The old expression “revenge is a dish best served cold” may also mean that revenge is more satisfying when it is well planned and unexpected. In this 49th installment of J. D. Robb’s In Death thriller series, revenge blazes white hot with its cunning plotting and stunning execution.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas has her work cut out for her when a mutilated male body is discovered outside an Upper West Side apartment building in Manhattan. Placed on the corpse is a poem that introduces a suspected vigilante who signs the note “Lady Justice.”

The life of the victim, wealthy businessman Nigel McEnroy, may offer clues to his murder. It turns out that his company has already settled harassment claims with some young female employees. The way he died indicates that McEnroy had other dark secrets in his life. He also kept a record of his misdeeds. The case becomes more challenging when the dead man’s widow will not believe what has been uncovered about his life. Flaunting her money and connections, she threatens Eve with reprisals.

"VENDETTA IN DEATH is an intense and immensely satisfying thriller. J. D. Robb continues to create exciting and powerful storylines for characters we have come to know and love."

The more Eve learns, the more she is certain that McEnroy's murder may not be an isolated case. She and her husband, Roarke, begin investigating in hopes of learning the identity of Lady Justice. Then the patron of an expensive escort service becomes the next victim. The torture bears a striking resemblance to what happened to McEnroy, including a new poem with Lady Justice’s signature.

The homicide team works hard to find the connection between the two men, their ex-wives, current mistresses or wives. Just how are these victims chosen? And what have they done to incur the wrath of their avenger?

Eve learns that the ex-wife of one of the victims is a member of the group Women for Women, which is run by a licensed therapist. It includes other women who have been abused and betrayed by their spouses, but their names are kept confidential. Eve considers this to be a promising lead.

Before long, the investigation reveals the potential identity of Lady Justice. But will the team be able to catch her before she commits more crimes? They race against her timetable to save the next victim, but first they must figure out when and where it will happen.

This storyline, though set in August 2061, could be taken from today’s headlines reporting powerful men with lurid lifestyles who abuse women. Right or wrong, Lady Justice dishes out her own version of justice. She claims that she is only doing what the police should have done, making these men pay for their perversions, but she is clearly unable to realize that she is just as guilty.

VENDETTA IN DEATH is an intense and immensely satisfying thriller. J. D. Robb continues to create exciting and powerful storylines for characters we have come to know and love. Eve Dallas and her cohorts are like good friends who are sharing their riveting tales of suspense and intrigue that are guaranteed to keep you reading right through to the end. I can’t imagine a better way to begin the fall season than to pick up this book.