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In Death (as J.D. Robb) Reading Order.

Quick Answer

Start In Death (as J.D. Robb) by Nora Roberts with "Naked in Death", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Set in mid-21st century New York, this futuristic police procedural follows NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband Roarke.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 5 main titles released between 1996 and 1998. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Naked in Death"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The provided Reddit comments focus entirely on a list of new Science Fiction and Fantasy (SFF) book releases for an upcoming month (featuring authors like Tchaikovsky, Pynchon, Modesitt, and Wells). The author J.D. Robb (or the 'In Death' series) is not mentioned in the list of new releases, nor is the reading order for that series discussed by any commenter. Therefore, no consensus or recommended reading order can be determined from this source material."

Key Reddit Advice

No specific advice or recommended reading order for J.D. Robb's 'In Death' series was provided in these comments.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for In Death (as J.D. Robb) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for In Death (as J.D. Robb). The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Naked in Death" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "In Death (as J.D. Robb)" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order5 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Murder mystery set in the 22nd century. Someone is killing prostitutes with a gun, most unusual in the era of the laser.

2

Plot details hidden until you finish "Naked in Death".

She'd come to New York to be a cop, because she believed in order. Needed it to survive. She had taken control, had made herself into the person some anonymous social worker had named Eve Dallas'. But in a few weeks she won't just be Eve Dallas, lieutenant, homicide. She'll be Roarke's wife. But Eve's wedding plans may have to be put on hold as her private and professional lives collide... The victim in her latest murder investigation is one of the most sought-after women in the world. A top model who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted - even another woman's man. And Eve's chief suspect is the other woman in this fatal love triangle - her best friend Mavis. Putting her job on the line to head the investigation, Eve discovers that the world of high fashion thrives on an all-consuming passion for youth and fame. One that leads from the runway to the dark underworld of New York City where drugs can fulfil any desire - for a price . . .

3

Remember When

Pub: 2003

Plot details hidden until you finish "Immortal in Death".

Featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas, Remember When blends present-day romance and futuristic suspense in a thrilling two-part novel that combines the incomparable talents of two #1 New York Times bestselling authors: Nora Roberts and her alter ego J. D. Robb. Antiques dealer Laine Tavish is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life. At least, that's what everyone in the small town of Angel's Gap, Maryland, thinks. They have no idea that she used to be Elaine O'Hara, the daughter of a notorious con man... Laine's past catches up with her when one of Big Jack's associates turns up in her shop with a cryptic warning and is then run down in the street. Now the next target of a ruthless killer, Laine teams up with sexy PI Max Gannon to find out who's chasing her, and why. The answer lies in a hidden fortune that will change not only Laine's life, but also the lives of future generations—including New York City detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas. In a future where crime meets cutting-edge technology, Eve is used to traveling in the shadowy corners outside the law. She will attempt to track down the treasure Laine and Max sought once and for all—and stop the danger and death that has surrounded it for decades...

4

Plot details hidden until you finish "Remember When".

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb presents the fifth thrilling novel in her futuristic In Death series—where even in an age of cutting-edge technology, old beliefs die hard. Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warnning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong—and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

5

Plot details hidden until you finish "Ceremony In Death".

Police lieutenant Eve Dallas goes undercover to track down a serial killer preying on the employees of an elite New York escort service.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the In Death (as J.D. Robb) series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read In Death (as J.D. Robb)?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Naked in Death" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Nora Roberts intended.

Can I read In Death (as J.D. Robb) books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the In Death (as J.D. Robb) universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.