Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb

Treachery in Death is the 33^rd book (depending on how you count them) in J.D. Robb’s futuristic suspense series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her husband Roarke, and her squad of homicide detectives in 2060 New York City.  Eve’s partner, Peabody, has just closed her first live (as opposed to a cold case) case as primary, but after a wake-up call regarding her physical fitness during a scuffle with a suspect, she decides to hit the little-used gym at Central. While she’s in the shower, two cops burst in having an argument, and Peabody quickly discovers that not only are they dirty cops, they have been running their criminal side business for six years, and they’ve gotten away with murder.

Peabody quickly takes the case to Eve, who begins planning to take the dirty cops down in a high-stakes sting operation that involves the Internal Affairs Bureau, her commander, and her favorite E-men, Feeney, McNab, and her own husband Roarke.  One problem: the head dirty cop, Lieutenant Renee Oberman, daughter of former NYPSD commander “Saint” Oberman, happens to be the head of the Illegals division at Central, and there’s no knowing how
wide her web encompasses.

Treachery in Death is one of the most exciting In Death novels, and it’s a testament to Robb’s talent that even after thirty-some books, this one is among the best.  Because of the sting operation, it is a bit different from the usual In Death book, where Eve is investigating one or a series of murders.  Murder has and does happen during the course of the novel, but everyone knows from the start who’s responsible, and it’s a matter of being able to pin down all the little pieces that will put Renee Oberman and her organization in a cage.

Part of the suspense comes from not knowing who, exactly, of Oberman’s twelve detectives, is involved, and the other part comes from the cat-and-mouse game Eve and Oberman play.  Eve has a good head, heart, and gut, and she puts them to good use as she sets the trap that will take a squad of dirty cops down.  As always, the regular cast of characters works really well together, and the dialogue is snappy and sarcastic.

Grade: A