Category Archives: teasers

In Death, Random in Death, teasers

Random in Death teasers

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We’re just over 4 days until Random in Death arrives in your hands/on your device/in your ear, so it’s time for some teasers. Just to clarify, that’s Tuesday, January 23.

First though, the official description:

Jenna’s parents had finally given in!  Here she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It’s the best night of her life. It’s the last night of her life.

Minutes later, Jake’s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it’s no use. He doesn’t know that someone in the crowd has jabbed her with a needle—and when his girlfriend Nadine arrives, she knows the only thing left to do for the girl is call her friend, Eve Dallas.

Lab results show a toxic mix of substances in the victim’s body—and for an extra touch of viciousness, the needle was teeming with infectious agents. Dallas searches for a pattern, but there are no obvious clues why this levelheaded 16-year-old, passionate about her music, would be targeted.

And that worries Eve. Because if Jenna wasn’t targeted, if she was just the random, unlucky victim of a madman consumed by hatred, there are likely more deaths to come.

And if you didn’t read the excerpt, here you go: Prologue & Chap 1.

As always, the teasers are just Easter eggs to find while you read the book. I try not to spoil the case.

Honestly, I loved the ride of this book, and think you will too. Since I read it months ago, I had to do a re-skim for the teasers and still had that fun.

If you’ve happened to read an advance copy, please do not discuss the book in the comments. That thread will open on Tuesday. This one is for speculation. 

And now here we go:
Eve and Peabody acquire new (not official) titles.

Feeney gets a gift in return for his gift for pushing buttons.

Eve may have a hidden talent for offering comfort.

How will you do on breaking down the etymology of 2061 slang?

Cute is a dangerous word.

Sometimes there’s something wonderful in a rear-view mirror.

Fun is a relative thing.

When the opportunity to reduce yourself raises, take it.

Laura

Encore in Death, In Death, teasers

Encore in Death teasers

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On sale Tuesday

Release day is only hours away, so I thought it was time for some In Death teasers. Not spoilers, just a few little things to notice as you read.

First, here’s the cover copy:

It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, a celebrity couple who’d conquered both Hollywood and Broadway. And now Eve Dallas has made her entrance–but not as a guest. After raising a toast, Fitzhugh fell to the floor and died, with physical symptoms pointing to cyanide, and the police have crashed the party.

From all accounts, he wasn’t the kind of star who made enemies. Everyone loved him–even his ex-wife. And since the champagne cocktail that killed him was originally intended for Eliza, it’s possible she was the real target, with a recently fired assistant, a bitter rival, and an obsessed fan in the picture.

With so many attendees, staff, and servers, Eve has her work cut out determining who committed murder in the middle of the crowd–and what was their motivation. As one who’s not fond of the spotlight herself, she dreads the media circus surrounding a case like this. All she wants is to figure out who’s truly innocent, and who’s only acting that way…

Here are some things that caught my eye:

Roarke does something we rarely see.
It’s never too early to find like a mind about holiday movies, bonus points if it’s on an elevator.
Eve has a meaner motto than Forgive and Forget
The Marriage Rules are not alone.
A small glimpse of that which is rarely spoken — a certain wedding reception.
An uncomfortable candy stash is empty.
Eve edges to real estate tycoon status.

And a bonus:
Who’ll find the GOT reference?

I’ll open the discussion thread early Tuesday.

Laura

Abandoned in Death, Books, In Death, teasers

Abandoned in Death Teasers

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I apologize for the delayed teasers this go round. Life has been spinning fast for me since December 1, culminating in hip surgery 5 days ago. To make it up to you, I offer a bunch of teasers in one shot.

As always, these are little Easter eggs (to borrow a film term) you’ll find in the book, not spoilers or major plot points.

I re-read Abandoned this week to create my list and it’s a fun, fast read. I think you’ll enjoy it.

So here we go:

  • The memo has gone out: Don’t mess with Bella’s territory.
  • Eve and Peabody are diametrically opposed on body art.
  • Summer internships are interesting and flexible.
  • Eve may have an unsettling definition of Good Mom.
  • It’s been nearly 3 years????
  • Always choose a meditation mantra that fits.
  • Could the perfect lip color get the bad guy?
  • Eve finally expresses an interest in real estate her reasons fascinate Roarke.
  • Life is a balance: you’re too young for some things/too old for others.
  • We learn Peabody has laid conversational traps for her partner.

If your copy of Abandoned in Death already arrived, please do not discuss the book in the comments here. I will open the discussion thread early Tuesday morning.

Laura

Forgotten in Death, teasers

Forgotten in Death teasers

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Less than a week until Forgotten in Death is on shelves, e-readers, audio players, you name it. That means it’s time for a few teasers — little things to look for throughout the book. None of these spoil the plot, they are just nuggets of fun.

First, though, here’s the description:

The body was left in a dumpster like so much trash, the victim a woman of no fixed address, known for offering paper flowers in return for spare change–and for keeping the cops informed of any infractions she witnessed on the street. But the notebook where she scribbled her intel is nowhere to be found.

Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains–in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing–unearthed by recent construction work. She isn’t happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke–not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…

Forgotten in Death is out September 7. You’ll find two excerpts at these links: Chapter One and a small peek at Chapter Two.

I’ll post several teasers over the next few days. So stay tuned.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1

1. So…maybe the vid is not so bad if it gets you the proper coffee order.
2. Roarke is a popular man in several departments.
3. We get an IHP update (and I’m not going to spell out the acronym)

THURSDAY, SEPT 2
1. He may now be legit, but Roarke can still admire talent on the other side.
2. Mamas do, indeed, have their GD ways.
3. Reinforcement that at least the Icove vid will bring out the good coffee. Plus it’s never going to end since the Red Horse Legacy is making the rounds.

FRIDAY, SEPT 3
1. The visitor chair creates some interesting office moments.
2. Peabody channels Roarke.
3. The fairies have widened their scope at the house.

I’m going to be honest here, Forgotten is now in my top five In Deaths. It was hard to pull teasers because it’s fast-paced from the opening scene so choosing the wrong thing would break my line in the sand of spoiling. I’ll simply say there are some new and interesting connections, some very intriguing contrasts of homes and some smart girl maneuvers. Hope you all like it.

Laura


Faithless in Death, teasers

Faithless in Death teasers

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For the first time in about a decade, the US and UK/IR/AU/NZ/SA release dates don’t line up for an In Death. St. Martin’s Press had to push the release to Feb. 9, while readers in other countries were able to start on Feb. 2.

I will post teasers for the next four days — as usual these are little things to look for as you race through Faithless in Death. This is NOT the discussion thread. Any/all spoilers will be deleted immediately. I will open the discussion thread early on February 9.

Book description:

Faithless opens on a lover’s quarrel turned fatal, but Eve quickly realizes there are larger and more terrifying motives behind it. 

The scene in the West Village studio appears to be classic crime-of-passion: two wineglasses by the bed, music playing, and a young sculptor named Ariel Byrd with the back of her head bashed in. But when Eve tracks down the Upper East Side woman who called 911, the details don’t add up. Gwen Huffman is wealthy, elegant, and sheds tears over the trauma of finding the body.  But why did it take an hour to report it? And why is she lying about little things?

As Eve and her team look into Gwen, her past, and the people around her, they find the lies are about more than murder. As with sculpture, they need to chip away at the layers of deception to find the shape within.  In this case, that shape involves a sinister, fanatical group and a stunning criminal conspiracy.

Here’s the first of the teasers, I will post one a day until Saturday.

Wednesday, Feb. 3
We learn there may be physical limitations to wiggle/toss actions.
We learn Trina may be generous but that doesn’t quite offset her pushy/bossy/scary side.
We learn Det. Carmichael’s theory as to why vending machines hate Eve.

Thursday, Feb 4
Sorry gang, there was an issue posting yesterday. Here are the 3 teasers.
We learn Eve can see a surprise coming from a mile away.
But we also learn Summerset knows all the surprises.
We learn what Eve really eats for breakfast.

Friday, Feb 5
We learn Mira weighed choices on her dissertation.
We learn that while kids are not her thing, Eve aces playground duty.
We learn that all Marriage Rules are different.

Monday, February 8
We’ll end with a question and two comments:
Is Eve ever out of cop mode?
Yancy is a credit to his rank.
Dochas is a place of beauty both in plan and in action.

Books, Shadows in Death, teasers

Shadows in Death teasers

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At the time of this writing there are four days, 18 hours until Shadows in Death is in stores. (Four days, 9 hours until it starts showing up on ereaders). How to make it through? A few teasers, of course.

First, the description:

While Eve examines a fresh body in Washington Square Park, her husband, Roarke, spots a man among the onlookers he knew in his younger days on the streets of Dublin. A man who claims to be his half brother. A man who kills for a living—and who burns with hatred for him.

Eve is quick to suspect that the victim’s spouse—resentful over his wife’s affair and poised to inherit her fortune—would have happily paid an assassin to do his dirty work. Roarke is just as quick to warn her that if Lorcan Cobbe is the hitman, she needs to be careful. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have pursued this cold-hearted killer for years, to no avail. And his lazy smirk when he looked Roarke’s way indicates that he will target anyone who matters to Roarke…and is confident he’ll get away with it.

Eve is desperate to protect Roarke. Roarke is desperate to protect Eve. And together, they’re determined to find Cobbe before he finds them—even if it takes them across the Atlantic, far outside Eve’s usual jurisdiction…

As usual, I’ll share some teasers — things to look out for along the course of the case. No real spoilers, just some fun. I’ll add for the next three days, so stay tuned.

Thursday, September 3
– We take trip in the Wayback Machine with Jack and Ryan
– There’s a firm read on one of the Marriage Rules
– Reo and Eve play their roles to perfection

Friday, September 4
– Feeney has a different approach (and name?) for the Marriage Rules
– Roarke + Dennis Mira = a great deal
– We learn what could scare Eve, Roarke and Summerset.

Saturday, September 5
– Precautions: necessary — if insulting.
– Sometimes other people dream and soothe
– What if Roarke hadn’t gone legit?
– NYPSD kicks the world’s investigative butt

Laura

Golden in Death, In Death, teasers

Golden In Death Teasers

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As of this writing, we’re 8 days away from Golden in Death (see? it wasn’t that long). In a FITS tradition, I’ll share some teasers about the book over the next few days.

As always, these will not spoil the plot, they are just some Easter Eggs (as they say in the film business) to look out for when you read.

A quick reminder of the plot:

Pediatrician Kent Abner received the package on a beautiful April morning. Inside was a cheap trinket, a golden egg that opened into two halves. When he pried it apart, highly toxic airborne fumes entered his body—and killed him.

After Eve calls the hazmat team—and undergoes testing to reassure herself and Roarke that she wasn’t exposed—it’s time to look into Dr. Abner’s past and relationships. Not every victim Eve encounters is an angel, but it seems that Abner came pretty close—though he did ruffle some feathers over the years by taking stands for the weak and defenseless. While the lab tries to identify the deadly toxin, Eve hunts for the sender. When someone else dies in the same grisly manner, it becomes clear that she’s dealing with either a madman—or someone who has a hidden and elusive connection to both victims.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27

  • Black, brown, gray, indigo – which is more dignified?
  • Teaching, training – what’s the dif?
  • Peabody has a life exit plan.
  • Roarke now has Nowhere to go.

Tuesday, January 28

  • Whose brain has more fun when asleep?
  • There’s a chance Jenkinson’s ties are alive (in Eve’s head).
  • Did you know how old Peabody is?

Wednesday, January 29

  • Marriage Rules apparently have notations (and Eve is apparently corporate secretary)
  • Fog + sheen = power
  • Peabody translates the power of clothes

Thursday, January 30

  • Dectective Peabody: Forensic fabric specialist
  • Elevators: the best place for impromptu support meetings
  • Gardening for newbies is a lovely way to end a day

OK, gang, that’s it. Golden will be in your hands in four days!

Laura

Books, In Death, teasers, Vendetta in Death

Vendetta in Death teasers

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We’re a week away from the Vendetta in Death release (see? it wasn’t that long). In a FITS tradition, I’ll share some teasers about the book over the next few days.

As always, these will not spoil the plot, they are just some Easter Eggs (as they say in the film business) to look out for when you read.

A quick reminder of the plot:

Eve’s up against a self-proclaimed Lady Justice. Once she chooses a man as her target, she turns herself into a tall blonde or a curvaceous redhead to tempt him into her grasp. Once there, he’s powerless.

The first victim is wealthy businessman Nigel McEnroy. His company’s HR department has paid out settlements to a couple of his young victims—but they don’t know his crimes go far beyond workplace harassment. Lady Justice does. And in one shocking night of brutality, she makes him pay a much steeper price.

Eve and Roarke comb through the evidence of McEnroy’s secret life. His compulsive need to record his misdeeds provides them with a wide range of suspects, but the secret to Lady Justice remains elusive. Her criminal crusade escalates rapidly, and if Eve can’t stop this vigilante, there’s no telling how much blood may be spilled.

Tuesday, August 27:

That damn Icove movie gets in the way of everything.
Peabody shares some DLE experience.
Capt. Feeney, hero.

Wednesday, August 28:

Eve outlines a career goal for Peabody.
Eve presents her clear outline of justice.
Eve shares just a hint of Roarke’s fate if he ever cheated with Peabody.

Thursday, August 29

Peabody connects with a legend (who’s a fan – damn Icove Agenda!).
Peabody + Eve’s driving = mixed bag of reaction
AAC – Asses All Covered

Friday, August 30

Last one is three-in-one:
Every individual has specific definitions
For Eve — what is whimsy
For Bella — what is a toy
For Roarke — what is trauma
Find the answers to all of these things on Tuesday!

Laura

Connections in Death, Cranky Publicist, teasers

Connections in Death teasers

47 Comments

By this time next week, the louder clamor will be “What’s next?” * Right now, it’s all about anticipation. Which means it’s time for a few teasers from Connections in Death.

As always, these are not spoilers about the book or important things about characters, just little nuggets to notice on the way to solving the case.

Thursday, January 31
– Eve’s off duty Sundays sound exhausting (to me)
– Every band starts with a name
– Roarke nips nuclear war, Eve Style, in the bud

Friday, February 1
– March’s sheep has nothing over the lion in Eve’s opinion
– Eve practices social niceties, stunning all who know her
– Roarke is briefed on the consequences of fucking Eve over.

Saturday, February 2
– Some evening walks feature pearls and a hole.
– What’s worse: a being a dick or being a crook?
– Peabody obviously practices bad cop so she’s ready when called.

Monday, February 4
I took the post-signing/Super Bowl Sunday off but here are two more:
– Roarke gets an adorbs nickname
– Hey! Eve can think of stuff!

And now, we wait a matter of hours for the release. So that means a new gif, or two:

Is it time???
Waiting…

I’ll add new ones for the next few days, so you’re over-the-top ready for Connections. Oh no, wait! You already are.

Laura

*[Vendetta in Death, September 2019]

Laura's posts, Leverage in Death, teasers

Leverage in Death teasers

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Leverage in Death cover

One week to go until Leverage in Death is in your hands!  As is tradition, I’m going to share some gentle teasers — little things to look for as you race through the book.  No plot points, no major spoilers, just a little extra eye on details.  I’ll add a new one each day from now until Friday (8/31) to whet the appetite a little bit more.

But first, the book description.

What would you do to protect your family?

Leverage in Death opens with a bizarre suicide bombing in a Wall St. office building. As airline executives finalized a merger that would make news in the business world, marketing VP Paul Rogan walked into the plush conference room, strapped with explosives, and destroyed the room. Headlines spoke of death and destruction, but Eve Dallas confirmed that Rogan was cruelly coerced by two masked men holding his family hostage. His motive: save his wife and daughter. But what motivated the masked men?

Now Eve must untangle the reason for an inexplicable act of terror, look at suspects inside and outside both corporations, and determine whether the root of this crime lies in simple sabotage, or something far more complex and twisted.

Teaser 1 — Tuesday 8/28
  • You will never look at soup the same way again. 
  • Feeney has an eye for relationships.
  • Baxter has some deep pockets.
Teaser 2 — Wednesday 8/29
  • Eve considers the various levels of scary Roarke.
  • A dinner conversation ranges from firsts to fathers to friendship.
  • Waffles or oatmeal? An eternal question.
Teaser 3 — Thursday 8/30
  • Peabody is bilingual.
  • Roarke continues to understand all manner of e-speak no matter the age of the e-geek.  (Got the cranks, ha!)
  • Eve comes into some original art.
Teaser 4 — Friday 8/31
  • Eve and Feeney head a host of pals who make a dream come true.
  • A new phrase: “Pull a Roarke.”
  • Eve and Roarke still know how dance around lines in the sand.  And be pissed about it.

OK, that takes us through about three-quarters of the book.  The rest needs to flow through the end of the case.

But stay tuned through the end. Every once in a while there’s an epilogue.

I’ll open the discussion thread bright and early Tuesday morning.