Portrait in Death (2003)

In Death 16

NYPSD homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the hunt for a serial killer targeting young men and women, creating pretty portraits of them after their untimely deaths.

Sixteenth in the “In Death” series, this narrative offers readers several story lines, all converging in the telling of this tale. Summerset, due to take his three-week vacation, breaks his leg . . . and remains at home. Roarke faces stunning news about his family [reader warning: have a large box of tissues within reach], and Eve, of course, has a killer to track down.

Here readers will find everything they have come to expect in an “In Death” narrative: a strong sense of place, character development, an intriguing mystery, and unexpected revelations that speak to the strong background and continuing development of the characters and their stories. The expected characters put in an appearance, the banter between Eve and Peabody continues, the candy thief is outwitted [this time], and the edge-of-the-seat moments are truly heart-rending.

Personal stories are front and center in this outing; readers will find it impossible to set this one aside before turning the final page.

Highly recommended. ( )

Eve and company work to find out who's killing young college aged people and Rourke has a shock about his past. Some great humorous moments as well as tragedies.
( )

If it weren't for the average mystery of this novel, Portrait in Death would have received a 5/5. I loved how I got to learn more about Roarke. I really empathized with everything he was going through. The personal relationships are great as well. This is one of the few series that I care about what happens to every single character.
4.5 stars ( )

Portrait in Death
3.5 Stars

Following a tip, Eve Dallas discovers the body of a young woman in a dumpster and begins investigating a series of murders in which the victims are all students whose bodies have been staged and photographed. At the same time, Eve must deal with an injured Summerset as well as Roarke, who has become troubled and distant.

The murder investigation is one of the weakest in the series. It progresses slowly and there it too much rehashing of evidence. It is also relatively easy to identify the killer by process of elimination. Nevertheless, the race toward the climax and resolution is very exciting and there are a couple of edge-of-your-seat moments.

In contrast, the character development is excellent, especially for Roarke as he struggles to reconcile his feelings after discovering some disturbing information about his past. Roarke has always seemed to be the perfect man, so it was intriguing to see him so lost and … well… human, which only enhances his appeal.

As always, the interactions between Eve and Summerset are a highlight and it is particularly gratifying to see how much they have in common both in terms of the lengths they will go to for Roarke, but also in their reactions to hospitals and Trina's torture sessions.

In sum, not the best mystery, but worth it for more of Roarke's backstory and insight into his character. ( )