by J.D. Robb
Part of In Death, book 39
First published 2014
Lieutenant Eve Dallas arrives at a crime scene where personal trainer Trey Ziegler lies dead, a kitchen knife buried in his muscled chest. The victim was in perfect physical shape, but his personal life tells a different story. Dallas uncovers a trail of women who fell for the narcissistic fitness instructor before he discarded them. Each scorned lover becomes a potential suspect with motive for murder. Meanwhile, Dallas faces her own challenges as Christmas approaches in 2061. She must finish her holiday shopping and finalize the guest list for the elaborate party she and her wealthy husband Roarke are hosting. The detective feels anything but cheerful as she investigates, struggling to remain objective despite her growing disgust for the victim's character. With only days remaining before Christmas and New Year's 2061 on the horizon, Dallas races against the calendar to identify and capture a killer who struck with deadly precision.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, detective, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, investigation
Setting: 2061
Period: Christmas, New Year's
389 pages · Hardcover · Berkley