Review: 50 books in, J.D. Robb crime series still has it

“Golden in Death,” by J.D. Robb, St. Martin’s Press Lt. Eve Dallas, New York City’s finest homicide cop, is back again in the 50th book in the long-running “In Death” series, futuristic police procedurals set in the mid-21st century. Eve’s investigation into Abner’s death keeps leading to dead ends, and then another person is killed by the same toxic golden-egg package. Both victims are connected to a private high school, and Eve and her team go on a twisty adventure that feels like the best possible crossover between “Law & Order” and a CW drama. Roberts began writing the “In Death” series in 1995, and some familiar and complicated characters are woven into all the books, including “Golden in Death.” Her intricate character development and powerful storytelling give both longtime fans and newcomers the ability to drop into the series at any point and escape into Eve’s world.