Concealed in Death

really didn't enjoy this one :( something about how eve interacted with mavis regarding the case rubbed me the wrong way

I great continuation of the series.

What becomes interesting to me at this point, almost 40 books into the series, is the progression of Eve as a character. She's mellowed out some and has found herself quite a wide circle of people she can call friends and count on. There is always a connection and always, there are bits of regular characters that are revealed more and more.

Strangely enough, the one character I don't think we get to know enough about is Peabody. Except for a couple of books where she was quite the focus (though in reference to the crime, not her personal life) we don't really get to be in her head very much. And while the books do mainly stay in Eve's head, we have had occasion to be inside Roarke or Peabody's before. So Peabody remains somewhat of a mystery to me, as well as Summerset. Boy would I love to get more of his story.

And even more interesting was that other side characters were hardly heard from in this book. Mira maybe as much as usual, but I'm not sure that McNabb or Feeney even had a line.

The story moved on quickly, especially because you have a sense in the beginning who the murderer is. Obviously, there must be something else going on, but we're pretty sure we know what happened. The clues are pretty obvious and the suspect pool rather shallow. But like all the books before there is very rarely a dull moment and a quick, satisfying read in the end.

After the disappointing Thankless in Death, I was relieved to find myself thoroughly enjoying the latest Eve Dallas futuristic suspense novel. The case is much more compelling than the previous book's oh-no-not-another-serial-killer, with a 15 year old cold trail and the bones of victims who can't be easily identified. The series is also enlivened by the introduction of several new characters, including a Bones-like forensic anthropologist and a very pregnant facial reconstruction expert (I love the increasing number of awkward encounters Eve is having with the issue of pregnancy and motherhood). Even Mavis, who has often bordered on caricature, shares more of her back story and reveals some hidden depths.

Although there is little to no imminent danger to Eve and those she loves, the book is still a page turner because of the interesting plot and unusual ultimate administration of justice (can't say more without spoilers). I wish Peabody and McNab had a more prominent role in Concealed, but that's just a personal peeve because they are my favorite characters. After 38 full-length In Death books, it looks like Robb still has a few surprises up her sleeve. Guess I'm still hooked.