Purity in Death

Purity in Death J.D. Robb Grade: B+ Sensuality: Hot

I know...it's looking as though Nora Roberts is paying me to review her In Death series. But since so many readers have already experienced what I'm experiencing now, even her millions wouldn't begin to cover all those she'd have had to have paid off before me.

In the heat of a New York summer, people are starting to go crazy, but in Purity in Death, a computer virus is responsible for their dangerous behavior, which ends when their brains literally explode inside of their heads, at which point this text - Absolute Purity Achieved - appears on their computer screens. By the time Lieutenant Eve Dallas becomes fully aware of what's going on, an e-cop under Feeney's command has become the virus' latest victim, and unfortunately, before the virus beat him, he took Feeney hostage, nearly killed Eve before she could disarm him, and severely wounded Ian McNab.

The group behind the virus are moral vigilantes, with a vague connection to the Cassandra group that Eve tackled in Loyalty in Death. Among their intended victims are society's predators - drug pushers, child molesters, and the like. Even though many think they're doing society a favor by cleaning up the riff-raff, innocent people are being killed, and who's to say how far the moral absolutism of the Purity Seekers may go?

Eve isn't only worried about the slippery slope; because Roarke's prepared to go down it, the two fight it out at a pretty deep level. There's nothing subtle about their fights - or their love, and when Roarke makes love to Eve after the hostage incident, he confesses to the need raging in him for her that refuses to let up, and how sometimes he wants it to stop. Eve, of course, knows what he means because that same war wages in her, and their lovemaking is particularly intense. It's a great scene - but there's so much heat when these two get it on that I'm surprised the book didn't burn up in my hands while reading it.

Everyone is worried about McNab, who was paralyzed in the incident. Every hour that he remains so, the lesser his chances of regaining the use of his limbs. Roarke and Eve are prepared to send him to Switzerland to a special clinic, but for now, he's ensconced in the mansion, working on the case with Peabody, Feeney, Roarke, and Jamie, the brilliant teenager introduced in Ceremony in Death.

Jamie has some great moments with Eve and with Roarke (much of it involving food, and isn't there always mountains of it at the manse?) but it's McNab and Peabody whose screen time I devoured. Because he fears being paralyzed for good, McNab decides to save Peabody by cutting her loose so she won't resent being with a gimp. Peabody, as we all know, is nothing if not stalwart...she's no fair weather friend, or girlfriend. And being the strong-willed woman she is - who else could work with Eve on a daily basis? - she lets him have it in no uncertain terms.

While Eve and Peabody are out in the field, Feeney and Roarke lead the team back home. It's extremely dangerous work, and they try and protect each other in terms of testing the shield they're building around the isolated machines, because if it fails, one of them will become infected. I love that Roberts made Roarke gorgeous, strong, and an "e-man."

Their detective work brings Eve and Peabody into contact with several suspects, including a cop, a woman who works with CPS, and a family headed by a man who exerts an iron rule. Two of those under her command are injured in the course of the book, and after Peabody is hit with a knife meant for Eve, she loses it. And it's skinny, outlandish-dressed McNab who helps put it in perspective, with Roarke bringing up the rear in a funny moment:

"If you asked her what the point is, she'd tell you. You haven't asked me, but I'll tell you anyway. Because when something has to be done, we're the ones who're supposed to do it. I didn't have to be there to know you went through the door first. So you already know what the point is."
"Maybe I needed somebody to remind me."
Roarke watched her walk back inside. "You're a good man, Ian" He laid a hand on McNab's shoulders. "Let's go buy Peabody some flowers."
"I usually just steal them"
"Let's make an exception for this one."

One of the best things about this series is Eve's evolution as a human being. She may be tough as nails, but she watches over those under her command like a mother hen...albeit in her own inimitable way. In a great moment after Peabody's been patched up, she gets pissy about being shut out of the investigation in an active way. How Eve handles it is just right for for both of them, even if it's rather brutal.

Purity in Death is a great read from beginning to end. It comes very, very close to DIK status, but I'm trying to pace myself.

TTFN, Laurie Likes Books

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