Purity in Death: book. 15 (In Death Series) (Paperback)

This is the fifteenth instalment of the 'In Death' series, but this novel still manages to be is as original as the previous fourteen. Many of the secondary characters from the series appear in this book, though some, only to pave the way for story lines for future books. This book could be read on its own, but like most series, it would be helpful to read the earlier novels. All the main characters are now well established and appear to have settled into a comfortable routine, but some events in the story upset the balance and make things a little more lively. All the elements of a J D Robb novel: murder, suspense, action, steamy romance and family drama are still evident, though it is darker in tone than some of the previous books and there is more focus on solving the crime. As the pressure mounts as the story unfolds, the pages keep on turning until the end with the crime solved, but leaving fans wanting the next book in the pipeline, Portrait In Death.

Louie was a small-timer who sold illegals to kids in order to start them in the vice, but he had no history of prior violent acts. Also, there is a strange message on the screen of Louie's computer: Absolute Purity Achieved. Things get complicated when Halloway, a detective working on EDD (Electronic Detectives Division) goes berserk while examining the computer found at the scene. In his rampage he stuns McNabb and takes Captain Feeney as a hostage. It is clear, that the computer has something in it that drives people crazy and then kills them, so Eve has to find the Purity Seekers, a group of terrorist that is using technology to kill scum.

J. D. Robb chooses a controversial issue for this novel, since the killers are going after people who deserve it; the innocents who have been harmed in the process are considered collateral damage by the group of avengers. The general public is quickly divided, and there are differences of opinion, even between spouses, in particular between Eve and her husband Roarke. As usual, the author creates a good balance between the topic at hand and the personal situations of the characters. In this case we find Peabody and McNabb having to deal with the aftermath of the injury he received, creating some highly emotional situations.

Those that have been following the series - and as I did in some of my other reviews I am going to recommend that you read it in order - will find a character from the past reintroduced here. Jamie is a kid that Eve met when she was going after a satanic sect. After the kid lost his grandfather and his sister both Roarke and Eve took the role of his protectors. He is extremely skilled in electronics, and comes as a great help in the current situation. Robb has a natural ability for reintroducing characters in this fashion and get the reader to establish a rapport with them. That is one of the many reasons why this series is still going strong.