Review: Bonded in Death

The #1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder, and the long shadow of war…

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset—fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets—may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear—because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must—not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain—and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

If there’s one thing you can always count on in J.D. Robb’s In Death series, it’s the perfect balance of familiarity and freshness—and Bonded in Death delivers exactly that. As a longtime fan of this series, I was once again swept up in the world of Eve Dallas, Roarke, and the rest of the beloved cast of characters. These books feel like coming home, yet they never fail to surprise with a new twist or compelling mystery.

This time, the case centers around Giovanni Rossi, a man with a shadowy past tied to a small, secret organization from the days of the Urban Wars. When Rossi arrives in New York for enigmatic reasons, he becomes the target of a calculated and lethal attack. The mystery behind who wanted him dead—and why—pulls readers into a thrilling and intricate investigation. J.D. Robb keeps the stakes high, the tension sharp, and the emotional beats perfectly in tune as Eve works to unravel Rossi’s secrets and hunt down the assailant with a vendetta.

One of the things I loved most about Bonded in Death is how it balances the ongoing arcs of its central characters with the uniqueness of this particular case. Spending time with Eve and Roarke, with their unwavering bond and witty banter, feels as comforting as ever. Yet the story never feels stagnant; Robb’s ability to blend action, suspense, and the quieter moments of connection is unparalleled.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or diving in fresh, Bonded in Death will not disappoint. The mystery is absorbing, the pacing is tight, and the characters continue to shine. Once again, J.D. Robb proves why this series remains a standout.