Abandoned in death by J.D. Robb

With the 54th book in the In Death series, J.D. Robb has once again managed to write an engrossing mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the surprise (to me) reveal of the killer who leaves victims with a sign saying, ‘Bad Mommy’. When Eve Dallas is called to view the body of a victim who has been left on a bench in a playground close to her friends’ home, she is determined to find the perpetrator who appears to be reliving his feelings about his mother from decades years before. When more young women of a similar appearance disappear, Eve knows that she has a serial killer to find, and the hunt is on to uncover old crimes or women who may have had a similar tattoo to the one that the killer is putting on his victims.

As usual New York Times bestselling author Robb masterfully manages twists and turns and police procedures as she and her team try to work out just who could be the killer. She ensures that the reader is emotionally invested in the story by relating the background events around the disappearance of the ‘Bad Mommy’ and what happened to her, as well as the feelings of one of the victims who is imprisoned. Familiar characters, Peabody, Roake, and Mira all make appearances and add to knowledge about the killer and his background.

This was a riveting plot, one that readers will find easy to read and the shock reveal of the killer will add to the enjoyment.

Themes: Murder, Serial killer, Police procedures.

Pat Pledger