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

Quick Answer

Start In Death (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.

A futuristic police procedural series starring Lt. Eve Dallas and set in mid-21st century New York City.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 6 main titles released between 1996 and 2003. 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 are focused on new SFF book releases from various authors (Tchaikovsky, Reynolds, Pynchon, etc.) and do not contain any discussion, mention, or analysis of the 'In Death' series by J.D. Robb, thus no reading order consensus can be determined from this data."

Key Reddit Advice

No advice regarding the reading order for J.D. Robb's 'In Death' series was present in these comments.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for In Death (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 (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 (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

It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion. Crime and punishment is her business. Murder her speciality. Named by the social worker who found her when she was a mere child roaming that city's streets, Eve is a New York police detective who lives for her job. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all - and knows her survival depends on her instincts. When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. Three young women have been brutally murdered, and Lieutenant Eve Dallas has been assigned to investigate. The high-profile case takes her into the rarefied circles of Washington politics and society. She knows better than to become emotionally involved with her work. But the prime suspect is Roarke, one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, a suave, sophisticated and devilishly handsome Irishman with a mysterious past. Much to her dismay, she finds herself powerless to resist his charm. She's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, but passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about - except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

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

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

The dead were her business. She lived with them, worked with them, studied them. She dreamed of them. And because that didn't seem to be enough, in some deep, secret chamber of her heart, she mourned for them.' The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims are beautiful and highly successful women; their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects - including her own lover, Roarke. As a woman, Eve is compelled to trust the man who shares her bed. But as a cop, it's her job to follow every lead...to explore every secret passion, no matter how dark. Or how dangerous

4

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

We seek only the purity of justice. By the time this message reaches you, the first execution will have taken place. New York, the summer of 2059, and the unbearable heat drives everyone to the very edge of madness. So when homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas is called to a violent attack by a deranged man, she thinks she's in control. She couldn't be more wrong. Someone is managing to spread insanity like a virus, forcing targeted criminals to lose their minds. But with a method of execution so unpredictable and brutal that even those behind it are starting to panic, Eve must act decisively. Faced with a spiders-web of betrayal protecting those responsible, Eve is forced to fight back and fight dirty.

5

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

In this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series, Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces a serial killer who offers his victims eternal youth by taking their life… After a tip from a reporter, Eve Dallas finds the body of a young woman in a Delancey street dumpster. Just hours before, the news station had mysteriously received a portfolio of professional portraits of the woman. The photos seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary for any pretty young woman starting a modeling career. Except that she wasn't a model. And that these photos were taken after she had been murdered. Now Dallas is on the trail of a killer who's a perfectionist and an artist. He carefully observes and records his victim's every move. And he has a mission: to own every beautiful young woman's innocence, to capture her youth and vitality—in one fateful shot...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the In Death (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 (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 (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 (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.