A murder is occurring on this May evening in 2059. It is spring and many people are out on the streets. The man didn't know her name, but she was in the right place at the right time as she came to perform her nightly duties in the Palace Hotel's Suite 4602. James Priory hid in the closet, then jumped out and attacked her. To the music of Carmen, he beat, raped and strangled her.

This is the opening of Betrayal in Death by Nora Roberts, a very interesting and fast paced murder mystery. Nora Roberts uses the pen name J.D. Robb for her mystery books and this one is a good one.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is with the New York City Police and Security Department. She is married to the wealthy Roarke. Roarke had been an Irish criminal who was involved in some big deals in his younger days while building his empire. Now he is legitimate and out of crime. He is a friend of movie star Magda Lane. who is auctioning off her art, jewelry and other items and using the money to finance a foundation. The auction items are on display in the ballroom of the Palace Hotel, which is owned by Roarke. Eve is there for a pre-auction party when hotel security tells her that there has been a murder in Suite 4602.

The novel is set in the year 2059. Technology is very advanced and people can travel and live off-planet. The latest technology is developed and used by Roarke who uses it to help Eve and her colleagues nab a hired assassin and the people who hired him.

The plot is very good and the novel is well written. Who is this hired assassin and why would someone pay him to kill a hotel maid? The reader is a part of every step Eve and her police team take to track the killer. The meticulous work of Eve and her team lead to the identification of Sylvester Yost early in the investigation. They track his purchases and find where he purchases his skin care product and silver jewelry wire that he uses as a garrote. Since his latest purchase was for three lengths of wire, they know that there will be two more murders.

The second murder takes place and it is another Roarke employee who dies. Now Eve knows that her husband is being targeted, and she has to find out by whom and why. She is up against a high priced killer for hire for whom money is no object.

The reader will enjoy this well written suspenseful novel. The action is fast paced with few lulls and the reader will find it difficult to put the book down once he/she has begun reading it. Betrayal in Death is well worth the time spent reading it.