Framed in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review
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Description:
Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist’s career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work.
Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation.
Review:
Framed in Death by J.D. Robb is the 61st book in her In Death/Eve Dallas series. Framed in Death was another fantastic book in this series; as it was a terrific intense and exciting story that kept me unable to put the book down. I have noted previously that I am a huge fan of this wonderful series, having read every book and novellas. I also love Eve and Roarke, who I still consider the best literary couple. I will never have enough of this series, and marvel how Robb continues to give us fascinating stories at 61 books later.
A painter is convinced of his brilliance, but he is unrecognized, and frustrated and enraged by his lack of success. He conceives a diabolical scheme to recreate portraits done by famous artists, with a twist. The artist hires a prostitute to pose for him, making the girl look like a Vermeer painting, taking photos; before the night is out, he will drug the girl and kill her. The next day, the artist hires a male LC to pose for him, and makes the man doing another painting (Gainsborough) and repeats the process, where he ends up killing the young man.
Eve Dallas is called to the doorsteps of owners of an art gallery. Eve is horrified by the murder scene on display; and the following morning another murder takes place. Eve, Peabody and team begin to investigate the murders, where the bodies are posed to look like famous paintings. Eve, with help from Roarke suspect that the murderer is a wealthy narcissist who feels justified in killing these people. Things escalate when a third murder is discovered.
Eve and team get a break when a forensic examiner sees that the clothes used to dress up the victims are expensive garments sewn from fabrics used for various time periods; made by specialists in Europe, that cost thousands of dollars. This gives Eve and Roarke proof that a very rich person is behind the murders. The killer’s mindset is due to his mother’s enabling, and being filthy rich.
We get to see Eve and Roarke when they are invited for dinner at Mavis, Leopold, and Peabody, McNab, as the project is completed. They enjoyed Mavis’s place, as well as Peabody on the other side. It was very nicely done. I love Eve and Roarke, and adore Galahad.
Framed in Death was another fantastic thriller, as the hunt was on for the serial killer, who was both creepy and efficient: with his behavior, revenge and family privilege life. I loved seeing Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the entire team who help find the murderer. Once again, J.D. Robb gives us a marvelous story. You can never miss out on anything by J.D. Robb.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
