The In Death series by J.D. Robb continues with the 57th installment, PAYBACK IN DEATH. It’s just as fabulous as the 56 that preceded it. If you have never read the series, I implore you to start with NAKED IN DEATH and read every single one.  The books are chronological and the latest picks up were the last left off in the summer of 2061.

The main character, NYC Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas, and her gorgeous husband, Roarke, are at the end of their anniversary vacation in Greece and visiting his family in Ireland. Before she can even start back to work she is tagged with a request by Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) Lieutenant Webster to investigate the apparent suicide of his retired police mentor.

As Eve determines the death is a homicide and pours through the victim’s files of dirty police officer investigations for a suspect, she develops a new appreciation for the IAB. This book contains everything the series is known for: snarky dialogue, a well-developed plot, Eve kicking ass both literally and figuratively, and immersion into a world with interesting known and new characters that sustain deep relationships in the families they made.

Reading an In Death book is like spending an afternoon with a group of friends with whom you have a long history of laughter and deep connection. Although this can be read as a standalone, the story is richer if you understand the references to the other cases, events, and people that are randomly mentioned. Hope this series never ends!