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Detective Tracks Clues To Cyanide Deaths

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By BETTIE JOHNSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 28, 2008

"Salvation in Death," by J.D. Robb (G.P. Putnam, $25.95)

Seconds after a priest drinks from the chalice during a funeral Mass in Spanish Harlem, he dies. Now, Detective Lt. Eve Dallas must find out who poisoned Father Miguel Flores.

As Dallas tracks down clues to the priest's death, preacher Jimmy Jay Jenkins dies during a service after sipping some water. Is someone targeting the clergy in New York City in 2060? Is there a connection between the death of the Catholic priest in Spanish Harlem and the founder of the popular Church of Eternal Light in Madison Square Garden? Forensics show both were poisoned by potassium cyanide.

During her investigation of Flores, Dallas finds a silver medal hidden behind a dresser drawer. The autopsy showed the popular priest had two old knife wounds and a tattoo obscured by plastic surgery. Clues point to possible identity theft, gang connections and a deep-seated revenge.

Delving into the preacher's death, Dallas discovers Jenkins, too, was not so pure. His fondness for philandering and vodka-laced water is uncovered.

In this 27th book of the "In Death" series, author J.D. Robb still manages to keep her characters interesting. In each novel, the characters' personalities continue to develop. Her books keep up the suspense but still have their humorous moments. And the romance between Dallas and her billionaire husband, Roarke, has not faltered.

Robb is a pseudonym for popular author Norah Roberts, who has written more than 150 novels.

Bettie Johnson of Brooksville is a freelance writer.

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