J.D. Robb's Golden in Death: Roarke discussion

I guess I don't see it that way. I think Roarke is the same as ever. Yes, he's involved with Eve's cases to the max but I feel it's only because he enjoys working with her and the way her mind works. He's so extremely wealthy and sleeps so little that he manages to divide his time between his work and her's. He's got people he trusts and Caro to hold the fort down, so to speak. I've noticed that when he has work to do he does it. Lucky for him he can delegate when he wants.

Yes, he gave up (most of) his nefarious ways but I really think he stays plenty busy. We may see less of him doing his work because JDR feels Eve's work is a little more interesting. I think he gets a kick out of working on the side of the law after so many years of working against the law. I get a kick out of Eve's relationship with Summerset. No matter how much they snipe at each other there is still a degree of hidden respect.

I think that Dublin Street Rat is still in there, but it's not really utilized because he's much more comfortable working with the cops, etc. One of the recent books & for once, I can't tell you which, he was thinking about how he's come to enjoy & feel some fulfillment working with the cops & not just EDD. He's even commented that working strictly on the honest side (as much as business is honest) is actually more interesting/stimulating than the dishonest side was. I still laugh at his opening the monster safe in Secrets, how amazed McNab was re the time & the explanation the various cops came up with to explain it. I think they all realize there's some history in his life that helped with that knowledge but they've come to respect him as much as Eve. I think he's keeping up with the Universe of Roarke as much as ever, after all, he's still getting up & having meetings at horribly early hours just because the earth rotates on its axis. He's good at hiring folks who are good at taking care of their responsibilities, and I think he's been able to let up on the reins just a touch & enjoy other aspects of life.   "He stops everything for her and has become her lap dog. She even barks orders at him like he's one her detectives instead of her husband."   I'm sorry, but he's the last one I'd ever think of as a lap dog.  He just picks his battles better than she does.  When he's had enough, she knows it/finds out about it and realizes that she's gone too far.   

Summerset has acknowledged that Eve's importance to Roarke & the effect she's had on him & he's also come to respect Eve & her dedication. After all, neither Summerset or Roarke had much respect for cops until they were exposed to the ones she works with.

Before Amazon shut off the threads & while we still had a thread going that was strictly for discussion of the ID's as they published (except despite the warning about spoilers ahead, some folks griped if we discussed before they'd read it); any rate, readers griped that Peabody wasn't as snarky as she'd been; others that Eve didn't have her edge anymore, etc. Now I'll admit, I get a bit annoyed at Peabody's fascination with pink; Eve's comments about old sayings & how stupid they are--and how everyone has given up on arguing about it; and is Mavis going to stay in pink/blue combinations for the rest of her life? Pregnancy brought that one on & I have a feeling it will last thru this pregnancy at least.

At any rate, doesn't bother me enough to stop reading them! I'm comfortable for the most part with how folks have grown/changed over the books. I admit tho'; I was trying to think the other day, how has McNab changed, outside of his love for Peabody?

I think all of the characters have become a bit softer. They know each other better and are comfortable with one another. They're all past that 'getting to know you' stage and are settled into long term friendships. No way will I stop reading the books. I still enjoy and look forward to them. Linda, It's hard to define but I miss the edge the Dublin street rat had as well.

All the In Death fans can agree 100% on that!!  It would be a sin!  

~Linda P~