This first novel in the long running series by J.D. Robb introduces
Lieutenant Eve Dallas, an NYPD homicide
detective in the year 2058. In a society that has legalized prostitution, outlawed gun ownership and banned public smoking, some things never change. Blood is thicker than water and ''family values'' is a catchy campaign slogan but an inconvenient philosophy for a career politician.
Murder is almost as ugly a business as political intrigue or family scandals.
Eve has just completed her first terminal force incident (cop-speak for killing a suspect in the line of duty). That means she has to go through testing. She gets a reprieve when she receives a special assignment. Eve is the
best at what she does and only the best will do when a
senator''s granddaughter who just happened to make her living as a high price call girl, is murdered. Sharon Deblass was shot dead in her apartment. The killer left the murder weapon at the scene of the crime along with a note: ''1 of 6''. He also sends Eve a video of the murder.
Senator Deblass is a vocal proponent of the Morality Issue, in spite of his granddaughter''s life style. He
wants detailed reports on Eve''s case. A murder investigation is no place for spectators, no matter how well connected they may be. However, the police commissioner and the senator are old friends. Eve''s superiors insist that she share all information pertaining to the investigation with the senator who wants the killer found, preferably before the next election.
The victim''s last appointment was Roarke, an Irish billionaire who happens to collect guns. Eve meets him at the victim''s funeral in Washington, DC. Tall, dark, handsome and rich as sin, the mysterious mogul has an aversion to law enforcement officials. The lieutenant accepts a ride back to New York in his private jet and sets up an appointment to peruse his gun collection. Roarke is almost as surprised as the cynical detective is when he declares his intentions. He wants her and he is willing to endure Lieutenant Dallas in order to get the lady Eve. During her follow-up interview with the sexy suspect, Eve takes a call from the station. A beat cop found ''2 of 6''.
She was a call girl shot in her home apparently by her last client, just like Sharon Deblass. The killer seems to have adopted a seven-day time schedule and he sends Eve another video. That means Eve is running out of time. Her leads are leading nowhere, her superiors are turning up the heat while tying her hands and her primary suspect wants to become her lover.
With a serial killer on the loose and a vengeful senator looking over her shoulder as the body count increases, the last thing on Lieutenant Dallas''s mind is romance; nevertheless, Eve wants Roarke as much as he wants her.Supporting characters include Captain Jack Feeney, leader of the EDD (electronic detective division) and Eve''s first partner; Mavis Freestone, a nightclub singer Eve once arrested who has since become her best friend; Somerset, Roarke''s butler and surrogate father; psychiatrist Dr. Charlene Mira; and police Commander Whitney, one-step below the Commissioner in the police chain of command.
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