What a fitting title for this latest J. D. Robb novel of futuristic suspense. In ABANDONED IN DEATH, a young woman’s body is discovered in a children’s playground. Lt. Eve Dallas of the New York City Police and Security Department arrives to find the victim dressed in vintage clothes. Her nails, makeup and hair are in a style possibly from the previous century. But perhaps strangest of all is a note on the corpse written in crayon: Bad Mommy.

Along with Peabody, McNab, Baxter and Feeney, Eve begins looking into the woman’s background. Her dated appearance may provide important clues, so she immediately requests a meeting with an expert profiler. In Dr. Mira’s opinion, the way the death was presented indicates a childhood trauma. Whoever was responsible for this will likely kill again --- an alarming scenario for Eve and her fellow detectives.

"J. D. Robb always delivers a story about relationships and themes that readers can relate to in their own lives. For an engrossing wintertime read, pick up this intriguing mystery. It won’t disappoint."

Starting with the victim’s family, the team investigates every avenue. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary when it comes to the victim. She did follow a daily routine, which could have created an opportunity for an abduction. The vintage clothes, makeup, hair and nail products turn out to be common, popular items that are readily available and easy to purchase. But when the investigation uncovers two other missing women with similar appearances, Eve is certain that the killer is planning to strike again.

As the investigation leads the detectives to expand their search to include missing women and abandoned children during the last century, a potential lead emerges. But now they must track down the whereabouts of a young mother and an abandoned child wherever they are now, years later, or at least family members who can provide much-needed information.

Then another woman is found dead in the playground, and the body is presented in the same way as the first victim. This time, though, there is evidence to follow that leads them to difficult and complicated family relationships, and the surprising identity of a deranged murderer.

Narrated from the points of view of the killer and the victims, as well as Eve and her team, the storytelling creates a huge amount of tension. The investigation triggers discussions between Eve and her husband, Roarke, about their own childhoods and family relationships. Even though it touches a raw nerve for Eve, she never gives up on the case or the missing young women.

J. D. Robb always delivers a story about relationships and themes that readers can relate to in their own lives. For an engrossing wintertime read, pick up this intriguing mystery. It won’t disappoint.