, was a star on the fast track.

In the course of the investigation Eve finds other indigents whose organs have been neatly harvested. Deciding that only an experienced surgeon could have the magic hands to do such work, Eve begins to shake up the medical community.

In the meantime, the jealous cop starts spewing hate at Eve and files complaints managing to get Eve suspended. Working outside the system, Eve still manages to close the case.

This is one of my very favorite of the series strongly because of the middle part of the book when Eve gets suspended. In the previous 7 books, Robb has painstakingly drawn a portrait of Eve as a cop. It isn't just what she does, it is what she is. Her identity is so tangled up with her shield and her gun it begs the question what happens to Eve if she loses them?

The scenes/chapters following Eve's loss of her badge are quite heart wrenching. It is so sad to see such a kick ass character like Eve brought so low and made to feel so lost. She even apologizes to Summerset instead of engaging him in one of their normal nasty biting arguments. This course of events horrifies the butler so much he's beside himself.

Roarke is, as usual, swoon worthy. First as a concerned spouse and then as the person who kicks her in the ass and tells her to stop feeling sorry for herself. Also, he is so ready to go and beat up people on her behalf just because they made her cry, that I kinda wished Robb had put a scene in there where Roarke and his army of lawyers go and scare the beejeesus out of the brass of the NYPSD.

Other reasons why I love this installment:
1) Trueheart! We are introduced to another new recurring character, the sweet, innocent rookie Troy Trueheart. In later books he also becomes a member of Eve's inner circle.

2) Peabody and Charles the LC are dating. Charles has been in several previous books mainly as a witness, but now he is playing a more social role. I picture him looking like George Clooney.

3)We see more of Baxter, the womanizing, fun loving cop who is smarter than he seems. Too bad Baxter was the only one Roarke could take his frustrations out on. I picture baxter looking like Alec Baldwin.

4) Introduction of Webster, the IAB cop who has long had a thing for Eve. He shows up in later books as well.

5) Introduction of Louise Dimatto, she also shows up in several later books as well.
Profile Image for Alex.
318 reviews67 followers
August 7, 2012
This one kicked me right in the teeth. I am so invested in these characters, and this was the book that almost broke Eve, and the way that is written? Holy. Just holy mother of gut punchers. Every character comes to bat in this one for Eve and that alone had me squeezing the life out of the book. And then you have Roarke and you have his relationship with Eve and the combination of what he's thinking up against what he knows he has to do for her? This has to be one of the most interesting and developed love stories in modern romance right now. It's just...I'm never bored.

Do you get that? I have yet to be bored.

The mystery in this one is so intense. Here we have conspiracy and cover up. We've got possible dirty cops and dirty politicians and we've got cops retiring early and we've got doctors with miraculous hands doing bad things. And then there's a certain police officer gunning for Eve. The hysteria and the media over secrets and lies. This book never stopped. Things kept unraveling and happening plot-wise just as characters are breaking and changing and putting themselves on the line for each other.

Even Summerset cared.

Books like this coming up 8 books into a series makes me realize just how possible it is to continue to tell a story this well.
Profile Image for Mihri.
363 reviews69 followers
April 16, 2021
Kurban olurum Eve'im yaaa seni üzenlerin ağzını burnunu kırsam keşke 🤦‍♀️ çok güzeldi sinirden titreyerek okudum allahın belaları. EVE ROARKE İLİŞKİSİ.. GERÇEKTEN ÖLÜRÜM YA
Profile Image for Annie .
2,438 reviews812 followers
September 17, 2011
Posted at Under the Covers

What is there to say that hasn’t been said countless times by JD Robb? She’s brilliant and Conspiracy in Death, the eight book in the In Death series is great!

Eve Dallas is simply the best at what she does. And others have started to take notice. When a fellow cop, Bowers the bitch starts hassling Eve on her turf, Eve has no choice but to defend herself. With a few heated words and early threats, things seem to be close to its boiling point rather than simmering down.

But despite the bad blood between Eve and Bowers, Dallas has more important things to do, like figure out why a sleeper was found dead under a bench with his heart removed. The Black Market is Eve’s first guess, but then she finds out that Snooks’ heart was already failing and he was going to die soon. So why would someone snatch a dying heart? It’s Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s job to find out!

Conspiracy in Death showcases Eve at some of her most vulnerable moments. In this book, she is stripped of her identity and it breaks her. I love the strong, kickass woman who takes no shit from anyone, but I also adore the fact that Eve has a softer, more gentler side to her as well. It’s her love and trust of Roarke that helps her overcome this and I loved reading every moment of it!

Plus, Roarke gets hotter and hotter in each book! And, as always, I present to you, your daily dose to Gandy Candy!


September 8, 2019
Read May 28, 2014
Well I have to say there was a lot going on in this book. There were times that you just held your breathe because you couldn't believe what was going to happen but then as you read on an the intensity grows and you have to continue because you want to know who and why. As always Roarke, the great husband that he is, always there to protect and comfort Eve through everything and then there is her friends who don't give up and make sure that the truth comes out.

Re-read Nov. 16, 2016

Re-read Sept. 7,2019
I find this to be another favorite of the In Death series. Eve was really tested for sure in this book but you see who are her true friends which I'm sure Eve never thought she would ever see. Roarke is such a great husband. He knew exactly what she needed and just when she needed it. Her friends never gave up on her and we're always on her side even the people that she helped. She's the voice for the dead and the families believe in her. I'm sure Eve never expected this. She was always about keeping her distant from people because she didn't want to care and have to learn what it really means to love and care for someone else. Eve really was pushed to the end but she comes out strong in the end because she is kick-ass and stronger than she believe. Love this series.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,172 reviews616 followers
September 4, 2016
Number eight in J D Robb's In Death series and they keep getting better and better!

In this episode Eve uncovers a killer bumping of street people and collecting body parts. Just as she is hot on the trail of a major conspiracy she is implicated in a crime and taken off the case. Not that that has ever stopped Eve or her trusty sidekick, hunky billionaire husband Roarke.

As usual lots of action, hot sex and some humour in the interactions between Eve and Roarke's butler Somerset as well as the delightful Peabody and McNab the detective who lusts after her. Eve is also starting to recover some of her painful early childhood memories and learning to face up to them.
Profile Image for MelaDWolf.
136 reviews75 followers
May 21, 2017
It looks like this series can't get less than 5 stars from me. It was interesting reading Eve reactions about events in this book. Also relationshio between her and Roake. I love watching them married and doing stuf all married couples do. Well, maybe not all couple but they are becoming more and more lovely with every book.
Profile Image for Gwen (The Gwendolyn Reading Method).
1,633 reviews479 followers
August 15, 2017
The twist here is that it's not Roarke who's a potential suspect like it's been in almost all the other books, it's EVE. I actually liked that part. Though I'm no longer surprised when Roarke owns literally everything. I dunno, I may take a break from this series though. It's not the most dynamic for me right now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,355 reviews

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